tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48406951541019277382024-03-05T16:27:06.454-08:00Another Day In PensacolaQuilting, weather and life with my family.Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-61474027820359396952013-10-13T22:53:00.000-07:002013-10-24T23:40:54.882-07:00And now that it is October...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What can I say? Sometimes the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall go by in a blur and you are too busy having fun or trying to keep up to write it down, much less blog about it.<br />
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Since my last post, I was in a car wreck. Sitting at a red light, hit from behind. So scary. I hadn't been in any kind of accident in almost 30 years. Totaled my car. I cried for half an hour, and waited 2 1/2 hours for the Highway Patrol to show up. But it has turned out to be a blessing, believe it or not. And I was on my way home from a job interview. Like I wasn't stressed already, looking for work again.<br />
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We celebrated my grandmother's 94th birthday. She is so healthy, she may outlive us all. My aunt flew in from California to celebrate with us and we had a blast visiting Fairhope, AL and being girls. By ourselves. Its rare.<br />
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We made cookies from a recipe that came from <b>my </b>great grandmother. How many 4 year olds can say they made their <u>great, great, great grandmother's</u> Molasses cookie recipe with Nana and Great Gramma Lana? Tyler can! He had recently pulled open a drawer in the kitchen to rediscover my collection of large, shiny, copper cookie cutters, and said with big, hopeful eyes "Are these cookie cutters? Can we make cookies with these?" Of course I said yes! These are old school cookies that are more like biscuits (lacking flavor) and were meant to be dunked in coffee, which I don't drink. The original recipe called for a certain number of cranks of flour - which refers to a Hoosier cabinet flour dispenser. Thankfully my late great aunt had figured out the ratio of flour in cups for us to use when we don't have a Hoosier cabinet around.<br />
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This is Tyler and my mom having a bit of fun with the flour.<br />
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I chopped off my long hair! And I had highlights put back. If you have really long hair, but you always clip it up and are hot all the time, why do that to yourself? That's what I figured. And who knows, it might help me look more professional? Look how big Lily is getting. She's trying to talk and sit up and teeth already! At 3 months. And Tyler just lights her up! He has that affect on everyone. But she is going to be his shadow, I can tell. And we all look forward to what a good, close relationship they will have all their lives.<br />
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Since cooler weather comes and goes, we've been back to the park, the beach, and sleeping with the windows open at night. That is a treat that most people take for granted. Not here. It is like Christmas! Every time I look at this picture of the Little Fish getting to be in the water again, I hear that gospel song "Oh Happy Day!" in my head. Ha!<br />
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He ran in with his clothes on. We were going to just walk and look for shells, but you know a fish can't stay out of water. And when the Gulf is still 80 degrees in October, well who wouldn't want to get wet? So we all got a bit soaked and later dried off over lunch at the local Cactus Flower restaurant. Best Mexican food in the county. Maybe in the whole state. And we have 3 to go to!<br />
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It was Lily's first time at the beach. She didn't scream or cry at the water touching her feet, so she is probably part fish too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily and her Mama watching the waves.</td></tr>
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I really have to tell you that I am letting myself enjoy this break in employment. The car accident has provided a little breathing room financially, so even though it is really tough to get an interview, I take advantage of the weather and the free schedule I have to make the most of my family and our proximity.<br />
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What else? I continue to work on my own quilt designs so that maybe I'll have enough for a book someday. Can't show you those, but I can show you a scrap buster that is from a Pinterest pin I found. All these tiny 1 3/4 inch HSTs are the trimmings from the Bali Sea Star quilt I made a few years ago. I started throwing all my corner trimmed HSTs into a bin, and when I see something they could be useful in, I take them out and play with the idea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tropical Surf</td></tr>
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I have painted my tiny bathroom 3 times. I got it in my head that orange might counteract the ugly blue shower walls and toilet color. I tried 2 different shades, but after 2 weeks of looking at it, I hated it. So now it is a nice light blue called "Tropical Surf." I no longer feel like I am peeing in a cantina bathroom. The blue tape in the middle picture is a nice touch, isn't it? See what I mean about the hideous shower color? Ick. But I am not shy about using color in my house! You have to give me that! Right?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange #2</td></tr>
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Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-90008244213080385702013-09-12T08:28:00.000-07:002013-10-24T23:52:14.523-07:00The End of Summer: Flowers and BugsSummer won't really be over here until about Halloween, but I have lived in the South long enough now to see the signs that it is wrapping up. Afternoons don't have the punch of heat like they used to. I can actually get out and walk without looking like I've been swimming. Ick. Sweat. Not my favorite thing. There is that afternoon breeze that whispers, "Fall is almost here! Yeah!"<br />
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Dragonflies start showing up in groups. I don't know if they are mating or just hanging out enjoying the fine weather, but you usually see them alone earlier in Summer. This is the Emperor Dragonfly. He's big and beautiful. About the length of my hand, going by the last one I found (who had expired in the pool.) We found a baby dragonfly (also expired) but have no idea which kind he might have grown up to be.<br />
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Also found this time of year is the appearance of what the locals call Carpet Weed. Not a nice name for such <br />
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a beautiful, delicate vine, but it grows fast and will soon be covering up fences and pastures, so I understand why a farmer might not like it so much. It is Cypress Vine. Similar to Cardinal Climber, but different leaves. The leaves on Cypress Vine are fern like and the flowers are about the size of dimes, and the deepest scarlet. Little star shapes. I adore them.<br />
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The Bleeding Heart vines are also putting out a big effort before Fall arrives. Deep pink and they drape down over trees and fences like miniature grape clusters. This is one I drive past every week on my way to and from church. I love it when there is color. Everything is usually green. Just green. Oak leaves and pine leaves and kudzu. Palm trees and out of bloom azaleas and magnolia trees and others. I bet you have never heard of a Popcorn Tree. Unless you've lived here. (It makes white clusters of flowers and in the fall the leaves change to beautiful gold and red shades before dropping.)<br />
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The Showy Rattlebox should be showing up soon along road sides and in culverts. <br />
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I had to look it up under Northwest Florida Wild Flowers. It gets very tall, like Hollyhocks, and the flowers remind me of Snapdragons. The flowers drop and they are replaced by pea pod-looking things. Seeds in a package, I suppose.<br />
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Someday I am going to figure out how to get these pics to line up side by side.<br />
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Last of all, and most people dread them, the Love Bugs. Little black things with orange heads. Attached to each other at the rear, hence the name. Swarming harmlessly all over your car at red lights. Not getting out of the way when you are driving. A local saying is that the only natural enemy of the love bug is the grill of a vehicle. It can be frustrating. But it is great for business at the car washes! I'll spare you the pictures of that.<br />
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I am working on quilting two Halloween quilts I have made for the grandbabies.<br />
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I will show pics of them as soon as they are quilted and bound. Hopefully before too long. Halloween candy and costumes are already in the stores. Another sign that Summer is almost over!!<br />
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Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-8999669580272079662013-08-26T21:49:00.000-07:002013-08-26T21:49:27.345-07:00So here it is - the magazine debut I've been waiting for<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXddvknqVAIvzdqNSmI6pNvHCDcLxVgJUdWsG4x8Yp3tugTmNFall8wtrW6wePGSyJNPYE3M3SCAROFgJyN9FvMdNDAgsKXfCz3koSj9bvp12LlbEkSVKRwHYoB0pm5RcUMVCWNUoh7kq/s1600/621734_10200658173317804_1189921186_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXddvknqVAIvzdqNSmI6pNvHCDcLxVgJUdWsG4x8Yp3tugTmNFall8wtrW6wePGSyJNPYE3M3SCAROFgJyN9FvMdNDAgsKXfCz3koSj9bvp12LlbEkSVKRwHYoB0pm5RcUMVCWNUoh7kq/s320/621734_10200658173317804_1189921186_o.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
It's here! The magazine I have waited 2 years for. Quilts and More Fall 2013 with my quilt in it! I found my copies at JoAnn.<br />
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"Add It Up" is a jelly roll quilt of my own design. Beautifully quilted by Nancy Troyer, long arm quilter and former Pensacola resident. I am going to have to mail my quilts to Kansas from now on!!!<br />
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The magazine chose this name, which is fine. Its part of the process. I originally wanted to call it "Tesla" because of the positive and negative images the blocks create. (I may still call it Tesla when no one is around.) There is probably some copyright issue with that name, so I didn't suggest it to them.<br />
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Have you designed a quilt? You can submit your ideas and photos to magazines, you know. You could be published too. Don't be shy! Show the world how creative you are.<br />
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I have not decided what to do with this quilt yet. I give away quite a few of my creations, but I think I am definitely hanging on to this one. Who knows? I may be a quilt teacher someday. I'd like to be able to show this one in person.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgoJeTBEz1wFCl5Jj1BB2yp-HyQZqnzMkq6Hy83hDm-g9he0uyo3ZSoU6FrX0VuDJsl-TBGxY2uHP1c0fluEaUJlo_unywugkrZx1ru0DOmIHkn4OQXwIeQeX2zM-brKrDI7PVexZmkbh/s1600/Lily's+first+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgoJeTBEz1wFCl5Jj1BB2yp-HyQZqnzMkq6Hy83hDm-g9he0uyo3ZSoU6FrX0VuDJsl-TBGxY2uHP1c0fluEaUJlo_unywugkrZx1ru0DOmIHkn4OQXwIeQeX2zM-brKrDI7PVexZmkbh/s320/Lily's+first+quilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Not the greatest quilt photography here, but this is another recent creation. It is the first quilt for my new granddaughter, Lily. Most of the fabrics are from the Full Moon Lagoon line, but they blended really well with some leftover Parisville pieces, and some others in my stash. The more, the merrier.<br />
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The blocks are based on ones I've seen by Kate Spain and Carrie Nelson. Again, quilted by Nancy Troyer. Who also has a new granddaughter, Grace. I'm waiting to see what she's made for the newest member of her family.<br />
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Quilts don't have to have tiny pieces, or complex design. They can be large blocks, one block, two colors only, whatever you want. Step up to your design wall and start making something that YOU like. You never know where it might take you!Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-75780297477494019712013-08-14T12:32:00.000-07:002013-08-14T12:32:57.374-07:00399 daysI counted. That's how many days between yesterday's post and the previous one.<br />
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In that time I had 2 birthdays. I had foot surgery, I started a part time job.<br />
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We lost my grandfather. His ashes are being interred today, as a matter of fact. In California.<br />
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My grandmother became a widow and then became a great, great grandmother for the second time. Because my daughter gave me a new grandchild (a girl!)<br />
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A corrupted file took another computer, Lyme disease took our escape artist dog. R.I.P. Junior Nincompoop.<br />
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I made lots more quilts and pillow cases, and pajama pants (for Tyler.) I forced my husband into a semi-technological life with an Android phone. Begrudgingly. Now he doesn't put it down. Falls asleep with it in his hand.<br />
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We got a pool and a new roof. I started teaching quilt making to one student, watched my favorite long-arm quilter pack up and move to Kansas, got my first quilt submission published in a magazine, and joined a church. That sums it up pretty well, I think.<br />
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Do you recognize this face? He is getting so tall. He starts preschool next week! Tyler is off the charts for height, and smarts, of course. He may be the teacher's assistant after one day! This is the happiest, nicest, most loving little boy you will ever want to meet.<br />
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He wants to learn to play every musical instrument he sees, and is getting drum lessons after church. Next is the guitar. He has amazing rhythm and learns quickly. A natural.<br />
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Most importantly, my BooBoo is now a big brother! He has a new daddy. He has his own whole family.<br />
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Life is good.<br />
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This is Miss Lilyana. Lily Bell to me. Or Princess. Healthy, beautiful. Growing like a weed. She rolled over to her back at 2 weeks old! Tyler's voice is her favorite sound (and he does love an audience!) I think she's in a hurry to catch up to him.<br />
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I love this picture. Such intense eyes. What does she want to say already? This little one is going to redefine the term "Daddy's Girl."<br />
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So, that pretty much sums up the past year's headlines for us. Pretty normal stuff. No hurricanes, no other types of disaster. Lots of rain, though. It is Pensacola, "the second rainiest city in America." We got about 25 inches in just this past month.<br />
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We are hoping for a really cool Winter. As in jackets required. It will be a nice change.<br />
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<br />Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-61181460669363251372013-08-14T11:36:00.002-07:002013-08-14T11:36:45.889-07:00test<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4277039/?claim=6ypxge2fzk8">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-85904568619324237202013-08-12T12:41:00.000-07:002013-08-12T12:41:42.185-07:00More than a year later...Hello, people! It has been a long while, hasn't it? Life gets so busy. Sometimes you just have to give up things for a time. Like blogging. And reading blogs. But I have not stopped making quilts and other sewing projects. And I sure have not stopped being a Nana.<br />
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I have lots of news, but first up is the announcement that I have a quilt being published in the next issue of Quilts and More magazine!!! The Fall/Winter issue! I am SO excited.<br />
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This is the cover, so you know what to look for at the store. And below is my quilt, "Add It Up." I used a jelly roll of the Coquette fabric line by Chez Moi, and Bella solid in white. I made the original version of this quilt more than 2 years ago. And it is one of those happy accident stories. I made some Nine Patch and Rail Fence blocks, got distracted, and then a few weeks later I got back to making them again, but without looking at the completed blocks. I had reversed the color order! I played around with the layout of the 2 sets of two blocks and this is what I designed. Do you see a positive and negative image in the arrangement? Fun, huh?</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">“Used with permission from Quilts and More® magazine. ©2013 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.”</span></div>
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This design would be a great way to use up those 2 1/2" scrap strips that you have leftover. These colors are very feminine, but I could easily see this in Christmas fabrics, or manly colors - maybe with a dark solid instead. </div>
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I hope you will check your quilt shop or book store for this issue. There are always so many fun projects in every issue of Quilts and More, you are sure to be inspired.</div>
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I'll be back soon to catch you up on my life this past year. </div>
Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-7633319546742139352012-07-19T20:16:00.000-07:002012-07-22T20:50:13.489-07:00My Sewing SpacePink Chalk Fabrics blog is having a <a href="http://www.pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2012/06/30/where-i-sew-month-2012/">Where I Sew Month</a>, and I thought, why not? You can see my unconventional space. Maybe you'll get some ideas, or give me some!<br />
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Once upon a time, I had an actual room with a door to sew in, but then we were blessed with a wonderful grandson (who lives with us) and I gave up my sewing room for him to have his own space. Now I sew in what you might call the front parlor. Just inside the front door to our home. It has very large door ways that lead thru to the dining room, and when I am working on a big project, I close off the access to the dining room with the design walls. The lighting is not the greatest, but I make do, and I get a lot done in here.<br />
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This giant table on the right is an old architect's desk. Technically it is an engineer's former desk, given to me by my boss when everything went electronic. I had been dreaming of an elevated surface to cut fabrics on without straining my neck, and can you believe he gave me this for free? I looked these up on Ebay and almost fainted. 1/3 of the top is butcher block - which my Janome sits on - and there are 2 huge drawers underneath. I am lucky to have it.<br />
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The gray floor mat under the chair? From Sam's Club. Super comfortable to stand on for hours. Easy to move around when you need to. I highly recommend these. We even used them for wall to wall flooring in Tyler's room. Believe me, Nana and Papa have a much easier time playing on the floor with Tyler now that these foam pads are installed!<br />
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You can see the design walls and my current project, the <a href="http://www.beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2012/07/great-granny-along-and-giveaway.html">Great Granny Along</a>, closing off access to the dining room. <span style="background-color: white;">There is a great tutorial there for this super easy and rewarding quilt along. Join in!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">These design walls are easy and inexpensive to make. Insulating foam boards from your local home improvement store, spray on adhesive and some very inexpensive diaper flannel. And they weigh only ounces, so you can move them all around easily. </span><br />
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There are 4 sets of white cubicle cubbies that hold my quilting magazine collection, patterns, fabrics, notebooks, printouts and some WIPs and UFOs as well. I have a homemade bulletin board behind my sewing machine for inspirations and plans and tips.<br />
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I'd like to tell you that this is all of my stash, but who are we kidding? This picture was taken over a year ago, so yes, this set of cubbies is overflowing. Packed to the gills. And not this neat. The rest of my stash still takes up one of the 2 closets in Tyler's room, 6 totes and several boxes that are crammed here and there and everywhere. Tyler recently asked me why my fabric lives in his closet? He didn't understand that his room was something else before he was here, but he accepted the explanation anyway.<br />
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If you are sewing at your dining room table, which I have done before, make it your special space. Even if it is only for an hour or two. And have fun!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/thegreatgrannyalong/"><img border="0" src="http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/Simplythisandthat/newgreatbutton175x200png.png" /></a></center>Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-20579690330930200402012-07-11T22:13:00.000-07:002012-07-22T20:50:31.184-07:00July alreadySummer time.<br />
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This is what we've seen almost every day since mid June. Good thing Florida soil is all sand, or we'd be boating everywhere. We had over 14 inches in one day, and 7,000 lightning strikes in less than 2 hours this past Monday. A lot of Downtown Pensacola has flooded more than once. Florida ain't for sissies.<br />
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We have kept busy with crafts, reading the Magic Treehouse series, swimming on sunny days, and many other things so no complaints. Tyler has learned to swim with no floaties and with his face in the pool. In one day! His goal: to get a pair of flippers to wear in the pool to play scuba diver. He got over his fear of water in the ears and is even learning to swim to the bottom to retrieve toys. So proud. Our little fish.<br />
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<li>A friend directed me to another blog where the secret to clean grout was revealed. This may be very boring to some, but if you've lived with impossible, dirty grout for years and wanted to dynamite the floors out of frustration, you'll know what I feel when I say the grout looks NEW!</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInUA6lo-5PO-DYpX1SovVrH7rXMvNWslyfHwaWpSE0AC2LGkxaBTvGIjhcFwtkSf6L2D8xq26fiSzBm5VBlWJakWtZimdHRdt56tcGTw9oeVjyOYgvIiyJW-qrMj-WhUUAYyUx5IKZlLj/s1600/clean+grout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInUA6lo-5PO-DYpX1SovVrH7rXMvNWslyfHwaWpSE0AC2LGkxaBTvGIjhcFwtkSf6L2D8xq26fiSzBm5VBlWJakWtZimdHRdt56tcGTw9oeVjyOYgvIiyJW-qrMj-WhUUAYyUx5IKZlLj/s200/clean+grout.JPG" width="150" /></a>Before and After. See what I mean?<br />
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Its a miracle. Ammonia, vinegar, baking soda and water. Who knew?<br />
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<span style="color: #211922; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amazing Grout Cleaner Recipe: 7 c water, 1/2 c baking soda, 1/3 c ammonia, 1/4 c vinegar. Spray on, scrub, wipe off. To be honest, I upped the amounts of everything but the water. I found that letting it sit for a few minutes meant no scrubbing. Just the scrubby part of my floor mop and it was clean! This discovery came after a day of major scrubbing and extra baking soda and lots of wiping up the pasty mess. Forget that! Up the ingredients and let <i>them</i> do the work!</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">We haven't got much out of our pallet garden because of all the rain, but we did get one Lemon Boy tomato, one yellow squash and one cucumber. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">We've planted 3 kinds of pumpkins out in the yard. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">We added a Slip N Slide to our collection of water play toys. Tyler bought it with his own money.</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the proud gardener</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">the pumpkin patch</span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the slip n slider<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tula and Friends quilt</td></tr>
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You know how your fabrics can be calling you? My bundle of Parisville from Tula Pink, and several modern cuts I started collecting were talking to me. Demanding I make something with them. I love how this turned out. The pattern is called <a href="http://www.filminthefridge.com/2010/10/20/rectangle-squared-a-quilt-block-tutorial/">Rectangle Squared</a> from the Film in the Fridge blog. That link will take you to her tutorial. Super easy. Lots of solid needed, and you have to figure it out based on what size quilt you're making, but this is very, very easy to put together.<br />
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What are you doing with your Summer? I hope whatever it is you are loving it!<br />
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</div>Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-36004798287452645012012-06-24T19:49:00.002-07:002012-06-24T19:49:43.293-07:00and June is almost overIt seems like much longer since my last post. Really. I thought it had been more than a month. Close but not quite that long.<br />
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We went from dry mild weather to torrential rains (Father's Day weekend?) and now we are waiting to see what Tropical Storm Debby will do. She's just sitting there so far. Dumping rain in some places, and not a drop here <i>yet</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS4iB31RNM2Z0dzC-52rWg16VqvrCSyT2TWfDYV-Jh7UCC-QvmudjTNDvlQWYLAwghT7NdpLtVC1Ifd9emN6rJlkCgkhVDuu3orzRKLWOom_nsIfcq7F1KCB3YJRkdhr7TQ_zNC3CrhsN/s1600/Rectangle+Square+quilt+layout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS4iB31RNM2Z0dzC-52rWg16VqvrCSyT2TWfDYV-Jh7UCC-QvmudjTNDvlQWYLAwghT7NdpLtVC1Ifd9emN6rJlkCgkhVDuu3orzRKLWOom_nsIfcq7F1KCB3YJRkdhr7TQ_zNC3CrhsN/s640/Rectangle+Square+quilt+layout.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
I have been a busy sewist. More pajama pants for Tyler and more quilts for me. This is the one I am currently at work on . I got the <a href="http://www.filminthefridge.com/2010/10/20/rectangle-squared-a-quilt-block-tutorial/">tutorial</a> from Film in the Fridge's blog. I was dying to make a modern quilt, and the fat quarter bundle of Tula Pink's Parisville was screaming for attention. When I saw the tutorial at FIF, I had to make it. And I love it! So easy, and so eye-catching! It is called "Rectangle Squared" on her blog.<br />
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Because I have tons of stash and scraps, I have mixed in some Liberty of London, Kaffe Fassett, Just Wing It!, another Tula Pink print, and a few Art Gallery prints too. Even though the sashing is only 1 1/2" wide, I estimate that I'll be using over 3 yards of it before this top is pieced together! (There are no defined fabric amounts listed because you could make this as big as you have a mind to.) Mine will be a large lap size.<br />
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And I'm cutting the remaining pieces of the fat quarter bundle into Dresden Plate pieces. Jumbo size! Don't you love it when you get 2 quilts out of one great fabric group?<br />
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We took Tyler to his first baseball game. Our minor league Blue Wahoos. VERY hot weather. I much prefer hockey after sweltering there, but what can you do? The boy is a fanatic about baseball. He kept saying "Its my turn! They need me. I want to be the bender-down guy!" He did not know the term Catcher. Ha!<br />
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Tyler and I have played in the sprinklers, had a movie date to see Madagascar 3, gone to the pool dozens of times and pretty much enjoyed every minute of the end of Spring. The beach has not been a place to go lately because of strong surf, but we'll hopefully get back there soon. I love our beaches. And you can't boogey board in a pool.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMufz9Iu7dlMSAGsIsxkw4JwTum0wCrL1jv-VBis1Fmry5_NwDomUsizYpJt5O3locgxU7fycRdBlDMg7uSqMogLXKwn4DhQHxFcAiKiSZtBoEsIdg-1v9bRCfyDNQriAtVpM9XgRC9quq/s1600/P1010017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMufz9Iu7dlMSAGsIsxkw4JwTum0wCrL1jv-VBis1Fmry5_NwDomUsizYpJt5O3locgxU7fycRdBlDMg7uSqMogLXKwn4DhQHxFcAiKiSZtBoEsIdg-1v9bRCfyDNQriAtVpM9XgRC9quq/s640/P1010017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of these days we are going to make it downtown to visit the new Childrens' Museum and the MESS Hall for Kids (Math, Engineering, Science and Stuff.) How great does that sound? Afterward a trip to that splash pad to cool off. 3 year olds are great. They are up for any adventure, any time.<br />
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Whatever you have planned for Summer, make it fun! And stay cool!Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-20606002453032434772012-05-25T20:02:00.000-07:002012-05-25T20:02:52.446-07:00Memorial Weekend Update<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k9khF1puPhg/T8A_1XKC0UI/AAAAAAAAAq4/8d1jenVHWIg/s1600/dry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k9khF1puPhg/T8A_1XKC0UI/AAAAAAAAAq4/8d1jenVHWIg/s320/dry.JPG" width="320" /></a>Hello, friends. It has been a while since I shared, hasn't it? Summer is already here and we are busy busy busy. I've been outside so much with Tyler that I have the full summer tan going and it is not yet June.<br />
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I'm going to cram a lot in here because we've done a lot and taken a fair amount of pictures too.<br />
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We've had unseasonably dry weather. Really hot and very dry. So weird! It is like being in So Cal in August!<br />
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Tyler is still very much into pirate play. He's so excited that there will be a Pirate Festival the second weekend of June! He is hooked on having the drawn on mustache and goatee. He'll draw it on himself if he can't get help!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ezxZ4MJQ93WJrMGdIslVpTMS1thpAF7MaJSUJGCim57I7vzHLJSaHHll1vNC8a9kL0RGnvcbPfiUHBiahFL9rDhwjXq0-7rxqqSqNJ_Zd9mshuZD5QcLZ7rPscbhfm85hhbcbvdppU8M/s1600/the+Minja.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ezxZ4MJQ93WJrMGdIslVpTMS1thpAF7MaJSUJGCim57I7vzHLJSaHHll1vNC8a9kL0RGnvcbPfiUHBiahFL9rDhwjXq0-7rxqqSqNJ_Zd9mshuZD5QcLZ7rPscbhfm85hhbcbvdppU8M/s400/the+Minja.JPG" width="300" /></a>Now that we are reading the Magic Treehouse series of books, he is starting to pretend to be a Ninja. He puts his foam sword down the back of his shirt and runs around the house pointing his golf clubs like guns.<br />
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We went back to De Luna Plaza yesterday and the fountains are working. What a great way for kids to get wet and it is free. The breeze coming off the water is a plus for the parents standing around. And now that Tyler's ears are healed up from the tube removal surgery we are all about swimming.<br />
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I got him his first boogie board. Who knew that when he got dunked by a wave, he'd pop up shouting "THAT WAS AWESOME!" And we saw a sea turtle close up, and a pod of dolphins going by. The weather and wave conditions have been so absolutely perfect for beach going.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxmT2fzAYYblXiH2NQXGAplM-IKlpSSmaJN_fNUd_VMB_tnuQ-jYinTYE62iBSRWe7Af0IVIxY8E6Ruo-CnnKTULO_vvSMG2uJGzWGRbd9HwRJ0Bz3UzLrCRcnXCGKiMTd7p_LZqbcBKt/s1600/pallet+garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxmT2fzAYYblXiH2NQXGAplM-IKlpSSmaJN_fNUd_VMB_tnuQ-jYinTYE62iBSRWe7Af0IVIxY8E6Ruo-CnnKTULO_vvSMG2uJGzWGRbd9HwRJ0Bz3UzLrCRcnXCGKiMTd7p_LZqbcBKt/s400/pallet+garden.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We planted a little garden. A pallet garden. I got the idea from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/homesteading">Homesteading / Survivalism </a> facebook page. He is so proud. So am I. We can manage this size garden and learn a lot of science stuff while we provide some good vegetables for the table!<br />
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Other things we've done this month:<br />
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<li>rescued a baby bird that fell out of tree. He ran off though, so we are wishing him the best of luck. </li>
<li>Tyler picked out hockey gear fabric on our last trip to the fabric store, so after I cut the pattern out, he helped sew them together! First time at the sewing machine. </li>
<li>shopped at a local thrift store and scored a kiddie army helmet for $.99</li>
<li>made up a lot of stories in the dark, which Tyler calls "the stories in your forehead"</li>
<li>gone swimming in great-gramma's community pool almost every day</li>
<li>played in our blow up pool a few times, mostly with squirt guns</li>
<li>sprouted a little herb garden in the kitchen window</li>
<li>cut up magazines for letter learning and scissors and glue practice.</li>
<li>sung "Tonight We Are Young" about a hundred times together. He loves the chorus </li>
<li>discovered that the fuzzy baseball Easter basket is a pretty good marching band drummer's hat</li>
<li>we took Tyler to the local dinner-and-a-movie venue called the Silver Screen to see "the Avengers" -and now he is hooked on them too! And he can't wait to go to that theater again. Candy, popcorn, hot dogs and you can sit around a table? Awesome! A lot cheaper than the big theaters? Double awesome for us!</li>
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Here's a little photo montage to sum up our month. </div>
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Tomorrow we are going to a local U-Pick Blueberry farm to see how much we can haul home and freeze. We have a single tree, but Tyler eats them as fast as I take them off the tree. It will be a group outing and hopefully not too hot if we go early. Anyone have freezing or canning tips on blueberries?</div>
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Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone! If you see someone in military uniform, or a veteran of a past war, please thank them for their service to our country. And their sacrifice. We are free because they protect and defend.</div>Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-50034690488382131322012-05-03T20:55:00.002-07:002012-05-03T20:55:33.151-07:00Is it May already?First of all, BLOG MAKEOVER!!! What do you think? Aqua, such a great almost-Summer color.<br />
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No, I did not make a Schnibble in April. I did not even get Bibelot finished. I think the Another Year of Schnibbles is not going to happen again (for me) this year.I have <i>quilty</i> stuff in the works but sewing time is harder and harder to find.<br />
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In other news, we've been having a blast, Tyler and me. Science and books and music and art on rainy days, followed by puddle splashing when the rain lets up. And because we love adventure and water, we are already enjoying the long season of fun in the sun and all kinds of water!<br />
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Last weekend we headed downtown to De Luna Plaza on <a href="http://www.outdoorgulfcoast.com/plaza-de-luna-at-palafox-pier/">Palafox Pier </a>to see what the sidewalk fountains would be like. Tyler was due to get the tube out of his right ear on Monday, so last chance to risk water near that ear for a while. Unfortunately the fountains never came on. About a dozen other moms and their kids were hanging around waiting, but there was standing water to be kicked up and other kids to play with, so Tyler ended up soaked and happy after all. And it was such a gorgeous, cloudless, warm day, who could complain?<br />
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Here is the explorer, De Luna, who was looking for Mobile Bay, but somehow is attributed to Pensacola. Like most Spanish explorers, he seemed to have a lot of trouble with the weather and finding food and getting lost. <i>Florida ain't for sissies.</i> If you lived here before air conditioning was invented, I think you must have gone crazy. De Luna was "delirious with fever" at one point, but I think it was just our fine summer weather.<br />
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Not to deter any tourists, let me just say it is HOT here and humid. From May til October. If you visit, be prepared. <br />
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Back to my story. There is a traditional fountain full of water also on the pier. Tyler asked where all the money went that was in it last time we looked. Maybe they're going to use it to fix the sidewalk fountains? <br />
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You want to just jump right in these fountains come July!<br />
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I don't know if you can see it too well, but just behind the yacht on the left side of this picture is a peek at our brand new baseball stadium! <a href="http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t4124">The Blue Wahoos</a> are our minor league team and this is their first season here. You can catch a game while looking out at Pensacola Bay.<br />
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The next day we went to the beach, which is really never disappointing here. White sands, emerald waters. Water temps already in the 70s. This is the beach on NAS Pensacola. It is so nice.<br />
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Are you jealous yet? There is nothing like it without a passport. Or so I hear. <br />
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Here's another beach pic, just to make you really want to come on down South. Opal Beach. Just east of Pensacola's main beach. Very private. Very quiet. And look how far out the shallows go! I love wading far out and not being too deep.<br />
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If you are wondering: the ear surgery went pretty well. Hopefully the hole in the drum heals
quickly and well so we can commence swimming lessons and really have
some fun!<br />
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This Saturday is time again for Home Depot Kids Clinic. I'm sure it will be a Mother's Day project. Are you going? It is free, it is crafty and it is the priceless time together that makes it a great morning out. Maybe followed by pancakes somewhere? And then more beach time, of course! With ear plugs.Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-41822521941494131892012-04-20T10:13:00.001-07:002012-04-20T10:13:40.437-07:00Play Foods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It all started with Tyler pretending to cook in the bathtub. It makes me think of Kramer cooking in the shower on Seinfeld! <br />
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Tyler wants to be a chef someday - his phrasing - and so we would pretend to make some kind of soup in his various bath toys while he took a bath. Sometimes we'd pretend to plant a garden first, to have our own vegetables. You should always try to include a little learning in every game, right?<br />
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Eventually he wanted to make pizza in his bathtub kitchen. I helped out by bringing a few spring-form pan bottoms to the tub for pizza pans. We talked about how real pizza restaurants toss the dough in the air to stretch it out before they add toppings. His bath toy storage fish became the oven.<br />
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As you can imagine, we ended up with imaginary phone calls for pizza orders and Tyler wanting to play restaurant all the time. Here he is at our first out-of-tub kitchen set up.<br />
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Now we play in the bedroom, and a drawer under his bed is the new oven. He takes orders by phone and drives them to delivery spots all over town. (We also pretend to drive around town for Tyler's Woodworking Business. That Black and Decker workbench gets a lot of use now that people want their pool chairs fixed in time for Summer!)<br />
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I realized that we needed some food props for our cooking play time. Not wanting to invest in a bunch of store bought play foods, I thought of Sunday school felt play stories and thought "Hey, I have felt from crafting, and I can make that into lots of things." I've had a lot of fun cutting out the shapes. There are 12" tan pizza crusts, 11" red pizza sauce circles, and assorted toppings. Even calamari.<br />
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The play cash register he got for his birthday makes running his pizza shop (and other business ventures) even more fun and educational, although it will be a while til we reach the making change level of math!<br />
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Tyler's kitchen supplies include empty juice and milk containers, ketchup and mustard bottles, assorted utensils, some stainless steel bowls, tupperware and oven mitts. He got a wooden food set for his birthday: a clearance set I scored on at JCP! You don't have to spend a lot to have a kid's kitchen up and running!<br />
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The top of the toy box now serves as a cooking stove. The floor is the pizza prep area. An inexpensive pencil case holds the felt food items when we're not using them. I think other food items are not far off in our future.<br />
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We have made and colored several menus and he has a small notebook to take your order. I think yarn for spaghetti will be next. We can get a little practice with his scissors while making that.<br />
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Until next time!Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-8398227199101611982012-04-20T07:37:00.000-07:002012-04-20T07:46:00.721-07:00New FlooringWith allergies, sometimes you have to do things without knowing how you'll finish it. Like tearing out carpeting when you have no money for new flooring. This is what we did this week in Tyler's room. My daughter and I tore up all the carpet, the padding, the tack strips and got down to the cement floor. No more dust mite ridden (and stained) carpeting, but cement is not a kind surface for a three year old boy who likes to flop down on his knees or fall and pretend to be dead after a sword fight.<br />
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What would we do? I considered the cheapest possibility: linoleum. That meant fumes from glue and trying to wrestle a big sheet of it, cutting around corners etc. Not what I want to deal with right now. I knew there had to be an easier answer. And there was!<br />
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<a href="http://scene7.samsclub.com/is/image/samsclub/0082238424806_A?wid=206&hei=200&op_sharpen=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Util-A-Mat Commercial Grade Reversible Floor Mats, 8 - 24" x 24" Tiiles" border="0" src="http://scene7.samsclub.com/is/image/samsclub/0082238424806_A?wid=206&hei=200&op_sharpen=1" /></a><a href="http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=107930">These</a> foam floor tiles from Sam's Club are interlocking and they are for safety/anti-fatigue. Cushiony underfoot. No glue or anything. And they are 2 feet square! I could have put the primary color sides up, but went with the dark grey side instead. I used an acrylic quilting ruler and a box knife and was able to cut around the closet and walls to fit these easily. Less than $22 a pack and it took only 4 packs to cover all the floor space including closets. What a deal, right?<br />
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Tyler likes them so much, he wanted to sleep on the floor that first night. Ha!<br />
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Two of the sides on these tiles are straight edged, but you can pull off a narrow strip to reveal the interlocking shapes. This left me with a pile of narrow strips that were puzzle pieced down one side. I was wondering how I'd store them without them getting torn up or bent, but Tyler knew just what to do with them! He started fitting those long strips into pairs and hammering them into place with his Black and Decker kids hammer. He said he was making swords. <i>He thought of this all on his own! </i>I am impressed.<br />
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A little work the past few weeks with <a href="http://www.melissaanddoug.com/dinosaur-jigsaw-puzzles-in-a-box">jigsaw puzzles </a>and he has a whole new hobby! These are the Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles in a box. Dinosaurs. We put them together over and over. Then we talk about what kind of dinosaur is in the picture and what they eat. Mostly he is telling me, thanks to the show "Dino Dan" on Nick Jr.<br />
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So now we have a safe, cushy, hypo-allergenic floor for his room. I hope this gives some of you an idea of what to do in your play room or kids room!<br />
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<a href="http://www.toysinthedryer.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Fun Stuff Fridays" border="0" src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/candjheil/TID/FSF.jpg" /></a>Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-18267075922962503602012-04-08T08:10:00.000-07:002012-04-08T08:10:05.547-07:00Happy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMLH0Tz4sr7X9GfhtgNMOIAvSszXBcc5aXkGgLc3sP8Yk3HCFjr1QZ-LNn25zjpX-VM_CLozbM3Wued6QByp6R3SkQnSGiFeiRr0o3GUrNqP5VeDcmLQF8hdfDgGzJuYBmQ98zLZ3AYoT/s1600/P1010022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMLH0Tz4sr7X9GfhtgNMOIAvSszXBcc5aXkGgLc3sP8Yk3HCFjr1QZ-LNn25zjpX-VM_CLozbM3Wued6QByp6R3SkQnSGiFeiRr0o3GUrNqP5VeDcmLQF8hdfDgGzJuYBmQ98zLZ3AYoT/s400/P1010022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We had a very busy day yesterday. Everyone in town seemed to be having Easter Egg Hunts, and it was also Kids' Clinic Day at Home Depot again.<br />
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Funny story: I took a few minutes to run into Home Depot the other day for a new shower head. I was alone, which is so rare. After nap time, Tyler noticed that the old shower head was missing and asked why. I said "Nana bought a new shower head today," and he burst into tears! He said "you went to Home Depot without me!!!" I laughed because he knew which store without me saying and it was such a child/man response. I comforted him with the promise that he'd be at Home Depot this Saturday making a bird feeder and we would give it to his great, great grandmother for Easter. <br />
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Here he is with his newest creation. Honestly, this project was way too hard for his age. I had to do all the nail hammering. You are putting several layers of wood together and it is just not possible for a 3 year old to hammer that hard. But he liked decorating it!<br />
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Did you make it to a Kids Clinic in your area yesterday?<br />
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Before Kids Clinic we went to the Easter Egg Hunt put on at our favorite new park. Many (or all, I'm not sure) of the churches in Beulah got together to provide carnival type games and food and balloons, etc. All Bible based and there was a huge turn out.<br />
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He had a blast. He even got his face painted. He wanted to be the Easter Bunny. I was impressed that this girl, who is probably 10?, did the painting. Not bad either.<br />
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After bowling for candy, reaching in a big fish mouth for money, and trying the bean bag toss twice, we did the toddler egg hunt, got a balloon from the Easter Bunny and it was time to head off to Home Depot. I had boiled eggs before we left so we could decorate after nap time.<br />
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<a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/how-to-make-leaf-print-eggs-673756/">This</a> is the method we used for dying our eggs. It was a lot of fun, especially since we started off by searching the yard for tiny leaves to use on our eggs. <br />
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You cut some nylons into 6 inch pieces, place a leaf on the egg, slide it carefully into the nylon section, pull the ends of the nylon around to the back and rubber band it tightly. You use warm water, white vinegar and food coloring drops to make the dye. We counted the drops, so math and chemistry were part of the fun too! Then let them soak about 5 minutes, carefully unwrap, and you have a leaf motif on the front and a star pattern on the back where the tie was!<br />
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This was so easy and so much fun for us, I think we might want to do this any time we need hard boiled eggs!<br />
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If you don't already subscribe to Family Fun, I highly recommend it. I started getting the mags when my kids were little. There are many great craft memories because of this Disney publication! I'm not getting compensated in any way for telling you this either.<br />
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You can subscribe digitally, or get the magazine in the mail, but they'll also send the digital version too. <br />
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I have to include my all time favorite Easter cartoon. <br />
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Happy Easter everyone! Make some memories today! Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-60224656915063607232012-04-04T10:06:00.000-07:002012-04-06T07:37:23.878-07:00Dress Up Storage and the Schnibble that Almost Was...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/eat-less-sugar-162900951.html">This</a> is the project I've had in mind for a few months. Now it is reality! Tyler is so pleased, he immediately started moving all his costumes and hats in and he wanted it kept in the living room so he can play with it daily. (There really is not much more room in HIS room, so now it is in the public domain.) That is a closet sized dowel for hanging outfits on. Plenty of room for the knight outfit, chef outfit, firefighter and others that I am behind on making, right?<br />
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I owe all the construction and painting credit to my husband and to Tom, future stepson-in-law and the stepdaughter, Van, too. Great job people! This Storage unit cost about $30 without the wheels. I already had the quart of paint.<br />
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Have you ever built anything from Ana White's blog or website? She has such good directions and even tells you what the cost should be. You could build your own Pottery Barn type furniture, if that is your style! If I get a granddaughter some day I will be putting <a href="http://ana-white.com/2009/11/plan-graces-playhouse-kitchen-stove.html">this</a> in the works for sure. The cutest play kitchen! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xL6MlGdY3j6MaeXRcoBk7BCSnmqJAbU6IjXj2SlQQxZJifObbg_jKPYTZMR-s7FdZaVv77-jqYF6rfatd3NJ_oEX8zD5N95HQr4laWLEoaOrb6EkWik1P92CNZUv9TngNnN3XuiDdttR/s1600/Pirate+Mustache.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xL6MlGdY3j6MaeXRcoBk7BCSnmqJAbU6IjXj2SlQQxZJifObbg_jKPYTZMR-s7FdZaVv77-jqYF6rfatd3NJ_oEX8zD5N95HQr4laWLEoaOrb6EkWik1P92CNZUv9TngNnN3XuiDdttR/s320/Pirate+Mustache.JPG" width="240" /></a>We had previously built Tyler a very sturdy bookcase for his room, and it is so nice, I decided to go with the wardrobe on wheels and we painted it the same gray as the bookcase. I have not decided if I will stencil something on the side yet. Ideas? Probably his name at some point.<br />
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Its been rainy and polleny here for weeks. Not good outdoor weather for us, although I sure wish it was, cause soon enough it will be VERY hot and humid. If you have no allergies, you should get down on your knees and thank God every day. Anyway, we have been doing more play time with paints and pirate sword fighting etc, so it is still fun! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxt0tMESV3Kh1HPfvQC3GY6-BLXcv_UsAvwXs8x_yA7ae-Xv88IK9XakSyogMgU77iky7Xa0t0nOCVczme390MoURmzSIs7pzex2V589RlVcs_ovTbMfkwRgWgYt-c4T2pmmw3Age-fxY/s1600/P1010006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxt0tMESV3Kh1HPfvQC3GY6-BLXcv_UsAvwXs8x_yA7ae-Xv88IK9XakSyogMgU77iky7Xa0t0nOCVczme390MoURmzSIs7pzex2V589RlVcs_ovTbMfkwRgWgYt-c4T2pmmw3Age-fxY/s320/P1010006.JPG" width="240" /></a>How's this for fun? Mama drew the goatee and big curly mustache on with the washable markers. I had been drawing him a mustache with black eyeliner. Yes, that is a black eye at the edge of his left eye. Poor kid is full throttle all the time, and not always looking where he's headed. <br />
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In other news, I got a very late start on the March Schnibble pattern, Bibelot. Like, it arrived on the 26th and I got all the blocks finished on April 1, after the <a href="http://pinkpincushion.blogspot.com/2012/04/bibelot-parade-of-ts.html">Parade of Schnibbles</a> deadline. Oh well. It will get done soon. Will I order the next pattern in time for April's deadline? Only time will tell with my crazy life right now!<br />
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I used a charm pack of Modern Workshop prints. I know I should have ordered 2. I thought I could wing it with my leftover Spirit charm squares, but there is not quite enough for the border pieces. I'll have to cut into the few Modern Workshop fat quarters I have or improvise. Also, this will be narrower than Carrie's pattern because it was too wide for the back of my door, and that is where it is going. Afternoon sun is blinding without a nice quilt over the windows.<br />
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Did you make it into the Schnibbles Parade? Or at least get Bibelot finished? A month seems like so much time at the beginning, and not so much when it is half over and your project is still in your head, doesn't it?<br />
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This weekend is Easter. It should be the start of a busy week with family coming to visit here. I wish you all a Happy Easter and hope you'll leave me a comment about any of my topics!<br />
<br /><a href="http://www.toysinthedryer.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Fun Stuff Fridays" border="0" src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/candjheil/TID/FSF.jpg" /></a><br />
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<br />Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-50866148839729678252012-03-21T20:10:00.000-07:002012-03-23T08:07:36.833-07:00Windows to Genius Quilt and Other Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is the big boy bed quilt Tyler received for his birthday last week! I just love the colors. He just loves the colors. And the animals, and the stripes. So happy that he's proud of the quilt and wanted to be in the picture too!<br />
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I had seen this pattern in the April 2007 issue of Quilt magazine. I said to myself back then, "If only I can have a grandson some day, I want to make this quilt for him." And I did!<br />
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The walls of his room are True Turquoise (Glidden paint color) and the quilt looks yummy with them. Someone's favorite colors are yellow and orange, so no wonder this is a hit, right?<br />
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I threw some solids and semi-solids in with the original Animal Party (Amy Schimler/Robert Kaufman) prints. I had hoarded those lovely fat quarters since they came out, because, Hello? I wanted a grandson!<br />
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Do you ever buy fabric and save it because some day you'll have the perfect use for it? A gift maybe? It feels good to put it to use.<br />
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I'd like to thank my friend, Nancy Troyer, for doing such a lovely job quilting it with large swirls all over. It perfectly complements all the angular piecing. The back and binding are a very deep turquoise, in case you are curious.<br />
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My next project is a coordinating pillow case from the remaining yardage and scraps. I'm thinking a pieced border. How cute will that be??? <i>Please note that my "<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">next project</span>" list is pretty long and the pile up is starting to be an embarrassment. help!</i><br />
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Other news: Barnes and Noble Story Time is such a huge deal! So much fun, it is free and includes craft time and cookie and other kids to interact with! And because it is at 11am, guess who gets to have a lunch date after? Me! Books galore and lunch with my favorite 3 year old. Heaven! We have been thrifty and gotten pizza slices at Sam's Club next door to B and N. Who knew Tyler would be a people watcher like me? He is a hoot! He makes everyone around us smile and comment on his amazing vocabulary and sense of humor. He went up to the food counter and asked them if they toss their pizza dough in the air before they cook it! The look on the girl's face was priceless. <br />
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Birthday Gift Favorite: I found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rockstar-11039-Violin/dp/B005VMBBVO/ref=sr_1_10?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1332382955&sr=1-10">this violin</a> (at JC Penney of all places) after Christmas - it ended up being like $5 with coupons and discounts. My mom gave it to him. Tyler about cried he was so happy. He shouted "A violin! I always wanted one!" and he played it for TWO HOURS. <i>This is a 3 year old with the normal 10-15 minute attention span.</i> It is awesome to behold. He said he is like the kids on Little Einsteins, and he plays it off and on every day. He bows after every performance. I melt. We are all so proud!<br />
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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination
and life to everything.”
―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/879.Plato">Plato</a></div>
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Other favorite toys he got: packs of playing cards - Old Maid, Go Fish, Crazy Eights. A soccer ball and cowboy outfit. A cash register for playing restaurant and store. Small knights on horseback with weapons to go with <a href="http://anotherdayinpensacola.blogspot.com/2012/02/another-successful-project-at-kids.html">the castle</a> his pediatrician gave him. The new, replacement golf set. The old one has been completely destroyed due to <a href="http://anotherdayinpensacola.blogspot.com/2012/01/this-week-with-tyler.html">Hallway Hockey</a> being a rough sport for plastic clubs. Also, <a href="http://anotherdayinpensacola.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-fun.html">the bathtub pirate set </a>is not going to be boring any time soon.<br />
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Will someone please tell me how you can possibly love anyone so much as a first grandchild? Who knew it could be so wonderful and rewarding every day? I am so very lucky and blessed and thankful. Yes I am!<br />
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Finally, I would like to thank everyone for stopping by. My blog reading counter has tripped over the 10,000 mark! Woo hoo!<br />
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Until next time, enjoy every day, and love the little ones in your life especially. YOU can make all the difference.<br />
<a href="http://www.toysinthedryer.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Fun Stuff Fridays" border="0" src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/candjheil/TID/FSF.jpg" /></a>Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-51539050705262761202012-03-06T19:00:00.000-08:002012-03-09T14:00:25.865-08:00New Fun<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjAFHLBvRvZff-N8zBw1nAsjMx_cYh-n6GwAGsFpOwpauRjGYbbFLvolpBizIY2j3QRAKeSxx-RqmzWwjhlTfLFfm7gyehKlJcH07GkRw1vFkX44hAk09erdptcviJut1JXB7P2fPxy6M/s1600/Beulah2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjAFHLBvRvZff-N8zBw1nAsjMx_cYh-n6GwAGsFpOwpauRjGYbbFLvolpBizIY2j3QRAKeSxx-RqmzWwjhlTfLFfm7gyehKlJcH07GkRw1vFkX44hAk09erdptcviJut1JXB7P2fPxy6M/s320/Beulah2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last week we discovered 2 things. A new, close by park called Beulah Regional Park. The reasons we like it so much are: it is wide open with walking/riding paths, 2 fenced in dog parks, there are 2 big sets of play equipment, it is quiet, next door is the Equestrian Center so horses and riders pass outside the fence, the playgrounds are visited by lots of kids and parents (but not too many at once) and the equipment is plastic and metal. NO CARPENTER BEES!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DRb9nmHD0iycptko2VYIQAGzMCd8JlaA5Sa7_e7K6TzXOb8ryeis4LfwW_PTt3M3aG9VwNuQBwQ8xzxHTd3hW6zMqEm8qqzQ8Orl5PfRlHvLI18KKiQvZjIRNUUSXz2Pj-nbtHoY1amU/s1600/carpenter_bee_wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DRb9nmHD0iycptko2VYIQAGzMCd8JlaA5Sa7_e7K6TzXOb8ryeis4LfwW_PTt3M3aG9VwNuQBwQ8xzxHTd3hW6zMqEm8qqzQ8Orl5PfRlHvLI18KKiQvZjIRNUUSXz2Pj-nbtHoY1amU/s200/carpenter_bee_wood.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
If you don't live with carpenter bees, count your blessings. They are annoying and sometimes aggressive. People say "leave them alone and they'll leave you alone," but when they are hovering over the slides at the wood constructed parks, what do you do? You leave. Those bees are not small. See that hole it makes? You can stick a pencil in there. Because our house was built with cedar siding, we are plagued by these pests every Spring. And we have the badminton racquets to prove it.<br />
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Call me a sissy if you want, but bees freak me out. They are creepy and I hate the buzz. God bless them for pollination, but stay away from me, and mine, thank you!<br />
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Anyway, we are in love with Beulah Regional Park. This is where Tyler will perfect bike pedaling, and learn to roller skate. It is where he'll make friends who can come over to play, and we will watch as he grows too big for the equipment they have and moves on to full time sports for recreation. And I will get some serious walking done too.<br />
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Our other discovery this week? Barnes and Noble. Yes, Pensacola actually has a big, name brand store, can you believe it? (We don't have IKEA or Crate and Barrel or Macy's but we have B and N!) Up until last weekend we stuck to Books a Million for the spontaneous book shopping sprees. I told myself Barnes and Noble was too busy and too expensive. Now I have seen the light! They have story time twice a week! And the stuff they sell for kids, not just books, is astounding. Totally my type of shopping for kids. Intelligent toys and books and games. We were in heaven. Twice already. Tomorrow is story time and we wont' miss it. Tyler will have friends and I will be surrounded by my other love, books.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABJYGyj-CkBcBCLR7NEwng6usztj3_p0eAs3OeIvBlpU4opBXcJ58BtqewNmpYfx_07ebp82JikrYssjOt8fiHQpggz-gMjhBlD2utgmV4iT4126hd6Oj6aTRND9SAC5c4UrttH273aqh/s1600/Pirates+of+the+Tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABJYGyj-CkBcBCLR7NEwng6usztj3_p0eAs3OeIvBlpU4opBXcJ58BtqewNmpYfx_07ebp82JikrYssjOt8fiHQpggz-gMjhBlD2utgmV4iT4126hd6Oj6aTRND9SAC5c4UrttH273aqh/s320/Pirates+of+the+Tub.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
What in particular did we leave with that I am so happy about? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=alex+pirates+of+the+tub&sprefix=Alex+Pirates%2Caps%2C263">This</a> ( OR <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/toys-games-pirates-of-the-tub/12607555?ean=9781400657353">this</a> - there is only a few cents difference in price.) The Alex Toys "Pirates of the Tub." If you have been reading former posts here, you know Tyler is a huge pirate fan. It will be his birthday party theme this coming Sunday. It is his favorite dress up costume. <br />
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This advertising pic is spot on. Foam pieces that stick to the wall (or you) and 2 plastic pirates and a cannon that squirt water. There are 38 pieces in all. Including a mesh bag with suction cups to keep it all organized after bath time. And just try getting your child out of the bath tub in a short time!<br />
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I gave it a 5 star review. Worth every penny.<br />
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Also this past weekend we ventured out to the local Renaissance Fair. It was very exciting for Tyler. Pirates! Knights! Jousting and sword fighting, pistols and cannons.! A juggler on stilts. A petting zoo. And we rode a real live elephant!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP8T33LPUcRrdlJZ34w-XJHuPU8mMOOnlnJRu9j6OuFrXT8GP9eRbShg2e7Vnv8G3LwhImDG3-8GKD1YzhLfYEkClWUgW9e59dImFrcmIPPwttr3anRoLaf-jjOZXZ6WZC6wdb6RYfqvq/s1600/P1010008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP8T33LPUcRrdlJZ34w-XJHuPU8mMOOnlnJRu9j6OuFrXT8GP9eRbShg2e7Vnv8G3LwhImDG3-8GKD1YzhLfYEkClWUgW9e59dImFrcmIPPwttr3anRoLaf-jjOZXZ6WZC6wdb6RYfqvq/s200/P1010008.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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I grew up attending the huge <a href="http://www.renfair.com/socal/">Renaissance Pleasure Fair</a> in Southern California. That is a spectacle. This is a much smaller scale, but it was good entertainment for a few hours. Everyone should go to a Ren Faire once. For the kids sake, at least!<br />
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<a href="http://www.toysinthedryer.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Fun Stuff Fridays" border="0" src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/candjheil/TID/FSF.jpg" /></a>Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-91541945532678604042012-02-28T20:46:00.000-08:002012-02-28T20:46:16.804-08:00Happy Leap Day (Year) !!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is foggy, drizzly weather here. Not cold, not hot, not unwelcome. Well, my hair has looked better, but in the South you have to expect a lot of bad hair days. I think that is why the Bouffant style was so popular. If your hair freaks out to new heights - go bigger! Make it look intentional! <br />
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This picture was borrowed from a Google search. It is not me. This just comforts me that things could be worse. I could have those zebra bangs.<br />
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Anyway....<br />
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February wraps up another Schnibble project. I was not able to come up with ISTH in time to make it, so I substituted Reveille. I have been wanting to use the Lila Tueller "Spirit" charm packs I hoarded, so here it is. I love the bright colors and girly prints of Spirit. And anything from Miss Rosie's Quilt Co is fun to make!<br />
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No, not quilted yet. I need more peace and quiet and free time than I have right now to do that. I may just put it away for someday quilting. There is quite a pile in that someday quilting box already!<br />
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What are you doing with your extra day of February? I wonder how many babies will be born today and find they got shorted in the birthday department? I think that would be hard for a kid.<br />
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Our weather has been more like a long, long Autumn here. It has only gotten really cold a few nights. Usually we have a few weeks of temps in the teens at night and frost-ruined plants. Mostly it has been light jacket or no jacket weather since November. I think Europe cornered the market on cold weather this year. Maybe it will help their economies?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3GNDaixvZdDssSxabdf-fUm_-JpGLLCukE88oFYBR7RO1rxK2wlw_pVlAqPZsWwN87neNDLjF_vTNEpgeNJep495bgD1CPELOw2VB6yS-z0EXl4xydcskkRTVVUGwWe6y95yrYfMOfhU/s1600/P1010015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3GNDaixvZdDssSxabdf-fUm_-JpGLLCukE88oFYBR7RO1rxK2wlw_pVlAqPZsWwN87neNDLjF_vTNEpgeNJep495bgD1CPELOw2VB6yS-z0EXl4xydcskkRTVVUGwWe6y95yrYfMOfhU/s400/P1010015.JPG" width="400" /></a>My grandson's birthday is fast approaching. He'll be 3! He can tell
people the date now. "March Tur-teenf" and holds up 3 fingers. Sometimes
he holds up 2 fingers and says, "I'm this many, then I will be this
many" as he adds another upright finger. His sarcasm is developing nicely because he recently replied to a waitress who asked him when would he turn three and he said, "on my birthday." Duh!<br />
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Also in the near future we have a diverse range of outings: the Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire, because all little boys want to see knights on horseback and royalty etc. There is also an upcoming monster trucks show, the new season starting at <a href="http://www.5flagsspeedway.com/">Five Flags Speedway</a> (this year Tyler should be up to going once a month or so) and <a href="http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t4124">baseball games at the new stadium,</a> and trips to the beach. Not the height of culture, but again this is the home of the bouffant hairdo. We ARE <a href="http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/">the people of Walmart</a>. I do what I can with what we have...<br />
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Last weekend we went to watch the Ice Flyers play some good hockey. And win. I think Tyler was more interested in the loud music, stomping, cheering and projectile prizes than the game. He did get a commemorative Daytona 500 hat. And a date with Papa and Nana. That counts as a good time for all. There were many fights, one player got ejected, and we noticed that the visiting team's "timeout box" was decorated with flames. Fitting? I thought so. These are the things that make a hockey game good, in my opinion. I am an enigma, I know.<br />
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<br />Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-81201280647386591592012-02-18T20:42:00.000-08:002012-02-18T20:42:47.428-08:00Not New - Previously OwnedThrifting (and other sources of acquiring used items) is becoming a way of life, whether from necessity or curiosity or just being smart with money. Better for the environment and sort of a treasure hunt and maybe even a sport. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiCCrIDPo_xLlRkZzg9_XMBhdIS_upi7iudojSrZL7yOu2j9tlZNAx83nhr42QsXr-cexAXwzA_YOSp57gBELssvQ0hrbG0MwDbfEVbE2ZAoeasUZ8I5HVQkCrxcrRyPJpICxZLrY6G22/s1600/Sheriff+Tyler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiCCrIDPo_xLlRkZzg9_XMBhdIS_upi7iudojSrZL7yOu2j9tlZNAx83nhr42QsXr-cexAXwzA_YOSp57gBELssvQ0hrbG0MwDbfEVbE2ZAoeasUZ8I5HVQkCrxcrRyPJpICxZLrY6G22/s320/Sheriff+Tyler.JPG" width="240" /></a>I love that there are places where you can find good quality items and make them useful, re-purposed and loved again. For the longest time I was sure that people only donated what they couldn't get rid of in yard sales at the local charity stores, but then I found a huge building full of stuff worth our time. The Waterfront Rescue Mission. They even sell brand new mattress sets and big items like pianos. I still wish I had a spot for the antique school desk! It had the inkwell hole and looked like it was made of walnut.<br />
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Tyler got a wood toy box, whose flat lid doubles as his cooking stove, a toddler sized BMX bike for a tenth of the cost of a new one, and the most necessary part of any cowboy outfit, the boots and hat! <br />
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He has worn these every day since we bought them. I think he would
sleep in the boots if allowed. He is Sheriff Tyler, riding Bullseye
around the yard, escorting me on errands, and charming all the ladies
wherever we go!<br />
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The bike is put away until his birthday. I have to save something for next month! I am really doing well at spoiling him, as all Nanas are required to do. You try to say NO to this face! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2X1m5gls73PLZXVgpNmbhZ7p8fYAjKfxWqKsAEoAwpHS2FhXSeJGzJQbmkYkrEK17C2CmEECl5z1okqU6QYgK4VWu-TMr7wVveJD816HNmFSr98oxbRHlK_4XmM02ok4ZtLA0OFsU7-y7/s1600/Sheriff+Tyler+and+Bullseye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2X1m5gls73PLZXVgpNmbhZ7p8fYAjKfxWqKsAEoAwpHS2FhXSeJGzJQbmkYkrEK17C2CmEECl5z1okqU6QYgK4VWu-TMr7wVveJD816HNmFSr98oxbRHlK_4XmM02ok4ZtLA0OFsU7-y7/s320/Sheriff+Tyler+and+Bullseye.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
I also met a very nice woman at the supermarket who let me know I didn't need to pay for the training wheels I was about to buy. She had some for free if I wanted them, and her garage was full of toys waiting for a someday yard sale. Score! <br />
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We went to her house a few days later and hauled home a mini golf set (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Step-Kids-Mini-Golf-Course/dp/B006K0WCZA/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1329481391&sr=1-1">Step 2 Par 3</a>), a Vtech game system with 5 games, and the much anticipated Black and Decker Junior Power Tools Workshop! Plus the training wheels. It was Christmas all over again!<br />
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I swear it was my intention to not buy anything else for him. Really! But these were too good to pass up. Right?<br />
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You can see the toy box in the background. Tyler spent the whole afternoon running from the tool bench to the mini golf set.<br />
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The mini golf will be a big hit at the birthday party. On sunny days it will be our outside entertainment. Yesterday was rainy, then muggy, so we played indoors. <br />
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If these tools were real (and they do make noise and have whirling parts) I'd already have holes in the bedroom walls. He told me he was building me a new house and that he's an architect. At bedtime Tyler said "Good night, tools!"<br />
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I think he's in love.Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-26991627644084801462012-02-17T03:46:00.000-08:002012-02-17T06:53:11.385-08:00Homemade Finger Paints<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqPIK9uIjfpP02I0Hqb_qGrr9dQBjj90AIByrWTjsWeHJ5btunAaBqc36MP2oAx_D4MDd-pv0T3ACDgrh8OJ3BVNufb-VktmjHRoSWHGpUrvCNQXuHKchQM031BtixBO6085y__YjiUqV/s1600/both+hands+in.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqPIK9uIjfpP02I0Hqb_qGrr9dQBjj90AIByrWTjsWeHJ5btunAaBqc36MP2oAx_D4MDd-pv0T3ACDgrh8OJ3BVNufb-VktmjHRoSWHGpUrvCNQXuHKchQM031BtixBO6085y__YjiUqV/s320/both+hands+in.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This week we made finger paints. My grandson has not experienced messy hands too much. He does not like "dooty hands", and that needs to change, right? I told him if he wants to be a farmer this Spring and grow his own garden, he'll need to like dirty hands. With that in mind, he was happy to give it a try. And he liked it after all!<br />
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<i>(Look at those cheeks! He's getting ready to grow some more. This might be the last time we see baby cheeks on the boy. He turns 3 next month! Sigh...)</i><br />
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I found the recipe on Pinterest. Yes, I have been sucked into the vortex that is a <strike>black hole</strike> wealth of cool ideas and recipes etc! Time is lost, big plans are made, life goes on without you. It is fascinating all the things you can see and learn on this site! There are recipes for bathtub crayons, tree house and play kitchen ideas, and tons of crafts. I <strike>was</strike> am in awe. <br />
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Once I figured out that the direction to "Warm until it thickens" part of the directions meant 2 and not the actual Low setting on my electric stove, it took about half an hour for the contents of the sauce pan to gel. I stirred every 10 minutes or so with a whisk. One it starts to resemble pudding, you set it aside and let it cool. Then you add food colorings and the fun begins!<br />
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Here is the recipe:<br />
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3 TBSP sugar</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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1/2 cup cornstarch</div>
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2 cups water</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan and warm until thickened. Set aside to cool. Pour into containers. Add food coloring. </span><br />
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I ended up making a second batch because Tyler could see right away that the primary colors we created should make the secondary colors he loves, like orange and green. <br />
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Mine came out to a pudding consistency. I hope that is right. It seems a bit too thick to me, but the texture seems good for a first time finger painting exploration. I told him we could try this with chocolate pudding some time too.<br />
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Doesn't it look like yogurt? I am glad he didn't try to eat any, although it should be harmless if he did. <br />
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Was this a great opportunity to also do more measuring? Yes. To explain how to make a level scoop? Yes. What is the difference between a tablespoon and teaspoon? Yes. And cooking and patience too. Oh yes. <br />
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Watching how a few drops of color can make fabulous shades of red, yellow or blue, then mixing those to make more colors was fantastic for him. A revelation. <br />
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Tyler and I found that the paint was a bit heavy for painting on paper. This is why I think it may have been too thick, but the consistency was perfect for his high chair tray. <br />
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The dvd <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Clues-Shapes-Aleisha-Allen/dp/B00008SCHN/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1329478280&sr=1-1"><span style="color: blue;">Blue's Clues Shapes and Colors</span></a>, has been in his collection for a while. It came to life on paint making day. We are going to have a whole rainbow of finger paints just as soon as I get more containers!<br />
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If you have experience making this, I'd love to hear your review. If you try it with your little one, let me know! <br />
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See you next time! Happy painting!<br />
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<a href="http://www.toysinthedryer.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Fun Stuff Fridays" border="0" src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/candjheil/TID/FSF.jpg" /></a>Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-81783081125887976422012-02-13T21:12:00.000-08:002012-02-13T21:12:16.183-08:00Happy February 14th!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my front entryway. On sunny afternoons, the light through the door and side panel is quite glaring. Harsh. Way too revealing of dust motes and dust bunnies. You follow? We've lived here in NW Florida for 7 years in our West facing house and I have often pondered how to solve this problem, since the door is metal. Drill holes in metal for a curtain? No. Too permanent and marring.<br />
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Do you remember the <a href="http://anotherdayinpensacola.blogspot.com/2011/12/pre-christmas-activities.html">Christmas Advent Calendar</a> that was hanging here a few months ago? I happened to find a magnetic curtain rod at the store and I actually planned to use it on the refrigerator when I realized it would adhere to my front door and that is when the light bulb went on over my head. <br />
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Don't you love those light bulb moments? I never imagined there might be a magnetic curtain rod!<br />
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The light bulb went back on again just after the New Year when I was catching up on blog reading and saw that Another Year of Schibbles was starting, and dang, they were using the Full House pattern I had recently purchased!<br />
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Miraculously, my two brain cells collided. "Hey! These Schnibbles are just about the right size to cover the front door windows! No more indecision about what fabric to make a door curtain with! And I could change it out every time I make a new Schnibble! AND I can try to keep up with the AYOS girls this year! Win, Win!" Wouldn't you know I had a few charm packs gathering dust, and a few I had my eye on recently?<br />
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I finished the quilting and binding and sleeve on <b>Full House</b> Sunday night. I know my quilting has a long way to go, but I actually like looking at it and seeing where I have room to grow and where I have not done so badly.<br />
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I bought (expensive) Sulky thread in a shiny light peach color and I doodled flowers all over the quilt. <br />
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This month the Schnibble is ISTH... but they are sold out most places and I just don't want to pay almost the cost of the pattern in shipping fees. So, I will see what they are doing in March instead. February is half over and I don't want to rush through a substitute when I can take my time making something I really like starting March 1.<br />
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Are you Schnibbling?<br />
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I hope you have a wonderful February 14th. I find Valentine's Day to be overrated. And hurtful to those with relationship expectations that have not been met, or were recently crushed. I hate hearing the heartbreak of "he/she dumped me right before Valentine's Day!!!?" so let's just say Happy February 14th and try to love each other EVERY day, shall we?Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-48200220208865752452012-02-08T18:08:00.000-08:002012-02-17T03:07:02.168-08:00Dress Up Clothes - a short tutorialI have been using a kids costume pattern to make "leisure pants" for Tyler for about a year. He has like 20 pairs to play or sleep in. Dinosaurs, aliens, Veggie Tales, elephants, outer space, you name it, I have probably made him a pair of pants from the novelty fabric du jour. I make these pants in under half an hour. You can too, after one pair, you'll whiz through any others.<br />
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So today when I happened across the pattern, Tyler was there looking over my shoulder and "Wow!" was what I heard as the envelope was ripped from my hands. Simplicity 3650. How could I have not noticed these kids are dressed in ALL of Tyler's favorite play themes??? He could not believe it. And I, of course, promised I could make him one of each. Soon.<br />
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Our errands for the day took us across the street from a large charity thrift store I had never been in, so we went exploring. I have a mental list of things I'd like to not pay retail for. Don't you?<br />
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I do not have a wild, bold stripe fabric in my stash, which pirate pants need. We searched for and found a men's XL button down shirt that would do nicely for pirate pants.<br />
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The first step is to cut off the button plackets, collar, yoke, and sleeves. This pattern for pull on (elastic waist) pants has only 2 pieces. My favorite kind. What kid needs side seams in pajama/ play time pants? Cut one side of the pants from the back of the shirt. I am making a size 4T, so that is all I could manage from the back of the XL shirt. No worries, we still have 2 fronts to work with. <br />
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I took the 2 fronts and sewed a seam where the buttons used to be. Voila! Another good sized piece to cut the second leg from! Picking the pocket off was the most tedious part of this project.<br />
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Here you see the leg cut from the back of the shirt laid on top of (and right side down) on the pieced-from-the-front section. Just cut around the first leg to get the mirror image of it as you would with regular fabric cutting. See those indents on each side of the top of the leg piece? That is the part that goes over the lower torso. below that is the leg. You are going to sew those long straight edges together, right sides touching. Patterns typically call for a 5/8 inch seam, and I zigzag afterwards between the stitching and the edge. Then I trim that down to the zigzag stitching to keep the unraveling of fabric to a minimum.<br />
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Once each leg has that seam done, it is time to turn one leg right side out and insert it into the wrong side out leg, and match those seams so they are touching. Sew around this curve from one end to the other, and turn it all right side out. You can zigzag that seam before turning or sew a second seam for strength. Your little one's booty will put some stress on that seam. Believe me.<br />
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Now all you need to do is hem the legs and make a casing for elastic. I used 3/4" elastic. Measure around your little one's middle and add 2 inches. You will overlap an inch at each end after you feed it through the casing.<br />
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For the casing, fold down the top of the pants about 2 inches. Turn under a 1/4" of that and press it, then stitch all the way around except for about 1 1/2 inches. Put a large safety pin through one end of your measured elastic, insert the closed safety pin into the opening in the casing and start feeding it through, bunching the fabric as you go. When it comes out the opening from the other side, overlap those inches, pin it, and sew through both layers. Adjust by pulling so the elastic goes inside the casing completely and then sew that little opening shut.<br />
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You are done! You made a pair of pull on pants, perfect for play, and really great for potty training! <br />
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Someone had given me this gold jacket lining fabric and it was a perfect match for a pirate sash / sword holder.<br />
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Next up for me, a thrifted black vest that will get scaled down to fit the little man and complete the pirate look.<br />
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Happy Sewing!<br />
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<a href="http://www.toysinthedryer.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Fun Stuff Fridays" border="0" src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/candjheil/TID/FSF.jpg" /></a>Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-7516128491466687702012-02-05T18:38:00.000-08:002012-02-05T18:38:31.621-08:00Another Successful Project at Kids Clinic and MoreThe first Saturday of the month - not every Saturday, as I originally had thought - is Kids' Clinic at Home Depot. As I anticipated, this month's project is a Valentine's gift for Mom. How sweet is that? Funny how a lot of the others there were also grandparent and child combinations.<br />
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Can you tell that someone is really happy to swing a real hammer? He feels so grown up, I can tell.<br />
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The Keepsake Box, like their other projects are really pretty simple to make. And it is FREE! This one involved gluing the 4 mitered sides around the base, securing them with rubber bands while it dried, hammering the decorative heart onto the lid with 2 tiny nails, and then painting and decorating the whole thing before taking it home.<br />
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Now of course a 3 year old would not be able to hold the four sides against the base and wrap the rubber bands around it, but that was the most difficult part. He loved the whole process. The fact that Mama can keep her earrings in it is a plus.And it is FREE!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f02Lvi6A9lHMnH6kQ0lk-spae6yq1ObDQ5iiuIddkdKh1jBHAUo8nSXQNhq22RQqobhnIMb7iHMyUf-oDQeXXbPlwEspe190YLdElt1zzPY0fCk2MxX61_jLCc3u9ZoA6w4SK4GGaxfM/s1600/the+box+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f02Lvi6A9lHMnH6kQ0lk-spae6yq1ObDQ5iiuIddkdKh1jBHAUo8nSXQNhq22RQqobhnIMb7iHMyUf-oDQeXXbPlwEspe190YLdElt1zzPY0fCk2MxX61_jLCc3u9ZoA6w4SK4GGaxfM/s320/the+box+top.JPG" width="320" /></a>Look at the foam brushes and bottles of paint set up for the kids. A big bag of foam stick on letters and shapes are there too. Everyone is so polite and patient. Parents spending time with their kids. It is really a nice thing to witness and be a part of.<br />
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The finished project is: pink base, pink heart on red top and green polka dots. Mama loves it, of course! And it was FREE! Did I say that already?<br />
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Also this weekend, I painted the back of his bedroom door with chalkboard paint. Did you know it is available in tints now? Tyler chose Pea Pod Green. 3 coats and it is now back on the door frame. We have very little smooth cement around here, so his sidewalk chalks collection is sadly underused. With all the blogs and magazines singing the praises of chalk-boarding a wall or door in your house, I thought "why not?" When he's older, if they still live with us, school reminders and game schedules could be written on there. For now, it will be free form drawing and letter/number writing. Cost $14.95 plus tax. Cheaper than buying a framed chalkboard in basic black. <br />
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I must admit, this looks pretty tacky with the wood frame, now that it is done. Not something you'd see on <a href="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/">Beneath My Heart </a>blog, or <a href="http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/">Our Vintage Home Love</a> blog. But my intentions are there. I had fun in mind more than style, I guess. The wood door frame matches 2 sets of folding slatted closet doors. When the room was just turquoise and white walls, the wood looked pretty cool. I now have to decide if I want to tackle painting the folding doors and frames. The ones I just did for my daughters room were a PAIN in the BUTT. Ugh. Maybe if I just replace the ugly old brass door knob I'll feel better about this? Your thoughts?<br />
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Also this week was an amazing gift. From the pediatrician, no less. It seems her girls did not really care for a wooden castle and figurines set they received. When Tyler, her "favorite patient", talked about being a knight, she left the exam room and came back with this!It has archers, a knight and a standard bearer. 2 ladders, a draw bridge and so much potential. Now we will be on the lookout for cannons and horses and villagers, I suppose. Have we had a blast already with invading robots and dinosaurs. Tyler is going to be so ready for the Renaissance Fair in March, he won't know what to do first! And guess who spotted the cutest knight dress up costume on Amazon? And children's picture books about knights too.<br />
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I tell you, being a full-time Nana is awesome!<br />
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<br />Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-53393299411626226842012-02-01T20:08:00.000-08:002012-02-01T20:08:13.657-08:00Schnibbling Along: the Full House versionToday was the deadline for submitting your finished "Full House" Schnibbles quilt to the Year of Schnibbles girls. I am a bit late. Just a little. Not that the quilt is done, but I did get the top put together today. Without borders. All I can say is, Hey, I might be really done by Valentine's Day, which is my personal goal for this.<br />
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Do you participate in the Year of Schnibbles? I had a bit of trouble with the roof pieces. I wonder if anyone else did?<br />
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My
version is made with Moda's Chemistry fabric line charm packs. I bought
some coordinating Kona solids (the dark raisin-y color and the light
peachy pink) to add to the selection, since the Chemistry charm packs
consist of 4 or more of each print. I was disappointed about that, but
what can you do? I bought online to get a deal, because the prices at
quilt shops - where I can look in person at the contents - always make
me put back what I have inspected.<br />
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I'd like to guarantee
that I am going to do every Schnibble for the whole year along with the
group, but next up is I.S.T.H. and I don't have that one. I plan to
substitute a different Schnibble from one of Carrie Nelson's books
instead. Who's with me?<br />
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My hat is off to all the blogging mommies out there who get so much done while toddlers and the older siblings run laps around their legs, leaving a wake of toys and clothing throughout the house. I no longer wonder why I did not take up quilting when my kids were little. I was lucky to make the occasional Halloween costume and Christmas outfit! And I was so much younger then. Ugh... <br />
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Now that I am home full time with Tyler, I just can't accomplish everything I plan to do each day. Almost 3 year old boys are VERY busy, and they get real squirrely if they don't get outside to play. Nap time comes around and I have to prioritize what gets done. Lucky for you I chose quilt top finishing over clean floors today! As Scarlett said, "I'll think about that tomorrow."<br />
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Stay tuned for a blog post about what these Schnibble quilts are going to be used for!<br />
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<br />Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840695154101927738.post-14784878227829378492012-01-14T19:34:00.000-08:002012-01-20T07:39:31.429-08:00This Week with TylerLast weekend we were at the beach. Now we are bundled up and splitting our time between outdoor play and indoor activities. It is about 25 degrees and windy in the morning now! If you've been thinking that Florida is always warm, think again.<br />
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This week we rescued a butterfly. A Monarch who forgot to migrate to Mexico. He was found laying on his side in my mom's yard. Tyler actually got to hold him/ he held onto Tyler's finger, so of course I don't have a picture of that.<br />
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We tried to get the butterfly to sip some sugar water. He was not interested. Tyler did get a look at the long curled up tongue butterflies have. And this picture. I think that is a worried look, but I can't be sure.<br />
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So, after the sugar water was rejected, we decided to try to find some remaining flowers in the yard. Butterflies love flowers. We still see the yellow sulfur butterflies out there, so maybe he'd like the company? <br />
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Here he is on the last camellia blossom. Its all that is left in our yard in January for flowers. I suspect that the Monarch <i>blew</i> away, rather than <i>flew</i> away, so please don't tell Tyler. He'd be real sad. There is a reason he didn't migrate, and I suspect it is old age. <i>C'est la vie.</i><br />
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On Monday Tyler announced that we needed to make cupcakes. Here we are making mini cupcakes with a melon ball for the scoop. Chocolate with cream cheese frosting. Mmmmm. We used leftover Halloween papers and Halloween sprinkles. He thought it was awesome and only really ate the cream cheese frosting. Tyler loves to be "the cooker."<br />
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Counting the cupcake papers as we add them to the tins is educational, right? And scooping batter into the papers is eye-hand coordination and learning a sort of measuring by look is also educational. We'll call this cooking school for toddlers. <br />
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Do you have a Train Table for your kids? There are more uses than you might have guessed. Last year it was an elevated play area and platform for looking out the window. This year it is an arts and crafts table, dinosaur habitat, and lately, Tyler invented another use for it: Dinosaur Soccer. See the hand holes on either side? Those are the goals. We play a little soccer out in the yard, but this kid has never seen a real match (or a foosball table for that matter) but he is brilliant enough to have invented this game!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoZ1jXHznZCFrbBjbyxkl0W0pgR_P3U5In3VgAj28IgsU1_dFSaW80StQZfhNErAPWMW92oNVpYzbH-Tyck_gmhrDBedZ1BDlu1nZWzR_vnFRkXiWzZKt26LI2PLSNxAoBX9LopIgYKN2/s1600/P1010009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoZ1jXHznZCFrbBjbyxkl0W0pgR_P3U5In3VgAj28IgsU1_dFSaW80StQZfhNErAPWMW92oNVpYzbH-Tyck_gmhrDBedZ1BDlu1nZWzR_vnFRkXiWzZKt26LI2PLSNxAoBX9LopIgYKN2/s200/P1010009.JPG" width="200" /></a>He usually wants to be the Long Neck Dinosaur team and I am the T-Rex team and we fight over and attempt to score with ping pong balls. It is really fun, and a little rough on the knuckles at times. This kid is going to be a Foosball enthusiast.And I just saw a small table-top version at Ross for $15. Birthday gift? Yes.<br />
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We were lucky to get his table from a yard sale, so the cost was not a factor, but even if you pay full price, you and your kids are <span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>SO</b></i></span> going to get your money's worth out of it. It is a stage when Tyler wants to sing and dance. It is where the building block towers are crashed down with monster trucks, and where he builds puzzles and play dough sculptures. The height is just perfect for him, and it is sturdy enough to hold his weight through years of use.<br />
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Here you see our dino-rama. Ha ha. I had to say it. We have dinosaur flash cards and looked up every single one in his dinosaur box. "Dino Dan" on Nick Jr is a show he likes to watch and for not quite 3 years old, he can tell you a lot of dinosaur names and what they eat and look like. I guess while he's in college on sports scholarships he can major in Paleontology and minor in Culinary Arts?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegTEL9fVCwlkyhpO5l6nhkLzbHbvJHtgxYmRBWGUHSICmr3eCJ2ys0Q9FvvDSMkYM1PycarfAD4mJsAXV_dod6B-65HWKe4HDygnTqH05yiGoPSUAaTY7pfXdS7mYAalXX9-L-o9UobeO/s1600/dino+soccer+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegTEL9fVCwlkyhpO5l6nhkLzbHbvJHtgxYmRBWGUHSICmr3eCJ2ys0Q9FvvDSMkYM1PycarfAD4mJsAXV_dod6B-65HWKe4HDygnTqH05yiGoPSUAaTY7pfXdS7mYAalXX9-L-o9UobeO/s200/dino+soccer+2.JPG" width="200" /></a>T-Rex is ready to defend his goalpost from the Long Neck player (me.) I think Tyler is making it extra hard for me to score with his body block, don't you?<br />
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Another indoor sport he invented is Hallway Hockey. The plastic golf club is the stick. Ping pong balls again. Slippers are required for better agility. And by the way, the golf club is also: a sword, a pony, a reach under furniture ball retriever, a light switch arm extension, and a pointer.<br />
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Would you like to be goalie and hold still for one after another on-goal shots? Me neither. I leave that up to Papa. He's a tough guy, he can take it.<br />
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Shopping tip: Target's $1 section has foam swords. Joann's also has foam swords, but they are not $1. However, Target does not have the coordinating black pirate hat, hook hand, and eye patch that you will find at Joann's. So there you go. Things to shop for this week for you Neverland Pirate fan. If you have a pirate theme birthday in your future, you can score on those.<br />
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And lastly, because you may start feeling like you are sitting through a relative's vacation slide show, we made our first bedroom fort out of sheets and clothespins, etc. Please note the heavy duty cardboard tube being used for yet another project. This is one of the tubes we use for Hot Wheels racing. He thought the fort was awesome. For about 5 minutes. Now if I could have invented a pirate ship instead of a fort, I would be forever his hero. <br />
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<a href="http://www.toysinthedryer.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Fun Stuff Fridays" border="0" src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/candjheil/TID/FSF.jpg" /></a><br />
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<br />Wendy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com2