tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87710662623697245612024-02-06T19:47:23.539-08:00Saylor Street CottageA little bit of this and that.Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-18720550522296821062017-06-21T10:19:00.002-07:002017-11-22T10:00:37.179-08:00Sold Sold Sold on 6/16Saylor Street Cottage is no more. We closed on Friday 6/16 with no issues. I'm so happy to have that part of the journey over. It was a bit stressful living in the house while waiting for the closing day. I'm not generally a nervous person but I kept stressing out every time it rained or was windy. What if's kept coming into my head, what if the roof leaks, what if the chimney blows off, what if the siding gets damaged. But thankfully nothing happened and we were able to hand over the keys to the new owners without a hitch. I hope they'll be happy in our little home. <br />
<br />
Some pictures to remember her by from our listing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnd8to3SyeveC4RrrE4H5dYZ4ntF2wEfMkj27jqs4OvhKxxLlmwzQ0opfenNCLO1qS2_i0QR9BOFwuFmN9GgO_JGDcj3LfeW1DEPqpe4laapXs8CZqth8ObNlV8p7n-EbeJ7qGFbJtAD2d/s1600/saylor+dining+room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnd8to3SyeveC4RrrE4H5dYZ4ntF2wEfMkj27jqs4OvhKxxLlmwzQ0opfenNCLO1qS2_i0QR9BOFwuFmN9GgO_JGDcj3LfeW1DEPqpe4laapXs8CZqth8ObNlV8p7n-EbeJ7qGFbJtAD2d/s320/saylor+dining+room+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Many a times we had two leaves in this table but still not enough room. The little ones often sat on the stairs to eat! </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7et8tBiVi_agpyzRYpIl4oFcROe2nbzqWb9ABxThNxMObf_kit27k9uKj04ykxSinoLOD05bVBmae72q8d4Rq1Uvk1de2d2SMeKT0XG5gBPJH7xo9dCT4sJ9EfRoBQEt4QH1RDWpP7Hm/s1600/saylor+living+room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7et8tBiVi_agpyzRYpIl4oFcROe2nbzqWb9ABxThNxMObf_kit27k9uKj04ykxSinoLOD05bVBmae72q8d4Rq1Uvk1de2d2SMeKT0XG5gBPJH7xo9dCT4sJ9EfRoBQEt4QH1RDWpP7Hm/s320/saylor+living+room+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I used to have an antique set in this room but my daughter took it for her home. We had to scramble but got a free couch for the showings. It fit nicely. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR6rXXMNkcZzn0MImEEdLBjh-jiFoHle3YG5KsrmagEEJ93Qjnw38kRY6rQRsk-8odSgH-8mlzcauBMZBKsoTDgXQTD486kdu6z1h500SuYE2Gz9jL7bbNb4ohCdQVatNpeoWr-spyEkL/s1600/saylor+basement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR6rXXMNkcZzn0MImEEdLBjh-jiFoHle3YG5KsrmagEEJ93Qjnw38kRY6rQRsk-8odSgH-8mlzcauBMZBKsoTDgXQTD486kdu6z1h500SuYE2Gz9jL7bbNb4ohCdQVatNpeoWr-spyEkL/s320/saylor+basement.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, we had to show the house with the lizard in his tank. This basement hosted many sleepovers and video game get-togethers for my son. This was a new couch AFTER he left for college. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTImq39mqthmIz7HNuFkWs-yjUNPCHyMQn-EfMVVGetkM0ZyEQIKXtVtnw8htxDhMe7Usvz74V4HZKzUIziEdn6xS0snPBbiPEy_D031Zg1iCTLZu1Hr6C9NjGPYFx0LRnxr-a65gpIvCT/s1600/saylor+basement+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTImq39mqthmIz7HNuFkWs-yjUNPCHyMQn-EfMVVGetkM0ZyEQIKXtVtnw8htxDhMe7Usvz74V4HZKzUIziEdn6xS0snPBbiPEy_D031Zg1iCTLZu1Hr6C9NjGPYFx0LRnxr-a65gpIvCT/s320/saylor+basement+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We didn't leave the punching bag for the new owners. Often times Mr. Saylor could be heard punching it as he went into the laundry/workroom. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hek7SdH_ihjsJoVLeJJEzNp8-FaJcaKY6X0Qr2j4pplYdanqkX-ebPKvFzgg62WOvC525srwyz0goihjidaH1azCZRS7KQBvWYHPScncJxVWBxzlKEHxPMxvExrxgCShOeoKMNFnL7Rq/s1600/saylor+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hek7SdH_ihjsJoVLeJJEzNp8-FaJcaKY6X0Qr2j4pplYdanqkX-ebPKvFzgg62WOvC525srwyz0goihjidaH1azCZRS7KQBvWYHPScncJxVWBxzlKEHxPMxvExrxgCShOeoKMNFnL7Rq/s320/saylor+kitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Many dozens of cookies were baked in this galley kitchen. I fed a houseful out of this room! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think I've mentioned this before but Saylor Street was only supposed to be a transition house. We were hoping to move into something larger along the way. Thirteen years later we were still there. We saw our kids go off to college or into their own homes, we hosted family parties and backyard bbq's and had some lovely memories in this house. To be honest though, this house never spoke to my heart, it never made me excited. Until the end and that's when I realized why.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Over the years we were just so busy, work, school, sports, family events and visiting friends. The house was just a place to eat and sleep. It was getting dated and in need of updates and it wasn't until we decided to move that we started to change a few things. Pulling off the stained carpet and adding a runner on the stairs was inspiring. We had to scrape, sand and stain the treads. We pulled up carpet in the basement and painted every room. I cleaned up my laundry room and added a white tongue and groove panel to the old drywall. I painted my master bedroom with a cheery color and added fun pictures. We updated the master bath. It all came together so nicely and at the end I felt happy in the house. That's when I realized that all this time I was decorating it in the colors and textures to fit the lake house I was hoping for. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrG81U5hl3cSwuuzJoJZF1Nd1bp6IFwtGFyjhSCP0szK_d5UGkiMw0hpHZ7kd9_GVRWuGRrJsrZxrCzqFqBY1kDO0Ip7okWbx6cT63rjp_tu7EIEwS6do_RNJhcPULx2pSIPXwY2Njsl2/s1600/saylor+nicks+room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrG81U5hl3cSwuuzJoJZF1Nd1bp6IFwtGFyjhSCP0szK_d5UGkiMw0hpHZ7kd9_GVRWuGRrJsrZxrCzqFqBY1kDO0Ip7okWbx6cT63rjp_tu7EIEwS6do_RNJhcPULx2pSIPXwY2Njsl2/s320/saylor+nicks+room+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My sons room after he moved out. It was never this neat when he lived at home. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUV-BnkjEE1-1rGKd8RykE_aBFQ3s65yHEqg3cpXGjS5mO_itFt_GMQ2np3-GHJq6d9-muytIRmICQCXyp-aK2Ea4qaIqM2Zyob9nsj3trHdYYwysO5gKQUPipskb2P0cI0G6PZ8OPz3_/s1600/saylor+master+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUV-BnkjEE1-1rGKd8RykE_aBFQ3s65yHEqg3cpXGjS5mO_itFt_GMQ2np3-GHJq6d9-muytIRmICQCXyp-aK2Ea4qaIqM2Zyob9nsj3trHdYYwysO5gKQUPipskb2P0cI0G6PZ8OPz3_/s320/saylor+master+bath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our updated master bath. This one was hard to let go. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMXbZgysrisfKFcmPJzTgM9Fp5BYD5vj7ZoCtvwKqFMBw8ueopzNGgYnmWnor3DORGOunot1vVQzOgUDtqmPhJLms7fv_n_SYLwBp6P6muZ6aXIMQV2nePOHgztH-P2rFGlGodLgmR3uU/s1600/saylor+master+bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMXbZgysrisfKFcmPJzTgM9Fp5BYD5vj7ZoCtvwKqFMBw8ueopzNGgYnmWnor3DORGOunot1vVQzOgUDtqmPhJLms7fv_n_SYLwBp6P6muZ6aXIMQV2nePOHgztH-P2rFGlGodLgmR3uU/s320/saylor+master+bedroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The bright and cheery master bedroom. We even did custom trim around the windows. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmdu3MLcQQfp-6SzVaURAcD2XuNRrCdBkRYMuJ-_K6tg2oZc9b8-RFG7ZRJvLfbZYBJHAyCiC56v99aL12Mq02Qx3ji0fHKrEOqDswzMIf87kDFf8C8zssM3xVx4LXEwELdk41T_u178_/s1600/saylor+backyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmdu3MLcQQfp-6SzVaURAcD2XuNRrCdBkRYMuJ-_K6tg2oZc9b8-RFG7ZRJvLfbZYBJHAyCiC56v99aL12Mq02Qx3ji0fHKrEOqDswzMIf87kDFf8C8zssM3xVx4LXEwELdk41T_u178_/s320/saylor+backyard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A happy backyard. It almost felt like there was a lake behind it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
For two years I had been decorating the Saylor Street Cottage as if it were my lake house. I made Saylor what I wanted my next house to look like. You can see the nautical decor in the pictures. <br />
<br />
The last day before we left I walked through the house to say goodbye and realized I wasn't going to miss it. We had built some memories but it was time to go. <br />
<br />
We close on the new house this coming Friday. I have been homeless for a week and it's been stressful. Thankfully my daughter has an extra bedroom! <br />
<br />
Our new house is going to need some slight updating but it will be fine. I have all the décor pieces I need to make it feel like home almost immediately. It's on a quiet channel that leads out to the Fox River. There was a little glitch along the way with regards to flood insurance and I have become quite knowledgeable on FEMA and flood plains! <br />
<br />
New beginnings are exciting. I'm looking forward to making new memories. <br />
Now I have to find someone who is selling a boat at a reasonable price!<br />
<br />
Come visit me at my new blog home @ <a href="https://dutchcreekcottage.blogspot.com/">https://dutchcreekcottage.blogspot.com/</a>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-14950497598535280392017-04-20T17:26:00.000-07:002017-04-20T17:26:51.701-07:00Officially On The MarketSaylor Street Cottage hit the market on Friday April 14th and we received 3 offers the next day. We accepted an offer and today was the home inspection. I'm a little nervous about it because we have an older home with older appliances. I didn't replace the appliances because in my opinion if I would have replaced the appliances then I might as well have remodeled the kitchen. The kitchen is dated but we made it cute. We also have a home warranty and have had one for many years. Whenever an appliance needs repaired we pay only $75 per visit. They once repaired our refrigerator for over $800 which I thought was a waste of money on their part but we only paid $75. If they can't repair they will replace so I suppose it's more in their favor to try to repair. <br />
<br />
We of course had to leave the house during the inspection and it felt a little weird letting people dig through our home. It's still ours until we close and even thought we're under contract it's still a part of us for now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything went well. I'm sure they will want some concessions for the older furnace and air conditioner but they're covered by the warranty as well. We will be transferring the warranty to buy them time should they decide to replace them. <br />
<br />
So the hard part is over as far as I'm concerned. If all goes well we will need to find our new home. Nothing good has come on the market where we want to move and I may have to be less picky. I'm looking for something on the water. I get scared of flooding so I need to find something that is high and dry! <br />
<br />
This moving stuff is a lot of stress, money and sleepless nights. Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-40810979920593666622017-03-21T19:13:00.002-07:002017-03-21T19:13:35.019-07:00Knobs and Other HardwareOur kitchen cabinets never had any knobs on them and we were ok with it. We decided to add some stain to the cabinets and I thought that some hardware would add additional character. I went with venetian bronze and I like that they are on the darker black side. The stain took a while to dry and we're going to clear coat them to protect for washing. I can't wait to finish them. At that point the kitchen will be complete. Well, Mr.Saylor doesn't know it yet but I'm replacing our stove. The control panel was a black paint that has flaked off. It looks horrible and I think it makes the kitchen look ugly. <br />
<br />
We had some shelves in our master closet that I never used. The old owners didn't have them set up and I didn't need them. At some point I added a bookcase in the closet and it became the dumping ground. When we had the carpet replaced this week I took everything out. It makes our closet look huge so I really don't want to close it up by adding the book case back in. Instead I'm going to put back the shelves. I bought brackets today only to find that the ones I bought were too short. I have to go back to Home Depot and buy longer ones. <br />
<br />
While at HD I bought some shellac and sprayed it on my ASCP painted shelf. I hope it fixes the chipping problem. Well see tomorrow. How did a little shelf painting project become a weeklong project? I just have to stop myself from making changes. It's time to get organized and get her on the market!<br />
<br />
Sometimes I feel like we should get our own episode of First Time Flippers on TV. We're not actually flipping this house but the little projects seem to be challenging!<br />
<br />
We're almost there! <br />
<br />
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-40012841289024677742017-03-20T18:50:00.001-07:002017-03-21T19:01:13.232-07:00Almost Finished. We're so close to being finished with the house. I think now I'm starting to go overboard but sometimes those little touches just finish it off. <br />
<br />
Saylor Street Cottage is an older cape cod style home so nothing is perfect but I've tried to give her some charm. Recently I decided to paint this ugly cabinet we have in the kitchen. I tried to take it down but it's glued to the cabinets above the refrigerator. I bought a can of ASCP Old White about 2 years ago and decided to try it on the cabinet. It looks nice but started to chip. Now I have to go get some shellac to try to get it to stop chipping. A job I didn't need to do. <br />
<br />
We just had a new carpet put in our bedroom and need a plumber to fix a stripped faucet in the bathroom. All these little extras add up but have to be done. <br />
<br />
I just can't wait to get her on the market. Deadline is 3/31/17! It's coming fast. Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-88526562393215855022017-01-02T18:35:00.001-08:002017-01-02T18:35:35.963-08:00A big 2017I don't make new year's resolutions anymore because I honestly never hold to them. I think it's important to set goals for the year like one does at a job. Life really isn't a job but goals give us a road map to follow. <br />
<br />
This years goal is to finally lose enough weight to be healthy. Looks aren't the goal but health is. As I slide on into my mid fifties I can't fool around anymore. This year won't be some epic lifestyle change, I'm just going to start focusing on making healthier choices. I want to be at a weight so that this time next year losing weight won't need to be a goal. <br />
<br />
We're moving along on the updates on the house. We're so close to finishing and being able to list before the spring. I want to replace a couple of windows because they're drafty and we probably should have done this a while ago. We had the waterproofing guys in to fix the foundation, then replaced our basement carpet. It didn't cost nearly as much as I thought so that was a win!<br />
<br />
My daughter bought a house of her own and moved out about a month ago. Now that I'm technically an empty nester the house stays pretty tidy. I can remember when the house was in constant disarray and chaos. I would get the kitchen cleaned up and the next thing I know someone would pull a bunch of stuff out of the fridge or cupboard. The basement family room was always a mess but now you can barely tell that we are even home. I almost miss those messy days. They were stressful but fun. <br />
<br />
I'm hoping to post more pictures as we finish up our chapter in Saylor Street Cottage. I've got lots of little things to do. Paint trim, was out cupboards, polish and shine. I really hope that we'll be able to spend Easter in a new lake house home! <br />
<br />
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-10913144420917210842016-03-21T19:33:00.001-07:002016-04-17T07:20:35.312-07:00Topsy Turvey on Saylor StreetSo much is happening at Saylor Street Cottage and I can't believe<em> </em>I added fuel to the fire. <br />
<br />
In September we put to rest our beloved pet Chance. He was such a beautiful boy who meant so much to us. He was one of the boys as he hung out in the basement with my son and his friends. My son said he was like a brother. My daughter loved to take him for walks and he cuddled up with her on the couch, slept in her bed and followed her wherever she was. He was our baby and is missed everyday. <br />
<br />
Along the way the my son and daughter brought home a little kitten. Chance was so gentle and tolerated the little guy as he jumped around the place. We named him Dude and he has become our little furry teddy bear. He ruled the roost around here because Chance in his older years didn't pay much attention to him. <br />
<br />
We have been deep in renovations and upgrades since we're planning on selling Saylor Street. So what does a glutton for punishment do? She goes out and adopts a dog! <br />
<br />
We went to the shelter and met Sheba who now has a new name Zena. She is a Labrador Greyhound mix. She is 5 years old and the poor thing is heartworm positive. She is considered a special needs dog and now our life has been turned upside down. <br />
<br />
I am happy we have her but I'm heartbroken that my cat is so scared. She wants to investigate him and he wants nothing to do with her because Zena is a bit of an excitable dog. We're supposed to keep her calm due to the heartworm but that's almost impossible when she see's the cat!<br />
<br />
I'm praying that they will learn to like one another. I know it takes time but it's just breaking my heart that my lazy old cuddly Dude is now residing under my bed. <br />
<br />
Meantime we just tore out the shower in our master bedroom bathroom. I'm painting every room in the house along with trim and ceilings. <br />
<br />
What am I doing?!<br />
<br />
Pictures to follow. Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-40747508795022037222016-01-01T18:24:00.001-08:002016-01-01T18:24:15.152-08:00My Word for 2016 on my 101st post!Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
It's completely coincidental that my 101st post is on the first day of 2016. One of my goals of 2016 is to post a little more often this year because I've certainly been slacking on the blog front. I love love love to read others' blogs but don't spend enough time updating my own. Heck, I still have last years Valentines Day pics on my blog heading. Truth be told it's not the blogging part that holds me up, it's uploading pictures. It's a slow process that I'm only now learning to master because I just don't spend enough time learning an easier way to do it. <br />
<br />
This leads me to my word for 2016. Zoom Focus! Not just focus but zoom focus. My goal is to attack whatever it is I'm doing with fervor. I have the usual goals for 2016, save more money, lose weight, home improvement and even a possible move.<br />
<br />
I'm always busy and I'm always doing something but I tend to do many things at once and ultimately something will be neglected. <br />
<br />
2016 is going to be the year I zoom in on those goals and not allow myself to be distracted. No matter what it is, from cleaning the bathroom to painting a room to cooking a meal, the task will be given my 100% attention so it is completed and completed well. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsHGW-zVlXH8cuxcVMlqyPUbgN33okBecc92_knLhimSW54Cu_Kf59dC2jq16CVqH8FxyACUedRRG1drUGv3cdNX6en25Mx9N8s5Pvr0e6zmMiCQKAVj-TPfCpe3oqDkRzBAt8OwPrrbG/s1600/camera-lenses-wallpapers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsHGW-zVlXH8cuxcVMlqyPUbgN33okBecc92_knLhimSW54Cu_Kf59dC2jq16CVqH8FxyACUedRRG1drUGv3cdNX6en25Mx9N8s5Pvr0e6zmMiCQKAVj-TPfCpe3oqDkRzBAt8OwPrrbG/s320/camera-lenses-wallpapers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Welcome 2016! I got this!</div>
<br />Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-29155943119482552362015-12-11T10:57:00.002-08:002015-12-11T10:57:27.118-08:00The Little Tractor That CouldDuring the summer I went to the Elkhorn Flea Market in Elkhorn, WI and found the cutest little tractor and trailer for only $5. Had I known I would have had this much fun with a little tractor I would have kept some of my sons Hot Wheel cars! Imagine the possibilities!<br />
<br /><br />
In the fall my little tractor was filled with putka pods that look like mini pumpkins. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumleEJI9YW61PKdfXfu_yWifpiO5P5VWGlyOvjrr9-PMG66ZbP85ZESyD2afZc5b27CGDcQrLSbxVuh396Z1ppc1yrsnzexTNXjI15zxW1PaoOH-cfscaQ0C3S74_VwAJbuCA-RQ_rasE/s1600/IMG_1268%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumleEJI9YW61PKdfXfu_yWifpiO5P5VWGlyOvjrr9-PMG66ZbP85ZESyD2afZc5b27CGDcQrLSbxVuh396Z1ppc1yrsnzexTNXjI15zxW1PaoOH-cfscaQ0C3S74_VwAJbuCA-RQ_rasE/s320/IMG_1268%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And here he is with a few miniature Christmas trees for the holiday season. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKtutNlfFju0DS2nUHeZigMw62q4LKtmszUE1_dGJ-zHrVGKYyAFqOqtUe49LhyPTVzrggPlLxEGs0jlAiLckSscrCFnaGSGQ0agdOOoQYiDSZtZH2p-3xApgi5DHr6-UWTJFLoY1ZHw4/s1600/IMG_1581%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKtutNlfFju0DS2nUHeZigMw62q4LKtmszUE1_dGJ-zHrVGKYyAFqOqtUe49LhyPTVzrggPlLxEGs0jlAiLckSscrCFnaGSGQ0agdOOoQYiDSZtZH2p-3xApgi5DHr6-UWTJFLoY1ZHw4/s320/IMG_1581%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I sprinkled some snow flakes and added a small tree to make it a little more festive. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm afraid to admit but this is the only holiday decoration I've set out apart from some greenery! Tonight is Christmas tree night. We're not hosting Christmas this year so I've been a little slow on the decorating front. Although I have spent and inordinate amount of time following all of the holiday home tour blogs, so much so that I'm neglecting my own home!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At least I've gotten some fun ideas. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not totally hopeless though because I got a few batches of holiday cookies done. I think I need to get in gear this weekend. Christmas is only two weeks away! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until next time! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Debbie</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-1545594125814929802015-11-10T20:56:00.000-08:002015-11-10T20:56:05.179-08:00Beauty Everywhere!I stated in my previous post that I wanted to focus on beauty throughout November and heading to Colorado this weekend was the perfect way to find true beauty.<br />
<br />
My daughter and I went up to the Rocky Mountain National Forest to do some hiking. We packed water and some snacks and off we went. Sometimes I think I overestimate my abilities because I had no fears and it truly didn't dawn on me that I would be hiking in a Mountain as in (a) the air is thinner in the higher elevations, (b) at some time I would be hiking UP the mountain. Hiking up the mountain was a LOT harder than I anticipated! We started out going down 3.6 miles and then stopped for some snacks. Then it was time to hike back UP 3.6 miles. I had to stop several times just to get my breath. But I made it and I'm really happy that we did it together. The scenery was too beautiful for words and even the pictures I snapped on my IPhone can't convey how breathtaking the scenery was. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsyrIBBd8vYjbV2c52XmmVXtkaXI1Zu66Ki8KcHaoJBgXDBOJ5CU23Ko8E2srXiv5yU0JxDWCWb0TB-dtP9hERdUYeTxz5aYwYbABArVg7CXeIEWEtzuXghpTqGQ8NwG105DK1oZUIfTz/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsyrIBBd8vYjbV2c52XmmVXtkaXI1Zu66Ki8KcHaoJBgXDBOJ5CU23Ko8E2srXiv5yU0JxDWCWb0TB-dtP9hERdUYeTxz5aYwYbABArVg7CXeIEWEtzuXghpTqGQ8NwG105DK1oZUIfTz/s320/IMG_1434.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped at the Red Rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WQIMarMjuglX5PxJ8UmR3MHmDE_f2HRsp_rx0M3Ii7qGqEPiiVrgMtYPq_chvCrAuegfGy3dE23M_ktlW4Zrb1Tw0p9lzh0eNO6BnAK_k8wYvWLQTZ1vbRytUMJzO1Hbk1XHkz2KnQH0/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WQIMarMjuglX5PxJ8UmR3MHmDE_f2HRsp_rx0M3Ii7qGqEPiiVrgMtYPq_chvCrAuegfGy3dE23M_ktlW4Zrb1Tw0p9lzh0eNO6BnAK_k8wYvWLQTZ1vbRytUMJzO1Hbk1XHkz2KnQH0/s320/IMG_1480.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pic of the snow covered mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQQGj9AU_6QFQh5mVN79S-ceTfr5LoLO2_n31TNOV_5tnAkg2ny9_hkUtCsYWRcTmwjzYYh2cmviPHbk6dQKApIZ2P1O9HbYaiLTODdUcL9TYoLdc2nuANW6GYR7EJzFgFaU2o9TG-USx/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQQGj9AU_6QFQh5mVN79S-ceTfr5LoLO2_n31TNOV_5tnAkg2ny9_hkUtCsYWRcTmwjzYYh2cmviPHbk6dQKApIZ2P1O9HbYaiLTODdUcL9TYoLdc2nuANW6GYR7EJzFgFaU2o9TG-USx/s320/IMG_1481.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of our hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOwkhMHuneOF8q5hUf2w0vyxWRSq_ygyCKQptM0JW4xtQU89NlQjvPjRiEi3007VAZMWKnacsde1WN2PxHpW35lE0aK6w23B_EhbOD5oUjuxa4_c1IKO8dsjWf3x-g9ThM316bvKYDslX/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOwkhMHuneOF8q5hUf2w0vyxWRSq_ygyCKQptM0JW4xtQU89NlQjvPjRiEi3007VAZMWKnacsde1WN2PxHpW35lE0aK6w23B_EhbOD5oUjuxa4_c1IKO8dsjWf3x-g9ThM316bvKYDslX/s320/IMG_1495.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter taking pictures near a little lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GFtdDYP_FiDRoiBFsgGp8Y3SLQfehEqe1X33NzVeUuiz7ACwQzjlvB1JAXCyU9xv-oVxU5EhoNSETMFshiaHAxJajVrrhGzSyJUfyD1hDpAJTz-K-36dvul3a0c67R1W_iyvKV-LsXb9/s1600/IMG_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GFtdDYP_FiDRoiBFsgGp8Y3SLQfehEqe1X33NzVeUuiz7ACwQzjlvB1JAXCyU9xv-oVxU5EhoNSETMFshiaHAxJajVrrhGzSyJUfyD1hDpAJTz-K-36dvul3a0c67R1W_iyvKV-LsXb9/s320/IMG_1518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A herd of Elk <br />
<br />
I asked for more beauty in my life and got a boatload this past weekend. The chance encounter with the herd of the beautiful Elk was the tip of the iceberg!<br />
<br />
It will be a while before I'll be able to top this one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-27844186062662907432015-11-06T11:09:00.001-08:002015-11-06T11:09:24.698-08:00Heading To Denver<div class="MsoNormal">
My daughter booked a flight to Denver a few months ago
because she was planning on meeting up with a bunch of old work colleagues to
celebrate one of the group’s new store opening.
Unfortunately my daughter was the only one who actually took it
seriously enough to book the flight only to find out that the grand opening of
the friends store has been postponed, a couple of other’s flaked out because they
couldn’t get the time off and one is just MIA.
They all work in retail except for my daughter so her schedule is the
only one that is fairly consistent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She has another friend she planned to meet up with during
her visit but she didn’t want to impose over an entire weekend. When she told me she wanted to do some hiking
my motherly instinct got all churned up and I worried she would be abducted out
on the trails all by herself. She’s 24
years old and travels quite a bit for work and I know that she can handle
herself but we live in such a scary world that I couldn’t let her be
alone. So I’m going to fly out on
Saturday and meet her there. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve never been to Denver, I’m not much of a traveler mainly
because I’ve always found other things to do with the money, like survive, but
I’m not getting any younger and I want to experience some fun things along the
last leg of life’s journey, (hoping it’s going to be a long last leg)!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m looking forward to this quick weekend trip. The Denver film festival is this weekend,
there’s an art festival and of course hiking.
We bought some clothes for hiking last night although we didn’t get the
Bear Pepper Spray as my son suggested. <u>W</u>e will scope out the locals and see if that
is necessary along with the mountain lion issue he brought up. I think he’s just trying to scare us but I
did find the information below on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife center. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not sure I want to
run into a bear this weekend. Unless it
is a Chicago Bear winning a game for a change, but then I wouldn’t run into one
of them in Denver this weekend since they’re playing the Chargers on Monday….but
I digress!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wish me luck! The last part says tell an Adult. I am an adult so who am I going to tell! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9WGfwqtTmVrv5tLZyI3ewE1CruX0PIrWyDz-zqk8K2cmW9e8E9yCd2wqcRwSkMRf_V_UHHehSNmD2phsbNOG7Wwe3cD9SGBFt_hHGgwUqxqrYaUlH8PlnaQw9cQCAU5chbkDnsOVGUjs/s1600/Be+Smart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9WGfwqtTmVrv5tLZyI3ewE1CruX0PIrWyDz-zqk8K2cmW9e8E9yCd2wqcRwSkMRf_V_UHHehSNmD2phsbNOG7Wwe3cD9SGBFt_hHGgwUqxqrYaUlH8PlnaQw9cQCAU5chbkDnsOVGUjs/s320/Be+Smart.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-58217549686751789402015-11-04T11:06:00.001-08:002015-11-04T11:06:17.313-08:00Creative Energy - Finding Beauty in an ugly worldI hate starting out on a negative note but living in a suburb of Chicago means you don't have to look too far to find the face of evil. <br />
<br />
The other day a nine year old boy was gunned down in Chicago. He was playing basketball and died with his ball right next to him. What monster would do such a thing? The children in that area are never safe and they have nowhere to turn. <br />
<br />
It made me think of my son when he was nine. He had a normal childhood, he could walk anywhere at any time, he could ride his bike safely anytime of the day or night. The police in town know who all the kids are, they know the bad ones and the good ones. We don't live in paradise there are still a number of crimes committed but for the most part it's as safe as you can get being only a 20 minute ride from the city. Drugs and violence will always find a victim no matter where you live but those incidences are against the norm in our town, whereas in parts of Chicago it has become a way of life. I only wish those Chicago neighborhoods could clean themselves up. Innocent children shouldn't have to die while playing on the street. I grew up on those streets but they weren't nearly as mean as they are today. <br />
<br />
I thank God everyday that we were able to raise our children in a town with very little violence. We really couldn't afford the homes in the area but found an old fixer upper that did us well over the 10 years we lived in it. When it was time to look for a new home we almost left town but my daughter begged us to stay because she was only a year away from high school and didn't want to have to make new friends. We ended up with a small house because we sold at the time the market was high. We sold high but had to buy high to stay in this town. Here we are another 11 years later and the kids are grown and about to fly the nest. Now we are setting our sights on a new area because we don't have to worry about schools and proximity to the city. <br />
<br />
So this morning I decided to look for something that symbolizes beauty. Something to help spark some creativity in my day. As soon as I walked out of my door to get in my car she caught my eye. A lovely little rose blooming for the last time before the cold weather sets in and the plant goes to sleep. <br />
<br />
It was foggy this morning and the sun was just starting to rise so the light was lovely. I snapped the picture and love the vibrancy of the colors. I didn't have to alter the picture in anyway. <br />
<br />
I've decided that I'm going to try to look for something of beauty every day for the rest of November.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnS0ik-3v2Z7cXnl0zr5MMt6oT9KRAqjm-rJN04NjysUXdz_sO8ruz-JmXDiXtKqigirA57g_BG1lb3EnRpuMxXN1Jfm8iLD8xhCGjtZ_un28tKI0NTJ64_6FTyFD8f0cN1q6ZVbqNNM21/s1600/IMG_1417%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnS0ik-3v2Z7cXnl0zr5MMt6oT9KRAqjm-rJN04NjysUXdz_sO8ruz-JmXDiXtKqigirA57g_BG1lb3EnRpuMxXN1Jfm8iLD8xhCGjtZ_un28tKI0NTJ64_6FTyFD8f0cN1q6ZVbqNNM21/s320/IMG_1417%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-44844920815094094092015-11-03T10:37:00.000-08:002015-11-03T10:37:29.994-08:00A Return to Blogging!<br />
Time to start Blogging again! <br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I can’t believe it’s November and the last time I did a blog
post was April!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just crazy. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">No recaps just yet.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ll
save those for later posts because I PLAN to post more often!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For now I’ll just start November with my latest projects to
be completed. We’re planning on moving in the spring so I’d like to post some
pictures as I go along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve updated my window frames in my bedroom.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Painted the room and now just need to get
some new carpet.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The old carpet has
been through 12 years of living, children and a dog and it shows.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ll throw some pictures on the walls and be
done.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My new home is going to be on a lake so I’m going to
decorate in country/farm chic/shabby chic/French country, but most importantly
Coastal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have come to realize that as I’m getting
older I really don’t have a style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just like what I like and whatever that is that's my style. We'll see how that comes about in my new home. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In October we were invited to a bon fire at a farm and had a
wonderful time.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">One of the women had an
apple orchard so she brought a truck load of apples and handed them out.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My daughter brought home two big
bushels.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So I made 2 apple pies, a tarte
tatin and the rest are in the freezer to be served for Thanksgiving.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs_cXHRHGo5SPH2pxCY05gKqPZBNI1WDwm41t8DWYgKHazLRaKd1g9pEkZ4wA9CA76ozbfCwUplCIHFfvF9kaQjcwlxLF5WmwrbF27zXEmCavD6B58XQ1kqZ-WTPA5Bmmk1nQzl2Z3MlN/s1600/Tarte+Tatin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs_cXHRHGo5SPH2pxCY05gKqPZBNI1WDwm41t8DWYgKHazLRaKd1g9pEkZ4wA9CA76ozbfCwUplCIHFfvF9kaQjcwlxLF5WmwrbF27zXEmCavD6B58XQ1kqZ-WTPA5Bmmk1nQzl2Z3MlN/s320/Tarte+Tatin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFsC0enHLfgC-aRnODNAHf1rfb-sjCn20OXsrR4rRaysPooR2TKG1Ic4jTsfrwbQXUGkjnX2yrBy0CwzE-xOFvQfvTxtHNbOdjULSPXzdglLMRooRnMbMQh-2M_TW9lO2o8E9-MWsP9cu/s1600/Apple+Pies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFsC0enHLfgC-aRnODNAHf1rfb-sjCn20OXsrR4rRaysPooR2TKG1Ic4jTsfrwbQXUGkjnX2yrBy0CwzE-xOFvQfvTxtHNbOdjULSPXzdglLMRooRnMbMQh-2M_TW9lO2o8E9-MWsP9cu/s320/Apple+Pies.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This time of the year is always a lot of fun but I’m really
really going to miss summer.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I took a
new job that is a 1 – 1 ½ hour drive from home during rush hour.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s not the best way to spend ones time and
I’m not looking forward to the drive when it snows.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But I’m a Midwesterner so I’ll just have to
deal with it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Unless of course I can
find a fancy new job in a warmer climate, then I’m outta here!</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Good bye Summer.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMXfWFVzn_z1bHjIf4zJVDqT3Mp8ztk6GXIIk97Jh5W8y7QMIx1n7jUv3DI_XvbfZdyAvOOmjpH_aq4RaDTFPjD6qeZVWtOf12XKFXE27axWhR9C5Nk6PwOd8juKgeIBjSBIqqDx2y5Qj/s1600/Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMXfWFVzn_z1bHjIf4zJVDqT3Mp8ztk6GXIIk97Jh5W8y7QMIx1n7jUv3DI_XvbfZdyAvOOmjpH_aq4RaDTFPjD6qeZVWtOf12XKFXE27axWhR9C5Nk6PwOd8juKgeIBjSBIqqDx2y5Qj/s320/Summer.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-32906470889825253652015-04-20T21:07:00.003-07:002015-04-20T21:07:49.223-07:00A New Wine - Even on a Monday nightMy daughter and I like to try new things and we especially like to try to new<strike> alcoholic</strike> Adult beverages. We've had some hits and we've had some misses (let's not talk about the pickle juice and tequila shots). Our recent yummy find wis Lillet, a French aperitif fortified wine. <br />
<br />
A few weeks ago my daughter found a French cookbook on sale at Anthropologie so she grabbed it and brought it home. We browsed the entre's and sides, but became engrossed in the desserts and cocktails, of course! There was a cocktail in there that used Lillet which sounded so refreshing. We researched the wine and called our local liquor store to see if they even stocked it. They confirmed so off we went and bought one bottle of white and one of blush. It's not dreadfully expensive but considerably more than the 3 buck chuck from Trader Joes. We had NO idea how it would taste but we really wanted to try it. I can't remember what the cocktail was (not because I had too many, but because I just don't have much short term memory, which may be a direct result of all of the alcohol consumed since high school but I digress. I know it involved some club soda but that's about it. The goal was to find a summer drink and I think we found it and will make again as soon as we find the cook book. I'll have to post about it later when we find the book.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, tonight I wanted a glass of wine and remembered I had some leftover Lillet. So I cut up an orange and a lime added it to the glass with some ice, poured the Lillet and viola, I had a nice refreshing drink. <br />
<br />
Even though Lillet is a bit expensive I do see it becoming one of our go to cocktails this summer while we sit in the sun in the evenings and weekends. While the temps have dropped back down to almost freezing my <a href="http://www.lillet.com/intl-en/" target="_blank">Lille</a>t cocktail made me think of warm summer days not long to come. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck94G1tQ4aR_xWqUXpfg2OH97PxteVbpLBJZtUzWfeIpzi6OMgATWDwldLw5xQsVAqQPRazo0X3_XNEao8Xg5uqhwufRo4mC90zmgKJmtGkI0WVojhmoLZeoeE8KO-qSkdUM2l4E3AR92/s1600/Lillet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck94G1tQ4aR_xWqUXpfg2OH97PxteVbpLBJZtUzWfeIpzi6OMgATWDwldLw5xQsVAqQPRazo0X3_XNEao8Xg5uqhwufRo4mC90zmgKJmtGkI0WVojhmoLZeoeE8KO-qSkdUM2l4E3AR92/s1600/Lillet.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm also intrigued by the recipes on the Lillet website. I think I'll try this one:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.lillet.com/intl-en/recipes" target="_blank"> Millefeu</a>ille. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh I can already feel summer coming around the corner and I think we'll have a few signature drink concoctions. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Debbie</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-51681562374834287752015-04-16T22:46:00.001-07:002015-04-16T22:46:26.523-07:00Spring SaladRecently we were invited to dinner at our friends house. They were making steaks and I offered to bring some potatoes and salad. I wanted to make a fancy salad with lots of different fresh ingredients. We have a local grocery store that carries a wide variety of produce so I decided to start there. <br />
I picked up a bunch of kale, fresh radishes, red leaf lettuce, bulk spinach, green onions, avocado, and strawberries. I had some dried cranberries and walnuts in the cupboard and threw them in. I made sure to cut the cut the kale away from the spines because kale can sometimes be a little bitter. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3PWD9xzo0Apw-WmATWzaDVhQ1nnjKu67NlkLG23ZkOSmpC-ufTlUGZTtM_8YCY0K8yak-9mlV_tWwnJGETCCuXuWr60dAghWHMFJG5YgMLp8hN2ix7aPHPD_MB3ilnMAO6SAUV5FVhI7/s1600/no+blue+cheese.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3PWD9xzo0Apw-WmATWzaDVhQ1nnjKu67NlkLG23ZkOSmpC-ufTlUGZTtM_8YCY0K8yak-9mlV_tWwnJGETCCuXuWr60dAghWHMFJG5YgMLp8hN2ix7aPHPD_MB3ilnMAO6SAUV5FVhI7/s1600/no+blue+cheese.JPG" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A friend of ours fishes up in Northern Wisconsin and my husband always orders a wheel of Blue Cheese. It sits in our refrigerator and eventually becomes Gorgonzola. Either way it is amazing and tastes great on just about anything. So I decided to add it to our salad. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmaeYclf12DbGT4FIx5Z5qDSEEXu3-oVCH0Z3dWGSzyWJPRfZIZ2g5QsuTY2CEDh_ni4_5w8uYFFCpGD_88wv5XO3VrfFLh9XvPJ21-AhAhog1dB45MRg4bdERSo2TDqzMUaXHLMGxh0t/s1600/blue+cheese.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmaeYclf12DbGT4FIx5Z5qDSEEXu3-oVCH0Z3dWGSzyWJPRfZIZ2g5QsuTY2CEDh_ni4_5w8uYFFCpGD_88wv5XO3VrfFLh9XvPJ21-AhAhog1dB45MRg4bdERSo2TDqzMUaXHLMGxh0t/s1600/blue+cheese.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We picked up a bottle of <a href="http://www.briannassaladdressing.com/products/blush-wine-vinaigrette/" target="_blank">Brianna's Blush Wine Salad Dressing.</a> It paired well with the strawberries and cranberries. That salad was amazing! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm looking forward to the spring and summer produce. The warm spring and summer weather make me crave fresh cool salads with lots of different ingredients. It's easy to find new things to try but you do have to be brave on some of the ethnic items. I'm amazed at how grocery stores have evolved since I was young. I can remember when my Mother had difficulty finding leeks. We lived on the Southside of Chicago so leeks probably weren't in high demand in our neighborhood. They probably aren't today either but I can't be sure since I don't shop there. Today in the burbs the gourmet grocery stores have everything. It's a culinary trip around the world in those stores. Things like Malanga, Chinese Eggplant or Karela (which I will <strong>NEVER</strong> try again after a recent taste test) and so many other exotic fruits and vegetables available from all over the world at reasonable prices are available. Sometimes my daughter and I Google a recipe just to know what it is used for. Sometimes we buy it and try it which is how we figured out we will <strong>NEVER</strong> buy Karela again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Who would have guessed a trip to the grocery store could be so exciting! Oh, and what makes it even more of an experience? Some even sell wine and beer along with a full service restaurant. Saturday morning grocery shopping is the new Happy Hour! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-74973087094306645662015-04-04T08:56:00.001-07:002015-04-04T09:18:23.328-07:00Easter MenuYears of Easter Sunday dinners have taught me many lessons. I could never understand how the Queen of homemaking, Martha Stewart could serve up beautiful dinners and look so calm and collected. Ok Ok, I know that was made for TV but I secretly always wanted to just one time be that organized and "perfect". <br />
<br />
I never accomplished it and probably never will but I'm getting close because I've discovered the art of pre-planning, cooking ahead and organization. <br />
<br />
My family isn't that sophisticated to care, we're a very down to earth bunch and honestly they wouldn't be happy sitting at a formal dinner but I still like to set up a wonderful buffet of flavorful tasty dishes.<br />
<br />
My Easter Menu is simple this year. Mr. Saylor loves to buy some special HUGE ham that will produce leftovers for weeks ahead. I'm in charge of the sides. Past years I've made two meats but this year we're sticking with the ham and ham alone. <br />
<br />
My Easter Dinner: <br />
<br />
Ham<br />
Glazed Carrots<br />
Roasted Brussell Sprouts w/bacon<br />
Mashed Turnip<br />
Corn Casserole<br />
Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy<br />
Sweet Potatoes<br />
Green beans w/Almonds<br />
<br />
Cheesecake<br />
Mini bundt cakes<br />
Lamb cakes<br />
Dirt pudding cups for the kids<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1RCWCGw3r5XS5nXSm5DDWe688eL2eJmk2-vNrtgmuamQG6DKhgAclTiKgUVESYD3ZhSVSE3rIUIj8vGmD6MpDF50pGvp_TUVpDnpNnzp5RHMnGGWvxio_2t5bUU7P2xhq9TP_4B94gnl/s1600/Easter+Display+4.3.15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1RCWCGw3r5XS5nXSm5DDWe688eL2eJmk2-vNrtgmuamQG6DKhgAclTiKgUVESYD3ZhSVSE3rIUIj8vGmD6MpDF50pGvp_TUVpDnpNnzp5RHMnGGWvxio_2t5bUU7P2xhq9TP_4B94gnl/s1600/Easter+Display+4.3.15.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojn9qqlqflA3kClI5mae2D9eDv521fvqJ2l5doPZeL16P1-D4RzztNIsJOZ5mbz-XMJrKkvOs7QlRyjiWavE5pujRwroxTU7Agd3pdnNQ0xnmqfFcixuT8PPvTfT_eSNlJFqveI17ZE-O/s1600/Little+Bunny+4.3.15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojn9qqlqflA3kClI5mae2D9eDv521fvqJ2l5doPZeL16P1-D4RzztNIsJOZ5mbz-XMJrKkvOs7QlRyjiWavE5pujRwroxTU7Agd3pdnNQ0xnmqfFcixuT8PPvTfT_eSNlJFqveI17ZE-O/s1600/Little+Bunny+4.3.15.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've got my new table cover, my new table runner, my forced Hyacinth bulbs are all set, can't wait to see how it all turns out! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A Blessed Easter to all. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-79016735733704526892015-04-03T22:19:00.004-07:002015-04-03T22:19:47.953-07:00Cornish HensCornish hens always seemed like a difficult dish to prepare so I never tried making them for my family. Sometimes that proverbial light bulb can go off in my head and make me realize the obvious. If I can roast a big old chicken I can roast a little Cornish hen right? <br />
<br />
I bought some Cornish hens at the grocery store and decided to try to make them for our Sunday dinner. My son is always skeptical about my new dishes so of course he made some comments when he saw those little birds going into the oven. <br />
<br />
First I made a rub of salt, pepper, paprika, thyme and sage. I rubbed the little hens with Olive Oil and then rubbed them with the mixed. I added about 10 cloves of garlic in the pan and put them in a 450 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Then I added a couple of cups chicken stock, some carrots and onions and turned down the heat to 350. <br />
<br />
While the hens were in the oven I made some wild rice, added some cranberries and walnuts. Then I made some sweet potatoes and some fresh green beans and dinner turned out beautifully. <br />
<br />
My son Mr. Skeptical actually enjoyed it. I plan to try them again on our grill. Barbequed Cornish hens sound amazing. If only our weather would cooperate!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY8hs4LXLaoA0fEIiUtWhgwhgxcPxMYuitAmO8FnV-qhtujNwzY7C4DZ7pamScAeJ6LBjbGQL1mA4kH6yYgc_BNAky9IvT2ZJqIaXUcROlj-Tj5mz4ddoUtcLVIy_zvAIFUituEDYKtD0/s1600/cornish+hens+in+the+pan+4.3.15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY8hs4LXLaoA0fEIiUtWhgwhgxcPxMYuitAmO8FnV-qhtujNwzY7C4DZ7pamScAeJ6LBjbGQL1mA4kH6yYgc_BNAky9IvT2ZJqIaXUcROlj-Tj5mz4ddoUtcLVIy_zvAIFUituEDYKtD0/s1600/cornish+hens+in+the+pan+4.3.15.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcM_qrA7KK8XI-FFdfW4Uf2YCfdq6CqAE4GHkSTNHiRJlcy2NcRfneafGouPzd4U_BHna7IojYG48pvR-3xE9wePR96UeCL01GgCIjR10EGs5meZVA9MsFgyiEvoUGltaXZdIHI4EjQCY/s1600/Cornish+hen+dinner+4.3.15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcM_qrA7KK8XI-FFdfW4Uf2YCfdq6CqAE4GHkSTNHiRJlcy2NcRfneafGouPzd4U_BHna7IojYG48pvR-3xE9wePR96UeCL01GgCIjR10EGs5meZVA9MsFgyiEvoUGltaXZdIHI4EjQCY/s1600/Cornish+hen+dinner+4.3.15.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a little sad when I was preparing these little hens so tiny and cute. I sometimes understand is exactly why people go vegetarian. </div>
<br />
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-2513249021421247792015-03-02T18:33:00.000-08:002015-03-02T18:33:02.560-08:00A Book Review - I'll Know It When I See It.I love blogland for so many reasons. It's like one big magazine all rolled up in one touch of a button. I used to love wandering around book stores and picking up magazines, interior design books, cookbooks, novels, romances and whatever else struck my attention. It would be so exciting and yet so heartbreaking because I couldn't leave the place with $100's in books. I had to make choices and they were never easy. The internet opened a whole new world of choices but sadly the bookstores suffered. Now I get my book ideas from blog reviews and sign on to Amazon. Sometimes it's just a click of a button and boom there it is on the kindle. Other times it's fun to get the book in the mail. I'll admit I'm cheap and never pay the full price. I always buy the used books because honestly once I finish the book I'll most likely donate it to a local charity. <br />
<br />
Recently I stumbled across a fashion blog that is unique because it focuses on older women. It's called <a href="http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Advance Style</a> by Ari Seth Cohen. I don't know how I found it but I find it a fascinating blog because it showcases elderly women who love life and fashion and being uniquely themselves. An inspiration to women of all ages because they show us you're never too old to make a statement. <br />
<br />
In one of his posts he spotlighted an author named Alice Carey and her book titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Know-When-See-Daughters/dp/060960984X" target="_blank"><em>I'll Know It When I See It, A Daughter's Search for Home In Ireland.</em></a><em>. </em>I started out slow reading this book because I tend to read several books at once. I'm a multitasker when it comes to reading. As I got deeper into the story I couldn't concentrate on any other book. <br />
<br />
Alice Carey wrote about growing up in New York with her Irish mother who was a maid for Jean Dalrymple an American theater producer, manager, publicist, author and playwright. Carey intertwined the story with her experiences as a poor child in New York who was exposed to the theater and arts, her experiences in the New York gay community and the loss of friends due to the AIDS epidemic, while searching for and remodeling a country home in Ireland. She flashbacks to her younger days in New York and travelling back to Ireland with her "mammie". She touched on the taboo things like pedophile priests, the way the Catholic School nuns tried to enlist her into the sisterhood and how she didn't want it, Catholic guilt, family and leaving behind the things you love.<br />
<br />
It was a touching story and near the end of the book I couldn't put it down. I loved this story and am so happy to have found this blog and this book. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbwK9mR1whaDt5UJrDXDxvzwqHnazKYDVH-AiSQre9Mce3Qrf-nQBMBt4H-8k7cHzC4XS0ruFwLOxeoHFNY_lLXyGb_TBMBm-BDg7hs3ArPIVGVTlZKiyusbUHjbvNe0Gk_5UqLMvww1Z/s1600/I'll%2Bknow%2Bit%2Bwhen%2BI%2Bsee%2Bit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbwK9mR1whaDt5UJrDXDxvzwqHnazKYDVH-AiSQre9Mce3Qrf-nQBMBt4H-8k7cHzC4XS0ruFwLOxeoHFNY_lLXyGb_TBMBm-BDg7hs3ArPIVGVTlZKiyusbUHjbvNe0Gk_5UqLMvww1Z/s1600/I'll%2Bknow%2Bit%2Bwhen%2BI%2Bsee%2Bit.png" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I highly recommend the book!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Debbie</div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-73431618372121484322015-02-16T21:05:00.002-08:002015-02-16T21:13:58.982-08:00Five On FridayA belated Five On Friday!<br />
<br />
I've been so very busy at work that I didn't even realize it was time for Five On Friday!<br />
So I'm going to do my Five on Friday on Saturday. I was planning to base my post on Valentines Day so I wasn't too far off by posting on the actual day. I am joining fellow bloggers for Five On Friday for one more week. A different group of bloggers taking five minutes from their day to enjoy five things. At the bottom of this post you will see who else is joining in this week. Our host Amy at Love Made My Home is adding a button to her Five On Friday program. I thoroughly enjoy doing this post and like the fact that we'll be able to post 5 on Friday randomly. <br />
<br />
First off we had a Valentines Day celebration at work. We were supposed to wear red or pink colors and we could wear jeans. I had to laugh because one of the young guys in our office wore red jeans. We work in a corporate environment and most people are pretty conservative so he stood out with his red pants. It was bold and brought some energy to the office. That's one of the things I love about working with the younger generation, the energy they bring. I remember when I was their age and was full of energy and excitement and promise. Fun memories. <br />
<br />
Well, back to our Valentines Day celebration. I thought we were supposed to bring a treat to share. So I baked my red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting which is an office favorite. It's funny because they rave about them all the time when I make them. I never take credit for them because I use a BOX mix, Duncan Hines Red Velvet. However, I always make homemade cream cheese frosting. Maybe that's what makes them special. I decorated them with sprinkles and set them out around 9am. They were wiped out by 10.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VlqzqQ4jZBmjYoZQ0cbFd1BSZ4Xq04lV_QSTzNqNSwCyWWC40WfjnR0Vqcw4OdU9VlpTFhLE20dydp-bVuhVteAKMYy-nncAR9F2vKdUyw_bPxGKyOSDgY3LTAfDdkTY0SrnqLyajzsK/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VlqzqQ4jZBmjYoZQ0cbFd1BSZ4Xq04lV_QSTzNqNSwCyWWC40WfjnR0Vqcw4OdU9VlpTFhLE20dydp-bVuhVteAKMYy-nncAR9F2vKdUyw_bPxGKyOSDgY3LTAfDdkTY0SrnqLyajzsK/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's a frosty cold Valentines Day this year. It's 5 degrees and an icy cold wind is blowing. I'm hoping we start to see a warm up soon. My husband has made reservations for us to go out for sushi tonight. I really don't want to go outside in the cold but the Sushi is totally worth it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4DNY7X2yVpUaRasnNGbkWSMDlv2Ex_OrR066u9It712PeaCC8JDniRNLxcgkWaCMELYPtgr_p91IO3Q0guJk6u9QTFz9_xdqF6vPeB07DNJWHN-JkW8-j3rRN1gCx2nwSDLL4lxoOMqk/s1600/Sushi.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4DNY7X2yVpUaRasnNGbkWSMDlv2Ex_OrR066u9It712PeaCC8JDniRNLxcgkWaCMELYPtgr_p91IO3Q0guJk6u9QTFz9_xdqF6vPeB07DNJWHN-JkW8-j3rRN1gCx2nwSDLL4lxoOMqk/s1600/Sushi.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My son is in college so he doesn't have much money, well he has NO money because he doesn't work while in school. His little girlfriend is so sweet and because neither of them has much money they decided they wouldn't get each other anything for Valentines Day. Now I love my son very much but I will tell you that little girl has earned a Valentines Day gift by putting up with my son. So I went to the store and picked up a couple of things for her. I had a heart box from last year and put the candy in it. He later went out and bought her a bottle of her favorite wine. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVvMqA5Wvr7szQDrPms2Yg6VSah0fPaofVJi-E0Qo4bDedyhRcevCoWclJDa0YNcyhrQvq8-8697AdKW1h1P1SIQC1V960egkV_UgZlNVb770FqyPTsUxBbvHnp7jy0HjgEkj8gZGSH6t/s1600/heart+box.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVvMqA5Wvr7szQDrPms2Yg6VSah0fPaofVJi-E0Qo4bDedyhRcevCoWclJDa0YNcyhrQvq8-8697AdKW1h1P1SIQC1V960egkV_UgZlNVb770FqyPTsUxBbvHnp7jy0HjgEkj8gZGSH6t/s1600/heart+box.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love Pop Rocks. I remember buying them at the corner store on the way to school. I couldn't resist picking up a package for her gift. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4RU2YdpgAkHLFzrEc_pYBhAvuFC50ihaPy64Q2q9z5d0Wiwnw-efiJ2KoiqQrkUJy6vxXyAf1dw1c3ZRcMKPJN_lpxxpSHhWhlFHWVfxNd2hAoOb7Y3tu6M0bUrDb2g4PqOPdkGWwtTM/s1600/pop+rocks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4RU2YdpgAkHLFzrEc_pYBhAvuFC50ihaPy64Q2q9z5d0Wiwnw-efiJ2KoiqQrkUJy6vxXyAf1dw1c3ZRcMKPJN_lpxxpSHhWhlFHWVfxNd2hAoOb7Y3tu6M0bUrDb2g4PqOPdkGWwtTM/s1600/pop+rocks.jpeg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I put together this silly cloche for VDay. It's a bunch of cute little pink and red rubber duckies! Usually my son makes fun of my decorating ideas but this time he didn't say anything. I guess that's a good thing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbYi2bRz9gzbwFy4IDeUssfwMLe0gxKaCzzknht2UTZDccLpZEk3HXdTtOGjacdpVitCq9Q3QnLqG8BWIuR1yGVEJs5ihktSXPyksafsqNgRFyIaBoml7pu2ZhpXEm560djipjvHaQg_V/s1600/duck+cloche.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbYi2bRz9gzbwFy4IDeUssfwMLe0gxKaCzzknht2UTZDccLpZEk3HXdTtOGjacdpVitCq9Q3QnLqG8BWIuR1yGVEJs5ihktSXPyksafsqNgRFyIaBoml7pu2ZhpXEm560djipjvHaQg_V/s1600/duck+cloche.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To close off the day Mr. Saylor ordered flowers to be delivered to my office. I always find it a little embarrassing having flowers delivered to work. Everyone makes such a big fuss over it. They were very pretty though and I wanted to bring them home since they would have to sit there all weekend. At least I can enjoy them at home, that is until my little cat tries to eat them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w048FrDaKgCz-l233ok30iWiUsD-AQwQlsO1EKlEMTvXH4V_8acmUAc0BUWdM6GeBmujyba8mAy8n2GRfkkVjd9BVk8MFJX5cGQD1D0plFYLu6veGznCl5j2BL5A2MLHgcDLIJ3lxIfw/s1600/bouquet.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w048FrDaKgCz-l233ok30iWiUsD-AQwQlsO1EKlEMTvXH4V_8acmUAc0BUWdM6GeBmujyba8mAy8n2GRfkkVjd9BVk8MFJX5cGQD1D0plFYLu6veGznCl5j2BL5A2MLHgcDLIJ3lxIfw/s1600/bouquet.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
am joining in Five on Friday, taking five minutes from our day to enjoy five things. Please go and visit the other people who are also blogging about Five on Friday this week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amy from <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Love Made My Home</span></a><br /> Helen from <a href="http://woollybluebells.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Woollybluebells</span></a><br />Gina from <a href="http://ginaferrari.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Fan My Flame</span></a></div>
<div>
Joanne from <a href="http://awholeplotoflove.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">A Whole Plot of Love</span></a> </div>
<div>
Rosie from <a href="http://rosiepblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Corners Of My Mind</span></a><br /> Lil from <a href="http://housewithhearts.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">House With Hearts</span></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-62796642492502970972015-01-26T20:13:00.000-08:002015-01-26T20:13:06.386-08:00Longing for a hot summer dayAs I was watching the news tonight they reminisced about the blizzard of 1967 that hit here in the Chicago area. Funny that I've lived most of my life in Chicago and the area and have endured so many cold, snowy winters but that particular 1967 storm I was just a wee lass still living in Scotland. We emigrated in 1967 but not to Chicago. I wonder if my parents watched the news that year and saw Chicago getting blanketed in snow. I bet my mother didn't even think that one day she would be raising her children in Chicago. <br />
<br />
As I watched the newscast about the blizzard about to pour down on the East Coast I started to long for some hot Summer days. I'm picturing the warm days at my friends summer house, floating in the lake, feeling that hot sun beating down on us and jumping in the water to cool off. Family fun at my brother's pool, a baseball game or two. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrlqITqbUCYAWMAL9X9H7X9yoi-FF7xeScUWorUZpK4maa5kvCsLpJ8fRZH1mTVfhwIq2xzbfDsNg0kduR1I1ZG0v9bwdx0Yh1vLij0pOWy60_He4SbcWTbq_V2JZXmZSI5x0IncbvxTp/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrlqITqbUCYAWMAL9X9H7X9yoi-FF7xeScUWorUZpK4maa5kvCsLpJ8fRZH1mTVfhwIq2xzbfDsNg0kduR1I1ZG0v9bwdx0Yh1vLij0pOWy60_He4SbcWTbq_V2JZXmZSI5x0IncbvxTp/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pontoons and Jet Ski's</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjisbpg_CAQVMa9EcrXGczGdJ0yj_M7iUl64XkW35Ts2T9caLt5fkTV_15YeLyowjsAst9q7fzKX7JLyKSbT72MzDAVj8EvVM2uC2FfrJwgkUZF-Au5wEBgPIox-DpJGkJxNcTbeJI-jS/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjisbpg_CAQVMa9EcrXGczGdJ0yj_M7iUl64XkW35Ts2T9caLt5fkTV_15YeLyowjsAst9q7fzKX7JLyKSbT72MzDAVj8EvVM2uC2FfrJwgkUZF-Au5wEBgPIox-DpJGkJxNcTbeJI-jS/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Baseball games</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1P80O-JrwBFKDTJDzfdPlPbcrEqUHE3k5jJk6rg1R25dCCLvKwXbR-N_lZ3nkZz_Ol-xRjsURSkKfvOTasqP3svAgcDI6NZt7JHPFew9lZdG2LXtVCc8qeSv2tmvqpyAZxuQiShhNYe2/s1600/IMG_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1P80O-JrwBFKDTJDzfdPlPbcrEqUHE3k5jJk6rg1R25dCCLvKwXbR-N_lZ3nkZz_Ol-xRjsURSkKfvOTasqP3svAgcDI6NZt7JHPFew9lZdG2LXtVCc8qeSv2tmvqpyAZxuQiShhNYe2/s1600/IMG_0300.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Swimming Pool fun</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQmUEdH1UQWgjpwVZk83KTpvT4IJwH4y3TomjfqsPS1l1qzysBK6B4b6GbMWLfd0qNp7mRwpPXmrAZqGDdxeTGj_WGA7RuxGKPy04ZuRdMf9NA4nhWzKWptKpJv83ajcMRDasC0s4eBgO/s1600/dude+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQmUEdH1UQWgjpwVZk83KTpvT4IJwH4y3TomjfqsPS1l1qzysBK6B4b6GbMWLfd0qNp7mRwpPXmrAZqGDdxeTGj_WGA7RuxGKPy04ZuRdMf9NA4nhWzKWptKpJv83ajcMRDasC0s4eBgO/s1600/dude+306.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5rKZvTv-jmyZp2RV_68Lbo_Ao3wEztirCT661GUQq-28YvmsZIkisvP583Rkc3HQzJk8YtOhfKKVWBBXszUIsWQgQtB23VWeo25-TJZ8ZpKUlJSs1Ye21Ap6NAeIReyT9pQjjfKVN0st/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5rKZvTv-jmyZp2RV_68Lbo_Ao3wEztirCT661GUQq-28YvmsZIkisvP583Rkc3HQzJk8YtOhfKKVWBBXszUIsWQgQtB23VWeo25-TJZ8ZpKUlJSs1Ye21Ap6NAeIReyT9pQjjfKVN0st/s1600/025.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Summer Concerts</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Summer Flowers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtKTlQ8EwefdlNfqLK1SUShdC9C02wee_MDq26WiWtNfcLzmRHrAFcpahNJEmqYAOoRBwYeahPSzspBbwyWepIJHyIGtJjiq-_eJ5aOqA84PkeT4Puq-pRY-cvlmoFaAGtJlTzmf3gmxO/s1600/117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtKTlQ8EwefdlNfqLK1SUShdC9C02wee_MDq26WiWtNfcLzmRHrAFcpahNJEmqYAOoRBwYeahPSzspBbwyWepIJHyIGtJjiq-_eJ5aOqA84PkeT4Puq-pRY-cvlmoFaAGtJlTzmf3gmxO/s1600/117.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have to remind myself Summer is only a few months away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-77967996792232933292015-01-09T19:45:00.004-08:002015-01-09T19:45:50.043-08:00Five On FridayI am joining fellow bloggers for Five On Friday this week. A different group of bloggers taking five minutes from their day to enjoy five things. At the bottom of this post you will see who else is joining in this week. My post is very late on Friday this week because my work schedule is crazy busy but I didn't want to miss thinking about 5 things today.<br />
<br />
Since we're in a deep freeze here in the Chicagoland area I decided to focus my Five On Friday on five things I love about Winter. I could probably come up with at least 5 things I hate about winter but to get me through this time of the year I thought I'd focus on the positive. Wintertime is a magical time of year, it's cold and snowy, sometimes brutal and cruel and yet can be beautiful and serene. I thought the best way to face the harshness of winter is to embrace the positive!<br />
<br />
What five things do I love about Winter?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Promise</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The best part about winter is that it doesn't last forever. When we are facing temperatures 15 degrees below zero we know that it's only for a little while. We know that in a few short months the temperatures will be rising and the snow will be melting. The promise of spring is always there. In winter things go dormant, trees stand tall and brace themselves against the cold brutal winds. They signify strength and the promise that better days lie ahead. Soon the sun will shine warmly, their leaves will begin to bud and they will flourish. I think that's a great metaphor for all of us when we are facing challenges in our lives. We can look at a cold spindly wintertime tree and know that someday soon that tree will be full of life again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG96fPh8Cu91yyTNr7kzwMyfMcMnqQYxUdBfD17HJx8H5pEaVqd45IHNGY0M9u1r6LzmZJx3zX6HcIXrUCYKVw-pBAs7VdPGrefdTgy4g4OE78q6LsAVkSyi_0Y42Zxy8j8VpzFAWZ4m8A/s1600/frosty+trees+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG96fPh8Cu91yyTNr7kzwMyfMcMnqQYxUdBfD17HJx8H5pEaVqd45IHNGY0M9u1r6LzmZJx3zX6HcIXrUCYKVw-pBAs7VdPGrefdTgy4g4OE78q6LsAVkSyi_0Y42Zxy8j8VpzFAWZ4m8A/s1600/frosty+trees+2.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgam_ydfxi5xU1lbi5HFlvTbmDKTE5QAQrvNbDwLHGEKwHzuKX94zrzZGGg9Y54E8uyeiDtgmheT1dKejpdL-EH6wKXgdWWMJH_rlSdo8szE2TUTpr0zUIJEkxmpCRQRXWw5-6EtIHr18dG/s1600/frosty+trees1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgam_ydfxi5xU1lbi5HFlvTbmDKTE5QAQrvNbDwLHGEKwHzuKX94zrzZGGg9Y54E8uyeiDtgmheT1dKejpdL-EH6wKXgdWWMJH_rlSdo8szE2TUTpr0zUIJEkxmpCRQRXWw5-6EtIHr18dG/s1600/frosty+trees1.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Resiliency</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The cold harsh winters remind us of just how resilient we can be. I can remember walking to school in the city as a little girl along with my two brothers. We used to tease him and if he cried little ice crystals would form on his eyelashes. Looking back now I think how cruel we were but we were just kids. The fact is we never missed school on those days and our schools rarely closed. Today the schools close all the time when we have sub zero temps or heavy snows. I suppose it's a good thing but what is it teaching the next generation about commitment? I made it to school every day in the cold and I grew up into an adult who doesn't miss work due to weather. The newer generations are different. I will admit however that there was nothing more exciting than a "snow day"! It was so rare back then, today the kids expect it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFWXV7kjO1HDtH1J_ePyUVKsUAfTTkQptS1lllr-QUby3kAMz9OVJkbKhRkhncPi3tssbTCF0-RUi7OlRm9S4R_ApNSbaRrkS6Jg1wpEPmaT7glUoWjp_nUxlh60iDES9Tqq4Nzc0gK4Q/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFWXV7kjO1HDtH1J_ePyUVKsUAfTTkQptS1lllr-QUby3kAMz9OVJkbKhRkhncPi3tssbTCF0-RUi7OlRm9S4R_ApNSbaRrkS6Jg1wpEPmaT7glUoWjp_nUxlh60iDES9Tqq4Nzc0gK4Q/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Beauty</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first snow falls are beautiful. Our worlds are covered in a blanket of pure white that glistens in the sunlight. We know that the snow signifies the holidays are near and our worlds become a Christmas card. I love that time of winter but after the holidays is the time when I start to hate the snow. Then a big snowfall comes through and it's beautiful all over again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj546Z3aFnIc-BSkr2LBQ9DrW47CfthzvruLGUk8x6C-UAFzzsr8yrcNeqVZcqcofxeCgdW5C7xElqv95qSmhhq8nd9Am1xu7O4x0_z7shMg6Kx-QNMYS1skCr95akvo_X__f1f_mbgBVTT/s1600/Winter+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj546Z3aFnIc-BSkr2LBQ9DrW47CfthzvruLGUk8x6C-UAFzzsr8yrcNeqVZcqcofxeCgdW5C7xElqv95qSmhhq8nd9Am1xu7O4x0_z7shMg6Kx-QNMYS1skCr95akvo_X__f1f_mbgBVTT/s1600/Winter+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe_cDqtIDPTwFQmGg66ZSsAcpIwwtzJdMEnUJUjR5SeFIfPQ1HaQA6U24Ns2Gm7W5DutuFdZ6mmfKDxf07ZokFmKvf1nF_5uRIBiixgQTipYkCfA8vSgMASEglQqkAHfDGRQULJGn9vBK/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe_cDqtIDPTwFQmGg66ZSsAcpIwwtzJdMEnUJUjR5SeFIfPQ1HaQA6U24Ns2Gm7W5DutuFdZ6mmfKDxf07ZokFmKvf1nF_5uRIBiixgQTipYkCfA8vSgMASEglQqkAHfDGRQULJGn9vBK/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBsSvuU8X1Hp2CZXfJJwAQiKO9Xguwo5xlCwtHuUqM03SXSrsTdqAq8zxt0TEUCSgAqm0y39pxN2S8p-d7Qtr5MWVt1GaR7mifthG9uAxnD57YHHpJoBtb0iCAYTwMQ7eeiexHLjC_T9Y/s1600/Frosty+tree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBsSvuU8X1Hp2CZXfJJwAQiKO9Xguwo5xlCwtHuUqM03SXSrsTdqAq8zxt0TEUCSgAqm0y39pxN2S8p-d7Qtr5MWVt1GaR7mifthG9uAxnD57YHHpJoBtb0iCAYTwMQ7eeiexHLjC_T9Y/s1600/Frosty+tree1.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Anticipation</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After months of cold weather and snow my anticipation for Spring starts to happen. Things slow down in the later part of winter. I can't do much outside and so I start my spring planning. I order some special seeds for the garden and start to make plans for what and where to plant. I love to go into the stores and see the Valentine's day décor and spring gardening merchandise starts to pop up and the winter seems to get that much easier. I start to anticipate the first signs of new life. The snow puts everything to sleep and when it melts it nourishes the plant life waiting below the ground. The first sign of spring bulbs popping through the ground is exciting and rejuvenating. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcWCGuhwpkqFXhFilmtp40gNEYnnu27Xnt5EdXI3FiOE3ezp_NWqbUe1K5PG2pluGlbsEfgxRYMveIM46Is_M1F9Hg7DNjnmFVEP0pLHO6pvMuQRiSQf1k5KZjhikUQa76NEDnoY7OR7U/s1600/Sunflower+Garden+Seeds.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcWCGuhwpkqFXhFilmtp40gNEYnnu27Xnt5EdXI3FiOE3ezp_NWqbUe1K5PG2pluGlbsEfgxRYMveIM46Is_M1F9Hg7DNjnmFVEP0pLHO6pvMuQRiSQf1k5KZjhikUQa76NEDnoY7OR7U/s1600/Sunflower+Garden+Seeds.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUcN1chrEAgOIvRo2wCi0k2OLK6Lzs0iYwNh1dfBilhg5C1H5v5vZX_BW8UwFeU6oSCDfsQMNRlprFefD_92RLz1PzgIBFvk8oe1SarhKmUg3dq7uuGkASPFRLrYLjhTyQDBirB7Cyr5A/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUcN1chrEAgOIvRo2wCi0k2OLK6Lzs0iYwNh1dfBilhg5C1H5v5vZX_BW8UwFeU6oSCDfsQMNRlprFefD_92RLz1PzgIBFvk8oe1SarhKmUg3dq7uuGkASPFRLrYLjhTyQDBirB7Cyr5A/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Hibernation</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The cold winter sends us all indoors for the season. As I write this post the temperature outside is 5 degrees. The wind is cold and chills you through to the bone but there is nothing more comforting than to come inside our warm house and snuggle under a blanket like a bear in a cave with a cup of hot chocolate. What's comical is that in the spring all our neighbors start to come out of their homes and it's as if we haven't spoken for months. It's just it's so darn cold during the winter that we run from our cars into the house. I love it when the weather breaks and the neighbors kids come out to play. It's amazing to see how much they have grown in the winter. It really is like we're all a bunch of hibernating bears coming out of our caves. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlRBtmxJbsWUshYp3X_TrF5O70HKBzahYIgs1kZQYB_ndzebgsmp7Y5ZMEzMg0oNDiJIxa6-y8rG9K3sMyBrGVnSwVhULU0bc26VoltliJvO5gfTtum-rRMe7jFkN_5GidyXn5_fAG5vX/s1600/hot+chocolate1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlRBtmxJbsWUshYp3X_TrF5O70HKBzahYIgs1kZQYB_ndzebgsmp7Y5ZMEzMg0oNDiJIxa6-y8rG9K3sMyBrGVnSwVhULU0bc26VoltliJvO5gfTtum-rRMe7jFkN_5GidyXn5_fAG5vX/s1600/hot+chocolate1.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope my Five on Friday helps you get through the winter if you're feeling the cold weather like we are here in the Chicagoland area!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am joining in Five on Friday, taking five minutes from our day to enjoy five things. Please go and visit the other people who are also blogging about Five on Friday this week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Amy from <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Love Made My Home</span></a><br />
Helen from <a href="http://woollybluebells.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Woollybluebells</span></a><br />
<div>
<div>
Gina from <a href="http://ginaferrari.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Fan My Flame</span></a></div>
<div>
Joanne from <a href="http://awholeplotoflove.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">A Whole Plot of Love</span></a> </div>
<div>
Rosie from <a href="http://rosiepblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Corners Of My Mind</span></a><br />
Lil from <a href="http://housewithhearts.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">House With Hearts</span></a> </div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-8076953957280626022015-01-05T21:57:00.000-08:002015-01-05T21:57:12.437-08:00A Frosty Start to 2015It always amazes me how some Midwesterners react to the frosty temps. I can never understand why the local media sends a frenzied message about the falling temperatures as if we've never experienced cold weather before. I can certainly understand why a big freeze would cripple the likes of Texas, Georgia or Florida but come on people we live in a part of the country that experiences freezing temperatures every year somewhere between November and April. Tonight on the way home from the office I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some milk. They are predicting frigid temps and snow tonight anywhere between 3" - 6". You would have thought the world was ending judging by the people climbing all over each other in the store. The cars were all lined up in the parking lot, people everywhere stocking up for the arctic blast we're about to get. Really? 3" is going to stop us from getting to the store that's an average of one mile from our homes? It's crazy and happens every year. Why do people act as if this will be the end of the world? Mindboggling. <br />
<br />
Stop the presses, it's January in Chicagoland and we're going to be cold?! Who knew, right?! The news media will all freak out, people will drive as if it's a new concept to them, trains will be stuck on their tracks, busses will break down, schools will close because their furnaces break (yes, there is already a school in Chicago that just announced a school closing this evening) and before we know it the weather will break and next year at this time the same process will happen again. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOzA54ujjtFhijDUtg6bvn569avrIqDPe9KUSj38e7HH7NHp8-qFNTiEOTCtmL4Xt6dD1QKZLJbT2LdZWtx2BH8IVCcvy9u6Nkw3o03xNQCC6bjctKwZ7jAnz0-8tQ_3k9W4dYbyxqUyy/s1600/weather.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOzA54ujjtFhijDUtg6bvn569avrIqDPe9KUSj38e7HH7NHp8-qFNTiEOTCtmL4Xt6dD1QKZLJbT2LdZWtx2BH8IVCcvy9u6Nkw3o03xNQCC6bjctKwZ7jAnz0-8tQ_3k9W4dYbyxqUyy/s1600/weather.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Forgive me for being sarcastic but I've lived in this area since I was 11 years old and every winter is the same. So why do people get CRAZY when the weather drops? I'll never figure it out and it is quite laughable. Judging from the weather app on my phone Wednesday is the day to watch. While I can laugh at the weather as I sit here in my warm home, I will say a little prayer for the people who have to work in the outdoors and an extra prayer for the homeless people and animals who have no shelter on these cold days and nights. <br />
<br />
All this weather ranting started because as I said I stopped at the grocery store on the way home to pick up some milk. I had such a craving for a good cup of hot chocolate. I was going to skip the stop when I saw the mayhem in the parking lot but I decided to go for it anyway. In the end, I'm glad I did. It was worth the aggravation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5gAFuZdPsWsgiuG_pKPsjpUqRBPNo4SeK-Qc00C8IlUJ_-1GBe0hk6uu4kZqgSkF5eV26NVoCCZzzDiYFVnZTJea-yz2u4a4rF77tEqe9gpt6SnBrVC_NhzhpBEpKo41iQb1yzR4C7kW/s1600/hot+chocolate1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5gAFuZdPsWsgiuG_pKPsjpUqRBPNo4SeK-Qc00C8IlUJ_-1GBe0hk6uu4kZqgSkF5eV26NVoCCZzzDiYFVnZTJea-yz2u4a4rF77tEqe9gpt6SnBrVC_NhzhpBEpKo41iQb1yzR4C7kW/s1600/hot+chocolate1.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As the snow began to fall I took a look outside my window and saw our lovely tree covered in snow and gleaming with lights. This tree was a castoff from a friend who owns a landscaping business. He dug it out of a clients yard but didn't want to just throw it in the dump. They called me to see if I wanted it and of course I said yes. That was several years ago and it has since grown into a lovely little tree. The look of it in the falling snow was magical and a nice way to close the holiday season. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvtUb6RP1EVNesgsopl06UUo2t8ea1esB4neJ2rz0uBilPgxrZl0SdCACo3d0_naz-mG7hykcnmedCp4T6P9p_RvoeFOl21v1J7U2GQhZ4aQLr6j0yPcmhbmutAqqt7bfdpu0SHU5a6Th/s1600/Frosty+tree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvtUb6RP1EVNesgsopl06UUo2t8ea1esB4neJ2rz0uBilPgxrZl0SdCACo3d0_naz-mG7hykcnmedCp4T6P9p_RvoeFOl21v1J7U2GQhZ4aQLr6j0yPcmhbmutAqqt7bfdpu0SHU5a6Th/s1600/Frosty+tree1.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My son is home from school for the holidays and he came in the kitchen yesterday and said "Mom, I didn't leave the heat on in my apartment, do you think it will be okay?" Since the area where his school is will be below zero even before we factor in the wind chill I told him he should probably have left the heat on even at a low setting. Luckily he is only an hour away from here and we decided to take the ride out to turn on the heat and drop off some of his stuff. His school is in DeKalb, IL and there are some lovely little shops in the area. The deal was I would take a ride with him and then he would have to let me stop in at a couple of those shops. I just love looking at the farms along the way. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5b-o9t7ZdKwhNPBk8hH3ZUOyoQ0iZPHoYslDSTF96FeS2OL7VxPGuNh1kB1XLG49pjeFjJ4mOH6p2gUPKnvQNBOvdYP6rJqliAW-GSUNfTyiGGbIkVkOGvmNUTOVPDezNLacbCdyndq-O/s1600/farmland2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5b-o9t7ZdKwhNPBk8hH3ZUOyoQ0iZPHoYslDSTF96FeS2OL7VxPGuNh1kB1XLG49pjeFjJ4mOH6p2gUPKnvQNBOvdYP6rJqliAW-GSUNfTyiGGbIkVkOGvmNUTOVPDezNLacbCdyndq-O/s1600/farmland2.jpg" height="347" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a successful trip for me because one of the shops is an Annie Sloan stockist. I picked up a can to try as I have been hesitant because it's so expensive. I can't wait to try it on a couple of pieces in my house. I'm going to start small and see how I like it. I've got some small projects I want to work on first. Keeping my fingers crossed I'll like the outcome. I might as well start some painting projects since we can't do much outside. Uh oh, did I just admit that the cold weather is going to keep me inside?! Yes I did, I'm just as crazy as the rest of 'em! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Debbie</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-54746814270328769692015-01-02T09:21:00.001-08:002015-01-02T09:21:51.689-08:00Welcome to 2015!I didn't have a tough time finding my word for 2015. This year I decided on two words and a quote to base my 2015 year upon. I like the idea of focusing on words instead of big lists of resolutions. I never ever keep my resolutions. I have a much easier time focusing on a word(s) that encompass many things. So here goes. My words for 2015 are:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Transformation</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2014 I started my weight loss journey with weight watchers. I was successful in taking off 30 pounds. 2015 will be my transformation year. I plan to finish my weight loss goal and <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">transform</span> myself into living a healthier lifestyle. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of 2014 I was given a promotion to a new position at work. This will definitely be a transformation for my work life. I've got so much to learn and many challenges ahead. In 2015 I'm <span style="color: #674ea7;">transforming</span> my career.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mr. Saylor and I have decided to start fixing up our home in preparation to sell. We probably won't sell for a couple of years yet but I want to have it ready just in case the opportunity pops up. We've lived in this house for ten years and have some larger projects to tackle. Over the past year we've noticed our upstairs shower starting to break down. We have a leak in the roof that is coming from around the chimney and we need to replace some of the tile on our floors. We don't have an extra $20K to do all the projects at once so we'll be DIY'ing and <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">transforming</span> the rooms one at a time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">Laughter</span></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">My second word for 2015 is <span style="color: #cc0000;">Laughter</span>. My transformation in so many areas of my life for 2015 will mean I need to keep my sense of humor. Laughter always makes everything better so I think that if I can incorporate a lot of laughter into my transformations for 2015 it should make them easier to tackle and more successful. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-size: large;"><em>"Do small things with great love." —Mother Teresa</em></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">I think this quote sums up exactly how I want to attack my transformation and laughter goals for 2015. If I break each goal, each thought, each action into a small step and do each thing with great love I will be successful and at the end of 2015 I can look back and be content with my accomplishments. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"content"....do I see my 2016 word taking form?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy New Year. My your 2015 be a successful year!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: magenta;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: magenta;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: magenta;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: magenta;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: magenta;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: magenta;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: magenta;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em></em></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-772523009924600902014-12-11T22:22:00.000-08:002014-12-12T21:37:37.056-08:00Five On FridayAfter a long stretch (months and months) of not posting on my blog I decided to start it again by joining a group of other bloggers to be a part of Five on Friday. Set up by <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank">Amy</a> at Love Made My Home, we will post five things on Friday we want to share. I'm grouped with another set of bloggers who's links are at the bottom of my post. I hope you will visit their blogs as well. <br />
<br />
I'm not a routine blogger as I'm sure you'll notice from the very large gaps in my posts. I'd like to be a bit more regular but life gets in the way and before I know it weeks turn in to months and the year is gone. So I am happy to be a part of the Five on Friday group. It will give me a reason to become a more focused blogger. <br />
<br />
My Five things don't really have any correlation or theme. They are just five things that made me happy over the past couple of weeks. <br />
<br />
Number One - Dude the CAT<br />
<br />
This one is a biggie so I'll start with it first. Last week Thursday as I was walking out the door for work I noticed one of my cats was not around. Sometimes he likes to sleep in our basement and doesn't always come upstairs in the morning to greet me but it's rare. I asked Mr. Saylor if he'd seen him but he said he hadn't noticed. Mr. Saylor was the last to pull in to the driveway the night before so when our daughter was getting ready to leave for the gym she was blocked in by his car which meant that early on Thursday morning they were running in and out of the house to move the cars. Well, I think our little cat must have slipped out during the commotion. It was either that or he had slipped out the night before when Mr. Saylor let the dog out. Regardless of when the fact remained our little cat was nowhere to be found. I panicked but reminded myself that he was a cat and would probably find his way home. I posted a picture of him on the facebook page for lost cats in Illinois. Mr. Saylor ran around and made a few flyers with his picture on it. I left for work but came home at lunchtime to see if I could find him but still no luck. I got home that evening from work about 6pm and when I got out of the car I started calling for him. No luck but when I got in the house Mr. Saylor said the little guy had just shown up at the back door about five minutes before I got home! I was so happy and relieved to have the little guy back. I think he was pretty happy to be home too. It's only about 20 degrees outside and if he was out all night he had to be pretty cold. He smelled like he must have gotten locked in someone's garage, kind of oily and musty. Our little cat snuggled with us all night. I think he was very happy to be home and we were all very happy to have him home. <br />
<br />
Here he is, the little bugger all snuggly and content after his adventure in the great outdoors of our back yard and beyond. First he snuggled up with Mr. Saylor and then hopped over to my lap. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZc9ZLm6XWZl_EPC-FosTgrN7XBDbBXE4Bd3bpkG6kmsDswvmwcj4zfuxmf0WVOdKx5amD7IKj02LCxdD4nmVjj8nLSOHuyXR8S4KZjbn0cO276ZcWl9VPa1JqjFp8hAf1FW2ui3Ms55X/s1600/Dude+back+home.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZc9ZLm6XWZl_EPC-FosTgrN7XBDbBXE4Bd3bpkG6kmsDswvmwcj4zfuxmf0WVOdKx5amD7IKj02LCxdD4nmVjj8nLSOHuyXR8S4KZjbn0cO276ZcWl9VPa1JqjFp8hAf1FW2ui3Ms55X/s1600/Dude+back+home.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1Cy8C8fmcJo7_A0CyTtd-yXY_C-qyHlU0WMeRKs0c89En1-phBOk-qvLFlvAQYPO9bAULEkbHoN8syyt9UQLy3ikD0ZbDSsu9jNY9BumhOiP9FSIOTfuqccDrusYf_62kMYkIVdODASU/s1600/Dude+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1Cy8C8fmcJo7_A0CyTtd-yXY_C-qyHlU0WMeRKs0c89En1-phBOk-qvLFlvAQYPO9bAULEkbHoN8syyt9UQLy3ikD0ZbDSsu9jNY9BumhOiP9FSIOTfuqccDrusYf_62kMYkIVdODASU/s1600/Dude+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Love my little guy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Number Two - A gift to myself</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm doing Weight Watchers with a group of women in my office. Maybe it's the holidays but we're all getting a little less motivated in our weight loss goals. I bought us all little boxes and we've written down a goal weight for our final weigh in before Christmas. I'm calling it a gift to myself and we'll be opening them up at our next meeting. I keep it on my desk to remind me of the gift of weight loss I'm giving to me! This week's weigh in wasn't spectacular but I was down just a smidge. Next week will have to be big in order to hit the goal inside my box. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWCPIwf5g4FPZwh1cSj4y9eXVkHsMPCc4abibNnnZEEzSGu69fv1YJ9p2AVGWR6NbYoFddfLTROGHc9daUts8jAQvL_OYsKmBuVDMR7qhqepbeLoM_kIupdgRZczh_1vAp9Fc5nEMEKG7/s1600/gift+to+myself.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWCPIwf5g4FPZwh1cSj4y9eXVkHsMPCc4abibNnnZEEzSGu69fv1YJ9p2AVGWR6NbYoFddfLTROGHc9daUts8jAQvL_OYsKmBuVDMR7qhqepbeLoM_kIupdgRZczh_1vAp9Fc5nEMEKG7/s1600/gift+to+myself.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Number Three - The tile wall</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was at the Home Depot last week and saw these glass tiles on sale for half price. I picked up the last of the sheets they had in the store only to find out I needed three more sheets. Luckily they called another store and they had about a box left. We ran out as fast as we could and got them. It's a small dividing wall between my kitchen and dining room. I think it came out nicely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtlY-yP2hH0BgiD09be2d7vM10VLwJNIooJcK-mBG-H0k8s8fTvZrn7NNwz9HgNhQ4fhX03A0C_C5ZDdFsV_D7FjhtveSwPeru4TJ6gHxAeDVdvsHCtvvtfCM7Si5Z2KQdUETm8mMuR9Z/s1600/tile+wall.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtlY-yP2hH0BgiD09be2d7vM10VLwJNIooJcK-mBG-H0k8s8fTvZrn7NNwz9HgNhQ4fhX03A0C_C5ZDdFsV_D7FjhtveSwPeru4TJ6gHxAeDVdvsHCtvvtfCM7Si5Z2KQdUETm8mMuR9Z/s1600/tile+wall.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Number Four - Goodbye Red Room</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We moved into this house about ten years ago. It was supposed to only be for a couple of years but when the housing market crashed I didn't want to sell and potentially lose money. One of the first big projects we did was paint our dining room walls a faux finish in red glaze. It was very dramatic and at first we didn't like it because it looked like blood clouds. It grew on me and I've really liked it. Recently I decided that I'd paint the dining room to correspond with the green toned kitchen. It was a little sad because I remembered painting that room with my daughter. She was so young but so helpful. Repainting the wall was hard because that paint job was something we did together and it was almost like I was painting away the memories. My daughter was fine with getting rid of the red. With that encouragement I got down to business and now it's green! I like it but I also feel it's a little cold and a little boring. I'm going to have to be creative with my décor in the room. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcSdCgZKh3GiMyKcjnkc6cBBKMlco1oYBYDQZR6HJOFA4OBR_GSehoDulZ43XVggnR0IBv_h-A3avpJmOP5cuJrYLV_iXezhih54Ji3y4lDWz-iQRlE-bba-qU7d29CMZXdYaXdvlLbof/s1600/dining+room.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcSdCgZKh3GiMyKcjnkc6cBBKMlco1oYBYDQZR6HJOFA4OBR_GSehoDulZ43XVggnR0IBv_h-A3avpJmOP5cuJrYLV_iXezhih54Ji3y4lDWz-iQRlE-bba-qU7d29CMZXdYaXdvlLbof/s1600/dining+room.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Number Five - An Odd Place for a beer can collection. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last night we went out for dinner to a little British restaurant in the city. The area is very old but trendy and it's always fun to take the trip now and again. They serve Steak and Ale Royal Pies and Banngers and Mash and all kinds of hearty foods. It's a very small place and is a BYOB place. Right next door is a little trendy bar ( my daughter calls it a Hipster bar) named Maria's. We stopped in there first and picked up some hearty beer then went next door and got our Royal Pies. YUM. Afterwards we went back to the little Hipster place and had a couple more beers. In the bathroom they have a glass case on the wall filled with old beer cans. I thought it odd that they'd put them in the bathrooms where no one can really see them and had to make it a part of my Five on Friday. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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/AVvXsEjbzIkJHzxHiunPLtE2pOFap-_DPe8FmGAhI2m9pEY2d0uMkXSyOsF57Ke47t7PjIeuNf_hJAY_gXOaleEyw-IZjfNbx7aK6J-gKTT9LAvSS7tS1LnnGJxoPY04ToxyMbBpn6oufURWofjz/s1600/beer+can+wall.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzIkJHzxHiunPLtE2pOFap-_DPe8FmGAhI2m9pEY2d0uMkXSyOsF57Ke47t7PjIeuNf_hJAY_gXOaleEyw-IZjfNbx7aK6J-gKTT9LAvSS7tS1LnnGJxoPY04ToxyMbBpn6oufURWofjz/s1600/beer+can+wall.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer Can collection on the bathroom wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKmoIP-GODzdVTBzo8kHmABBIDdgAmJY0Ja-o2LYGpMEaNIIm0X92XYI3W4BEnIDhdo2BEMu1ljGmp-Tqha9orTci-vxy-kpm3xYFlQ0bOFNtoOIYz9j4svxmEARA3Wtbtnp2RpbYTkRR/s1600/Royal+Pies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKmoIP-GODzdVTBzo8kHmABBIDdgAmJY0Ja-o2LYGpMEaNIIm0X92XYI3W4BEnIDhdo2BEMu1ljGmp-Tqha9orTci-vxy-kpm3xYFlQ0bOFNtoOIYz9j4svxmEARA3Wtbtnp2RpbYTkRR/s1600/Royal+Pies.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak and Ale Royal Pie<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And that's it! My Five on Friday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I am joining in Five on Friday, taking five minutes from our day to enjoy five things. Please go and visit the other people who are also blogging about Five on Friday this week. Thank you again to Amy for arranging this fun blogging activity!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 254px;"><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(5, 99, 193); height: 15pt; width: 191pt;" width="254"><a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">Amy from Love Made My Home</span></a></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(5, 99, 193); height: 15pt;"><a href="http://woollybluebells.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">Helen from Woollybluebells</span></a></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(5, 99, 193); height: 15pt;"><a href="http://ginaferrari.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">Gina from Fan My Flame</span></a></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(5, 99, 193); height: 15pt;"><a href="http://awholeplotoflove.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">Joanne from A Whole Plot of Love </span></a></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(5, 99, 193); height: 15pt;"><a href="http://rosiepblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">Rosie from Corners Of My Mind</span></a></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(5, 99, 193); height: 15pt;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-16119279553529748862014-07-12T09:25:00.001-07:002014-07-12T09:25:40.495-07:00Cute Painted Tables Isn't it funny how a project that looked good at the time ends up not being so great? I had this little table in the house that I painted with a chevron pattern last year. Then I clear coated it. I kept thinking I would bring it to a local consignment shop and see if I could sell it there. Until recently when I pulled it out and looked at it. Seems the clear coat had yellowed and changed the color of the table. So, I decided to sand it all down and re-do the top. <br />
<br />
I like the new look!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoP3V7PEzQFBZUKxLRlVYjxjZ5Ft775Qd5EsWBT1td-azNFcjAj83dPJqYSctNaRr1bWWrR5Y-_egLOnY84Lc_OwI0QnJvMghIWjd8-HyK1hS8cKQTf3sMa3QdcvElNyGfdGPyZlIFtBw/s1600/Blue+table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoP3V7PEzQFBZUKxLRlVYjxjZ5Ft775Qd5EsWBT1td-azNFcjAj83dPJqYSctNaRr1bWWrR5Y-_egLOnY84Lc_OwI0QnJvMghIWjd8-HyK1hS8cKQTf3sMa3QdcvElNyGfdGPyZlIFtBw/s1600/Blue+table1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love the way this one folds down.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5x8XvAq5D0luxzuzt7h7epZeG1xpOqJQRaetEWKjmeMjyDDRyykqiFJ9c6u_rtN-IrsQTdVKctEJzT560GM2ZRRyiFcVsgslyo_sv__mvDwStgS-LVhVZqSDGV69N1Tz6lhs3mFIIxFG/s1600/blue+table2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></div>
I <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwXgY4y7BmWLfQvk7B8B01VgyjTqrfJVq121AQCeMnMBdLX7M6qlvqfacVmg3uzLTBTI-h6Xsh4hEJ-ncCOq0VLWunf8WL78UVhjpRivAuZ6n2mU1kuJxYVR6S6gosNbQZX8mqo2Qzob5/s1600/bluetable3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwXgY4y7BmWLfQvk7B8B01VgyjTqrfJVq121AQCeMnMBdLX7M6qlvqfacVmg3uzLTBTI-h6Xsh4hEJ-ncCOq0VLWunf8WL78UVhjpRivAuZ6n2mU1kuJxYVR6S6gosNbQZX8mqo2Qzob5/s1600/bluetable3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I found this adorable little table at my local GW for $3.99. It was a dark brown stain and had water rings on it. So, I decided to paint it up and ad some cute stencils. Now I love it! I hope the consignment shop is interested. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcs8PNFBYrIUSXb8xJW1_SAHJLa2G23hubmH5tmHFjCSnvJgLg3gpjuiG_c336PxC_J3MwRU8629dZqu5g10J32jjqSlDql_EBPdmiFsVHkcHatA0eRLZxefqZdsOXS-EKQwOJYTSPBY1/s1600/whitetable1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcs8PNFBYrIUSXb8xJW1_SAHJLa2G23hubmH5tmHFjCSnvJgLg3gpjuiG_c336PxC_J3MwRU8629dZqu5g10J32jjqSlDql_EBPdmiFsVHkcHatA0eRLZxefqZdsOXS-EKQwOJYTSPBY1/s1600/whitetable1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg0WVlBsQjrC9FnSyOqATqGlrxhjnUhJk3EY5eUDeMbbxzysyQ3BTtkPuzTBFtLyqXqjTTsXV-RwvngNZyFHoGA9VbvZow0p0CyTzPBaJuLX62oVYomIAjKZmYIo1YMoCc5syn11r3IZz/s1600/whitetable2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg0WVlBsQjrC9FnSyOqATqGlrxhjnUhJk3EY5eUDeMbbxzysyQ3BTtkPuzTBFtLyqXqjTTsXV-RwvngNZyFHoGA9VbvZow0p0CyTzPBaJuLX62oVYomIAjKZmYIo1YMoCc5syn11r3IZz/s1600/whitetable2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8771066262369724561.post-26644908835844478802014-06-11T19:28:00.002-07:002014-06-11T19:28:33.727-07:00Where have I been?And what have I been doing!?! <br />
<br />
The Saylor Street Blog has been greatly neglected lately. This is because I've been focused on losing weight. I joined weight watchers about 9 weeks ago and that's pretty much all I'm thinking about these days. I've lost 16 lbs so far and hope to take off a whole bunch more by this time next year!<br />
<br />
My weight loss focus doesn't mean that I've stopped having fun with new projects. I've been working in the yard, still hitting second hand stores, making cute banners and even made some wonderful deserts for my nieces communion. So many projects but no time to blog!<br />
<br />
I've been doing a lot of walking lately to help my weight loss. It seems to be much harder now that I'm over 50 than when I was younger. I've decided to take pictures as I walk to help make it a little more interesting. I'm also looking for some new walking trails and new or interesting places. I'm also taking pictures along the way to add some interest and not make walking so boring. <br />
<br />
Mr. Saylor found an old race car track turned walking trail in Algonquin, IL that is only about a 45 min. drive for us. He also bought an old used Jeep that he loves like a Porsche! It's a fun summer car. We take off the windows and top and cruise to our walking destinations! I think it's going to be an active summer!<br />
<br />
Some pictures of the trails we've found:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijABhgT0CQ5m1TXFOqNkr43_y4u2cGD_Zzpg94nfHrtQRmSFt4BejuUMfb9cLWNXB8IK6x318lQGIL3i2yXrH4arW69TgxzP4gXvdiQfPSTbzcDIgCRr_IrDWxinizjx7Ir75y8zmESwA4/s1600/Rivers+and+Trails+June+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijABhgT0CQ5m1TXFOqNkr43_y4u2cGD_Zzpg94nfHrtQRmSFt4BejuUMfb9cLWNXB8IK6x318lQGIL3i2yXrH4arW69TgxzP4gXvdiQfPSTbzcDIgCRr_IrDWxinizjx7Ir75y8zmESwA4/s1600/Rivers+and+Trails+June+2014.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Some trails near my home that are scenic and easy. The sweet little baby bunny almost got scooped up and brought home by me! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fLpst3hs1L9KwGOkCWU4RGtjmWqWTUzCg9AwMj6dsEfseERf73QhZq9q8LfHqHzda1e8lhjUjR8yyU891uosRsr8Ouz2UJwlSZQEFe0OkbbnSOM3OBU9T9xoTT4XSoMqBFGO3jSPS8Vu/s1600/Graue+Walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fLpst3hs1L9KwGOkCWU4RGtjmWqWTUzCg9AwMj6dsEfseERf73QhZq9q8LfHqHzda1e8lhjUjR8yyU891uosRsr8Ouz2UJwlSZQEFe0OkbbnSOM3OBU9T9xoTT4XSoMqBFGO3jSPS8Vu/s1600/Graue+Walk.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looking forward to my next walking adventure. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731316406748178750noreply@blogger.com0