tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9562482807527130312024-03-21T09:39:17.070-05:00skates cakes & jogging strollersstEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-54324714240254681652011-02-08T22:16:00.003-06:002011-02-08T22:27:28.979-06:00teaching a child who is eager to learn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkQm-7immkQNsHZ6InondHR4iCOmWZ3TqK2CdRaqyMwoolh0PPX7sKALeBUZdjCHz7-CuH6s67eExbEYDTrvEG9kAX674qbByU449k2v_Cv5LVYfH6qfS11K5TM_-Gjhjmcfv6zPkMgpL/s1600/DSCF1007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkQm-7immkQNsHZ6InondHR4iCOmWZ3TqK2CdRaqyMwoolh0PPX7sKALeBUZdjCHz7-CuH6s67eExbEYDTrvEG9kAX674qbByU449k2v_Cv5LVYfH6qfS11K5TM_-Gjhjmcfv6zPkMgpL/s400/DSCF1007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571541601040787906" /></a><br />The past few days I've been truly contemplating what i want to accomplish as a mom. i've been evaluating my goals and what i hope to accomplish while teaching Henry what he needs to grow up well. <div><br /></div><div>While I was in college, I was an Aide for a Montessori school in Dallas. I really admired the children. The ages I worked with ranged from 3-5, and it was amazing how they were so much like little adults. While I have been researching different teaching techniques, and exercises, I am very much gravitating towards the Montessori method. My plan is to set up our home to accommodate those practices, and to see how Henry takes to it. I feel as he is learning and mimicking my every move, now is the time to teach him how to be orderly, organized, and to think for himself. Children are so amazing at what they do while growing. I am very excited about this decision. I've already started to see how some of the changes we have made here have helped him feel more independent. And it seems, that as we have given him the space to be independent, he has become more calm and comfortable in his settings. This will be an interesting journey. I will be posting our progress on here to share with you what I see as Henry gains his independence.</div><div><br /></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-37784908514667024312011-02-05T18:51:00.003-06:002011-02-05T19:56:17.430-06:00when it snowed in texas<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; ">so we don't get snow all that often. Come to think of it, all the snow that we got while i was growing up was pretty scarce, and it always melted by the afternoon, or it wasn't cold enough to stick. Mostly, i remember ice storms. i remember sliding down the street on cardboard boxes and sliding lots. but i don't remember much snow. Last year we got 12 straight hours of snow. It was beautiful. Every weather station was commenting how Texas hadn't had a storm within that caliber since the 1970's. Well, it seems that this winter season felt it needed to trump last winter. We had two days of below freezing temps, introduced by thick layers of ice that covered everything. By day three, (when it is usually all melted and gone) we got 6" of snow. Oh how i love snow. I think it is one of the most beautiful things that nature provides us. Everything is given this layer of 'hush' after it snows. Down here we don't get to experience it that often. Last year, lil H was too small to do much more than sit in the snow and stare at me wondering, why on earth his mom would plop him down in something so cold to take a picture. This year, however, was different. Both Andrew and I had to work regardless of the storm, but we took henry out for a little bit before the sun went down. He didn't seem to notice that he was cold, until he face planted in the snow. Then, he flailed all his limbs, and threw a huge fit, which was followed by a bath to warm him back up.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOlmklX0m402RTqhczWp7rGaTFXeQj0HRIbQmY0Nk4hAskX30U9Y-DJKyZeCOuS_pUTUnbpTFC85pp5rS1rgkOi0OlwuufquUh7Afbjtp4FHd1rpEi4eiu_uX1b7HONk_AY_be-_61gYe/s1600/DSCF1038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOlmklX0m402RTqhczWp7rGaTFXeQj0HRIbQmY0Nk4hAskX30U9Y-DJKyZeCOuS_pUTUnbpTFC85pp5rS1rgkOi0OlwuufquUh7Afbjtp4FHd1rpEi4eiu_uX1b7HONk_AY_be-_61gYe/s320/DSCF1038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570388733263963138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H116YxKZlCQYYfe4wvi0IDJ0mQyA3FkfN3EYIjoz3i8IHVDb4V7yB8h3GukBCPNS1Ad7Pvt4wsSMO6veF1PVQtgjslR_yT8dTtaxBBj4LvUv9ysW16xuRmY8kGKpgsX-PVDs67Ji4Dvc/s1600/DSCF1034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H116YxKZlCQYYfe4wvi0IDJ0mQyA3FkfN3EYIjoz3i8IHVDb4V7yB8h3GukBCPNS1Ad7Pvt4wsSMO6veF1PVQtgjslR_yT8dTtaxBBj4LvUv9ysW16xuRmY8kGKpgsX-PVDs67Ji4Dvc/s320/DSCF1034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570388730117512338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d7bybX82NwhXfReh4aLDu2sB_eHlcBLtio3_BhOozwgiZ2y5IiEEeXiUpaPruXFcjJmZhRScNzvCTEfl931GcZnnE7ZZqnX8lAHRvn5lQ9pKTT64pbGIEcDAq9GaNZMtdApaXkraKyij/s1600/DSCF1032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d7bybX82NwhXfReh4aLDu2sB_eHlcBLtio3_BhOozwgiZ2y5IiEEeXiUpaPruXFcjJmZhRScNzvCTEfl931GcZnnE7ZZqnX8lAHRvn5lQ9pKTT64pbGIEcDAq9GaNZMtdApaXkraKyij/s320/DSCF1032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570388727054528386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmypSZa22hqKdP4ik4Dn9iBr7wsd8JyFEHKi9SO-Fqs1uLiSgelLDd38b39x5_6YRPV90RhUoaFTKKQgAd88jEqVjCOAefORnyIHtT5mlrSxBSS7ELRVd0npLQJTgX7a2_xBJ5frHqino/s1600/DSCF1030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmypSZa22hqKdP4ik4Dn9iBr7wsd8JyFEHKi9SO-Fqs1uLiSgelLDd38b39x5_6YRPV90RhUoaFTKKQgAd88jEqVjCOAefORnyIHtT5mlrSxBSS7ELRVd0npLQJTgX7a2_xBJ5frHqino/s320/DSCF1030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570388716170722002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWzYEE7HeH43ruocf07jtsIogZXwOap1-ZlnySnv9jflol7BvCPZk9Dkjku20scwLORVtyk13OTHmnOQyfSJFFcKZl1R36oYBamNPcLDLDgMgJWlazk6k2uRhPIi6c3TSYED1bh8oeVrd/s1600/DSCF1025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWzYEE7HeH43ruocf07jtsIogZXwOap1-ZlnySnv9jflol7BvCPZk9Dkjku20scwLORVtyk13OTHmnOQyfSJFFcKZl1R36oYBamNPcLDLDgMgJWlazk6k2uRhPIi6c3TSYED1bh8oeVrd/s320/DSCF1025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570388713040827074" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">aren't those rosy cheeks irresistible?</div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzOuOugXf9JnfF5WZfMPXer3LEvaqIqqymqHLiCWkh_VwOHLqMFapQAhfkv2Bz03MSlnadhnV53BP06RQS1MA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-80025717537800764882011-01-02T21:23:00.007-06:002011-01-03T07:34:32.113-06:00a whole lotta NEW!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVfGATibQVwzj0-e0j80ux0QiFKV5QerSF12cARhobo3FFyfrp0oGMei0hil0fT67ovAya7hCW2DxFdJdOsslv7i35YUccPMqWmNsBiTZC6Q027HIb7hm-2lsSBpmR89ZXDwcGDevCDEL/s1600/DSCF1058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVfGATibQVwzj0-e0j80ux0QiFKV5QerSF12cARhobo3FFyfrp0oGMei0hil0fT67ovAya7hCW2DxFdJdOsslv7i35YUccPMqWmNsBiTZC6Q027HIb7hm-2lsSBpmR89ZXDwcGDevCDEL/s320/DSCF1058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557804525167995714" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">lil H christmas morning at mimi and gramps'</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span">this is the time of year when everyone reflects on their priorities and set goals to better themselves for the new year. for the past month i have been really contemplating what i want to work on this year, and to what capacity i want to focus on these goals.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"> we were blessed with a beautiful christmas filled with family close and far, delicious food, great gifting, and good stories. </span>both of my brothers are serving missions right now. one is in New Zealand and the other is in England. we got to visit with both of them and hear about their adventures and the people they work with. it was a good pick me up to get to hear their voices. It is great how so many wonderful things are happening all around the clock and without us even realizing it. My dad likes to say now, "the sun never sets on the clines". with the time differences between here, new zealand and england one of us is always awake. what a cool thought.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaih1Ykv9cBjCGnUIE88oD_gl1TSNKuJmXxWZMSWra5E1JiqvwIbZ3FifGvPUlzZ_I27hXmdYDNyK5slhr0MLtveAmdhIvqbuYU996RBYNCu7BQmMXmEpTRgZMOOagyQ-4kHwHfh8jHk3/s320/Elder+Cline+01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557796918961881026" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">here's a pic of my brother having christmas dinner in England.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">After christmas got to move into our new place! FINALLY! i though the day was never going to come. finding a place seemed to take forever. it is official the worst part of moving is having to find a place to live. you shop all the different locations, weigh the pros and cons of each place. go back and take a second look at the narrowed list. it's exhausting, and somehow we crammed it into like 2 days. at least that is how it felt. that doesn't matter any more though, because we found our place, we are moved in, and I LOVE IT! while we were </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">packing everything up from the old place it was mentioned that usually when you get all the stuff moved out of the old place you usually notice how big it is. in our case we marveled at how we ever fit our furniture in there: two couches, an entertainment center, a keyboard, a convertible crib, and king size bed, an armoire. the place was so tiny that we had to keep the high chair outside when we weren't using it. basically 570 square feet is a tiny space to squeeze a growing toddler and two adults. we have upgraded a whole 300 extra square feet and it feels HUGE! lilH is not sleeping in his bed residing at the food of my bed and is (as far as i can tell/hear) sleeping 100% through the </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">night. we actually have a living room AND a dining room that can and will be fitting a table soon! and because this place has so many windows it feels almost like a house and not an apartment. no lights needed until the sun goes down. it truly is a beautiful space. So NEW YEAR, NEW HOME! and we are so very grateful for a wonderful place to live.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">so my great goals for this year are:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1.<b> to keep most things more simplified</b>. i am so very good </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">at making things more elaborate and intricate than needed. i'm going back to basics to master them again. i remember reading an article, i think in the ensign, and it talked about how it is important to step back and star</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">t from the beginning, with prayer, scripture study etc. it is so easy to over fill days with STUFF and i'm done with stuff. i need more sustenance. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2. <b>become organized</b>. i used the move as an opportunity to purge. i purged while packing and then again while unpacking, and again while putting stuff away. good will got a huge bag of clothes and stuff from me, so hopefully someone who really needs it can find it, and i can have that shelf back in my closet! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">3. <b>do my hair every day</b>. i know this sounds a little crazy, and maybe weird. but it isn't to me. i can't tell you how many days i start out with full intention to take the 15min and fix my hair. then i let myself get distracted (usually with something not so important) and all of a sudden i have gross hair and look more tired than i would without it. this means no wet knots of hair at </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">the nape of my neck. plus it's important to feel pretty. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">4. <b>do something to show andrew how important he is to me, on a daily basis</b>. sometimes i feel like i slip with this one. i feel like i fall into this rut where i think something like, 'oh he knows i love him' i like to be shown, so i am going to be more thoughtful in this for him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">5. <b>take time out for me</b>. i read a really inspiring book last year, 'EAT.PRAY. LOVE.' while reading it i realized that there is alot i do not make time for. now is the time for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY4VCCybot_PzbAjlkTZD5PL_1GSfS_34Lm7PLAgBaFPHxS9jNaAiICwJHfq-qAknp1O7UdiFOsX0F_RWvZdbOprFGvLZTaQb85pRulzZMyXFJdF9DPmVVd0Iib3XFt-UByNyym_PnuL9/s320/DSCF1085.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557804517065684402" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">i hope that everyone had a beautiful christmas filled with all the wishes children remember this time of year. i am so grateful to have a henry who helps me remember why we do what we do day to day. here's to a beautiful new year and all the adventures one can get!</span></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-85894969156757589262010-11-11T21:05:00.002-06:002010-11-11T21:44:10.997-06:00ruminations full of heart<span class="Apple-style-span" >I'm not sure how many people actually read or follow this, and I know it is a little out of my 'comfort' zone to post something on here that is more than just my adventures with my little man. I haven't been able to post the other posts that I've started for some reason, I think something to do with the photo sizes, but since I haven't been able to post them I've been thinking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">a lot</span>. Henry went down earlier than usual tonight, and easier than he has been the past few nights. I think the time change threw him for a loop. At any rate, because he's down, and the house is clean, it feels very quiet. With it's quietness i have been thinking of all the changes that are taking place, and the holiday planning, and mostly of all of my blessings.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I am truly blessed with real friends. Not just for those friends who are more like acquaintances, but the friends that really know you and you know them. The ones who it doesn't matter when they show up to your house and it looks like you chose to sit on the couch to take a breath instead of picking up after the kiddo who's taking a nap. I am so lucky to have friends like that. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Today while visiting with one of those friends, I realized all of the layers of richness that we (my little family) have to our life. It is so easy to get caught up in what you do on a day to day basis, to get lost within your schedule and even though you don't see what anyone else is really doing, somehow reflect your experiences on them. maybe i am the only one who does this, and if so, GUILTY! I find myself sometimes feeling as though i can be read like a book, or that i know what is going on behind someone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">else's</span> closed doors, only to find out that either they feel the same way or i was completely wrong. I know this is why we are told not to judge, and I've never viewed it as being judgmental but it makes me very hard on myself. anyways, So what my friend said that triggered all this thinking was, " as women we are so blessed to be given the opportunity to raise God's children. It seems silly that I would want more to be 'just a doctor' or 'just a pharmacist'. Somehow it is so easy to view that, as a greater achievement than being a mom." now, this friend of mine doesn't have children. and while she was saying this I was reflecting on all the different emotions I've experience since having Henry. I was watching him run around and be his charming self while she was talking too. And she is right, we are given this amazing opportunity to strengthen our belief in God, to strengthen our relationship with our husbands, and to teach this small and beautiful child (children) how to do everything that is right. We have mass amounts of resources to help us succeed at this job. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I thought about how when I met my sweetheart, before I even knew that's who he was, the love between us grew, it started out very different than it does with a child. With Henry, the moment i felt that first movement i began to love him. When that baby was born, from the first moment i held him, i had a love for him that was unexplainable. A love that I had never experienced. And my love for him has grown from that enormous amount to something unmeasurable. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I watch the way he watches me, and how he looks to see how i am going to do it. 100% of his trust is put in me, for everything. When he is not sure how he feels about a situation, he turns to me to see how i am reacting; if I am sure that it will be fine, he borrows my confidence for his courage. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Being a mother, and honoring what that role is is an experience different than i imagined. I worried that I would feel like I threw my professional experiences out the window, or to the wayside. It is quite the opposite. And the 'professional experience' that comes from learning from your child, is something that is irreplaceable. If this is just a glimpse of what our Father in Heaven feels for us I understand more now, than i did yesterday. I understand that I can turn to Him when I am not quite sure of my footing, and can borrow his confidence for my courage. </span> </div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-89426167456649101592010-11-04T23:09:00.008-05:002011-01-03T07:57:44.570-06:00From Pumpkins to Candy:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lDPvQcZKEvPKeB_sLjDuxbD9s4JQGbZ0XE57aceKB_yqxBiYsrzv8VQPKCLeB8gMF4e-4tdZ8w0VAZ-t_HDwydjogDmbo5n7orYUIbzumKndxUj3ppZOs4GsxQHMIzQaV3AIorooZzft/s1600/patch_03a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lDPvQcZKEvPKeB_sLjDuxbD9s4JQGbZ0XE57aceKB_yqxBiYsrzv8VQPKCLeB8gMF4e-4tdZ8w0VAZ-t_HDwydjogDmbo5n7orYUIbzumKndxUj3ppZOs4GsxQHMIzQaV3AIorooZzft/s320/patch_03a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557956730673964722" /></a><br /><div>October was filled with lots of fun activities. the city of flower mound has this amazing pumpkin patch, lots of pumpkins and wagons and things to climb and play on. lil H had a lot of fun. the wagon was the highlight of the day. he thought it was cooler than anything else that was there. </div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7ptsJ3LMrvyBdV-TzzNScrM8T5ry3szswlRhILH4VPzQKJwSXYZiiGRWTiPpbhff26HBqNVhA1eZT3FKA7oQTm9Rx_ruC9WE74_5SxznbmOiEhmBA9fa89nwSwKZdojQWXPepBrbybyz/s320/patch_15.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537003991358342210" /><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShP4xAVQg1ff5RhCpXBCI4m-3mk8JawBifi9a0HEOa9L-VUjEFm8sq-ctGqFHljWD3xpVXjAS0od58IliFRLT2xL7zXwClxPUkUa7Q-qeAv7ZcR_-cJa2etVfPYBqDiIRZJa8RioIQVn3/s320/patch_17.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537003999495934754" />after he got warmed up to us being somewhere new, he helped himself to all the pumkpins. it was funny to see him trying to move them around. he mostly just bent down and would try for a little bit, then walk over to another one. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfpL2lYw_LvEX1waOHfp0QdsD93o5gt8CM4UzDZTALku1shLbAyv4hP7PFTgcNsJSpPY9GA7m86NJrT3YnO__lrpkKS-QkzwSW8aALivs7tTJF_L0DJGwG6TXkFdq-IFaBFkuX9y5e9Pw/s320/patch_16.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537003998414407394" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1CZ3H0nxt1en5bLJUN1llFohrxADQzfRbkH2FT-j57e8Zhwb7TTivuMbg-pbdfmPZlinGcvoqyS03RRpEVIbu4moFjDmnMlaxYQfstu6zum2Hh0zNLRX8w5XUl2hNDQ1lSFtXB6DvQEK/s320/patch_20.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537004015788893842" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJgpOzjlqmt6fuvMzyIy5MreaomsfO9z2FB6slVSKI7CTUqFGmxS8kVM8tP3uIK6ewHEDl2HjJS-0e1bUs7uoCCSi2lj6BPad_EHM1spN2J-JG2vORxohfuq_tix35jcOgIUbx508U60v/s320/patch_18.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537004010512854370" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> _________________________________________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xq5hJcZ5Z91c44cFyCFo1-6wVT6b4X9qvROPiCHA6h_mdKQcs8XcWN6IqTmURJESqWai4YQGtgUnG_q6caG9Bl_50OekCfacQA51gJ2ZXvg9K1ep3WqMn5hVBqh6oyIsT04TXRofq_qi/s320/DSCF1009.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557953208101316194" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwuxfm3a-EL2eDuBjt0KuUiua0CsNPJsIgaa6VJok9Sc5hs91a5rlFNDe9Vk5JLi0txwJB2dabJxAM_z8o8Wn7mNzYfSBQ-TMDRMNi_SBWUwm8xfykiZUQIwMQHSHsZX2BrBSzG9RyV1J/s1600/DSCF1017.JPG"></a></div><div>Now, halloween was fun. he still didn't quite get it. he liked the boot portion of his costume (but how could you not love the boot part?). he ran to a couple of houses, but then would stop at the sidewalk. one of my friends dressed up as a pirate and lil H didn't like that too much. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwuxfm3a-EL2eDuBjt0KuUiua0CsNPJsIgaa6VJok9Sc5hs91a5rlFNDe9Vk5JLi0txwJB2dabJxAM_z8o8Wn7mNzYfSBQ-TMDRMNi_SBWUwm8xfykiZUQIwMQHSHsZX2BrBSzG9RyV1J/s1600/DSCF1017.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwuxfm3a-EL2eDuBjt0KuUiua0CsNPJsIgaa6VJok9Sc5hs91a5rlFNDe9Vk5JLi0txwJB2dabJxAM_z8o8Wn7mNzYfSBQ-TMDRMNi_SBWUwm8xfykiZUQIwMQHSHsZX2BrBSzG9RyV1J/s320/DSCF1017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557954869118920258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDjT-XUP_tCX07dU8SOHddZ5Rn0wC1j_abadtib5p6shDxJ4wJdg_-47GUweuOwpz5E-X2677nyP_h-5EGLwOn04O1mWvlTj-pm5YerAikbJsXA64NFws977VV38EVf0zWtrPWmHVN8n_/s1600/DSCF1014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDjT-XUP_tCX07dU8SOHddZ5Rn0wC1j_abadtib5p6shDxJ4wJdg_-47GUweuOwpz5E-X2677nyP_h-5EGLwOn04O1mWvlTj-pm5YerAikbJsXA64NFws977VV38EVf0zWtrPWmHVN8n_/s320/DSCF1014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557954864169462386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7phA_L5HKajMcYn-aTzBNDUJy_gFwBmrtfw54qSRaLOeHy2_ft7RN1YV34zAb96EVYyC8fT2KYvfIFnZlHZTUlWoNI_l0hJ3_TyRsfwR1gqwdV8JRo5wi0QZ8-bOYkKEKtrmDQkvNh7I5/s1600/DSCF1011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7phA_L5HKajMcYn-aTzBNDUJy_gFwBmrtfw54qSRaLOeHy2_ft7RN1YV34zAb96EVYyC8fT2KYvfIFnZlHZTUlWoNI_l0hJ3_TyRsfwR1gqwdV8JRo5wi0QZ8-bOYkKEKtrmDQkvNh7I5/s320/DSCF1011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557954858319959362" /></a>the lil buckaroo! he got his first piece of candy, and he put up a fight to keep it all to himself. well, at least until he decided the dog needed to taste too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmqKNriJuaI1UW-daKiPlCPF4N_USdGF6PZrn1OdhPT4KtxDhrlwwR8pub70RFIUtH-_UN9Ja_uotqH8BeE7wkeEv-W-P-IoH8D2oXgAQBmUfSD7NhtvC_2S9KAot3UwCKQM3nEKf8uS9/s1600/DSCF1007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmqKNriJuaI1UW-daKiPlCPF4N_USdGF6PZrn1OdhPT4KtxDhrlwwR8pub70RFIUtH-_UN9Ja_uotqH8BeE7wkeEv-W-P-IoH8D2oXgAQBmUfSD7NhtvC_2S9KAot3UwCKQM3nEKf8uS9/s320/DSCF1007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557954850064597714" /></a></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-6836974378872310652010-10-31T22:14:00.010-05:002010-11-04T23:08:38.769-05:00OUR STATE FAIR IS THE BEST STATE FAIR<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">September is a beautiful time of year here in Dallas. It is most amazing because this is when the last drop of leftover heat disappears. If you can make it through to the last couple weeks in September you are good to go. I'm not sure if it is Texas' way of celebrating, or if it is just coincidence, but this is also the time of year when the State Fair of Texas is going on. The state fair is full of crafts, photo ops, all the fried food imaginable, rides, cool (and boring)exhibits and so much more.</span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFmwnKF-TW456j2jWqpzcVe2QHUgDYOlkn-Xjq3aaR31zaWnCVdNCrMQXT3zkRGVKLonRsSOBPa_edu7QlquOVwHIC9NhK3ZH8Kf1auNYm_L9Mo40c_vf4qKs2CqGgr4sWfYF-JrgmJ9o/s320/10.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 294px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535897195638494818" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvM2OS2CqajeJyPMUAxJCMWI7VTuRi1XxGCrfinW6IJ9d46qk6R79URZhUqcOnqiedOTL3qw9RnTk97B13nVVjpLoJUZFqR8Q1z9sphwhwXw3rWeq3Bm1Hgzd-bvtRwchtBOyrNRCYFd1/s320/02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 294px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422671683346498" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >We took the train to the fair grounds. I really like to ride on the train, lots of people watching opportunities, plus we didn't have to worry about parking. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxv-1QNFhABK-QWBSizWRGxL53gqz2gPP3Cd3Jr23fY-fCdbBIJS4S6fBGb3sXy24Bmj1hnCsZKnFNoXqE8qI7x34fClwT6CmvGPd5DzGC_bi_dYVOixFj6Us6baIh_4ErtBHhcb_3Y-I/s320/DSCF0150.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422675932164802" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbjsfy1pkq465YnlQKOaODCSxllYyiM-TLgNkWL3MFGFJuNHKbyvo3a6JhV3YW1oEVnucN5Hbr_tRmsu5BSf-aassu1Kt5mgr6rDBgeTC0LxCbz-teRNR-9JaYA-ER7nRFBtJ3vWN8FBu/s320/DSCF0152.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422677292954418" /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Once we got to the fair the first exhibit we stopped at was the car show. We had to show lil H all that is good in this world. It didn't take much explaining, he already has 'CAR' branded into his heart. Look at the pure joy on his face! We will teach him how to work hard so he can one day buy his own cool car like this Corvette!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaiIRm5U_dL48ydhVOcaravQ6GR0Onqycq_GLy4U78fX-tRYISgRtueDHl2MgJrUUH55ZvQdxqfsq8EkKxx_ooE8T-nk98-DCbVFQ8rNJP9dCn3ZxmyTtRnOAYJUN4JUdm_w_TusnD3RR/s320/DSCF0160.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534419962762104434" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt4zrJVJJ9fp2fzQu9Qj9IX4ktdqfAqS2IQYFJHttDN6c-TzdLibT1FLdrF6xgzbmLqe13i2GH1n9WIHK2ozQ2F6LfrEfRhbfOyjpX9qdxeU4RulxV0i3T3lHm0_o1uHhSTTjfrbH3XnE/s320/05.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 301px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422666055242402" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSh_aYOT-aZ5DlJi4iTVTqGwojXS2QWHLt73QsbpeoaLrOqaI4fT2DZ3fK11BTHsGu3W6DeDVZJqHmxP5GSYlHIJCVj7qgMmrGB2KF3UcPcEWrQ0gFbewSd8Ksy4nJBoLknEDuh84HypV/s320/08.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535907410685845250" /><span class="Apple-style-span" >How can you go to a Texas car show and NOT take a picture in one of the over-sized trucks? If goldy locks was about a boy and took place in different sized trucks: Henry would be sitting in papa bear's front seat.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5cTUfPstxUDxaynYwsXXPmFB6ueN4G0dLu82M4WQ72FlAh_PA880gN9YqR0SmNFGOmkOSzekEUNbR0LwW9Q0WIiZJkJKVxq8mNTS5PwzOIMj5QblUju_BC7-kmsG2v6OTTluKVii6e4K/s320/09.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422655484265394" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" >We watched a parade. It was pretty cool. Because it was put on by the electric company everything was lit up very creatively. Some of the costumes were a little bit scary looking.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0WTqHHwJFTrvVtKOAQzplWVBj4ksdx2m7D8e3yzr5Wumd0JClIp01em9hstezCRIvqckhRaN_WAxF0s4VvfzBj7STKp9TRTMSbUHzdBYEuBL1LCGd6fD03-Sseii6GcKe8N5N9uDqPiM/s320/DSCF0172.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534419972595929602" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzy5whp5GBcQ6rpCilZnk9zcq1Ud4UxTcOEWYDZGp5wRjH7XBUKhPNa3msaaaXQsGEHhcPDQxJU63Md3CgVtVtb5v-NDKXSozgqWpJ2wExLybnakYixXcgssjtSQ5GsD_k9-ykNLHgHbC/s320/DSCF0171.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534419966521249554" /><span class="Apple-style-span" >You also go to the fair to check out the latest 'fried wonder'. below is fried chocolate on the left, and on the right is fried cookie dough. We also gave fried pizza a shot, and were sadly disappointed. We of course enjoyed a corn dog, pineapple ice cream, root-beer, cotton candy and eyed other fried creations. Some of the other fried options were: fried peanut butter and jelly banana sandwiches, fried lemon-aid, fried peaches and cream, fried Frito pie... the list goes on and on!</span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIq2qElLhN5_GLVuf93LxyE2g_jhVLgXcQviJ_e55MuWmJkxrmaF_267eGoE36AaUcdwKeMCvIb-wOkSCyvt5Lt_CfEXuIT74qiRRazD_-JCVsYCjngSVul0EcWzHJtvAPg92gfdH7JMv/s320/food+01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535908950260517186" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3FmFp5aC3sTrrReQL1GfGXsisZ8i02h4VDtuBpjbWMZoHUaYavIh5WWWNxUpu7iN5ftDiTgy19uxyazlKjYnfM3cSZ9Ib8ZmkWw5I2JEVchnOVZ-_ssKew5DUkMYVkCWFSfFloyDT4sT/s320/food+05.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535908946696337954" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >This is the biggest ferris wheel I've ever seen. I think it is beautiful. It is a landmark too, growing up I'd always gage how much further something was in comparison to the ferris wheel. </span> </div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9b4jhFAv6R1pRtVw2ZOHmT4cgF4Ia0afsbYo2rvYiKFtE5LBBFTace2acP5vYdixrtXocJm1jAhgkB4JqhcUNikO02jlyTEOIOgVezexOJlOOEMLz_mmti1dHrjCpXLJX470jEm-ZsDc/s320/DSCF0178.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534415499255628866" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLciCF6zOlFEFWGTmzucceQJ5q5_7cTxh0UT8XSOzFXu5YDtbb7ayaMyi4CLZxi2tyJL9njehXmsymSv8SIgvXXvjEoYMIYgtzfpQvZd0GKdDSwwp8WiKugRCPihj3Voz7-Q07JyfW-cc/s320/DSCF0180.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534415489665508258" /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Our ride home on the train: It was a busy day and those eyes were as tired as they look. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcQgQQUZg33CLqxlALBjUWwXINF96MyWLMd9DRVdXIyXaU7rxXJRSz9BBRUvd4db7XBqoVFTgYm8LgZPLg5bHlZmGXHnqk8gXqHjjiOEDTdSPJCQZk6F7RDjyIfLAij0Xlk8VbeEYwMg5/s320/DSCF0181.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534415501206559506" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Until next year: so long state fair!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-91735113877543590762010-10-31T20:58:00.007-05:002010-10-31T22:09:08.495-05:00THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR OF FIRSTS<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So i am finally posting about lilH's birthday. Since the party things have been crazy so i haven't done more than load the photos onto the computer from the camera. I had a blast planning his celebration. I made his invites, which turned out really cute. The front was printed on photo paper, and the back was stitched together with thread and mini pennants cut out of mix and match paper.</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifT3iq-01JmL7I6UFZwWFqREl4ybUKU29mFdrXKr9e4dHtuTEXabpfcCc3wuPmrrUdwQLAFuOTO9E30u6w_P8EX63nAGMy6UxtcwJChShs-L0cq9ewB1e9XBjcFBIYkkcXLCZ-81AqP9U3/s320/birthday+invites.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534400398565174658" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VLB2PnyHiv52RAnrRNkuePE0PMRK8R2gnW2zrLSfUG6l95yYjSeon7QManiktEyV8bI7cl2JJ20O2lONt2wvDVJRL5DTpq3tXU7S2PzakJxmsI_otLtXNO6RLqSP51U1XfIBjZtiq7Ag/s320/DSCF0064.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534399784856737506" /><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4JHJPMaC6uU9CnGtq33vMY56SuSt8pxuq3NcxgSdc0Ewdli6nBbKMvsx3Qs5XhNJIpFjfTWRSdz3jEh96FzWvQ_bvQJW5R7NoEh8J_RMnI2F1oGYyuR0B2iSa4G0leCGO-ALcxyK-G4N/s320/DSCF0100.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534401516208088114" /><span class="Apple-style-span">His highchair needed a face lift. I spray painted it black and made it a new cover. I was so excited when I found the fabric that I used for the cover. Before lil H was born, and while I was planning all the things I was going to make for him, I ran across this fabric. I fell in love with it. I wanted to do his nursery out of it. I was going to make the crib set and everything else to coordinate with the animal print. I couldn't find it anywhere though. So, while I was meandering through JoAnn's a few weeks ago, I came across this and was probably a little over excited. Either way, I snatched it up. And it is now the newest addition to our home decor! </span><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfBlgdyy1QTA4JjLR5vdoC1waJ4ED3vkbs1e7O8M_oj4McDOnjrUuF-Ua7Lrpn8-dftD62zSDfrpWqI4taoUrthZK2m_pySSMbeVOruBOfYhABnHRH1u9fHqDNsO5f1MInhyWUewS27l_/s320/DSCF0056.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534399789241725986" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHmAduSeBN-RJgUzPZxPJ8NViJ4Y_uUfGUyLS0F7zcYoGMpnVp0jKXVIHHZhm7W8Y3etN-o7amz1fR6dpe2vNJzRkzrT9ZqbBWXUpIoVsDkXgeWVl-78veCwhFlUXFchRlKSsqJNDlF_r/s320/DSCF0066.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534401502751448866" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQDAMfm_C5JB_5eEJ7IPV4Ay_fkQqO8EeygAa19w1vRc9dq1TcC6ySGULZ3L-ypTRLpRS7pYqCTztMAqYBfbkXFZ_F5tRbaBdXEC9jZpWPQGbhqnb4pPm64EHemYvsSiKb36KAJzYeOT1/s320/DSCF0102.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534401521365016562" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">THE ACTUAL PARTY</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>King Henry the First</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07LCYe2kFUc2iFmFKxlv9Cb5kfsStJyZx8v6eBBQulxq0djom3JFJo_A3IXoKRjePJ7JklsB9pk9Ge0Fi-U09y5Cq_yfuPsBts7Om3CV7gn4zlcY0oiyATSj_el7AGji8vvNzbxKJD8wG/s320/cupcake.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534397153425955426" /><span class="Apple-style-span">I think cupcakes are some of the cutest cakes. Lucky for me they are also the perfect size for little hands to hold. I love how artistic some bakeries are with their cupcake designs. We got a couple dozen cupcakes from a few different bakeries to sample their unique styles. I love the paper cups that envelope the actual cake and the bundtini's from 'nothing bundt cakes' were a huge hit, and delicious. I need to spend more time in the kitchen! (first i need a bigger kitchen mine just isn't cut out for real baking).</span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCx5rnQg9jT8UuQneXfXBmVX6ZJnaeBQuH-58wjJFpwB22RD36jy-snXxpHhISmiNwKpMTz4jcW8Zv0kg5N1sBW9F_JfJmprVbTld15HZHBgpyLN81vROpAwJqA2hbQ7whABiMnW5pBiwA/s320/DSCF0106.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534397158900790418" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr54z9pY-X5EA5tjzK-TP_TmycXJ21uM_5iRoOLcWGpypfsJv9Ll486hJys9yRkW_ehHZvn0CU-1aoO-wmrxPBRV3rFDvjom_LzQCEiLYOrZSOMORv2Mnhixz006M7T-qrdI0vLd7uc62f/s320/cake_02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534397148216729202" /><span class="Apple-style-span">When we gave lil H the cupcake he wasn't really sure if he was supposed to actually eat it. He kept looking at me as tough to make sure it was ok to be putting this in his mouth. Once he got that in his mouth, he was pretty ok with it. He ate most of it</span>.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH25d1rMtP9nH03PCKR_WM5UiK0kSH07rX8ADjrvOiLdyweICEkA3bYUqoVv2Oe8Yf7k0aY9QVBrEii9m7W9h7naBYvlgs_xRxioU7hBot0kN3i_mpceckOIU2e1tImgpxt5LxNkVKMZA/s320/DSCF0116.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534397164599879218" /><span class="Apple-style-span">The park that we had it at is so beautiful. It was an amazing day and we were blessed to have some of our good friends join us. I don't always remember to take photos of everything that goes on, but I caught a little bit of the party to share, and a few of lil h's friends. </span> </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIjdKZREwPP71Vilnl8fqfg0jnarik0O13cdh6l09xKGJVCB8jgd57t899eQ8AZ2Ms1ZKXzwQIKxC6DGUPHVl6b1ntL6n8VSF8D6edDqqBMOvmFt6Tto1HJSI_t7c-8D7noUU32Azh2IL/s320/DSCF0119.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534399770997835730" /><span class="Apple-style-span">My friends' kiddos, these two little guys are the same age, you'd never guess that if you didn't know! they are both too cute. And those faces are priceless, like a couple of grumpy old men!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUO8CpWRSFbmSfYpq64r38EocWp-3RLuqiErKY_LppcXp6Z83T5XeGF4tq6p_yLne3QmibfP6tKD0uOaU0l4vWxUPqc8RHjdXW-kOuPK5w-2vc5TgRwWsKM8Gu5i97vtbothhdgD9Rt_XT/s1600/DSCF0121.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUO8CpWRSFbmSfYpq64r38EocWp-3RLuqiErKY_LppcXp6Z83T5XeGF4tq6p_yLne3QmibfP6tKD0uOaU0l4vWxUPqc8RHjdXW-kOuPK5w-2vc5TgRwWsKM8Gu5i97vtbothhdgD9Rt_XT/s1600/DSCF0121.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUO8CpWRSFbmSfYpq64r38EocWp-3RLuqiErKY_LppcXp6Z83T5XeGF4tq6p_yLne3QmibfP6tKD0uOaU0l4vWxUPqc8RHjdXW-kOuPK5w-2vc5TgRwWsKM8Gu5i97vtbothhdgD9Rt_XT/s320/DSCF0121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534399777739574002" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">More cute kiddos that came to celebrate. When lil H started opening gifts she tried to show him how it was done. it was pretty funny. He wasn't all that <span class="Apple-style-span">interested</span> in the opening of the packages, but he sure did wear this penguin push toy out before we left. the banged it around on the pavement and let the whole park know how much he loved it</span></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZBH1x70jUYNe63X9a9UyQZTz7G_mPK_kXSvquXEiSiSsy7TMzl4NHi7tOuOX5KZz2velynREy_YUJrOfssWWTKOGc0ke-3VE0ftu86I6pCuZuaBQygSKxAXUVDUrd8tXwycz6pvb1moo/s320/DSCF0137.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534397163056692690" /><span class="Apple-style-span">The penguin toy was cool, at least until he found the doggy drinking fountain. this child loves water. this was the party to him. And he did not want to part from it. </span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuVEFQCt_nvSY7HW86GtX3iaOnCm8eNuD08gi77Kxj6jkp3WkeZI6p7c7PpC_ABHhGnBEj3YZ8QosrS-18q362izrt4K3wM1T3Py46mgJxAx7ktpfA2BLeZTD6rOPOqlRYOeLMUNljgjm/s320/DSCF0126.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534399773320728978" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Oh, the joy this little boy has brought to my heart. I love how new everything that we do is to him. Watching a child who is exploring and curious is good for the adult soul. I think too soon we forget about the wonders of what is around us. Have children helps re-open that part of your soul. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-10125311321006402522010-10-01T17:57:00.003-05:002010-10-01T18:13:48.957-05:00dear henry,it's amazing what you reflect on when reviewing the first year of a baby's life. i truely am amazed at what you have learned, how fast you have grown and how much you have changed our lives. i am so greatful for having the opportunity to be a mom, for every moment that i have gotten to watch you grow. from the first kick i felt, the first touch of you against my skin, to watching you explore every thing around you, i have been so blessed with the opportunity to have you in my life. <br /><br />you have surpassed any of my expectations and continue to amaze me daily,<br /><br />love mom.stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-75269337404629280072010-09-14T21:00:00.004-05:002010-09-14T21:35:01.949-05:00diy cake stands<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516960902823935970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrSHdM-CeKBz0m6jqKlt5NFuQyVddzebm-yAW_CM4rCkYeRpo2BZe12sq4yRsUVWuxa-f4ENUAoXS8UWLhtzOfc9qA3fGhqKNtYqLByDL5fGBS3Oyv4W2eqQlcbqtPC28y1lDycl8VjW6/s400/candle+stick+cake+plate.jpg" /><br /><br />so i had this epiphany while walking through the dollar store today. i was looking at all the cute plates with paterns in them and thinking 'wow, they are only $1. there's got to be something cool i could do with them'. i love cake stands and am always eager to find cute ones. so i decided that if you combined a candle holder at the base of these plates with epoxy, then you could have some pretty sweet custom cake plates.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 393px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516962429709816722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNRmlnUhMsMM_k51r59Oi4N4LaNfs2Ppy_9wnpDPZdIkAVdGsASh_b5lvUTiH3mG5H-MSjc6wF0O4SGPBbv93MZU7BdEeTFYnGck_5vhxM1OtfsxLoxuz7_4FeLyrii2oQNoYO6PI_ADl/s400/cake+plate.jpg" />stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-40869696164797815852010-09-10T21:04:00.004-05:002010-09-10T22:25:40.317-05:00fuit-a-sauruslil H's favorite food group is FRUIT! he devours bananas, nectarines, peaches and pears. he makes the BIGGEST mess and i get a kick out of his enjoyment.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCBpMzriORAc0J9zSRD8popOgW9fMivYgfd56tlbWu1aVkFRbKlz7BcrGnjv-8UAlMRYqjujGzTeRHu7ovBckQcuWiP6oy1f0YK_FVOFG9NUD6ZztskN2dLMli7u4JmxOot-SYgaPFpQ8/s1600/DSCF0085.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515486112195059906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCBpMzriORAc0J9zSRD8popOgW9fMivYgfd56tlbWu1aVkFRbKlz7BcrGnjv-8UAlMRYqjujGzTeRHu7ovBckQcuWiP6oy1f0YK_FVOFG9NUD6ZztskN2dLMli7u4JmxOot-SYgaPFpQ8/s400/DSCF0085.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4G4O9JiVLRFG4KBXdpZcM1lKSpCD-d9679w_Ec9jVE638QBoBMuK20LAMfY6z-VK7h0M47WGsLJBOsx9mjGpsK4Cm5Cj8xJnNG9yCfJE8zxDVG0Xji0uy56OixRA3MTmph4k6sZ5kf6v/s1600/DSCF0084.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515486109451796162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4G4O9JiVLRFG4KBXdpZcM1lKSpCD-d9679w_Ec9jVE638QBoBMuK20LAMfY6z-VK7h0M47WGsLJBOsx9mjGpsK4Cm5Cj8xJnNG9yCfJE8zxDVG0Xji0uy56OixRA3MTmph4k6sZ5kf6v/s400/DSCF0084.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYDZI-L11PZ1xGc8T0xT5oGdQJ6O-ayM2axMCjGphmNG2HZrbIpQmVV1yCAwpdXihsz4VuAu0ckA2dYqtBt6D7W1hu0WDQ_m6hlIx4DcHee6SWAWvinKl1cy6tJHFZobXFc72z1lhdSSj/s1600/DSCF0080.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515486099447433202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYDZI-L11PZ1xGc8T0xT5oGdQJ6O-ayM2axMCjGphmNG2HZrbIpQmVV1yCAwpdXihsz4VuAu0ckA2dYqtBt6D7W1hu0WDQ_m6hlIx4DcHee6SWAWvinKl1cy6tJHFZobXFc72z1lhdSSj/s400/DSCF0080.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9AC9Q0ay1klQxtCqwgqLjHEQG3EoLt1xm-SBweG_M1No-WV19F6oQYXP5yxAJKApKbuQmqOB8vrrbqXO0vRLyoQ-JUvUIp08Y4FOW3H7ES4Wolh_nj1K3FEjoOMgWSgoSKEpoFi9pui5/s1600/DSCF0078.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515486095495012370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9AC9Q0ay1klQxtCqwgqLjHEQG3EoLt1xm-SBweG_M1No-WV19F6oQYXP5yxAJKApKbuQmqOB8vrrbqXO0vRLyoQ-JUvUIp08Y4FOW3H7ES4Wolh_nj1K3FEjoOMgWSgoSKEpoFi9pui5/s400/DSCF0078.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLooS0eMX2IJVdnz5-_lerylJbSRhXMPOKFxClbM7iNUJcG5YJbLyxP5ku_BdTAm5ySFOD2eMuDvF-NfOXpj5W7nc9JUsojtFEQyV63Qc6vCmXqquXH-zHCP1pPgtv3Ylbo_AYPyz7GpJ/s1600/DSCF0076.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515486085508337714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLooS0eMX2IJVdnz5-_lerylJbSRhXMPOKFxClbM7iNUJcG5YJbLyxP5ku_BdTAm5ySFOD2eMuDvF-NfOXpj5W7nc9JUsojtFEQyV63Qc6vCmXqquXH-zHCP1pPgtv3Ylbo_AYPyz7GpJ/s400/DSCF0076.JPG" /></a> here's a video so you can see his excitement too!<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwwMlEnzGKT5mQmnItGF00VU9A7E0C1v4lecsGGZikyJnFbIBFknEneRYJmv7tUBaDNbEH10kQbJ8-6jEHlwg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><p> </p><p> </p></div></div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-59659265626820719322010-08-13T21:52:00.001-05:002010-08-14T13:13:03.603-05:00visitors from georgia!<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><strong>my cousin jordan was in town for business. we got to have him over for dinner and i really enjoyed the visit. lil H wasn't really sure what to think about him though. he pretty much hid behind me for the first 30 minutes or so. i tried all sorts of trick to get him to come out of his shell.<br /><br />I've decided that lil H is also sort of like a puppy dog. He like snacks and is greedy with his snack and he likes to play in the toilet. (no, i don't let him, but if i forget to close the bathroom door it is the first place that he ventures to)anyways, i gave jordan a snack for Henry, thinking he would warm up to idea of a snack (sort of like a puppy), instead he just decided that he had no need for the snack, at least until i had it in my hands.<br /><br />by the end of the night he was showing off and running around screaming. then jordan became his best friend and had a tickle fight with him.</strong></span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxVEGxtVmstRn42ny23M8-Klxymo7WH839ZZ81NySo3rt9BLgetr1w10VooIctCPfrwUxJRPQ92K5bgbuWdGA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-74009123252010310082010-08-13T18:44:00.001-05:002010-08-14T13:13:55.343-05:00BUBBLE BATH!!!<span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#333333;">i only thought lil H liked bath time. then i added bubbles! he screamed and splashed. i think the photos demonstrate his excitement!</span><br /></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTOuqBzAcCzZxEWRHIwmoMyBeOYP91k2M2zuTSX0-ERJMqrwCvjz5jsEoxxW6vpXEabh8TRHzIwKjdbxkYRTSXroakQRIQ9avveHVc8ZkRaxSCctbhZRsdq3oNI-SQo7A8_UqHflVc9m-/s1600/DSCF0028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505044690056810658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTOuqBzAcCzZxEWRHIwmoMyBeOYP91k2M2zuTSX0-ERJMqrwCvjz5jsEoxxW6vpXEabh8TRHzIwKjdbxkYRTSXroakQRIQ9avveHVc8ZkRaxSCctbhZRsdq3oNI-SQo7A8_UqHflVc9m-/s400/DSCF0028.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklMvGJOT1FV2OmXCP8kfAVbW8jPmfk_BhU-5tnmj4W0crdTxIj2MpY0eaVTbgD2cT6IVhKoUxrYd1o-VEKSh9g3MWzAtkIiiDBabB1SpXOqrjCbN_P_NzYWYuCHWEKbJDYKM0ooz0LRpS/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505044675782879730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklMvGJOT1FV2OmXCP8kfAVbW8jPmfk_BhU-5tnmj4W0crdTxIj2MpY0eaVTbgD2cT6IVhKoUxrYd1o-VEKSh9g3MWzAtkIiiDBabB1SpXOqrjCbN_P_NzYWYuCHWEKbJDYKM0ooz0LRpS/s400/DSCF0018.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpxYjze-njd46NbmEGJS2A8reFXHWREpCNOn0o4h3xNtLe_cRnUn4IYzn00cL9DBEnzrZWr22Vy2PDbvyJdpXtZE9f4qdpW3mz1iqG0GyNlUQv64La3WzTHcARsOhz1vRoqBblExB5hNu/s1600/DSCF0016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505044664293648130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpxYjze-njd46NbmEGJS2A8reFXHWREpCNOn0o4h3xNtLe_cRnUn4IYzn00cL9DBEnzrZWr22Vy2PDbvyJdpXtZE9f4qdpW3mz1iqG0GyNlUQv64La3WzTHcARsOhz1vRoqBblExB5hNu/s400/DSCF0016.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvekyWsWCIr6QKQqv1vipvPUlUEiN2aNtVNN5MA9Vn6WPcoi-SMVxFOTLhS8kHLfvFYxzsHaDXzdj9Qgp88y1TfohJRj0Zbpl8uav1OfUGSlGGNLgJbi7D0v5WOookCl4aim_8fgT0XOE8/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505044652580326722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvekyWsWCIr6QKQqv1vipvPUlUEiN2aNtVNN5MA9Vn6WPcoi-SMVxFOTLhS8kHLfvFYxzsHaDXzdj9Qgp88y1TfohJRj0Zbpl8uav1OfUGSlGGNLgJbi7D0v5WOookCl4aim_8fgT0XOE8/s400/DSCF0015.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyulb_DXxq4VJh1Ke4RanGFfsLO-BoaPN-f2aL0Mr-IHNVUsv0GHXk35EzDBBGqZxQRT6e8_fpA_RHNqVsoaw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><div></div></div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-52319109174372670792010-08-05T17:04:00.001-05:002010-08-05T17:21:48.984-05:00i can't help it...<div>i am addicted! i just can't help it. i want to sit all day long and make things. I want to sew baby shoes, i'm itching to piece together another quilt (it's been three years!), and i'm addicted to photoshop. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Luckily i've been able to release all of this pent up energy into worthwhile projects. I'm slowly making some waves on the baby shoe production. I sold $100 worth last week. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My quilt itch is sortof being mended. I'm using most of my days off to help Jeane finish her quilt. Last summer, while pregnant i started a little group. (mostly to invite those who needed extra space, like myself, to sew) Jeane's quilt has just been sitting there. It's been on my mind, mostly because she needed a buddy and at the time i couldn't do it. So, now, i have HER quilt at my house and am working on it for her. Don't worry, i didn't steal it!!! Promise! She is AMAZING. She is one of those ladies who has many many years of experience and advice to share. Her adventures are great fun to listen to and i've enjoyed getting to know her. The more i got to know her, the more i realized that physically she wasn't really in the position to finish this quilt by herself. I am now doing the quilt for her so that she too can enjoy the pleasures of a handmade quilt (because it is so yummy!). </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502053991952890482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpJhvu8EMQlHihyGal2iCle4-1SWsE0799u8liY-_5Uwwdo9IQWwRZKOE8HUV-18ZnD0kfMp8ORzRIZN9DWXmvwfUdoZOP_yj-imwA9BUaUv2F2EtGrWGgdot47BH5xhCtz1ttTSoVxX4/s400/birthday+invites.jpg" /></div><div>I'm getting plans in order for lil H's birthday. it's a month away, and i would be lying if i said that i just started thinking about what i wanted to do. I want it to be simple and fun and because he sortof just sits there and stares at kids he's not too familiar with i figured the fewer little faces the better. Plus, i think that even though the 'FIRST BIRTHDAY' is a big deal, it's more of a deal to the crazy mom who wants everything to be perfect. yes i understand that I have the potential to be that crazy mom. however i'm not going to be. there will be cupcakes and few decorations (because those are my favorite part to make!) and of course the TANK. I've decided that I don't want to make the cupcakes... I can do it and that knowledge is enough. My postage stamp kitchen just can't take the beating of baking and decorating. Atleast i can't take the beating of the space i have to create in there... so i'm going to purchase simple cupcakes and then maybe decorate them... i dunno, we will see how i feel about a week out from the date.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've been working on some ideas for business cards. I'm convinced i need a letterpress kit or an emosser. They look essential for all great crafting needs. But before i can make the cards i need to work on a name... So i am working on that at the moment. and i know that i can make them, especially since i have so few that are going out at a time.</div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-48330456161112439002010-08-02T10:44:00.001-05:002010-08-02T11:16:26.816-05:00summer time:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE2ZwkC9OR2Tkp-cn9sAPTc5ttSuHohDmoXNTrlyNJjR324tpLpVU6Uhsh1pci3YddoSXifycFjuQ-i1sixD3tXFQN36BeypLMhGC8FZQ7wWZnfMdkZk3QBW_l7Zt3GBxN01pyORnSUA5/s1600/august_outside_02.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 351px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500843946943466130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE2ZwkC9OR2Tkp-cn9sAPTc5ttSuHohDmoXNTrlyNJjR324tpLpVU6Uhsh1pci3YddoSXifycFjuQ-i1sixD3tXFQN36BeypLMhGC8FZQ7wWZnfMdkZk3QBW_l7Zt3GBxN01pyORnSUA5/s400/august_outside_02.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMetUwunvIVWD4l0nWPXqg3R6ib7nLZUosfxy20ipr0sLpJZctKYV9eQLc3Bum4D6vlOQ_-K8g02b7o3Z_ks28dczHD3Xw6ovEZpUhu1Is8uQxQBEUWH9Ee44bijGpM4eYsNGSxIdVEOjK/s1600/august_outside_01.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500843935288207794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMetUwunvIVWD4l0nWPXqg3R6ib7nLZUosfxy20ipr0sLpJZctKYV9eQLc3Bum4D6vlOQ_-K8g02b7o3Z_ks28dczHD3Xw6ovEZpUhu1Is8uQxQBEUWH9Ee44bijGpM4eYsNGSxIdVEOjK/s400/august_outside_01.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div>so it is summer time, and has been for a while now. even though it is most definetly hot outside this has been my favorite season with lil H. because he is walking everywhere and exploring everything it seems more magical than previous summers. he loves being outside so we spend lots of time at the pool, sprinkler parks, regular parks and play in the breezway daily. he can be the crankiest kid, but once i open that door he runs straight for it and screams with delight while running up and down the corridor at our apartments.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500840508057623730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHsV4oq2azBW_0GZbGP0vmyK14-AZg8V_U_Y606bM0XUTtPMKsR-TnphwsTn5gLcyRBF5sB9Ty1jlQ6IvwPeUSq6z9NU4EJsLKX6nteqgadPWzB8tPZrwSIq5ca54fIqH59qLLlRvJiM7/s400/august_toes.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>When he visits grandpa and mimi's he gets to help water in the garden and harvest the vegetable... not sure how much of what he helps with actually makes it inside to be eaten, but he does help.</div><div> </div><div>other than adventures with the tank, we have been readily getting things in order to hopefully (fingers crossed) move back up north at the end of the year. I've been working on baby shoes, and have been selling them. there seems to be a market out there. i'm working on business cards, and looking into registering a company name and everything. i'm pretty excited. </div><div> </div><div>oh, and my sketchbook is looking pretty cool. It's been fun to fill it up with what has been floating around in my mind!</div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-16746612361522861762010-07-18T17:44:00.000-05:002010-07-18T17:56:14.682-05:00editing in photoshopplaying with photoshop. pretty neat how with the help of a program you can make some pretty cool changes to an image.<br /><br /><br />before:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KztwC28V9_RLJrvJawBUoNSnwSlrisKF0zDSFVq5FxjjkuSI0Uioon4IVfRWfsOAYmhyf-zMHL_Srcvp5niJxW___pU1OLfURmhUExXEz0CW458KrX_dsDUU0bv6Hoo4rtksnD7yI9FG/s1600/photo_2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495381900013308034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KztwC28V9_RLJrvJawBUoNSnwSlrisKF0zDSFVq5FxjjkuSI0Uioon4IVfRWfsOAYmhyf-zMHL_Srcvp5niJxW___pU1OLfURmhUExXEz0CW458KrX_dsDUU0bv6Hoo4rtksnD7yI9FG/s400/photo_2.JPG" /></a> after:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFGogp6BZSKisXniqQCt1dwYItdQWj-CD_LJDWEoyXRrqVlLPxkzVTa17c32XMXtbDbEP79SP4sQkP9ToHQddHwlewyylSrsm_AEHzz3FGcefeE7cZXhJxJGW1e_-dbPJVls6mBx3mvDq/s1600/sumertime.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 501px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495381548641321010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFGogp6BZSKisXniqQCt1dwYItdQWj-CD_LJDWEoyXRrqVlLPxkzVTa17c32XMXtbDbEP79SP4sQkP9ToHQddHwlewyylSrsm_AEHzz3FGcefeE7cZXhJxJGW1e_-dbPJVls6mBx3mvDq/s400/sumertime.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-1568471706889617322010-07-17T18:49:00.000-05:002010-07-17T19:40:41.951-05:00no i didn't forget...<div align="left">so many thoughts to share today. it has been forever, it seems, since i've been on here and posted <em>ANTHING</em>. to those of you who are avid followers, thank you and i'm sorry for keeping you hanging. not to worry though, i have plenty to share to keep you all up to date.<br /><br />first: (and foremost) lil H is walking! yes. one day he stood up in the middle of the floor and took a few steps and five days later he had it figured out. He prefers to walk over anything else. we did purchase him a pair of shoes, which are beyond cute.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495027825622852242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMPUccX25kg8uRshN89byUkxAdlRIv_Cjsdd4-yV-AaBMpJ23u4QvXnGH8KG4W_G4HN5mPWDySaPfmTmFAJVxXdgJN9Z3xRI-EHXOSzlRnPgmgPfuM0wMNGPxFbe5itl0OzH5stOf5noA/s320/sheos.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><p>Since he had the walking thing mastered barefoot he wasn't a fan of the shoes right off. in the shoe store he decided that they weren't as cool as mom thought they were. i put them on his feet and stood him up. I guess assuming he would just take off and do his usual scream of satisfaction. NOPE! he took one look at the shoes, scowled, blew raspberries at his feet then dropped to crawling. needless to say, like with anything else he is learning, it only took a couple days for him to figure them out. now that he's walking, i'm running. and he's into EVERYTHING.</p><p>second: wow. I'm so excited about this the most... maybe... it might be a close tie... i have a couple of blogs that i LOVE to follow, one of which posted an add for the 'sketchbook 2011 project'. it's awesome. it is a tour of sketchbooks that you get to participate in if you so wish.</p><p></p><div align="center"><a href="http://thesketchbookproject.com/"><img alt="The Sketchbook Project: 2011" src="http://arthousecoop.com/images/templates/sketchbook5/sharing/150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">i couldn't resist. i had to purchase a sketchbook, a theme and now a couple of sketching pencils. my sketchbook just came in the mail yesterday and i am so stoked. i have an artistic itch that i can finally get out, and then it will be touring the US. the 'art house co-op' is pretty cool. you should go check it out, i highly recommend it: </div><a href="http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject">http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject</a> picking a theme was hard, so i selected one that didn't seem like i would be too restrictive on myself. i'm good at setting way to many boundaries and being too safe. i'm using this as an exercise to let my self loose. <span style="color:#993399;">HELLO WORLD! MY NAME IS STEPHANIE. I HAVE A PENCIL AND I'M RELEASING IT ON PAPER!</span> very excited and i will keep progress updates on here.<br /><br />third: I sold another pair of baby shoes. those things are way too cute. i love making them. there is something so therapeutic about stitching and knowing it is going to go on a babies foot. oh baby feet, how you are so perfect and tiny and...*sigh* i love you. haha, especially lil H's super chubby square baby feet (that are near to impossible to shop for) i've pretty much cleaned out my supply. i'm going to have to get started on some more. any requests? (note: I need a few weeks, i'm still working full time too)<br /><br />fourth: Mr.A came home from Africa with all these gorgeous prints and canvases. (keep in mind he came home from Africa 3 years ago) right after we got married i framed one of them for his birthday. the guys that did it for me charged way too much, so i've been procrastinating taking care of the other ones. mostly because i just couldn't justify spending that much money on stretching one print and without a frame. Turns out that my parents have cool tools, and the art store that i pretty much kept in business while in school had more cool supplies and i was able to stretch them myself, with a little help of course. they turned out beautiful. now we have all this color in our apartment and i'm in love with it. we got rid of the make-shift media shelving once lil H started crawling and pulling up on things. somehow cinder blocks and plywood just aren't baby friendly. plus, i was getting concerned for the welfare of Mr.A's TV. Tiny hands and wide screen Tv's aren't a great combo, and tiny hands like to push game console buttons as well (they have lights that blink, ooooh). so we invested in something much taller and deeper than little hands could reach to. i'm not sure how long it will last, but i'm hoping at least until he understands why i'm telling him not to touch instead of taking his hand back and trying another time. (have i mentioned before that he is into <em>EVERYTHING</em>?!)stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-75996239980425686482010-05-14T23:43:00.001-05:002010-05-15T00:12:35.470-05:00i'm a mom who wears a cape!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7gY8giMEBtZyMncF8tLVvwvJ5aTcSrjfmJxH-_2v7ID4V-Wqw-6M1YSkej0Vg182KDfy2zIhd_J13HcObgHH0y1I14Wf1o7WeBsUDLLMe37sttkH_mR66exGDv2fugYmZ1LtTO1Yx1Hd/s1600/DSCF0169.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471359771362605426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7gY8giMEBtZyMncF8tLVvwvJ5aTcSrjfmJxH-_2v7ID4V-Wqw-6M1YSkej0Vg182KDfy2zIhd_J13HcObgHH0y1I14Wf1o7WeBsUDLLMe37sttkH_mR66exGDv2fugYmZ1LtTO1Yx1Hd/s400/DSCF0169.JPG" /></a><br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471359770023396530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLXNoLckT3Jdium2YrkChTgRDrAAIcJ0SSUwkhug_26IouCUtpwYWLjxids9cthX-Ey0wNMtgZ9gl6mh1XeHjaVIsh5L_Cj79niOUuOvYVwZk0YoGnD4nDnoFUACsu_wwRAUTnUJDOu4u/s400/DSCF0168.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;">because <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'm</span> SUPER MOM! but seriously, now that I'm back at work I've really developed a crazy respect for mom's that wear both hats. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;">Going back to work was one of the harder decisions that Andrew and I have had to make since we have been married. And I am so glad that it is working out in our favor. Working has been good for my soul. I, too easily, got lost somehow while being at home all day by myself. Going back has helped me snap back. I am so happy. I love my job and I love being at home when I am with the baby. Who seems to be growing faster than I can keep up with. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;">It's been a while since <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">i've</span> updated this thing so to keep you all up to speed. We (me and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Henry</span>) drove to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Utah</span> with my parents to help move my sister down after graduating. It was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Henry's</span> first road trip and i was a little worried. But he is a super traveler and loved it. You know he loves something when he starts yelling and giggling. both of which were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">actively</span> present during the drive up. I cannot lie, the 18 hour trip up was more enjoyable than the 18 hour trip back. It always seems to take longer to get back home than to get away. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;">The drew started a new job. We are both very excited. It will be nice to see where this one takes us. I really admire him and all that he does for our little family. He works full time and goes to school full time, he's a full time dad and husband and always remembers where we fall in the priority lineup. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;">with both of us working and juggling the baby it's like learning a whole new routine. new routines are nice, but the first few weeks are always in need of a serious learning curve. dinners are messed up, bedtimes are a little crazy, and the apartment, well, my somewhat <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tidy</span> routine turned into an '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ahhh</span>, my day is done. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'm</span> going to bed, i don't care what the living room looks like' routine. we have slowly begun to transition into a more steady routine in the past couple days. dinners are getting done in time, thanks to a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">crock pot</span> and the laundry is getting folded and put away. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Henry</span> has become quite fond of the grandparents and grandpa <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">cline</span> is his new buddy. he gets very excited when he gets to hang out with him for the day. (i think it's because grandpa fed him <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ice cream</span>)</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">i've</span> started a new project. I'm going to finish this old chair that i have had sitting around for a couple of years. i bought it back in 2005 at a thrift store, knowing that it needed to be sanded, re-finished and i would need to make new pillow forms for it. It sat on the back burner for a long time, a very long time. when i got pregnant i quickly decided again, that 'the chair' would be my new focus and i would finish it before i had that baby. well, now that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Henry</span> is 8 months old and my chair still isn't done, it once again got put on the back burner. It will be done this time. I have had to mend it a little bit, and my wood filler has quickly become my new best friend. i will show before and after photos when i get it done. </span></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-15368223829840900782010-04-10T04:53:00.000-05:002010-04-10T05:01:32.576-05:001a bed time, 5a wake up<blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">i've been up and down all night long. pretty sure that the lil' tank is working on teeth. it's killin me just a little bit, but it must be some sort of pain full to have teeth rip through those gums of his. he's up crying like ever 45 min. it feels like by the time i am actually falling into sleep, i'm just getting right back up. and to add more to this mix, now that he is a rolling , crawling and climbing machine i have to change his clothes and the sheets in the middle of the night. i thought this only happened with toddlers who were potty training or little kids who slept deep in the night. needless to say this is night two like this. i need to invest in more crib sheets, and maybe a different brand of diapers.</span>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-42699660135504545462010-04-09T08:49:00.000-05:002010-04-09T09:47:19.395-05:00some like it HOT - buffalo chicken wraps<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">These wraps are FAN-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">TAST</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">IC</span>! promise. They are a little on the spicy side, but that is canceled out for the most part by the awesome dressing that goes on it. I had never had whole wheat tortillas before but they are actually tastier than the regular white ones (corn are still my favorite, but i wouldn't do them with this meal). Only down side I had with the wheat ones is that they seem to be more fragile than regular ones. Andrew <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ended</span> up having to eat his wrap with a fork, sorry bud! But he enjoyed them <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nonetheless</span>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Servings: 4</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Prep time: 35 min</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Ingredients:</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">2 Tablespoons <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hot</span> pepper sauce, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Tabasco</span> or Frank's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">RedHot</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">3 Tablespoons white vinegar, divided</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1 pound chicken tenders (or chicken breasts, you are gonna chop it up anyhow)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">2 Tablespoons reduced-fat <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mayonnaise</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">2 Tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">freshly ground pepper, to taste</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">4 8" whole-wheat tortillas</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1 cup shredded lettuce</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1 cup sliced celery</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1 large tomato, diced</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>Directions:</strong> (and photos)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO8RCBGbIhy26-rR9jrpgipHKI4eIfobeU93T9Z_8WxPsI6zqZtiMPo20qz9jbcOhy6VjyVM1v4z7ChFFm4khGAEGqwQ-s85kYFFChmyBJxuj88Y0yh5kHs1FbXRTudqCQxE3TEa2-f4m/s1600/DSCF0153.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458142315889340354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO8RCBGbIhy26-rR9jrpgipHKI4eIfobeU93T9Z_8WxPsI6zqZtiMPo20qz9jbcOhy6VjyVM1v4z7ChFFm4khGAEGqwQ-s85kYFFChmyBJxuj88Y0yh5kHs1FbXRTudqCQxE3TEa2-f4m/s320/DSCF0153.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"> <span style="font-size:78%;">above: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">chopped</span> up veggies</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyotGCQGfny1XsHRvdg7eyiF9BYVntIB_UuVOlPnuNSG21MNJQirWFQ0qpc2LUVnetfBclEjj6t92OaJhlqwbjpWgdh-fg8KFOEVM5lVUAfmlSqr9Vpu0p2jTidAvoKEIWBxQnUepdxy7/s1600/DSCF0157.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458142299279092066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyotGCQGfny1XsHRvdg7eyiF9BYVntIB_UuVOlPnuNSG21MNJQirWFQ0qpc2LUVnetfBclEjj6t92OaJhlqwbjpWgdh-fg8KFOEVM5lVUAfmlSqr9Vpu0p2jTidAvoKEIWBxQnUepdxy7/s320/DSCF0157.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size:78%;"> above: sideways view of ingredients for buffalo sauce (it would not rotate... shame)</span><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqsWK1WSFPgLPscWXQd9AcGriucbpMmdokh0l4nwjn9FmhY6nH65wgsD6-oUcf1v4aTpPLYFs3jbr6n9tlqHdsoe2cfVQXWF6n8yOy6A5mi6WHNdZaFnIs4voohnjUJxK0sW2zZkF4DC5/s1600/DSCF0155.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458140567068958114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqsWK1WSFPgLPscWXQd9AcGriucbpMmdokh0l4nwjn9FmhY6nH65wgsD6-oUcf1v4aTpPLYFs3jbr6n9tlqHdsoe2cfVQXWF6n8yOy6A5mi6WHNdZaFnIs4voohnjUJxK0sW2zZkF4DC5/s320/DSCF0155.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size:78%;"> above: chicken, chopped and tossed in sauce. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">mmmm</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">spicay</span>!</span><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nuusewZeSl8yGZjMtMMk3FR76bcEKxbbpiRP7g3VhpJVaDQp8ubJdVRE0MD50BuD9y7IPs7EbL8kOgVprWqjjG_n3tfS2ReUfhZpvY_McJfg6rvEEcEUYxm5i68pLt1C99Qen5Blp3fN/s1600/DSCF0156.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458140555792690914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nuusewZeSl8yGZjMtMMk3FR76bcEKxbbpiRP7g3VhpJVaDQp8ubJdVRE0MD50BuD9y7IPs7EbL8kOgVprWqjjG_n3tfS2ReUfhZpvY_McJfg6rvEEcEUYxm5i68pLt1C99Qen5Blp3fN/s320/DSCF0156.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"> <span style="font-size:78%;">above: blue cheese sauce<br /></span><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CJojvL0D6drumpLKb1c8btZDXgCAv91tIRh2tXMWNPj1TVSO6enLrCXQ1KA_YzooCzdI4mD9D2dpvwG8aYOH8aU72DPWMPQbCLN9RK690PfyZ2qAgXngvcL987YezxkvBHJ-X4lncGiI/s1600/DSCF0158.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458140541223887202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CJojvL0D6drumpLKb1c8btZDXgCAv91tIRh2tXMWNPj1TVSO6enLrCXQ1KA_YzooCzdI4mD9D2dpvwG8aYOH8aU72DPWMPQbCLN9RK690PfyZ2qAgXngvcL987YezxkvBHJ-X4lncGiI/s320/DSCF0158.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"> <span style="font-size:78%;">above: assembled wrap prior to wrapping it up<br /></span><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDkkcuGS_dTKouIJzdTLOHpfqNXNCPXq640J8OOGHN1HD6Effn3SNnqyCOmth87z5mXk8SjhOtiA7OMsddmWlwFmmPNhq0sj3pdrILCRA7KYZJonJe6VS17nyyWWJkbd5Yo2Na5ZlklSn/s1600/DSCF0159.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458140538175951394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDkkcuGS_dTKouIJzdTLOHpfqNXNCPXq640J8OOGHN1HD6Effn3SNnqyCOmth87z5mXk8SjhOtiA7OMsddmWlwFmmPNhq0sj3pdrILCRA7KYZJonJe6VS17nyyWWJkbd5Yo2Na5ZlklSn/s320/DSCF0159.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size:78%;"> above: yummy spinach, apple, cranberry & walnut salad</span><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UoS9-Ng2tDbGGG46o3XrB_CsiBycUZ-LeYEDb9atBJJ-lU6zk491HtnS6IaE6D5ExoS9ENp5FRp0Ar4ggSWESCr4ctVb5XFEXvdPy1-32RVAeby3Cy5F4eG_7AqbyQ58nvRwVaQoI-kb/s1600/DSCF0161.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458140526777655986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UoS9-Ng2tDbGGG46o3XrB_CsiBycUZ-LeYEDb9atBJJ-lU6zk491HtnS6IaE6D5ExoS9ENp5FRp0Ar4ggSWESCr4ctVb5XFEXvdPy1-32RVAeby3Cy5F4eG_7AqbyQ58nvRwVaQoI-kb/s320/DSCF0161.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"> <span style="font-size:78%;">above: dinner is served.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><div align="left"><br /><br />1.Whisk hot pepper sauce, 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">TBLsp</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">vinegar</span> and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl.</span></div></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken tenders; cook until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle. 3-4 min per side. Add to the bowl with the hot sauce and toss.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">3. Whisk <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mayonnaise</span> , yogurt and the remaining 1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">TBLsp</span> vinegar in a small bowl. Stir in blue cheese.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">4. To assemble wraps; lay a tortilla on a work surface or plate. Spread with 1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">TBLsp</span> blue cheese sauce and top with one-fourth of the chicken, lettuce, celery and tomato. Drizzle with some of the hot sauce remaining int he bowl and roll into a wrap sandwich.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-2524411022956378842010-04-08T12:21:00.000-05:002010-04-08T12:55:04.698-05:00couch potato to 5K -<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">So please listen to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Beasti Boys</span> "No Sleep Til <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Brooklyn</span>" while reading this post. This makes me happy! ♥</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Alright, so today I found a killer website. It's for runners, which I am not. At least not yet. My goal is to be one and to be good at it. Ah, running! I was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">skating</span> champ, but like previously posted I am still nervous about taking out the skates and the jogging stroller. (someday. and don't worry, when I do, you will know!) But I figure the stroller was made for jogging/running so that is what it will be used for!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;">www.coolrunning.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"> has a super sweet program for all you exercise enthusiasts who <em>WISH</em> you were more than enthusiastic! I'm going to use it to get me to my 3 mile mark. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">According</span> to their couch potato - 5k program by week 9 I will be running for 30 min straight, or 3 miles. And week 9 pretty much puts me at finishing around the end of the second week in June. Pretty cool and I'm pretty stoked. I'm starting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Monday</span> so I can keep track of it all and do it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWF</span>. I like plans and programs and they planned out my program for me! I will keep you updated on my progress. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">If you feel so inclined, you should join me on my fitness adventure. You can log your process with me here. I'm so excited. It's probably partly that the weather here is AH-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">mazing</span>! And all great weather deserves to be ran, cycled, skated, played and swam in, and I'd even say golfed in (that's for you Andrew). And I know what I said the other day about not going by weight to gage my progress... i know... I'm not going to go by my weight, but I figure if I set a goal of lets say 20lbs in 8 weeks that it would just make me more cautious of what goes into this body of mine. so here's the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">guidelines</span> from this article I read:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">if you want to lose 10 lbs - daily calorie intake should be 1,700 plus moderate <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exercise</span> 3<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">x's</span> a week</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">if you want to lose 15 lbs - daily calorie intake should be 1,600 plus moderate <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exercise</span> 3<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">x's</span> a week</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">if you want to lose 20 lbs - daily calorie intake should be 1,500 plus moderate <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exercise</span> 3<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">x's</span> a week</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">and of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">course</span> the foods should be smart choices, like don't starve yourself then go binge on a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">big mac</span> and shake, although that is probably over even the 1700 plan. just be smart <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">chickas</span>!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">So here is to running 3 miles in 9 weeks, being 20 lbs lighter, stronger, and fitting into all those cute <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-baby jeans collecting dust in my closet!</span>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-33737655714262996652010-04-06T10:52:00.000-05:002010-04-09T09:49:46.596-05:00Salmon-and-Avacado Rice Bowl<span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span>' tank is my right hand man these days. He's always around to help keep me entertained while I'm cooking and doing everything else. Good thing he likes his highchair so much, I just rotate out the toys (or kitchen utensils) to keep him busy and preoccupied.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDC3gmPTxZtd3aQYqrjbww6R3c7tCYfucvD46nL8MtNXxqZFu1QyHH7B_r9DWVznZUp-yPum5wx8auqJWW858TAV1_Agpr7eMZyhN6qf1-AcchRfVOYie75GJ7Bm_OubWzz6A9DZX5tqz/s1600/DSCF0117.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457058819053238674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDC3gmPTxZtd3aQYqrjbww6R3c7tCYfucvD46nL8MtNXxqZFu1QyHH7B_r9DWVznZUp-yPum5wx8auqJWW858TAV1_Agpr7eMZyhN6qf1-AcchRfVOYie75GJ7Bm_OubWzz6A9DZX5tqz/s320/DSCF0117.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">So, Salmon and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Avocado</span> Rice Bowls... They <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">turned</span> out pretty good. If you are in the mood for something a little lighter than usual, and if you like the taste of the traditional California Roll then you'll probably enjoy this meal. I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">usually</span> pretty hesitant to cook anything that isn't traditional <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">american</span> or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">tex</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">mex</span>. I have those cuisines down snap. Needless to say, I was impressed when these turned out so yummy. Even the left overs were good. (and to me that is a good gage of how good food really is) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The salmon I used was the frozen, individually vacuumed packed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fillets</span>. I like them. Not as amazing as the thick gorgeous fillets from the seafood counter but not as $$$ either. Plus they are already individually <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wrapped</span> which is awesome, and they thaw pretty quick. I also had a hard time finding the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sesame</span> seeds, luckily the local grocery store had them in the bulk section. (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">btw</span> i ♥ the bulk section)</span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Servings: 4 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">prep time: 10 min</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">cook time: 10 min</span></p><p><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ingredients:</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">2 large salmon fillets</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">teaspoons</span> sesame oil</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 1/2 teaspoon honey</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">small pinch of cayenne pepper</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">2 eggs, lightly beaten</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 tablespoon light soy sauce</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 cup shelled <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">edamame</span>, steamed</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 1/4 cups short-grain brown rice, cooked according to package directions</span><br /></span><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 ripe avocado, sliced<br /></span><br /></span><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Directions:</strong> (and photos of course!)<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">1. So you want to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-heat the broiler. Then for clean-up purposes line an ovenproof pan (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">ie</span> cookie sheet) with aluminum foil. place salmon fillets on lined pan, and coat with honey sesame sauce: 1tsp each of sesame oil, honey and then a small pinch of cayenne pepper. </span><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">2.Broil on each side, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">aprox</span> 4 min each side, depending on the thickness of your fillets. You will know they are done when the fish flakes easily. Transfer to a plate.<br /></span><br /><br /></span></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6ZACdlIxYnG8QV0GtK8NdhCjT5Z32RoSo_GAHQoNYaa_zI3npDmrIeQcqHlRcVWxPH3d6-0OUe29P7sqm76PAoUEhVOfaD_tOQuCxhRbYbXaF9wrrG2wID50RPblS4hxxjV9T55jqFfh/s1600/DSCF0126.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457058813895476130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6ZACdlIxYnG8QV0GtK8NdhCjT5Z32RoSo_GAHQoNYaa_zI3npDmrIeQcqHlRcVWxPH3d6-0OUe29P7sqm76PAoUEhVOfaD_tOQuCxhRbYbXaF9wrrG2wID50RPblS4hxxjV9T55jqFfh/s320/DSCF0126.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> </span><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">above: salmon coated with honey sesame sauce<br /></span><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4sTGtd01knakflL_FH2dsLL9WT89ZOxIFnjIEq-k6c2k9cQ8bSZjF5SOhZD6qcjHyMSD4dQE0QaXmJKkxQC2nis1hovflkFA1L3K22SgZhmS6hxJ0ridZxm-DGGqx685iZkV5jpN3mmJ/s1600/DSCF0127.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457058804135377442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4sTGtd01knakflL_FH2dsLL9WT89ZOxIFnjIEq-k6c2k9cQ8bSZjF5SOhZD6qcjHyMSD4dQE0QaXmJKkxQC2nis1hovflkFA1L3K22SgZhmS6hxJ0ridZxm-DGGqx685iZkV5jpN3mmJ/s320/DSCF0127.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:78%;">above: honey sesame sauce</span><br /></span><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykiGFeJnBwu5oIQ3UZiJUBWoYShr8ZuaGMmh1gnh4x-jFHyLu4Wo4lVbQBXo3sOKRiUZwwodwTnAAVUJ2Dn04TVJXXIdEj1Eh0aPxwgRQb3HPh-UDZGhMi5GAK617-ncN6RpPpgA4C3iY/s1600/DSCF0128.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457054749419834626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykiGFeJnBwu5oIQ3UZiJUBWoYShr8ZuaGMmh1gnh4x-jFHyLu4Wo4lVbQBXo3sOKRiUZwwodwTnAAVUJ2Dn04TVJXXIdEj1Eh0aPxwgRQb3HPh-UDZGhMi5GAK617-ncN6RpPpgA4C3iY/s320/DSCF0128.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">above: sesame seeds</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ-f2Q3-iWyQiigQTn99oKrEw6On6Mk75O6XOH5w8XxjCA6oSoxm3A6-WkK9KWVs7iMx0HghJy0TS510Gab586YW6a_tnNwYBSVybURoaH_QxBCMZSR4Kz4kVK-lpWMzLMpArboSLvL77/s1600/DSCF0129.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457054741290788866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ-f2Q3-iWyQiigQTn99oKrEw6On6Mk75O6XOH5w8XxjCA6oSoxm3A6-WkK9KWVs7iMx0HghJy0TS510Gab586YW6a_tnNwYBSVybURoaH_QxBCMZSR4Kz4kVK-lpWMzLMpArboSLvL77/s320/DSCF0129.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">Above: lightly beaten eggs</span><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">3. Heat a small, nonstick skillet over medium high heat and add the remaining sesame oil. Pour in the eggs. Cook undisturbed until set, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">aprox</span> 2 min. Flip and cook until just set on the other side, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">aprox</span> 1 min. Transfer to board and cut into strips.</span></div><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQDmicsqIgRreOSvEwlFNekjFSlOZnllUa65akUbpUe1dczojKluqKRU3YNLFs5G1XsqfD2oczU1Oh5Eo52jpBe5l2rRTA58jzcpFO3VMwlgXi4iNNS2zhVYNyC-dLmyzpwk3TaWZsZzJ/s1600/DSCF0131.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457054732301462098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQDmicsqIgRreOSvEwlFNekjFSlOZnllUa65akUbpUe1dczojKluqKRU3YNLFs5G1XsqfD2oczU1Oh5Eo52jpBe5l2rRTA58jzcpFO3VMwlgXi4iNNS2zhVYNyC-dLmyzpwk3TaWZsZzJ/s320/DSCF0131.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">above: eggs cooking in skillet</span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ7Mg7tr96Ude0eqNPROzZxObZ9PuUX9j6LYsrVt4CCNq86TnUpQDYhWVr0M6bFnppHoC5U2-LH5DaP7iQXS5uUXC__PQi-JfZ75oBBEpPgP-n1kZL95qkUpJ7QC_ddbtkVMxF2mWn-SP/s1600/DSCF0135.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457054720660519730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ7Mg7tr96Ude0eqNPROzZxObZ9PuUX9j6LYsrVt4CCNq86TnUpQDYhWVr0M6bFnppHoC5U2-LH5DaP7iQXS5uUXC__PQi-JfZ75oBBEpPgP-n1kZL95qkUpJ7QC_ddbtkVMxF2mWn-SP/s320/DSCF0135.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">above: eggs cut into strips</span> </span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">4. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce and rice wine vinegar with the remaining 1/2 tsp honey.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">5. Fold <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">edamame</span> and sesame seeds into the rice. Serve the rice bowls topped with the egg strips, salmon, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">avocado</span>. Place the soy-vinegar mixture in a small bowl and use at the table for drizzling.<br /></span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ273d2Uf4yCPuCHc6Kz51snVXkN-9PmVBbkxjM7nMj7ejOyogu5oZg_K8waSqkNEb2OIeXgSolqv1gD74BZJ9o1BQ26dFmuknQwF4boqnGI8SSuDk4_MTxZmbiDMKcpAfWtPIETH3mNa/s1600/DSCF0137.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457054719081392978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ273d2Uf4yCPuCHc6Kz51snVXkN-9PmVBbkxjM7nMj7ejOyogu5oZg_K8waSqkNEb2OIeXgSolqv1gD74BZJ9o1BQ26dFmuknQwF4boqnGI8SSuDk4_MTxZmbiDMKcpAfWtPIETH3mNa/s320/DSCF0137.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#333333;">above: salmon-and-avocado rice bowl, finished! </span></span></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-88944946900142778382010-04-06T09:09:00.000-05:002010-04-06T10:51:41.379-05:00Good Morning!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLz12QSSA4uE3WN8F9HTkDuVlwd74tZ6MgHS8JGxMtfsaxUXG6Z6ydjrWyqLHkZcaAED84MgetOt8IbuJYtNVupexFEWqg7-5JoVU1UuXP-yogsr4zHAgUPtEp8cF4ncYUTAmP7ObRDnX/s1600/DSCF0148.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457030989612666754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLz12QSSA4uE3WN8F9HTkDuVlwd74tZ6MgHS8JGxMtfsaxUXG6Z6ydjrWyqLHkZcaAED84MgetOt8IbuJYtNVupexFEWqg7-5JoVU1UuXP-yogsr4zHAgUPtEp8cF4ncYUTAmP7ObRDnX/s400/DSCF0148.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><u><span style="color:#0066cc;"></span></u><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">So here is my trooper of a guy, strapped into my jogging stroller. He woke up at 7a this morning and was ready to go, so we went! I'm trying real hard to get back to where I can actually run 3 miles straight through without thinking I'm going to die. (I don't remember running hurting my knees so much or getting shin splints) I decided that I want to be able to run 80% of two miles by the end of this month. I'm currently running about 80% of one mile and then walking the other two. Then my next goal is to make it to 100% of three miles by the end of May. That is doable, right? Plus the lil guy is super accomodating. He seems to like the fresh air and his naps are awesome on the days I make it outside to run with him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">I spent alot of time stressing over the 'how' of the post-baby weight gain. I'm done with that. I'm now fixing it. It was hard for me to deal with just because up until I stopped nursing I didn't gain more than 20 lbs while pregnant and once i had the baby i lost 25! so i was exstatic. Once i stopped nursing though, i gained it all back. Sad day. Luckily though I have a jogging stroller, no more excuses and a plan that has atainable goals. I'm not going to focus on the weight #'s as much as how I feel and use my old jeans as a goal. I figure that will be more fun anyhow. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">You guys can all keep track </span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">with me. Weight loss and fitness are usually kept private because it is such a personal thing. The way I look right now isn't private so I figure I can share my progress with everyone. </span></div><div></div><div></div><div align="left"></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UblVVskwnY-v_cyJne2If9qmuUw1XUN3mNHknso2JKNlpqCVZVSme7KutH60PDzb-94uhbH4e3oEk9fi9EwziA23lK6P-YPnIyy18ba-N1T6_NjplcOgzKSEu80E7PkTwyA4PvbgcFYR/s1600/DSCF0150.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 186px; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457030153751404978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UblVVskwnY-v_cyJne2If9qmuUw1XUN3mNHknso2JKNlpqCVZVSme7KutH60PDzb-94uhbH4e3oEk9fi9EwziA23lK6P-YPnIyy18ba-N1T6_NjplcOgzKSEu80E7PkTwyA4PvbgcFYR/s320/DSCF0150.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:78%;">(post jog strawberry,mango, banana smoothie mmmMMMmmm)</span><br /></span></p><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">So besides my 'NO JOKING AROUND' goal setting, I've put together a pretty yummy menu for this week as well. I'm pretty stoked about it. And if they turn out yummy I will post the recipes so you can try 'em to.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">MONDAY - Salmon Avocado Rice Bowls</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">TUESDAY - Buffalo Chicken Wraps w/ Spinich Salad</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">WEDNESDAY - Stuffed Chard w/ Fresh Marinara and Whole Wheat Pasta</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">THURSDAY - Chicken Jambalaya</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">FRIDAY - Lemon Walnut Chicken & Asparagas</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">SATURDAY - Cumin Salmon w/ Yogurt-Cucumber Sauce</span></div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-17907493491473892372010-03-24T12:26:00.000-05:002010-03-24T13:04:42.159-05:00an interview and tuna steaks<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOjjgjU-hsmGErrGUIKfzKRVDrtaSfVzkOwp_hhB4n4LKg_ogihflItIo_Wz6rUeMNMJXPOakgU1ldHbSrXGSuitcxv63pa1G_5EUh83MDasY-Q9uQelLTI7Ti0L-BfCEMlO5SkE3QGgV/s1600/DSCF0072.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452260646566187474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOjjgjU-hsmGErrGUIKfzKRVDrtaSfVzkOwp_hhB4n4LKg_ogihflItIo_Wz6rUeMNMJXPOakgU1ldHbSrXGSuitcxv63pa1G_5EUh83MDasY-Q9uQelLTI7Ti0L-BfCEMlO5SkE3QGgV/s320/DSCF0072.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaI93I5w7WE-J-gU4P_4IH9m8TNmeANL6seiW143TjqVqOR19_oXxFPalOacFaRStE3T17LmtBm4yAQEdQhn82S2oizVjJUOsQueGvkOBBnbo9K5RRgbBDDHRtdT_o9lXMYV5VIBGrS-0N/s1600/DSCF0073.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452260637631659778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaI93I5w7WE-J-gU4P_4IH9m8TNmeANL6seiW143TjqVqOR19_oXxFPalOacFaRStE3T17LmtBm4yAQEdQhn82S2oizVjJUOsQueGvkOBBnbo9K5RRgbBDDHRtdT_o9lXMYV5VIBGrS-0N/s320/DSCF0073.JPG" /></a></p><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTNkcMaOxBZKRCN1SWzKqkraOUCTVWW9hidUpdPwn498XoWT9eLDdbwEbwc4xQQbJp4t2G9NxIHSkybE6GpqChckXI2EvBRsBEjKNkufiSnIhrQasMBxMjqQ6FticaSgmfSHbeHP2JUDS/s1600/DSCF0043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452260631439258066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTNkcMaOxBZKRCN1SWzKqkraOUCTVWW9hidUpdPwn498XoWT9eLDdbwEbwc4xQQbJp4t2G9NxIHSkybE6GpqChckXI2EvBRsBEjKNkufiSnIhrQasMBxMjqQ6FticaSgmfSHbeHP2JUDS/s320/DSCF0043.JPG" /></a> <div><br /><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Today when i woke up I knew it was going to be a pretty good day (even though the sun has decided to hide behind the clouds for the most part). A few weeks ago I applied to every job i could think of. I figured that after a month of not hearing back from any of the companies, and that the select few i did hear back from said "we will keep you application for 60 days, but you aren't a fit for us at this time.", that i was never going to get a job. I had even changed my thinking and decided that I probably didn't <strong>really</strong> need a job and that it would just be <em>NICE </em>to have one. Especially since I am loving being him with the babes. this morning I got a call and I have an interview this afternoon. I'm pretty excited. I immediately called everyone i could think of who knew i was pounding pavement searching relentlessly for employment. then like any warm blooded female I ran to my closet to see what i had to wear... holy cow! So pre-baby i had tons of cute dress slacks, skirts, even really snazzy blouses, you know the kinda that make sure to excentuate that flat stomach and that small waist. Not only are those specific clothes in a plastic stoarge bin out of reach, but there's no way they would even fit me right now. I had a minor, and by minor i do mean minor panic attack. I started wondering, "am i going to blow this interview because i look like i just had a baby 2 months ago and i'm 6 months out?" "can i get away with jeans?" Trust me, everything crossed my mind. I didn't even think that i would need professional clothes, ever to be the truth. My job pre-baby was pretty much my all time favorite. I could wear jeans to work, it was awesome. so the last two years i haven't had need for interview attire. </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">I was in luck though, I was able to find a skirt all the way at the back of my closet. it was hidden on a hanger with a pair of Andrew's slacks folded over the top. I don't know that I will be dressed to kill, but i did my hair and I will look professional. I'm still excited though and nervous at the same time. I haven't worked in 7 months. go figure. it's like ridding a bike, right? ♥</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">On a better note, I am so very excited about dinner tonight. Actually I am excited about dinner pretty much every night this week. I am going to be making tuna steaks. I have never actually made these. They looks pretty good at the butcher block so i am hoping that they taste just as great once they make it to my table. (we still eat dorm style on our couches... so i guess once they make it to the couch.)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;">this morning I finished a project i have been dying to get started on. All my friends who are pregnant this time around are having little girls. I've been embellishing onesies and making little shoes and hair bows. it's been fun. What do you make that is crafty for little guys? I haven't been able to come up with anything quite yet. But, I do have one really cute Idea for one of my friends soon to be's Jackson. I will post before i package it all up once I get it put together.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-43114472446692589422010-03-23T16:35:00.000-05:002010-03-23T16:53:28.748-05:00spring has sprung...<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">I love love LOVE spring time. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">especially</span> this time of year, when everything is beginning to change. It's like one day everything looked dead and then all of a sudden, you wake up and it's bursting with life again. It is so refreshing to have this feeling of 'new life', and I am so glad to be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">able</span> to sit here while writing this and say that I am so proud to have what feels like a new life before me. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Each day I am learning how to be a mom. I will be the first to say that I struggled in the beginning. Not the kind of struggling that comes with trying to figure out how to get that diaper on that baby boy bottom fast enough, or the struggle of waking up for late night feedings (that is a struggle all on its own), but the kind of struggle where I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">truly</span> questioned myself as a person. I have learned <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span> over the past few months. I have learned even more about myself than I thought was possible. Isn't it strange that as women we are taught that we are such a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nurturing</span> kind, yet we are the hardest on ourselves and sometimes each other? </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Today I got to spend the morning outside with my little guy, and while I sat there I got to think. Now, sometimes thinking is a dangerous thing, especially when it is coming from a person who 'feels' cooped up all the time. But this wasn't that type of thinking. This time I was outside, amongst friends. I was listening to them talk and it dawned on me that (and i can't tell you why it has taken me so long to finally realize this) I am actually doing a good job with this mom thing. I have a healthy baby who is strong and is learning how to do so many things. I am actually finding the time to cook real meals for my family. I am taking and MAKING the time for myself, and more so than just a shower, (because lets face it a shower just isn't enough!) I'm working on creative projects and completing them. I mean, (hoping i don't sound like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> bragging because i don't mean it that way) if I was my friend, I would think i was pretty cool. I mean <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> a pretty cool <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">chikah</span>!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Although I have lots to get to, today that did not fill my thoughts. I had so many other great things to fill it with. However, one day, I am going to figure out how to go skating with a jogging stroller...</span>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-956248280752713031.post-26889304242270016762010-03-22T17:55:00.000-05:002010-03-22T19:12:22.130-05:00chicken salad stuffed tomatoes<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">i love that spring and summer time brings in all sorts of salads: chicken salad, potato salad, pasta salad and fruit salad. tonight for dinner i used a new recipe:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">3 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">2 celery stalks, finely chopped</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1/2 Cup mayonnaise</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1/2 tsp pepper</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1 tsp smoked paprika</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">1/4 tsp garlic powder</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">4 large beefstake tomatoes, cored</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;">1) In large bowl, combine all ingredients except the tomatoes. Adjust seasonings if desired. Be sure to cover and chill if not serving immediately.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;">2) Before serving, us a spoon to scoop out the insides of the tomatoes. Divi up chicken salad among the tomatoes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451608278797954994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgr8QCsuv4k3qlxg32pq1m05n87on-ZloGPlIzHXfskhTpZzv3JLNpfkwyoC-CIX91VsmtkBZ3c9Qz9C7vTsAfoxKGvxMJNL7-b7wWu_6EcxslwaxPjDS9MvIaQi0nJAaGxX_Sjhr0MGz/s320/DSCF0056.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3QT5vDMT9P5FSMRz5QrUaWUiewchBJXzFfk_XCCh9dpHZolCqh_pWx3_6LqBuERP2nh53vI6dkYfGffrVfHIliZtJeVIJ5fAWKXk3YKeupG8FUP5CT61Q7y3ZrZJd7EJlCpK3NAIJaLp/s1600-h/DSCF0045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451601303705895074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3QT5vDMT9P5FSMRz5QrUaWUiewchBJXzFfk_XCCh9dpHZolCqh_pWx3_6LqBuERP2nh53vI6dkYfGffrVfHIliZtJeVIJ5fAWKXk3YKeupG8FUP5CT61Q7y3ZrZJd7EJlCpK3NAIJaLp/s320/DSCF0045.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBohwTmnrUsRSKDqgw5SxnFZ4fqJjuWPIbIKqIrRE59om2UVrMmFMzCZL0_Q8B8IePT5XupV7eP25I9XExkajc6dGno2vZ7VpRwnN5ISdJqPERqWbWUom9FSi_uRW7ibC4OkR29s19EVc/s1600-h/DSCF0046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451601297223373714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBohwTmnrUsRSKDqgw5SxnFZ4fqJjuWPIbIKqIrRE59om2UVrMmFMzCZL0_Q8B8IePT5XupV7eP25I9XExkajc6dGno2vZ7VpRwnN5ISdJqPERqWbWUom9FSi_uRW7ibC4OkR29s19EVc/s320/DSCF0046.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kKOCNRHeXmEIgfZfTLewvnxxGQ5DlLQtHVDvoW7cxZpquHv5rqL9zYSAPtISlCOWxqSjoQThaaY2TBjO5KEHfjlxuSUIBoBoPQf2xkV7ib2YDn2nDCnlHPUMptptmgrZj5FiznDMctzs/s1600-h/DSCF0048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451601285972397074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kKOCNRHeXmEIgfZfTLewvnxxGQ5DlLQtHVDvoW7cxZpquHv5rqL9zYSAPtISlCOWxqSjoQThaaY2TBjO5KEHfjlxuSUIBoBoPQf2xkV7ib2YDn2nDCnlHPUMptptmgrZj5FiznDMctzs/s320/DSCF0048.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHdsr4zg2bOsJXDRhNzxRzah-5rWgfLM66Eg-bR4eZKzO8T6sxy6RU1eLTvPj6EzTsLOlVCou2fXLnYaAGpZN5r2HaFzajrkzlq1v6tJXiBRcDK22d1D1iV4JT-17k5Y4TTEo7Gu7K7sf/s1600-h/DSCF0049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451601281101826514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHdsr4zg2bOsJXDRhNzxRzah-5rWgfLM66Eg-bR4eZKzO8T6sxy6RU1eLTvPj6EzTsLOlVCou2fXLnYaAGpZN5r2HaFzajrkzlq1v6tJXiBRcDK22d1D1iV4JT-17k5Y4TTEo7Gu7K7sf/s320/DSCF0049.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZBgESklrR64vhekY865LRpoBxcWlkSzOI3YqJcAnj_EgD4JKzxX8ZrLMezKPuNi9iIMSMWwoin_EbC4vALQpnse1IBqKfb6uTIly_5PDNl1daQ7gbvQTmzPaviPOBF3MU65Z0yI32_Kf/s1600-h/DSCF0050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451601278149959218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZBgESklrR64vhekY865LRpoBxcWlkSzOI3YqJcAnj_EgD4JKzxX8ZrLMezKPuNi9iIMSMWwoin_EbC4vALQpnse1IBqKfb6uTIly_5PDNl1daQ7gbvQTmzPaviPOBF3MU65Z0yI32_Kf/s320/DSCF0050.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKArObEge9-SBBdzWMhzxUZli7Z4mFxVx7T9NuqzJlif7AIM3L5EYIvR5Yw-mDF_xr6vfkZAC_pWdOwKW_yss7FNsDhW7Dh3AEJW7CYDY_BYdRpf6-sI9M84HUOqZfj7CLZ5ZkFYVqX9YA/s1600-h/DSCF0052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451599055855947762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKArObEge9-SBBdzWMhzxUZli7Z4mFxVx7T9NuqzJlif7AIM3L5EYIvR5Yw-mDF_xr6vfkZAC_pWdOwKW_yss7FNsDhW7Dh3AEJW7CYDY_BYdRpf6-sI9M84HUOqZfj7CLZ5ZkFYVqX9YA/s320/DSCF0052.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_Bb1wmZkXna6HqYP0y5id7n4E6KXVmk_JJlFGjo55Me23tsJJCN-rXSUs2lNLS5y24u4xFk2aGTK71Yd5dHgZ_oxg_yxICtcAOAUPex__pKU9_oYUlO5DKE9cVjL0s0w082mFrVpjWqN/s1600-h/DSCF0053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451599047437137570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_Bb1wmZkXna6HqYP0y5id7n4E6KXVmk_JJlFGjo55Me23tsJJCN-rXSUs2lNLS5y24u4xFk2aGTK71Yd5dHgZ_oxg_yxICtcAOAUPex__pKU9_oYUlO5DKE9cVjL0s0w082mFrVpjWqN/s320/DSCF0053.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pk9VdZdeVR8WJl5kCjW7S7PH2KqQfDpNPigddZZfAM9L_oncyK2ZzfrqSsxkEXVObxShonq3qWi-xuYPm1BxbqiyBVNLw4XMTZ_fruZWcV12n4xxQbfPYej3rnEftsN25MOA5MmbK9Oz/s1600-h/DSCF0054.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451599043208297794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pk9VdZdeVR8WJl5kCjW7S7PH2KqQfDpNPigddZZfAM9L_oncyK2ZzfrqSsxkEXVObxShonq3qWi-xuYPm1BxbqiyBVNLw4XMTZ_fruZWcV12n4xxQbfPYej3rnEftsN25MOA5MmbK9Oz/s320/DSCF0054.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx1RcNtqLV0avbDIm566UtboEVNdLPceLLqceFjuf6dNPx0xNBnj3ZgNtTQacsHzIyhPVJGU1p4-h1RqK7WRY0iERN6mVSpt_Bx1fss9-KGj6-im27du0RGNeUjt7r62orPuwgcb-hmDL/s1600-h/DSCF0057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451599024360311666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx1RcNtqLV0avbDIm566UtboEVNdLPceLLqceFjuf6dNPx0xNBnj3ZgNtTQacsHzIyhPVJGU1p4-h1RqK7WRY0iERN6mVSpt_Bx1fss9-KGj6-im27du0RGNeUjt7r62orPuwgcb-hmDL/s320/DSCF0057.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Cakey Cornbread Muffins</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">1-1/4 Cup yellow (or white) cornmeal</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">3/4 Cup Flour</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">2-1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">3 Tbs sugar</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">3/4 tsp salt</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">2 large eggs</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">3 Tbs vegetable oil, or melted butter</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 Cup milk</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">1/2 Cup whole corn kernals (frozen, fresh or canned)</span></div><div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1) whisk together first 5 ingredients in mixing bowl. add beaten eggs, vegetable oil and milk. combine with a few rapid strokes. fold in corn kernals</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">2) scrape batter into muffin tins, each aprox 2/3 full.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">3) bake @ 425 for 15-18 min<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhyRlQS4eGkqwDgS8E0Su3AW1fcYE9uOaWeAD_OUmQwdcFJPcHm6xfUbxc5GMTw1E-gmCJpZokxt95wdH96g_DUMlQGUyY99DJdCRiLw63WTVhyVk2RSy6v2MYKDmCZPC0eNtH6JzTr1h/s1600-h/DSCF0059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451597258662245730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhyRlQS4eGkqwDgS8E0Su3AW1fcYE9uOaWeAD_OUmQwdcFJPcHm6xfUbxc5GMTw1E-gmCJpZokxt95wdH96g_DUMlQGUyY99DJdCRiLw63WTVhyVk2RSy6v2MYKDmCZPC0eNtH6JzTr1h/s320/DSCF0059.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs7aoqbGjQWQBPz62nA7b8hmVBddMCJMlybIYgEcoQxBEoNtRfpEM_ExpwxNJg_9zohDtkvHtJVu3gdl4T_hdIU80r9esKX6m7fgcy8v7KFeWi0JMFmZfjAPDubpcDgaDdf-pd3Grl8Lc/s1600-h/DSCF0063.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451597248374445826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs7aoqbGjQWQBPz62nA7b8hmVBddMCJMlybIYgEcoQxBEoNtRfpEM_ExpwxNJg_9zohDtkvHtJVu3gdl4T_hdIU80r9esKX6m7fgcy8v7KFeWi0JMFmZfjAPDubpcDgaDdf-pd3Grl8Lc/s320/DSCF0063.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">TA-DA!</span><br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4OpodGl6OiFs_ncxsE0XYT4ba5jOFsBgMvFLEVIrfZDWn9phNmUiPrIZ3TjV_4XriuMAEZiwssZ_baOkUZSpaC-T7-ume1N7Sz4xIs2sf25QVIFKOaQR_HLKbIHiH2UuutUeaKEnKJVw/s1600-h/DSCF0064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451597245250068194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4OpodGl6OiFs_ncxsE0XYT4ba5jOFsBgMvFLEVIrfZDWn9phNmUiPrIZ3TjV_4XriuMAEZiwssZ_baOkUZSpaC-T7-ume1N7Sz4xIs2sf25QVIFKOaQR_HLKbIHiH2UuutUeaKEnKJVw/s320/DSCF0064.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwHCa6tQokaEEhJrm6Z7GE4pm0GB3TVCL9nC2hAV-UBwesVLLuDA8agOKBig8TbiiN6ApvLf4z7Hs1EceDUpPwbVpiWDUd-NNfDYIqWXx4CjG6xgmYpxVqojjl4kHqNmBXDCXOfU7_AZs/s1600-h/DSCF0067.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451597238053629122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwHCa6tQokaEEhJrm6Z7GE4pm0GB3TVCL9nC2hAV-UBwesVLLuDA8agOKBig8TbiiN6ApvLf4z7Hs1EceDUpPwbVpiWDUd-NNfDYIqWXx4CjG6xgmYpxVqojjl4kHqNmBXDCXOfU7_AZs/s320/DSCF0067.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div>stEphaNiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920113267614095310noreply@blogger.com2