tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46376829067317639002024-03-13T23:34:53.630-04:00The Sugar and the SpiceSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-26285791775428159942010-12-07T14:35:00.000-05:002010-12-07T14:35:58.299-05:00Christmas Cards!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">Now that the Hubs and I are married, I've been thinking that it's about time that we send out some kind of Christmas card to all our loved ones. While I love stationary of all kinds, I especially love receiving photo Christmas cards from people.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">I've been doing a lot lately with our professional wedding photos (hanging them up in frames, making Christmas gifts, etc..) and figured I might as well use one or two of them in a Christmas card. After all, when else will we have professional photos of us for our disposal?</span></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">I decided to check out <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/">Shutterfly</a> to see what</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery">card designs</a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">they had to offer.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">Here are some of my favorites: </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x5/STATIONERYCARD_5x5-31046-2628-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281031647000126597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x5/STATIONERYCARD_5x5-31046-2628-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281031647000126597.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Revamped. I just love the fonts on this one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2900-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128874101100088896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2900-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128874101100088896.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranberry Joy. This simplicity with the bit of Christmasy red is beautiful!</td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2272-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128103981900076718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2272-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128103981900076718.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Wrapped Up<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_folded_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_FOLDED_5x7-27137-2572-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128102561400076109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_folded_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_FOLDED_5x7-27137-2572-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128102561400076109.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Mistletoe Necessary. I would use the picture of Hubs and I kissing at the wedding in this one!</td></tr>
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span>There are over 800 Christmas card designs to choose from on the Shutterfly website so I had a hard time choosing (and still am!) but I was able to narrow it down by the message on the card and limiting it to one picture. There are designs where you can use more than one photo but since our little family is just Hubs and me at this point, it just seemed a little egotistical to fill a card with a lot of photos of ourselves. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How cute would these cards be for a family with kids?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_folded_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_FOLDED_5x7-27137-2359-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128588204500089441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_folded_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_FOLDED_5x7-27137-2359-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128588204500089441.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Count your Blessings</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2747-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281039977000129414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2747-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281039977000129414.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Ten Moments. I love that this one is a photo card and Christmas Letter all in one!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whichever one I choose though I know it will come out amazing. I've used Shutterfly before to design a photo book of our pictures from our trip to Japan. I've also used them to order prints of photos and <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/thank-you-cards">thank you cards</a> before as well and am always happy with the quality. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars">calendars</a> would make a great gift for a parent or grandparent to document what went on during the past year. I love that you can personalize it too! Imagine seeing my pretty face on the March 19th block!?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/shop/pipshots/2027_l-v128441211600035846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/shop/pipshots/2027_l-v128441211600035846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So which design should I choose?!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-73413071595556971842010-11-23T19:54:00.000-05:002010-11-23T19:54:37.847-05:00Thanksgiving<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love Thanksgiving. I like that it is a fairly stress-free holiday where you just eat and eat and spend time with loved ones. It also helps that I usually get a few days off of work/school. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">As a kid, I would wake up Thanksgiving morning and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on T.V. with my parents as they were preparing something for dinner later that day. I LOVED seeing all the huge floats go by and watching musical numbers straight off of Broadway being performed. It was always exciting too when Santa showed up at the end! That meant that it was officially the Christmas season which was exciting in itself. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.com.com/tv/images/processed/default/79/8d/304473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://image.com.com/tv/images/processed/default/79/8d/304473.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.com.com/tv/images/processed/default/79/8d/304473.jpg">source</a><br />
I always dreamed of being a Rockette in the parade...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After spending the morning watching the parade, we would spend the day with our extended family. We would spend the morning with my dad's side of the family and have dinner with my mom's. I am blessed with a big extended family and always looked forward spending these holidays with all my cousins.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Once high school rolled around things changed. I could no longer spend my Thanksgiving mornings watching the Macy's Parade. Throughout my four years of high school, my Thanksgiving mornings were spent at the high school football game performing in the marching band. Instead of snuggled up at home watching the parade with my parents, I was marching around a freezing cold football field with 150 other band geeks (who am I kidding? I loved it at the time.) Unfortunately, I can't find any pictures of me in my marching band get-up so I'll spare you (as well as any of my high school friends who may be in any said pictures with me.) </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Even though I now roll my eyes at high school me, I really did enjoy those mornings with the band. I was able to spend the beginning of the holiday with some of my best friends and look forward to a delicious meal with family later in the day. Back then, I always thought I would be one of those people who would continue to go to the high school football game every Thanksgiving to catch up with old acquaintances and cheer on the home team. Seven years later however, I have been to exactly zero. I guess the Macy's Parade on my couch is just more appealing than cold, awkward encounters at a football game I don't really care about.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">When college came along, Thanksgiving weekend was a time to reunite with old friends and family. Most of us were home on a quick break from school. At this time, my group of girlfriends and I began a tradition we called "Take-Out Thanksgiving." At take out Thanksgiving, we got together the night before Thanksgiving and ordered take out from all of our favorite take out places around town that we had been missing while away at school. It was always a great time to catch up on what is going on in all of our separate lives and to stuff our faces (like we needed that with a big meal the next night!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej5t-pIPogNMRJbVH3cJwsIPp0mgvkzXOt5zgQTh-7SA7Y4DGXQfFYctutPPHgzFWInaJ-icMOcoLKM0eTyBA_chZgf16Em1GVsNpUvYEiMtaTPmY1dHnOvmOMBtKI9CYJOaXPsp_g5Vx/s1600/totg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej5t-pIPogNMRJbVH3cJwsIPp0mgvkzXOt5zgQTh-7SA7Y4DGXQfFYctutPPHgzFWInaJ-icMOcoLKM0eTyBA_chZgf16Em1GVsNpUvYEiMtaTPmY1dHnOvmOMBtKI9CYJOaXPsp_g5Vx/s400/totg.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the group of us at TOTG '06</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel8AJyAvTqHSO8c0qNK46NjozaYHcgqykBH0ZjC492mNonav3XnppmTpD4jDPy6TQWb0fs6tnKHC2GsPGbIznaYREcz9FUmfHi8Hxj3gvRtTonaxBtIYE0a5DXSJ1wbwFUMbO74IWcDHc/s1600/totg2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel8AJyAvTqHSO8c0qNK46NjozaYHcgqykBH0ZjC492mNonav3XnppmTpD4jDPy6TQWb0fs6tnKHC2GsPGbIznaYREcz9FUmfHi8Hxj3gvRtTonaxBtIYE0a5DXSJ1wbwFUMbO74IWcDHc/s400/totg2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...I guess we made pilgrim and Native American hats that year...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUlECJY9ywph2YmH5Q-RUNn_TzgTVC-9LRWCbFo1tVFbnHARAQUn8bEgyYE71Zz-5CskSLbBmDiY0pZwcsdxIrsctf5jev_03utEhoRP1JU7QQbOBJRSSdCKTNl5YPDbHVHv04luiUrRH/s1600/totg3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUlECJY9ywph2YmH5Q-RUNn_TzgTVC-9LRWCbFo1tVFbnHARAQUn8bEgyYE71Zz-5CskSLbBmDiY0pZwcsdxIrsctf5jev_03utEhoRP1JU7QQbOBJRSSdCKTNl5YPDbHVHv04luiUrRH/s400/totg3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a few friends at TOTG '07...look at all that grease...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Around this time, there was a shift in my family Thanksgiving as well. After years of my Mimi hosting Thanksgiving, my aunt decided to give her a break and start having it at her house. It didn't really matter to anyone where Thanksgiving dinner would be held. After all, all that matters is that the whole family is together. However, it is a bit humorous <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">where </span>at my aunt's house Thanksgiving dinner is now held. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteXvAlrH7PbibtEpT2kOrzHbUpSMVz2GVnyXUTGVWf8dExpf2mNNlMuoELv4ml9pjMQ_pBkcB5a9EWTwDed_dss6TXGFDYcoYa9Bwgh-2E4m2U4OmQAjRYRckoIhkLucvlG0HMxebLgpk/s1600/garage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteXvAlrH7PbibtEpT2kOrzHbUpSMVz2GVnyXUTGVWf8dExpf2mNNlMuoELv4ml9pjMQ_pBkcB5a9EWTwDed_dss6TXGFDYcoYa9Bwgh-2E4m2U4OmQAjRYRckoIhkLucvlG0HMxebLgpk/s400/garage.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know you probably can't tell from this picture but this was taken in a garage. Yes, Thanksgiving dinner is now held in a garage. My aunt and uncle converted their garage into a party space and since our family is too big to fit in anyone room in the house, the garage it is! Even though it is a bit unconventional, it works out great. We are now able to all sit at one big table as a family for Thanksgiving dinner. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Now that I am married, Thanksgiving has changed once again. Hubs and I have decided to alternate years with each other's families. This year we are going to Vermont to spend Thanksgiving with his family. It is my first Thanksgiving away from my family but I am looking forward to it. I love spending time with all of them and I look forward to making new traditions and memories with my new family branch! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even though I am generally quite a creature of habit, Thanksgiving has taught me that, it doesn't matter whether or not the same traditions are practiced every year. I have learned that no matter what I am doing, being with the people I love and who love me back is all that matters to me. I truly have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-33535699714067080302010-11-12T14:53:00.000-05:002010-11-12T14:53:15.716-05:00It's Beginning to Look A lot Like...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ok ok, I won't say Christmas...not quite yet. But it is beginning to look a lot like the holiday season. Thanksgiving plans are underway and it will be here in less than 2 weeks! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Veteran's Day</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">For those of you here in the United States, (as if I have a large, international following...) yesterday was Veteran's Day. Hubs is a veteran so of course, we celebrated! I had professional development for work in the morning and I brought him home a very special "veteran's day" donut from my training. For dinner, a local restaurant, <a href="http://www.horseshoegrille.com/horseshoeGrille/">The Horseshoe Grille</a> had a Veteran's Day special where veterans could get a free entree! Hubs, his friend T (who is also a veteran) and I all went and we just had to pay for my meal! Hubs went all out and ordered one of the most expensive things on the menu, a full rack of ribs!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">2. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Sleep Talking Man</span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Awhile back I found a hilarious blog called <a href="http://www.Sleeptalkinman.blogspot.com/">Sleep Talking Man</a>. This blog is written by a women whose husband says truly absurd things in his sleep just about every night. I think the reason I find this blog so funny is because, I too, have a Sleep Talking Man on my hands. Yes, Hubs is a sleep talker. Big time. While he doesn't say such vulgar things as the STM from the blog, I have heard some gems:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Me: [I wake up to the sound of Hubs rummaging through the closet] What are you doing? [at this point I think he is awake and just looking for something in the closet.]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Hubs: WHAT?!?!?!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Me: [realizing that he is rummaging through <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">my </span>side of the closet so he must be asleep.] What are you looking for?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Hubs: WHAT?!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Me: come back to bed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Hubs: NO! (he gets kind of angry when he is confused and asleep.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Me: What are you looking for?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Hubs: THE BRIDGE! (duh!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Me: What?!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Hubs: THE BRIDGE!!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Me: Come back to bed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Hubs: ughhh [begrudgingly heads back to bed] BUT HOW AM I GOING TO BUILD THE BRIDGE!?!?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Another night I wake up to Hubs crawling all around the bed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Me: What are you doing?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Hubs: I'm setting up the map.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Another night I awake frightened to Hubs yelling "I'M A BEAST!!!" In his defense, he says he had a dream that he was playing video games with his brothers and that is apparently something they yell when to do well.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">3. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Wedding Pictures</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Our wedding was July 10 and we received our professional pictures about a month later. I am just finally doing something with them now. I ordered prints of them all a few days ago and for the past few weeks have been working on parent albums (sorry parents! they're coming!) </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgZagedyNuw6MRV3OM_QUiPNc1TCUZSHkM40zRwsSLyfBSp7P7NVHOi3aH3-qfQzby2jBQq78l9ujGHFUKaFCzp-f7OyLKK6T6k_1luKwJCIWrMiS-WSZsMiLIj7YLorida_sd0D2ZU-1/s1600/Sara+and+Lance+146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgZagedyNuw6MRV3OM_QUiPNc1TCUZSHkM40zRwsSLyfBSp7P7NVHOi3aH3-qfQzby2jBQq78l9ujGHFUKaFCzp-f7OyLKK6T6k_1luKwJCIWrMiS-WSZsMiLIj7YLorida_sd0D2ZU-1/s400/Sara+and+Lance+146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I wondered to myself why, after being so on top of all the wedding planning details, was I slacking in these post wedding projects? I genuinely loved working on all the projects and details that were involved in planning the wedding but these post wedding projects have taken me forever to complete and sometimes seem more like a hassle than a fun project. I've realized it is because I am just enjoying being married. For 10 months of planning we were excited to be doing things for our "big special day." Now, the wedding has come and gone and we are finally married. and we are so glad. I love coming home every day to Hubs and knowing that we'll always be there for each other. We love spending time together no matter what we are doing and planning our future together. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">So it's not that I don't appreciate all of our wedding photos. I love looking at all of them and reminiscing about our wedding day. It just seems like, ok, now the wedding is over, let's work on marriage. and I like that :) </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">4. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">CPR</span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Tomorrow, from 9-5:30 I will be in training for CPR and First Aid for work. I am not looking forward to this but I am letting you know that after 5:30 tomorrow, I can legally save your life.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">5. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Cake Wrecks</span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I honestly can't think of anything to write about so I thought I'd share another funny blog that I like looking at from time to time: <a href="http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/">Cake Wrecks.</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Happy Friday!</span><br />
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</span>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-59389691964673120992010-11-06T13:52:00.000-04:002010-11-06T13:52:35.836-04:00Pre-Thanksgiving Thoughts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Sorry there was no Friday Five yesterday. I know a few of my loyal followers were looking forward to it. I didn't get out of work until late and then was feeling under the weather so I went to bed early. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">In lieu of a Friday Five, here are a few tidbits of what's been going on:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">This morning has been spent making <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/10/the-pie-thatll-make-you-cry/">the pie that will make you cry</a> from PW. My friends from college and I are all getting together tonight for our annual pre-Thanksgiving feast and I'm making a pecan pie for the occasion. Hopefully it is as delicious as it seems!</span></li>
</ul><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">As promised, here are some pictures of Hubs and I on Halloween as well as my Halloween cookies.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIOsJJ4X6DMPlVP0fvR9pPL7DD4ci3ut0NQ6fSnCIy2XKn0GTF1BlGRehy3fJbClj5qz0JkwZQQWDPsXmEvHPGLcJxSAAfGJRpo4RK2ptJbDg4Es9CBUu3YMKWUY8btTUsntVzNEaCVn5/s1600/billsookie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIOsJJ4X6DMPlVP0fvR9pPL7DD4ci3ut0NQ6fSnCIy2XKn0GTF1BlGRehy3fJbClj5qz0JkwZQQWDPsXmEvHPGLcJxSAAfGJRpo4RK2ptJbDg4Es9CBUu3YMKWUY8btTUsntVzNEaCVn5/s320/billsookie.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill and Sookie..I know, I look great as a blonde</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPM093UND23dNZ6KDk9_rNJAexMVN5z9sty63COZoqvUXh-zWaZFDZ8gr0553kN7T0AuTv4bMmWMjab26n112HnirJy7pS1SlAlDMjftGUZCdVK8LQkNbmyrNKaOCGZhVh_Fa24EhrAKw/s1600/cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPM093UND23dNZ6KDk9_rNJAexMVN5z9sty63COZoqvUXh-zWaZFDZ8gr0553kN7T0AuTv4bMmWMjab26n112HnirJy7pS1SlAlDMjftGUZCdVK8LQkNbmyrNKaOCGZhVh_Fa24EhrAKw/s320/cookies.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the decorated sugar cookies. They were more of a pain to decorate than they should have been. I don't know if I'll be making these again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thursday night, Hubs came home from work saying that Friday was somebody's birthday at his work and it was his turn to bring in a cake. I baked my old stand-by of deliciousness, <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/red-velvet-cake/">red velvet cake</a>. I use that recipe from Bakerella and it never fails! I guess it was a hit at his work and a few of the ladies he works with even asked for the recipe!</span></li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.wonderhowto.com/images/gfx/gallery/634051536390369931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.wonderhowto.com/images/gfx/gallery/634051536390369931.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bakerella.com/red-velvet-cake/">source</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That's all for now! Happy Weekend!</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-87976694440761895282010-10-29T14:06:00.001-04:002010-10-29T14:08:29.172-04:00A Spooky Friday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Halloween Cookies</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">My project for tonight is to make these cookies:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTo1dfVFqj9OsfV2wDReM1LgXU4XRAxc0Z1bbauWlOW_BGgKDzQALFCuaXOMZ0mSaXQzN0cvNn6nsc508iY75j6qxi9jdBTZ3A1Tkffj79oYSexCVzuGKM2Uq7ykDpHMyxFHetS7cUTwj/s1600/3_Websblur-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTo1dfVFqj9OsfV2wDReM1LgXU4XRAxc0Z1bbauWlOW_BGgKDzQALFCuaXOMZ0mSaXQzN0cvNn6nsc508iY75j6qxi9jdBTZ3A1Tkffj79oYSexCVzuGKM2Uq7ykDpHMyxFHetS7cUTwj/s320/3_Websblur-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-cookie-ideas.html">source</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">They are for a Halloween party we are going to tomorrow night. I might make some different variations depending on what cookie cutters I have. Hopefully they will come out as cute. Maybe I'll update later in the week with pictures of my cookies. For more adorable cookies to make for any occasion check out Bridget's blog over at <a href="http://www.bakeat350.blogspot.com/">Bake at 350</a> . </span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">2. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">McDonald's Coffee</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I know I'm a Boston girl and I'm <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">supposed</span> to just love LOVE</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dunkin Donuts Coffee. Well guess what. I don't. Actually, I more or less hate it. I think it tastes like sewage. or bathwater. or something equally disgusting. When I'm out and about and need a cuppa' joe I head to Mickey D's!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.legitify.com/joegaetani/photos/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.legitify.com/joegaetani/photos/coffee.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.legitify.com/joegaetani/photos/coffee.jpg">source</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now, I know McDonald's usually gets kind of a bad rep for most of their products but they do their coffee RIGHT. McDonald's serves Newman's Own organic coffee and it is delicious. This is usually the kind of coffee I buy for my home coffee machine. It is so much better than Dunks or Starbucks (in my opinion) AND you can get any size for just $1!</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">3. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">True Blood</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">For the Halloween party we're going to tomorrow night, Hubs and I are going as Sookie and Bill from one of our favorite shows True Blood.</span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://poptimal.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/sookie-bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://poptimal.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/sookie-bill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://poptimal.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/sookie-bill.jpg">source</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While I like this costume idea because it is a cute couple costume and it is based on two of our favorite characters, Hubs likes it because it requires minimal dressing up on his part.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">4. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Our Landlord</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Our landlord is a little kooky woman who is probably in her late 60s. I give her credit because she does all the mowing and yard work around the townhouses all on her own. The past few days she's been raking and mowing every afternoon. The other day I saw her and it looked to me like she was mowing the driveway. The paved driveway. I soon realized that she was actually just using the mower to suck up the leaves in the driveway. Ok. Fine. Today though...today I come home from work to find her walking up and down the street, mowing the WHOLE street. Not people's yards on the street. The actual street. She doesn't own the whole street, just the two townhouse buildings but she apparently felt the need to suck up all the leaves in the city. She cracks me up.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">5. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Nail Polish</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I found a new nail polish I love. In the fall and winter, I'm always drawn to dark shades of nail polish. Usually I stick to OPI it is high quality and it leaves a good, even coating. One day I decided to paint my nails but could not find any of my nail polish (I think it all got lost or thrown out in the move a few months ago.) I was in Target and just decided to settle on something cheaper and not as professional as OPI. I finally decided on this:</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shefinds.com/files/Sally-Hansen-Complete-Salon-Manicure-Nail-Polish-Plum-Luck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shefinds.com/files/Sally-Hansen-Complete-Salon-Manicure-Nail-Polish-Plum-Luck.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shefinds.com/files/Sally-Hansen-Complete-Salon-Manicure-Nail-Polish-Plum-Luck.jpg">source</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in "Pat on the Black. It promised a salon manicure finish but I was doubtful. I got home and tried it out. The color I got is a dark, dark shade of purple, almost black. After just one coat, it was dark and covered enough to be done! I threw on a second coat for good measure and my nails were beautiful! Sally, you have proved me wrong! For a fraction of the price of OPI, I got results that were just as good. Also, I had this on my nails for a good week and a half before I saw any chipping! I think I may have found a new go-to nail polish.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Happy Halloween! What are your plans?</span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dE2hFDDFx0AnQ5_yAd6_hWAUiwLtfce2gy2coRED9PrvxVk7sXcdT6SKWer6uICy84wVwhvn2lIlOngNV520XqeC1mjknVNQLX4jjcxXYF4Ildzuya_EazvR-0_i0KRf11RWbM2f0lcp/s1600/halloween-candy-ecards-someecards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dE2hFDDFx0AnQ5_yAd6_hWAUiwLtfce2gy2coRED9PrvxVk7sXcdT6SKWer6uICy84wVwhvn2lIlOngNV520XqeC1mjknVNQLX4jjcxXYF4Ildzuya_EazvR-0_i0KRf11RWbM2f0lcp/s320/halloween-candy-ecards-someecards.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubs just came up and told me he ate TWO of the FULL SIZED candy bars we got for trick-or-treaters. In one sitting!!</td></tr>
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</span></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-72767942036691664042010-10-27T14:59:00.000-04:002010-10-27T14:59:51.074-04:00Pie Meets Cake<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I have a few autumn holiday parties coming up throughout the next few weeks. In my search to find something to bake for these events I came across this:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/pumpplecake_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://cdn.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/pumpplecake_m.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/pumpplecake_m.jpg">source</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's called the Pumpple Cake. The Pumpple Cake is found at <a href="http://www.flyingmonkeyphilly.com/">The Flying Monkey Bakery</a> in Philadelphia. Basically, this cake is for those of us who just cannot decide on what dessert we want after indulging in our Thanksgiving feasts.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">This cake is a pumpkin pie baked into a chocolate cake and an apple pie baked into a vanilla cake. The two cakes are then stacked and covered buttercream. Apparently when all is said and done, the cake weighs about 15 pounds. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">As much as I love desserts, this one just seems a bit too much for me. To my family and friends-- I'm sorry to say, you will not be seeing this on the dessert table this holiday season.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-52220407792569727232010-10-23T10:52:00.002-04:002010-10-23T17:53:34.429-04:00A Chilly Friday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">A Broken Key</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I have to be at work at 8:30 every day but usually have about a half hour of prep time before meeting with students. However, this morning, I was meeting with a student AT 8:30. So, it was more important than ever that I be on time....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">...and of course I was running late. I kissed Hubs goodbye and ran out the door. Just as I pass the oh so convenient gas station down the street from our house and get on the highway, my gas light comes on. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I pull off the next exit and find a gas station, thinking to myself that the poor little girl who just can't grasp the concept of tally marks is going to just have to wait a few more minutes. I pull up to the gas station and begin pumping. When I finished, I get out my keys to start my car and see something that looks like this:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GcQ9QMM7gvo0cYr7BhrW38_3r6i6gW2Fu251JYW92FzmI_O2SPEbpxjeNWVniKfC36ULL0FRy0m2fjPtgwLGQmAAz-BkKcKeK31lQtCLGqCbSQu2GOsnvj_q5odTrTl2vpUAmZLZBHpz/s1600/broken+key+sara.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GcQ9QMM7gvo0cYr7BhrW38_3r6i6gW2Fu251JYW92FzmI_O2SPEbpxjeNWVniKfC36ULL0FRy0m2fjPtgwLGQmAAz-BkKcKeK31lQtCLGqCbSQu2GOsnvj_q5odTrTl2vpUAmZLZBHpz/s320/broken+key+sara.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not my key, but close enough</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My car key had broken off in my ignition! How does that happen?! I immediately panic and call Hubs. He doesn't answer. So I try to use the key stump to start my car. After a few tries, I guess I finally got it lined up with the broken part and the car starts! Hooray! I drive to work (arrive just on time) and hope that I'll be able to do it again when I leave. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm able to start the car again when I leave work and I get home. I call a locksmith to come and remove it. I don't know how it works but it seems easy enough right? I just need the piece of the key to come out of the ignition. You'd think they just take a super strong magnet or something to suck it out or a pair of tweezers to gently take it out. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Locksmith Man was at the house working on getting the key piece out for THREE hours before I tell him that I have to go to work (job #2.) He says I can drive the car and he'll come to my work and finish it there. (Keep in mind that the key piece was still stuck in the ignition at this point....what has he been doing other than pulling pieces off of my car?!) Ok fine. Just get it done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I get out of work hours later, get in my car and NOTHING had been done. I call him and he says he wasn't able to get there and he'll meet me at my house to finish it. 15-20 minutes of work left MAX. He meets me at the house and works for another hour or so. Then he tells me that he's going to have to come back tomorrow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Seriously though, how does this happen?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2. <strong><u>Sam's Popcorn</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Up in Vermont where Hubs comes from there is a place called Sam's. Sam's is a sporting goods store and we've driven by it plenty of times but I never really gave it a second thought. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.samsoutdooroutfitters.com/images/Bratt300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="http://www.samsoutdooroutfitters.com/images/Bratt300.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.samsoutdooroutfitters.com/images/Bratt300.jpg">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Well, a few weeks ago we were hanging out with our friends A&D. D is from Hubs' hometown as well. They were talking about how every time they go to Vermont to visit his parents, they stop by Sam's to get free popcorn. "WHAT?!" I say to Hubs. "You've never taken me to get free popcorn!!" </span><br />
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Hubs argued that it wasn't even that good and that he has taken me plenty of other places that are much better. True, but...I like popcorn. and I LOVE free. <br />
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So this past weekend, while we were in VT, Hubs finally took me to Sam's.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUKgajc3vXProQQA9oWflGp3GKemJt9i3QyFuLmypxFsKo-eP7nsezPefoM8MS5RgJGZFcw2BPvM-kpr50RDDCRboQ2PuQDqmYj1XMv5P0LHDaqh1Jte9wpTLkdK0V5IDv9QV0d5ENZEK/s1600/1016001145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUKgajc3vXProQQA9oWflGp3GKemJt9i3QyFuLmypxFsKo-eP7nsezPefoM8MS5RgJGZFcw2BPvM-kpr50RDDCRboQ2PuQDqmYj1XMv5P0LHDaqh1Jte9wpTLkdK0V5IDv9QV0d5ENZEK/s320/1016001145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">and it didn't disappoint! Of course, it was no fancy restaurant or anything but it was a nice little snack and another Vermont experience that I guess you just have to do!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3. <strong><u>Babies</u></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Hubs and I found this documentary on Netflix on Demand called Babies. It follows the lives of four babies around the world from San Fransisco, Tokyo, Mongolia, and Namibia. You know I love babies so I couldn't resist watching it. </span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://montessorimatters.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/babies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://montessorimatters.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/babies.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://montessorimatters.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/babies.jpg">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Along with the obvious cuteness factor, it was so interesting to see the different lives that each of these babies live. The parenting styles in each of these cultures were SO different because of the culture and climate of where they live. It was also interesting to see the huge contrast between the modern, technology driven cultures of the U.S. and Japan versus the rural, poor settings of Mongolia and Namibia. Even though the babies all live in such different atmospheres, you can still see that the parents of all these children still have the same ultimate goals for their babies (more or less.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I definitely recommend that you check out this movie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">4. <strong><u>Slippers</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">With the recent cold weather come slipper season! I love love LOVE slippers and have officially pulled mine out for the winter. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://xb6.xanga.com/6cc825f461518161215712/m121355089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://xb6.xanga.com/6cc825f461518161215712/m121355089.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://xb6.xanga.com/6cc825f461518161215712/m121355089.jpg">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These are my favorite slippers. I love them because they are furry and don't just keep my feet warm but my ankles too! What are your favorite slippers?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">5. <strong><u>Kindergartners</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I know last week I said I like fifth graders but this week with my new job as well as my other job I've been working more and more with kindergartners. I've always been a little afraid of kindergartners. While they're cute, they just seemed a little too hard to handle. Now that I'm getting used to them, I'm liking them more and more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A few funny kindergarten quotes:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"Mrs. D, are you Mr. D's wife?" (Mr. D is the 60 year old gym teacher)</span></li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">after telling them a story where I mentioned my mom: "You have a mom?!"</span></li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"Excuse me Mrs. D, do you know how to tie shoes?" </span></li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"Do you know if there are any $1 books at the book fair? Sometimes I find dollar bills laying around my house."</span></li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">and this last one is kind of a cheat because it was actually a third grader but I just had to include it: "Mrs. D, how do you spell 'psycho deranged killer?" (ok, that one might be a little creepy...)</span></li>
</ul> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have a wonderful weekend!</span></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-40805294601247942402010-10-15T15:31:00.001-04:002010-10-15T15:33:49.630-04:00Friday Already?!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Woah! How'd it get to be Friday again so quickly!? I guess that's what a long weekend will do. It's fabulous having only a four day work week! It's a good Friday! Hubs and I are heading up to Vermont tonight AND I just found out that I got a new (second) job!! I interviewed yesterday and they called me today! It was one that I really wanted so I'm super excited. More on that later though.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This week was a little bit more difficult thinking of a Friday Five but I promised I'd do it every week so I guess I just have to put the effort in!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mags</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of my closest friends from college came to visit from Indiana for the long weekend! I hadn't seen her in over a year and she wasn't able to make it up for our wedding so it was great to see her and catch up!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJwX5mAWQw08RjHornmctEINxYuB5swkx7vi2Bqn2vVCfOiwoy8cqUEzGK-ckPAU3nmSZ0vwyUkHlcw_JqnQNXMZ_C5CeRuEAxWSY28-kDmyLl59uiZQhcBJ8utQddZlU-ZkaNM0tkK_/s1600/mags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJwX5mAWQw08RjHornmctEINxYuB5swkx7vi2Bqn2vVCfOiwoy8cqUEzGK-ckPAU3nmSZ0vwyUkHlcw_JqnQNXMZ_C5CeRuEAxWSY28-kDmyLl59uiZQhcBJ8utQddZlU-ZkaNM0tkK_/s320/mags.JPG" width="250" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Plus, I know she's a blog follower and she compared me to </span><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Pioneer Woman</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> so of course I needed to include her in my Friday Five!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pandora</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No, not the planet from Avatar. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">or the charm bracelet brand.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buildingabettertv.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/pandora_input.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://www.buildingabettertv.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/pandora_input.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm sure this is old news for most people and this is in no way a new discovery to me, its just something that is on my mind. If you're not familiar, </span><a href="http://www.pandora.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pandora</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> is a music website where you can listen to music for free at anytime. It is kind of like the radio but you have more control. You just type in the name of a band or song you are into and it will create a "station" based on your likes. The downside is that you can't listen to any song you want at anytime but I kind of like the surprise of what is coming next! I listen to it pretty much anytime I'm doing something on the computer!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fifth Graders</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prior to this year, my teaching experience had primarily consisted of teaching the younger grades (first and second.) This year I am working almost exclusively teaching fifth grade math. I wasn't sure how I would like it but as it turns out, I love fifth grade!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Politics/Images/are-you-smarter-than-a-fifth-grader-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Politics/Images/are-you-smarter-than-a-fifth-grader-logo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Politics/Images/are-you-smarter-than-a-fifth-grader-logo.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">source</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sure, they're a little awkward but I feel like I can actually talk to them if that makes sense. You don't have to baby them as much as the younger kids and I leave feeling like they really appreciate my help. They're actually kind of funny too!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sister Wives</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This new series on TLC is just fascinating to me. It follows the lives of the Browns, a family of fundamentalist Mormons who practice polygamy. The husband, Kody, has four wives, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn and they all live together with their combined 16 children. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tvsquad.com/media/2010/09/sister-wives-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tvsquad.com/media/2010/09/sister-wives-600.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tvsquad.com/media/2010/09/sister-wives-600.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">source</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am in no way promoting the practice of polygamy (although I admit, I have asked a few of my friends if they will be my sister wife....Hubs said I'm as much wife as he can handle) but it is interesting just to watch the family dynamic of these people. The "sister wives" are all each others best friends and share in the duties of the household, yet they still have normal feeling of jealousy at times. If you haven't seen it yet, catch the season finale (already?!) on Sunday. I for one am hoping for a season two of this one...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My Sister-In-Law</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have kind of a unique situation. Growing up with only one brother, I have always wanted a sister. When I first met Hubs, he only had three brothers. I thought all hope was lost at ever gaining a sister. About a year into our relationship however, Hubs gained a sister and all hope for me getting a sister-in-law wasn't lost! She is so much more I could have ever asked for in a sister-in-law. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiECK5qIbM0mbaQAA-Uxta-nPQ7cKftOUo4IfQJ9cvfky1bzLKf-hzxlA_vBtfg-w5nOobQNoypRyope_EKh-NgRXjrbTHj7jiG2BEilFIOrGZrN2jXZecHg0dGawGF4aJdjC0ZPikXSgC/s1600/olivia+fairy+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiECK5qIbM0mbaQAA-Uxta-nPQ7cKftOUo4IfQJ9cvfky1bzLKf-hzxlA_vBtfg-w5nOobQNoypRyope_EKh-NgRXjrbTHj7jiG2BEilFIOrGZrN2jXZecHg0dGawGF4aJdjC0ZPikXSgC/s320/olivia+fairy+2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is my two year old sister in law and she is a fairy (not really.) I guess she's not what you would typically think of when you hear the term "sister in law" but I wouldn't ask for it any other way. She was the CUTEST baby and is still the CUTEST two year old. You might just think I'm being biased but seriously, I think I would think that even if we weren't related. She made an adorable flower girl in our wedding and keeps us constantly entertained. We get to see her when we visit Hubs parents in Vermont this weekend and we are so excited! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy Friday! Have a good weekend!</span></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-11593292116520970442010-10-08T08:02:00.000-04:002010-10-08T08:02:15.771-04:00Friday Five<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In order to get myself to post more on my blog, I've decided that I need to start writing more brief posts. That way, it won't be so time consuming to write a post. I am going to start a series entitled "The Friday Five." In these posts, I will talk about five things that I'm liking at that moment or things that are just generally on my mind. Hopefully I can keep this up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep in mind that these are in no particular order, they are just things that have had some kind of impact on me to make me want to blog about them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong><u>1. Top Chef: Just Desserts</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">This is one of my new favorite TV shows. I have never followed a season of Top Chef in the past but have caught episodes here and there and have liked it. When I found out that there was going to be a season of Top Chef based solely around desserts, I knew it was my kind of show. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine/2010/09/top-chef-just-desserts-cast-and-judges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://cdn.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine/2010/09/top-chef-just-desserts-cast-and-judges.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine/2010/09/top-chef-just-desserts-cast-and-judges.jpg">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This mouthwatering show is on its fourth week and it features twelve talented pastery chefs. I just love watching the creations they come up with every week and it inspires me to try new complicated things in the kitchen. It also helps that it has its share of reality show drama...Seth, if you're reading this, and obviously I'm sure you are because what else would you have to do after doing Top Chef?--you are obnoxious and a drama queen and I'm glad you left. Ahh-that felt good to get off my chest.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I'm going to predict that the winner will come down to either Heather H. or Erika. You heard it hear first people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong><u>2. Sleepytime Tea</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I have recently become a nighttime showerer. After 24 years of being a morning showerer (is that a word?) I decided to give nighttime showering a chance. And guess what. I love it. It is so great to have the extra time in the morning to be able to sleep in a little longer or just be generally lazy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">As part of my new bedtime routine, after I shower and do my hair, I join the Hubs on the couch for some TV with a cup of Sleepytime Tea.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tofurious.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/celestial-tea-sleepy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://www.tofurious.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/celestial-tea-sleepy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tofurious.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/celestial-tea-sleepy.jpg">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My daily beverage routine anyway usually involves a cup of green tea in the morning at work but this is a great addition. The herbal flavors are delicious and it really is a good way to unwind before hitting the hay...and who can resist that adorable bear?!</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">3. Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Body Wash</span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Now, I love nearly anything and everything from Trader Joe's. In fact, I can see many of TJ's products</span> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">popping up in future Friday Fives. I picked up some of this body wash during my recent trip to Trader Joe's after reading about it on another blog. </span><br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.viewpoints.com/images/review/2009/150/16/1243719228-51131_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://www.viewpoints.com/images/review/2009/150/16/1243719228-51131_full.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.viewpoints.com/images/review/2009/150/16/1243719228-51131_full.jpg">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was surprised at how inexpensive it was considering the posh looking bottle it is in and the fact that it is made with all natural ingredients. The light peppermint scent is refreshing and overall, it leaves me feeling very clean! It is also vegan (I assume that means it is not tested on animals and contains no animal byproducts.) I'm not a vegan or anything but I feel good knowing that I'm using vegan bodywash!</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">4. Fantasy Football</span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Yes, yes, you read that correctly. My girlfriends and I (plus two of our husbands) started a fantasy football league. At first I didn't understand what the point was if there was no prizes or money involved but soon enough my competitive nature came through and I am thorougly enjoying it. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smolucha.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Fantasy_Football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="259" src="http://smolucha.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Fantasy_Football.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smolucha.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Fantasy_Football.jpg">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My team is currently in second place. BUT I have the most points. I'm still trying to figure out how that works but whatever. I'll make it back to the top. My friend Uk is in first place. Thats just because she has team pancake breakfasts and stuff though.</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">5. Being Done With Wedding Thank You Cards</span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I truley am so so so thankful for everyone who attended our wedding and were so generous in giving us gifts. But the thanks you cards were just...a pain. I finally sent them out this week and there goes my final wedding task. Bittersweet.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhOz1MD_eg3LRB6xtUDM5gOJ1y7TOsjELFIobhSJN4GquZ-GmkChfGk5QnIqXD8OYAK_Cqf2JQjBRgGRbcBEfUipH-GuPKHHtW7loWCWg4XUrFy0F1qxFmhTbKGwA35K3cSJ857p163_U/s1600/tycard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhOz1MD_eg3LRB6xtUDM5gOJ1y7TOsjELFIobhSJN4GquZ-GmkChfGk5QnIqXD8OYAK_Cqf2JQjBRgGRbcBEfUipH-GuPKHHtW7loWCWg4XUrFy0F1qxFmhTbKGwA35K3cSJ857p163_U/s320/tycard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy Friday! :)</span>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-54861541241877555662010-10-06T20:34:00.000-04:002010-10-06T20:34:14.350-04:00CoCo My Love<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">About a year and a half ago, Hubs and I went to Japan.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDbZVNQizJNq58DPPHZBKQw0MKxgykZGe1nPunEOu2qscq5cvqJTmI-0Ulfm2cslbciu9iaWEKGvfmCXR2ltzRvZIQH_xGD8Fe0Sb38MzeDepGz9Xvr-dqRyTP42oOOfiFEvduizgKAu3/s1600/232323232%257Ffp53685%253Enu%253D32%253A4%253E%253A%253C8%253E84%253A%253EWSNRCG%253D32633%253B863332%253Anu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDbZVNQizJNq58DPPHZBKQw0MKxgykZGe1nPunEOu2qscq5cvqJTmI-0Ulfm2cslbciu9iaWEKGvfmCXR2ltzRvZIQH_xGD8Fe0Sb38MzeDepGz9Xvr-dqRyTP42oOOfiFEvduizgKAu3/s320/232323232%257Ffp53685%253Enu%253D32%253A4%253E%253A%253C8%253E84%253A%253EWSNRCG%253D32633%253B863332%253Anu0mrj.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I could write a whole post about our entire two week journey through the Land of the Rising Sun but that's not what I'm here to talk to you about today. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of the many things we were excited to do in Japan was, of course, try new foods. If it was new and different, we tried it. Sushi, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onigiri"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">onigiri,</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udon"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">udon,</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soba"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">soba,</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">okonomiyaki,</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus_balls"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">takoyaki,</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> coffee from a can, ohhh yummmm, the list goes on and on. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELZ0BfTetYnfOF3PZPVwfXUE-lBgUEEJgMjNqAMSrPucojIdR68GEWTvgQYXNHnDIhJK3caVijXAxw8mK5kN-DkP1CUo4K_tLybMmzGraK2-dO32OmyzzPduQECBDipWXyL3PwpdlVkJW/s1600/lance+eating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELZ0BfTetYnfOF3PZPVwfXUE-lBgUEEJgMjNqAMSrPucojIdR68GEWTvgQYXNHnDIhJK3caVijXAxw8mK5kN-DkP1CUo4K_tLybMmzGraK2-dO32OmyzzPduQECBDipWXyL3PwpdlVkJW/s320/lance+eating.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I just love the little Japanese man in the background staring at us gluttonous fools in disbelief</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However, out of all the foods we had in Japan, there is one that keeps our mouths watering to this day.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/graycontrast/BlogPics/Coco_Ichibanya_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/graycontrast/BlogPics/Coco_Ichibanya_01.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/graycontrast/BlogPics/Coco_Ichibanya_01.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">source</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.ichibanya.co.jp/english/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coco Ichibanya!</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> or Coco's Curry House as we call it. They seem to be on every street corner in Japan. The Dunkin Donuts of Tokyo if you will. We were first introduced to it by Hubs' friend MD who we were staying with while in Japan. I didn't know anything about Japanese curry but, being a fan of Thai and Indian curry, I was willing to give it a shot. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let me tell you, in the two weeks we were in Japan, we went back to Coco's three more times. It's that good.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have to admit, I was skeptical at first because everything on the menu looked a little like a pile of cat food.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1/2243612-Shinsaibashi_Curry_House_CoCo_Ichibanya-Osaka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1/2243612-Shinsaibashi_Curry_House_CoCo_Ichibanya-Osaka.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1/2243612-Shinsaibashi_Curry_House_CoCo_Ichibanya-Osaka.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">source</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But my skepticism flew out the window with the first taste of the delicious chicken katsu curry. Seriously, I wish I could describe the taste and my love for it but I just can't. The only thing I can say about it is that it is, without a doubt, one of the top three meals I have EVER. EATEN. IN. MY. LIFE.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coco's curry is a thick, brown, gravy-like sauce served over your choice of meat. The classic combination is the curry over a fried chicken cutlet and sticky white rice. You are given a generous sized piece of naan bread on the side to sop up every last drop of deliciousness. You can choose your spice level ranging from mild, to regular spice, to a scale from 1-10. Hubs and I, not knowing what to expect, ordered a spice level 3 and 2, respectively. Now, both of us like a good amount of "kick" to our food but HOLY SMOKES! Spice levels 2 and 3 were quite spicy! The following three visits, we stuck to the regular spice which still had a decent amount of "kick." I can't even imagine what a 10 must be like. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">During the last visit to Coco's of our trip, we noticed that they sell the curry sauce in boxes to make at home. Knowing we would miss our friend Coco, we grabbed two boxes to take back to the States with us. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jasonkimball.org/wp-content/gallery/curry-in-a-box/Cocos%20beef%20curry%20box%20(Medium).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://jasonkimball.org/wp-content/gallery/curry-in-a-box/Cocos%20beef%20curry%20box%20(Medium).jpg" width="214" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jasonkimball.org/wp-content/gallery/curry-in-a-box/Cocos%20beef%20curry%20box%20(Medium).jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">source</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a slight scare going through customs in which they almost took our Coco's gold away from us, we were safely home with our little boxes of heaven. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We knew we had to be strategic about when to enjoy our Cocos, as we only had two boxes. Throughout the next few months, we chose the perfect opportunities to make our favorite meal. However, all good things have to come to an end. We were out of Cocos. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hubs did some extensive research on where we could find a Cocos equivalent in the U.S. (other than in Hawaii which apparently is another Coco's hub.) We found a place in Cambridge called Cafe Mami's that specializes in Japanese Katsu Curry. It is a good place to go to satisfy our hankerings but it just doesn't compare to good ol' Cocos. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hubs also tried to make it himself from scratch. Still good, but no Cocos. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One day, as Hubs was surfing the internet, he found someone on Ebay selling the boxes of Cocos. Of course, he ordered a box and we were happy again. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With the box in our kitchen cabinet, I was waiting for the day we would enjoy Cocos again. I had huge plans of documenting the meal in photos and blogging about it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last night, we broke open the box and enjoyed the wonderful Coco's once again. However, in my hunger and excitement, of course, I forgot to take pictures. The curry was gone before you could say ichibanya. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's good to know that when we want Coco's, its just a quick Ebay trip away. However, for the real deal, looks like we'll just have to take another trip to Japan!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://travel.askthetrainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/coco-ichiban-ya-bangkok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://travel.askthetrainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/coco-ichiban-ya-bangkok.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://travel.askthetrainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/coco-ichiban-ya-bangkok.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">source</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
Coco's motto...so, so true</span></td></tr>
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</div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-54833730457440519642010-09-16T17:04:00.000-04:002010-09-16T17:09:29.636-04:00Double Blueberry Bagel Pudding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics037.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First things first, I'm sorry I've been away for so long. I know my loyal blog follower (note: followeR. singular...I'm working on it...) waits daily with bated breath for me to update. So I apologize I just better get a good comment for this one!) Secondly, I know that to the untrained eye, the recipe I'm about to show you looks very similar to the one in my last post. Again, I apologize. I went through a blueberry phase. I promise I will mix it up again from now on. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, Hubs and I went up to Vermont to visit his parents. We had a big dinner with them and ended up with quite a few leftovers. Included in those leftovers was a bag of dinner rolls. A great, big bag of dinner rolls. These were just your everyday run of the mill white bread dinner rolls. Quite frankly: blah. There was no way the two of us would even make a dent in this bag of rolls. So Hubs suggested that I wait a few days until they got stale and then make a bread pudding from them. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, here is where the dessert upbringing between me and Hubs differs.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, I grew up in a family of bakers. Both of my grandmothers and my mom were more bakers than chefs. They could cook well enough to put dinner on the table for their families every night of course. But their specialties lied in baking. Because of this, by the time I was a teenager, I could easily whip up and beautifully decorate a from scratch cake and could bake up a batch of chocolate chip cookies without even needing the recipe in front of me. Desserts in my family consisted of "baked goods" (cookies, cakes, pies, brownies...things like that.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hubs' parents are more on the "chef" side of the culinary realm. His dad went to culinary school and is quite the "fancy" cook. As a child, instead of chicken nuggets and hot dogs, a normal meal to Hubs might consist of foie gra, beef wellington, escargot, or chicken marsala. Because of this, I may or may not be known to sometimes call him a food snob. The desserts Hubs grew up with seem to be more of the types of desserts that a fancy chef might produce: creme brulee, tiramisu, cheesecake, and mousse. Very custardy type things. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when Hubs suggested that I make a bread pudding with the rolls, my first thought was: ew. You see, my mom doesn't like anything that is custard-like. Therefore, while learning how to bake growing up, I always believed that custards were evil. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, one of the things I love about Hubs is that, throughout the past few years we've been together, he has pushed me to try a lot of new things. Because of him, I'd say there are probably about 30 new foods that I now like. So I trusted him with this bread pudding idea. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The idea of a plain bread pudding sounded a little boring to me. So I found a recipe for a blueberry bread pudding. "PERFECT!" I thought. I had two pints of blueberries sitting in the fridge just waiting to be covered in butter and sugar!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got everything ready to make my bread pudding. I preheated the oven and buttered my baking dish. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics010.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was time to start the recipe. I grabbed the bag of rolls that had been waiting for me all week, ready to rip them up into small pieces when I saw it. Mold. Lots of green, furry mold. CRAP. What do I do? At this point most people would just say forget about it. Not me. I was committed. I used the moldy rolls.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just kidding. That's gross. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I WAS committed to making this bread pudding though. I threw out the wasted bag of rolls. "What can I use instead?" I thought. "I have some wheat sandwich bread. That would work. No...too healthy. hmmm let's see what else we have...." Thats when I saw them. Sitting in the fridge just waiting to be used for something unconventional. A bag of </span><a href="http://thomas.bimbobakeriesusa.com/product.cfm/upc/4812125504"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thomas' Blueberry Bagels.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Hmmmm...these could work. I AM making a blueberry bread pudding. These would just make it extra blueberry." Done.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ripped up those blueberry bagels and put them in a mixing bowl, just like I was planning on doing with the rolls... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics008.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and I continued on with the recipe. I mixed together some milk and vanilla and poured it over the bagel pieces. Next, I added some sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, mixed it all up and let the whole mixture soak together for about 10 minutes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the mixture is sitting, I beat four eggs together until frothy. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics014.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they are not quite frothy here</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the mixture was totally saturated, I folded in the eggs and the blueberries. Then I poured everything into my baking dish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics027.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and oh yeah, I sprinkled a few tablespoons of sugar over the top for good measure</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I baked it for about 40 minutes until it puffed up. </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics032.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like this</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to say, it didn't come out too bad. Custard desserts still aren't my favorite, but they're growing on me. Hubs liked it even more than I did. Although I have to say, when a dessert merits being eaten for breakfast (what?! it has bagels and fruit in it!) It has to be somewhat good!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics039.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shout-out to my favorite cookbook! yes, that does say "all butter, fresh cream, sugar packed." so?<br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Double Blueberry Bagel Pudding</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">adapted from Cooks.com Blueberry Bread Pudding</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #434343; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #434343; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;"><div style="padding-left: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbsp. unsalted butter<br />
1 bag of blueberry bagels. (or you can substitute with any kind of stale bread you have)<br />
3 c. milk<br />
1 tbsp. vanilla<br />
3/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. sugar<br />
1/2 tsp. cinnamon<br />
3/4 tsp. nutmeg<br />
1 pt. blueberries<br />
4 lg. eggs</span></span></span></div><br />
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<div style="color: #772222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. place the butter in a 9-inch square 2-inch deep baking dish. Place in oven long enough to melt butter. Remove dish from oven and brush melted butter on sides of dish. Tear the bread into 1-inch pieces and place in a large bowl.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix the milk and vanilla together; pour over the bread. Toss, then mix in 3/4 cup sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Allow to soak about 10 minutes until the milk has been absorbed.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rinse blueberries. Beat the eggs until frothy and fold into bread mixture. Fold in blueberries. Spoon mixture into baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Place in the oven and bake 45 minutes, until the pudding is puffed and browned. Serve while still warm with ice cream, whipped cream or lemon sauce. Yield: 8 servings.</span></span></span></div></span></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-68827926439657733002010-08-27T16:28:00.000-04:002010-08-27T16:45:28.236-04:00Blueberry and Nectarine Cobbler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics088.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love fruit. Really, I do. It's just that it is so much better when it is mixed with sugar and topped with butter. Every time I have bought fruit this summer, particularly peaches or nectarines, it has gone bad before we even get around to eating it. Let's blame it on the hot, humid weather and not our inability to stick to a healthy diet.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I bought some nectarines and blueberries this week and promised myself that we WOULD eat it all before it went bad.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thursday we had plans for dinner with friends. I figured I would use up our fruit by making a blueberry and nectarine cobbler. Cobblers or crisps or whatever you want to call them are SUPER easy to make and you can use almost any kind of fruit. Do it. You'll thank me.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First, you'll need to peel and slice up your nectarines. I used four because that was how many I had. I mixed the nectarine pieces in a bowl with two pints of blueberries. You can adjust the proportions to your liking.</span><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics063.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next, you dump about 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/2 tsp of cardamom (I know that is kind of a wacky spice but I love it...if you don't you can use nutmeg) and 3 tablespoons of corn starch on top of your fruit. I like to use corn starch in desserts like this because it thickens up the juices that will come out of the fruit. There is nothing worse than a watery mess of a dessert.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics066.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mix it all up so the fruit is coated and gooey.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics067.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next step is the "crisp" part. Now, a lot of people prefer to use oats and nuts in their crisps to make them healthier. Feel free. Thats fine. However, the recipe I grew up making involves butter, flour, salt, brown sugar, and cinnamon. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mix your dry ingredients together in a separate bowl from the fruit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics072.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now comes the butter. Cut up about 4 tablespoons of cold butter and add them to your dry ingredients. Now, you can be fancy and use a pastry cutter or food processor for this part but I don't like to dirty unnecessary dishes that I'll just have to wash later. I use my fingers (clean of course!) to "massage" the butter into the dry ingredients. Work the butter into the dry ingredients until it clumps together when pressed. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics075.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sorry, I don't have a picture of it after the "massage" my hands were too messy</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next, grease a square baking pan and pour your fruit into it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics078.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sprinkle the crisp mixture on top.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics080.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bake for about 40-45 minutes in a 375</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">°F </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">oven until you see the fruit bubbling.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 18px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics085.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like so</td></tr>
</tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 18px;">Enjoy with some friends and some vanilla ice cream and soon all your "hard" work will come to this:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/BlogPics110.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"></span>mmmmm sugar and butter....uhh I mean...seasonal fruits! yeah... fruit...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blueberry and Nectarine Cobbler</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 good sized nectarines peeled and sliced</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 pints of blueberries</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup of sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 tablespoons of corn starch</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 tsp cardamom (or nutmeg)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2/3 cup flour</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup packed brown sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/8 tsp salt</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 tablespoons unsalted butter</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Preheat oven to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">375</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">°F</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mix fruit, sugar, corn starch and cardamom together in a bowl.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Add butter and incorporate with your fingers. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lightly butter a 9 inch square baking dish. Position oven rack to the center position.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pour your fruit mixture into pan. Sprinkle cobbler on top.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bake for 40-45 mixture or until the fruit is bubbling and the top is browned. Serve warm.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-14971335578045593172010-08-24T21:23:00.000-04:002010-08-24T21:23:04.523-04:00Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hubs and I went to Colorado this weekend for his cousin's wedding.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-yBa6rTRilGRn16ymx1nDAA24xIgmG6DSmaFEOHRKFhyqdMKbLJeaprzkeXvHnGjORYOSfLwnW9eyXNpWeKzd1J1DOxg5LkgIUK4kuX-KPVNqhqWa8JzkQ0uLC2EhNhIfKg0uvCL7NFt/s1600/IMG_1125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was beautiful. Driving through the Rockies was just mind blowing. We just don't have those kinds of mountains here in New England. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAFrX4VkrHUHKYVOsXcha3aaMhpZg_1nPmHQTlllv5gbSPuZDHXk289tJ6gZQMZUXU3hf09k6qmkR9PU8XC3ecDb9JlaBZEiuj1lnA_idNCp2OpXnq0Zrit7AqOrE_VcziA_Y_YkzddbY/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAFrX4VkrHUHKYVOsXcha3aaMhpZg_1nPmHQTlllv5gbSPuZDHXk289tJ6gZQMZUXU3hf09k6qmkR9PU8XC3ecDb9JlaBZEiuj1lnA_idNCp2OpXnq0Zrit7AqOrE_VcziA_Y_YkzddbY/s320/IMG_1136.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While hubs, the groom and the other groomsmen hiked the Rockies, I helped the bride and the bridesmaids put together flower arrangements...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">The wedding was held at the <a href="http://www.stanleyhotel.com/">Stanley Hotel</a> in Estes Park, Colorado. This is apparently the hotel that Stephen King based the book (and later movie) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Shining</span> after. They usually give haunted tours of the hotel which hubs was excited to go on. Fortunately (for me,) they were not holding any this weekend. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://whatsontv.co.uk/blogs/movietalk/files/2010/07/grady-twins-the-shining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://whatsontv.co.uk/blogs/movietalk/files/2010/07/grady-twins-the-shining.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://whatsontv.co.uk/blogs/movietalk/files/2010/07/grady-twins-the-shining.jpg">source</a><br />
no creepy twins for us this weekend.</td></tr>
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</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The wedding was beautiful. Very formal and elegant. Unlike our hott mess of a wedding. Well, ours was beautiful and believe me, the best day of my life and I couldn't have asked for a better wedding. Theirs was just...very different from ours. Take a look:</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/IMG_1259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/IMG_1259.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, those are morning suits the guys are wearing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">huge, amazing, and delicious</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">everything was very pink</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful couple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/IMG_1339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/IMG_1339.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and they got whisked away in their horse and carriage!</td></tr>
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</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Colorado was fun and a beautiful place to visit but I think I'm happy in my cozy little New England lifestyle. I was glad to come home. All in all we had a great weekend. We got to spend time with some of hubs' family and see a gorgeous part of the country. Oh yeah...and a lot of wildlife...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/IMG_1190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/IMG_1190.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the elk are everywhere and don't seem to care if people are golfing around them...</td></tr>
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...and we met a bear-dog. This guy (Balto) was the ring bearer at a wedding that was to be held later that day. The picture doesn't do his size and bear like qualities justice.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/IMG_1260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee428/Sara_DelPriore/IMG_1260.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637682906731763900.post-84240422051730423232010-08-17T19:44:00.000-04:002010-08-17T20:26:03.841-04:00Welcome!Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog! I hope to use this blog as a place to write about my day to day adventures in newlywed land! L and I were married just over a month ago and are settling into our lives together quite nicely. I hope you enjoy reading about our adventures. I'll share the good, the bad, the sugar, and the spice!<br />
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</div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126058585672496285noreply@blogger.com0