tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73071147660253134432024-03-10T20:22:39.180-07:00Herding GrasshoppersI have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truthHerding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.comBlogger2016125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-60543809867792188842018-12-12T11:25:00.000-08:002018-12-12T11:25:04.399-08:00Snowbirds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://achoate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Joanna's family</a> are translators with Wycliffe in the Solomon Islands,</div>
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and regularly travel between their two lives in the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres.</div>
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When I saw this quilt, <a href="http://www.modabakeshop.com/2018/01/snowbirds-quilt.html" target="_blank">Snowbirds</a>,</div>
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on the Moda Bakeshop site,</div>
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I felt like it was designed with them in mind!</div>
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Half of the "birds" are going south west, and half are going north east.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99pMT4PBV0CXpJH5d0BoG0TiQc3Pm1FBg7d65YTcXz_RM1JIEKx4f8292gFpnQP6d72LYPEmvHGCOzVpjXtSC6tKhQMDEg9oZHvXfxIEMX4nMYwAZAlbJ5-Qublxehzvv0dpqp5tFO5g/s1600/IMG_3613.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99pMT4PBV0CXpJH5d0BoG0TiQc3Pm1FBg7d65YTcXz_RM1JIEKx4f8292gFpnQP6d72LYPEmvHGCOzVpjXtSC6tKhQMDEg9oZHvXfxIEMX4nMYwAZAlbJ5-Qublxehzvv0dpqp5tFO5g/s640/IMG_3613.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Using my favorite batiks seemed like the right thing to do,</div>
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given their tropical home in the SI :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vNG5eg9rZSDDEL-EoaF6SVBoBmvUT9aA3NGWsKd-CJOeELVMLPTlPPqAW8m4HLm_1fy1TbUwFwA61W_5gJCfX3Y6xJqZlAROyzYryKsJJIyuMskMZtGQ5rrwM5Zoh3aHzrM0RJvjucw/s1600/IMG_3617.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vNG5eg9rZSDDEL-EoaF6SVBoBmvUT9aA3NGWsKd-CJOeELVMLPTlPPqAW8m4HLm_1fy1TbUwFwA61W_5gJCfX3Y6xJqZlAROyzYryKsJJIyuMskMZtGQ5rrwM5Zoh3aHzrM0RJvjucw/s640/IMG_3617.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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After completing Ann's quilt, I was a bit pushed for time to get this one done,</div>
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<i>and </i>this one finished a bit bigger, at 72"x64" (hard to feed through my machine),</div>
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both good reasons to hire a professional quilter to save my bacon!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WF4RIPB4g8KNLlA6Qe37kg6H_WizBlr-_ZG4HPu41gx8rI8Y-9wUN7zY2JgcwyYLFyAtYtVUZ6O1ndHYUuozfY_dSZhXh1Bi07spHGhtQk55RtUlVH8dh8WjcoUPWI82cBiC-UCMZzc/s1600/IMG_3618.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WF4RIPB4g8KNLlA6Qe37kg6H_WizBlr-_ZG4HPu41gx8rI8Y-9wUN7zY2JgcwyYLFyAtYtVUZ6O1ndHYUuozfY_dSZhXh1Bi07spHGhtQk55RtUlVH8dh8WjcoUPWI82cBiC-UCMZzc/s640/IMG_3618.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/traceydavenfish/" target="_blank">Tracey Fisher</a> did an amazing job,</div>
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squeezing this "little" quilt in between bigger projects.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXqZ1DuP-o2k78GNtnUv7TYA4sZQM9juGcLRexwFKfa8bUY8XTjlKQxYukeLudeqvWBixKQeb3WSGPccyk-1LrYEedbqObwh3FCeAcBHTv8Ybzqf8PBbIXPkkoej8ifRy_ge8VtciccQ/s1600/IMG_3620.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXqZ1DuP-o2k78GNtnUv7TYA4sZQM9juGcLRexwFKfa8bUY8XTjlKQxYukeLudeqvWBixKQeb3WSGPccyk-1LrYEedbqObwh3FCeAcBHTv8Ybzqf8PBbIXPkkoej8ifRy_ge8VtciccQ/s640/IMG_3620.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As with Ann's, I was determined to use what I had,</div>
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and I love how this back came together.</div>
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I look at it and see the tropical ocean, the clear blue sky, and bright sunshine :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcn1E-5lEbDS4CObXfEuJERq6MS4z-ZPWBfu_51zUD4-v-JgzazSQgiDEm-m7URolv5KYNC1xlymzpSHGx_-8SssJrE05LLj8hS8LAVw-Wr3vwS75KQKrQWyo7DaEh2kCsMGRhhqRPmE/s1600/IMG_3636.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcn1E-5lEbDS4CObXfEuJERq6MS4z-ZPWBfu_51zUD4-v-JgzazSQgiDEm-m7URolv5KYNC1xlymzpSHGx_-8SssJrE05LLj8hS8LAVw-Wr3vwS75KQKrQWyo7DaEh2kCsMGRhhqRPmE/s640/IMG_3636.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It looked <i>awfully at home</i> there, on my couch!</div>
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But it made it into my suitcase, into Joanna's arms,</div>
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and right out onto her front porch,</div>
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where I had imagined it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRkj8mvgDJ7oBJ5OFkNUg8-ymGrRtkmqlmqNmZoODxAM8H8mIWjBCKmmSI95MJnKGMYQPrJm3Boc_tGYcP8iED0HdUtKsc8U89ppPijOF1zL-qBZzTQcCtW422JhpXryUjzWJHB1gWKs/s1600/IMG_4145.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRkj8mvgDJ7oBJ5OFkNUg8-ymGrRtkmqlmqNmZoODxAM8H8mIWjBCKmmSI95MJnKGMYQPrJm3Boc_tGYcP8iED0HdUtKsc8U89ppPijOF1zL-qBZzTQcCtW422JhpXryUjzWJHB1gWKs/s640/IMG_4145.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-88300872277025264952018-12-12T09:05:00.002-08:002018-12-12T11:11:56.844-08:00Autumn at the Pond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Better late than never???</div>
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Something about the cooler weather of fall puts me in the mood to sew!</div>
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And I had the perfect justification (as if I needed one), with my upcoming trip to Arkansas on the calendar.</div>
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Two gracious and lovely ladies were waiting to host me,</div>
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and I wanted to return thanks with a little gift for each of them.</div>
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My friend <a href="http://www.thehibbardfamily.com/" target="_blank">Ann</a> has a cozy home near Little Rock,</div>
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and I could just picture her with a cup of choffey, her Bible, and a lap quilt...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOyQdYqfUyalZ5GvLKCCm-1svAcZPziB88UIhE1sDzGhCtZ_Bn9Jm2zOEQBWtzZftpt7_12T9h6hX74t9oioJHSd_kc-VUki2wDpAycegwwlzADyJ3cnKQQBD3nVO1sBaULvtognIACg/s1600/IMG_3607.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOyQdYqfUyalZ5GvLKCCm-1svAcZPziB88UIhE1sDzGhCtZ_Bn9Jm2zOEQBWtzZftpt7_12T9h6hX74t9oioJHSd_kc-VUki2wDpAycegwwlzADyJ3cnKQQBD3nVO1sBaULvtognIACg/s640/IMG_3607.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I call this one</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Autumn at the Pond</i></span></div>
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because that's what the colors bring to mind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl3_KiDzUbDz7U-rGra3w050N7K4zFblasG_92sU7oVnelgKWE3aZhMcyF_6EGj_6Dvit3DR_bPgiwIu6Cg9M0BM02e9SPH3psCQ6C4J7wnpT70nQ2hFhVnoYOxw-I2kU4UOSrfbMf4Q/s1600/IMG_3626.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl3_KiDzUbDz7U-rGra3w050N7K4zFblasG_92sU7oVnelgKWE3aZhMcyF_6EGj_6Dvit3DR_bPgiwIu6Cg9M0BM02e9SPH3psCQ6C4J7wnpT70nQ2hFhVnoYOxw-I2kU4UOSrfbMf4Q/s640/IMG_3626.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I was determined to <i>use what I had</i>,</div>
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and I had plenty :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MNmvAY1LVCaVOoJz2iVceR2wi9WOBAY-By9ZLp_rYa3UFpOB715sObxyozUA2rGUvgBQbPo0cxE4MHEdk6F53p3IX-fsJI1MQEROtqS6KRGzwd37Rzne3c-hu-6WF3fKStW4QxAi8Ds/s1600/IMG_3628.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MNmvAY1LVCaVOoJz2iVceR2wi9WOBAY-By9ZLp_rYa3UFpOB715sObxyozUA2rGUvgBQbPo0cxE4MHEdk6F53p3IX-fsJI1MQEROtqS6KRGzwd37Rzne3c-hu-6WF3fKStW4QxAi8Ds/s640/IMG_3628.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've been inspired by other Log Cabin quilts I've seen that are very</div>
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non-traditional Log Cabin,</div>
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ie not lights and darks,</div>
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but an unplanned mixture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8gAC6z7xL1MhOdg8U8QeXc20myukfPwa1nqkooUyaK7rA1DQAHrxCHQ1v7ejT7Awvg01PuHP8FPMSsXSkmu4N5Sn4b1M1sJ96OveTqjH8shCrmoZwCt5iNNHo4XpOXDvXh7Bl5yK9d4/s1600/IMG_3629.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8gAC6z7xL1MhOdg8U8QeXc20myukfPwa1nqkooUyaK7rA1DQAHrxCHQ1v7ejT7Awvg01PuHP8FPMSsXSkmu4N5Sn4b1M1sJ96OveTqjH8shCrmoZwCt5iNNHo4XpOXDvXh7Bl5yK9d4/s640/IMG_3629.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like mixing fabrics that may not seem to go together,</div>
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but somehow it all works.</div>
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Like that bubbly teal with the more traditional looking leaf print.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCis_JjfcwSjJBMqRgqXL2cjmMxi-OO9XwUvmfGkcl9Lj3txp2MhsoeALGyxNFsZNX6URNJ62qeD6s7ReMW2cUPpxInv1TVSdjWN1srsrQqE_b5zzUKkxIWMOLAFuElMIYnT2TX_Gz0t4/s1600/IMG_3634.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCis_JjfcwSjJBMqRgqXL2cjmMxi-OO9XwUvmfGkcl9Lj3txp2MhsoeALGyxNFsZNX6URNJ62qeD6s7ReMW2cUPpxInv1TVSdjWN1srsrQqE_b5zzUKkxIWMOLAFuElMIYnT2TX_Gz0t4/s640/IMG_3634.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the backing, I used a large printed piece from Myanmar,</div>
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and a good-sized piece of gold leftover from making <a href="https://herdinggrasshoppers.blogspot.com/2018/04/grasshopper-days.html" target="_blank">this tree skirt</a>.</div>
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This quilt finished at 56" x 70".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2npVdpzAEjvmBg0Vzdzkjytz3vuVz4HxmMhXZpeBtgSVv8Gc6mrNYXik_w2YM8nUnA0NwThuSt0BH8aF4dYbmzgFrwlMM0EhOs4LA4Z_zI93q6UaDzSk_pKTQfHtiziH_sA7k2wOVKpA/s1600/IMG_3609.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2npVdpzAEjvmBg0Vzdzkjytz3vuVz4HxmMhXZpeBtgSVv8Gc6mrNYXik_w2YM8nUnA0NwThuSt0BH8aF4dYbmzgFrwlMM0EhOs4LA4Z_zI93q6UaDzSk_pKTQfHtiziH_sA7k2wOVKpA/s640/IMG_3609.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Got it!</div>
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<br />Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-7664538584180607152018-11-19T17:05:00.000-08:002018-11-19T17:05:38.157-08:00Mt. Nebo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've admired Aaron and Joanna's photos</div>
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and family/couple adventures to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Nebo_(Arkansas)" target="_blank">Mt. Nebo</a> on their blog,</div>
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but had assumed it was too far distant</div>
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to be practical to visit as a day-trip.</div>
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Clearly, Arkansas geography is not my strong suit ;D</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBc2KhynZSiuZddvBDq2UO9LW5i5OqXe0RcXBmJKJsMkatB3K34HMfZT1ZqAwJ-nzHZUF1y8ik6esIag2nMKPq4LdiiaNCk01b35imb69NZ1LFcGKpSfFiiy4SpkLVEvGwWWBSSpN7o3I/s1600/IMG_3929.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBc2KhynZSiuZddvBDq2UO9LW5i5OqXe0RcXBmJKJsMkatB3K34HMfZT1ZqAwJ-nzHZUF1y8ik6esIag2nMKPq4LdiiaNCk01b35imb69NZ1LFcGKpSfFiiy4SpkLVEvGwWWBSSpN7o3I/s640/IMG_3929.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, those aren't green tornado clouds... just the view through the windshield!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
And how glad I was to be wrong!</div>
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This state park was developed in the 1930s by the<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_Conservation_Corps" target="_blank"> Civilian Conservation Corp</a>,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which means beautiful rustic buildings :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HToWv3tyNd-wYfs4n2SsTJNSon4XSNL5Gilg6gXTt1T2ZU-EuRolod0aTUXQSfjFUgdvcTWDLNwXygdvwS7XzdfTsNIfQwIMPKGxHGFZGeg_FQllZ-qYVit-nAiQUMSFqO-pvLxxhdI/s1600/IMG_3945.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HToWv3tyNd-wYfs4n2SsTJNSon4XSNL5Gilg6gXTt1T2ZU-EuRolod0aTUXQSfjFUgdvcTWDLNwXygdvwS7XzdfTsNIfQwIMPKGxHGFZGeg_FQllZ-qYVit-nAiQUMSFqO-pvLxxhdI/s640/IMG_3945.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mt. Nebo is a lot like a mesa out west - steep sides, and flat-ish on top -</div>
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which means gorgeous views!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlatbyz6bqruLNJANOreOC7qsKfHiWWHWFSwtvkZIpBDwsbmRRL4aLqBY1yas84QGTZp6Vrpv4Z21Ic-6Kzws8qPkThDtWjI4OVDApTKmbpEOQ4d_YRqp3L-pShsIxdTI63olTRYq510Q/s1600/IMG_3951.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlatbyz6bqruLNJANOreOC7qsKfHiWWHWFSwtvkZIpBDwsbmRRL4aLqBY1yas84QGTZp6Vrpv4Z21Ic-6Kzws8qPkThDtWjI4OVDApTKmbpEOQ4d_YRqp3L-pShsIxdTI63olTRYq510Q/s640/IMG_3951.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It also means that most of the hikes start at the top,</div>
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drop down, and then go back up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9dcjTsbdFsWvLd6hPJpabT1kGDD2a8XcIYdVdv4FPVsyme5BrJwwVgGX-xmWnXQZHY7hOJvLfbn9gPfvxWZG0MQVZTWHAmH_kV4uzG4C17y1LAGCLO9WPFcg1WGziT7jSDlAo97SsVw/s1600/IMG_3956.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9dcjTsbdFsWvLd6hPJpabT1kGDD2a8XcIYdVdv4FPVsyme5BrJwwVgGX-xmWnXQZHY7hOJvLfbn9gPfvxWZG0MQVZTWHAmH_kV4uzG4C17y1LAGCLO9WPFcg1WGziT7jSDlAo97SsVw/s640/IMG_3956.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We followed a path familiar to the Choates,</div>
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to see a waterfall,</div>
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with more water in it than they're used to seeing there.</div>
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What a breathtakingly gorgeous day!</div>
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The only thing that could top</div>
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the weather and the amazing fall colors,</div>
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was the warm company of my friends :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pAfFmq79mB72EVI6tUttycZSk0Sm8R94rBSMV9cxzjd9UEYTS5zaivJzM6ZsyR6C7UXmZdtuZAcXS_-lU-svUJzme8Tq3gMDsK1YSuIR_qdccXjmP5T129ct4hd12TNjvmtPcPoFUPc/s1600/IMG_3969.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pAfFmq79mB72EVI6tUttycZSk0Sm8R94rBSMV9cxzjd9UEYTS5zaivJzM6ZsyR6C7UXmZdtuZAcXS_-lU-svUJzme8Tq3gMDsK1YSuIR_qdccXjmP5T129ct4hd12TNjvmtPcPoFUPc/s640/IMG_3969.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Arkansas is beautiful in a completely different way than my home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0yKvXAkoM5kgSqRwtz7Ro1ZgAXX4q9r9PBsLEq4m_D05A9N4XOCLAdUbg57REtuhF0umJMP5pkJubf_qBSW98JtyBN1Jye926MMrHg-vax5EUE8G5elhHW_WphdNg_TcEJKvFE0H08s/s1600/IMG_3970.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0yKvXAkoM5kgSqRwtz7Ro1ZgAXX4q9r9PBsLEq4m_D05A9N4XOCLAdUbg57REtuhF0umJMP5pkJubf_qBSW98JtyBN1Jye926MMrHg-vax5EUE8G5elhHW_WphdNg_TcEJKvFE0H08s/s640/IMG_3970.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our trail led to the falls... and behind them!</div>
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Arkansas... I'm lichen it ;D</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Below the top of Mt. Nebo, a "bench" circles the mountain.</div>
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Due to the geography/geology of the rock layers,</div>
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there are (were?) many natural springs along the bench.</div>
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Yes, yes, it really was that gorgeous.</div>
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After descending to "the bench" via the waterfall,</div>
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we circled north to Fern Lake and headed back uphill.</div>
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The beauty and views were totally worth it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBNk3RnS-xoqSJ3TlcrKuUz5qgIN0EoXB27HeMTOJC5e1OsYbU8YcCwP5UL28M1DCi44NDkEAv1Edutm2vlQA85ewqhwKIpbkcYBcZdGJvOAbrZ82nLfDliXffNH0HI3v-pOZ_7KWcp8/s1600/IMG_4048.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBNk3RnS-xoqSJ3TlcrKuUz5qgIN0EoXB27HeMTOJC5e1OsYbU8YcCwP5UL28M1DCi44NDkEAv1Edutm2vlQA85ewqhwKIpbkcYBcZdGJvOAbrZ82nLfDliXffNH0HI3v-pOZ_7KWcp8/s640/IMG_4048.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The Choates had timed our adventures just right to get back up to the top</div>
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(and the van) just in time for a sunset picnic.</div>
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What you CAN'T see is the significant temperature drop!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5A53kZyiFYp0IuBX6RLRl3lQkVZAC0ZsKcts-NPhxPhzmIfDrcc_5vD5dHML481BEBKnhqtze-41fPPxxGjg6MToZf6ZEHFanleSvuG0Xxj9fc4-Ik-sgoEErcRXDwlL0RpCZHLXK84/s1600/IMG_4096.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5A53kZyiFYp0IuBX6RLRl3lQkVZAC0ZsKcts-NPhxPhzmIfDrcc_5vD5dHML481BEBKnhqtze-41fPPxxGjg6MToZf6ZEHFanleSvuG0Xxj9fc4-Ik-sgoEErcRXDwlL0RpCZHLXK84/s640/IMG_4096.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Or the delicious <a href="https://wholehogconway.com/" target="_blank">Whole Hog</a> barbecue dinner!</div>
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(For the record, of their seven sauces,</div>
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I'm a huge fan of number five!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Around the perimeter of the rim you'll find cabins and houses for rent.</div>
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Love love love these rustic ones, built by the CCC.</div>
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*Happy Sigh*</div>
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You know I want to go back, and stay in one of these!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeS9Rjzu1J6aEbTI3W9CIA4c7qnEJPpP7iK53Bt56W0UnyBqT3nyPoYdeWpZlB2Y4HdH2sKcm5ZKQGm2hTOFpj0xM9dlEyOVsNNhlA7snCWn7ost1ppq2dNupvkXwzuridQVT35DDdVc/s1600/IMG_4111.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeS9Rjzu1J6aEbTI3W9CIA4c7qnEJPpP7iK53Bt56W0UnyBqT3nyPoYdeWpZlB2Y4HdH2sKcm5ZKQGm2hTOFpj0xM9dlEyOVsNNhlA7snCWn7ost1ppq2dNupvkXwzuridQVT35DDdVc/s640/IMG_4111.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just time for a quick potty-break before driving back to Conway...</div>
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and the girls were warming their cold hands under the heat vent!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDULiqCkczeGMnhfOZl4jNLk0Dc-nDrCr0QBmzYlP5xZOptsLpL975su3aYe8WU9rzsLv4Lra3qn7Lh9R9F5V0R6uNEN0RlcvniwxmQPgUSDFSXr1K66Wd2fLQ-74WErIPi6zVv0-3UE/s1600/IMG_4113.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDULiqCkczeGMnhfOZl4jNLk0Dc-nDrCr0QBmzYlP5xZOptsLpL975su3aYe8WU9rzsLv4Lra3qn7Lh9R9F5V0R6uNEN0RlcvniwxmQPgUSDFSXr1K66Wd2fLQ-74WErIPi6zVv0-3UE/s640/IMG_4113.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And goodnight!</div>
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<br />Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-78661839085490450292018-11-14T12:46:00.003-08:002018-11-14T12:47:44.737-08:00And on Saturday...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We met up at <a href="https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-old-mill-little-rock-2211785" target="_blank">Pugh's Old Mill </a>- a north Little Rock park.</div>
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True confession: I've never seen <i>Gone With The Wind</i>,</div>
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but evidently this park is famous for being featured in the movie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mvU_8tTawehRuAWSV2BECaP_YY9Ge0dq5GwhDiB0ItID57E6wPdPjd8Llh8ysk_dUaCFzts6KImlUUJdxdqWM3K2jtcRBKccCfdXOE9_zA1KYjTPS1gVx5u4ou2Org67U5zRGCAURhI/s1600/IMG_3873.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mvU_8tTawehRuAWSV2BECaP_YY9Ge0dq5GwhDiB0ItID57E6wPdPjd8Llh8ysk_dUaCFzts6KImlUUJdxdqWM3K2jtcRBKccCfdXOE9_zA1KYjTPS1gVx5u4ou2Org67U5zRGCAURhI/s640/IMG_3873.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The park is in a beautiful setting,</div>
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though it's not as old as it looks.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Most of the wood and the</div>
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ancient-looking vines and roots (like the bridge above)</div>
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are... concrete.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZZo3DruMtyGMhmaQU4AQeW6SdqdEljOA83Bv4Nh_IUYEfV4rDGehENu0mXgxMpPeZXlJr2UZgERVVkCAldMVGGb58tWRC9hzJzkeNL8z43c7B3jInLFGf6fE4iAwLhB77zhCkbvs-oU/s1600/IMG_3888.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZZo3DruMtyGMhmaQU4AQeW6SdqdEljOA83Bv4Nh_IUYEfV4rDGehENu0mXgxMpPeZXlJr2UZgERVVkCAldMVGGb58tWRC9hzJzkeNL8z43c7B3jInLFGf6fE4iAwLhB77zhCkbvs-oU/s640/IMG_3888.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still, it's truly a beautiful place,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and obviously well-loved.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
MANY people were enjoying the park and the mild weather</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on a Saturday afternoon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the brief time we were there, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we saw a wedding and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what must have been a quinceanera,</div>
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complete with a Disney-princess-worthy (ie <i>huge</i>) dress</div>
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that required help to maneuver through the park!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My visit to Arkansas was really much more about <i>people</i> than sight-seeing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and we three mamas got some valuable time sitting and talking</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while the kids roamed around.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It sure didn't feel like November to me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Tk-HYI4bHAv-FTYwnmICXnjYd8hsPaPjuXOZuwHZAVnmFQ-L9ytOAgKIk4clUxqiA0hHyQzTvRJnxlR8VQ4KhF-MJZdqS8B5Lrvuze4uJIRHocj_BEqwZ-Wia8bHVdq40a63rEw-rM0/s1600/IMG_3915.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Tk-HYI4bHAv-FTYwnmICXnjYd8hsPaPjuXOZuwHZAVnmFQ-L9ytOAgKIk4clUxqiA0hHyQzTvRJnxlR8VQ4KhF-MJZdqS8B5Lrvuze4uJIRHocj_BEqwZ-Wia8bHVdq40a63rEw-rM0/s640/IMG_3915.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think that's Lantana above,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Elephant Ear below. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I should've gotten one of the kids in the photo...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was huge!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were missing Sarah and Benjamin,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but the rest of the kids enjoyed time together :D</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcFG4qX-R4Jhfl5SKQ7ps_RYDquIf2OSdpnRJ9fqfZnItQPMtMZOmeF4A1ux_YrOUgH2dlnR9hndEE9c1_IitIgQG7ARh86Z0SPDaI8ZYdhp66zx7jDxyGSrOmzdHfEtjz6DDYfK4TdY/s1600/IMG_3920.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcFG4qX-R4Jhfl5SKQ7ps_RYDquIf2OSdpnRJ9fqfZnItQPMtMZOmeF4A1ux_YrOUgH2dlnR9hndEE9c1_IitIgQG7ARh86Z0SPDaI8ZYdhp66zx7jDxyGSrOmzdHfEtjz6DDYfK4TdY/s640/IMG_3920.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-62997957964641969642018-11-13T16:22:00.000-08:002018-11-14T12:47:52.501-08:00I Had No Idea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had no idea that Arkansas had two Japanese Internment Camps during WWII.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The camps - in Jerome and Rowher - have been dismantled,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but we visited the museum -</div>
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good for these homeschooling families, and interesting to me as well.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ450zz1gthRAVS042Hsi9bB1QL5-g9huobvqbaugvKFyaXotGHY1Iy1m5v7WEizCIfM6xP17pApS5udvIwRlfM_1BPrLTLAL3IuK4NPDbCXCVLUV_NlTIgHGJVqn21xMn2vwvYplUAOQ/s1600/IMG_3765.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ450zz1gthRAVS042Hsi9bB1QL5-g9huobvqbaugvKFyaXotGHY1Iy1m5v7WEizCIfM6xP17pApS5udvIwRlfM_1BPrLTLAL3IuK4NPDbCXCVLUV_NlTIgHGJVqn21xMn2vwvYplUAOQ/s640/IMG_3765.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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First things first - </div>
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a picnic lunch on the museum grounds,</div>
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formerly the train depot in McGehee.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivg1wH7Mz64yAd58J7qT7iwB2cuvBUi5STXQdP33Y4UCpZBc4u1Wsn8Mhvw6UmTFrYmsJjWmOyFMyAkzTEWPcjUQJkh6ycANlLec3W0WjDtdjGnNWTZjHoc0_yOBrpLoLt19gX5W9PgJ4/s1600/IMG_3771.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivg1wH7Mz64yAd58J7qT7iwB2cuvBUi5STXQdP33Y4UCpZBc4u1Wsn8Mhvw6UmTFrYmsJjWmOyFMyAkzTEWPcjUQJkh6ycANlLec3W0WjDtdjGnNWTZjHoc0_yOBrpLoLt19gX5W9PgJ4/s640/IMG_3771.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took a lot of photos of photos in the museum,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but am just highlighting a couple of things here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First, the exclusion area: about half of Washington, Oregon, and Arizona,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and ALL of California.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All Japanese, and most were citizens - naturalized or born here - were evacuated from these areas, and moved to the camps - marked by triangles on the map.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gSVfVztFAOsFxz10L97VGP-upgV2bE3KCwZivKQH1dAwzY9D6vKLij8Pi1SGvWjHSF5MBRbnsPnVwMZExHwqX6LKBazWgR7wwGhN47VD5RO9WmrD_UGEfrUThABS2yHfRtksQyWpXEs/s1600/IMG_3777.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gSVfVztFAOsFxz10L97VGP-upgV2bE3KCwZivKQH1dAwzY9D6vKLij8Pi1SGvWjHSF5MBRbnsPnVwMZExHwqX6LKBazWgR7wwGhN47VD5RO9WmrD_UGEfrUThABS2yHfRtksQyWpXEs/s640/IMG_3777.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each of the two camps in Arkansas held between 8-9000 Japanese.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9Bnjkrs9MpGi4cicQZUVWLYwHnKi4wI5krD0wcyXNiJ2nkRiiIjwZq9TdWsFTFL6ZWaamKPUCKlTGRUKa3gZLe23XJIZ4abG_Fx1qsekUwya3Nxp3j0iM4714ua4DJEqhthtd3Wpjcg/s1600/IMG_3781.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9Bnjkrs9MpGi4cicQZUVWLYwHnKi4wI5krD0wcyXNiJ2nkRiiIjwZq9TdWsFTFL6ZWaamKPUCKlTGRUKa3gZLe23XJIZ4abG_Fx1qsekUwya3Nxp3j0iM4714ua4DJEqhthtd3Wpjcg/s640/IMG_3781.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTrIzpm6uPRMke3ycWiWS9P5Rl_Nh5KqmN4uEFyAhScfpZwXReaJQE_UJxCLSNN3WC-X3jFgnMGjqYpywHbU4IPjdmmdHyk3U4ESF_ALmfYydpgW8f85WCkrMHZwK2SqeiiZJRtgdYxA/s1600/IMG_3787.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTrIzpm6uPRMke3ycWiWS9P5Rl_Nh5KqmN4uEFyAhScfpZwXReaJQE_UJxCLSNN3WC-X3jFgnMGjqYpywHbU4IPjdmmdHyk3U4ESF_ALmfYydpgW8f85WCkrMHZwK2SqeiiZJRtgdYxA/s640/IMG_3787.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
As if the internment camps weren't bad enough, the poverty and racism prevalent in rural Arkansas created resentment from the local Arkansans toward the inhabitants of the camps.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While the camps were a huge step down in standard-of-living</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the Japanese inhabitants,</div>
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they were envied by their rural neighbors.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're interested in learning more you can watch a documentary,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://archive.org/details/TimeOfFear#" target="_blank"><i>T</i><i>ime of Fear.</i></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We followed up by visiting the Rowher Relocation Center Memorial,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a cemetery that was just outside the fences of the camp.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-sI0JqFCzppi20D3QtUsleT-rKPT_vpmL96TzW4B4NgsqD803rSL0WTtKDs3JdObOLNae_CjYZzNox-qEswdK5-mTp9MNUxQOoVv24sHfFI9Zl-1cjz5ypmS06iBNL5VhGydtYzno34/s1600/IMG_3804.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-sI0JqFCzppi20D3QtUsleT-rKPT_vpmL96TzW4B4NgsqD803rSL0WTtKDs3JdObOLNae_CjYZzNox-qEswdK5-mTp9MNUxQOoVv24sHfFI9Zl-1cjz5ypmS06iBNL5VhGydtYzno34/s640/IMG_3804.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4E1s7l6GWQUNvF0N_hYkuUtJ74hQ7RVyrhUYltQpcnK_ZkgdvkCfnmRj_6O2N4j_h5wK96sqe-WYh0OLqTw4RTZsjlQU3yFfWCgIEeCVeytM6ngSECbH3YoL5TB7FdLZm7WoA3Qsa6A/s1600/IMG_3805.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4E1s7l6GWQUNvF0N_hYkuUtJ74hQ7RVyrhUYltQpcnK_ZkgdvkCfnmRj_6O2N4j_h5wK96sqe-WYh0OLqTw4RTZsjlQU3yFfWCgIEeCVeytM6ngSECbH3YoL5TB7FdLZm7WoA3Qsa6A/s640/IMG_3805.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The chimney about a mile-plus distant</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is the only structure remaining from the camp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(It doesn't have the ominous implications of chimneys in Nazi prison camps,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this chimney is from the camp hospital's incinerator.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But realize that the camp FILLED the space between the cemetery and the chimney...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD8CfHQBirmJ5iZR0a0S_JsKdTk7FD7YalaNGpNk8lTfMSW11o7TW1DuttYyl5_iLWxgNVD1lBYEMRD4uGFJYJh3ZSOVwFE87_sOwtAkvkNLi72LQI0pG6fMcEAWWuFnGoyRZszu1dsQ/s1600/IMG_3812.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD8CfHQBirmJ5iZR0a0S_JsKdTk7FD7YalaNGpNk8lTfMSW11o7TW1DuttYyl5_iLWxgNVD1lBYEMRD4uGFJYJh3ZSOVwFE87_sOwtAkvkNLi72LQI0pG6fMcEAWWuFnGoyRZszu1dsQ/s640/IMG_3812.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heading back north, we were too late to see the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkansas_Post" target="_blank">Arkansas Post Museum</a>,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the site of the first European settlement in the lower Mississippi,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but pulled off to see...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a bayou!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJftNrlPuFcEszIDl2bafkSZjD5DM4Cr5uqU2qPAaME7Z9VqKhXKmBNtsajxeTf9_wOuELgW9GXtNanPvmvmD_f0BV3dxGGoSwC4LPYPemUeISV88Po-wlC9Ce2Xzb1LjBw5_G37oKIuw/s1600/IMG_3835.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJftNrlPuFcEszIDl2bafkSZjD5DM4Cr5uqU2qPAaME7Z9VqKhXKmBNtsajxeTf9_wOuELgW9GXtNanPvmvmD_f0BV3dxGGoSwC4LPYPemUeISV88Po-wlC9Ce2Xzb1LjBw5_G37oKIuw/s640/IMG_3835.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Specifically, the Moore Bayou Recreation Area.</div>
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I was glad to hear that the weather was too cold for crocodiles (or was it alligators?)</div>
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so we just enjoyed the beauty ;D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3NP-KTiSAiM6lkC_MR8WmtFI8Zv4Ay9ntWtLlZxinY-dU8SdIlrwGqkL4ZU4vSxj1jZtdokZ5RtYGJpld2wCIpeX3ZsAqPiD8bTNVgdlN1gdgxfb-Nmnj2u3-gg20tWPJ4gx9Tb9TJs/s1600/IMG_3844.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3NP-KTiSAiM6lkC_MR8WmtFI8Zv4Ay9ntWtLlZxinY-dU8SdIlrwGqkL4ZU4vSxj1jZtdokZ5RtYGJpld2wCIpeX3ZsAqPiD8bTNVgdlN1gdgxfb-Nmnj2u3-gg20tWPJ4gx9Tb9TJs/s640/IMG_3844.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Since our day was turning into a longer adventure than we had planned on,</div>
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we stopped for a REAL cultural Arkansas experience -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
dinner at The Bull Pen, in DeWitt.</div>
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If you have facebook, you can <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Bull-Pen-1473441602902606/" target="_blank">check out their menu.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Hint: <i>most things are deep fried</i>.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Katherine met a new friend ;D</div>
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The bbq/smoked meats were fabulous.</div>
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Good shrimp, too.</div>
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I loved the hush puppies.</div>
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I tried okra.</div>
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And do you recognize what's on top of my plate?</div>
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<br /></div>
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It's not chicken.</div>
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That's a frog leg.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Aaron and Joanna were having a good time!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We all were :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZt83HqXJRfuDKqAWn2YLlFyOijtI8S__ozBjPcb5SjEPdK4bzOsKSEWumavxbVnxjsBAB1xzQrrwdDUzBrkYyVAq4s-WRugobQALDIDye8nRaI4f1W4FB0Q_9yuon6cWrph33R0E5iw/s1600/IMG_3864.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZt83HqXJRfuDKqAWn2YLlFyOijtI8S__ozBjPcb5SjEPdK4bzOsKSEWumavxbVnxjsBAB1xzQrrwdDUzBrkYyVAq4s-WRugobQALDIDye8nRaI4f1W4FB0Q_9yuon6cWrph33R0E5iw/s640/IMG_3864.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh how I love these ladies! That's Joanna in pink, and Ann in black :D</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
As if the day wasn't memorable enough,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as we were driving back toward Little Rock</div>
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the sky LIT UP...</div>
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we saw the meteor/fireball.</div>
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Too quick for a photo, but looooong for a meteor!</div>
Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-38544042413795248882018-11-12T17:18:00.000-08:002018-11-14T12:47:17.133-08:00Arkansas Soul Food, Take Two<div style="text-align: center;">
*Tap Tap*</div>
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<br /></div>
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Anybody here? </div>
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<br /></div>
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Even if no one's reading, this is for me - my memories :D</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You see, I have these bloggy friends that became IRL friends,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that live halfway (or more) across the country.</div>
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And it was time for a visit.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And fortunately they're the kind of friends that say "yes"</div>
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when I invite myself to their neck of the woods and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
throw myself upon their hospitality!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And I have the kind of husband that says "yes"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when I would prefer to fly out of Bellingham</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
rather than Seattle or Vancouver :D</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi9vIun0NjN0ZRMaXGbin7s12q5G30WOB7HhFUV9VsRByuvrdqigPGzImCNBOZzsUtOUWez4q9ZVk7vhoTksJfCvhMcvN_F5cN7bfMDOr0SoqjQe6xMaHIT7uDoml9TKLICcqLbT-um0/s1600/IMG_3730.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi9vIun0NjN0ZRMaXGbin7s12q5G30WOB7HhFUV9VsRByuvrdqigPGzImCNBOZzsUtOUWez4q9ZVk7vhoTksJfCvhMcvN_F5cN7bfMDOr0SoqjQe6xMaHIT7uDoml9TKLICcqLbT-um0/s640/IMG_3730.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't mind the early morning rain,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because it's better than early morning fog</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that prevents planes from taking off!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRIUUmB5VJvlQIrGIO71quHouTJwSK6gUdaye9bQNHcvDSC00aGft_ap_6BO74Vw5qMr_lDmFRnI6koxXEwIwEEij6cTeCKbgbkx8SbqEK4rwNxLt0Jy4-1pe6XZy4oy0eysrUnW41mA/s1600/IMG_3731.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRIUUmB5VJvlQIrGIO71quHouTJwSK6gUdaye9bQNHcvDSC00aGft_ap_6BO74Vw5qMr_lDmFRnI6koxXEwIwEEij6cTeCKbgbkx8SbqEK4rwNxLt0Jy4-1pe6XZy4oy0eysrUnW41mA/s640/IMG_3731.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I hopped to Seattle,</div>
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and then to Chicago...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... and then it should've been just a little hop down to Little Rock.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Except it wasn't.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While in Chicago both of my friends texted me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that they were under a tornado watch,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it was pretty stormy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And my supposed hour-and-a-half-ish flight</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
turned into a six hour rodeo!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We tried to land, really we did.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But that plane was all over the place.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Only time in my life I've felt like the seat belt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was really truly holding me into the seat!</div>
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Then the airport closed.</div>
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And we went to Memphis.</div>
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Finally got into Little Rock just after midnight.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I know, I know...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
isn't it a great photo?</div>
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But I was</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ON THE GROUND</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and happy about it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxJVovlYBF__BxqN2vo4spYUSO5s-6lSKcpFb1rnOD_3KngZRSCISeIR3NaizNQQbEBz364tyD6-_gBEI3ljIeCXr5-aCwygC4H1GF_tMhwqAeTwFEb0PRYMZrbyQwV5T69-TXieg7io/s1600/IMG_3746.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxJVovlYBF__BxqN2vo4spYUSO5s-6lSKcpFb1rnOD_3KngZRSCISeIR3NaizNQQbEBz364tyD6-_gBEI3ljIeCXr5-aCwygC4H1GF_tMhwqAeTwFEb0PRYMZrbyQwV5T69-TXieg7io/s640/IMG_3746.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And even happier to be met by Doug and Ann,</div>
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and settled into their home :D</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-17813726472105137522018-09-04T08:55:00.001-07:002018-09-04T08:55:22.146-07:00Scrappy Trip Around the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Quilters have been making "Trip Around The World" quilts forever.</div>
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I'm not a big fan.</div>
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But a Scrappy Trip Around The World?</div>
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And with a chapel baby expected in June?</div>
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Sign me up :D</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfx2VHQrQUitxzQdIejzmk3ZDb8SL3DuRLNVax8pLtvXm3oCSGOkzt2MknD0pcKKGzTlAK9kiFecFlK4hgFV6q9x3Fpy8BFA0Sh0QIuf0mXV2iCyTuDWIf2hEbhpXe_hj_PBI5PsKq0c/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfx2VHQrQUitxzQdIejzmk3ZDb8SL3DuRLNVax8pLtvXm3oCSGOkzt2MknD0pcKKGzTlAK9kiFecFlK4hgFV6q9x3Fpy8BFA0Sh0QIuf0mXV2iCyTuDWIf2hEbhpXe_hj_PBI5PsKq0c/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alexa didn't know the baby's gender,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but she assured me that blue is her favorite color.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mine too!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQogdeE7ELoFPrA2HvAXOyXJDm4A2_vGe2nG7pYFlnRimf0WMJkPbidGet0cPwvmPjMIJuhKyyKtjN6KQ1efannsagaA3GGr60BnZtKq8dB5IULWQJmi-5ALfdOmW-NCFk0sRGMavXpY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQogdeE7ELoFPrA2HvAXOyXJDm4A2_vGe2nG7pYFlnRimf0WMJkPbidGet0cPwvmPjMIJuhKyyKtjN6KQ1efannsagaA3GGr60BnZtKq8dB5IULWQJmi-5ALfdOmW-NCFk0sRGMavXpY/s640/2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And scraps... I have a'plenty, with a soft turquoise for the backing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9AVERDBEZv1byRmyn6o0WX2kmH6qKSYWgcLnZKiN0jWPOEWTBPEGSyEYOrmnF7HepykgjP_y0n1jCfkWijfhA0HTpisojctw46_i2gZm9qcAZJspobGYi8AF2EeBPpbo9bqrY8V60lE/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9AVERDBEZv1byRmyn6o0WX2kmH6qKSYWgcLnZKiN0jWPOEWTBPEGSyEYOrmnF7HepykgjP_y0n1jCfkWijfhA0HTpisojctw46_i2gZm9qcAZJspobGYi8AF2EeBPpbo9bqrY8V60lE/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used three different darker blues for the longest diagonals in each block,</div>
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to tie it all together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGipvUd1290l2Vq6Y258fhf3pw3TAIeLqbh5NWoULoluuZGCb9K0SpapuDKzQkcCg7FqCt23JyZ3PSDCkCcvBuZoChk1kNLsxSB1_ui7IX80XldQrR2UydtD62N5HXa9yvgz4VAng07Mw/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGipvUd1290l2Vq6Y258fhf3pw3TAIeLqbh5NWoULoluuZGCb9K0SpapuDKzQkcCg7FqCt23JyZ3PSDCkCcvBuZoChk1kNLsxSB1_ui7IX80XldQrR2UydtD62N5HXa9yvgz4VAng07Mw/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a few rogue squares that only appear once - a little eye-spy for me!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4mcvbNhL0PRGxuv-yw4WVuERgyEYdM8fkzRUIhzSbroSEDws5XAdGotvw24zBIm7NdoCAmIApSNoeVudqKwSOUv4IQkMYt8SHzVhvyjW3WrKnbvAtWC8ub44pT2VZd8a8nxAeb45ois/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4mcvbNhL0PRGxuv-yw4WVuERgyEYdM8fkzRUIhzSbroSEDws5XAdGotvw24zBIm7NdoCAmIApSNoeVudqKwSOUv4IQkMYt8SHzVhvyjW3WrKnbvAtWC8ub44pT2VZd8a8nxAeb45ois/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photos don't seem to capture the warmth</div>
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of the blues and turquoises adequately.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN-MkjC4E3cM5NKHwxIBotyy6D-GoYfHI1n2CblFY59Uf7oLj4yrDhG8VdPEILPD4GPjXLWCPVhXP2jKdKQqTlWh_NmvYw9nJBZQIFnVTExb4QofXTdWgPBiUVXtGNyYFqtzxU2xaTlA/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN-MkjC4E3cM5NKHwxIBotyy6D-GoYfHI1n2CblFY59Uf7oLj4yrDhG8VdPEILPD4GPjXLWCPVhXP2jKdKQqTlWh_NmvYw9nJBZQIFnVTExb4QofXTdWgPBiUVXtGNyYFqtzxU2xaTlA/s640/6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It's just a little quilt... for a little baby.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CeVmlaGO1jJeQ2jgG_jvOZuWkgFG5aqA8QoDmzq0rXqeBX4Rts7iA4RK8tIDaDuLGLnj2crx2m4-PgtFnF8SumIkNFuC1LPgyiivmDAjdbCvxWXNwGP9nr5mupPgbj95TdrhMDuxdBo/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CeVmlaGO1jJeQ2jgG_jvOZuWkgFG5aqA8QoDmzq0rXqeBX4Rts7iA4RK8tIDaDuLGLnj2crx2m4-PgtFnF8SumIkNFuC1LPgyiivmDAjdbCvxWXNwGP9nr5mupPgbj95TdrhMDuxdBo/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Maybe for the car or the stroller :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM1bDPCjCTywkg-WT_t0h29_113mPDeI5ZvGKQ_MKHCMyVXjj-F6HUWKLPquVkMcLoAnS9YiZpNxkf9LO_b06aWCwQ08S3lDR_0AxGj1U6QOJ43XKzbFbRepnBzBU5DGrf-IoU9CVPlI/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM1bDPCjCTywkg-WT_t0h29_113mPDeI5ZvGKQ_MKHCMyVXjj-F6HUWKLPquVkMcLoAnS9YiZpNxkf9LO_b06aWCwQ08S3lDR_0AxGj1U6QOJ43XKzbFbRepnBzBU5DGrf-IoU9CVPlI/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Alexa seems pleased.</div>
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And I added an Old Navy sleeper,</div>
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to remind this Canadian-American</div>
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of her American side ;D </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj497KqcQAjXdHt2KetsL0YE5-A6xF72c348DbiDPTvMoiQ1__99G2JO5hy0DXwSaVKWFSvDHMGIBNfyHtQGd-obVvTay3UQxiDE-EHzPvaYWRQMQxxj-tieZ6vreItpqa-oiUwHnWEdCQ/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj497KqcQAjXdHt2KetsL0YE5-A6xF72c348DbiDPTvMoiQ1__99G2JO5hy0DXwSaVKWFSvDHMGIBNfyHtQGd-obVvTay3UQxiDE-EHzPvaYWRQMQxxj-tieZ6vreItpqa-oiUwHnWEdCQ/s640/9.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-54890186710963705572018-09-03T15:17:00.000-07:002018-09-03T15:17:06.804-07:00Labor Day... Well, That Escalated Quickly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcn06XKt8Dajfp_qkXDxienUWcFc1WH0j2qu7AxwObpephDHrpyNiSL4FBODkmE-e6XYUDl4kfheMpfTqJKXL3wInK3NSKaBOeMxD3OQyFQqo8NXb4kNRMyNGbvaNz4SLtUgK4yVl5Xvg/s1600/IMG_2649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcn06XKt8Dajfp_qkXDxienUWcFc1WH0j2qu7AxwObpephDHrpyNiSL4FBODkmE-e6XYUDl4kfheMpfTqJKXL3wInK3NSKaBOeMxD3OQyFQqo8NXb4kNRMyNGbvaNz4SLtUgK4yVl5Xvg/s640/IMG_2649.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It's Labor Day.</div>
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That means it's September, and</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HOW DID THAT HAPPEN???</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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When I haven't been blogging here for so long</div>
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it feels awkward to start back up.</div>
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Do I try to fill in all the gaps?</div>
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No?</div>
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Maybe?</div>
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Just jumping in, for now...</div>
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I hope you're relaxing and enjoying your Labor Day weekend in proper style,</div>
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as ours appears to be <i>All About The Projects..</i></div>
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a weekend of LABOR.</div>
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Boys are doing laundry (see above)...</div>
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and cleaned their bathroom (no photos, but WHEW!)</div>
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In anticipation of the changing seasons and an end to line drying,</div>
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Kerry cleaned out the dryer vent...</div>
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<i>That ain't the half of it!</i></div>
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(Boy is that new leaf blower versatile!)</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvam1k-bXYybLUn2Zi57w0MayEC_0tOwxlqNk7OgaqLkZeHBzhFUc0uEcRDsHkIq-4uH_0LkfWWN9G02xIbYE0BcdVk7ZaWQ6KjtGCCtCVdvvNtNfsXMoSAqy_g-rBVO2GjvfSr5JI7Gn/s1600/IMG_2631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvam1k-bXYybLUn2Zi57w0MayEC_0tOwxlqNk7OgaqLkZeHBzhFUc0uEcRDsHkIq-4uH_0LkfWWN9G02xIbYE0BcdVk7ZaWQ6KjtGCCtCVdvvNtNfsXMoSAqy_g-rBVO2GjvfSr5JI7Gn/s640/IMG_2631.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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None of us felt like doing much in the hot, smoky weeks of August - ugh.</div>
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(Thanks B.C. wildfires...)</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OLARHb_K9FE-sL4jeDW-CAT9KS1AoygDnPK3x0uNyFXkooKwMtTLjKWLcJ3Ff15qV0qBs6UtvRM1dvF9kiwACnp36r9Z_pzXwKLpFOGRQKr93FSNkYj53-fz0YQ6c82sdL9vx9H2krs1/s1600/39906004_1926836954042102_6094073502237720576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OLARHb_K9FE-sL4jeDW-CAT9KS1AoygDnPK3x0uNyFXkooKwMtTLjKWLcJ3Ff15qV0qBs6UtvRM1dvF9kiwACnp36r9Z_pzXwKLpFOGRQKr93FSNkYj53-fz0YQ6c82sdL9vx9H2krs1/s640/39906004_1926836954042102_6094073502237720576_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The beautiful sunsets were no compensation for nasty air.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9zQZerhBKC7-EJ6HxwzQZ2M2t1y0DTZlp2trSm0v98nK_el8ohwNpFwrzH8081lJ24t5QJgDuojblm_yINwhem-zR9rY3PPd0ISZPrtaru8baWieATMguXugHyJu_tA7QZJJccjkKDad/s1600/IMG_2536.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9zQZerhBKC7-EJ6HxwzQZ2M2t1y0DTZlp2trSm0v98nK_el8ohwNpFwrzH8081lJ24t5QJgDuojblm_yINwhem-zR9rY3PPd0ISZPrtaru8baWieATMguXugHyJu_tA7QZJJccjkKDad/s640/IMG_2536.png" width="360" /></a></div>
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Isn't that view depressing?</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnqqDWwqyyorE9R8-88fiU3I_8cfYGWQrQZ-N83mO8gfwuUbBBO4rdUidqfn3VMT0gsu49cwspvgy-WwGY7pFEoK_c9oaccTby1nJRyWXcIaCn8Ukh2BYXkC7VtYwmrtRH_hnM55sYL6d/s1600/40135099_1937461712979626_7915838263712022528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnqqDWwqyyorE9R8-88fiU3I_8cfYGWQrQZ-N83mO8gfwuUbBBO4rdUidqfn3VMT0gsu49cwspvgy-WwGY7pFEoK_c9oaccTby1nJRyWXcIaCn8Ukh2BYXkC7VtYwmrtRH_hnM55sYL6d/s640/40135099_1937461712979626_7915838263712022528_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's more like it.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfM_PRwPLGdegB2hWzoozTh_BCsnV5LJ96k1sPtuehy5feXMENMlIJEJITiMeiLhDi-5_AHh8y4MsIhLc07e2h0Bxye9Sqsno7r9ZQhO0LplW-svNZMfeABXPa3_hVhCj2V5TdenaGyxJ/s1600/40322407_1937461762979621_5764152840616411136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfM_PRwPLGdegB2hWzoozTh_BCsnV5LJ96k1sPtuehy5feXMENMlIJEJITiMeiLhDi-5_AHh8y4MsIhLc07e2h0Bxye9Sqsno7r9ZQhO0LplW-svNZMfeABXPa3_hVhCj2V5TdenaGyxJ/s640/40322407_1937461762979621_5764152840616411136_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So with fresh air and renewed energy,</div>
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back to the projects...</div>
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Gunnar (and sometimes other boys)</div>
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have been digging out the crawl-space under the house.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's dusty.</span></div>
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Probably because the dirt down there hasn't seen rain since 1902.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYthEO3NEg5PmawwVjzDGva5Yl4VrZQaD1jzLu5rCvVwHbWIFxl3pehW81K-1N_y5XguoOf9gcDobhyphenhyphenmhXHXk7GxuyIHFLym6PYiWKLkReTRweGBQ_z3lh_DheIZ-ZrgJA9C2HeNHgdE4/s1600/39814280_1930252503700547_2497188904671641600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYthEO3NEg5PmawwVjzDGva5Yl4VrZQaD1jzLu5rCvVwHbWIFxl3pehW81K-1N_y5XguoOf9gcDobhyphenhyphenmhXHXk7GxuyIHFLym6PYiWKLkReTRweGBQ_z3lh_DheIZ-ZrgJA9C2HeNHgdE4/s640/39814280_1930252503700547_2497188904671641600_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Then on the outside...</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhika4O9lxr-_vbPGRV7zD0sVXKD_B7EbGRuC4m9c2JepXO1C994G3iNFw_K551W0wt1ClhKd_jkWTy3locWDYp0cb4iLgSzwsPyO1IMUIyiduaHBCcYHAcQd89d7mTK9FVdU58TmwZigYB/s1600/IMG_2623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhika4O9lxr-_vbPGRV7zD0sVXKD_B7EbGRuC4m9c2JepXO1C994G3iNFw_K551W0wt1ClhKd_jkWTy3locWDYp0cb4iLgSzwsPyO1IMUIyiduaHBCcYHAcQd89d7mTK9FVdU58TmwZigYB/s640/IMG_2623.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We've had brick piled in the driveway for a couple of years,</div>
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and I've been wanting a little retaining wall to separate the so-called flower beds from the lawn.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBHslxCS7bi_Nqbh-KAw_yoKEHg-tvzyxoY6PviElxdcc64crz1DEmgDn1gvInm1ydc910sBQSTj862BGRxizXP1Tj7wZ_b8BtFtWif1y5J85hy6XSVlETFr59fESoRRrY3zkkTFQRyyc/s1600/IMG_2624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBHslxCS7bi_Nqbh-KAw_yoKEHg-tvzyxoY6PviElxdcc64crz1DEmgDn1gvInm1ydc910sBQSTj862BGRxizXP1Tj7wZ_b8BtFtWif1y5J85hy6XSVlETFr59fESoRRrY3zkkTFQRyyc/s640/IMG_2624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And why do I refer to them as my "so-called flower beds"?</div>
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<br /></div>
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This is why.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuZ7h3MnpPpn2M9GJ-Vtoo0VmY8GIfmEUYSb0Fj5GKV_KFz3IFzeTMKn6QtcT28e6nkwR1XsoW_b05rmVHPWkRC_HhfwSMW_gKwJIm1tUdQAklrkto3l3jcw7vozSZWeF0pceHwKohm_s/s1600/IMG_2625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuZ7h3MnpPpn2M9GJ-Vtoo0VmY8GIfmEUYSb0Fj5GKV_KFz3IFzeTMKn6QtcT28e6nkwR1XsoW_b05rmVHPWkRC_HhfwSMW_gKwJIm1tUdQAklrkto3l3jcw7vozSZWeF0pceHwKohm_s/s640/IMG_2625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ravenous parasites.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviLMIdaaHU-xhAqcoxHvQ72hc7w9iJxelKaTuAIyAJYUByVUq2PlOye5Yp4kZowvBe1yqHEwFNNh-TaIiUrU8lOnkcAAqVIDoFIrB6pl0Ss0_6kNFr31xBIRxHaEimgmHzhyphenhyphenojBz5bFK_/s1600/IMG_2627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviLMIdaaHU-xhAqcoxHvQ72hc7w9iJxelKaTuAIyAJYUByVUq2PlOye5Yp4kZowvBe1yqHEwFNNh-TaIiUrU8lOnkcAAqVIDoFIrB6pl0Ss0_6kNFr31xBIRxHaEimgmHzhyphenhyphenojBz5bFK_/s640/IMG_2627.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They're surveying the buffet, unfazed by the bricks and the work going on.</div>
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And it IS going on!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKv8e10L9L6yPR7JRTnTFwI_819zuM_wrt_si0H3fC59C5k4shrEVgsin6qgJmx9914Jcr1g00P6dgBRgHHre7ueuq_A7y8MrEAAw4iXWZLwSNXjGC8cmobCK-A_Yz0qAfogWGKGW-fcS/s1600/IMG_2633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKv8e10L9L6yPR7JRTnTFwI_819zuM_wrt_si0H3fC59C5k4shrEVgsin6qgJmx9914Jcr1g00P6dgBRgHHre7ueuq_A7y8MrEAAw4iXWZLwSNXjGC8cmobCK-A_Yz0qAfogWGKGW-fcS/s640/IMG_2633.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kerry's teaching himself a new skill,</div>
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and saving us a boatload of money.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKxk95tU7eRRPZiKPDvk2fGTT86TCfxh9H5993l0SIOob1clCBZNKxwCKWVC1XW51VXetqlHkEs7l2RjPOK4x6ZQF5t9I6CFpMnjqYNsEqkNOBVKZZzXeTaq7PiVJPAQf_k9GbZ_auB1L/s1600/IMG_2635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKxk95tU7eRRPZiKPDvk2fGTT86TCfxh9H5993l0SIOob1clCBZNKxwCKWVC1XW51VXetqlHkEs7l2RjPOK4x6ZQF5t9I6CFpMnjqYNsEqkNOBVKZZzXeTaq7PiVJPAQf_k9GbZ_auB1L/s640/IMG_2635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, I found some cute fabric at Ragfinery recently.</div>
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Probably paid all of <i>fifty cents </i>for the green polka dotted upholstery fabric and decided to put it to immediate use.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OwpAKbF1I-a-Y3g6ejzAppfGfYcpN_JJs3VE6UyUFnbTmb7QsB1pqkBsLXptGEGptvgFESislIX95ivISLh1ItpqtBc7gCf8abI9gAFesMMH-9t6suUhFQBFBJ26kM7-qj2jmFx46JBh/s1600/IMG_2639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OwpAKbF1I-a-Y3g6ejzAppfGfYcpN_JJs3VE6UyUFnbTmb7QsB1pqkBsLXptGEGptvgFESislIX95ivISLh1ItpqtBc7gCf8abI9gAFesMMH-9t6suUhFQBFBJ26kM7-qj2jmFx46JBh/s640/IMG_2639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I pulled out the red ticking, for the backing,</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1DpnRpbTnz23Y1lSx6SRuXGQhTja9Z5ZCYgP2Gy-xwvSZZveofUAxUWFGNbDNO15kZqWpcaqwM8obeuy04FuKsf6XeISn6jKe3nl583NISeM_F0A8R2TPXh0as-iQpSp8HSB1hixPp_a/s1600/IMG_2642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1DpnRpbTnz23Y1lSx6SRuXGQhTja9Z5ZCYgP2Gy-xwvSZZveofUAxUWFGNbDNO15kZqWpcaqwM8obeuy04FuKsf6XeISn6jKe3nl583NISeM_F0A8R2TPXh0as-iQpSp8HSB1hixPp_a/s640/IMG_2642.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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... suddenly they looked kind of Christmassy,</div>
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so they've gone into the closet for awhile.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31udTzC8QNoPxLXD1NFr-lFLnL1Xmr3TWhM3fiUwTFv0nqGRzfirrHqvs6oRn-vGozqoHrWGQ_GkhlIrpQHxxsY5X5BXCQ91IvADG9KHhlM-k_KkHcH_8kgPh_0ECh-xd_m3kjJk1cnoL/s1600/IMG_2645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31udTzC8QNoPxLXD1NFr-lFLnL1Xmr3TWhM3fiUwTFv0nqGRzfirrHqvs6oRn-vGozqoHrWGQ_GkhlIrpQHxxsY5X5BXCQ91IvADG9KHhlM-k_KkHcH_8kgPh_0ECh-xd_m3kjJk1cnoL/s640/IMG_2645.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Niko apparently didn't get the memo about working hard...</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlm2oNoJvZD50ValdGxspZQ9FsDbF1Lr99t0PPNxwXTqw7H_7c5PNKJL5o1VKMG8ab4TLI3-mnHiWch7eFUKWDtR4ROH2Usz9K7mohrdXjQJIVc5mFMrsrcVi3gTJQE4cmc6Thr0tIqht/s1600/39900026_1928752963850501_8479405283674685440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlm2oNoJvZD50ValdGxspZQ9FsDbF1Lr99t0PPNxwXTqw7H_7c5PNKJL5o1VKMG8ab4TLI3-mnHiWch7eFUKWDtR4ROH2Usz9K7mohrdXjQJIVc5mFMrsrcVi3gTJQE4cmc6Thr0tIqht/s640/39900026_1928752963850501_8479405283674685440_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whew.</div>
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I'm just glad for cooler weather!</div>
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I lounged in my (still-feels-new) recliner this morning,</div>
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sipping tea, and enjoying this dramatic sky...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNieUmcK6Q5PnE39AGOUGWGWreHHYYN6TEpqcSGk5T55rmozoQbVZSzX4fKHlfhyARq4hyS1IwbxWqvSdEuR9OHsOvQEqZ18N97RJdps1jXkg7w-5Qb3sm25EMj7cKYqSbF6vk3w3jg_3/s1600/IMG_2632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNieUmcK6Q5PnE39AGOUGWGWreHHYYN6TEpqcSGk5T55rmozoQbVZSzX4fKHlfhyARq4hyS1IwbxWqvSdEuR9OHsOvQEqZ18N97RJdps1jXkg7w-5Qb3sm25EMj7cKYqSbF6vk3w3jg_3/s640/IMG_2632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... which has since cleared and given us a lovely autumn-feeling afternoon,</div>
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perfect for screen doors and porches. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCXS7KmmunBO4nfBsmJchgqdn6BjMxmBeVtrMEWbGNSupqosKyX43U4E_sU1RYD3dKCHK0yBTyf8Yd7FXwOHcu4Y1AqOYiM0-BiT6GQaaIzbDMrjr3mkseTS6SF-hsaxpDjP9b7rY5wva/s1600/40542974_1944177302308067_6071990476913770496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCXS7KmmunBO4nfBsmJchgqdn6BjMxmBeVtrMEWbGNSupqosKyX43U4E_sU1RYD3dKCHK0yBTyf8Yd7FXwOHcu4Y1AqOYiM0-BiT6GQaaIzbDMrjr3mkseTS6SF-hsaxpDjP9b7rY5wva/s640/40542974_1944177302308067_6071990476913770496_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And I cleaned our bedroom and moved the furniture again.</div>
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I like my head right under the open windows through the summer...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0AqIhLbwVBGrfJnRyW_s-fWP4sfmC40_Cwt4sa5rN2Pdwyg3DY3CdZN6ZrFRApS8suw9zZzsre_OirvPVOZE-mzQU_BrtiuIr2hNJogWix8iecJOrFVsEe_8fofLMaUlVmGREQZE-ARS/s1600/IMG_6072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0AqIhLbwVBGrfJnRyW_s-fWP4sfmC40_Cwt4sa5rN2Pdwyg3DY3CdZN6ZrFRApS8suw9zZzsre_OirvPVOZE-mzQU_BrtiuIr2hNJogWix8iecJOrFVsEe_8fofLMaUlVmGREQZE-ARS/s640/IMG_6072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But everything fits so much better this way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r1ex8aEc7NVJqj7_8Yqlf7DNsz0yg6_NTOFcTVv0wiOqm2QTdEj-HaDnJePAsu2b3dvUg3XyD7YAjR6h8OftLJIo58hauoX9zdpVB4g9jVr7fgX5qd-gYP7gYPtGXMYiBl7-p8LlyBc6/s1600/IMG_0259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r1ex8aEc7NVJqj7_8Yqlf7DNsz0yg6_NTOFcTVv0wiOqm2QTdEj-HaDnJePAsu2b3dvUg3XyD7YAjR6h8OftLJIo58hauoX9zdpVB4g9jVr7fgX5qd-gYP7gYPtGXMYiBl7-p8LlyBc6/s640/IMG_0259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I even hung a new string of colored lights, and put them on a timer,</div>
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so I have this cozy scene waiting at bedtime,</div>
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complete with a cat who thinks he owns the place.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1TklAt8YzbaEFsdDKENnaDmsFfteQw8i0JtEAM6-6925boXfAmajWBF9ZyEtncSY75WUXvV8GHn37ZAFHVON1AphzdbOuNKeNBFIdjRLCjFAeuiuQls6LEnctpsKPxmu-53WiqkBodvI/s1600/IMG_2620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1TklAt8YzbaEFsdDKENnaDmsFfteQw8i0JtEAM6-6925boXfAmajWBF9ZyEtncSY75WUXvV8GHn37ZAFHVON1AphzdbOuNKeNBFIdjRLCjFAeuiuQls6LEnctpsKPxmu-53WiqkBodvI/s640/IMG_2620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And with that, we're launched into September.</div>
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Whew!</div>
Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-72358712553091036402018-05-29T16:26:00.001-07:002018-05-29T16:26:49.467-07:00Orcas Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kerry recently did some architectural work for a friend that owns a vacation home on Orcas Island - part of his compensation was use of the (already existing) large home. So we invited my parents and planned a weekend getaway!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R5moWDQGGXqVnY-NKat0-hOAc-fPiuQPMrilIHiFRvBmgiCVWdhAuTqZKzLaBTnAP-Yu6Pf5h442DfxpzfyzsQWQ8Mh6_t2kh98Uzln1y6rmBZQmyc-q0WMKedDeOm2kjtO3VsbPKIiG/s1600/IMG_0523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R5moWDQGGXqVnY-NKat0-hOAc-fPiuQPMrilIHiFRvBmgiCVWdhAuTqZKzLaBTnAP-Yu6Pf5h442DfxpzfyzsQWQ8Mh6_t2kh98Uzln1y6rmBZQmyc-q0WMKedDeOm2kjtO3VsbPKIiG/s640/IMG_0523.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For those of you that aren't local, between Washington State, B.C., and Vancouver Island you'll find a cluster of smaller islands - an archipelago - of literally hundreds of "named islands and rocks", many of them with permanent residents. Those belonging to the USA are the San Juan Islands. The Canadians call theirs the Gulf Islands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG95SAXsMuOJ5nMaM49XnnDEsd77rIwakvpPDhiwNsRKB7KuoRAft9qR0R_yCuHTqu9Fu5vlR25j7CtYO2ywMide8MOb_X0yRcBJdfubWEp7kjM25aX3QHjdW44qs7H7bh8B_q3w-6LmA/s1600/IMG_0527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG95SAXsMuOJ5nMaM49XnnDEsd77rIwakvpPDhiwNsRKB7KuoRAft9qR0R_yCuHTqu9Fu5vlR25j7CtYO2ywMide8MOb_X0yRcBJdfubWEp7kjM25aX3QHjdW44qs7H7bh8B_q3w-6LmA/s640/IMG_0527.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Four of Washington's largest (San Juan, Orcas, Shaw, and Lopez) are served by huge car-ferries.</div>
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They look like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAvXqIED2sZkTU-Pk_FCQvBLu5W1ei6wc4IAgJ4ObVMLtY3QFYsrLfpvgjvq3HbWEzdjomyX5FnyhRah59bABSKBECcD-zdmHJbjCpKM_UNdSu2oLw4J-wUtpKhk69L5fDTPIzGeJJwFo/s1600/ferry-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="812" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAvXqIED2sZkTU-Pk_FCQvBLu5W1ei6wc4IAgJ4ObVMLtY3QFYsrLfpvgjvq3HbWEzdjomyX5FnyhRah59bABSKBECcD-zdmHJbjCpKM_UNdSu2oLw4J-wUtpKhk69L5fDTPIzGeJJwFo/s640/ferry-.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They're double-ended, so they don't have to turn the boats around.</div>
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You just drive in one end, and out the other.</div>
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Mom and I were able to go out on Thursday - a day ahead of the guys.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1srgKLTMBsLvHoSAlc7xe6-NbSdfPVuftvrmFaHyn0PbesDNda8jNaNORWohxUGX4bnjj0gDIBABVHbRPJFeNmN8T66otpUa0GbFmU_5_-1bYM7zGNDJaR66Pr7gNt6PQvXtBmesDsBye/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1srgKLTMBsLvHoSAlc7xe6-NbSdfPVuftvrmFaHyn0PbesDNda8jNaNORWohxUGX4bnjj0gDIBABVHbRPJFeNmN8T66otpUa0GbFmU_5_-1bYM7zGNDJaR66Pr7gNt6PQvXtBmesDsBye/s640/IMG_0536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's nothing "luxury" about riding the ferry, but I love it,</div>
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and we had a perfect day.</div>
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I think this is part of Orcas Island - where we were headed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGqR2rpsUBd5Fe4dtZoMY-vrDl9pHaL57zYBSv_U_l6_zvJH_unoCDcvMMASRC4h4dsbXpSIoTiKdDTMraO6yWkoAChJOtSkXfaOcC_IU6IPiYRXpv-QqAzdbTXW3gUigGvkZ5I7rYyS0/s1600/IMG_0544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGqR2rpsUBd5Fe4dtZoMY-vrDl9pHaL57zYBSv_U_l6_zvJH_unoCDcvMMASRC4h4dsbXpSIoTiKdDTMraO6yWkoAChJOtSkXfaOcC_IU6IPiYRXpv-QqAzdbTXW3gUigGvkZ5I7rYyS0/s640/IMG_0544.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For such big boats, they don't draw very much (means they're wide and flattish - not a deep keel).</div>
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If often surprises me how close to shore they go!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvkVJXQwhZGS2q8qXY4AF2crp3pRbMRuIUC0-qWONAGIR9FFcR65eO11yKNexKzI-tt6VwIJ-23QU89spc6VURNXQhtyFuN1kSx1qUnnkXmnpaon-FOPGpSCbz43w1uTshxsfBaTOQtBh/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvkVJXQwhZGS2q8qXY4AF2crp3pRbMRuIUC0-qWONAGIR9FFcR65eO11yKNexKzI-tt6VwIJ-23QU89spc6VURNXQhtyFuN1kSx1qUnnkXmnpaon-FOPGpSCbz43w1uTshxsfBaTOQtBh/s640/IMG_0546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Shaw Island landing is directly across the channel from Orcas' landing.</div>
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Another ferry was docked at Orcas as we pulled into Shaw.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8g0wf_uTTMm76jGtGH0EOvQxFRX8GOGwjFviWmV729jp4jfYjC0Zzw4jcttZLt_d8LdHF3A_r_0nBkK4_KGtFYo4HKDWMz8XSFM0cmtiZicOY3dnN8Ars0wXfIjUEg1uUi80Q4KHhqDQ/s1600/IMG_0550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8g0wf_uTTMm76jGtGH0EOvQxFRX8GOGwjFviWmV729jp4jfYjC0Zzw4jcttZLt_d8LdHF3A_r_0nBkK4_KGtFYo4HKDWMz8XSFM0cmtiZicOY3dnN8Ars0wXfIjUEg1uUi80Q4KHhqDQ/s640/IMG_0550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not a lot of traffic on and off here - it's a smaller island with fewer tourist draws.</div>
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Notice the whitewater in front of the ferry.</div>
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<b>Boats don't have brakes.</b></div>
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(You knew that, right?)</div>
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The captain was just starting to slow the boat down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzqe0CKMQoaxcU_AW8zcq04ZT34wwn7spxozM92wVk7mKB_zfLzNZowFR93ZeVOm5AXZwiSJIh-jxeAGHrs6BOFmY_Oax9chsntiCp437_fk-fHSDcdkuxJ47Rj98okY78ieN_VzP1Sau/s1600/IMG_0553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzqe0CKMQoaxcU_AW8zcq04ZT34wwn7spxozM92wVk7mKB_zfLzNZowFR93ZeVOm5AXZwiSJIh-jxeAGHrs6BOFmY_Oax9chsntiCp437_fk-fHSDcdkuxJ47Rj98okY78ieN_VzP1Sau/s640/IMG_0553.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here he was REALLY pushing back.</div>
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It was probably the most perfect landing of any ferry ride I've had - he timed it just right.</div>
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We came into the dock with just a little bump.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoK7hl6cgF5YejBiDuY76JGPcju3iQzzjjLmCwt9KEG3yO_JLqVbogAbRCO5xwHmZJaDKB81CFlnFc8zAQpCKDU_lsZ1qKaO9672QCEedvXSkkdac6VnhL5p1_1bY-HdM-jW9K19R4Ktg/s1600/IMG_0560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoK7hl6cgF5YejBiDuY76JGPcju3iQzzjjLmCwt9KEG3yO_JLqVbogAbRCO5xwHmZJaDKB81CFlnFc8zAQpCKDU_lsZ1qKaO9672QCEedvXSkkdac6VnhL5p1_1bY-HdM-jW9K19R4Ktg/s640/IMG_0560.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, the other ferry pulled out of Orcas, making room for us.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wVs4j740XdJAUoJSvoDNOojqZ9nDXhx-9DhyphenhyphenmcqlVWx44vwXxrQLWhYOwHV6ieB8iMxxX7Yte3JWAMvtI2yb6HK4gBdWV88SwoDMHxSZGn5DTU_OINr0ZyNnys92iVikhwHBoCPO5jTA/s1600/IMG_0561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wVs4j740XdJAUoJSvoDNOojqZ9nDXhx-9DhyphenhyphenmcqlVWx44vwXxrQLWhYOwHV6ieB8iMxxX7Yte3JWAMvtI2yb6HK4gBdWV88SwoDMHxSZGn5DTU_OINr0ZyNnys92iVikhwHBoCPO5jTA/s640/IMG_0561.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This being Kerry's reward, he and I got the master bedroom.</div>
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I brought my own bedding, and even my own quilt, to be cozy.</div>
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And WHAT A VIEW.</div>
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No curtains on those windows, because WHY WOULD YOU???</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMCqOsaI7bZuz1282lEBaxQPyg3mvbQy6Y848OaYzDQgFv6csxEnFcXXPhiLxtNmsqsgimEgkAn1V0JZBC4ZBlwE9IISzcCLr0lgXH85h-6B1C6osizyfIoquZ8tOjfqnT8HeEE0GyVmH/s1600/IMG_0562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMCqOsaI7bZuz1282lEBaxQPyg3mvbQy6Y848OaYzDQgFv6csxEnFcXXPhiLxtNmsqsgimEgkAn1V0JZBC4ZBlwE9IISzcCLr0lgXH85h-6B1C6osizyfIoquZ8tOjfqnT8HeEE0GyVmH/s640/IMG_0562.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The living room... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH1NfYt5vE77QSorQLGT2M_e_jadgsIO8nlVg1qGbfWrfTCcTPtz9yCc5L2oiyurs_M6C4lNgRN8ZE5KpCZdObiBB7EzY-8MbcLAWjKZUWEdhPIlEhTXWersUJiRiTZN2_IUosy1j26Sl/s1600/IMG_0574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH1NfYt5vE77QSorQLGT2M_e_jadgsIO8nlVg1qGbfWrfTCcTPtz9yCc5L2oiyurs_M6C4lNgRN8ZE5KpCZdObiBB7EzY-8MbcLAWjKZUWEdhPIlEhTXWersUJiRiTZN2_IUosy1j26Sl/s640/IMG_0574.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and dining room were equally spectacular.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N1hkAEpKu4bzheZyiAgu_cZHDZWbpQFEcB9C40b3gm1NnR6NxZMgb12mulZ1hdFGFYySKgRy1JM-tkLC3pKmvotoY5tvkXNrTChnjzdXme40drAqQsLn0QFQc_ep3wETO3ncUZmDfDz4/s1600/IMG_0577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N1hkAEpKu4bzheZyiAgu_cZHDZWbpQFEcB9C40b3gm1NnR6NxZMgb12mulZ1hdFGFYySKgRy1JM-tkLC3pKmvotoY5tvkXNrTChnjzdXme40drAqQsLn0QFQc_ep3wETO3ncUZmDfDz4/s640/IMG_0577.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We walked down to the beach and looked back up at the house...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHP01_nJYL8pTNECjBONbd5V3Loq43zsIXYAWyGGEyO6Lijmv7eFZwB6AdVLJPhGQaOXbwD1-GXBOTdIHDUJdPoWyxDanUI-2Tm0ul1f2lyGL377w9vRi5dFvOyvJCC0FObL6R3-oEKHH/s1600/IMG_0588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHP01_nJYL8pTNECjBONbd5V3Loq43zsIXYAWyGGEyO6Lijmv7eFZwB6AdVLJPhGQaOXbwD1-GXBOTdIHDUJdPoWyxDanUI-2Tm0ul1f2lyGL377w9vRi5dFvOyvJCC0FObL6R3-oEKHH/s640/IMG_0588.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... not a lot of beach at high tide!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_oy9-V4TcMURFOag63wWXNMWFnPa8yBj8EM8bQgx73f9dVICkuX5IEOsKSy83pO0flG09ISE3ZQwQLEhTBAVDDc7C52-4Dd-PlPjmaGS4ml9a7bE7BDDsh78P2U5ox4TkROB_XowGR19/s1600/IMG_0590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_oy9-V4TcMURFOag63wWXNMWFnPa8yBj8EM8bQgx73f9dVICkuX5IEOsKSy83pO0flG09ISE3ZQwQLEhTBAVDDc7C52-4Dd-PlPjmaGS4ml9a7bE7BDDsh78P2U5ox4TkROB_XowGR19/s640/IMG_0590.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's next morning's low tide, for comparison.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsFEAKWot8P68m0Bud5CxPmvQxrxYdK1urMbFikxyqiPfvNR6FSEsMvkMin8tq_IKgqqgk62xEldjaR9rDf3EjUNJNi3a4eo7V07eD52N7Riw_lukT6vK4LUYK9jqAwzGn9PQ9MUdM81z/s1600/IMG_0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsFEAKWot8P68m0Bud5CxPmvQxrxYdK1urMbFikxyqiPfvNR6FSEsMvkMin8tq_IKgqqgk62xEldjaR9rDf3EjUNJNi3a4eo7V07eD52N7Riw_lukT6vK4LUYK9jqAwzGn9PQ9MUdM81z/s640/IMG_0602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Loved the evening view :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFF_iivDofydP5sIfwActYcwwO-whzbgAPgCdJJ0wHP2lvRjKhrCNn1hgZeZ0uuXLi7G3ztjPE23KnhhUMmR5JkSTh3AYpmCzSyrbYrHRMP4n5ox_Jk7dXRbVitlMsrrLqlqkhCQndsnZ/s1600/IMG_0591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFF_iivDofydP5sIfwActYcwwO-whzbgAPgCdJJ0wHP2lvRjKhrCNn1hgZeZ0uuXLi7G3ztjPE23KnhhUMmR5JkSTh3AYpmCzSyrbYrHRMP4n5ox_Jk7dXRbVitlMsrrLqlqkhCQndsnZ/s640/IMG_0591.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What a sunset!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXez1nGJ90OsQP_3ipVZDE7HdXwp_pvCClsWKxEFe4pw_ikNckIaXx9mkofpFe7hAPdpmq58fefS8s4YEaLXu4ed-cGqksgQpY1t2VkBjRfBcDfDxdXNml1o3cMS75XpSCmEkmyUmPeO8/s1600/IMG_0598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXez1nGJ90OsQP_3ipVZDE7HdXwp_pvCClsWKxEFe4pw_ikNckIaXx9mkofpFe7hAPdpmq58fefS8s4YEaLXu4ed-cGqksgQpY1t2VkBjRfBcDfDxdXNml1o3cMS75XpSCmEkmyUmPeO8/s640/IMG_0598.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Girls' night out... we nuked Pad Thai and played Scrabble ;D</div>
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Cloudy next morning...</div>
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Madrona branches on the beach.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzspuEnbQOYlOQyQHgJz7aEfYVIkzagl4jstTV64Djt_yIKyPOpu7N6C5OMEB0hni_XvprSlRFi399KUIJc3LyZ0CKXzz4KxjeiW3bOgjE4DsT837Udw81bVRAMX5Wa06uFitWKDc8L0Hk/s1600/IMG_0599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzspuEnbQOYlOQyQHgJz7aEfYVIkzagl4jstTV64Djt_yIKyPOpu7N6C5OMEB0hni_XvprSlRFi399KUIJc3LyZ0CKXzz4KxjeiW3bOgjE4DsT837Udw81bVRAMX5Wa06uFitWKDc8L0Hk/s640/IMG_0599.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Right in front of the house.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTVyO-0NqXTPMIHZXOn5zILK_RSC-coAYNG_G-h0v_y83ehYnL5oiPGYENzRLgy3-e1ei_CjlLA9VSVTbOCsBgYKrU4vUaNkdRZ8fcNgEav4dq7bv191RC0gKAks9GktLTgOTytG0iQlr/s1600/IMG_0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTVyO-0NqXTPMIHZXOn5zILK_RSC-coAYNG_G-h0v_y83ehYnL5oiPGYENzRLgy3-e1ei_CjlLA9VSVTbOCsBgYKrU4vUaNkdRZ8fcNgEav4dq7bv191RC0gKAks9GktLTgOTytG0iQlr/s640/IMG_0600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Lots of reading.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And Scrabble.</div>
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And QUIET.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8YUadFrwu5yXUsOiAudDWX7xyvbCOA-prOwhhXnGGEHRYIiNrvZr3z5PERuBsVdCP2En18OLNykZAEhTc34w2GAHXSQSTnpDSMNCrnUQWCev3jHPOasJzIJo9SsZc5a9nOf9ovf6SqFO/s1600/IMG_0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8YUadFrwu5yXUsOiAudDWX7xyvbCOA-prOwhhXnGGEHRYIiNrvZr3z5PERuBsVdCP2En18OLNykZAEhTc34w2GAHXSQSTnpDSMNCrnUQWCev3jHPOasJzIJo9SsZc5a9nOf9ovf6SqFO/s640/IMG_0624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kerry, my dad, and the boybarians were delayed about an hour.</div>
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The ferries kind of run on island time...</div>
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But they sure had a gorgeous ride out as well!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaommtJ_FTCdEE5-FANIcy2vUp3wP_n5Cb6yLTOmLycwKEaV9EPWVza589NX0SBu3XjICRsqUR8a7270QqHZzjw7ijJ2ou_ymMxm0cwNiYnci_RSNEGyWqW5mYBHK6YQzwiufl5SIMd3ip/s1600/33130992_1989443541384705_7216919163346878464_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaommtJ_FTCdEE5-FANIcy2vUp3wP_n5Cb6yLTOmLycwKEaV9EPWVza589NX0SBu3XjICRsqUR8a7270QqHZzjw7ijJ2ou_ymMxm0cwNiYnci_RSNEGyWqW5mYBHK6YQzwiufl5SIMd3ip/s640/33130992_1989443541384705_7216919163346878464_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tate's photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And we had (a very late!) dinner waiting for them :D</div>
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Next morning...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeE9knnmXpkxSFC6HMkH4q2Z9lVxmD_9dB0eaJOJyh6VAbnK5_xGbmpqiph0FX5MHF9eYjgxJnu6DJk3HCD5I3cOTUvu85pB9y4MtRhAs8eee449R0thokHL16kXfpkQj4hObFMhinMTd/s1600/IMG_0628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeE9knnmXpkxSFC6HMkH4q2Z9lVxmD_9dB0eaJOJyh6VAbnK5_xGbmpqiph0FX5MHF9eYjgxJnu6DJk3HCD5I3cOTUvu85pB9y4MtRhAs8eee449R0thokHL16kXfpkQj4hObFMhinMTd/s640/IMG_0628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix323MkubGw_impQ1gqPkBR97JpEHBHYXp9O_Cformh-ImNJaAH0O5IAz5qcrecF43ZxIKXZgYtURyKaHtNDfCO9pudLb3D-CO6eRY2GBlUPHyd58NnP5PTN7Koo_bb1ut_KtM_JSOAksq/s1600/IMG_0629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix323MkubGw_impQ1gqPkBR97JpEHBHYXp9O_Cformh-ImNJaAH0O5IAz5qcrecF43ZxIKXZgYtURyKaHtNDfCO9pudLb3D-CO6eRY2GBlUPHyd58NnP5PTN7Koo_bb1ut_KtM_JSOAksq/s640/IMG_0629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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No TV, no wi-fi, but Tate brought his computer because he likes writing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzyaR_fJZZhZRu10N1cO0JmlX6-TBeYM2ZNwaLCvvNSfVw5Al6UKjPfIqZVZT7vwZsuf8z7vAQNRMtVrZc60Y50JtpnZXxylB_Z4MDUMuS9bT7C3LWIGp3zaLig0yjZE7xSstUXeDGwgK/s1600/IMG_0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzyaR_fJZZhZRu10N1cO0JmlX6-TBeYM2ZNwaLCvvNSfVw5Al6UKjPfIqZVZT7vwZsuf8z7vAQNRMtVrZc60Y50JtpnZXxylB_Z4MDUMuS9bT7C3LWIGp3zaLig0yjZE7xSstUXeDGwgK/s640/IMG_0631.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We did a whole lot of nothing.</div>
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And games.</div>
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Do you know Balderdash?</div>
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We used to call it Fictionary.</div>
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Somebody finds an obscure word, that the rest of the group doesn't know, and you all have to write a definition for it, and try to guess which is correct.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfAYsCpdDbB0bKJjMA305RXD8hC0LXv2h0c28Q3XbtoHR1aZ0hH-hUeLhgU2bhLZVIt3bVk8P70MawK7iVGl607IaKUa9Xmix5f3ZSYMW-eo7v1unG41njSS70TC0RnFmxQPyox4rjJhN/s1600/IMG_0687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfAYsCpdDbB0bKJjMA305RXD8hC0LXv2h0c28Q3XbtoHR1aZ0hH-hUeLhgU2bhLZVIt3bVk8P70MawK7iVGl607IaKUa9Xmix5f3ZSYMW-eo7v1unG41njSS70TC0RnFmxQPyox4rjJhN/s640/IMG_0687.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some people take it very seriously</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOEEfxv_QaTd3tRpPx-0cw0U_jgcbKzwiBp6Fn7IScsrbNXxphZf01kDMNEL1NaY7X4EZq_W4h4wUsW8uuR-g8TlxkskLvzyR2Y4qZIrOmJ0asTxnQxiJ70pm4341W8BY5xDrUkE7CDxo/s1600/IMG_0684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOEEfxv_QaTd3tRpPx-0cw0U_jgcbKzwiBp6Fn7IScsrbNXxphZf01kDMNEL1NaY7X4EZq_W4h4wUsW8uuR-g8TlxkskLvzyR2Y4qZIrOmJ0asTxnQxiJ70pm4341W8BY5xDrUkE7CDxo/s640/IMG_0684.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Other people (my dad and Wyatt) play for the laughs.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OhXXRiIpo_I2SPijJgOG-pxSQe4ueCmleaSWNBjiapawuKPIfG26YD9OX1rFAkMI_en8YIYhWX8kjWx9Mv1XCbF156pFFZ0_tPOLSGo71md6xbUnl-Pm7M1e1ykwa54RJ3aKGO_9pAI3/s1600/IMG_0681Kerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OhXXRiIpo_I2SPijJgOG-pxSQe4ueCmleaSWNBjiapawuKPIfG26YD9OX1rFAkMI_en8YIYhWX8kjWx9Mv1XCbF156pFFZ0_tPOLSGo71md6xbUnl-Pm7M1e1ykwa54RJ3aKGO_9pAI3/s640/IMG_0681Kerry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We can see the highest point on Orcas Island from my parents' house, so of course we HAD to go up Mt. Constitution.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrP7fdSl8Vy1McBkEJI4zqYzcmQ3SJlk8OwTfWk_SF0wHGPwr99W9j_0dcciZ5s3xBU5jrCEpKWtuvpnEqzvMtkKTRUiOImGsISmaidbUZ1-HYNUv0oDKHKWB36ooQfmnjxio1prMXMjo/s1600/IMG_0675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrP7fdSl8Vy1McBkEJI4zqYzcmQ3SJlk8OwTfWk_SF0wHGPwr99W9j_0dcciZ5s3xBU5jrCEpKWtuvpnEqzvMtkKTRUiOImGsISmaidbUZ1-HYNUv0oDKHKWB36ooQfmnjxio1prMXMjo/s640/IMG_0675.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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There was too much haze to see their house from the tower, but we know where it is ;D</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Bcbg4ph5xB0BTuIWgl_mPtZkLzh0Wbfhw-AConrlv_fkhIedvglT2yX_vONcPcfGDl9h2lmi_N8T-wofz_y_SlbQHobkW7NF_JahaFAjoRonSgEcowe0FbEMVOrdBmn_iv0rC_RtX6Wu/s1600/IMG_0657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Bcbg4ph5xB0BTuIWgl_mPtZkLzh0Wbfhw-AConrlv_fkhIedvglT2yX_vONcPcfGDl9h2lmi_N8T-wofz_y_SlbQHobkW7NF_JahaFAjoRonSgEcowe0FbEMVOrdBmn_iv0rC_RtX6Wu/s640/IMG_0657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The boybarians just LOVE having their photo taken...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2oJwuFro92hANqt9JSIbwmVm5M73Jw8gdwjLgyUl_F5mrGZXHqInxsSEwAtCLkkPQsLaYvvvOaO7q-JeLG73pGHl0x4gBwcC5qLITtVjt-xqTW8pYPWqgNDu7_LBokEvRPuE3tVNEV8B/s1600/IMG_0643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2oJwuFro92hANqt9JSIbwmVm5M73Jw8gdwjLgyUl_F5mrGZXHqInxsSEwAtCLkkPQsLaYvvvOaO7q-JeLG73pGHl0x4gBwcC5qLITtVjt-xqTW8pYPWqgNDu7_LBokEvRPuE3tVNEV8B/s640/IMG_0643.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tate is more cooperative.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ELsQCDZvA97EyLm26I_2U55JKOZj0rHXybcKj7Wn2MU1pUH50QcgQ6LAv4w-anE3fhhupuETizUP6SSF_IkAdh1Hepq-Vu5zUabuJbbmb9Clt1JN34mtM2J5H6G782k529cW9GkNlom7/s1600/IMG_0672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ELsQCDZvA97EyLm26I_2U55JKOZj0rHXybcKj7Wn2MU1pUH50QcgQ6LAv4w-anE3fhhupuETizUP6SSF_IkAdh1Hepq-Vu5zUabuJbbmb9Clt1JN34mtM2J5H6G782k529cW9GkNlom7/s640/IMG_0672.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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All the land you see is islands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpEuux_hPV5fK93W6SLENji_OBqeEzTz_iDnw7DnQ_LcVh4QnsWx0wvI2Ka2iHToXLPPhaKwYBPKxNM7MZ0wdHFtvBwVxSRO0y3H3-pkqdhwxAhWAQ4zDAeabwJNXOhoP0E7-3-e5Aieq/s1600/IMG_0677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpEuux_hPV5fK93W6SLENji_OBqeEzTz_iDnw7DnQ_LcVh4QnsWx0wvI2Ka2iHToXLPPhaKwYBPKxNM7MZ0wdHFtvBwVxSRO0y3H3-pkqdhwxAhWAQ4zDAeabwJNXOhoP0E7-3-e5Aieq/s640/IMG_0677.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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LOTS of tourism out here...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEpi26iRkxMofAlisbGR21N66VnsN33iuNZOYiqTp6l5lKImDC99MZYmlEunEBW6nuwlJqyhgh4Bh924ddUqNUcDkW6DcxFPfTiuGxzlESP3_kHiuHJq6vNgKjSI0guUqZd9w-eFQmrEc/s1600/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEpi26iRkxMofAlisbGR21N66VnsN33iuNZOYiqTp6l5lKImDC99MZYmlEunEBW6nuwlJqyhgh4Bh924ddUqNUcDkW6DcxFPfTiuGxzlESP3_kHiuHJq6vNgKjSI0guUqZd9w-eFQmrEc/s640/IMG_0698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And madrona trees everywhere. Most are redder, but I like this yellow one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3n-E0rGiD9kqXe7wF__c8XprC_znl-2rmgI_jI0NbqrZQ2rWDfMW5ytAOtCKoLCB33dqc9brZH0FrtDMUueJBFWaRTGlDvorY_k8bCBjydCl13P1GLGc9MIrPMTUs7Jhevwkr8wDW5m4v/s1600/IMG_0697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3n-E0rGiD9kqXe7wF__c8XprC_znl-2rmgI_jI0NbqrZQ2rWDfMW5ytAOtCKoLCB33dqc9brZH0FrtDMUueJBFWaRTGlDvorY_k8bCBjydCl13P1GLGc9MIrPMTUs7Jhevwkr8wDW5m4v/s640/IMG_0697.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Since the ferries don't exactly run as precisely as Japanese trains, I love that Orcas Island has this little park right at the ferry landing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82vMX55mcHsEYKnUQXAHBxpo6fnNF_Wna6doIuyvPdtcfv16R0c7JmN2lRpCXHZSpmTfCYMU1-Vzz7KDiuxJywvknEnS8m1_l4oXOIIS1vxYZGiBcyV4Htjr4iL0QnbTMw1o2kLbrow62/s1600/IMG_0692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82vMX55mcHsEYKnUQXAHBxpo6fnNF_Wna6doIuyvPdtcfv16R0c7JmN2lRpCXHZSpmTfCYMU1-Vzz7KDiuxJywvknEnS8m1_l4oXOIIS1vxYZGiBcyV4Htjr4iL0QnbTMw1o2kLbrow62/s640/IMG_0692.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can just park your car in line, hang out at the park, and see the ferry coming in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTmhAy5GbrHefE1hJa0MUCfn5m-XwA3iHu0tG6EKcEqiIqA03tLGZrC0wA0ulAKDMdyuzX56fnvOOIMDG8W_PpEzxT2jCBmPSCHkY_KwjmVVjN6c9Z7HXLSiL1fXvJJluCfTWD6wzAR2W/s1600/IMG_0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTmhAy5GbrHefE1hJa0MUCfn5m-XwA3iHu0tG6EKcEqiIqA03tLGZrC0wA0ulAKDMdyuzX56fnvOOIMDG8W_PpEzxT2jCBmPSCHkY_KwjmVVjN6c9Z7HXLSiL1fXvJJluCfTWD6wzAR2W/s640/IMG_0701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cars (and bikes and foot traffic) gets off, cars get on, and away you go.</div>
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Tate decided this was where passengers were assembled, so he was looking for the spare parts...</div>
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Another gorgeous day for a ferry ride!</div>
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Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-47971411158456037692018-05-24T14:30:00.000-07:002018-05-24T14:30:05.055-07:00Grasshopper Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Grasshopper Days</span></b></div>
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<b>For today, Thursday, May 24, 2018</b></div>
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<b>Outside my window...</b> cottonwood snow, can you see it?</div>
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It looks a bit like a fairy-land at times.</div>
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<b>Thinking...</b> the boys are turning into men, right before my eyes, but still...</div>
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... moments of goofiness.</div>
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The "Bro-hirrim" doing dishes.</div>
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You'd have to be a LOTR nerd to get that...</div>
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<b>Praying...</b> for good attitudes about an upcoming room-swap.</div>
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<b>Thankful...</b> we had a great weekend away - pics coming soon - with the Grasshopper Five and Grandpa and Grandma Grasshopper.</div>
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<b>Creating...</b> looking through a new quilt book and dreaming of different projects!</div>
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<b>Going... </b>next door, to my neighbors', to "push Ralph's button".</div>
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It's time for his once-a-month test of his</div>
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<i>"help-I've-fallen-and-I-can't-get-up"</i> button.</div>
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For real.</div>
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I know, try to control your envy of this exciting life I lead.</div>
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<b>Looking forward to...</b> the end of the school year is <i>sooooo close!</i></div>
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<b>In the kitchen...</b> marinating some pork to grill tonight.</div>
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<b>Around the house...</b> the boybarians got all the screens back on (windows and doors) so we can have All The Fresh Air blowing through.</div>
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<b>Noticing that</b>... I often walk the same route in the morning, and try to take a picture at this spot every time - fun to watch the changes, day to day.</div>
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<b>The Mother Load...</b> fits on one page again.</div>
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So, success, right?</div>
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<b>A favorite quote for today...</b></div>
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Gunnar and I are reading/discussing through Kevin De Young's <i>Just Do Something.</i></div>
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The writer of the foreword says something to the effect that the book will smack you upside the head once or twice...</div>
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<i>"But you'll be better for the smack."</i></div>
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Having read the book before...</div>
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AMEN.</div>
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Need a gift idea for a high school or college grad?</div>
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Get them <i>Just Do Something</i>.</div>
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It's a winner.</div>
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<b>One of my favorite things...</b> the days that all the boys are out of the house.</div>
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Is that awful?</div>
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I LOVE the boys.</div>
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I love being with them.</div>
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And I've loved homeschooling them</div>
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<b><i>for the last eleven or twelve years.</i></b></div>
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But the few hours (every other week) when the schedules align,</div>
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and they're all <i>out,</i> going and doing at once...</div>
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it's pretty awesome.</div>
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<b>A peek into my world...</b> here's a preview from our weekend getaway!</div>
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<br />Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-47606385834846359162018-04-30T11:13:00.000-07:002018-04-30T11:13:12.718-07:00Grasshopper Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Grasshopper Days</b></span></div>
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<b>For today, Monday, April 30, 2018. </b></div>
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<b>Outside my window...</b> a damp day.</div>
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Gunnar and I have been for a walk already,</div>
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with rain misting around us.</div>
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Don't be fooled - the pics (below) are from late last week.</div>
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<b>I am thinking...</b> sure, normal - <i>average</i> - can be boring.</div>
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But normal can be a huge blessing, too.</div>
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I like my life <i>uncomplicated</i>.</div>
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Whew.</div>
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<b>I am thankful...</b> for our church family :D</div>
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<b>I am wearing...</b> my <i>I'm-not-leaving-the-house-today</i> uniform -</div>
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sweats and a t-shirt.</div>
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Clearly, I aim to impress.</div>
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<b>I am creating...</b> I have some Christmas fabric I'm making a plan for.</div>
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<b>I am reading... </b>still working through <i>When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference.</i> Not a book to rush through.</div>
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<b>I am hoping...</b> for warmer, breezy days, perfect for...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7TGayRpZPhqeoHBRQA3HuPL5PymLHzCSgGEO2KgSKD6fdCHcwts5xQCaWtUEJP-E1c6RmbpVueza05DlQzBRXfK-isth9xz-qS9hj0-tjcBFKmnYfeKqyw3Ux17OL74tE7aKsk-E2fU_/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7TGayRpZPhqeoHBRQA3HuPL5PymLHzCSgGEO2KgSKD6fdCHcwts5xQCaWtUEJP-E1c6RmbpVueza05DlQzBRXfK-isth9xz-qS9hj0-tjcBFKmnYfeKqyw3Ux17OL74tE7aKsk-E2fU_/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A friend from church messaged me that at her apartment</div>
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she's not allowed to hang out laundry because,</div>
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she was told,</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"it looks trashy".</i></span></div>
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Good grief.</div>
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Only trashy people wear clothes???</div>
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I mean, I'll 'hide' the undies in the middle of the mix, but <i>really</i>... trashy?</div>
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<b>In the kitchen...</b> I think meatballs for dinner. Thawing some sausage to go with the ground beef, then make some sweet and sour... mmmm mmmmm.</div>
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<b>Around the house...</b> I've been helping my elderly next door neighbor-cousins navigate some big changes in their lives. They wanted to thank me... </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">with my very own recliner!</span></i></div>
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I have AWESOME neighbors :D</div>
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And my very own chair.</div>
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Which the boybarians may sit in <i>when I'm not in the room</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wE0F4TdeicfoBPn9oqApZrKHz-P_PaBBNtqrKIsbFebCck3LQg8iTKgr-iPkTJB3V-mznoEE062p0Ew5In3vpWw3-Vb1zrcwRWZJqSqa21l4efjuijYTnZgVuAkklq7xaEr_eisVSQf7/s1600/Recliner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wE0F4TdeicfoBPn9oqApZrKHz-P_PaBBNtqrKIsbFebCck3LQg8iTKgr-iPkTJB3V-mznoEE062p0Ew5In3vpWw3-Vb1zrcwRWZJqSqa21l4efjuijYTnZgVuAkklq7xaEr_eisVSQf7/s640/Recliner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>I am pondering...</b> I remember reading that someone had invented a Kardashian filter, so you <b>never ever </b>had to see anything about them (from the internet) again.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">When will someone invent a cilantro filter?!?!</span></i></div>
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I <b>never ever</b> want to see another recipe with cilantro again.</div>
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Why is this trendy?</div>
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It's like eating soap. Ugh.</div>
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<b>A favorite quote for the day...</b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Never be sympathetic with the soul whose case makes you come to the conclusion that God is hard</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">God is more tender than we can conceive.</span></i></div>
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- Oswald Chambers</div>
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<b>A peek into my day...</b> I posted on Friday about the "family coaster" I made to organize our drinking cups, yet this is what I still find in the kitchen...</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BksqME_KOQFq8XGZV9TQzxFafGzwsK3oPbVTn_2U7fkVZfTzjUquHKHGDLjwkC6xqH5do0UvzdPk-b-lH6YenmHbt8csEcU70Zzwa9KPvCqlBvLKH85lgpMuNGHsyT1-W-JanCissu-z/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BksqME_KOQFq8XGZV9TQzxFafGzwsK3oPbVTn_2U7fkVZfTzjUquHKHGDLjwkC6xqH5do0UvzdPk-b-lH6YenmHbt8csEcU70Zzwa9KPvCqlBvLKH85lgpMuNGHsyT1-W-JanCissu-z/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">WHY???</span></b></div>
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WHY is it too hard to move that green cup six inches back onto the coaster???</div>
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And can you guess who's non-compliant? ;D</div>
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<b>A peek into my world...</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yGgqzgn09fHVnXYB13xtb3EhNNbxlP1HerFeblZ0GFmj7pPRNSlxbf7YTHEZkr1GaZKmR-dxRye5txEUs0rhmnm9sZudmUGY7xrbUa6pdYjBXkZpj-9GboMrY_uGO1daVK1x9W_K5d7z/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yGgqzgn09fHVnXYB13xtb3EhNNbxlP1HerFeblZ0GFmj7pPRNSlxbf7YTHEZkr1GaZKmR-dxRye5txEUs0rhmnm9sZudmUGY7xrbUa6pdYjBXkZpj-9GboMrY_uGO1daVK1x9W_K5d7z/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-83419951043882725582018-04-27T05:18:00.000-07:002018-04-27T05:18:13.810-07:00A Solution?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's great that the boybarians are willing to use things more than once.</div>
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We don't have to wash</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">every single thing</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">every single time</span></i></div>
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it gets used.</div>
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Bath towels.</div>
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Jeans.</div>
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Drinking glasses.</div>
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But you know what's <i>not</i> great?</div>
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Multiple identical drinking glasses all over the kitchen counter because,</div>
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<i>I'l use it again.</i></div>
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Yah, but... </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Which one is yours?</i></span></div>
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So I think I have a solution.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzogVDPxQleFOrfa0opqLfVG8bGg4rKgsCo4yEyrcq40Ml6DfgFDvsSDhS2FOFNZgIk3aLSSeBgz87GS8UykjhGq-djKEnbOJVckWg_h7VCNhyXXrDq4fueUQz5pRe8BeyO__tt97L0bVP/s1600/IMG_0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzogVDPxQleFOrfa0opqLfVG8bGg4rKgsCo4yEyrcq40Ml6DfgFDvsSDhS2FOFNZgIk3aLSSeBgz87GS8UykjhGq-djKEnbOJVckWg_h7VCNhyXXrDq4fueUQz5pRe8BeyO__tt97L0bVP/s640/IMG_0277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's basically a communal coaster that sits right next to the sink.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K8VSRWTYRAt4jATVLk50ztKY_tQxVrrXN93LPnaUBxATHhkxHiUascvhpmWKVAkNSlPYCg12kDs1hSXAW7I8ayQfd99Leb-qmCQXKkDk5oG9zbG8diwZFldFSvb7jGPYpHgKA-NY6iRo/s1600/IMG_0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K8VSRWTYRAt4jATVLk50ztKY_tQxVrrXN93LPnaUBxATHhkxHiUascvhpmWKVAkNSlPYCg12kDs1hSXAW7I8ayQfd99Leb-qmCQXKkDk5oG9zbG8diwZFldFSvb7jGPYpHgKA-NY6iRo/s640/IMG_0278.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Everyone has a color.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7V2GhCBHyUVrq9ERkOTiu9veRj02-xqsYohM8JLh-LqsCYN2eOwQev8vZUlxo5PnOHIwSF0GpD59XPxfH9kcJlK_B_GCOeHJF7uTUb-apbav6RCDuD9wihu7rIF4wCgHtvIGEGsz6KsHK/s1600/IMG_0279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7V2GhCBHyUVrq9ERkOTiu9veRj02-xqsYohM8JLh-LqsCYN2eOwQev8vZUlxo5PnOHIwSF0GpD59XPxfH9kcJlK_B_GCOeHJF7uTUb-apbav6RCDuD9wihu7rIF4wCgHtvIGEGsz6KsHK/s640/IMG_0279.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Know your color.</div>
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Put <i>your </i>glass on <i>your</i> color.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVXuHLAjThE-iPqbiIhyphenhyphenJLk_YRbCZhCLP1ByHjTEaTeLV4_1gyNkV8iEzSJiGwZqmuPGVi3uCpa5I1Tk9emb8j4b8mmwhw739c7EeSjizZQ0ydqQPKUhjHWZ6UxwK3hzDR4ndKoPtzOTP/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVXuHLAjThE-iPqbiIhyphenhyphenJLk_YRbCZhCLP1ByHjTEaTeLV4_1gyNkV8iEzSJiGwZqmuPGVi3uCpa5I1Tk9emb8j4b8mmwhw739c7EeSjizZQ0ydqQPKUhjHWZ6UxwK3hzDR4ndKoPtzOTP/s640/IMG_0280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So far so good - the boys are cooperating.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmr78r4j4arNOAzyOsX8WWUMk5Ws2-OG6GO-JI6OKRr0PZcw26RS9q0pYi-Wk_CuJ07lza8t656FnHEEJqp8BD0UNvru__EyE0LOgCjZUJu1NgOCneY3KkDBieA_FgvYD5EowE5zurDGM/s1600/IMG_0281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmr78r4j4arNOAzyOsX8WWUMk5Ws2-OG6GO-JI6OKRr0PZcw26RS9q0pYi-Wk_CuJ07lza8t656FnHEEJqp8BD0UNvru__EyE0LOgCjZUJu1NgOCneY3KkDBieA_FgvYD5EowE5zurDGM/s640/IMG_0281.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So why did I find the husband's glass... </div>
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on the counter, right next to his space???</div>
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Wish me luck.</div>
Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-25966576172516360092018-04-24T11:34:00.001-07:002018-04-24T11:34:40.496-07:00Ta-Daaaaa!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have finished, painted trim!</div>
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And closet doors!</div>
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Window trim!</div>
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Door trim!</div>
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Floor trim!</div>
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I'm a little excited.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeszvbxd09BJU3KTRDHiBs0lyPkw53XDHgzRm_8sPD8Ge4hD_gcrI6i9R_K7A1L5ic1d3DcT_y8sRTP_fYq3wRdYC1kPsTPDORuFrtlFx19vo8ZMeFeUKhqD0CDpY8Sq53fpCLiZNwjrk/s1600/IMG_1970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeszvbxd09BJU3KTRDHiBs0lyPkw53XDHgzRm_8sPD8Ge4hD_gcrI6i9R_K7A1L5ic1d3DcT_y8sRTP_fYq3wRdYC1kPsTPDORuFrtlFx19vo8ZMeFeUKhqD0CDpY8Sq53fpCLiZNwjrk/s640/IMG_1970.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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See how the windows (above) just have wallboard right up to the 2x4s?</div>
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Now they look like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKiQnstrFd6w5lbPUNcGBO-x9jTbnMsTmF8FPY_HId8w84uvE2pwFyc8G-Zc2aDq4Qh66BUMj-_utPR-hdwmWvkV54LJfEkJX0tnWakvux-t3-O0q-B34ShMfKyhAXvO2utWe0ww8ZkG/s1600/IMG_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKiQnstrFd6w5lbPUNcGBO-x9jTbnMsTmF8FPY_HId8w84uvE2pwFyc8G-Zc2aDq4Qh66BUMj-_utPR-hdwmWvkV54LJfEkJX0tnWakvux-t3-O0q-B34ShMfKyhAXvO2utWe0ww8ZkG/s640/IMG_0232.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And the boys' closet and door that used to look like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIAh3EGrcBcbF9VlvvtiXLrwi0X7puVjELln5a8dnTeLywk_57JrDLiI4eUzjhz8_WIhaCl_KaAJrpe9lg1McXL9lWKwUDe972kE-_M-9Hq5Rl1ERbPX9t5YhOS6I5-DhMCWFBRk37qbt/s1600/IMG_1133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIAh3EGrcBcbF9VlvvtiXLrwi0X7puVjELln5a8dnTeLywk_57JrDLiI4eUzjhz8_WIhaCl_KaAJrpe9lg1McXL9lWKwUDe972kE-_M-9Hq5Rl1ERbPX9t5YhOS6I5-DhMCWFBRk37qbt/s640/IMG_1133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... now look like this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteEwYLVaW5uW5qybSFXNniesCl0Ma3afWL0oc-S1FSD6tabFIngHsBz0E0ed_fvH50ZOKmrfKpUKb6docEkA2bfYghJCg9Q4AfFDAAqa88FelokXDSxJ3tNmH3be6_BViTfY-wMQI2V0C/s1600/IMG_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteEwYLVaW5uW5qybSFXNniesCl0Ma3afWL0oc-S1FSD6tabFIngHsBz0E0ed_fvH50ZOKmrfKpUKb6docEkA2bfYghJCg9Q4AfFDAAqa88FelokXDSxJ3tNmH3be6_BViTfY-wMQI2V0C/s640/IMG_0234.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Their other window looks good too :D</div>
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I don't have any good "before" of my office/craft room, but look!</div>
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I know, I know...</div>
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you're probably thinking,</div>
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"Ummmm, it's a window."</div>
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Yah. But it's a window WITH PAINTED TRIM, instead of the raw edges of the dry wall and 2x4s.</div>
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Our hallway closets, formerly hung with curtains (pushed up here, for cleaning)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtltjrakboNX5bJPZCaIvgiXLOR4PUBV6GhGIptv7pRqtZ3XSPkv6PA-u9a8LDXuhjaW_c2DoDZwL0eL888eyffc7e_gIHjnCXKhnyyZNfYGJAtzcpQNV5e4HVI66LLVImuk1o4cEE2IP/s1600/Closet2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtltjrakboNX5bJPZCaIvgiXLOR4PUBV6GhGIptv7pRqtZ3XSPkv6PA-u9a8LDXuhjaW_c2DoDZwL0eL888eyffc7e_gIHjnCXKhnyyZNfYGJAtzcpQNV5e4HVI66LLVImuk1o4cEE2IP/s400/Closet2.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXgeVf6aWUu9OsK1d38OIMqak3TSCu_mt2l0aqmgio4z9lp27ahtYRCZE75x8a8hxRXBG7KFfdHczr4PfpDQUhyphenhyphenXGJF1LNknc_8n0vSVRPxHEndw8g5gz6nxBGHHyp6hD_SC4JMqDyrRK/s1600/Closet1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXgeVf6aWUu9OsK1d38OIMqak3TSCu_mt2l0aqmgio4z9lp27ahtYRCZE75x8a8hxRXBG7KFfdHczr4PfpDQUhyphenhyphenXGJF1LNknc_8n0vSVRPxHEndw8g5gz6nxBGHHyp6hD_SC4JMqDyrRK/s400/Closet1.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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... were temporarily kind of a carnival fun-house...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wc4mWke7TWbF9Ba6HAJvaR3L_VMhvs9GhpDro6Jh_6UKMCHouXroNr1MeAgjczPELEIhh4q96ASR7QGL3mjSy2mI-ci1c4lMQ8CYgcnbdvJNHo97Gp9ICwFHUyDkuKMcTbOR8GRRjOjC/s1600/IMG_7847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wc4mWke7TWbF9Ba6HAJvaR3L_VMhvs9GhpDro6Jh_6UKMCHouXroNr1MeAgjczPELEIhh4q96ASR7QGL3mjSy2mI-ci1c4lMQ8CYgcnbdvJNHo97Gp9ICwFHUyDkuKMcTbOR8GRRjOjC/s640/IMG_7847.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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But now look fabulous!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbBzUYq1s1_j9JHhsjR_lCCYn-XpX_kxWpTwocDYkqAevUpfbG4a3KGGZURHSGlFBzdvIEtRju6BVbMTseBN1tHSSwxZPFsN0Q9lbKBKumbCqhCXblapDZJx5zrKWLrR10ylo8p6mHCO8/s1600/IMG_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbBzUYq1s1_j9JHhsjR_lCCYn-XpX_kxWpTwocDYkqAevUpfbG4a3KGGZURHSGlFBzdvIEtRju6BVbMTseBN1tHSSwxZPFsN0Q9lbKBKumbCqhCXblapDZJx5zrKWLrR10ylo8p6mHCO8/s640/IMG_0231.jpg" width="483" /></a></div>
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Our bedroom also had curtains hanging over the closets... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyP8ezqCPzckEj_L2-GgJuMBHOpGNvXR3EZpxAi6bs0fqCiEBkvCMYzKvXNJ_NU0PPEK_HQoBKmF8WGvbmJPZOW04YwWzzAK_KckASDDXRyJjgMPP6iw_rtnAOw-zIvNSsc_kVtTSty4-/s1600/IMG_7848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyP8ezqCPzckEj_L2-GgJuMBHOpGNvXR3EZpxAi6bs0fqCiEBkvCMYzKvXNJ_NU0PPEK_HQoBKmF8WGvbmJPZOW04YwWzzAK_KckASDDXRyJjgMPP6iw_rtnAOw-zIvNSsc_kVtTSty4-/s640/IMG_7848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... now look so clean and bright and uncluttered!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE4RhTyvGNwyfbhhQNM4Fywcf6kVpa1z8GvsLe4bahJCJEh0Skh5vWjfNbeDGl_WdEHQ7g14NQ2ZF70xzhMYeOZzHHcmHEBEwSkNP2VUJOKDi0en7MYqLTj3fVvp2zMp62t9MV9NFMTTa/s1600/IMG_0260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE4RhTyvGNwyfbhhQNM4Fywcf6kVpa1z8GvsLe4bahJCJEh0Skh5vWjfNbeDGl_WdEHQ7g14NQ2ZF70xzhMYeOZzHHcmHEBEwSkNP2VUJOKDi0en7MYqLTj3fVvp2zMp62t9MV9NFMTTa/s640/IMG_0260.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And I'm hoping that finally, <i><b>finally</b></i> we'll say goodbye to winter.</div>
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So I've changed the bedroom from flannel sheets and the down comforter...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenV6QcjE1CW2-uRXaY-LSHS-toHEyRTS4a6R49Z5NMo7gkv9S2CqmUzZNcnY2Y8shNiGIO2QM8i2bF_iW9PkigxUQr5SBk9ygbqq2uGaJWxVARBoR5Gqem0C6Wp7Qr-ZuTU44OXTwD8g2/s1600/DSCI0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenV6QcjE1CW2-uRXaY-LSHS-toHEyRTS4a6R49Z5NMo7gkv9S2CqmUzZNcnY2Y8shNiGIO2QM8i2bF_iW9PkigxUQr5SBk9ygbqq2uGaJWxVARBoR5Gqem0C6Wp7Qr-ZuTU44OXTwD8g2/s640/DSCI0898.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... to spring sheets and a quilt I made. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXLlhmaXwu-MzV1n67blHlR5IvCAyiPZ-gy_hLH1oeUpYzT8qL2t4ylOqyPFnpwmAUQ7I8sOJylNDs76ADyodxjYpe8X5FDL4rcDCj0idUyafnqfXB7WUrzRulgkGDKFp7jlpSFDB2fgQ/s1600/IMG_0259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXLlhmaXwu-MzV1n67blHlR5IvCAyiPZ-gy_hLH1oeUpYzT8qL2t4ylOqyPFnpwmAUQ7I8sOJylNDs76ADyodxjYpe8X5FDL4rcDCj0idUyafnqfXB7WUrzRulgkGDKFp7jlpSFDB2fgQ/s640/IMG_0259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Okay, spring, I'm ready.</div>
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Don't fail me now.</div>
Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-55393422463512501332018-04-23T13:47:00.000-07:002018-04-23T13:47:52.116-07:00Grasshopper Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tOUGJMEduP4kJ2exa00Oi9ljBuIUIj0X18o_4ASdlt_lMRdnjPhelSvXzfjhwiN7_hLtuqBYrL_mJrlmDktKm9NmskMlJNf1r0oMRNj3clJOO9fyaAGR1enRVLruVtd6w1nf5olHf5Nx/s1600/IMG_3545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tOUGJMEduP4kJ2exa00Oi9ljBuIUIj0X18o_4ASdlt_lMRdnjPhelSvXzfjhwiN7_hLtuqBYrL_mJrlmDktKm9NmskMlJNf1r0oMRNj3clJOO9fyaAGR1enRVLruVtd6w1nf5olHf5Nx/s400/IMG_3545.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Grasshopper Days</span></b></div>
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<b>For today, Monday, April 23, 2018</b></div>
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<b>Outside my window...</b> please note, the photo above is not reality...</div>
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that would be from sometime in May, some year in the past.</div>
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As a friend and I fb-ed this morning we realized that<br />
Maine was warmer than Washington.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">MAINE.</span></i></div>
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We keep <i>hoping</i> that spring will finally appear.</div>
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What we actually <i>still have</i> are frosty mornings because it's now January 113th.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzRmvBDhO75OYdG528rPQzIgqAedG-oUe4xVFRnQ14KlwDbIm9l68H4xA0Bjt1QcaI9O608Vp-2jvK_FxP2pN5XIHJtve-tHGpu6EJxSNDIW1w2dkjFFNinvimtaOQpNucNPFUE221sAx/s1600/IMG_0209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzRmvBDhO75OYdG528rPQzIgqAedG-oUe4xVFRnQ14KlwDbIm9l68H4xA0Bjt1QcaI9O608Vp-2jvK_FxP2pN5XIHJtve-tHGpu6EJxSNDIW1w2dkjFFNinvimtaOQpNucNPFUE221sAx/s640/IMG_0209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The deer have not gotten the memo and are shedding their winter coats,<br />
so they look all mangy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMewlhNDuASGOCwMajd9NeoGs_qsa50OAO3irPTTKxOPwbSenUEJ1t2SJ64t-WRZXBsVqnqW16aVDuyAOnJnYsk6OBp1EtZ89U8CAjifSLUhbo8byRMUWl5cbmrjJm8KMhgO4ec7IK9HC/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMewlhNDuASGOCwMajd9NeoGs_qsa50OAO3irPTTKxOPwbSenUEJ1t2SJ64t-WRZXBsVqnqW16aVDuyAOnJnYsk6OBp1EtZ89U8CAjifSLUhbo8byRMUWl5cbmrjJm8KMhgO4ec7IK9HC/s640/IMG_0168.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I saw six when I was out walking - two groups of three.</div>
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Not the same three. One of them has a gimpy deer that was probably hit by a car. </div>
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<b>Hearing...</b> the dryer, though I'm thinking of putting some things on the line just to see if they'll make any progress toward getting dry. Wish me luck.</div>
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<b>Praying...</b> for my boys, Philippians 1:27,</div>
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Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then... I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.</div>
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<b>Thankful...</b> that they all appear to have genuine faith.</div>
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<b>Wearing...</b> the <i>many layers of spring</i>, because these days can easily swing from frosty mornings to mid-70s afternoons.</div>
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<b>Creating...</b> I went to an English Paper Piecing class on Saturday, just to try something new, and because a friend from BSF was teaching :D She makes AMAZING quilts out of little tiny pieces, that look like this...</div>
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I fiddled away at it all afternoon to come up with...</div>
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... <i>one little flower</i>, made of hexagons.</div>
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(The white basting threads will go away.)</div>
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The prospect of making the <i>dozens more</i> that a quilt would require is a bit overwhelming right now, so I think it will make a pretty little coaster for my tea :D</div>
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I enjoyed the class and I'm fascinated by the process, but I'm not sure I love handwork enough to commit to a big project... thinking about it.</div>
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<b>Reading...</b> still working on the theology book, but mixing in some lighter reading.</div>
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Just finished <i>The King's Speech</i>, and <i>Tilt, </i>and looking forward to borrowing a book that a friend just enjoyed.</div>
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<b>Learning...</b> don't ignore that shimmy in the back of the van.</div>
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Getting new tires today.</div>
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*sigh*</div>
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<b>Looking forward to...</b> the day I feel like I finally have it all together.</div>
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HA HA HA HA HA!!!</div>
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<b>In the kitchen...</b> I thought we would have a "festival" dinner (that's when we clean up all the leftovers in the fridge), but I think all the boybarians have gotten ahead of me on that.</div>
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<b>Around the house... </b>the new closet doors, door trim, window trim, floor trim, etc and painting are DONE! Hallelujah.</div>
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I'll get pics soon!</div>
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<b>Noticing that...</b> doing <i>one</i> project always reveals a dozen more that need doing, but I'm enjoying what <i>is</i> done.</div>
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<b>The Mother Load...</b> laundry, laundry, and more laundry.</div>
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Weather or not, the flannel sheets are coming off today.</div>
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<b>A verse for today...</b></div>
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Amos 4:13</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">He who forms the mountains and creates the wind...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">reveals His thoughts to mankind.</span></i></div>
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<b>A peek into my world...</b></div>
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Trilliums in the woods...</div>
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... and an interesting sky.</div>
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Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-42540117528577150452018-04-16T12:04:00.000-07:002018-04-16T12:04:08.657-07:00Grasshopper Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Grasshopper Days</span></b></div>
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<b>For today, Monday, April 16, 2018</b></div>
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TAX DAY...</div>
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<b>Outside my window...</b> see photo above</div>
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And - oh look! - fresh snow at Longmire (low elevation near Mt. Rainier) this morning... I guess in Washington...</div>
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<i>Spring? We don't need no stinkin' spring.</i></div>
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<b>Hearing...</b> the dryer, again. And again. And again.</div>
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Because we're not drying on the line yet - see photo above.</div>
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<b>Pondering...</b> apparently it's now <i><b>January 106th.</b></i></div>
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Saw this on a walk last week - yes, that's fresh snow.</div>
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<b>Praying...</b> upcoming transitions for Tate and Gunnar;</div>
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Tate will graduate in June (yay!) and already has been offered a (paid!) summer internship. Don't know if it will lead to a permanent job, but it's a good start.</div>
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Gunnar will finish high school in June, and will be a college student through Running Start in the fall. Whew!</div>
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<b>Thanking...</b> for the progress on painting (closet doors, door and window trim) inside the house.</div>
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<b>Wearing...</b> jeans, long-sleeve lime green t-shirt, navy sweater - it's cold!</div>
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Spring isn't trying hard enough, except for this tulip tree.</div>
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Blooming madly, and blowing wildly in the wind.</div>
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<b>Creating...</b> just finished a baby quilt - won't be revealed until probably June :D</div>
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Attempted to make an unusual piece of fabric into a table-cloth.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">That was a spectacular failure.</span></i></div>
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It wasn't quite big enough, so I tried adding a border around it,</div>
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which looked very unfortunately like a bedskirt.</div>
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No thank you.</div>
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Bed skirts are a mystery to me. WHY???</div>
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Why are they even a thing???</div>
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<b>Going...</b> to the grocery store because the boybarians need</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">another six gallons of milk.</span></i></div>
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Not kidding.</div>
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<b>Reading...</b> <i>When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference</i>, by Carolyn Custis James. Read this years ago and so glad to "find" it again. Women need to be good theologians.</div>
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<b>Looking forward to...</b> maybe, <i>maybe</i> we'll be able to have a little family trip this fall.</div>
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<b>In the kitchen...</b> I'm home alone today - all the boybarians are at work or school, so I have <i>more than plenty of time to make good home-cooked foo</i>d, but I HAVE NO PLAN. This is a recurring problem. I've always admired those people that plan their menu a month (or even a week!) at a time. Why doesn't that work for me??? My fall-back is chicken. Quick and easy to make, and everyone loves it. Maybe I'll give it more thought and get inspired. But don't hold your breath.</div>
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<b>In the learning rooms...</b> we don't really HAVE a learning room any more. Don't really NEED one. The boys mostly study all over the living room and dining room (why??? they have desks in their room and everything!) And remember<a href="http://herdinggrasshoppers.blogspot.com/2016/06/if-you-give-mom-idea.html" target="_blank"> the big move</a> two years ago? We're about to do another one - a smaller version, with less furniture involved. Wyatt has enjoyed having his own room for two years. Tate will have a summer job that most likely involves shift work (and sleeping in the day) so he will NEED his own room. Plus... <i>it's his turn</i>. So he and Wyatt will be swapping spaces, and Wyatt will be sharing with Gunnar again.</div>
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And Wyatt's about as excited about that as you might imagine.</div>
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Hanging tightly to my inner peace... oh look! A flower!</div>
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<b>Around the house...</b> how long will it take the boys to notice I put out a little leftover Easter candy?</div>
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<b>A peek into my world...</b> Gunnar was just asking me when the trilliums would bloom, and ta-daaaaa...</div>
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Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-54033213964561873802018-04-13T06:50:00.000-07:002018-04-13T16:25:48.151-07:00Happy Swoon Block Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've been doing a few quilting projects lately, because - HELLO - it feels like</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>January 103rd.</i></span></div>
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I keep thinking I should probably take the flannel sheets off the bed, but then... NOPE.</div>
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Low 40s, windy, and about to rain.</div>
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Yesterday? Fresh snow in the hills around the lake. No kidding.</div>
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But in happier news, another Chapel baby... another quilt :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjD858RLHUcrwPWnSjycam88GnRXYLhL-DFEoaoEdQyjpwCg5zVD5JKHkh9Zh57GWpdWTYVWZ0EFVvcKm0jXoz-gQj0roSinL-hVYNE-BmhpD-JjeKwwzYs89AxP9FEscY3wCwqcNS0Ev/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1600" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjD858RLHUcrwPWnSjycam88GnRXYLhL-DFEoaoEdQyjpwCg5zVD5JKHkh9Zh57GWpdWTYVWZ0EFVvcKm0jXoz-gQj0roSinL-hVYNE-BmhpD-JjeKwwzYs89AxP9FEscY3wCwqcNS0Ev/s640/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few years ago a "new" quilt block swept the quilting interwebs.</div>
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Like so many quilt blocks, it goes by more than one name...</div>
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Dutch Rose, Carpenter's Wheel, and now - reborn - as <a href="http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/simplify/2013/08/a-summer-swoon.html" target="_blank">Swoon</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTINtNlszPCSUcBhriCT5OUMaEqgVAdvQGG8JIqfegHZKYWbkcSJxzvIPkwBrY1t9d4mfURpMYmEEW1BRUVlyqPLxdegFj7FvUyPn0oiJnTQIQsDn1T_vD59VX9dg66r7UzAar53ltVdF/s1600/swoon-cover-2-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTINtNlszPCSUcBhriCT5OUMaEqgVAdvQGG8JIqfegHZKYWbkcSJxzvIPkwBrY1t9d4mfURpMYmEEW1BRUVlyqPLxdegFj7FvUyPn0oiJnTQIQsDn1T_vD59VX9dg66r7UzAar53ltVdF/s400/swoon-cover-2-01.png" width="258" /></a></div>
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Pretty, but SO MANY PIECES for each block.</div>
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Then I saw that <a href="http://modernquiltersireland.blogspot.com/2014/09/dutch-rose-swoon-blocks.html" target="_blank">somebody</a> had the idea of just making it big - a one-block quilt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUi4Lv_SL034ksUnnXupQfpM4W0RdEn1aBVd_slOS8LqzXUhhpX8D9zMkjyjJry3k5UcVjim9Cngqe6X7RpbRc_BHMgPgXAOcMJHkENzCmatApaKIa0aZoAEk9yk2GqefzxzCd4DpQF3qK/s1600/Swoon-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUi4Lv_SL034ksUnnXupQfpM4W0RdEn1aBVd_slOS8LqzXUhhpX8D9zMkjyjJry3k5UcVjim9Cngqe6X7RpbRc_BHMgPgXAOcMJHkENzCmatApaKIa0aZoAEk9yk2GqefzxzCd4DpQF3qK/s400/Swoon-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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That seemed much more do-able.</div>
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And it seemed <i style="font-weight: bold;">so much more fun</i> to make some of the blocks into little houses...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCKdjBeE_ef1BjIpkHi3WVZdrSsOPsQoVoSri7WYHZJ2MnK6i29ctwNlJfVNJDV1oC5ygxE9bd5I_oKAJlHhuRLUACq8GIgdHJfWLItsQPFKo2ipsSyCwIIkd1HYT9cAR_5az_16Vjcxa/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCKdjBeE_ef1BjIpkHi3WVZdrSsOPsQoVoSri7WYHZJ2MnK6i29ctwNlJfVNJDV1oC5ygxE9bd5I_oKAJlHhuRLUACq8GIgdHJfWLItsQPFKo2ipsSyCwIIkd1HYT9cAR_5az_16Vjcxa/s640/2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Which made the Swoon <i>block</i> into Swoon <i>houses</i>...</div>
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a whole happy <i>neighborhood</i> of them.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's a Swoon block party. ;D</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QSKAYV33XElRqTsIuWWfiaLBVsbnvaL3IMMM__58w9h5Dqj5A6gz219VuEPSfOqQwaL2njEXH0_wcy5_FJIEs73Warld4yqof_pYOcWzTia0SuqDNA640Wudc4FtAVtb3XDF9hxgm9Fo/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QSKAYV33XElRqTsIuWWfiaLBVsbnvaL3IMMM__58w9h5Dqj5A6gz219VuEPSfOqQwaL2njEXH0_wcy5_FJIEs73Warld4yqof_pYOcWzTia0SuqDNA640Wudc4FtAVtb3XDF9hxgm9Fo/s640/4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The orange house is my favorite,</div>
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all because of that bee in the window.</div>
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It's a colorful neighborhood!</div>
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Piecing all those houses took more time than I thought, especially because after cutting ALL the pieces and starting the first house, my sewing machine went on strike and had to go to the repairman. Arrrrgh. He got it all fixied, and I was on a roll. The houses came together as I had hoped, and the rest of the piecing went pretty smoothly.</div>
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Then, apparently, <i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I lost my mind.</span></i></div>
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After quilting a star inside the block inside the star (on the front), I thought it would be <i><b>so cool</b></i> to quilt a huge spiral on the rest of the quilt. Which took a long time multiplied by <b><i>forever</i></b>.</div>
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But it does look kind of cool.</div>
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What drove me to the Cliffs of Insanity is that I had an old spool of variegated thread I thought would look good. But the thread was absolute CRAP. It kept breaking. The thought of picking out what I'd already done and starting over with new (better!) thread did occur to me, but... just, no. No, no, no. I'd rather go forward than back.</div>
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I have no idea what made the blurry, spinny effect on this last photo, but it accurately represents how I was feeling by the time I finished!</div>
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<br />Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-22681208309112009622018-04-10T12:35:00.002-07:002018-04-10T12:35:24.496-07:00Electrum<div style="text-align: center;">
A good friend from the chapel asked me to make her a tree skirt -</div>
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photos <a href="http://herdinggrasshoppers.blogspot.com/2018/04/grasshopper-days.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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In planning a quilt, I generally overestimate the fabric a bit</div>
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because I don't want to run short and have to try to find more of the same.</div>
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But between working with Really Large Pieces on the tree skirt</div>
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and maybe - just maybe - my math skills failing me,</div>
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we REALLY overbought on the fabric.</div>
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So I did this.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaoMvbwSugqTv51Xf92nn7GXI3dSc1-s5LYmY5gxL3aacB40cA4s0dlZeFTSNuRC0TjoS9gJqZacHCatnLszmXM_frsIaTaJaLLhDxjFg5mdhf0lehgrsWna29AastoLIipRlHbaiMvK3/s1600/IMG_8024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1589" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaoMvbwSugqTv51Xf92nn7GXI3dSc1-s5LYmY5gxL3aacB40cA4s0dlZeFTSNuRC0TjoS9gJqZacHCatnLszmXM_frsIaTaJaLLhDxjFg5mdhf0lehgrsWna29AastoLIipRlHbaiMvK3/s640/IMG_8024.jpg" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flimsy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The blocks finish at five inches, so it's about 40" x 40".</div>
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Not big enough to snuggle under, but maybe pretty on the table,</div>
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or to hang on the wall.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuuvwxIs585s2HbHKzuX9AsNXYnfDVL3wWkLctDO0OUGWBBKK4A27CJ_lurJerviVk4goa3V7waqZy9ES8SY4-7qHQ68jXvpKiMXDGtcOrhpTOYv2iVaB1t7LwtBbEAtMq6EOFrbv0T9e/s1600/IMG_8037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1600" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuuvwxIs585s2HbHKzuX9AsNXYnfDVL3wWkLctDO0OUGWBBKK4A27CJ_lurJerviVk4goa3V7waqZy9ES8SY4-7qHQ68jXvpKiMXDGtcOrhpTOYv2iVaB1t7LwtBbEAtMq6EOFrbv0T9e/s640/IMG_8037.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and the finished product.</td></tr>
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I backed it with the metallics...</div>
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Not too complex (whew!),</div>
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and I'm happy with how it came out :D</div>
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Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-82035758368937923662018-04-09T10:21:00.000-07:002018-04-09T10:21:03.390-07:00Grasshopper Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Grasshopper Days</span></b></div>
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<b>For today, Monday, April 9, 2018</b></div>
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<b>Outside my window... </b>yesterday</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cnV-HSFdCu-t_sVK4LMSX4rzsK-4KaMr9Mb0d8-cFkRdhKEjqYflLnesE155i3NggLTQmm1QkGwz6ojqTuaynXYnn-ztDrxjj-3FJi7BrabRe6IwXPDkSdw4CUOIyUl9GnvfPzolohIC/s1600/IMG_1331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cnV-HSFdCu-t_sVK4LMSX4rzsK-4KaMr9Mb0d8-cFkRdhKEjqYflLnesE155i3NggLTQmm1QkGwz6ojqTuaynXYnn-ztDrxjj-3FJi7BrabRe6IwXPDkSdw4CUOIyUl9GnvfPzolohIC/s640/IMG_1331.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Hearing...</b> birds singing when I wake up in the morning :D</div>
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<b>Praying...</b> </div>
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How can a young man keep his way pure?</div>
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By living according to your word...</div>
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I have hidden your word in my heart</div>
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that I might not sin against you.</div>
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Psalm 119</div>
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<b>Thankful...</b> all is well. (Don't infer anything awful from the prayer ;D)</div>
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Kerry has lots of work.</div>
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Everyone is healthy.</div>
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Wyatt is working.</div>
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Tate just started his last quarter of college.</div>
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Gunnar had a great spring break - orchestra tour.</div>
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<b>Creating...</b> sewing a LOT lately - will post pics soon.</div>
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<b>Going...</b> just back from PT. Fell on the ice in January and hurt my knee, but have an amazing physical therapist. He can figure out exactly what's messed up and what to do to fix it, all in manageable steps (for a non-athlete like me!) So thankful :D</div>
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<b>Looking forward to...</b> painting being finished.</div>
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These are old photos, but look at the closet... no doors.</div>
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And the door frame... no trim.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALBRb0sStb6fiYwlF9pZX8vaTJOqOzuPDYzuxGpl8psRaHgQ6f3TjxUBljpxvmpkq9VyQOS3o6Qq3agf1bYooSp3fuHvDJ2IEkY9r6snAIzNkZzcTMTQeZ7eEGyLzCwNOo_4cGXWo8YWE/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALBRb0sStb6fiYwlF9pZX8vaTJOqOzuPDYzuxGpl8psRaHgQ6f3TjxUBljpxvmpkq9VyQOS3o6Qq3agf1bYooSp3fuHvDJ2IEkY9r6snAIzNkZzcTMTQeZ7eEGyLzCwNOo_4cGXWo8YWE/s640/IMG_1849.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Same around the window... no trim.</div>
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First we hired a friend to install closet doors and trim,</div>
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so the house was like this for awhile...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFyeuen2_2rC3z2b-xT1EzEq4uZGI2h5qfkn0skieW809-rubW9-WLgrI_lVtcBk0yCIS2IKnpKfIKQZw598t_ZkA-ia5emQ4FDGz8tmAk453EVDmCGPc5gjSVwG0cxJHuvRfiDfpO0NW/s1600/IMG_7847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFyeuen2_2rC3z2b-xT1EzEq4uZGI2h5qfkn0skieW809-rubW9-WLgrI_lVtcBk0yCIS2IKnpKfIKQZw598t_ZkA-ia5emQ4FDGz8tmAk453EVDmCGPc5gjSVwG0cxJHuvRfiDfpO0NW/s640/IMG_7847.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5kVZxGxZcR4m90t7TXeGSFNrykys3zQbyk2OHP2LOMo0aDwk8TVgfgJxX9pt-1ZnW2kVBO8GduVDl3lQbMRLKVJZwtxo4UJQnKtU88YW6pCvjDIzqZNLHSToEzI7muyxDbzk-TJcVhEq/s1600/IMG_7848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5kVZxGxZcR4m90t7TXeGSFNrykys3zQbyk2OHP2LOMo0aDwk8TVgfgJxX9pt-1ZnW2kVBO8GduVDl3lQbMRLKVJZwtxo4UJQnKtU88YW6pCvjDIzqZNLHSToEzI7muyxDbzk-TJcVhEq/s640/IMG_7848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes. That was as convenient as you're imagining.</div>
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He did a GREAT job :D</div>
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But he doesn't paint.</div>
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And even the rooms that HAD trim, had trim that had never been painted.</div>
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So now we have a painter coming and going.</div>
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And we need to move EVERYTHING again, to give him access not only to the closet doors, but to all the closet, door, and window trim (not too difficult)</div>
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but all the FLOOR trim... around every upstairs room.</div>
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It's all good, but it will be better when it's done.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhJWjSd1UJv_C-pD3nDCOQHE2fw_CozzSad4O7yT0C5cLw2sfTz7D8SlTUo7AGwJut7NFW3O6ITNd2z_NtjJuyMoGRRZgmx66nh8f0B41GHTrOPCFIV1CQMynbbKlCx3xIPKXsw2D6BDa/s1600/IMG_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhJWjSd1UJv_C-pD3nDCOQHE2fw_CozzSad4O7yT0C5cLw2sfTz7D8SlTUo7AGwJut7NFW3O6ITNd2z_NtjJuyMoGRRZgmx66nh8f0B41GHTrOPCFIV1CQMynbbKlCx3xIPKXsw2D6BDa/s640/IMG_0054.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niko knows how to relax no matter what is going on.</td></tr>
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<b>In the kitchen... </b>finishing the last of the Easter ham tonight.</div>
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<b>In the learning rooms...</b> Gunnar has finished his official homeschool studies for the year, but has some reading to do/discuss with me... woo-hoo! And some homework from high school, of course.</div>
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<b>Around the house...</b> I'm leaving the Easter things out for awhile because we need SOMETHING to looks springy. My friend Ben texted me,</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"It literally feels like January 74th,"</i></span></div>
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and he's right.</div>
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<b>Noticing that...</b> there IS hope.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TRxIxaFvihlmMk38f_xP4XTu7P1R4lVEn9qBiJKwccH5i_x5Lxq2ikse5aW_Cy31CqYik4rpOeO7Mbl3uOVuDOFbqwhKBetdEDmq-WfKEG4WzzQ9BC78X63vamylia0Ir4lRKhU00DIq/s1600/IMG_8015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TRxIxaFvihlmMk38f_xP4XTu7P1R4lVEn9qBiJKwccH5i_x5Lxq2ikse5aW_Cy31CqYik4rpOeO7Mbl3uOVuDOFbqwhKBetdEDmq-WfKEG4WzzQ9BC78X63vamylia0Ir4lRKhU00DIq/s640/IMG_8015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilac buds</td></tr>
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<b>The Mother Load...</b> has gone all sideways with the work being done on the house.</div>
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I've found time to play a little though.</div>
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Made this coaster (now apparently known as a "mug rug")</div>
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out of scraps from a long-ago project.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNI5_mNBJp9Sl7naRoXY8apwDs-uNXJk8sbXX-mllMZTMCPWVb_RMjXWahZkI9_8sx42DvgehsY44VO5jhi9U4vcnVvEBN3YCtMZuLkiDched2sXWFUBNSRzAeCUf7R-GVitEmGM9CVr7/s1600/IMG_8053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNI5_mNBJp9Sl7naRoXY8apwDs-uNXJk8sbXX-mllMZTMCPWVb_RMjXWahZkI9_8sx42DvgehsY44VO5jhi9U4vcnVvEBN3YCtMZuLkiDched2sXWFUBNSRzAeCUf7R-GVitEmGM9CVr7/s640/IMG_8053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Something fun to share...</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/joshuaslice/videos" target="_blank">Lukas the Spider.</a></div>
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Click it. You'll be glad you did.</div>
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<b>A quote for the day...</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The aim of hospitality is to forge relationships strong enough to bear the weight of truth.</i></span></div>
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<i>- Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements</i></div>
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from this encouraging article on hospitality, <a href="https://www.9marks.org/article/be-a-gospel-neighbor/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<b>A peek into my world...</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5ayhYLYA_gyvK1sOn8f3qPG7wb5w6FRzhsGtzOUJ2GG7HHKHC10kmekG1btbeG5QFi9kF7PT9yxahlAIpmttIur6DKr5rR0-J5pz0KWsBNwKMVhSriMmM2kPpeaOpVZFOZ46bbh1R15O/s1600/IMG_8017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5ayhYLYA_gyvK1sOn8f3qPG7wb5w6FRzhsGtzOUJ2GG7HHKHC10kmekG1btbeG5QFi9kF7PT9yxahlAIpmttIur6DKr5rR0-J5pz0KWsBNwKMVhSriMmM2kPpeaOpVZFOZ46bbh1R15O/s640/IMG_8017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-59159699355805080612018-04-02T12:10:00.002-07:002018-04-02T12:10:53.306-07:00Grasshopper Days<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP1tWOe1S-KtxfabJnpzgFN6yHW5VDaqyv1JS8YwezSZ8VecA0ZqFiMV0OE_uWRy_eUY8qtaKPwZ_6aZfjmlucO-z1NI-nIcPuXO3gQXifU9_RYWdXdgHhTmTgDS73zyB8D_hvC7LwPhR/s1600/13HouseinSnow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP1tWOe1S-KtxfabJnpzgFN6yHW5VDaqyv1JS8YwezSZ8VecA0ZqFiMV0OE_uWRy_eUY8qtaKPwZ_6aZfjmlucO-z1NI-nIcPuXO3gQXifU9_RYWdXdgHhTmTgDS73zyB8D_hvC7LwPhR/s400/13HouseinSnow.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know it's spring,<br />but we're not feeling it yet!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Grasshopper Days</span></b></div>
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<b>For today, Monday, April 2, 2018</b></div>
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<b>Outside my window... </b>yesterday, EASTER SUNDAY,</div>
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we had snow. No April foolin'. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozIa6HryTAR_pPjeLW3a7CXb1lrCvOykY3sejA7OuDooEziYTssJ7Gs84E17r35kw20ncWWaKayIuASdfijcCXk8vgjqcOiuZb9cdIgnglvnow6GJzI9urz3Bk9zhPJyrEFetqky0bKRN/s1600/IMG_8008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozIa6HryTAR_pPjeLW3a7CXb1lrCvOykY3sejA7OuDooEziYTssJ7Gs84E17r35kw20ncWWaKayIuASdfijcCXk8vgjqcOiuZb9cdIgnglvnow6GJzI9urz3Bk9zhPJyrEFetqky0bKRN/s640/IMG_8008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Hearing...</b> the dryer tumbling and my stomach growling.</div>
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Almost lunch time.</div>
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<b>Pondering...</b> mom and I were talking yesterday about my dad's heart surgery last August. It really knocked him for a loop, and I'm sure his recovery seemed painfully slow to him, but really... by Thanksgiving he was feeling pretty great, and now - eight months later - he's FABULOUS. Amazing.</div>
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<b>Praying...</b> that Gunnar has a wonderful time on his orchestra trip. He called yesterday, <b><i>from</i></b><i><b> Disneyland</b></i>. (Not that he was <i>gloating</i> or anything...) Had a question. Talked for about 30 seconds. I think he was in line for a ride.</div>
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<b>Thankful...</b> Kerry has had a TON of work for quite awhile. Yay :D Tate finished another quarter with straight A's and has just <i>one more quarter</i> until graduation. Wyatt is enjoying his work. And everyone remains healthy - hallelujah.</div>
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<b>Creating...</b> just finished a project for a friend. She requested a reversible Christmas tree skirt in gold and silver. I wanted to help, but was leery of trying to sew something like gold lame... NO. She chose (and paid for) all the fabrics (cottons!) and I put it together...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM0MUHsaiZM1mhNXHfTEjubRmax9jkq8Xhtz-wZ_wYwzqrztPL7r_AaiCLzQhfyM8MiB2XOODKHsA_XvDbfnJF0rGp2_BswztZ7AyU00drEqBDPhHriZP7Kps7LeyDaG3fAQR3LgeB2mT/s1600/IMG_7994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM0MUHsaiZM1mhNXHfTEjubRmax9jkq8Xhtz-wZ_wYwzqrztPL7r_AaiCLzQhfyM8MiB2XOODKHsA_XvDbfnJF0rGp2_BswztZ7AyU00drEqBDPhHriZP7Kps7LeyDaG3fAQR3LgeB2mT/s640/IMG_7994.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gold side...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NQlYvPLQak27ZcyFSrWgsuIG9pMZLGAIe0EX_6lcUrhwSeS6XykZoPG0SqDEEmzXBzTGTR_zbN9MVhs07u4plRbdFr9Gd-FgUV0ayiu0alD2hnXIqhhTNme0i-b2tSs2ifUcSqDfGVQF/s1600/IMG_7996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NQlYvPLQak27ZcyFSrWgsuIG9pMZLGAIe0EX_6lcUrhwSeS6XykZoPG0SqDEEmzXBzTGTR_zbN9MVhs07u4plRbdFr9Gd-FgUV0ayiu0alD2hnXIqhhTNme0i-b2tSs2ifUcSqDfGVQF/s640/IMG_7996.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the silver side.</td></tr>
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It's hard to really see the fabrics in the photos of the whole skirt (it was HUGE!),</div>
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so here's a closer look... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_JZQtoNkeCnRyhFYSbS_J7zglq8tDapDm7Bh2guXqhZuX1vHbel1svp4BkX2z-fbb6NOCKNwGc2fe_t71R7eDXn_p7PbfQpfTMQqWGA1kYhO7hqBX49vaDsifiOXHOhumdKJzT-9X-Fo/s1600/IMG_7976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_JZQtoNkeCnRyhFYSbS_J7zglq8tDapDm7Bh2guXqhZuX1vHbel1svp4BkX2z-fbb6NOCKNwGc2fe_t71R7eDXn_p7PbfQpfTMQqWGA1kYhO7hqBX49vaDsifiOXHOhumdKJzT-9X-Fo/s640/IMG_7976.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngfNaaCiC4aRk4BCfulpl87fNg0ZhyphenhyphenY1kQxsmr0JegAkU5FbcE6NcjptZ4xATOrWWm-8BOwaYehEXMo22SGQIpfpdk6PajOkwyz0bdNYcQby2hyphenhyphenbeYbvktO831gwzx7zqvehjd-imdmV0/s1600/IMG_7978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngfNaaCiC4aRk4BCfulpl87fNg0ZhyphenhyphenY1kQxsmr0JegAkU5FbcE6NcjptZ4xATOrWWm-8BOwaYehEXMo22SGQIpfpdk6PajOkwyz0bdNYcQby2hyphenhyphenbeYbvktO831gwzx7zqvehjd-imdmV0/s640/IMG_7978.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Going...</b> have already been to P.T. this morning and to get groceries, and hoping to stay home the rest of the day :D So much to do...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFebrkAiHIJU0gDp-sxbGdCrGkh8P0Iu_HvcV_YcpU0-5LTK-TeKytq9LvDtWDN6lI9fS8gCoeUb9JSr5d563raAC-jU_S1YEz7uJPbGJ4yMpUBD0_c9ALNAqHi6_C09P4w2KmOtr-nqP7/s1600/IMG_7161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1578" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFebrkAiHIJU0gDp-sxbGdCrGkh8P0Iu_HvcV_YcpU0-5LTK-TeKytq9LvDtWDN6lI9fS8gCoeUb9JSr5d563raAC-jU_S1YEz7uJPbGJ4yMpUBD0_c9ALNAqHi6_C09P4w2KmOtr-nqP7/s640/IMG_7161.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently our area hasn't got the memo that it's supposed to be spring...</td></tr>
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<b>Reading...</b> am re-reading <i>The Book That Made Your World</i> to discuss with Gunnar.</div>
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I think every American Christian should read it.</div>
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And stop apologizing for Christianity changing cultures.</div>
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<b>Looking forward to...</b> Gunnar comes home Wednesday night (late!) and can't wait to hear about his big adventures.</div>
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<b>In the kitchen...</b> glorious leftovers. I think I cooked the best ham ever this year. In the crock pot. I want to do another one. Oh yes.</div>
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<b>In the learning rooms...</b> Gunnar still has some books to read and discuss, but I am really close to the finish line of homeschooling. Unreal.</div>
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<b>Around the house...</b> you'd be shocked (or maybe not) if you saw how much chocolate I bought for yesterday, and then to see the little quart-size ziplock bag that all the leftovers fit into. Yes, we are a family of chocolate lovers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIN7HMNROXt1tVer1DIpSZgQ3jWmPIZWuQr1a-AkhjRXCOIG7jHFA95pSTvug2BkCFfv3onKHN41F1iTfThj7ZDxipniKqhth8ow3_Qn8a0P7M1l2D1wkYq5KnQJtoTZQtcRgp8Hk3Xs2/s1600/IMG_1206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIN7HMNROXt1tVer1DIpSZgQ3jWmPIZWuQr1a-AkhjRXCOIG7jHFA95pSTvug2BkCFfv3onKHN41F1iTfThj7ZDxipniKqhth8ow3_Qn8a0P7M1l2D1wkYq5KnQJtoTZQtcRgp8Hk3Xs2/s640/IMG_1206.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b>Something to remember for later...</b> the extended family came here for Easter, which means a noisy (happy) chaos. I planned to make deviled eggs, but <i>after </i>mixing up the yolks discovered the mayo was rancid. Ick. Threw those in the trash. It poured. It hailed. It snowed.</div>
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And Naomi leaned over the ONE candle I had lit, and set her hair on fire.</div>
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So, you know, <i>Happy Easter!</i></div>
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<b>The Mother Load...</b> after making my friend the tree skirt, there was a LOT of fabric leftover, much of it more to her liking than mine, so I'm plotting something else to surprise her with.</div>
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<b>A favorite quote for today...</b> sometimes I read <a href="http://seandietrich.com/" target="_blank">Sean Dietrich</a>'s blog.</div>
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Today he wrote...</div>
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<i>Mama is a woman who says things like,</i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Don't talk about yourself too much,</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">it's like passing gas in an elevator;</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">people will smile,</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">but they don't mean it."</span></i></b></div>
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Words to live by.</div>
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<b>One of my favorite things...</b> Cadbury mini-eggs.</div>
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<b>A peek into my world...</b></div>
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guess what I've been doing lately?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfbBiYh3EQIzRf2DjzIG12qZbV663EL_EZCEFCf45W80m2jIuyiE96tvW4-NCrtmdBABpwdmdtczvd3j9VLgcRe_KZYQMPCj87nrsjaiXmL8L4OqRifitG2VXH6C8Hz0hulGrv5kElEMO/s1600/IMG_7987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfbBiYh3EQIzRf2DjzIG12qZbV663EL_EZCEFCf45W80m2jIuyiE96tvW4-NCrtmdBABpwdmdtczvd3j9VLgcRe_KZYQMPCj87nrsjaiXmL8L4OqRifitG2VXH6C8Hz0hulGrv5kElEMO/s640/IMG_7987.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-30029861596073944862018-03-31T17:31:00.000-07:002018-03-31T17:31:21.652-07:00It Was a Much Better Day... and WeekendIf you're keeping better track of things than I am, let me reassure you that we had a lovely visit with Burke and Mary last weekend. All the household systems functioned as intended, our simple dinner was properly cooked, no emergency repairs were needed, and everyone seemed to enjoy each other :D<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN287-E-hgkd0nWvpk7HWbjsgriZJ50WuaSqGxpEeu63KtaUnMV-JO9QZcI-Kl9AR9XJrsPo8FBBGLmerldQwynTAA9798qO_GRt0AkHv9GuYieJgOn3s0cOPieund2CYv0g2Daf9To9F/s1600/29060433_1959544567707936_3446057356827000039_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN287-E-hgkd0nWvpk7HWbjsgriZJ50WuaSqGxpEeu63KtaUnMV-JO9QZcI-Kl9AR9XJrsPo8FBBGLmerldQwynTAA9798qO_GRt0AkHv9GuYieJgOn3s0cOPieund2CYv0g2Daf9To9F/s640/29060433_1959544567707936_3446057356827000039_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hallelujah and Amen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubyIxobFs88wLHIJd3FwqXc8UvfYtU89LFE_STND5ikZ0fzMo9H4os1eKdPpZm2mnctPtMNzfoeK_raighNry8W2yjJyKYYXfVxvyaFW_v0vNXoWS9fc_s6ym9Ia0wAmy0kSbd6tcRLf_/s1600/29064021_1959544791041247_6417680327857021914_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubyIxobFs88wLHIJd3FwqXc8UvfYtU89LFE_STND5ikZ0fzMo9H4os1eKdPpZm2mnctPtMNzfoeK_raighNry8W2yjJyKYYXfVxvyaFW_v0vNXoWS9fc_s6ym9Ia0wAmy0kSbd6tcRLf_/s640/29064021_1959544791041247_6417680327857021914_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm shamelessly pilfering Tate's facebook page for photos of the afternoon walk.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-Udxu6GffyUl-ky0eR3WNyONQivEGW-Iy4XYWPS_NuJPUIHLVGhrMbimjSp6da5Pc60oXBmi80QB3raJrhNq50-ltdYJwqu441V5PPHWYKQebvVDifNwhBlDOgjEtvjah18JeWd7ZQTo/s1600/29351714_1959544507707942_2044218996732063326_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-Udxu6GffyUl-ky0eR3WNyONQivEGW-Iy4XYWPS_NuJPUIHLVGhrMbimjSp6da5Pc60oXBmi80QB3raJrhNq50-ltdYJwqu441V5PPHWYKQebvVDifNwhBlDOgjEtvjah18JeWd7ZQTo/s640/29351714_1959544507707942_2044218996732063326_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tomorrow is Easter, and I have a houseful of family coming - Kerry's family last week, my family this week. But we're minus Gunnar...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57IiYRZktIKMPsbn-fe3mEQuYl7o3sce3rNXfX0KyUSzDiN6BLDLZ9tbvQb1idIgggKFT6xrB5IruSxi-O8KdN2ZyOz4katckZb-ECjKkbrtnqUqTgNTU9Y9m7yOjeL3NFbMoF0zjpuS4/s1600/IMG_6494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57IiYRZktIKMPsbn-fe3mEQuYl7o3sce3rNXfX0KyUSzDiN6BLDLZ9tbvQb1idIgggKFT6xrB5IruSxi-O8KdN2ZyOz4katckZb-ECjKkbrtnqUqTgNTU9Y9m7yOjeL3NFbMoF0zjpuS4/s640/IMG_6494.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning of the school year - he looks so much younger!</td></tr>
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Gunnar owes me big for getting up at 2am (to make sure he was up) and driving him to the high school, to meet his orchestra group. They all took off for SoCal this morning. If they're following their itinerary, about now Gunnar is all suited up in his fancy-pants and they're heading out for an Italian dinner before hearing the L.A. Philharmonic later tonight. <br />
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100% swanky.<br />
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It's weird that he's gone over Easter, but we're glad for him to get this chance. And he earned it. When they proposed the trip (with a $1700+ price tag), they "offered" the students a monthly line-up of fund-raisers. I get that they're trying to make the trip possible for ALL orchestra students (a good thing) but <i>fund-raisers...</i> UGH. I told Gunnar that we would NOT be doing them (with the exception of the chocolate bars, because everyone loves chocolate. And they're only a buck.) We would not be hawking overpriced miscellany to our friends and relatives, month after month, <b><i>BUT</i></b> any money he earned by working, we would match. He did a lot of pet care, mowing, gutter-cleaning, etc. and he made it :D<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEv0KHfMWHwZ9V8YrzF_sLTJbobgavz3NyJ9PYqStBPdZ3AcoPVNqKgL1aS09ydAP-Do6ESj3CAFxzLjx2C50mUR75w_BAIWnhOzEE7fhhEvqN39uVP1nzvHdBN82GXWSWwwbjpY0kKUy/s1600/IMG_7877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEv0KHfMWHwZ9V8YrzF_sLTJbobgavz3NyJ9PYqStBPdZ3AcoPVNqKgL1aS09ydAP-Do6ESj3CAFxzLjx2C50mUR75w_BAIWnhOzEE7fhhEvqN39uVP1nzvHdBN82GXWSWwwbjpY0kKUy/s640/IMG_7877.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hope he enjoys every minute of it!Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-82827563293832516362018-03-23T13:13:00.000-07:002018-03-23T13:13:31.861-07:00It Was Not My Best DayIn December, Kerry's dad and his wife came to visit.<br />
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<b><i>It was not my best day.</i></b> (Not their fault!)<br />
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Our oven was being kind of fluky. Sometimes it would take FOREVER to get hot. Well, the morning of That Day the oven <i>did</i> get hot. And when the oven gets hot, <i>you bake.</i> We had various Christmas events coming, so I got busy...<br />
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I think I baked <i>seventeen</i> loaves of bread (small), a ginger "bread" for dessert, and then mixed up <i>fifteen pounds</i> of meatballs, figuring most would go into the freezer and the last batch that went in the oven would be for dinner.<br />
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Meanwhile, Burke and Mary arrived earlier than expected (I guess I didn't really need a shower), the plumbing backed up (<i>emergency!)</i>, and about the time I slid the last tray of meatballs into the oven, it completely gave up the ghost.<br />
<br />
So while the emergency plumber dropped by and sorted out the drains, I was dancing around him in the kitchen, preparing a curried bulgur side dish, and discovering that the meatballs were... <i>raw.</i> Dinner was about an hour late (thank heaven meatballs can be cooked on the stove top!), Burke and Mary were gracious about the whole thing, and Kerry was just about dying of embarrassment. Because, you know, Mr. Successful Architect's home is going to pieces around us.<br />
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<b><i>It was not his best day.</i></b> (Not his fault!)<br />
<br />
These things happen.<br />
<br />
In shocking news, I didn't get any photos of that visit. You'll have to use your imagination.<br />
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Then, just to add to the fun, Burke and Mary went on to Kerry's brother and SIL's to stay and visit with them and his brother's sons. SIL apparently came down with something horrible that involved much vomiting in the night. Early the next morning they (and grandsons) scattered, like cockroaches when the light comes on.<br />
<br />
<b><i>It was not her best day.</i></b> (Not her fault!)<br />
<br />
We're all giving it another try this weekend. Burke and Mary arrive in a few hours for dinner, and we're all hoping things go just a bit more smoothly this time around.<br />
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Wish me luck.Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-23160610766582855732018-03-22T22:26:00.002-07:002018-03-22T22:26:42.559-07:00And On The Third Day of Spring...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We attended Gunnar's orchestra concert,</div>
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and emerged to find this...</div>
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yep.</div>
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It's snow.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYhARcmp3QxsMVoxQ2xbn0X3qlOecerXqDSp7ucqPX7L3VWaIpdoUCNHwvKT71PCHyXEUqV-QX_zt-tUtgvW6oF6Yrkh4ZW9RvMahQOewbOAQ9b2iupCSgyMepJfuXuYazMEwYDTFTO9c/s1600/IMG_7958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYhARcmp3QxsMVoxQ2xbn0X3qlOecerXqDSp7ucqPX7L3VWaIpdoUCNHwvKT71PCHyXEUqV-QX_zt-tUtgvW6oF6Yrkh4ZW9RvMahQOewbOAQ9b2iupCSgyMepJfuXuYazMEwYDTFTO9c/s640/IMG_7958.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-1804012365144983102018-03-21T15:47:00.000-07:002018-03-21T15:47:19.895-07:00The End of an Era<div style="text-align: center;">
When we were homeschooling all three boys full time, that was</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a lot of time with Mom.</i></div>
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As far as their education goes, it was basically</div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">all mom, all the time.</span></b></i></div>
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And as awesome as I naturally am (HA!),</div>
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that was not a great long-term strategy with young men.</div>
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So I started looking for <i>something</i> - I wasn't even sure what.</div>
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Somewhere they'd be around other young men, with good role models.</div>
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The funny thing is, I'd heard of Civil Air Patrol before, but had gotten the (wrong) impression that it was something Air Force bases offered to Air Force kids. When I learned that it was open to civilians AND that we had a squadron right in our hometown, well... all the boys got interested. Gunnar was too young to join initially (have to be 12), so Wyatt and Tate had a head-start on him and he got to learn the ropes second hand.</div>
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When the boys played soccer one of the things I loved was that it was <i>seasonal</i>. We'd have a really busy 8-10 weeks, and then it was done. Not so with CAP. Squadron meetings and activities go year-round. With waaaay more opportunity than any one person can take advantage of, the boys had to pick and choose which activities to participate in. Wyatt really loved the flying. Besides the O-flights, he won a scholarship to <a href="http://herdinggrasshoppers.blogspot.com/2013/08/weekend-warrior-road-trip-take-two.html" target="_blank">Desert Eagle</a> - a two week flight school, where he got to fly solo. He and Tate both trained and participated in several SAR activities (including actual searches). Tate and Gunnar both volunteered as "victims" for many <a href="https://www.ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team" target="_blank">CERT</a> classes, and eventually took and passed CERT classes themselves. And Gunnar competed for two (three?) years on the squadron's <a href="https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/aerospace-education/programs/cyberpatriot/" target="_blank">CyberPatriot</a> team.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But with activities continuing in a perpetual cycle, there's no natural "endpoint" to CAP involvement, and we didn't want the boys to just fizzle out. Gunnar's goal was to earn the <a href="https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/MITCHELL_FACT_SHEET_99C5E7C77646B_4012BCEC90D96.pdf" target="_blank">Billy Mitchell Award. </a> This is A Big Deal in the CAP world. I wish I could remember what percentage of cadets get this far, but it's relatively small. And make no mistake, the cadets <i>earn</i> these promotions - they don't just get them for showing up week after week. Though this award did not require a drill test, it did require a comprehensive leadership exam, a comprehensive aerospace exam, a PT test, completion of Basic Encampment, and a review board interview.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And here's Gunnar's big moment, at the annual squadron "Dining Out",</div>
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receiving his award from a high muckety-muck from "Wing".</div>
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And with that... I think we're done with CAP.</div>
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A great organization - lots of opportunities and generally a great bunch of people.</div>
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And now we're moving on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u_icl3lo0Ai9ASMfCFSl0UMS62fxWanVBiXuMmfOynhg9sEUwFkFmr7QLtczz-5XEFKE4yS417o-fcsc6cvraUhYIQU2w4DGWTnvOmrCttTfqCzfLxeyOaBREaoK8L4AR_M5Te5IRHx7/s1600/26026118_793983467453039_5970353531378610445_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u_icl3lo0Ai9ASMfCFSl0UMS62fxWanVBiXuMmfOynhg9sEUwFkFmr7QLtczz-5XEFKE4yS417o-fcsc6cvraUhYIQU2w4DGWTnvOmrCttTfqCzfLxeyOaBREaoK8L4AR_M5Te5IRHx7/s640/26026118_793983467453039_5970353531378610445_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-71683161210304387722018-03-20T14:06:00.000-07:002018-03-20T14:06:04.418-07:00Sometimes You Just Need To Get Away<div style="text-align: center;">
The literal side of me is having trouble with saying "need" there,</div>
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but I'm going to roll with it.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jDuH7zITqYMMppOnIRSd3IUtcduR_xvbHspM26O9cFzcbwkaR04KZMotywoHNbS60VynRBU-S2Uaz3HhifW0OB-jYEXZqohaH8jD3-pmNicly5WapoFn46qNUt77UKg22oGw3SO_adi3/s1600/P1000493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jDuH7zITqYMMppOnIRSd3IUtcduR_xvbHspM26O9cFzcbwkaR04KZMotywoHNbS60VynRBU-S2Uaz3HhifW0OB-jYEXZqohaH8jD3-pmNicly5WapoFn46qNUt77UKg22oGw3SO_adi3/s640/P1000493.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up into the mountains</td></tr>
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Kerry and I have our anniversary in May, which is a great month to get married.</div>
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(I suppose any month is a good month to get married ;D)</div>
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But not such a good month for a getaway.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvBH49PmxRHBYWSYSnwUNVVjpOCy6XqTW6SM4Sr2Sa9LqsD7TDhd5PF8J2vn7d4-KDwSY5gS0fqJugBgwwQEJIM6nBAbG0FMkHYYh5ISh5pWcaE-KfEg9L9eyA5c1twL92m7F9t4mEJOt/s1600/P1000504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvBH49PmxRHBYWSYSnwUNVVjpOCy6XqTW6SM4Sr2Sa9LqsD7TDhd5PF8J2vn7d4-KDwSY5gS0fqJugBgwwQEJIM6nBAbG0FMkHYYh5ISh5pWcaE-KfEg9L9eyA5c1twL92m7F9t4mEJOt/s640/P1000504.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh snow below the pass!</td></tr>
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Here in the PNW, after months of rain and darkness, the weather is finally warming up, the days are getting long, and everything seems to be bursting into bloom and growing like it's on steroids. It's a pretty good time to be <i>here</i>!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhDeRMmGAa4F6VxNmHfJcJmp6wQvCHH0kzCN4CG78uw0LhuuHgBlace6z69NvGv8w4McVC_bE7w0oISgCsUNmOxtSD_ZIRou_yeLuzWO3S0ktN8QzmMLylf3nrIUivrg7TsyZmc1SHrxR/s1600/P1000516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhDeRMmGAa4F6VxNmHfJcJmp6wQvCHH0kzCN4CG78uw0LhuuHgBlace6z69NvGv8w4McVC_bE7w0oISgCsUNmOxtSD_ZIRou_yeLuzWO3S0ktN8QzmMLylf3nrIUivrg7TsyZmc1SHrxR/s640/P1000516.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall :D</td></tr>
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But oh the long, dark winters...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd9pMWM3btokQ7-P18CG6chZeWP3RhXdeKA41Lw5dmT1CCAHLDzsxBpuigtjB1qwxdOQgsbHWLaDqKJ4YuYHXYTw9dC6opmY-t3RNKrxPKlD7thd3XdVl3SusgNEOMJGGJwMcqn4p0bqJ/s1600/P1000529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1600" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd9pMWM3btokQ7-P18CG6chZeWP3RhXdeKA41Lw5dmT1CCAHLDzsxBpuigtjB1qwxdOQgsbHWLaDqKJ4YuYHXYTw9dC6opmY-t3RNKrxPKlD7thd3XdVl3SusgNEOMJGGJwMcqn4p0bqJ/s640/P1000529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of that vivid red are wild blueberry bushes.</td></tr>
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Bad weather usually sets in around October, and <i>that's </i>when I like to get away.</div>
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And now that the boys are as old as they are, we can just... <i>go.</i></div>
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It's pretty amazing, really :D</div>
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So we did.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcP74nKRVlzB4Nwz1LUvck-gXvrVzT7TzFXBOV5ArSt-p7cBvP0p5uuj3YbD5WruQDeF9uvh69byszJ85pymPcglUShg1eb6hSU6gxGDyfntPzeqS0AJSVoV4NLGGAq8OUw4Yqcl_6Ua1/s1600/P1000533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcP74nKRVlzB4Nwz1LUvck-gXvrVzT7TzFXBOV5ArSt-p7cBvP0p5uuj3YbD5WruQDeF9uvh69byszJ85pymPcglUShg1eb6hSU6gxGDyfntPzeqS0AJSVoV4NLGGAq8OUw4Yqcl_6Ua1/s640/P1000533.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Leavenworth - aaahhhhh</td></tr>
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Washington is basically rectangular, and divided by the Cascade Mountains.</div>
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We live on the wet side, near the ocean. Nice and green. LOTS of rain. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ1oBF_hgeyRBx2-BpcXQ5CAsqP3H85osL55LqXNweNjLpmEYmia48u218DoDLCNAAcCODCDN2cX3oL9-SIDweMbGBhWb_eCBV8XBJMIJmuGb5TZcfaQ-xHUx3pn3HDv2y4oQNljE8Kgu/s1600/P1000553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ1oBF_hgeyRBx2-BpcXQ5CAsqP3H85osL55LqXNweNjLpmEYmia48u218DoDLCNAAcCODCDN2cX3oL9-SIDweMbGBhWb_eCBV8XBJMIJmuGb5TZcfaQ-xHUx3pn3HDv2y4oQNljE8Kgu/s640/P1000553.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm intrigued by the foot bridge...</td></tr>
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But the <i>other</i> side is much drier and brighter.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaApBv8jk6glh1cl8aF0a__6Ep8DWRx5TqZhbr_QKHRWqdbOVsbbybCZJqesjXjC_CqNX1KlgHYFWoh_Qvj7wqJCMd3u2EkKBrtjIzt4UbpBTRjQzOnSily003BFepsq4na0nsuHfHYtw/s1600/P1000557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaApBv8jk6glh1cl8aF0a__6Ep8DWRx5TqZhbr_QKHRWqdbOVsbbybCZJqesjXjC_CqNX1KlgHYFWoh_Qvj7wqJCMd3u2EkKBrtjIzt4UbpBTRjQzOnSily003BFepsq4na0nsuHfHYtw/s640/P1000557.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... but I won't be crossing it!</td></tr>
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Better fall colors, too.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji02DaHsTNSKqvdYL1cXQCfJGpNJyyEnS1E8cfpvrkd-9Ope7Xk9ufNsipMBj6pLT8DpotM3Vby2gcmxu8fhdw9QT8HJVBqIC1arccMwRFkQpwkL9j9sQEbrAZuyEeRN9-gbmWpkfz50yw/s1600/P1000560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji02DaHsTNSKqvdYL1cXQCfJGpNJyyEnS1E8cfpvrkd-9Ope7Xk9ufNsipMBj6pLT8DpotM3Vby2gcmxu8fhdw9QT8HJVBqIC1arccMwRFkQpwkL9j9sQEbrAZuyEeRN9-gbmWpkfz50yw/s640/P1000560.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love love love this house and its location</td></tr>
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Just what I tell myself I need, before the long dark season.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XsMb8VruE8vnBkXCDI4wZCrfzbnbS0jifjUFHrGTfVnHJzjBvYrRY7F33SolO0U67FbVxxVpUCz3HINTpPxnDTapkUgtpnDvOx93whcRDjeSAKpySeZZNCICguCvbYG2zobFgZ8-w8J4/s1600/P1000570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XsMb8VruE8vnBkXCDI4wZCrfzbnbS0jifjUFHrGTfVnHJzjBvYrRY7F33SolO0U67FbVxxVpUCz3HINTpPxnDTapkUgtpnDvOx93whcRDjeSAKpySeZZNCICguCvbYG2zobFgZ8-w8J4/s640/P1000570.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And we have a place we like to go in Winthrop.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kind of rustic,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CILhV3B6ds_UQ4vQe7t78kEqn6wMmQuMP-U5-71tDy1j3t0IWUkTKKnTEtq2dVDTDzx0vagyaxGQd4PLpdajfOkycrwepWWToxwBAJhu5eW4HIS_kheU0Sj80SzL8xF3-JmNyXWdPNMA/s1600/P1000574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CILhV3B6ds_UQ4vQe7t78kEqn6wMmQuMP-U5-71tDy1j3t0IWUkTKKnTEtq2dVDTDzx0vagyaxGQd4PLpdajfOkycrwepWWToxwBAJhu5eW4HIS_kheU0Sj80SzL8xF3-JmNyXWdPNMA/s640/P1000574.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River Run Inn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
really quiet,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS464gNwdp2YVDwZ-A60-pd5zhMj-uCP3Lv82hYC9TECYdcUhpGc_wtAPDpFlY65MPlYXhHp93FjZRAihPVzYMZ3EFBgGcd2QUMDlmo8CtKbYtcP6xk3jBNKRkAEEaNIP4cnNljV5_Er4/s1600/P1000573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS464gNwdp2YVDwZ-A60-pd5zhMj-uCP3Lv82hYC9TECYdcUhpGc_wtAPDpFlY65MPlYXhHp93FjZRAihPVzYMZ3EFBgGcd2QUMDlmo8CtKbYtcP6xk3jBNKRkAEEaNIP4cnNljV5_Er4/s640/P1000573.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and what a view to welcome us!</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqvtiH4d7dc3bbaZxXv4SmsyGMuRsA4z2uNaPjyi__43KwHz36ZE0m69T_W8J761hdvLsYMMkIfz44Qq4xdBFwLCenqEIrL_xUZu2kS1JwdLudYd7OUDEgksGaYOQ35pb6ewD_S_PVSVx/s1600/IMG_6905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqvtiH4d7dc3bbaZxXv4SmsyGMuRsA4z2uNaPjyi__43KwHz36ZE0m69T_W8J761hdvLsYMMkIfz44Qq4xdBFwLCenqEIrL_xUZu2kS1JwdLudYd7OUDEgksGaYOQ35pb6ewD_S_PVSVx/s640/IMG_6905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Right on the Methow River,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QFyeauGdTSaqGCB6s-TmB1wuoeVEHQdL7Ls1_6070rCdP9t4_3aYpEszcnRHHdqJjwQfPaAQuR0iJzyLeKdN1QeBR6pnyOn_EIojO2D3x3XdORpLvvtzX7BQzqN9hCKks7BkY0bEaUAb/s1600/P1000579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QFyeauGdTSaqGCB6s-TmB1wuoeVEHQdL7Ls1_6070rCdP9t4_3aYpEszcnRHHdqJjwQfPaAQuR0iJzyLeKdN1QeBR6pnyOn_EIojO2D3x3XdORpLvvtzX7BQzqN9hCKks7BkY0bEaUAb/s640/P1000579.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and did I mention the aspens?</div>
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I love those trees :D</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkLJlO2ZLybU_r_FLYRJTlhcrqCoVLmjAkbGfYUWlsc04WadM7UdOlDrwNbTwcRUbYM0vQ4uLXcXYaFdwd45KWqdTmjWkWtwvZvT5uuc9-Sjt0sLw0mQJYMQVfhk8llJ0deuvUal5nqHD/s1600/P1000588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkLJlO2ZLybU_r_FLYRJTlhcrqCoVLmjAkbGfYUWlsc04WadM7UdOlDrwNbTwcRUbYM0vQ4uLXcXYaFdwd45KWqdTmjWkWtwvZvT5uuc9-Sjt0sLw0mQJYMQVfhk8llJ0deuvUal5nqHD/s640/P1000588.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We brought books and projects,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and pretty much holed up at the Inn,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsdWt6weetMugX8ktBl5rjpKv0VyKGc0KxGb9vplP10_PcCd4Qivg6RdLVLbpj1NZ6CLCLVXgBW2Pi1nKvsSG4DZxow5roEKNWpV42z6P7lclW8te_rkQBTXIhWRDVk1VyJ6n_91voCjY/s1600/P1000589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsdWt6weetMugX8ktBl5rjpKv0VyKGc0KxGb9vplP10_PcCd4Qivg6RdLVLbpj1NZ6CLCLVXgBW2Pi1nKvsSG4DZxow5roEKNWpV42z6P7lclW8te_rkQBTXIhWRDVk1VyJ6n_91voCjY/s640/P1000589.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
venturing out each day to do a bit of hiking</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn1pT6QqYFLx_0t0hC30KU9DaW2FcAAQJwy2nGsmYxbRCg9JAehRYgHtK25tVernkj3xg85yJTikDcvBwnlTp2xAxcxhsVKkqQqthTejF914zrHKcLLnemJMG0Y8BjAYcl950XZgvGS6A/s1600/P1000599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn1pT6QqYFLx_0t0hC30KU9DaW2FcAAQJwy2nGsmYxbRCg9JAehRYgHtK25tVernkj3xg85yJTikDcvBwnlTp2xAxcxhsVKkqQqthTejF914zrHKcLLnemJMG0Y8BjAYcl950XZgvGS6A/s640/P1000599.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and exploring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ihbjArrhkZQR33T549dp-J3xQFuJkMDQH2iTGJVFD2s9h_c_JH1keCcsYeptdbP030aVnJJQW5H_Fo_XnhVqQBfnKZOHHZtE5vmnWqBYYJWxIA5Z3lUf2ahVvVTdJK9eufs8UK3voO4R/s1600/P1000617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ihbjArrhkZQR33T549dp-J3xQFuJkMDQH2iTGJVFD2s9h_c_JH1keCcsYeptdbP030aVnJJQW5H_Fo_XnhVqQBfnKZOHHZtE5vmnWqBYYJWxIA5Z3lUf2ahVvVTdJK9eufs8UK3voO4R/s640/P1000617.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawlks Foster Suspension Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Methow Valley has a huge network of trails,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KGsRZinAfalOh0X3YF24K4X81HlJr5_jXdDpvE8CoojhdFY5NONvmZC5fQVv7EM0e4Z0WZCznNHIXa7PM-phCB8vEUQ9UKFT9Zi5-8yo5pDEp88UpgC2viNF1c1lxMHeKhrwkgBwrvp_/s1600/P1000620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KGsRZinAfalOh0X3YF24K4X81HlJr5_jXdDpvE8CoojhdFY5NONvmZC5fQVv7EM0e4Z0WZCznNHIXa7PM-phCB8vEUQ9UKFT9Zi5-8yo5pDEp88UpgC2viNF1c1lxMHeKhrwkgBwrvp_/s640/P1000620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
perfect for hiking,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplfTlCfv4Q0iNOdH_79aeK84Yi_gqz6qDP1Z4UECDubgeTDvL3m7k49SB4Uq_TlJXRCDzLkB4kLVdBCIM0mvkUHxHX56BjuDj360bnUqUnyAm2JcedNuRnPEzyrstEfYyXB53f7UDM7vn/s1600/P1000621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplfTlCfv4Q0iNOdH_79aeK84Yi_gqz6qDP1Z4UECDubgeTDvL3m7k49SB4Uq_TlJXRCDzLkB4kLVdBCIM0mvkUHxHX56BjuDj360bnUqUnyAm2JcedNuRnPEzyrstEfYyXB53f7UDM7vn/s640/P1000621.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
horses,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhLDV15vI8mvQvThVF3ZDjHn_ryG3mur7HFP5RukncJjVelaGqXJV_D2M-j_4eLKIRT5mcjYxott81HEeP5_-LnrCP8iNG9JeL9MD8LbmXmidgzQjCr-iGKkF0-fyOq9jLVIjavEFSlOD/s1600/P1000645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhLDV15vI8mvQvThVF3ZDjHn_ryG3mur7HFP5RukncJjVelaGqXJV_D2M-j_4eLKIRT5mcjYxott81HEeP5_-LnrCP8iNG9JeL9MD8LbmXmidgzQjCr-iGKkF0-fyOq9jLVIjavEFSlOD/s640/P1000645.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mountain biking,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT1Zxi83OQLByn3AfWw7LsV1kcssT3T9icSdSLQZdnKdaSiPpOmB42chdYGqQZAmkJQBA74_OX3J0kMviHy8EtnkWuyf5DQj2Tu2uSuIztuBrl5Dw41Ae0kgPFEjKHQAOpuQzqponMmdl/s1600/P1000655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT1Zxi83OQLByn3AfWw7LsV1kcssT3T9icSdSLQZdnKdaSiPpOmB42chdYGqQZAmkJQBA74_OX3J0kMviHy8EtnkWuyf5DQj2Tu2uSuIztuBrl5Dw41Ae0kgPFEjKHQAOpuQzqponMmdl/s640/P1000655.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and x-country skiing in the winter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h6kiIg7_X6svdy-4NTKKmwcZ54CGlpTvoW96dgSXxzRnst_pzFzzmaox1sJVOQjisidV_d3GsLyt2OoO6d2XQ23okUKeaTTNwKtGxT07Rhk8atYdH_LZ21qJnccslOrvE9GrVng5mBt8/s1600/P1000661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h6kiIg7_X6svdy-4NTKKmwcZ54CGlpTvoW96dgSXxzRnst_pzFzzmaox1sJVOQjisidV_d3GsLyt2OoO6d2XQ23okUKeaTTNwKtGxT07Rhk8atYdH_LZ21qJnccslOrvE9GrVng5mBt8/s640/P1000661.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loup Loup Pass Ski Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I always feel like I'm storing up the brightness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N_iJFb7TMhIT3DU8pCes23cLWkNVX7rJHkC8ceDlzSs5BFmNZY7QAc7ORGRBSkEseENLIEAJQ0XgnAmKwWd0csQR6Eng324ouwY-WXT_VIV-6Q4nkfcov6Z9VJYnQD_-7r-GtwcT6d_E/s1600/P1000667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N_iJFb7TMhIT3DU8pCes23cLWkNVX7rJHkC8ceDlzSs5BFmNZY7QAc7ORGRBSkEseENLIEAJQ0XgnAmKwWd0csQR6Eng324ouwY-WXT_VIV-6Q4nkfcov6Z9VJYnQD_-7r-GtwcT6d_E/s640/P1000667.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larch trees!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the vivid colors</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM84pBoKmMSSgd5MNZXK5Q5VIYZs8j5f7bkwNCWyGeVOUk9WkMWk-ozoSWRID09lFAvvmzcWvg7QE6yte6SXjsLNLbzhTbjHnwwN-oIHhJJjUFfg8JS5BtwQlCrboEvmlrnz2q4sIIWpz5/s1600/P1000688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM84pBoKmMSSgd5MNZXK5Q5VIYZs8j5f7bkwNCWyGeVOUk9WkMWk-ozoSWRID09lFAvvmzcWvg7QE6yte6SXjsLNLbzhTbjHnwwN-oIHhJJjUFfg8JS5BtwQlCrboEvmlrnz2q4sIIWpz5/s640/P1000688.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to carry me through the winter ahead.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpA0_9V1gRAWn0cZMPn9mcNXjGpHdxtaZqV3NlQwgWtR9gF75wOIUyml1gHwbOVrtNTzQBvJRr1Lz2K3M6n4Su7B9jzO5mQ2nEu8aJSqz5-zgzDDsuzKek4qhDd0ECFos6R_XYnUVDYcM_/s1600/P1000697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpA0_9V1gRAWn0cZMPn9mcNXjGpHdxtaZqV3NlQwgWtR9gF75wOIUyml1gHwbOVrtNTzQBvJRr1Lz2K3M6n4Su7B9jzO5mQ2nEu8aJSqz5-zgzDDsuzKek4qhDd0ECFos6R_XYnUVDYcM_/s640/P1000697.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy late anniversary to us :D</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiztoQOm754PiuUGpBxgzcF1yPYQRfOcXYiGr9z4l_gcTB21lnd6X6PCFT0BvnrXcBHohOfU-d6EheO3tZT8DOF8QztVMIM1zFE6m6ccADJGtJtcZTMDa5wGmfsBxipMCFdMSU_2a_3kh/s1600/P1000700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiztoQOm754PiuUGpBxgzcF1yPYQRfOcXYiGr9z4l_gcTB21lnd6X6PCFT0BvnrXcBHohOfU-d6EheO3tZT8DOF8QztVMIM1zFE6m6ccADJGtJtcZTMDa5wGmfsBxipMCFdMSU_2a_3kh/s640/P1000700.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I love the sound of the water :D </div>
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The most direct route from our hometown to Winthrop crosses a pass</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjemt-ZUle1pQyTX6BaiShoSR3_za_6LLjfJdPSy0_epo53n3rPlzQAvIn5PuYa96YRacDkq2FrqmktJ0htkRScImjPID3aXdg-WWRJ-sS7hwJP9WK3NvkUmtdy6OL_ml1s5Hz596hcZ_K/s1600/P1000741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjemt-ZUle1pQyTX6BaiShoSR3_za_6LLjfJdPSy0_epo53n3rPlzQAvIn5PuYa96YRacDkq2FrqmktJ0htkRScImjPID3aXdg-WWRJ-sS7hwJP9WK3NvkUmtdy6OL_ml1s5Hz596hcZ_K/s640/P1000741.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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that closes for several months each winter.</div>
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We got through just in time -</div>
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it closed a few days after we crossed back to the rainy side.</div>
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<br />Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7307114766025313443.post-19647526009528251922018-03-19T16:43:00.001-07:002018-03-19T16:43:32.471-07:00Painting the House... Both Ways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I got a little distracted this summer. About the time school was starting, and we were getting a cat, and my dad had major heart surgery, we decided it was time to paint the house. I still love the periwinkle blue, but it was getting really, REALLY faded across the front.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKJsGMVO7CO2ERnIy4fDOU8_1jEHPHyt7GccBziwBbx4FG4IYLJkT7SrDE4sf0tWhPKqJ_rI5sg40cbvW8DeM-zXWRcNCtHyu0dUeJxqzX4zslYJXniDyUDwAq1Af1oky_jdRiIz9TmPY/s1600/IMG_8423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="800" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKJsGMVO7CO2ERnIy4fDOU8_1jEHPHyt7GccBziwBbx4FG4IYLJkT7SrDE4sf0tWhPKqJ_rI5sg40cbvW8DeM-zXWRcNCtHyu0dUeJxqzX4zslYJXniDyUDwAq1Af1oky_jdRiIz9TmPY/s640/IMG_8423.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So we spent a lot of time looking at colors, because <b>there are so many.</b> It's insane. I mean, go to any paint store and ROYGBIV is meaningless. Nobody has "green". <i>Nooooo</i>. There are 500 shades of green. Anyway, we pondered and hemmed and hawed, and I brought home samples, and we made a decision we're happy with. A deeper blue, and deeper green for the doors and the little triangles up in the eaves. I love it. And we spent <i>all that time</i> thinking about it only to be told...</div>
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... <i><span style="font-size: x-large;">we painted a Seahawks house.</span></i><br />
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Why yes, apparently we did.<br />
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And if we'd only thought of it that way, it probably would've simplified the whole process ;D<br />
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After painting the actual house, Kerry gave me gift money to have the house painted by a friend of mine. I know, have the house painted? We just DID! But my Ben Mann painting is a dream come true :D I want to link to his website, but it seems to be down. He's on fb though, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ben.mann.777" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Isn't that a great addition to the living room?! Look closer :D<br />
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I asked him to paint the house the "old" colors - it's really capturing a moment in time when the boys were younger... playing soccer, watching a robin... and Kerry is mowing, and I'm hanging quilts on the line :D<br />
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Every time I look at that painting it makes me happy!Herding Grasshoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668974245505544238noreply@blogger.com2