tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80673457387416994482024-02-20T22:08:55.679-06:00A Happy ValentineSherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.comBlogger395125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-69308306506936366702021-01-24T18:12:00.000-06:002021-01-24T18:12:55.475-06:00Things making me happy on this beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon:<p style="text-align: center;"></p><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;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">Grabbing take-out from Arby's, taking it to a park, and enjoying it there along with the company of my sweet hubby.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchkc4ST6tH3K7xKCSHpm5h5HnDV9uv8sbHsHA-YTlgkpaUwmCR5ybuTkWZPyhUtVUp4m7fDy5fmRsZTnR8k7TGQRrs0Q_0UVQjvYV0jA1SflE0p6_CX8kwcGNewl_BhWJSYNi9dWU5pQA/s1024/move+more+live+well.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchkc4ST6tH3K7xKCSHpm5h5HnDV9uv8sbHsHA-YTlgkpaUwmCR5ybuTkWZPyhUtVUp4m7fDy5fmRsZTnR8k7TGQRrs0Q_0UVQjvYV0jA1SflE0p6_CX8kwcGNewl_BhWJSYNi9dWU5pQA/w480-h640/move+more+live+well.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><i> </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-style: italic;">Blue skies, a soft breeze, lots of sunshine, 62 degree temp, and a great walking trail around a big, big lake.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfnm2IlktDTLOW6hdn4jTuzD0ovPJul86QUuN3t2wowSRqrmFZcPQP_ZgavkmKCDjhQFBoF647y0FW8dM9lyoR6LVLuVurepp1jv1rVo2bQfALzQb90ojKM6dX65NFKbozqOGkaHLp5ug/s1024/trail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfnm2IlktDTLOW6hdn4jTuzD0ovPJul86QUuN3t2wowSRqrmFZcPQP_ZgavkmKCDjhQFBoF647y0FW8dM9lyoR6LVLuVurepp1jv1rVo2bQfALzQb90ojKM6dX65NFKbozqOGkaHLp5ug/w640-h480/trail.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">A festive air still hanging around the park with the park's Christmas lights still in place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-RwzJO5xVhn5C1jL4d-8jkEusoLAlbFFjYv73hQcxom-izvOP-UsdqKrnvMxgVpGgaAKLjpEgY2753wQKLfxudQiOaeEkHycxHP8v9Zo-cCgkXCHFXHgy1Gh_2LEO1bxuoiYtTRBjNr_/s1024/Christmas+lights.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-RwzJO5xVhn5C1jL4d-8jkEusoLAlbFFjYv73hQcxom-izvOP-UsdqKrnvMxgVpGgaAKLjpEgY2753wQKLfxudQiOaeEkHycxHP8v9Zo-cCgkXCHFXHgy1Gh_2LEO1bxuoiYtTRBjNr_/w640-h480/Christmas+lights.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">An Indian mound to climb up on and view the whole park.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">(And we did!)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UbGoAvVdU16txgJOdwMAmvUhoVmD_2eouIb_IINKw7pHrVQmJ3EIiqgNgBkRdVeocHvoGZe5sjfWE4jKXCpvgE-HdvD_o8zEtPb-DmqKopM9woQQEqrFhN0gTM2rK1XDL0idg91IrrBS/s640/Indian+Mound.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UbGoAvVdU16txgJOdwMAmvUhoVmD_2eouIb_IINKw7pHrVQmJ3EIiqgNgBkRdVeocHvoGZe5sjfWE4jKXCpvgE-HdvD_o8zEtPb-DmqKopM9woQQEqrFhN0gTM2rK1XDL0idg91IrrBS/s16000/Indian+Mound.JPG" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">A comfortable place to sit down and rest from all our walking.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">In the background I could hear the creek bubbling along behind the swing, birds singing their happy tunes, a train whistle a few miles away.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">Ahhh, peace....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh4gHrweaEOSvYnnSMrpvuVRv6dwpChYSUgVIOFNt7p96uy36Hy9xTtV4rdlO-7rEzFV5szMLeyKR-kKRt53Nrr0WMOhlgZNlztqcZY4q_357Dk-jbVX7N0IShEiwQBhwh-vTcmfy3fek/s731/swing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="731" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh4gHrweaEOSvYnnSMrpvuVRv6dwpChYSUgVIOFNt7p96uy36Hy9xTtV4rdlO-7rEzFV5szMLeyKR-kKRt53Nrr0WMOhlgZNlztqcZY4q_357Dk-jbVX7N0IShEiwQBhwh-vTcmfy3fek/w640-h526/swing.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><br /></span></div>And something else that makes me happy are good quotes. I've mentioned before <a href="http://ahappyvalentine.blogspot.com/2010/08/magnificent-miracle-party.html">(here)</a> that I am a collector of quotes and here are two that I found just today that just seemed to fit my day perfectly.<br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJifwc-SGUmh36mfiEEMdY_me8Sr0C4w-43VWW_c0fhe1oMGATgj2O8l-3Ko_GZgF55meMtAPplZ4hx_fesSXVC_nxWj4U_O3JNsrYiFDCEPvTKfynH0REfB69JapwmVPqXSbQVFBFnzK/s573/voltaire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="430" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJifwc-SGUmh36mfiEEMdY_me8Sr0C4w-43VWW_c0fhe1oMGATgj2O8l-3Ko_GZgF55meMtAPplZ4hx_fesSXVC_nxWj4U_O3JNsrYiFDCEPvTKfynH0REfB69JapwmVPqXSbQVFBFnzK/w300-h400/voltaire.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">And...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda";">"Ice cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal." </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda";"> ~Voltair</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda";"><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">Oh, speaking of ice cream, this little Jamocha shake added quite a bit to my happy day. </span></i><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"> </span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qqiWF8DMaTwyj4zLXSeG8GmCTUZ4J11kTJk1RD3xCKKpdq5r5AmWZ06pgDowrd8Gx-A42IpQcVQnIF08DdtzXGj42m7Gh-6T8ZCXMNIeiLuusCnovSN-sCZjpD1IheooqUfmAJCaOPu7/s800/milk+shake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="551" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qqiWF8DMaTwyj4zLXSeG8GmCTUZ4J11kTJk1RD3xCKKpdq5r5AmWZ06pgDowrd8Gx-A42IpQcVQnIF08DdtzXGj42m7Gh-6T8ZCXMNIeiLuusCnovSN-sCZjpD1IheooqUfmAJCaOPu7/w275-h400/milk+shake.JPG" width="275" /></a></div></div></div>Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-57469133776124575392021-01-22T19:17:00.001-06:002021-01-22T21:07:11.302-06:00My Ipod Classic died...<p> </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: large;">...may she rest in peace.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: large;">Bless her little scratched-up face.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: large;">(I've dropped her on concrete or in the road so many times.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr3RaLvZ0l124J_w1ZwQ7sGf9J6jiZpaSPlr9MOOLj6llqmIlgAenbLfJ79oBeNXJDVOYxeE5Nls6v9mynGShIHD6gM_izISklexufdUQKIjUaji97MefNeeqEr_YEAMPsK7GGU8ZY7Yv/s640/Ipod.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr3RaLvZ0l124J_w1ZwQ7sGf9J6jiZpaSPlr9MOOLj6llqmIlgAenbLfJ79oBeNXJDVOYxeE5Nls6v9mynGShIHD6gM_izISklexufdUQKIjUaji97MefNeeqEr_YEAMPsK7GGU8ZY7Yv/s16000/Ipod.JPG" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda";">My Ipod Classic died after many, many years of faithful service. We have been through a lot together, good times and bad times. She has kept me company on my daily walks for miles and miles and miles. She's kept me occupied with happy podcasts, books, or music while I do my "house blessing" each week. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda";">She talked to me while I planted the garden in the spring and raked leaves in the fall. </span><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda";">She was always in my apron pocket when I was peeling and canning summer vegetables. She was cheering me on while I made jelly. I never got bored with any of my kitchen chores when she was in my pocket.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda";">She was with me way back when I still had children at home and I would listen to her as I waited for piano lessons or soccer practices to be over.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">She even went with me to the surgery center when my sweet hubby was having a little minor surgery years ago. She kept me company there and consoled me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">She calmed me down when I've been anxious, woke me up when I was sleepy, and wound me down when I was wired but tired.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">I miss her and grieve her passing, but life must go on, so my search began for her replacement. I'm not replacing her with another IPOD because ITunes and Windows 10 battle in my computer and <i><b>I</b></i> am always the loser.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">You know what I found out while searching for a new MP3 player? They have evidently gone the route of land-line phones, wrist watches and Richard Simmons work out tapes. And of the ones available, there doesn't seem to be any "middle-of-the-road" models. Meaning, they are very inexpensive (cheap) or very, very expensive. And I usually go for middle-of-the-road everything. Hey I practically live in the middle of the road.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">I want a player that I can load my old Blog Talk Radio podcasts on, my audio books that I borrow (for free) from my library's online source, and yeah, a little music. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">I guess everybody just puts everything on their smart phones and goes their merry way. But guess what? You guessed it, I don't have a smart phone. I had one, but didn't like it. I don't need it. Nobody gets a cell phone signal at our "house in the country" anyway, so I'll keep my little granny Tracfone for emergencies. I'm <i><b>so</b></i> not a phone person. To me, one of the best things about going camping was leaving the phone behind. But we gave up our landline (the same phone number we'd had for 38 years!), and got an internet phone about a year ago. So guess what? Hubby now takes it camping with us!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">Anyway, back to the Mp3 player. I bought one little cheapo and it was horrible. It did ugly things to my perfect little playlists I had on my old Classic IPOD. Well, not to those specifically, they died with her. I didn't have everything backed up that was on her, so some of my purchased books are gone for good too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">So, that new player has died already, and it's only three days old! What!? I'm so sending that stinker back. I've ordered another one. (I hope Amazon doesn't mind that I borrowed her picture from them.)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0WJYdbsHV3Cr0NBPFH2IPNgJbY-rwPqdmcPlQzWHlaEiHIt0Zy_p6CracUS8nW1sT8J7XwWVaVg0DX1YJzzWao8ldVXMhrfwUAZeVswjJ8DCGez3qZBuf7LwNlFO1g3ZhrdYs3Qm3IA6/s504/mp3+player.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0WJYdbsHV3Cr0NBPFH2IPNgJbY-rwPqdmcPlQzWHlaEiHIt0Zy_p6CracUS8nW1sT8J7XwWVaVg0DX1YJzzWao8ldVXMhrfwUAZeVswjJ8DCGez3qZBuf7LwNlFO1g3ZhrdYs3Qm3IA6/s320/mp3+player.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">Yeah, she's a cheap-o too, like $25, so I don't have a lot of expectations for her, but maybe she'll get me by until I find the <i>perfect </i>replacement to keep me company for many happy years to come. And hey, she's pink!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;">What about you? Do you listen to audio books, podcasts, whatever, on a MP3 player? If you have a recommendation, I'd love to hear it. I really want one with "bookmarks" to keep my place when I have to stop in the middle of a chapter. Little pink lady above, is advertised as having them. We shall see.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Post linked to <a href="http://Howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Pink Saturday</a>.</p>Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-8921498559169301412021-01-14T17:50:00.000-06:002021-01-14T17:50:56.546-06:00About My Blog<p> <span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">Feel free to just skip this post if you have no interest. Really, I won't be offended. Actually, I really won't even know if you do skip it. </span><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">I just wanted to write a little about my objectives for my seemingly pointless blog with its random posts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">So, here they are, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">"My Objectives for my Seemingly Pointless Blog" :</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">a place to come to where you can feel a warm, comforting voice (albeit, with a Southern accent)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">a place where secrets can be told (and kept) and no judgments are made</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">a place where you can meet a very imperfect lady (me!) that's not scared to poke fun at herself</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">hopefully, a place from which you can leave with a smile on your face and want to come back and visit again</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">And that's pretty much it. </span><p></p><p> <span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">I know I don't always meet all these goals, but they're what I shoot for.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">Hey, and thanks for coming by! Please come often.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-68792135360859137502021-01-14T16:51:00.000-06:002021-01-14T16:51:25.813-06:00Cravings<p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">My needs are simple and basic but I <i>do</i> have cravings, especially in the winter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">I crave rich, warm (mostly sweet), comfort foods. (That's why I made a chocolate pie for sweet hubby and me today.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">But my biggest winter craving is for</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"> <b><i><span style="color: red;">c</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> o </span><span style="color: #ff00fe;">l </span><span style="color: #674ea7;">o </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">r </span><span style="color: red;">!</span></i></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KQFJQwmHc9kF64lv4kVv9WuOLmTSeFD_wEq_wXMnIuEhOTAYv0UAjrxyqmKemF7NfhXGB8qFk6NnWWLIbmCts8PpO1l5YPXIEkQyVTx4hZ4_jaP5dpIIjfRRRbqs_2ktnt519MXhoCq2/s640/orange+owl.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KQFJQwmHc9kF64lv4kVv9WuOLmTSeFD_wEq_wXMnIuEhOTAYv0UAjrxyqmKemF7NfhXGB8qFk6NnWWLIbmCts8PpO1l5YPXIEkQyVTx4hZ4_jaP5dpIIjfRRRbqs_2ktnt519MXhoCq2/s16000/orange+owl.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">I've added color everywhere I can.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">It's been added to my bathroom in the form of a bright, happy shower curtain.</span></div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXi_9gySZaauGv2R_1cV-LmV0i6pY1lfKp1_JZMXidPIE1FVwazPX0mvCEK0B83hAOiu9rC2P1WAWw2ys8gq9nxJN7iXNBCnlehEaGmk5bYu_SksOS-wfhVoPLc2lNZchMY4mh6GUYBtn/s800/Showeer+Curtain.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXi_9gySZaauGv2R_1cV-LmV0i6pY1lfKp1_JZMXidPIE1FVwazPX0mvCEK0B83hAOiu9rC2P1WAWw2ys8gq9nxJN7iXNBCnlehEaGmk5bYu_SksOS-wfhVoPLc2lNZchMY4mh6GUYBtn/s16000/Showeer+Curtain.JPG" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">It's under my favorite mug in my</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">reading corner.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgUQKAX2Me2GnrHX3qlFErqrM5KVQJ54VhCR-Tw8fp30z8JdDDf3zEdDphe4GZxSMN_LkS0REvjaUyAQuTiCuE8-XnCdJeJ6nl_d4sMZClrbmsuZg4islK5p7dAlc4xcZffzSRaRNIPN4/s806/Coffee+cup.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgUQKAX2Me2GnrHX3qlFErqrM5KVQJ54VhCR-Tw8fp30z8JdDDf3zEdDphe4GZxSMN_LkS0REvjaUyAQuTiCuE8-XnCdJeJ6nl_d4sMZClrbmsuZg4islK5p7dAlc4xcZffzSRaRNIPN4/w381-h400/Coffee+cup.JPG" width="381" /></span></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">It shows up in my outfit of the day.</span></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/AVvXsEiOhusE7o3uqrx6Cp0hqD5OrhVV5MuzhguV8jfctNnzfl5KwM6CT-mwNgky_iryWxzO1SDA1CR_C34-E1ah4OKm5O0ku_B4rJbjiA_R-AbrAHJinxlh2aYW71tL0bDh_iwudFF4AvTkV5jL/s613/Outfit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhusE7o3uqrx6Cp0hqD5OrhVV5MuzhguV8jfctNnzfl5KwM6CT-mwNgky_iryWxzO1SDA1CR_C34-E1ah4OKm5O0ku_B4rJbjiA_R-AbrAHJinxlh2aYW71tL0bDh_iwudFF4AvTkV5jL/s16000/Outfit.JPG" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I know I'm breaking all the rules by dressing in such bright colors at my "advanced" age. </div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: large;">And I don't know about ya'll, but I am t-i-r-e-d of rules! So this is my way of rebelling...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">... wink, wink.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnBpatvSzgdgMD4S4142XRJML57qv-MJ6w4Oj1zgcUUQI6j9UbDr1KfkWkEU4WIwLytRbdph9hqvhEdmW7MEdzIqPe0s3vewH-itq7LaVKXqnLZDIBOuiBZ7u5GV5N4rzQVh2K9iQG35D/s800/yellow+owl.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="800" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnBpatvSzgdgMD4S4142XRJML57qv-MJ6w4Oj1zgcUUQI6j9UbDr1KfkWkEU4WIwLytRbdph9hqvhEdmW7MEdzIqPe0s3vewH-itq7LaVKXqnLZDIBOuiBZ7u5GV5N4rzQVh2K9iQG35D/w200-h134/yellow+owl.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">Sorry, but I can't wink only one eye, they work in tandem.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">Seriously!</span></p><p></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda; font-size: medium;">Hope you're having a colorful, happy day!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i></b></span></p></div></div>Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-24399310370769482492021-01-07T15:32:00.002-06:002021-01-07T16:06:41.755-06:00Good News!<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I heard the great news that </span></p><p><span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happiness is Viral </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">!!!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here's what's making me happy right now...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">... a cuddly new robe I got for Christmas...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy32aZWSwHHErsj71tYQplnjDYjx5bBWqjRSzRzaCk67AN-K_WVGILtCSf2vysCrPKhiJWs5-7ZfDVHybU0zT-Xq4PuCyMqW5Bu-If8TJAUUEnmtM581o3N6A5aWgSkemOvVPPyJ3MuA8K/s640/robe+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy32aZWSwHHErsj71tYQplnjDYjx5bBWqjRSzRzaCk67AN-K_WVGILtCSf2vysCrPKhiJWs5-7ZfDVHybU0zT-Xq4PuCyMqW5Bu-If8TJAUUEnmtM581o3N6A5aWgSkemOvVPPyJ3MuA8K/s16000/robe+1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(I love curling up in it for my nightly movie.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">... warm vanilla scents...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD_fnDrVO0YfxdPLwB0-lTCfwKQwGk0iikHr7p0_4-zgacColFTvY29HW02hOt1xM5kIkgLJik_Pp9pkpn5ddwdEnXpNAcRCBE0AKXrJ_LDmhYSlKhDPoJPADK_dJP1_ywLohg_tjJYFq/s486/vanilla.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD_fnDrVO0YfxdPLwB0-lTCfwKQwGk0iikHr7p0_4-zgacColFTvY29HW02hOt1xM5kIkgLJik_Pp9pkpn5ddwdEnXpNAcRCBE0AKXrJ_LDmhYSlKhDPoJPADK_dJP1_ywLohg_tjJYFq/s16000/vanilla.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">(<i>Warm Vanilla Sugar</i> for my perfume and <i>Vanilla Buttercream </i>to put in the diffuser for my home's perfume 😊)</span></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><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...soft, peaceful music playing throughout my home...</span></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/AVvXsEh2ADp1W_Ez2kCT_r58wtNyouagzeWhl_V1T56CLxULn5zLUbR8eeZ0oUAy-qxPAOVznDUlhRDZlqNiMxM-UmY4kyiJDMPnNzrJ757VKNBi5fcfVgxVFGG2BQ-nj_WptXqjqD1JZsZQ7VDt/s612/music+cd.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="612" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ADp1W_Ez2kCT_r58wtNyouagzeWhl_V1T56CLxULn5zLUbR8eeZ0oUAy-qxPAOVznDUlhRDZlqNiMxM-UmY4kyiJDMPnNzrJ757VKNBi5fcfVgxVFGG2BQ-nj_WptXqjqD1JZsZQ7VDt/w400-h314/music+cd.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">... but most of all, time with my precious grandchildren!</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU6_mxdM5KdgHenQ3zgjxUkedKSSHIHUdKI0S0uj7W4F5kbUrMSO7cZ_koFfrwlF8Q-bXHxpT1HJhg6OZ_jpPTv5pmE3HXR_0WY51Q3YwU-zMv4xVhP-a9JxQapWa0XJMoGq4zNXbXdn8/s682/Sherry+and+Grandchildren+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU6_mxdM5KdgHenQ3zgjxUkedKSSHIHUdKI0S0uj7W4F5kbUrMSO7cZ_koFfrwlF8Q-bXHxpT1HJhg6OZ_jpPTv5pmE3HXR_0WY51Q3YwU-zMv4xVhP-a9JxQapWa0XJMoGq4zNXbXdn8/s16000/Sherry+and+Grandchildren+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQAONIoeJk865eOlxk4rSOiTl_phfMC4Nd_MeweFBZejSbevgNQBWQANTZnO_cvvHBdJgC-lfKB660KdgCjWcgnaXqzz3d4wxvXaOX19Ub8cIf_2iIN9KrVzG7Gq91w0otQpmsagO3HBF/s125/tiny-sun-transparent.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="116" data-original-width="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQAONIoeJk865eOlxk4rSOiTl_phfMC4Nd_MeweFBZejSbevgNQBWQANTZnO_cvvHBdJgC-lfKB660KdgCjWcgnaXqzz3d4wxvXaOX19Ub8cIf_2iIN9KrVzG7Gq91w0otQpmsagO3HBF/s0/tiny-sun-transparent.png" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">P.s. The chance of snow added to our weather forecast makes me smile too! It's only a 30 % chance, but for this Alabama girl, that's enough to get my hopes up! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-1398598666940453462020-07-14T16:40:00.000-05:002020-07-14T16:49:45.701-05:00Look at me, I'm an Ice Cream Truck!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I'm a wannabe.... trying to be, ice cream truck. I've finally decided what I want to be when I grow up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-7EY8ixK0-4oTO5oE7drV5P5Zu6SGUVUYxAn8LUqTmW15eFytaGb1gmRAGuiQyDi7m-uHMmoPqHvmOT7xPkuZaMWTsgDB13QkCdZ85qt9p6OLXmZvu4Akb1_j4m2OMjulMBBvrh7ilfa/s1600/Ice+cream+truck.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="888" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-7EY8ixK0-4oTO5oE7drV5P5Zu6SGUVUYxAn8LUqTmW15eFytaGb1gmRAGuiQyDi7m-uHMmoPqHvmOT7xPkuZaMWTsgDB13QkCdZ85qt9p6OLXmZvu4Akb1_j4m2OMjulMBBvrh7ilfa/s320/Ice+cream+truck.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I found this challenge while reading Max Lucado's <em>How Happiness Happens.</em><br />
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(summarized)<br />
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<em>Be the equivalent of an ice cream truck in your world, the person people are glad to see. Be the voice people want to hear. Drive the happiness truck. And see if you aren't the one smiling the most. Will the world be different because you tried? You bet!</em><br />
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The <strong>challenge</strong> is to "alter the joy level of 100 people over the next 40 days." And to keep a journal to describe the encounters and what I learn along the way.<br />
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It sounds like I may have some lessons lined up for me for the next 40 days.<br />
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Want to join in? <br />
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-67402900550380715812020-06-06T15:57:00.000-05:002020-06-07T09:15:51.829-05:00A Water Hose and a box of Tide laundry detergent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Let's see, where did I leave off last time when reliving my childhood memories? Oh, yeah, I was saying that in front of the electric fan was the best (and coolest) place to dry my just-shampooed hair. (I was probably a teenager before I got my first blow dryer. It was baby-blue and I loved it!)<br />
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And speaking of haircare: My favorite summer shampoo sessions were outside - with the water hose and a box of Tide laundry detergent. My hair was (and still is) thick, thick, but fine, fine. So it pretty much just sheds water instead of it soaking through to my scalp like "normal" hair does, or at least I assume it does.<br />
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Our only bathroom had a toilet, a sink, and a bathtub. No shower. So shampooing, especially the rinsing, my hair was quite a challenge. The problem was solved in the summer though. I would go outside with my towel and whichever shampoo/cleanser I felt like using that day. I would turn on the faucet and a cold, cold blast of water applied to my head from that green hose was sure to bring down the heat index by at least 15 degrees!<br />
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The hose helped me direct the stream of water all the way to my scalp like I could never do in our bathroom sink. Then, I would lather up; sometimes with Tide detergent (no joke), sometimes with dish detergent (usually lemon-scented JOY), or sometimes the boring normal shampoo for normal hair.<br />
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Lather...lather...rinse...rinse... Squeaky-clean hair. We never had cream rinse (conditioner nowadays) to follow up with. It makes me cringe now to think of those "harsh" cleaning products in my hair, but I always had shiny, healthy hair as a kid. </div>
Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-83081779520768189532020-06-05T15:42:00.000-05:002020-06-05T16:10:22.173-05:00Summer Memories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My summer reads (re-readings actually) are stirring many memories of my childhood. <br />
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<i>The Help,</i> because of the southern setting in the 1960's.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPK6A7QQV4xUgfqjE7dDx2VPsCGRG58_g75-LlwyC-Ii59XrxbTxB9NrKLUyqKwx2oOJdmoLEnZaWSQ7uL4PBmY1f19H9MbsDxPxuZw1o15bZNxrTti6vakvVVcQC83zqTmyACGwTi3go/s1600/%257BF750E2CA-2D38-4CC8-A74D-0517751CD2C9%257DImg100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPK6A7QQV4xUgfqjE7dDx2VPsCGRG58_g75-LlwyC-Ii59XrxbTxB9NrKLUyqKwx2oOJdmoLEnZaWSQ7uL4PBmY1f19H9MbsDxPxuZw1o15bZNxrTti6vakvVVcQC83zqTmyACGwTi3go/s200/%257BF750E2CA-2D38-4CC8-A74D-0517751CD2C9%257DImg100.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
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And <i>Ramona Quimby </i>while not a necessarily a southern setting is about a little girl growing up in the 60's. (<i>And, </i>my <b>current</b> haircut reminds me of Ramona's. I should never have picked up the scissors. Wah!)</div>
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Summer, most especially, is the backdrop for most of my memories. Memories...some good...well, I choose to remember "mostly" the good ones because that's the way I am.</div>
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<b>My Background:</b></div>
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I was born in July 1959. (That would make me what? About 29 now? ) 😉 So, most of my childhood memories span the 1960's.</div>
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I've lived in, or right outside of, the same little Alabama college town all my life. My daddy worked at the cotton mill just up the street from our mill village home. Mama was a stay-at-home mom most of my life, except for the five years she worked in housekeeping at the nearby college.</div>
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My aunt, uncle and two boy cousins lived next door to us and my maternal grandparents lived just four houses up the street.</div>
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Daddy got an hour lunch break at the mill and was able to come home for lunch since we lived only two minutes away from his job. Mama cooked a 12:00 mid-day meal which we called dinner. We would have supper some time after Daddy got off work at 4:00 in the afternoon. Dinner leftovers were usually put in the cooled oven to await suppertime. And no, as far as I know, none of us ever got food poisoning from food left out of the fridge all afternoon.</div>
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In my memory I can still smell the pintos, fried okra and biscuits cooking. And when I smelled boiling tea, I knew Daddy would soon be home for dinner and for our own special game of hide-and-seek. It usually went something like this:</div>
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I would find the "perfect" hiding place. A place Daddy would <i>never</i> think to look in. But he always found me immediately. "Daddy, how did you find me so quick?" I'd ask, amazed. "I just smelled you," he always answered with a smile.</blockquote>
Not until I was grown did Mama crush my image of my daddy's extraordinary sense of smell by telling me she usually told him where I was hiding so that we could get on with dinner.<br />
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Electric Fans, Air Conditioners, and a New Bedroom</h3>
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As an adult, something as simple as switching on an electric fan in the summer brings back those long ago memories. I think I was probably ten years old or older before we got our first window air conditioner. Until then, and even after that life-changing event, a fan was still a necessity that we could not have lived without.</div>
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No matter how hot and humid the day, Mama wouldn't turn on the ac while Daddy was at work because Daddy didn't get to work in an air conditioned space. He worked on the mill's shipping/receiving yard. But on those hot, smothery afternoons, you bet Daddy would turn on the ac as soon as he walked in the door. I don't know for a fact, but I think he would have appreciated the house <i>already</i> being cool when he got home.</div>
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Back to the electric fans: The ac was only used to cool the main living areas of our small house; the living room, kitchen, and the bathroom (if the door wasn't closed). And that electricity hog ac was turned off at night when we went to bed anyway, meaning sweltering bedrooms all the time. (We didn't heat our bedrooms in the winter either, but that's another batch of stories.) </div>
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I shared a bedroom with my older sister and the electric fan; just the three of us. When I was very young, my sister and I shared a double bed and I slept next to the wall, where I didn't feel a whole lot of air coming from the box fan sitting way down on the floor. I would wake up all sweaty, wrapped like a hotdog in my sister's cast-off bed covers, with my face smushed up against the wall. And it wasn't just your normal smooth sheetrocked wall. No, evidently the 1960's style for walls was a roughed-up finish of some sort. I'm guessing it was supposed to look like a textured plaster wall. I sported many skinned knees and elbows for sleeping too close to, and being too friendly with that pale pink wall.</div>
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Then, a dream-come-true happened! Daddy started making plans to build another room on to our four-room house. This room was to be a brand-new bedroom for my sister and me. And unlike our old bedroom, everyone wouldn't have to walk through it to get into the rest of the house. And Daddy was even building us two closets! One for me - all mine and only mine - and one for my much-more-grown-up-than-me sister. (She's eight years older than me.)</div>
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It seems the dreaming stage for this new room lasted for years. I'm sure that's just because I'm looking back through a child's eyes. But that room finally became a reality and Daddy did it all by himself. My Daddy was the smartest, strongest, bravest man (in my eyes) that ever lived.</div>
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This beautiful room had a shiny hardwood floor that Daddy sealed with the same type of sealant used on the cotton mill's wood floors. Nothing would scratch that light amber colored floor. And the sealant made the floor so shiny, I was sure anyone could see under my skirt just like an image in a mirror. The walls of the new room were covered with a medium-colored paneling (the newest style). No more pink walls for us. And then....</div>
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Moving Day! I'm sorry to say that I don't really remember the actual moving. I don't really remember how old I was - pretty young I suspect. But, I do know we moved that electric box fan in with us. And at some point, my sister and I got separate beds because this room was large enough for two! In the summer months (and also spring and fall), that fan's breeze was aimed between our beds each night. I remember dangling my head, and as many limbs as I could, over the side of my bed, trying to catch a cooling touch of the fan's breath. I would dread getting up in the mornings because as soon as I got out from under that fan, into the hot, humid air, I would feel like I was melting.</div>
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And in front of that fan was the best (and coolest) place to dry my just-shampooed hair. But that's a tale for another day... </div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-28291991590385148372020-02-14T10:36:00.001-06:002020-02-14T10:43:24.421-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0OcUm7gveaazHEcNe-KGjJjaBsrRiIHOT4L1XD5_qLVP1xHsMLjKC0TT_h8hOUSP8EqHmZ0pB4J0GDiM00UqYrIgVRJFUKNIGsEPwifIadP7V1mQ37SJiUZ3RpUBdABtMV2F98rIhYUE/s1600/valentines-day-clip-art-9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0OcUm7gveaazHEcNe-KGjJjaBsrRiIHOT4L1XD5_qLVP1xHsMLjKC0TT_h8hOUSP8EqHmZ0pB4J0GDiM00UqYrIgVRJFUKNIGsEPwifIadP7V1mQ37SJiUZ3RpUBdABtMV2F98rIhYUE/s320/valentines-day-clip-art-9.png" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Valentines Day!</span></div>
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I'm spending the day with my sweet husband. I've made him sugar cookies (his favorite) and he got me flowers (my favorite no-calorie gift). Chicken Fajitas (cooked by me) are on the menu.</div>
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What about you? </div>
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Got special plans?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IKBrSWk5DNr6fTlJgASyteZzP6HDd8QEuHSaeTlBNrIzM_fHHFahUVjYccBPE56sTnZ1ApU9ctWb_rh5m9yL5HumJ0BklCHDPr6Gq5TyZE4Fdq1t1kBQfCgbXKdbcnr2g_y03vUybbFl/s1600/DSCN0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IKBrSWk5DNr6fTlJgASyteZzP6HDd8QEuHSaeTlBNrIzM_fHHFahUVjYccBPE56sTnZ1ApU9ctWb_rh5m9yL5HumJ0BklCHDPr6Gq5TyZE4Fdq1t1kBQfCgbXKdbcnr2g_y03vUybbFl/s320/DSCN0351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hope your day is special in every way. I'm so glad you stopped by. </div>
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Thank you for not forgetting me.</div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-38828925503151935552019-08-23T16:04:00.001-05:002019-08-23T16:08:20.791-05:00My DIY Kindle Stand <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since the weather has been a little on the warm (sweltering) side the last few weeks here in Alabama, I have indulged myself with quite a bit of one of my favorite indoor hobbies...<strong>Reading</strong>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I sneak in reading time all throughout my day. I especially like to read while sitting at the table with my morning bowl of oatmeal and cup of coffee. I am a book lover through and through, but I have found out that it's much easier to eat and read with my Kindle than it is with a book. I always have trouble propping a book up, keeping it open, and turning the pages while dining.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I made a hands-free Kindle stand that also doubles as a cover.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGL1eRRlqnI2zvJg_Wzv002T8Ds0-u_Blh3dxvtcBD7elyZCh6_RzGqSXsjGUviyfBxZz4Pwsc0w7eIEiCf1FhOeoL5QdQGbGM2wgBwRaB6Yg79M6E-DQ_JndNMZzfXtPG7TCrbdd23Ghg/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGL1eRRlqnI2zvJg_Wzv002T8Ds0-u_Blh3dxvtcBD7elyZCh6_RzGqSXsjGUviyfBxZz4Pwsc0w7eIEiCf1FhOeoL5QdQGbGM2wgBwRaB6Yg79M6E-DQ_JndNMZzfXtPG7TCrbdd23Ghg/s640/5.JPG" width="596" /></span></a><br />
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This is what it looks like when opened up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS7Tvzo9pnHkIDYBciEa-O3UAfnV04DV5BE5Bff3w-tmS4H5FauHFx0SCmepv5y7Oi6_rDt47O3W-fj_ezh1DVLepGZaoLFhw4JHCQjmVHLO8ZGxVz-DgIRY6JXcC9HGoktNndG_MDnmX/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS7Tvzo9pnHkIDYBciEa-O3UAfnV04DV5BE5Bff3w-tmS4H5FauHFx0SCmepv5y7Oi6_rDt47O3W-fj_ezh1DVLepGZaoLFhw4JHCQjmVHLO8ZGxVz-DgIRY6JXcC9HGoktNndG_MDnmX/s640/2.JPG" width="536" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It has a tab on front that snaps shut. I like to throw my Kindle in my bicycle basket and ride to a quiet place to read sometimes when camping, and the cover gives it more protection while being bounced around in the basket.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXrvAoyp2Mkmk7Kqevmi225ns3DSGRGLVJSRKow4UBGqr6IBeMWgqwi4rqTb8YtB242ojTeAuHMJytm9QfSVLKCX5P_pxIw0RgQRxkB5tocFkZeXCDI42k6LYrZLTsIpFlqkyYWWOO6CR/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="480" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXrvAoyp2Mkmk7Kqevmi225ns3DSGRGLVJSRKow4UBGqr6IBeMWgqwi4rqTb8YtB242ojTeAuHMJytm9QfSVLKCX5P_pxIw0RgQRxkB5tocFkZeXCDI42k6LYrZLTsIpFlqkyYWWOO6CR/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> You can find lots of free tutorials on-line to make covers for your gadgets. Here's the one I used: </span><a href="https://wonderfuldiy.com/wonderful-diy-sewing-ipadphone-case-stand/"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> DIY Sewing Ipad/phone Case Stand.</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Other than the obvious size changes, since I made it for a Kindle instead of an iPhone, I also made a couple of other small modifications; one because I <em>wanted</em> to and the other because I <em>had</em> to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I <em>wanted</em> a wrist strap to make it easier to carry the Kindle around, and to hopefully keep it from slipping out of my hand too easily. I am so glad I added that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And for the modification I <em>had</em> to make? The tutorial instructs you to make little corner tabs on the inside of the case into which you fit the gadget.</span> But evidently, either my gadget is too fat (sorry Kindle), or I made my seams a little too large when sewing the corner tabs in. Either way, the Kindle wouldn't stay in the corner tabs and I was constantly having to readjust.<br />
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So, to fix the problem, I had this package of Industrial Strength Velcro that claims to hold up to 10 lbs. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wop_L6w-d-Anh9g1eoB6dzbbOHtMZSVOWRIMNtzIFghwZoAKCttKKKqJ17uH1d9dutc5vM4GnKp2UnOcvnK8_RhBYCjjqGTwRm0SsZZELBBbl_ZvKIyI72oceBGfnCXkf_Yem9SMwkRY/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="403" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wop_L6w-d-Anh9g1eoB6dzbbOHtMZSVOWRIMNtzIFghwZoAKCttKKKqJ17uH1d9dutc5vM4GnKp2UnOcvnK8_RhBYCjjqGTwRm0SsZZELBBbl_ZvKIyI72oceBGfnCXkf_Yem9SMwkRY/s400/4.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
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After placing a strip of the hook side on the case and the matching loop side on the Kindle, the problem was fixed. It doesn't budge. I won't even try to fiddle with the little fabric corner pieces the next time I make one. I'll just stick the Velcro on and be done with it.</div>
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I made this cover probably a year ago and still love it. I'm thinking I may have to make a new one soon though as this one is beginning to look a little shabby and dirty. The downside is, you can't launder them because of the cardboard or plastic that is used inside to make the stand rigid.</div>
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But before I make another Kindle cover, I have a new project I'm excited about. I'm getting a new laptop and want to make a pretty case for it. <br />
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The projects just go on and on. Such fun!<br />
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-82357903985306440712019-08-10T17:58:00.000-05:002019-08-10T17:58:26.823-05:00Fig Preserves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We barely finish one project before the next one is knocking on our door. I wrote about finishing up our canning and freezing quota in my <a href="http://ahappyvalentine.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-trip-to-bountiful.html">last post</a>, and now our fig tree is weighted down with the most figs it has ever produced!<br />
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You probably can't see the figs in this picture, but trust me, it has outdone itself, just like our vegetable garden has. You also can't hear it, but the tree sounds like it has a humming motor in the midst of it because it is working alive with bees, wasps, and hornets. They love the sweetness of the figs just like we do!<br />
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My husband, Neil, worked out a deal with our daughter. Heather borrowed a dehydrator from her mother-in-law and has dried several pickings of figs "on-the-halves" for her daddy. (He loves dried figs and buys them often.) So now, he has some healthy snacks stashed away to last a while, as does our daughter.<br />
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Now Neil is gradually collecting the rest of the figs as they ripen, and stashing them away in the freezer until we have time ~ and the want-to ~ to make Strawberry Fig Preserves. <br />
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I thought since it is Fig season (at least it is in Alabama), that I would re-run my instructions for making the preserves. Please come back and let me know if you make them. I would love to know if others love the preserves as much as we do.<br />
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<u><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Making Strawberry~Fig Preserves</strong></span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZauvb0-w1G6bv21-pr3vRwG9jUejRBU5CsASlaLlp_qShkkBAa-jdhK-DU54-6OwGWuDiE5gCYfc-1l_ZCR3YBCvI4oQ0sOZgnZ4MFTzf_8ME4AvOobWsfSUs758Nhe1IevS4hZ018DU/s1600/Finished+product.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506745479412645186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZauvb0-w1G6bv21-pr3vRwG9jUejRBU5CsASlaLlp_qShkkBAa-jdhK-DU54-6OwGWuDiE5gCYfc-1l_ZCR3YBCvI4oQ0sOZgnZ4MFTzf_8ME4AvOobWsfSUs758Nhe1IevS4hZ018DU/s400/Finished+product.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 367px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Our fig tree had more figs than we could eat this year so I decided to make preserves. Neil and I, both, remember the wonderful tasting strawberry fig preserves our mothers made when we were kids, so with some instructions from our County Extension Service I tried my hand at it. I'll show how I did it ~ the trials and the triumphs.<br />
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<strong>Step 1</strong>: Wash jelly jars in hot, soapy water. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SlMyXcVGbsCaapLl4JCZR4-6ZKPITfvxWPCZ__9eZa_GT31KZH2MhINWBvr7A1jZJMLfUDsPQOoFwTIzsYgUUpK34qthY9f1VQ029PVAnQRkpVSlvkPO0Y116NvXS3MxHV7LMKj4FP0/s1600/Wash+jars.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506747310891504962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SlMyXcVGbsCaapLl4JCZR4-6ZKPITfvxWPCZ__9eZa_GT31KZH2MhINWBvr7A1jZJMLfUDsPQOoFwTIzsYgUUpK34qthY9f1VQ029PVAnQRkpVSlvkPO0Y116NvXS3MxHV7LMKj4FP0/s400/Wash+jars.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 259px;" /></a><br />
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<strong>Step 2:</strong> Sterilize the jars and lids.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykJ1nCwagFb1MzGM_pO3N_0hRdW8w9TpfsnYVKxlATyrNRkKxu-yQcnC0QI5lqZA0MbHkbZasFHwV7eD_FRKLTrE7yF8xBjmiu9WkZQB7mKQ2mcHb-Vg-01UgtN9Pc8CrIIPvidThDY8/s1600/Sterilize.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506747192872981826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykJ1nCwagFb1MzGM_pO3N_0hRdW8w9TpfsnYVKxlATyrNRkKxu-yQcnC0QI5lqZA0MbHkbZasFHwV7eD_FRKLTrE7yF8xBjmiu9WkZQB7mKQ2mcHb-Vg-01UgtN9Pc8CrIIPvidThDY8/s400/Sterilize.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<strong>Step 3:</strong> Wash, peel, and mash figs. Well, now that's what the instructions said to do but it didn't start out too well for me. My figs were <em>very</em> ripe, meaning <em>very</em> soft. I don't know if you've ever tried to peel a soft fig before but...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzjE4sOvSdJkCqXINewPbyKmob-uvntRVMl2Mqkyp5XuKkpJ2SPIndsB5UAySnts6QgMuIVfQrHDm4K6-zVJAC_kzr2J5lfClhvwsk5Hc4LAfmn7R2S5eFtNIt30yJuzPT96apZyy5hI/s1600/Bowl+of+figs.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506746413162875730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzjE4sOvSdJkCqXINewPbyKmob-uvntRVMl2Mqkyp5XuKkpJ2SPIndsB5UAySnts6QgMuIVfQrHDm4K6-zVJAC_kzr2J5lfClhvwsk5Hc4LAfmn7R2S5eFtNIt30yJuzPT96apZyy5hI/s400/Bowl+of+figs.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 290px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
...the fig and I quickly became enemies. After working at this for about ten minutes I had about three little "blops" in the bottom of my big pot and knew at this rate it would take me all day just to peel them. I decided to just pull out the stems and forget the peeling. So, after pulling out the stems, I just mashed them up and went on with the next step.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOWZ0xYERJcDZoe7uef7c1KcqMTq1pie5BLRyvPeD0FqG9qMKSi7K-WAxueM_6w-6_UC1E21WCW7dO6OvHMnvlJeaNR6py8qVevvrZ6xLwnkR5BVQ_lMAawDrN3W3bgYEOByVkEDg1Tg/s1600/Single+fig.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506746296691909522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOWZ0xYERJcDZoe7uef7c1KcqMTq1pie5BLRyvPeD0FqG9qMKSi7K-WAxueM_6w-6_UC1E21WCW7dO6OvHMnvlJeaNR6py8qVevvrZ6xLwnkR5BVQ_lMAawDrN3W3bgYEOByVkEDg1Tg/s400/Single+fig.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 254px;" /></a><br />
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<strong>Step 4:</strong> Measure 3 cups mashed figs into a large, thick-bottom pan and add two 3-oz. boxes of strawberry gelatin and 3 cups of sugar. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC7Y5gKJsNgCBIbAPHYi185v59qBA2Qxd7lzAX1yTe8_o3LN6NNFvpua09tExH9PYoTV3r0jKar0H9jNI43Of-UJ_82UvyMVglEfAan21mTC_3laeonY-bFSvil1j3hTOzngy-D9d-Ds/s1600/Gelatin.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506746161523479442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC7Y5gKJsNgCBIbAPHYi185v59qBA2Qxd7lzAX1yTe8_o3LN6NNFvpua09tExH9PYoTV3r0jKar0H9jNI43Of-UJ_82UvyMVglEfAan21mTC_3laeonY-bFSvil1j3hTOzngy-D9d-Ds/s400/Gelatin.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 350px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<strong>Step 5:</strong> Heat to a boil. Lower heat and boil slowly 3-5 minutes, stirring often.<br />
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<strong>Step 6:</strong> Fill hot jars immediately with fig mixture leaving a 1/4" headspace. Wipe jar rims and add lids.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mTt4GrLiARGqZPoh_LqQMIhpuoBmhdHXhGaUGaY8eEENCRVNxlHzMtAngJaWomXS6U_V-tOnHCMO7yMQZpV1q-tOaHsNFaEpJgn7rZW2aTIglFyKD3Zr5ZRrMXenZ81yLLbaan6li4c/s1600/Putting+in+jars.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506746021316422818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mTt4GrLiARGqZPoh_LqQMIhpuoBmhdHXhGaUGaY8eEENCRVNxlHzMtAngJaWomXS6U_V-tOnHCMO7yMQZpV1q-tOaHsNFaEpJgn7rZW2aTIglFyKD3Zr5ZRrMXenZ81yLLbaan6li4c/s400/Putting+in+jars.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 360px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<strong>Step 7:</strong> Process half-pints in a boiling water-bath canner 5 minutes. This makes about 6 half-pints.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-L_UZfpXMLKGmysbVcQpc2EiXKATYwMPKdWvJg0TkJMvlnErWc7uECCKk5vNQGhI4N4Qj8zSN-bYS7Nc7O9frbdAcCpRt7nrKbcvNY9iuruCSS4UCa0jCPi7CLhC2u5bu0LcyQM-EYY/s1600/Canner.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506745863861459042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-L_UZfpXMLKGmysbVcQpc2EiXKATYwMPKdWvJg0TkJMvlnErWc7uECCKk5vNQGhI4N4Qj8zSN-bYS7Nc7O9frbdAcCpRt7nrKbcvNY9iuruCSS4UCa0jCPi7CLhC2u5bu0LcyQM-EYY/s400/Canner.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 312px;" /></a><br />
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<strong>Step 8:</strong> Scrape the pot and taste-test your finished product. I put a spoonful over some plain yogurt and sat down for a yummy snack.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyponQAclxE608KWh6qBUMalnpiHEm2cYC6qWGd6YGP1l4aK9UdtvImFavVhlqC-zgzlYaeMScNBF05rwmOoPfL5aCr5dhrO4W4S0e_ieXkvHZ6L7ur8qmhrgdbFuxAjiA4RpNqHHEeK0/s1600/Taste+test.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506745743854707010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyponQAclxE608KWh6qBUMalnpiHEm2cYC6qWGd6YGP1l4aK9UdtvImFavVhlqC-zgzlYaeMScNBF05rwmOoPfL5aCr5dhrO4W4S0e_ieXkvHZ6L7ur8qmhrgdbFuxAjiA4RpNqHHEeK0/s400/Taste+test.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 369px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Guess what we had for supper that night? We had hot, made from scratch, buttermilk biscuits, homemade strawberry-fig preserves with a side of bacon and a pot of coffee...Southern eating at its best!<br />
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(You may see my original post here: <a href="http://ahappyvalentine.blogspot.com/2010/08/making-strawberryfig-preserves.html"><em>Making Strawberry~Fig Preserves</em></a><em>.</em>)</div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-6193597508873742552019-08-09T17:24:00.000-05:002019-08-09T17:25:58.135-05:00A Trip to Bountiful<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've named our Vegetable Garden this year. </div>
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Meet <strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><em>Bountiful</em></span>.</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0GKYq_gNKxF7mjfjsK58ttdXfGYln0h-lkXPf491eNbSP6GS7tQqX0NECE21849Xy0o71PM2bGSeVSjMo4WZxj3g81OhVeDrYuVO9eti6Fd-iYj6SPpqenYiz9mptcEep4psAhrBsQIW/s1600/01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="800" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0GKYq_gNKxF7mjfjsK58ttdXfGYln0h-lkXPf491eNbSP6GS7tQqX0NECE21849Xy0o71PM2bGSeVSjMo4WZxj3g81OhVeDrYuVO9eti6Fd-iYj6SPpqenYiz9mptcEep4psAhrBsQIW/s640/01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em>Bountiful </em>has outdone herself! Who says great and mighty works can't come from small things? Not me. (Not especially since I am not quite 5 ' 2". <em>But</em> since I'm vertically challenged, I have a good excuse for not cutting the prickly, towering okra.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V99qLI7EAkvGmTxWWVEXJLNJM_mq6fY6Mf949-Kl_eDKcq2V9XJsp8DZ_FRqT0qjdasno0O7RnHHSs-Ty2Xg6eGzltI4ia8usA7los6WFD2AEJQp5I4a5MTxqup6vYrZXzjTxNXvAxop/s1600/03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V99qLI7EAkvGmTxWWVEXJLNJM_mq6fY6Mf949-Kl_eDKcq2V9XJsp8DZ_FRqT0qjdasno0O7RnHHSs-Ty2Xg6eGzltI4ia8usA7los6WFD2AEJQp5I4a5MTxqup6vYrZXzjTxNXvAxop/s1600/03.JPG" /></a><br />
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In fact, I can't take any credit for this garden at all. My sweet hubby:<br />
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<li> tilled it</li>
<li>planted it</li>
<li>gathers it</li>
<li>He even grew the hay that he cut to put around all the plants that worked to keep out weeds and hold in moisture. </li>
</ul>
So <em>what</em> <em>do I</em> <em>do</em>, you ask? Help eat it? Yes!!!<br />
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But...<br />
I also <em>help</em> can and freeze it. The two of us have spent many, many hours in our kitchen so far this summer, slicing, dicing, and peeling. Canning and freezing. <br />
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Today was <strong>Tomato day</strong>. Hubby picked the tomatoes (of course).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is only PART of today's picking!</td></tr>
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Then the fun (?) started. I worked really h~a~r~d (really I did!), until I got hungry (hear the whiny voice here?). <br />
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This Tomato Session actually put us over our projected quota (trying to sound business-like). <br />
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We are now the proud owners of:</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: left;">
52 quarts of canned tomatoes</div>
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26 quarts of frozen tomatoes</div>
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many, many gallons each of battered, frozen squash and okra</div>
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And hubby has also canned several jars of jalapeño peppers. (I stayed away from those. Do you remember my <a href="https://ahappyvalentine.blogspot.com/2011/07/dont-try-this-at-home.html">Pepper Fiasco</a> from several years ago?)</div>
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So after finishing my tomato peeling part of today's process, I stopped and made lunch. Guess what it was? BLT's! What else?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFZon98ING9C3cVohZ9bWZFm2TH_5IFPU_Pq1OCuZXFebW-OENbCE_bsGvPm78z7xYALsNM5EJeuRidtJVJznASalgzMaaInYC0kApuvaib3HD9MjPY6Ri3F5NcMMhxx3Mm1wY4BI7RQs/s1600/04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFZon98ING9C3cVohZ9bWZFm2TH_5IFPU_Pq1OCuZXFebW-OENbCE_bsGvPm78z7xYALsNM5EJeuRidtJVJznASalgzMaaInYC0kApuvaib3HD9MjPY6Ri3F5NcMMhxx3Mm1wY4BI7RQs/s320/04.JPG" width="274" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.</span></em> </div>
~ Lewis Grizzard<br />
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P.S. Guess what I put in the slow cooker for tonight's supper..... Vegetable Soup!!! All I have to do is cook up a pan of cornbread and supper's ready. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Soup's On!!!</span></strong></div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-50492227580922819042019-08-04T17:57:00.000-05:002019-08-04T17:57:05.576-05:00The Summer of Sweetness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier in the summer, I declared this my</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Summer of Sweetness </span></em></div>
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Why? Because I had come into the summer beating myself up over a strained relationship I had (still have) with a close loved one. I dwelt on it almost constantly, day and night. It pulled me down and stressed me out. My body was beginning to rebel. It's amazing what can happen to a body when it is stressed, things I never dreamed that could be stress-related, but certainly have found them to be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I did everything I knew to do about the strained relationship, but couldn't fix it. So, I had to release the problem, as much as possible anyway, and start treating myself with kindness. I wanted a reminder of my new theme, because I know me, I'll go right back to my fretting and beating myself up without some kind of reminder. What would remind me of sweetness, softness and love?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I know! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> The scent of Strawberries and Cream! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I set out to surround myself with the scent. I start the day out by indulging myself with a sweet~scented shampoo and conditioner. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwixH4v2jaI9zCvOrAIMeP9yhuftMWMaETVhyphenhyphenpyllqF03yZABR_r9A-6Ujh0_92VSoB1jVrP4hUtGfpcj_jzJSstczHLsFFYDC05pgIsRtzpZGMnr1ageq1PmEC7hD2ryKtI2-d5LIdK46/s1600/strawberries-and-cream.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="307" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwixH4v2jaI9zCvOrAIMeP9yhuftMWMaETVhyphenhyphenpyllqF03yZABR_r9A-6Ujh0_92VSoB1jVrP4hUtGfpcj_jzJSstczHLsFFYDC05pgIsRtzpZGMnr1ageq1PmEC7hD2ryKtI2-d5LIdK46/s200/strawberries-and-cream.png" width="136" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">photo courtesy of</span><br />
<a href="http://www.vo5haircare.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">www.vo5haircare.com</span></a> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I take my time and enjoy the sweet scent every morning as I remind myself that life is sweet and I am loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (As an aside; I have <em>rediscovered</em> VO5 shampoos and conditioners! But that is a post for another day.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwixH4v2jaI9zCvOrAIMeP9yhuftMWMaETVhyphenhyphenpyllqF03yZABR_r9A-6Ujh0_92VSoB1jVrP4hUtGfpcj_jzJSstczHLsFFYDC05pgIsRtzpZGMnr1ageq1PmEC7hD2ryKtI2-d5LIdK46/s1600/strawberries-and-cream.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"> Then I went to Ulta with a gift card in hand (that I'd had since my birthday <em>last </em>July!) and found other sweet reminders for my <em>Summer of Sweetness</em></span>.</span><br />
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My evening shower routine is sweetly scented with The Body Shop's Strawberry Shower gel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1xyesjerE-9tSselZi5-LXbmG350IFxUZKr2x5LqegWEGEosOENBhNjecgqrhgTD2H4-Belj69x04iXCOMbpn37lFHi4N4tBtSsbvNUraBLIErnAsy9U5EcS4QNpvCBY_lFRZY870nQV/s1600/shower+gel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1xyesjerE-9tSselZi5-LXbmG350IFxUZKr2x5LqegWEGEosOENBhNjecgqrhgTD2H4-Belj69x04iXCOMbpn37lFHi4N4tBtSsbvNUraBLIErnAsy9U5EcS4QNpvCBY_lFRZY870nQV/s1600/shower+gel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photos courtesy of<br />
<a href="http://www.ulta.com/">www.ulta.com</a><br />
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And then I soften all the rough spots with <br />
Strawberry Body Yogurt, also from <br />
The Body Shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3m55TQVlWXhTflRDfPpYa1pKfoirehY3UXkhSPvhJJ_fFLnywZArAK9uvY7JYwyKG1BWPuKvytMaE-I23W4VfwQwqHHYLPXKvszhq1h81nxyqt57uxKtO3m06OSuOQY8DVfUf_AUGJy2/s1600/yogurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3m55TQVlWXhTflRDfPpYa1pKfoirehY3UXkhSPvhJJ_fFLnywZArAK9uvY7JYwyKG1BWPuKvytMaE-I23W4VfwQwqHHYLPXKvszhq1h81nxyqt57uxKtO3m06OSuOQY8DVfUf_AUGJy2/s1600/yogurt.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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So, surrounded by all these reminders of the sweetness in my life, do I ever digress back to the fretting and trying to fix everything myself? Yes. But if I really focus on what is good in my life, what is right, what is sweet, then I climb right back out of that hole and carry on.<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> </em></span></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em> </div>
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<em> For the happy heart, life is a continual feast. </em></div>
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<em> ~ Proverbs 15:15b</em></div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-90628092210788436932019-07-29T11:41:00.000-05:002019-07-29T11:41:40.393-05:00Wait a minute...wait a minute...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
… here it comes! <br />
It's here!!!<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> The Happy Dance!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VUODROTYLP2gCdCAXj9mCsZ0UhYpcQ2JGKT6aCNV3EmRgWsCsSsrolSuNaeT4V-V5LVsBxPrus3uK0TO3wKnTJRzgexUs515sTJP-bXqQIFlMbeJ7lKITQ8V4V7KjMcObHMyTg21k67C/s1600/bouncy+tigger.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VUODROTYLP2gCdCAXj9mCsZ0UhYpcQ2JGKT6aCNV3EmRgWsCsSsrolSuNaeT4V-V5LVsBxPrus3uK0TO3wKnTJRzgexUs515sTJP-bXqQIFlMbeJ7lKITQ8V4V7KjMcObHMyTg21k67C/s1600/bouncy+tigger.gif" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Why?</strong></span><br />
Because we FINALLY got a new internet provider in Rural Alabama!<br />
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So I am back in Blogland! </div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-21895027200356959802019-02-14T07:33:00.000-06:002019-02-14T07:33:59.320-06:00Happy Valentine's Day !!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This Valentine's Day finds me thinking of my Blog friends. So I just wanted to drop by, say "Hi," and tell you that I miss you all! <br />
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Things are fine and dandy here. Daffodils are blooming, we've had some spring-like days, and I've been busy. I wish I could post pictures of some of the things making me happy, especially since my sweet hubby finally let me have my cabinets painted. That's something I've wanted to do for years. (You can read about it <a href="http://ahappyvalentine.blogspot.com/search?q=cabinets">here</a>.) They are now a soft, buttery, creamy yellow. It makes me so happy to turn on the light in my kitchen every morning and be surrounded with their soft glow.<br />
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I've been enjoying my winter days sewing, reading, playing the piano, relearning to play a recorder, working jigsaw puzzles, playing with grandbabies, eating out with friends, and learning to share my days with my now retired hubby.<br />
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And how are you? I stop by some of your blogs and check in every once and while. It makes me sad to see other blogs silent for so long. Like mine has been. I miss my friends. I hope you'll stop and chat a minute. Let me know if your blog is still active. I'd like to come visit.<br />
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As I've mentioned before, our s-l-o-w (think back to dial-up slow) internet service is what keeps me from posting, and most especially from uploading pictures. Right now in our rural area, we only have two choices of internet service (AT&T's DSL Lite, and satellite), and neither works well. But I keep hoping one day we'll have a better option. And once we do, I'll be back! Until then, if I find out any of my Blog friends are still around, I'll at least post an update occasionally just to keep in touch.<br />
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Until later:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Valentine's Day </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">from</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Happy Valentine</span> <span style="font-size: large;">!</span></div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-21263785867444391142016-06-01T11:39:00.001-05:002016-06-01T11:39:44.507-05:00Please let me Re-Introduce Myself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I want to thank Dawn, Mary, and Santie for their comments on the <a href="http://ahappyvalentine.blogspot.com/2016/05/why-i-havent-been-blogging-much-and-how.html">post</a> I made yesterday. Wow, ladies, you have given me so much to think about for the future of my blog! I took notes and plan on incorporating your suggestions for posting topics. I am always so amazed to find out that anyone could honestly be interested in my common, every day life. But thank you so much to everyone that reads my posts and especially for the ones taking time out of your busy life to leave me a comment. You are all such an encouragement!</div>
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So, taking a cue from Dawn, I will try to re-introduce myself. I don't know of anything I can say that I haven't already said and I don't want to overwhelm and bore you, so I'll start small.</div>
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As T.S. Eliot said, <em>Home is Where One Starts From.</em></div>
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So that is where I'll start:</div>
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<em><strong>Home</strong></em></div>
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<em></em> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQSF-IHvog8G4zTLaS-73rtF3bNEFrVEBprskb4wiO-p63c-SZOjIWgfEGDchTTBOWcsimmvseejo0HrCMRSF-Ebtd5uZH-0uOgoyafhgZTL5Oduqv8i7AvWWWf4-7a_l-EcqnKJb5ytA/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQSF-IHvog8G4zTLaS-73rtF3bNEFrVEBprskb4wiO-p63c-SZOjIWgfEGDchTTBOWcsimmvseejo0HrCMRSF-Ebtd5uZH-0uOgoyafhgZTL5Oduqv8i7AvWWWf4-7a_l-EcqnKJb5ytA/s1600/2.JPG" /></a></div>
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I feel like our home should have a name because it is such a big part of our lives. It definitely has a personality. It is the background for most of our family pictures and many, many of our memories. While in our twenties, our house was built by my husband and his dad on land that was gifted to us from my husband's parents. Many friends helped out with the building of our house with FREE labor. So you see, our home is truly a Labor of Love.</div>
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We have lived in this blessed home in the appropriately named community of Pleasant Valley for 31 years.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbqPFbMZM6f4qnmJSPD8IsAVP0kL3lpUl9HnaDriLX4icKypXJzEtc4ZpZWIJ45Cz_LFJfrwRFmmj9PEU3E0Rt9uS_0gxoNS9XhjWpz25Y7bcJ5BF28dUhkjs3qL0gh1F60sNk7FrTN0z/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbqPFbMZM6f4qnmJSPD8IsAVP0kL3lpUl9HnaDriLX4icKypXJzEtc4ZpZWIJ45Cz_LFJfrwRFmmj9PEU3E0Rt9uS_0gxoNS9XhjWpz25Y7bcJ5BF28dUhkjs3qL0gh1F60sNk7FrTN0z/s400/3.JPG" title="Click here to read the story of our home's cross." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click <a href="http://ahappyvalentine.blogspot.com/2011/04/sweet-blessings.html">here</a> to read the story of our home's cross.<br />
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A clue to some of our hobbies can be seen peeking out of the woods to the side of our home.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV6B1MhSkL6SB39CNIshyphenhyphen_xv8ndOqmqcRK82QItJ6nrWBjkAqug9wDSKrzyOarxCzcgbWbO7DrYI_hg5JsxVPh0V4k3iuPUZJYMA6iCjeoHmG92rahpRwADEkkwZfLC9wTaaf7RHDwzOI/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV6B1MhSkL6SB39CNIshyphenhyphen_xv8ndOqmqcRK82QItJ6nrWBjkAqug9wDSKrzyOarxCzcgbWbO7DrYI_hg5JsxVPh0V4k3iuPUZJYMA6iCjeoHmG92rahpRwADEkkwZfLC9wTaaf7RHDwzOI/s1600/6.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubbie's Tractor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP8UvwxZhtqWlJ4VQ_2MCToZE6FjWMAfKfLTkWo5e398Thg81ptxNP79D0xMNaLEtYYVP3V4GNRr8f47BsfxWPEb8EiKbrkqHvB9bnHt5eTK9hv81RCXpHvZM_P956b647IUKzIUdS6wK/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP8UvwxZhtqWlJ4VQ_2MCToZE6FjWMAfKfLTkWo5e398Thg81ptxNP79D0xMNaLEtYYVP3V4GNRr8f47BsfxWPEb8EiKbrkqHvB9bnHt5eTK9hv81RCXpHvZM_P956b647IUKzIUdS6wK/s1600/5.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Greenhouse</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SuoRD-HyaB6NaW5-wNRn1j5VsWAKGVxHHrBab5nMxaBeSTP-3d9PUiztX5a9W4-Wm0ruX32gdEbNaF7dDSHDb9QgzyOe8UHkLWpJtsOGO5H2eISUaNvz38KIit6nfGb6E6sEcn04gx__/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SuoRD-HyaB6NaW5-wNRn1j5VsWAKGVxHHrBab5nMxaBeSTP-3d9PUiztX5a9W4-Wm0ruX32gdEbNaF7dDSHDb9QgzyOe8UHkLWpJtsOGO5H2eISUaNvz38KIit6nfGb6E6sEcn04gx__/s640/4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our vacation home on wheels</td></tr>
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Our yard is patrolled and protected by two <em>fearless</em> pets. LOL :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61OWz0u38Jp2ug-adPAGC9pKAd7jJRssDNlmfLx6OrfAlAob1GGTl_mMhYxLlprCeFdzNlau8spCXYoyPaz2dC_17c5E-TVMh8IvtbWtFCeZZqwjtVxDQja3TXAJsHemm2eOyTac-Up9M/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61OWz0u38Jp2ug-adPAGC9pKAd7jJRssDNlmfLx6OrfAlAob1GGTl_mMhYxLlprCeFdzNlau8spCXYoyPaz2dC_17c5E-TVMh8IvtbWtFCeZZqwjtVxDQja3TXAJsHemm2eOyTac-Up9M/s400/7.JPG" width="379" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Chip</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8eezjjq6o_M6cFghPzCcb5BMA1QxDoEFsvjmHP1q9zYOqhyphenhyphen9ca8b3LmVdnP7qLeSzPNNyKQHnCSM8ea8Q6xLL7dz-k50QJiwB6RnDw8xpqyxydJn-Lspcs3hcYtYw3rv4DbGf80jTUia/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8eezjjq6o_M6cFghPzCcb5BMA1QxDoEFsvjmHP1q9zYOqhyphenhyphen9ca8b3LmVdnP7qLeSzPNNyKQHnCSM8ea8Q6xLL7dz-k50QJiwB6RnDw8xpqyxydJn-Lspcs3hcYtYw3rv4DbGf80jTUia/s1600/8.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops, the tractor going down the road grabbed Chip's attention.</td></tr>
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Maggie is camera-shy today.</div>
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I think she might be embarrassed about the new haircut she got.</div>
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She has to be sheared like a sheep in the summer, otherwise she would be one <em>Hot Dog.</em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEyMNJpIFiDMqnNVePvV3PTgq4opN-OSxHM838zcsSXN5SafJ1JZ7LswQbGxwHdNTumOfluCBeFPtr-2btFnuBj4DJ3RYh7l_cd0lXZCtSq0huLf2S8blK3UqKYOLffkNvwObQi_2VSl5/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEyMNJpIFiDMqnNVePvV3PTgq4opN-OSxHM838zcsSXN5SafJ1JZ7LswQbGxwHdNTumOfluCBeFPtr-2btFnuBj4DJ3RYh7l_cd0lXZCtSq0huLf2S8blK3UqKYOLffkNvwObQi_2VSl5/s640/9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our back yard is my on-going project.</div>
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I've brought down my garden size to these three little spots and love concentrating my efforts on them. They're a lot easier to care for than the huge plot Hubby used to dig up for <em>us</em> to plant and for <em>me</em> to tend. :)</div>
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Hannah and Noah, our two oldest grandchildren, ages 3 and 2, helped me plant the vegetable seeds in my Square-Foot garden. And, as you can see by the bean blooms, they have both have green thumbs.</div>
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I'm glad I made these pictures today because I didn't know I already have jalapenos almost big enough to pick! </div>
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I've got summer squash plants, a large oregano plant and tomato plants on the other side of the yard.</div>
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And last but not least, in the middle of the back yard is a little flower garden that is purely for eye candy. </div>
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No vegetables are found here.</div>
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This is the spot I see out my kitchen window while washing dishes, so I keep it happy and cheerful.</div>
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That's the end of my outdoor tour.</div>
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I'll save the inside for another day.</div>
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Hope you'll come back soon!</div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-38244371479733378402016-05-31T10:17:00.000-05:002016-05-31T10:17:28.630-05:00Why I haven't been blogging much and how I hope to remedy that<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Whew, quite a long title, huh? <br />
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I've been missing blogging so much but for several reasons, just can't seem to get started back regularly.<br />
I've decided to list those reasons and do what I need to do to get past them and back to blogging, because I miss my blogging friends so much!<br />
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<strong>Reasons for not blogging regularly:</strong><br />
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<li><em><strong>extremely</strong></em> slooooooow internet service (shame on you AT&T)</li>
<li>takes too long to find the "perfect"<em> </em>graphics for my posts</li>
<li>feel like my mundane life to too boring for anyone to really want to read about</li>
<li>lastly; guilt because I don't get around to visiting everyone else's blog that visits mine</li>
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<strong>So, here's the plan:</strong><br />
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<li>open only one browser window at a time (when possible) while making my posts</li>
<li>forget about <em>perfectionism</em>, it stagnates creativity in too many areas of my life</li>
<li>go back to my original purpose for blogging; more of a diary for me that I enjoy sharing with others</li>
<li>return blog visits when I can, but leave a reply in my blog's comment section when someone honors me with a comment</li>
</ol>
I truly think I can get back to blogging if I stick to this plan.<br />
I'm printing it out right now so that I won't forget and slip back into my "perfectionisms."<br />
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Thanks for reading my ramblings. I hope you'll come back often! <br />
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-38752216854840362442016-04-22T08:44:00.000-05:002016-04-22T08:44:03.601-05:00Garden dreaming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm up early this morning with my garden gloves on and ready to get started! Well, kinda, sortof...<br />
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Oh, no, </div>
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It's raining!!!</div>
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I do so want to update my late winter/early spring backyard garden.</div>
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This is what it looks like right now. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILZpid-Am_bUPLzUmKtWFs1sXmZacdzeandBlZwdVtmQLSbhwuQW90CQUlEDY9_1ZAxegzPIg0h45ugJ9PrFYRQ2O_yFq7e3h5z-L69Yzg4RYD9IglDPdbzerxAbDmjcsLZc226Z1Gkuh/s1600/1+arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILZpid-Am_bUPLzUmKtWFs1sXmZacdzeandBlZwdVtmQLSbhwuQW90CQUlEDY9_1ZAxegzPIg0h45ugJ9PrFYRQ2O_yFq7e3h5z-L69Yzg4RYD9IglDPdbzerxAbDmjcsLZc226Z1Gkuh/s1600/1+arrow.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Dianthus plants (pink and white flowers on the left) are putting on a beautiful show right now.</div>
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They really like to show off in early spring and again in early fall here in my little backyard garden patch.</div>
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And the Pansies have been such a happy sight for me all winter, but their season is almost over.</div>
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They love Alabama's Fall, Winter, and early Spring seasons, but those cute little faces can't take the heat when it gets here.</div>
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I love to keep this little flower bed cheery and upbeat year around because this is what I gaze at outside my kitchen window,</div>
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Lucky me!</div>
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It even makes dishwashing a happy task.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnyjimpmaAMLQg9_WQ5aXr8S8V3S0PNvjRCa-vMUb7gpplnnseAuXumGEIu1FvkMMmjkVHYOQtlzTLcUdCVmYsYJW8biGhbVrzcGEnMoJaDRUsXDz1cop2kAMC9n1nQQDHKg9hNq6dMW6/s1600/cute-smiling-flower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnyjimpmaAMLQg9_WQ5aXr8S8V3S0PNvjRCa-vMUb7gpplnnseAuXumGEIu1FvkMMmjkVHYOQtlzTLcUdCVmYsYJW8biGhbVrzcGEnMoJaDRUsXDz1cop2kAMC9n1nQQDHKg9hNq6dMW6/s320/cute-smiling-flower.png" width="270" /></a></div>
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But, it's okay that I can't work at my garden quite yet.</div>
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I can plan, plan, plan it.</div>
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And dream, dream, dream about what I want it to look like while I:</div>
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clean bathrooms</div>
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do the laundry</div>
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and cook for tomorrow's family reunion</div>
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And who knows, the sun may peek out in a little while.</div>
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And if it does, I'll head out to the plant nursery and pick out some cheery blooms to liven up my backyard.</div>
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How about you, what's the view outside your kitchen window right now?</div>
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I'd love to take a peek. :)</div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-40406591376546677222016-03-01T11:56:00.000-06:002016-03-01T11:56:01.879-06:00Happy Happy March!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYElTFt7ag-1Xw5vTGUsfNZ_BfYzmJIO927c0bpvX9ONvkKYfE8hv8pxofsk3SfXV-PovHefpCq0v_JiwnY7i3O3EhEpBndjZm-iF-_X1dmzSjYfpbR-5SoKBuiUIQl0iXntUxAwICJrio/s1600/girl-flying-a-kite-thumb.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYElTFt7ag-1Xw5vTGUsfNZ_BfYzmJIO927c0bpvX9ONvkKYfE8hv8pxofsk3SfXV-PovHefpCq0v_JiwnY7i3O3EhEpBndjZm-iF-_X1dmzSjYfpbR-5SoKBuiUIQl0iXntUxAwICJrio/s1600/girl-flying-a-kite-thumb.gif" /></a><em><span style="font-size: large;">It is the first mild day of March.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Each minute sweeter than before...</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">There is blessing in the air...</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> ~~~ William Wordsworth</span></div>
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I love a new month. Turning that calendar page to a fresh beginning gives me so much pleasure. </div>
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March came in like a lamb for us here in North Alabama today. The day may go out like a lion because thunderstorms are expected later on today, but I plan on enjoying it while the beautiful sunshine lasts. </div>
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I had lots of company while I weeded around my happy-faced Pansies and pruned back some summer blooming bushes. Cheery little leaves were dancing all around me in the spring-like breeze. </div>
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The birds were twittering in the nearby trees, just waiting on me to go inside so they could visit their feeder. Spring is trying her best to put in a showy appearance in our yard. And she's doing a pretty good job of it. It's hard to capture a good picture of flowers that are waving around in the breeze, but I did my best.<br />
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I have plans for March...Fun plans!</div>
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Maybe I need to tell you my plans just in case I get too busy and forget some of them. I want you to hold me responsible. I'll try my best to come back with pictures to prove that I did indeed follow through with them.</div>
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fly a kite</div>
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sew up the projects I told you about in my <a href="http://ahappyvalentine.blogspot.com/2016/02/spring-fever.html">last post</a></div>
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make more Blog posts</div>
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sing a song every day</div>
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smile a smile every day</div>
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play a tune on my piano <em>almost</em> every day</div>
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do something nice for someone every day</div>
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Okay, your turn. Do you have any fun plans for this brand new month? I'd love to hear about them!</div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-73765471693322750362016-02-23T08:38:00.000-06:002016-02-23T08:38:07.490-06:00Spring Fever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've had the privilege to spend a lot of time with my two grandbabies during the last few weeks. You see, their Momma and Daddy just brought home their new baby brother and sister from the hospital. Twins, Soren and Sage are one week old today! So the number of our grandchildren doubled last week and I am thrilled!
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIH8xLVmobgtK2ggUQk8_iMOyafvOy4P_ptkgjHyvvSN4-iB0NV-h37qAhKX-hfBVKqL6VnOq9zP6jkfEwF7gvU3cU9N_SoGGa8_Qxr2ON3eF8SUiWShTKHWxB3mgvxJfWVV-SG927kZ1/s1600/grandbabies+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIH8xLVmobgtK2ggUQk8_iMOyafvOy4P_ptkgjHyvvSN4-iB0NV-h37qAhKX-hfBVKqL6VnOq9zP6jkfEwF7gvU3cU9N_SoGGa8_Qxr2ON3eF8SUiWShTKHWxB3mgvxJfWVV-SG927kZ1/s1600/grandbabies+-+Copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Happy Big Brother and Sister<br />
Noah (age 2) Hannah (age 3)<br />
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I'm so ready for Spring!</div>
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I always get in a sewing mood this time of year.</div>
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I guess it's the anticipation of new grass and spring flowers sprouting up that makes me want to create something new and refreshing too.</div>
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That's when the Sewing Bug kicks in </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwknTRBgCgBUNOeAyW9_go9UWZgq0MFEBeKCO_Fb2ASxMB1WY-ZfZF2rTxVzpY6gTTd_b_LSV6qfPOqCbMkzOc05p8V1k2EOxrdXZlK5XdeR85kuWQXx7i_EVr9oGDnbOaX8HUNnqDunY/s1600/ladybug-holding-a-flower-thumb.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwknTRBgCgBUNOeAyW9_go9UWZgq0MFEBeKCO_Fb2ASxMB1WY-ZfZF2rTxVzpY6gTTd_b_LSV6qfPOqCbMkzOc05p8V1k2EOxrdXZlK5XdeR85kuWQXx7i_EVr9oGDnbOaX8HUNnqDunY/s1600/ladybug-holding-a-flower-thumb.gif" /></a></div>
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and I start perusing the sewing websites and pattern catalogs.</div>
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I recently bought these two patterns when Hobby Lobby had their Simplicity patterns on sale for 99 cents each.</div>
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<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/childs-easy-to-sew-dresses/2269.html#q=2269&start=1"><img alt="http://www.simplicity.com/childs-easy-to-sew-dresses/2269.html#q=2269&start=1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPWU9URq1aWU-2WnrcdOp5x0jLs0UUG62CObr6PgD1RSVASvqSWJpD8pxNoGYgcwZoLYiVpOGsTQECrv75LGyZCD5uN3le39Ree0cBi8JTXGo8dkUaZ-M9vswyLnvS8BG1W44NISs5QQd/s1600/2269.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/misses-easy-to-sew-skirts-shorts/2258.html#q=2258&start=1"><img alt="http://www.simplicity.com/misses-easy-to-sew-skirts-shorts/2258.html#q=2258&start=1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oisOK7Jh2jbn_JeV_WJ0N48p9e6Ge51FR8Jwbuw4r7tvMEJObzGKzL8iSBCzzG_TA51EJpyjvK5OWAVIE09UYVOwNDyXPWAexxCDjj4RnzlG-YQ9F7H01efxmMEK_mFGkqAZvnn-_LjD/s1600/skirt+pattern.jpg" /></a></div>
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I hope to make Hannah some cute sundresses from the first pattern. When I asked what her favorite color was, she said, "Pink!" She's a girl after my own heart. <br />
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I bought the second pattern for myself. I'm thinking my wardrobe needs some sprucing up with some pretty spring color too. I'm planning a skirt or two and I might even try the cropped pants pattern. I'll leave off the drawstrings and their casings, and really just make them into long shorts, right around my knees. I'm too petite to wear them below the knee. And I'm too <strike>old</strike> shy to wear them short.<br />
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I rotate the clothes in my closet by the season, putting the off-season clothes in a box in the bottom of my closet until they're needed. When I peeked in my spring/summer box this morning it looked pretty bare. I guess I was in one of those cleaning-out-moods at the end of summer last year and got rid of things I didn't wear much. So I'd better get my sewing machine all dusted up and oiled, and ready for Spring!<br />
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What about you? Do you have any sewing projects planned, or ideas for sprucing up your Spring/Summer wardrobe?<br />
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-29717552280210429872016-02-22T08:32:00.000-06:002016-02-22T09:55:11.659-06:00Back In Business!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm back after a loooong blog break! Last year was quite a roller coaster ride for our family with ups and downs but we're still on our feet and all is well. God is good!<br />
<br />
So, I hope to be back with postings of my little life....the simple little things I enjoy doing that makes life in our home a softer and cozier place to be.<br />
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Sweet hubby and I have watched some old Mary Tyler Moore Show dvd's lately and I love the coziness of Mary's apartment. It always seems to be winter time there and her apartment is so bright and inviting. It makes you want to sit down at her table and share a cup of coffee with her. That's what I strive for in my home, a sit down and stay a while spot. I hope my BlogSpot is just an extension of that too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPXM2khmhCfkOZjOC3N53P4BsIc2GCHYI4pB2xnWn0yys8kmqCt1m10gyxvS-_B-Iq-bHTtLWygaN6VxC0OPrWurMB_TzZSZoG3m8uJjS3CgItAB7QlsnHZ_-oylmBEJeATwp3_aeR-jT/s1600/Mary+Tyler+Moore+Show.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/07/05/mary-richards-apartment-on-the-mary-tyler-moore-show/mary-rhoda-and-phyllis-mary-tyler-moore-show-set/">Source</a></td></tr>
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So, I hope you will sit down and stay awhile with me. I'll be back soon with another cup of coffee and maybe we can have a nice little chat. Welcome Back!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3qfeZ9qfxukOI0UCBemyfMZpdnxnSuuoXLCJ4mA2d13dcGalQ2pN2gf1CLUoRi11k7aY49c4yXDOoV9NHLc-7WORE3kRUDfHcjluDQmx5JMFPcLy0a6T-x7NqthXsEi10kf2DqM0fe99/s1600/girl-pushing-wheelbarrow-of-hearts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3qfeZ9qfxukOI0UCBemyfMZpdnxnSuuoXLCJ4mA2d13dcGalQ2pN2gf1CLUoRi11k7aY49c4yXDOoV9NHLc-7WORE3kRUDfHcjluDQmx5JMFPcLy0a6T-x7NqthXsEi10kf2DqM0fe99/s1600/girl-pushing-wheelbarrow-of-hearts.png" /></a></div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-29231823489363339832015-01-28T11:15:00.002-06:002015-01-31T07:29:08.667-06:00Making it Through January<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm making it through January, one day at a time.<br />
Dreaming of spring helps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnzIjQaC1hEw8TsiLH6c04j9a6UUGeyBUkIIVMEP2XewrRUShHnAvpjyq-Df4-mqmWjAsAhv1t020TyTQt7NFNC8bdUn31HVbOrVMgVVMJ0ViYlIe3TgafDcGjWdvaZye3hIs1tS2FBeX/s1600/pinks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnzIjQaC1hEw8TsiLH6c04j9a6UUGeyBUkIIVMEP2XewrRUShHnAvpjyq-Df4-mqmWjAsAhv1t020TyTQt7NFNC8bdUn31HVbOrVMgVVMJ0ViYlIe3TgafDcGjWdvaZye3hIs1tS2FBeX/s1600/pinks.JPG" /></a></div>
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How about you? How are you making it through January? I'm missing ya'll!<br />
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This post is linked to: <a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/">Pink Saturday</a></div>
Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-45458558148408259642014-08-27T09:53:00.000-05:002014-08-27T09:53:44.240-05:00I loved this movie!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Mrs. Washington</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">goes to </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Smith</span></em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKreRaUeuFp9l3iYuHDI3fZs7kWc5WUI4ICBi0Zx0j8bCRsgI4BXlQWoqiiErCS_uUFLa3sUq_9pimJkMJ9rHNsYW2_Tmr9zHDCvCwrorxrsBCc9k-GqYKgfN44rMvcxWh-BrnOE4bE2N/s1600/movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKreRaUeuFp9l3iYuHDI3fZs7kWc5WUI4ICBi0Zx0j8bCRsgI4BXlQWoqiiErCS_uUFLa3sUq_9pimJkMJ9rHNsYW2_Tmr9zHDCvCwrorxrsBCc9k-GqYKgfN44rMvcxWh-BrnOE4bE2N/s1600/movie.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Netflix.com</td></tr>
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We got this through Netflix and watched it last night.</div>
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Loved it!</div>
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It was funny and <em>CLEAN!</em></div>
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Here's the blurb from Netflix:</div>
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<em>When straitlaced recent divorcée Alice Washington (Cybill Shepherd) returns to Smith College to complete the coursework she began years before, her plans for a dignified college career vanish when she meets her wild child roommate, Zoe (Corri English). With Zoe's help, Alice learns to loosen up, but she may go too far when she ponders a verboten relationship with her poetry professor (Jeffrey Nordling).</em></div>
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I better let you know though, I think I liked it a lot better than hubby and he usually likes everything.</div>
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Have you seen it?</div>
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What did you think about it?</div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-784074077799083032014-08-20T08:22:00.001-05:002014-08-20T11:21:44.811-05:00Camping Pics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here's a few of our camping pictures from last week.</div>
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Sweet Hubby and I had a great time!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv6b2ppna73Dgtvbtrmg2s2RW8KGOnlx7OdtyMpLJ_GVr2GhTf1eJtp2KviWiJriKl6RThEkCyL-2WeCZNw3XhKK8beUn1-FgPnSnWCNPvkIPqKEsm263qG3iwYaaaCSgDo4tlPZ6rUJh/s1600/wind+creek+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv6b2ppna73Dgtvbtrmg2s2RW8KGOnlx7OdtyMpLJ_GVr2GhTf1eJtp2KviWiJriKl6RThEkCyL-2WeCZNw3XhKK8beUn1-FgPnSnWCNPvkIPqKEsm263qG3iwYaaaCSgDo4tlPZ6rUJh/s1600/wind+creek+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind Creek State Park<br />
Alexander City, AL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOUfIt6S2kqnmj7kvzrfs58FtD1kBVSf65N6W7j7AqOLGA1bh7UIIhQuWjt9OLzml8QwxjlNzCYdPUtXFXrfr1i4zJIoz-we7W4usgWqx3PzIoqUHhkO2huobYIyf8ym2YvsPFV4uZpy3/s1600/geese+on+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOUfIt6S2kqnmj7kvzrfs58FtD1kBVSf65N6W7j7AqOLGA1bh7UIIhQuWjt9OLzml8QwxjlNzCYdPUtXFXrfr1i4zJIoz-we7W4usgWqx3PzIoqUHhkO2huobYIyf8ym2YvsPFV4uZpy3/s1600/geese+on+beach.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The geese enjoyed the early morning empty beach.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIztSINfNPTUKW4Hg4JaPvVBkz5pcV98cPu9FG1qQAOLZtixLhBIJLZtmDauY2x5-_i6VB5B0tHeA3ji-qn8Z0J9uAWy3NirSgYgBXcDDdzipmG_lHc_lH7z-upY2AEdz2VHNJhZbWcdf/s1600/Neil+fishing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIztSINfNPTUKW4Hg4JaPvVBkz5pcV98cPu9FG1qQAOLZtixLhBIJLZtmDauY2x5-_i6VB5B0tHeA3ji-qn8Z0J9uAWy3NirSgYgBXcDDdzipmG_lHc_lH7z-upY2AEdz2VHNJhZbWcdf/s1600/Neil+fishing.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Hubby got to do a lot of fishing.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq92ngA8Hnki-hLXwph0z70wUFbLKS5KsNjoUBAUpR9ra2pxwVl9w4lwinOJUMoBoiYC7z8HQ9_RpqFZXlHyD0a1ZD7rIMxJFrOvy5QVQDkzplh5aAaDRbhUSKFhIsu3d_fqYoJwBzch9Y/s1600/Wind+creek+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq92ngA8Hnki-hLXwph0z70wUFbLKS5KsNjoUBAUpR9ra2pxwVl9w4lwinOJUMoBoiYC7z8HQ9_RpqFZXlHyD0a1ZD7rIMxJFrOvy5QVQDkzplh5aAaDRbhUSKFhIsu3d_fqYoJwBzch9Y/s1600/Wind+creek+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUc6lUGX5H0TT9uO8RiNAW-TKzOLk212RSDyEr4lDYFrV-P8VLcBh8gNYcRLK1w1x4kU33m_nu9TVqcmKj6gIIkqu-CBtSeDsN6duLA8KzdFk5MTtJSjclmGTDxu6d1oGpZeUaQC1THSe/s1600/flamingos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUc6lUGX5H0TT9uO8RiNAW-TKzOLk212RSDyEr4lDYFrV-P8VLcBh8gNYcRLK1w1x4kU33m_nu9TVqcmKj6gIIkqu-CBtSeDsN6duLA8KzdFk5MTtJSjclmGTDxu6d1oGpZeUaQC1THSe/s1600/flamingos.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who says tacky is out?<br />
(No, they're not mine. :)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQZHXLn_pBBwlR8NwhQR97pCtSzEZE0FLLaUTeTHroYr2lsT9HXw-X5BSGuuhDJLRIwSEl4rZZ1UXpetK-X8Sd5_2ptw2iF4zRmbKVkWdRrJmGx-JyrBjHK79dQ-IMUNlCP_POdpLKjy3/s1600/cc1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQZHXLn_pBBwlR8NwhQR97pCtSzEZE0FLLaUTeTHroYr2lsT9HXw-X5BSGuuhDJLRIwSEl4rZZ1UXpetK-X8Sd5_2ptw2iF4zRmbKVkWdRrJmGx-JyrBjHK79dQ-IMUNlCP_POdpLKjy3/s1600/cc1.JPG" /></a></div>
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Thanks for stopping by.</div>
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Hope you're having a great week!</div>
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This post is linked to: <a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2014/08/820-outdoor-wednesday-293.html">Outdoor Wednesday</a></div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067345738741699448.post-69126582920735152322014-08-07T08:01:00.000-05:002014-08-07T08:01:06.137-05:00My week in review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This has been a week of every day ~ but fun stuff!<br />
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Bike riding</div>
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My bike was a special birthday gift from my special hubby five years ago.</div>
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He picked it out himself and surprised me with it.</div>
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I think he did a great job.</div>
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It is so <em>Me. </em></div>
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I especially love the swirlies on it.</div>
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I helped sweet hubby give our camper her bath.</div>
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Can you tell she doesn't have any "shoes" on?</div>
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She's getting new ones for our upcoming camping trip.</div>
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One of our sons said, "You might be a redneck if you have a camper up on blocks in your driveway."</div>
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I've actually done a little more cooking this week than I have in the past few weeks.</div>
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One night I cooked chicken in the slow cooker and then cooked Aldi's Chicken flavor Vermicelli & Rice and stirred them together.</div>
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I steamed some veggies and baked a loaf of bread in my bread machine.</div>
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And it was a quite tasty meal, if I say so myself.</div>
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I've done a little gardening.</div>
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And I had such sweet help with watering my flowers.</div>
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Grandchildren are such a joy!</div>
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Today finds me going out for lunch with my friends.</div>
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Life is sweet when it's filled with such sweet people.</div>
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Thank you, my sweet friend, for visiting me today.</div>
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Hope you leave me a message, I enjoy comments so much!</div>
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Sherry from Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639124488260234803noreply@blogger.com8