tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82523235045382111062024-03-15T00:51:46.902-07:00Hopewell Creek DesignsHopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-49486458577754463722014-06-16T17:50:00.001-07:002014-06-16T17:51:09.095-07:00I'm Back! Hello y'all!! I sure hope some of you are still out there! How sad is it that I have been missing from here for over a year. But my life last year was crazy and I simple couldn't do it all. I'm hoping that I can get back to posting now and I ask for you all to over look and forgive my loooonnnnggg vacation from blogging. <br />
Let me take a few minutes to tell you a few things that happened in the past year. First of all last summer my lil campfire was featured in a magazine called <a href="http://babiekinsmag.com/">Babiekins</a>. I have to tell you I was very excited and couldn't get to the bookstore fast enough to get a copy! I was a giggly silly mess!! So much so that for weeks whenever we were at Barnes & Noble or Target I would rush over and search for the magazine and just happen to leave at least one copy open to my page.....hahahaha oh yes I did!. If you've never seen this beautiful magazine please take a few minutes and check it out it is simply stunning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYALuPzOOhMHNjQ1Qo5obOIwJZlPIP_FxWiAFneqHuI-iq5YRGVuwEN2NxYOn1jBHkP_yi7YTr9vFjI3N0Hz-ogQAKpWPO0BBfsJgyW-MFI8br40dIZhvV4f2SwWI3P4IyuMrry7oGKFk/s1600/1014281_558844820826194_297633750_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYALuPzOOhMHNjQ1Qo5obOIwJZlPIP_FxWiAFneqHuI-iq5YRGVuwEN2NxYOn1jBHkP_yi7YTr9vFjI3N0Hz-ogQAKpWPO0BBfsJgyW-MFI8br40dIZhvV4f2SwWI3P4IyuMrry7oGKFk/s1600/1014281_558844820826194_297633750_n.jpg" height="400" width="366" /></a></div>
<br />
Then in the fall I had my other knee replaced. It was my right knee and I must brag a little and say that I was back to driving two weeks later. Now I am back to life and I'm pain free!! Then I was asked to share my experience in the hospital where I had my surgeries Clark Memorial Hospital's advertising newsletter. This photo was after my first knee replacement but before my second one. I'm walking down near our creek with two of my grandson's. They were so excited and were celebrities for a while in the area. Especially with their teachers once school started back up again. It was a fun experience for me to be able to do this with my grand-kids.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6t0_syO8P9m9-6d89QVIXS1Oci_sbLgw-b7Bl2z5QwCF71oY61VG2ANgKu9bhXrpKjfCYCHxow4bjJTsNxz_DMtGSn1TB-2tUOd2uq3dJjqnlPrE8hcMHUfxFhXVr4wSeo0-Y7Xbo4Me4/s1600/1381357_609292699114739_1315032675_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6t0_syO8P9m9-6d89QVIXS1Oci_sbLgw-b7Bl2z5QwCF71oY61VG2ANgKu9bhXrpKjfCYCHxow4bjJTsNxz_DMtGSn1TB-2tUOd2uq3dJjqnlPrE8hcMHUfxFhXVr4wSeo0-Y7Xbo4Me4/s1600/1381357_609292699114739_1315032675_n.jpg" height="375" width="400" /></a></div>
It has been absolutely wonderful to be able to help my husband in the garden, chase my grand-daughter and walk to the creek without wanting to cry! I was even able to go the Ohio river this spring after the floods and gather driftwood which may seem like a silly achievement but to me it was heavenly!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMPniLhauYXQNHg59ompZGAEFnE6R-0PO_Gy_g7awc_1rg0V0NOWqS7mw77wdSxCr-BgvV2qDD3mP1ztC47I1_XRSem3CybKfCKCj1GclV44TmKbDhl-bCzD4K8oy0lYu9yI75T65Q57-/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMPniLhauYXQNHg59ompZGAEFnE6R-0PO_Gy_g7awc_1rg0V0NOWqS7mw77wdSxCr-BgvV2qDD3mP1ztC47I1_XRSem3CybKfCKCj1GclV44TmKbDhl-bCzD4K8oy0lYu9yI75T65Q57-/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" height="313" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hadleigh with our niece Lindsey during her graduation photo session. She was all mud and tutus!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgYq3XQZWJMgGOHdiwbeWvYMQDiRZWNXbMCvpV_erENCT9ItLKUsoLSs-7NruZBsus0FGG3suyApiBw5i4L79f4HF4yClWTTefq-Okpgs6KfyxRdTB55tst1S29JVZhagLuxEKaAL-AWu/s1600/DSC_0562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgYq3XQZWJMgGOHdiwbeWvYMQDiRZWNXbMCvpV_erENCT9ItLKUsoLSs-7NruZBsus0FGG3suyApiBw5i4L79f4HF4yClWTTefq-Okpgs6KfyxRdTB55tst1S29JVZhagLuxEKaAL-AWu/s1600/DSC_0562.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
<br />
I have a few new toys in my shop....with a girl in mind now due to our sweet Hadleigh. Pink is a new and strange color for us after raising two boys and having three grandsons. I have to admit we have nearly made ourselves sick with so much pink flooding into our world.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUYmauED_GfEPBGa1r_7wIOzkwAfSZz8uqEzPqYzzjPfO96Od61grpgxTpmw9UIICHph0579xEWjVNllTmzeEk_FJ_r-B8jit3S6pAmGfPcmPiUsGaZijQ08i1vQT5n0bRmUvQJ66QZuE/s1600/563106_596901420353867_1745509484_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUYmauED_GfEPBGa1r_7wIOzkwAfSZz8uqEzPqYzzjPfO96Od61grpgxTpmw9UIICHph0579xEWjVNllTmzeEk_FJ_r-B8jit3S6pAmGfPcmPiUsGaZijQ08i1vQT5n0bRmUvQJ66QZuE/s1600/563106_596901420353867_1745509484_n.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I also had a very sad experience. My signature item the campfire was copied by a large company. I contacted them immediately after a past customer notified me. I sent them the info of my federal copyright and asked them to cease and desist with this item. But what did this evil company do? This Goliath in children's toys asked me to create toys with them! Yeah sounds great right?! Well after having my attorney look over the contract he told me he's seen a lot of horrid things done to unsuspecting artists but this contract was the worst. They would have owned everything I have ever made in the past or the future and there was simply no way I could ever just walk away! There of course were many other issues with the contract I'm only naming a couple. Thank heaven I didn't fall for their full court press from many of their executives. And boy did they press!! My heart goes out to any small company or artist who works so hard in their craft and then falls victim to the big guys. It is evil and it is happening all the time!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoPYkMvMXgZL6QcBbvSvWAg8fRZDgM5AYqenUmJWiPYl_G1SEi_VlYGczZjqfDJMz03ZPmcWVu-neAzYWHdD0WgqrpdyDUgiN6FFEbrzmn9DTDRoqZhw4aN5ugKNFpftU6-Z1o7KSEn7J/s1600/IMG_8827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoPYkMvMXgZL6QcBbvSvWAg8fRZDgM5AYqenUmJWiPYl_G1SEi_VlYGczZjqfDJMz03ZPmcWVu-neAzYWHdD0WgqrpdyDUgiN6FFEbrzmn9DTDRoqZhw4aN5ugKNFpftU6-Z1o7KSEn7J/s1600/IMG_8827.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At my oldest grandson's high school graduation. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So fingers crossed 2014 will be a better year for blogging!!Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-33232387710905540352013-06-02T12:45:00.003-07:002013-06-02T12:47:03.634-07:00My Internal Camera Argument <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We all lead such busy lives that convenience becomes the important element in our day to day choices. I believe most of us fight the urge to simply drive through a fast food place to pick up a quick and easy dinner option....or maybe that's just me. You see the office I work at sits directly behind a McDonald's and on some days when exhaustion has set in it screams"come and get me!"I am proud to say that only one time since January 1st have I fallen prey to those golden arches.<br />
<br />
But this issue of convenience has lead me to another struggle and that is my I phone camera vs my Nikon camera. I love my Nikon and I now have two new lenses that allow me to zoom in from a much greater distance and my macro lens which is simply just too much fun. But on nearly every occasion here lately my camera has been safely sitting at home while my phone as my husband says is always glued to my hand. So I have been forced to use it to capture those special moments with a new grand-daughter and at the kids school plays and at many of our family get-together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4q3edyFs54VWFBSrosgzR377FgY29sfV6qEJnF5lv0utpaPhfyEi2Avl4QCR89eF6W74eu5sMR-tdBXQESQvLkPzPFtGfnBZ758X6PZoeRTlYiaBf_9YwRX8Vyz_sSVEO5C9rxamZ5YY/s1600/969279_4934385161012_1717990796_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4q3edyFs54VWFBSrosgzR377FgY29sfV6qEJnF5lv0utpaPhfyEi2Avl4QCR89eF6W74eu5sMR-tdBXQESQvLkPzPFtGfnBZ758X6PZoeRTlYiaBf_9YwRX8Vyz_sSVEO5C9rxamZ5YY/s400/969279_4934385161012_1717990796_n-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My iphone camera is slowly becoming my new best friend! Just recently I added some fun apps to allow me to do so much more with the photos and that has made me as giddy as a school girl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY5RRGe_rnVDsMa7ihvDfOB8GxLdoOw2cp6S72oDlg9aNlHXdvlCjNwkAqpMtVWUgKTXNyFGGqgwe4g3uNAHMd3N2JiFYbN7XUCOaFx8-T9NS1MNsT9va2b4vUXY1T-Ij5w5BvNzGly9P/s1600/599368_4934389361117_580310763_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY5RRGe_rnVDsMa7ihvDfOB8GxLdoOw2cp6S72oDlg9aNlHXdvlCjNwkAqpMtVWUgKTXNyFGGqgwe4g3uNAHMd3N2JiFYbN7XUCOaFx8-T9NS1MNsT9va2b4vUXY1T-Ij5w5BvNzGly9P/s400/599368_4934389361117_580310763_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But what it allows me in convenience it lacks in other options like the zoom and the macro lens. So imagine my surprise when I was recently reading my new Better Homes and Gardens magazine and saw these new extras for phone cameras. Now it's here that I must add that I am by no means a "real" photographer....by no means! But I do love capturing memories with my grand-kids. And when I get it right there's no better high for me!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgct7G3InWIUqV046hMFx-_gSHniWv13F4y2LfTvGyrCD_l_xCp7sQOsdXs-34rFpLN3XM1d2HFbGzoUJ_Sv7tuNKye15BDK0bZYZz7XbH2v6iulPZMkP1E1cEg0KC5dZwjZhbrjImKGN-v/s1600/941341_4934318839354_1455654283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgct7G3InWIUqV046hMFx-_gSHniWv13F4y2LfTvGyrCD_l_xCp7sQOsdXs-34rFpLN3XM1d2HFbGzoUJ_Sv7tuNKye15BDK0bZYZz7XbH2v6iulPZMkP1E1cEg0KC5dZwjZhbrjImKGN-v/s400/941341_4934318839354_1455654283_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One time I felt I got it right!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So if you're like me and are looking for more ways to use your phone camera I wanted to share a couple of items I am looking at to purchase. <br />
<br />
Photojojo has a great website full of fun stuff like these two items I'm showing. Some are relatively inexpensive and some are a bit more costly. But in most areas of our lives we are usually willing to pay a little more for the convenience. <br />
<br />
Now this lens is called a fisheye and is $25.00 alone or you can buy 4 lenses, a pro quality Fisheye, Telephoto,Wide Angle and a Macro cell phone lenses for $49.00! WOW! Seriously that would make it so much easier to haul around camera gear. They even make cute little cases to store the lenses in and carry. <br />
<a href="http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/cell-phone-lenses/">http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/cell-phone-lenses/</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LC7Cbi-Dpkd_B_gBeFha1eu0RoOuyllOCPHxtNU2TXC1jVunLE5jZEt3GeveSE2TuhoCTjq4Jiykq8OdaXWYe-INvHFpMvpXGMtuhppoL93RN8mqz70D0Ny7Ng7TBwR0f96BZGFJEVd8/s1600/test-product-page-2933_600.0000001340999139%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" mwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LC7Cbi-Dpkd_B_gBeFha1eu0RoOuyllOCPHxtNU2TXC1jVunLE5jZEt3GeveSE2TuhoCTjq4Jiykq8OdaXWYe-INvHFpMvpXGMtuhppoL93RN8mqz70D0Ny7Ng7TBwR0f96BZGFJEVd8/s320/test-product-page-2933_600.0000001340999139%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This telescopic lens shown below is only 35.00 and though it may not be as strong as my Nikon lens it's a great feature that would be much easier to carry around with me.<br />
<a href="http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-telephoto-lens/"><br /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaPY9oJ3sASUFfqnn7LOxT-bxZDAXXgUF6ajENCl84CIdMfosAW98Fg81JGAFt_mwUNPzsafxvCEHY8LaZgBf6Wl-Lt6Lry0DTUfqI6zezVE8XVYsEI0ehYPOQFmuHHr7ys-VmumxHzvN/s1600/iphone-telephoto-lens-3d9c_600.0000001351206028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaPY9oJ3sASUFfqnn7LOxT-bxZDAXXgUF6ajENCl84CIdMfosAW98Fg81JGAFt_mwUNPzsafxvCEHY8LaZgBf6Wl-Lt6Lry0DTUfqI6zezVE8XVYsEI0ehYPOQFmuHHr7ys-VmumxHzvN/s320/iphone-telephoto-lens-3d9c_600.0000001351206028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-telephoto-lens/"><br /></a>
<br />
I will never be totally without my much loved Nikon camera but I sure have to admit that cell phone cameras have come a long way. I envy young parents today. They can capture a moment so easily either by a still photo or a video, then share it with family and friends in an instant! Do they realize how lucky they are? I mean just the mere fact that no one is squinting from the blinding spot light in their faces (those my age will get that comment)is the amazing thing. Well I guess I've talked myself into it.....so off I go to order a new lens. I'll let you know the out come!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-92114864752857990082013-05-02T19:37:00.000-07:002013-05-02T19:37:22.453-07:00Cabin Season Last weekend we opened our much beloved cabin for the summer. We did make a short day trip down a few weeks ago to do some of the dreaded cleaning. Thankfully we had covered all the furniture with plastic when we closed it up for winter. I have to say that saves us a ton of work. The first weekend stay can be a busy and expensive trip. Stocking the refrigerator and pantry. Replacing any worn out sheets, towels and outdoor cushions. Getting the satellite TV turned back on is usually the biggest problem we have EVERY YEAR. I don't know why but it always is! And it's always fun to discover if any little critters have been visiting during the cold winter months. I'm glad to report no damage found and the only critters inside so far were some ladybugs. And yes the satellite TV is up and working.....we are ready!<br />
While I ramble on here and bore you to death about our weekend I'm going to show you some various photos of our place down near Patoka Lake, and even a few before and after shots too. I hope it isn't too confusing, I know how my thoughts tend to bounce around like I'm livin inside a pin ball machine.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6TqDgXbrSUGxG68r5x1GxKRdBTFSDOkCksfoHiKSmb8C7KmNgt1U220S5kICiD1Mkp2psUTrUGGMuEQuFFseMkVMnZagFfV4o4xQlZ9qodkMqve0ClEZMzVbM5terXj2XNco8qLIVu9K/s1600/100_2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6TqDgXbrSUGxG68r5x1GxKRdBTFSDOkCksfoHiKSmb8C7KmNgt1U220S5kICiD1Mkp2psUTrUGGMuEQuFFseMkVMnZagFfV4o4xQlZ9qodkMqve0ClEZMzVbM5terXj2XNco8qLIVu9K/s400/100_2584.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is many years ago when we were still under construction. Preston loved to help with his own tools.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All of the heavy work is finally done and we had a great weekend even though the weather wasn't the best. Luckily we had a nice Friday night to sit and enjoy a warm campfire with my brother and sister-in-law.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0H-VyWuTi-IFlDkyXLaYQ2Ps_Ta6FWSC-YmJIfHRG7Qs1PuOGuxg-DSdSQEobCFQgc-iX46rioBHD_-CzhL1YU5f2fMql-oJ9E90RwGlRe7UL7q3fzFjzAw2gcajn1_vE1aBI8Klum3Z/s1600/100_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0H-VyWuTi-IFlDkyXLaYQ2Ps_Ta6FWSC-YmJIfHRG7Qs1PuOGuxg-DSdSQEobCFQgc-iX46rioBHD_-CzhL1YU5f2fMql-oJ9E90RwGlRe7UL7q3fzFjzAw2gcajn1_vE1aBI8Klum3Z/s400/100_2997.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of what we used to build with was odds and ends left over from different construction projects.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_J7-Eaw46ubemU0OPYuqtrg6FtwE93jbT8ctO5AU0j5MNyu9qAcJcpgeI8R917PppRAOGaExqaY1R6dSYkXjm9VPbnC66qjdNjNRLtgcIhVvolHYnmFxTe_EzHSG2gbZf_Nu5JJlMHv6/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_J7-Eaw46ubemU0OPYuqtrg6FtwE93jbT8ctO5AU0j5MNyu9qAcJcpgeI8R917PppRAOGaExqaY1R6dSYkXjm9VPbnC66qjdNjNRLtgcIhVvolHYnmFxTe_EzHSG2gbZf_Nu5JJlMHv6/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We need to repaint the exterior this year. Not sure if we should stay with this moss green or go brighter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXUbjG8M8jpCzHYsvfFDqJhSW3JFLfdOdihPl683HSGZWGHwFFch4h06A17oCaMdYXinbnV_YqaPyxoVg0nH0g81FX6Gy_kjsYMD2yYy403dQYEBNEYclT57O8pPcaTa8rYQ8FhsnQ3Id/s1600/100_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXUbjG8M8jpCzHYsvfFDqJhSW3JFLfdOdihPl683HSGZWGHwFFch4h06A17oCaMdYXinbnV_YqaPyxoVg0nH0g81FX6Gy_kjsYMD2yYy403dQYEBNEYclT57O8pPcaTa8rYQ8FhsnQ3Id/s400/100_2313.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it looked like when we bought it. We put a sign out that said free trailer and someone came and took this lovely 70's RV off our hands!I do wish we had saved the roof that covered the RV but we let them take it too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Saturday was a chilly day with moments of aggravating drizzle......I wanted to scream "please just rain already and get it over with"! But we didn't let this dampen our spirits in the least. When a break in the weather came took some time to go mushroom hunting. Sadly we didn't find a darn thing and came home empty handed! It's so hard to find them year after year and those that have found them rarely ever spill their top secret location. A few years ago we were so shocked to discover a boat load on our own property down near the creek. That was a yummy surprise!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaw3Lku-KhLpuwKhErA8HPJdpI8Ohx5X_8nf8BTcNFrSo1cs7oZaIXxP79yCku97nYUbLcQirwn-X6jGjYwFJCYxqDDl-OKVJwx_4EdKBH4AW2t4tG5SOOdzrwpg6J0HL7xs6TP_ahHf_/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaw3Lku-KhLpuwKhErA8HPJdpI8Ohx5X_8nf8BTcNFrSo1cs7oZaIXxP79yCku97nYUbLcQirwn-X6jGjYwFJCYxqDDl-OKVJwx_4EdKBH4AW2t4tG5SOOdzrwpg6J0HL7xs6TP_ahHf_/s400/DSC_0019.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We used plastic fencing for headboards in both bedrooms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGJepEVIP8sOvYjyox8BK7WSTcc6j68fTmmna-5orbE4hmBKqvYvF1UpXoFrDXuAiUHJS5dXe6GcVWesj-5KKmUSnmbfse7OD9Pt_f9XiKzYJi3NwcfL2yLanXlayzEomjUIpPNIRWQwi/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGJepEVIP8sOvYjyox8BK7WSTcc6j68fTmmna-5orbE4hmBKqvYvF1UpXoFrDXuAiUHJS5dXe6GcVWesj-5KKmUSnmbfse7OD9Pt_f9XiKzYJi3NwcfL2yLanXlayzEomjUIpPNIRWQwi/s640/DSC_0089.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little kitchen. Much of what we have above the cabinets came from past home show houses we have built and had to decorate.The large bowl was once a dark brown red that I painted turquoise and then scuffed up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GvwfdKMFZKKThR14s4K6vXxsDXMpwqPkKbo3xjw3ncZrr-p9BBdT5z9BKsnV5NnJFkB77eRpC2QyKWL9LWdI5AVTUxIHCcjoI78tGcgNXhy_kgPF03xlleQvxXhnPN6F7B2lekIEgVV0/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GvwfdKMFZKKThR14s4K6vXxsDXMpwqPkKbo3xjw3ncZrr-p9BBdT5z9BKsnV5NnJFkB77eRpC2QyKWL9LWdI5AVTUxIHCcjoI78tGcgNXhy_kgPF03xlleQvxXhnPN6F7B2lekIEgVV0/s400/DSC_0107.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made our bedroom lamps from left over wooden columns from a construction job.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OEFQcBjU9DWh4GHySxh4REJTKYi0ltzlgV2cvK4X0Iq-W2mRWXZWdEcN5rFVGsrQkqkI1PJnlOt530IIqPJ_Ws5A1rwvjtmFp3lt2s3W-_6njOs8MxpLkUUMtzQB3d2lmjaGGSMLIxNO/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OEFQcBjU9DWh4GHySxh4REJTKYi0ltzlgV2cvK4X0Iq-W2mRWXZWdEcN5rFVGsrQkqkI1PJnlOt530IIqPJ_Ws5A1rwvjtmFp3lt2s3W-_6njOs8MxpLkUUMtzQB3d2lmjaGGSMLIxNO/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love our little table and chairs we were able to salvage from a fire job we had. The customer didn't want it and it works perfectly with our space.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSasvy5Ys0Gn3ZV8iwCV8oOMr4Z8ytRAlQeSPOKnRlcvNwT4lSOs7s6kJs0SP845aIiRIvCTggH9e7ePS_7_EpP0e5D7ABjRTDVZockbfrUPXS19gel44i3IwIFbGi8N_C2cr53bNuWNui/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSasvy5Ys0Gn3ZV8iwCV8oOMr4Z8ytRAlQeSPOKnRlcvNwT4lSOs7s6kJs0SP845aIiRIvCTggH9e7ePS_7_EpP0e5D7ABjRTDVZockbfrUPXS19gel44i3IwIFbGi8N_C2cr53bNuWNui/s400/DSC_0024.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We decided to use bright colors in the full bathroom. Our towels are every color in the rainbow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have some ideas for a new wreath for the front door and some outdoor funky decor but all in all we have the place finished. Last year we did have to have the interior repainted and installed some badly needed new carpet. That was an easy fix since we have a construction company and a flooring store!This year we will need to repaint the exterior and can't decide if we should stick with the moss green or try a brighter color. What do you think?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aFi1Wpi9xbYIRyCmS1AlN6SArcK39HQ6PZE_qVNn-6UIi0fK9tYqVgH5Vogh6qb8HLddBPnMbwe4T0yThhlBeBR8vM-1-koXCmrqP8DLm0xIIyFB_H-ueGOZVItI9bHAmZM5AU5E9rut/s1600/DSC_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aFi1Wpi9xbYIRyCmS1AlN6SArcK39HQ6PZE_qVNn-6UIi0fK9tYqVgH5Vogh6qb8HLddBPnMbwe4T0yThhlBeBR8vM-1-koXCmrqP8DLm0xIIyFB_H-ueGOZVItI9bHAmZM5AU5E9rut/s400/DSC_0110.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a portion of our small patio. I love having my morning coffee out here and watching the birds and chipmunks. We also have had a real problem with skunks but that's another story! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG2WWISkGeugVzaeCOnW0r1gUsMkoMdEg1MGyIHXfFSjvpKrJ-spBrqAscKSRyAJpvTadqi8Xdv_TZxVLzXaXzlcMi_Zdj8tiEdugEmIOla6lct4nJWOGiE4hclVgIoxgb_j-hF9-UBp4/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG2WWISkGeugVzaeCOnW0r1gUsMkoMdEg1MGyIHXfFSjvpKrJ-spBrqAscKSRyAJpvTadqi8Xdv_TZxVLzXaXzlcMi_Zdj8tiEdugEmIOla6lct4nJWOGiE4hclVgIoxgb_j-hF9-UBp4/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now my brother and his wife have bought a place and have decided to park their RV here permanently.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ilgQObxjX2h9Y51vpuR8_agObAVxZvJ2Ld05woBTiAsTbT7X4OTl1pDL-wTpLiSc0M5Azo4l52PaAwQa_ajqqKhT5spL6vnfwejt4eLcsArIv8WuTBYIVQJvAyIu0rWYhAdTviqsH4Te/s1600/DSC_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ilgQObxjX2h9Y51vpuR8_agObAVxZvJ2Ld05woBTiAsTbT7X4OTl1pDL-wTpLiSc0M5Azo4l52PaAwQa_ajqqKhT5spL6vnfwejt4eLcsArIv8WuTBYIVQJvAyIu0rWYhAdTviqsH4Te/s400/DSC_0069.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
After our on again off again winter season it's so nice to know that spring is here and summer is just around the corner!Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-63285277319977012592013-03-23T08:08:00.000-07:002013-04-01T09:39:47.103-07:00Hello Again!I hope you all haven't totally given up on me! It has now been 9 weeks and I can say that I am starting to be able do so many things that I haven't been able to do in years. One of which is cleaning you know the deep kind of cleaning like closets and such!!! OH JOY!! But it has to be done it's been quite a few springs I must admit. We are also preparing for our annual family Easter get together with our confetti eggs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjvbGJ2qwI7JaUoWibkzKjmNc6yCSyREcI4kt0w-LqFdXUytP1OG45QKQmTRmCDAM2iYqIpSqDVET1viimQ8fdGIIEo_2e_2xMrpnb12ZLvYoP71dRzLyUK1mwr6-4x-IlCPw1LNp1M3j/s1600/IMG_3235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjvbGJ2qwI7JaUoWibkzKjmNc6yCSyREcI4kt0w-LqFdXUytP1OG45QKQmTRmCDAM2iYqIpSqDVET1viimQ8fdGIIEo_2e_2xMrpnb12ZLvYoP71dRzLyUK1mwr6-4x-IlCPw1LNp1M3j/s400/IMG_3235.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some felt Easter eggs I've been working on. They are sewn over paper mache eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have many family members who have lived away for several years but are now back and will be coming. So it's going to be a full house and even more fun! I say this but I am a little worried about the goofy weather we are having this year. Today will be a cloudy 50 degrees but tomorrow it will be cold and snowing. Similar to last weekend which was 71 on Saturday followed by frigid and snowy on Sunday. That groundhog was way off track this year!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjH4D78-QdlOo_YVVBMGhqEHBuDvqW6Xut0a0-HQjhEpgv7S3hXXJh7jPJ-YFtG6beKpR8Z8JNOiGezTk7clAWP-6ahD7BKSISoZuc6797hyphenhyphenjv0oOO96MSdAb4tUxJify_w7SaklfcYXj/s1600/IMG_3223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjH4D78-QdlOo_YVVBMGhqEHBuDvqW6Xut0a0-HQjhEpgv7S3hXXJh7jPJ-YFtG6beKpR8Z8JNOiGezTk7clAWP-6ahD7BKSISoZuc6797hyphenhyphenjv0oOO96MSdAb4tUxJify_w7SaklfcYXj/s400/IMG_3223.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was Saturday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhk_-ZiaKGDenFFr3BhlIAx2oKEKKA3CFANeGrhc2Lfe8duWgYWlNiGpcKLdR0WUA43Z22CyKiuEk456C64zC1JBjg8G38YSDz5Yxm0-L5wO6T5gM7V02d1tiHozKlBmc5zCiWuhB4F_wFg/s1600/IMG_3230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_-ZiaKGDenFFr3BhlIAx2oKEKKA3CFANeGrhc2Lfe8duWgYWlNiGpcKLdR0WUA43Z22CyKiuEk456C64zC1JBjg8G38YSDz5Yxm0-L5wO6T5gM7V02d1tiHozKlBmc5zCiWuhB4F_wFg/s400/IMG_3230.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was Sunday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I haven't written any posts because my days seemed boring and totally uneventful. Therapy,work,taxes,house work,meals....repeat. But it was wonderful how each week I would begin to feel a little bit better and a creative idea would emerge. I think it's simply due to recovering from the actual surgery, your body has been through a trauma so it takes time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZnM4kLxb7AY1guY17wkrreyCF-icNpKWXUfhP9vkQGCjuEOJ-VsqjQvu0xNvDbSzxBazmzORwsSUZ-GQvgPOZmvK5gb-VBP2ytmz4gZ3idVoBWcB4JUzQl_p33Qq5trnyVHyLr0aoPlE/s1600/IMG_3205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZnM4kLxb7AY1guY17wkrreyCF-icNpKWXUfhP9vkQGCjuEOJ-VsqjQvu0xNvDbSzxBazmzORwsSUZ-GQvgPOZmvK5gb-VBP2ytmz4gZ3idVoBWcB4JUzQl_p33Qq5trnyVHyLr0aoPlE/s320/IMG_3205.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The grand-children have been the best medicine too I must add, and our adorable new grand-daughter. They make everything feel better in life!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3XRpFd0F3O9BTLjXOYm3yFzdnBV3aaC2A4HYfCALS8miiAkV1SgPRTDOaj_JSaQEtSTpGDPcXfrjog0lVD-MIwiBbuTjs1c-4Wfm5F9rny4e5dehfGQxqEHo4qajFMk74pxA5kkpUqle/s1600/IMG_3168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3XRpFd0F3O9BTLjXOYm3yFzdnBV3aaC2A4HYfCALS8miiAkV1SgPRTDOaj_JSaQEtSTpGDPcXfrjog0lVD-MIwiBbuTjs1c-4Wfm5F9rny4e5dehfGQxqEHo4qajFMk74pxA5kkpUqle/s320/IMG_3168.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toilet paper roll bunnies to hold candy treats for the kiddos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Easter has helped get the creative side of me back up and running. I wasn't able to pull together the Downton Abbey tea party so I am including a touch of it at my Easter party. Most all of the family will be here and it's about all we've talked about for months. I really do hope to have an actual tea party at some point. Perhaps when the 4th season returns in January 2014. I will be having my other knee replaced in November but I think by January I will be able to hobble around and host it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG_tzOWtSP9wlqK9vmtlCKvQ1RnisonQlk6TmrQ-JGrFsJ2pMqlrS-bcMk5JepXWdO0CNYC-6uiObhnEdNokQ5u5s1FLnDz8I8UfpQNZZBSluKEifr6GxJBA71RaoVYkiNyuN-qiTOX5G/s1600/IMG_3039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG_tzOWtSP9wlqK9vmtlCKvQ1RnisonQlk6TmrQ-JGrFsJ2pMqlrS-bcMk5JepXWdO0CNYC-6uiObhnEdNokQ5u5s1FLnDz8I8UfpQNZZBSluKEifr6GxJBA71RaoVYkiNyuN-qiTOX5G/s320/IMG_3039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our sweet grand-kids!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have a busy day ahead of us so I must hurry off and get something accomplished. We have a birthday party for our now 7yr old grandson and I have a couple of surprises for him I need to finish. We recently saw the new Oz movie and at the end he looked at me and said "Nanaw I know what toys you should make for me" He then later called me with several ideas all of which were incredible! He has a great imagination and we make a great team. I hate to see him grow up I will forever miss this time with him.<br />
So I am off to wrap gifts and sew a couple of items. Here is one item completed for him. It was an idea that came from the wicked witch when she throws green lightning from her hands.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVait1T2yb65m3101QrKAPz2GfBT4ZoHf50gnFhigyuICx12wGScRgJmpE2rnQVMaFDcuG-v1yG6M9mR4EcU_c1mUbkvga4LlGJSClKsdRh_I90opbkK0mOsoGxXj35-sYZ9LBuKHmduJf/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVait1T2yb65m3101QrKAPz2GfBT4ZoHf50gnFhigyuICx12wGScRgJmpE2rnQVMaFDcuG-v1yG6M9mR4EcU_c1mUbkvga4LlGJSClKsdRh_I90opbkK0mOsoGxXj35-sYZ9LBuKHmduJf/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
He always seems to like the bad guys in most all movies because they always have the best gadgets!But he loves the heroes too because thankfully they win!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNZ7xSl-I18f501xO_b1apZtJ9Fgxt68AwUycnYC7YV7bpECYsJBSIfrPMJoQj6qL4mLP_0jXl716itkCW-ag9mNxBCDj-SMGzZd-At9ZvPH-DCFeCN6dnhsLxrtn1HIOg-bbB3zvkTw9/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNZ7xSl-I18f501xO_b1apZtJ9Fgxt68AwUycnYC7YV7bpECYsJBSIfrPMJoQj6qL4mLP_0jXl716itkCW-ag9mNxBCDj-SMGzZd-At9ZvPH-DCFeCN6dnhsLxrtn1HIOg-bbB3zvkTw9/s320/IMG_3180.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one he can throw as a lightning bolt like the wicked witch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjFoLM3ptsDcBBqwq0oVcEki7o3AqIcHDltGLiwJMGPlcX0ky_YscTZvsKRI6ivKrAzPAZzNkq8NvJEOjhwf8eJFl54JhYWBDxhN4813uO-TfPfcDn8U_YHd4VaIyEbuXqhSdPqQxM7OabY/s1600/IMG_3176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoLM3ptsDcBBqwq0oVcEki7o3AqIcHDltGLiwJMGPlcX0ky_YscTZvsKRI6ivKrAzPAZzNkq8NvJEOjhwf8eJFl54JhYWBDxhN4813uO-TfPfcDn8U_YHd4VaIyEbuXqhSdPqQxM7OabY/s400/IMG_3176.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one wraps around his hand and stays in his palm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Have a happy weekend and thank you all for sticking by me!! I promise to return in a few days!<br />
<br />Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-55007103780103188322013-02-04T08:49:00.000-08:002013-02-04T08:49:04.835-08:00Feeling Better and Making Plans Hello friends!! I'm back,well almost. At least I think I see a light at the end of this tunnel. It's only been 16 days, and for that length of time they tell me I'm doing very well. I am still using the walker but I'm not gripping it or leaning on it like I was, and thank goodness because my hands and shoulders were starting to ache. I'm not going to say that this is an easy process but when you think about what was done to my knee, you have to admit we live at a great time of medical science.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNhaR_2O2qLYvggwUQY292ERbfiIMIsZQZl64n3o1Gcy3zRMtL_TV6yyKIdg_xNtc0zTu-FkO-U7RsjUOzLJKd0VdGMXl0stYxHwo6vAhLCV_SVPpCOAwviKOM2rM11NNQhRlvc62ktuX/s1600/IMG_2908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNhaR_2O2qLYvggwUQY292ERbfiIMIsZQZl64n3o1Gcy3zRMtL_TV6yyKIdg_xNtc0zTu-FkO-U7RsjUOzLJKd0VdGMXl0stYxHwo6vAhLCV_SVPpCOAwviKOM2rM11NNQhRlvc62ktuX/s320/IMG_2908.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the day after surgery and boy was I swollen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I really had planned to share the good bad and the ugly with you all, but I decided against it. Mainly because I would never want to put someone off from doing this. I know it took me over 5 years to get my nerve up, and I would never want to cause someone to change their mind. I still have very mild pain and have to admit that the therapy is NO fun, but what it will give me back is so worth it!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PcUQuKrhb-uXkOutKy2bmS9SPmrLQO3ZGROPCJ0zrP5Q0pXhtriFxjQqF9o4vT0ckQ6rdlX_DFyLj2dMG2tJmZDLv3vSQZnmVHO6jzOVoNMsHkvKkckNA7u6R-LfQ_cNLQva0RAcS_T_/s1600/IMG_2940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PcUQuKrhb-uXkOutKy2bmS9SPmrLQO3ZGROPCJ0zrP5Q0pXhtriFxjQqF9o4vT0ckQ6rdlX_DFyLj2dMG2tJmZDLv3vSQZnmVHO6jzOVoNMsHkvKkckNA7u6R-LfQ_cNLQva0RAcS_T_/s400/IMG_2940.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet husband cleaning the house and even the blinds while I'm laid up. Maybe that's why I loved Downton Abbey so much, I had so many wonderful servants these past two weeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgP1v3tch_visZmiqZn1sgsDlcdr2sm1Ey7LMBQRqJP8XaCzYygv5OIjcJDumfVtIlLMAbrkogOex0erWTeh43z4CtvWJ6DPaxGq11WgtfPrC9HyV4hjZ6LpaO1IOZ0o98duwWuUFoWLVv5/s1600/IMG_2932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1v3tch_visZmiqZn1sgsDlcdr2sm1Ey7LMBQRqJP8XaCzYygv5OIjcJDumfVtIlLMAbrkogOex0erWTeh43z4CtvWJ6DPaxGq11WgtfPrC9HyV4hjZ6LpaO1IOZ0o98duwWuUFoWLVv5/s320/IMG_2932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kiddos came over to see me soon after I arrived home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhs2vI4AcqN3EzMUT6P5CiJDUd5yhJncwmZmhCeVUppQgIiyL5A8chDrvwVxdwA4czePhVbyDTXL6s3zNRIQ7rYnT-Du2x9t3j_8PPf7rBFi78P1nGfT8-SmjsA_o4djDT0-LXumvN31wOm/s1600/IMG_2939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2vI4AcqN3EzMUT6P5CiJDUd5yhJncwmZmhCeVUppQgIiyL5A8chDrvwVxdwA4czePhVbyDTXL6s3zNRIQ7rYnT-Du2x9t3j_8PPf7rBFi78P1nGfT8-SmjsA_o4djDT0-LXumvN31wOm/s320/IMG_2939.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this grainy photo of Preston doing some home work while his mom gets me settled in my chair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The best part of being laid up I must admit has been having my daughter-in-law Amy here to help me and to drag me kicking and screaming off to PT each day. I used this time to hopefully get her interested in the wonderful British series Downton Abbey.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0_luyhLq-pXPY-pLpjXiCAs-By1TJAWp1rQHLMKlGeodO1PA45930yNbDMBFtTzeC2986EMam-cO1tGKfrNSTbRWJHMcXoKyiBnyHBtOmPMUQzPRBuXuX8_bMduwhYgNebRYzlwJa1vA/s1600/b5563beb540697897d7185e1d7af1390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0_luyhLq-pXPY-pLpjXiCAs-By1TJAWp1rQHLMKlGeodO1PA45930yNbDMBFtTzeC2986EMam-cO1tGKfrNSTbRWJHMcXoKyiBnyHBtOmPMUQzPRBuXuX8_bMduwhYgNebRYzlwJa1vA/s320/b5563beb540697897d7185e1d7af1390.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
In the beginning she just didn't think it was something she would enjoy. It didn't take long before she was hooked!! I know that once I am better and back to work full time I will forever miss the time we shared together during these weeks. She and I have shared some great moments laughing at the outrageously wonderful lines of the Dowager Countess and crying our eyes out at the heart wrenching moments!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefvsP7wae8Z3a3nJUa25NXnWMld_sKHWKg9OH8yhIUJ0ESZi91OiLKztmBOM3EncIn57Unq4e_-Y58TCCLago4RE8AIz-3vwt275GICgBt8EredlIJ7q6WyKmB0R3MCSEZdB2UBpC1DSN/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefvsP7wae8Z3a3nJUa25NXnWMld_sKHWKg9OH8yhIUJ0ESZi91OiLKztmBOM3EncIn57Unq4e_-Y58TCCLago4RE8AIz-3vwt275GICgBt8EredlIJ7q6WyKmB0R3MCSEZdB2UBpC1DSN/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If you haven't watched it I encourage you to. For me I love the fact that there is no vulgarity, no violence, and that's rare in today's TV shows and movies. Just a beautiful castle full of great manners, respect, and a style and culture that are gone now forever. Well I should also tell you that there are a couple of stinkers in the castle causing trouble and you do love to hate them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt0t12VYQjUB3F6xHG8mZObXDZvsenwAVkask2STiFMiIK4xIEp63a6NnNnGdwNJk4csTyMJIJJ59om2utYQ32tDkDa5M81IKgfubkZfod0e81AdBOMrxjfY5g5ws70iNkOdWRpQzecu5/s1600/images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt0t12VYQjUB3F6xHG8mZObXDZvsenwAVkask2STiFMiIK4xIEp63a6NnNnGdwNJk4csTyMJIJJ59om2utYQ32tDkDa5M81IKgfubkZfod0e81AdBOMrxjfY5g5ws70iNkOdWRpQzecu5/s400/images-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Last weekend I had a lot of family come down to visit me and we also had a grandson who was turning 10. Since there wasn't much I could really do just one week after surgery I suggested before we went to his birthday party that they give Downton Abbey a try. Most of my family fell in love with it and some even made stops on the way home to get the second and third seasons. We have had so much fun texting back and forth about various scenes. My husband,brother,cousins husband,son and even my son's best friend are all into this show too by the way,this is not just a women's show.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZy0AX3RUAAKeAxeEz1zg3hwLtvIFkzUxt7TTUVz1VUY92N2iTU9rRLoum9KkDp5q3HqSj2BHKMdOB-IHOkPMnvwIeCW8gzQheKn8XLoowwR1AADmIHJy_RTKf5in2c7bXVM26jzIJuF6/s1600/8cee86cfdfff945273718495541f34be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZy0AX3RUAAKeAxeEz1zg3hwLtvIFkzUxt7TTUVz1VUY92N2iTU9rRLoum9KkDp5q3HqSj2BHKMdOB-IHOkPMnvwIeCW8gzQheKn8XLoowwR1AADmIHJy_RTKf5in2c7bXVM26jzIJuF6/s400/8cee86cfdfff945273718495541f34be.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
Some of us are down to the very last episode of the third season and have decided to hold off until the rest catch up, and because some family members are just getting started. Once we are all at the last one and I am able to get around better I am hosting a Downton Abbey Viewing Party. I just feel strongly that we need a ceremony of some sort to end this fabulous third season that has made my painful time off so much more enjoyable.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM8HiAJbeH1TP9cr1Mk35WklX91sw5cy5KtP8efB9qfHbB7w4HR125Spy3A6Zu1EaJXPE0ipjDtR5Bck3QMaSL-mFBnDNl5l6J80AaiPPIlcTcZoVhV0JiiYH-j1aB6u3X7FXl0jLJpbE/s1600/7d81cec793ddea34c54d684a0891896f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM8HiAJbeH1TP9cr1Mk35WklX91sw5cy5KtP8efB9qfHbB7w4HR125Spy3A6Zu1EaJXPE0ipjDtR5Bck3QMaSL-mFBnDNl5l6J80AaiPPIlcTcZoVhV0JiiYH-j1aB6u3X7FXl0jLJpbE/s400/7d81cec793ddea34c54d684a0891896f.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7-gMUfpHYCvua9dTQGVMQZ3Tb1VjMWL6bzhenukSz8zBTuTU0ejSRDleayNKQIgBX-pBcfeYs-KfqaRdVpleaIECUs5OdPslb7WHU9I_pDlVVDIo5iT6CwxPaCgbGOhqielPQ6FtYgy0/s1600/9d7aabfbbadfb98745d61e62e7bb05ff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7-gMUfpHYCvua9dTQGVMQZ3Tb1VjMWL6bzhenukSz8zBTuTU0ejSRDleayNKQIgBX-pBcfeYs-KfqaRdVpleaIECUs5OdPslb7WHU9I_pDlVVDIo5iT6CwxPaCgbGOhqielPQ6FtYgy0/s320/9d7aabfbbadfb98745d61e62e7bb05ff.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<br />
I plan to use much of the silver and crystal I inherited and a few of my great grandmother's brooches and lace gloves. I have several hand embroidered doilies and napkins and when would you ever find a better reason to bring them out to enjoy than at a tea party!<br />
As we talked about the plans and dates someone mentioned we should come in costume. Well why not I said wouldn't that be a blast! We haven't set a date yet but I hope to very soon. Amy is looking on line for a hat and we are going to stop by our favorite antique store because we pretty much know what's there and we have a couple of items in mind we simply must pick up.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkH6j5j2g9yCe1jtJnWXgQCNQXkpIIriDOFYKSFFji0pDJ2oK9fVwogYYQgDoFocGfJIVyuWl4YhtxMuQIBD9v-d71W2uEewDfCmGaVzsMyzhdWNqV7Jx-pxmspVg12lsDv1bKq2nNww4/s1600/tumblr_m8swogZbbl1qe9t4zo1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkH6j5j2g9yCe1jtJnWXgQCNQXkpIIriDOFYKSFFji0pDJ2oK9fVwogYYQgDoFocGfJIVyuWl4YhtxMuQIBD9v-d71W2uEewDfCmGaVzsMyzhdWNqV7Jx-pxmspVg12lsDv1bKq2nNww4/s320/tumblr_m8swogZbbl1qe9t4zo1_400.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I teased Amy and asked her if she would mind wearing this while she's taking care of me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I think I'm coming as Mrs. Patmore. I adore this women who can cook up a meal for a dozen people without any real modern conveniences. In other words without a microwave. For goodness sake,now that is my hero. So the search is on for my outfit and all of the goodies to throw this charming event.<br />
Nothing can get me feeling better than an event I'm about to host......so come on knee we have lots to do!<br />
<br />Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-36844929781044739452013-01-06T14:59:00.003-08:002013-01-06T14:59:50.292-08:00Number One On My List For 2013 So another year is done and we are off and running in another year full of hopes and possibilities. I don't know about you all but I have never been a person who makes resolutions.....I know how I am and I would only let myself down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o7PollYos4AVPF5_gnPTl6PVOq67wgSpRK2E4INpKeUacWxFVwBTmAH20j1dbdVZ9c-FrDdVdrdUr4_H3CH8C7En6w7GwCKofX4pCJPcp4V31WZjnLVo_xqgZ-fL7Vm8FrdWroluATMt/s1600/images-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o7PollYos4AVPF5_gnPTl6PVOq67wgSpRK2E4INpKeUacWxFVwBTmAH20j1dbdVZ9c-FrDdVdrdUr4_H3CH8C7En6w7GwCKofX4pCJPcp4V31WZjnLVo_xqgZ-fL7Vm8FrdWroluATMt/s320/images-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
What I like to do is make lists. I'm a crazy list person. I love the feeling of checking something off,the satisfaction that a chore or an obligation is now complete.<br />
This year is certainly no different. I made my list for 2013 last fall and number one is getting the most dreaded chore I've had facing me checked off the list! I'm getting my left knee replaced. First let me say I truly hate that saying. While it is called that, it's really getting the cartilage replaced,and that's all the details I need to know. However you describe it or whatever name you give it it's something I've put off for nearly 6 years and now it must be done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaSfFRFixzP3KBE8GwmCbbdHp5dAy83s_ftO3tquolQqPYYrFXkcwmDjkCvaXX5hMILvJFp0ZzoIMlFngonS1JrjuNjw9_cTnH_Sze5-zXMFj9iEFKI0Xn3HcNd2zOd0HwspfcpmbZJbi/s1600/126171227032335344_ZiyEeigL_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaSfFRFixzP3KBE8GwmCbbdHp5dAy83s_ftO3tquolQqPYYrFXkcwmDjkCvaXX5hMILvJFp0ZzoIMlFngonS1JrjuNjw9_cTnH_Sze5-zXMFj9iEFKI0Xn3HcNd2zOd0HwspfcpmbZJbi/s1600/126171227032335344_ZiyEeigL_b.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I have lived in pain for quite a while....not totally mind you it's only when I walk or stand for any length of time. I have missed out on so much because of these ugly, swollen, knobby things called knees. So it's time to get it fixed and get on with living a good life. I know it won't always be a pleasant process but with the help of my family, friends and some nice strong pain killers I will be back better and healthier in no time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxnbkrQCel06SfMIKPk0iPhEaSbwUoTVdZ61EEBzxHftgQQm6C2lDqKq_1DLG0oFYKgxxysXUqrw0Q6-ApzQ2r_p7vZqBvhc7dBRUOj2Lf4IeNMvK3hcinuOIXg-Cj62rWSUHc8ePsx04/s1600/CIMG2927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxnbkrQCel06SfMIKPk0iPhEaSbwUoTVdZ61EEBzxHftgQQm6C2lDqKq_1DLG0oFYKgxxysXUqrw0Q6-ApzQ2r_p7vZqBvhc7dBRUOj2Lf4IeNMvK3hcinuOIXg-Cj62rWSUHc8ePsx04/s400/CIMG2927.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason has been a fitness fan for a very long time.I wish I could say he takes after me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhdRXKyrivS42dEXNxl48ePUnAqcy_y5pImpIlqhRhOSSyHwE3mIRwsO-vqCU4b1LaGgdqeJv9mXAylnZIsCLTjxCbqWRyfSJgTA_IDb3OMCk5jU5l-ai1MygrtflOvBfZv2fuIPiU77pJI/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRXKyrivS42dEXNxl48ePUnAqcy_y5pImpIlqhRhOSSyHwE3mIRwsO-vqCU4b1LaGgdqeJv9mXAylnZIsCLTjxCbqWRyfSJgTA_IDb3OMCk5jU5l-ai1MygrtflOvBfZv2fuIPiU77pJI/s400/IMG_0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My crazy sons in my office one day trying to teach this old dog a new trick. I enjoyed a tootsie pop instead!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My youngest son has told me that as soon as I get the okay from my surgeon he will whip into shape! Jason works with us and he is also in the military as well as a avid fitness person. I admire his dedication.Sadly he did not get this trait from me. He works out everyday no matter the day for 2 hours and has done this for more than 10 years. He has been on me to get this fixed and get to the gym for a long time. Whenever he sees me in pain or struggling he will make me get on the floor and stretch....it always helps. I've learned through him that if we don't do anything else in our day as far as exercising goes we must always at least do stretches. He believes it's the secret to aging well and staying well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqFk57DdBFQc5rbxF3C1PFfFUDaM-sJptTWl8rWcQa-rYuu6H7DIA5B5uI1gVQ7ZYHpPPbnmzMvTNpEAwXR12eFlbKLolK6ay_uSOZkohkssCAjMgPxDDgxN_s2aRC6_cHF9I-eVthb5w/s1600/124693483403161210_7z8jelA6_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqFk57DdBFQc5rbxF3C1PFfFUDaM-sJptTWl8rWcQa-rYuu6H7DIA5B5uI1gVQ7ZYHpPPbnmzMvTNpEAwXR12eFlbKLolK6ay_uSOZkohkssCAjMgPxDDgxN_s2aRC6_cHF9I-eVthb5w/s320/124693483403161210_7z8jelA6_c.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<br />
I told the kids that the first thing I'm going to do when I learn to walk better this year is buy a pair of these shoes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7LJGUwDtEqmn6ajWBsXEPGpyNgFvd3jU_KwrU7afqSv6iWgdzYBKE1fFGXKOEYpzdlZ4xxDG6lNDn4Kf8npv-wC4DSNlcChVf5Lp0_Ivc-kC1vDuygUDVEMu032Q6Jf6hRHnpjXGekry/s1600/375346950163458711_9MiR3Z7m_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7LJGUwDtEqmn6ajWBsXEPGpyNgFvd3jU_KwrU7afqSv6iWgdzYBKE1fFGXKOEYpzdlZ4xxDG6lNDn4Kf8npv-wC4DSNlcChVf5Lp0_Ivc-kC1vDuygUDVEMu032Q6Jf6hRHnpjXGekry/s320/375346950163458711_9MiR3Z7m_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm just kidding of course but to not have to wear the most boring flat cushy shoes would be a real treat, so who knows I just may buy me a pair of glitzy heels! I do have to tell you I have spent a million dollars looking for the magic cushy shoes that would make walking feel normal.....trust me there are NO shoes out there that can fix this. I've even bought some that said they have a spring in the heal to take arthritic pain away....they don't, take the pain away that is. Soon my oldest son will be given the honor of cutting the heal open to discover if they really do have a spring inside. When I first spent over a hundred dollars on these beauties he asked that when I no longer needed them could he cut them open and check for an actual spring. <br />
I hope to share this path with you all....the good the bad and the ugly. Well maybe not the ugly so much I still have some pride =)<br />
I will be around to check in and who knows I might even be able to write posts more often since I will be off work for a while......and that my friends is number two on my list!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09WU9HdhNlSLAJFDwl-jC79UHFRl1HxFrTyUm-SNIWjlvYmCX9AWXQHiM6VgMGSxVl7bYzkS0DVP8nyv5Mnfhm0rVLFkR_waF6ZdZ03VP-tnhh_SNMpgMKFwG_0O74QRUDtQPdZDJLvVK/s1600/DSC_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09WU9HdhNlSLAJFDwl-jC79UHFRl1HxFrTyUm-SNIWjlvYmCX9AWXQHiM6VgMGSxVl7bYzkS0DVP8nyv5Mnfhm0rVLFkR_waF6ZdZ03VP-tnhh_SNMpgMKFwG_0O74QRUDtQPdZDJLvVK/s320/DSC_0215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-45309984916594601162012-12-22T20:06:00.000-08:002012-12-22T20:09:04.743-08:00Ghosts From Christmas Past Since I opened my Etsy shop I have become an avid internet shopper. It's that little shop that has made time my arch enemy.Shopping the internet saves me oodles and oodles of time. But before the internet I was a huge catalog shopper. Do any of you remember back in those days before computers and Amazon when deliveries from most catalogs could take up to 6-8 weeks? Oh yes the good old days.<br />
This year unexpectedly I received a catalog that sent me back a bit emotionally. I haven't ordered from this particular catalog for a while so seeing it really surprised me. It's called <a href="http://www.bitsandpieces.com/default.asp?SID=0925518&EID=0925518&gclid=CIn-qpCmrrQCFSTZQgodRmkA6w">Bits and Pieces</a> and it has some wonderful items but I shopped it mostly for the jigsaw puzzles. My dad was a big fan of puzzles and always had one on the dining room table in progress. So seeing this catalog this year after his death was very hard for me and took me back to a spooky moment we shared with him many years ago.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfcWhqNTpSKJkKtlGRz8ezNgD1Ku48jYOh0TeIy8NYxxZG1PX1Mc-UoNSqN-uoGTnQMEFteBxMl-omxyEAPr9_4ovesWCm9-40KsbX351I067GEgjD6Q5jhURtSRIKmN26b0iirfIf773/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfcWhqNTpSKJkKtlGRz8ezNgD1Ku48jYOh0TeIy8NYxxZG1PX1Mc-UoNSqN-uoGTnQMEFteBxMl-omxyEAPr9_4ovesWCm9-40KsbX351I067GEgjD6Q5jhURtSRIKmN26b0iirfIf773/s320/DSC_0287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a great photo but back in the corner behind her was the old wagon with Amish dolls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
My dad was a very quiet, patient man who followed in his father's foot steps by going into banking. He served in the USAF as a radio interceptor during the Korean war. He was very neat and tidy and extremely organized! He lived his life by rules and laws, very conservative in his beliefs. Honor and loyalty was everything to him. Right was right and wrong was wrong and there were NO gray areas to him ever! My brothers and I wish we had inherited some of his neat and tidy traits, but sadly we did not. He had several strong passions....golf, scouting, and more golf! But there was one other passion and that was jigsaw puzzles. So when he had time and wasn't playing golf he could sit for hours and work a puzzle. My mom wasn't interested in his puzzles at all they just weren't her thing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj71X_LHJe17WkiYHmxnybGIy2OtAEFFwuqDFpIdoXeRl-TinxPUEBwTPThIfoGNQD-F86HDoltZDU493AAPODtDr1XTgwMldu0HlAJtrFX6kDr0uohHj1LM8A-wSe3y7wtfbxkrpsBZLu/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj71X_LHJe17WkiYHmxnybGIy2OtAEFFwuqDFpIdoXeRl-TinxPUEBwTPThIfoGNQD-F86HDoltZDU493AAPODtDr1XTgwMldu0HlAJtrFX6kDr0uohHj1LM8A-wSe3y7wtfbxkrpsBZLu/s320/images-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
They did however have a very sweet tradition with dad's puzzles. Whenever he finished one he would come and get her and she would then put in the last piece and they'd share a laugh and say they did the puzzle together! This was something that had gone on as long as I can remember.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_hScKmIh1JEGNPu0foOqmKoC3PodaPlXN6qfGjNWRkz7jD25FFmmhmMCem68QxMyXCGGbSXbKcP4_okgNiJdCFpz5thipnCi2qmYrFxdI03dk8A43T0-Gc-IAGhHr1rNU1wNSPC_MT93/s1600/image11_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_hScKmIh1JEGNPu0foOqmKoC3PodaPlXN6qfGjNWRkz7jD25FFmmhmMCem68QxMyXCGGbSXbKcP4_okgNiJdCFpz5thipnCi2qmYrFxdI03dk8A43T0-Gc-IAGhHr1rNU1wNSPC_MT93/s400/image11_0005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad,me,Brent,and Barry the first Christmas after mom died having Sunday brunch at the country club.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After Mom became sick with lung cancer he didn't do any more puzzles. I guess taking care of her became a full time job. After she died we encouraged him to find his passions again and we all bombarded him with new puzzles.<br />
<br />
A few weeks later when we were talking he asked me if any of us had touched his puzzle he was working on. NO I said absolutely not, none of us would ever go near it. We had been raised to never touch his things.....being a neat freak he would know immediately and throttle us. As a foot note I must also admit that we never walked into their bedroom either... that was just not done in our family. He went on to tell me that the last piece of this new puzzle was missing! He had started working a puzzle my brother Barry had given him. I thought to myself what are the chances that Barry would buy a puzzle with one missing piece, for heavens sake. Now in all the years, and I mean years that my dad had worked puzzles he had NEVER had a puzzle with any missing pieces!<br />
I knew in my heart that no one had touched it but I called my brothers anyway and asked them. Both of them were like me totally puzzled about this (sorry I just had to say it).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSL2wvWKAarirTMYIL_HJEUX4AQAxOGg2hGXMXlljHYgjuBrLnfrZgL3tOnL9XuZBevIi1NUpLWz7uahv4GCRJPd7nNb_Qcz1IDdhloYHhDDLnvKXxLzA8JVdRwFT-pn9GaSwKx3kYBfA/s1600/images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSL2wvWKAarirTMYIL_HJEUX4AQAxOGg2hGXMXlljHYgjuBrLnfrZgL3tOnL9XuZBevIi1NUpLWz7uahv4GCRJPd7nNb_Qcz1IDdhloYHhDDLnvKXxLzA8JVdRwFT-pn9GaSwKx3kYBfA/s320/images-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always looked for snowy winter scenes for him to take to Florida.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So later on he framed the puzzle because he thought it was so strange that a piece was missing....he said "I guess your Mom took it since she couldn't be here to put it in with me". We all agreed but still it just seemed crazy. That started another tradition for our family. Dad occasionally would work a puzzle, glue it down and frame it for one of us.....always with the final piece missing. He never put the last piece in any puzzle after she died.....none of us ever do now, it's just our way of remembering her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zmKtMJXkvXeGmMX5NUsZ0VXN2hScSAFECSu9BTXcTn7jnK9Ei2tKv8G9sO3UmgfXTTRpWrfI8fYJWfGR-aUYP7eKbxrrUayuRz_fwu-HdBOILNnnLPHvquN6GlUR9cUy-qHUUwQcTWRx/s1600/images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zmKtMJXkvXeGmMX5NUsZ0VXN2hScSAFECSu9BTXcTn7jnK9Ei2tKv8G9sO3UmgfXTTRpWrfI8fYJWfGR-aUYP7eKbxrrUayuRz_fwu-HdBOILNnnLPHvquN6GlUR9cUy-qHUUwQcTWRx/s1600/images-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Many years later dad decided to move into a condo and my brother Brent bought the family home. One weekend we drove up there to help him go through things and pack up. My son Will and daughter in law Amy decided to join us to help box up and move some items.<br />
<br />
As we were looking around tying to decide what would make the move and what would not we heard Amy shout "oh my gosh you better come in here". She was standing in the dining room with a strange look on her face holding one of mom's beloved Amish dolls. She said look what just fell out of the dolls apron!! We all just stood there staring down at a green puzzle piece, none of us moving to pick it up. We had nearly forgotten all about the missing piece, until then. Finally my Dad walked over picked it up and then proceeded to a spare room closet with the piece in hand. Sure enough it was the missing piece!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW3zoYEd1cm4g6sQmAtfDmIck0t4Ror-q-vlUKczdqciaG0cU0BxWOl4iGwdW-5WL4doh0WuXWT9TD1F2JxkekJvh0T4akaHcoZqAEpZL7kKmemIO5ZiyGhnZijHPqhiAQOWTSdj1fknK/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW3zoYEd1cm4g6sQmAtfDmIck0t4Ror-q-vlUKczdqciaG0cU0BxWOl4iGwdW-5WL4doh0WuXWT9TD1F2JxkekJvh0T4akaHcoZqAEpZL7kKmemIO5ZiyGhnZijHPqhiAQOWTSdj1fknK/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similar to her Amish dolls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We all laughed and tried to make sense of this discovery. Dad was not someone who tossed things about his house willy-nilly. Shoot he would get crazy if we kids sprinkled salt on the table or our dinner place mat was not straight while eating. There were no logical answers to this except one......did mom return and hide the piece? I don't believe that but we all laughed and said " Well she must have looked down and said if she couldn't put the piece in then NO ONE could".<br />
I guess we'll never know for sure how the puzzle piece came to be inside of the dolls apron. We do know that dad being dad had cleaned around those dolls for years and years and it hadn't shown itself until that day.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YMvJ_HcfFjv87ZGl-xLFrBtvZkypu0g0uFPpyRULxcvSClYtP-0un-LMpghuG4ltPeVrMDCdWb590XbxMcIUoQg9QnOvJRVvQ_VqrZfMMeRe0ncVKS77KgROpfg7-bjxl_lsO5byEvfM/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YMvJ_HcfFjv87ZGl-xLFrBtvZkypu0g0uFPpyRULxcvSClYtP-0un-LMpghuG4ltPeVrMDCdWb590XbxMcIUoQg9QnOvJRVvQ_VqrZfMMeRe0ncVKS77KgROpfg7-bjxl_lsO5byEvfM/s320/DSC_0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still carry it in my wallet. The green is nearly gone but the meaning still remains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I still carry this poor ole puzzle piece around with me and have thought that someday I should get charms made in this shape for each of us. To us it represents my parents and the sweet game they played together all of their married life.Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-14769200025541159832012-11-21T04:46:00.000-08:002012-11-21T04:46:06.504-08:00I Don't Feel 60! I am soooo soooo sorry that I tend to disappear at times. After working so hard to gain all of you wonderful followers I feel as if I let you all down. How on earth do you do it all? Some days I sure could use a magic wand.<br />
<br />
The main reason I have been MIA is that my Etsy shop's holiday season started a lot earlier this year. Etsy shoppers are getting very smart,and are shopping earlier! So Needless to say I have struggled with finding time to sit down and write. All I've basically had time for lately are little comments on my Hopewell Creek facebook page. I would love for everyone to stop by my page and become a follower. It's certainly a quick and easy way to stay in touch these days.<br />
<br />
Then this last weekend we celebrated my 60th birthday. The kids asked me what I wanted to do especially since it was such a big milestone. I told them I wanted to do what I love the most....crafting with friends and family. So that's what we did!<br />
A dear friend of mine volunteered to come and teach us the basics of wood carving. She said the easiest way to start is to carve a Santa Claus face using sweet potatoes. Kathy is a great artist in woodcarving. She has been featured many times in Santa magazines as well as Christmas and holiday magazine issues. She has taught this technique in schools and nursing homes. I must admit I was a tad worried that someone would cut themselves,but she assured me that wouldn't happen, and it didn't!<br />
<br />
She is currently selling in her online shop <a href="http://www.scatteredseedstore.com/">Scattered Seeds</a> these beautiful doves. They are intended to be used as a comfort for anyone who may be going through some difficult times. They have been designed to fit in the palm of your hand and you pray. Stop by her shop and check them out they would certainly make a great gift this holiday season!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxezzTpp7l1_H93BskZ38SdivipbFnxLXE1kgZKOlWzojSlciN0f5RjfXCQKRTrtf7kPzlgkiH1dxyO_Fga-6BWLX_V5xAo0FPUBmUHkllmcq9AeUn6jAI6m9oL_L8XIQuDRUMa5P8nRL/s1600/slider2%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxezzTpp7l1_H93BskZ38SdivipbFnxLXE1kgZKOlWzojSlciN0f5RjfXCQKRTrtf7kPzlgkiH1dxyO_Fga-6BWLX_V5xAo0FPUBmUHkllmcq9AeUn6jAI6m9oL_L8XIQuDRUMa5P8nRL/s400/slider2%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNo6i49wVMeYZ5T8QLskcrq8_IqFqbbyxm-UUWh9dqyyvskqWb4pgJ75zARKOIxScC5Oi3nRzfui8QwuZ80frg03h4aI5SZxLomEPZBPupWDiyFP9N3VEHkHAHpi4cXNXU_wIxL2VLW7ab/s1600/602431_3849686444222_77991937_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNo6i49wVMeYZ5T8QLskcrq8_IqFqbbyxm-UUWh9dqyyvskqWb4pgJ75zARKOIxScC5Oi3nRzfui8QwuZ80frg03h4aI5SZxLomEPZBPupWDiyFP9N3VEHkHAHpi4cXNXU_wIxL2VLW7ab/s400/602431_3849686444222_77991937_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWLujYjjOAb37D1lugOFT9trr_M3asImt8Fwtn8UopUicHTmFfFUTmiuA2Ze583x35WMSV-PUPL6GQ8kvSq6k40QwQfM-2KCUkMOmCYp0mnVP06JxGb0WPb_OL8ACR3Asq0hlddl44Vd0/s1600/536834_3849691044337_1349000937_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWLujYjjOAb37D1lugOFT9trr_M3asImt8Fwtn8UopUicHTmFfFUTmiuA2Ze583x35WMSV-PUPL6GQ8kvSq6k40QwQfM-2KCUkMOmCYp0mnVP06JxGb0WPb_OL8ACR3Asq0hlddl44Vd0/s400/536834_3849691044337_1349000937_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Everyone was amazed when they saw a few samples of some she had done years ago. They had the look of a piece of driftwood.Young and not so young participated and no hurt themselves, not even a paper cut.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmjcBZBOOuJ6DCkW9DFOCyOYhoUB7D4hMFlGwgXEQ1_-oUvfR_c2-w08gucql8tVI-Z7yTZ4CbUUl4sRC1SYORMkJGBXIRM3zY7zi0yYII5mfdBZgbU0ckyb6qtdicjqf37pE-m-1SzyR/s1600/306819_3849736845482_559039390_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmjcBZBOOuJ6DCkW9DFOCyOYhoUB7D4hMFlGwgXEQ1_-oUvfR_c2-w08gucql8tVI-Z7yTZ4CbUUl4sRC1SYORMkJGBXIRM3zY7zi0yYII5mfdBZgbU0ckyb6qtdicjqf37pE-m-1SzyR/s400/306819_3849736845482_559039390_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It was absolutely too much fun and a wonderful experience! We can't wait to see our creations after the drying process. Once dried they are ready to paint, or leave simply leave natural.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OCPQMsaPO8aEYT9DFUGRpEt3JYpmNlgIWj7bD0aa62bpc_EYjM3WaTVrzX-jR0Zi6rAIrwP4RIOdY9iw-APwdCWMvVzS6jIJl5w6UaefMzWnpuw3yXs97XcAk5UGbTlQaO4FcjtbDiUw/s1600/558852_3849696084463_1994530330_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OCPQMsaPO8aEYT9DFUGRpEt3JYpmNlgIWj7bD0aa62bpc_EYjM3WaTVrzX-jR0Zi6rAIrwP4RIOdY9iw-APwdCWMvVzS6jIJl5w6UaefMzWnpuw3yXs97XcAk5UGbTlQaO4FcjtbDiUw/s320/558852_3849696084463_1994530330_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After the class with Kathy and all of the slivers of potatoes were swept out of the garage we moved on to other crafts. I tried to keep the crafts centered mostly around Christmas ornaments. My daughter in law brought the supplies to make an ornament that has been floating around on Pinterest. It's where you pour a tiny bit of floor wax inside of a clear glass ornament and than add glitter.<br />
I am here to tell you that they look great! And you don't have to use the exact brand of floor cleaner/wax that the directions say you do. We didn't and they turned out fine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32cNfzDYytwoHkTnWEjN1sEFlHzbvZZt_REDT31AWwtTxE6XF7D6BYwXGYz3MNq0rXUV3rkLAHt0KDCX_su6ebzwQCpV-t-D05XWsP73FnGhdSYibdcm5YAwrrS5HGYbTU_U-W3gLLaF2/s1600/31033_3844045543203_182910281_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32cNfzDYytwoHkTnWEjN1sEFlHzbvZZt_REDT31AWwtTxE6XF7D6BYwXGYz3MNq0rXUV3rkLAHt0KDCX_su6ebzwQCpV-t-D05XWsP73FnGhdSYibdcm5YAwrrS5HGYbTU_U-W3gLLaF2/s400/31033_3844045543203_182910281_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Since we knew there would be a lot of small ones who probably wouldn't care anything about crafting we decided to rent a bouncy house to keep them busy. This is what two of my grandson's looked like at the end of the day! Yes they stayed very busy until the bitter end!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwmD06B9IL9y7WyyUDXyn4LSJd7X42QbB0MIU26wJR3M8x7N5KURje9ALP0LR6FAFDgBK1LzB1CjUYZGCC61bs8KMPTeu1CBBJYIl2tbLnVsAF1EB_A_BWm1jnVSmwu_9Gl8OWxQh4uMo/s1600/481752_3846387561752_1318689185_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwmD06B9IL9y7WyyUDXyn4LSJd7X42QbB0MIU26wJR3M8x7N5KURje9ALP0LR6FAFDgBK1LzB1CjUYZGCC61bs8KMPTeu1CBBJYIl2tbLnVsAF1EB_A_BWm1jnVSmwu_9Gl8OWxQh4uMo/s400/481752_3846387561752_1318689185_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We played with paper clay,polymer clay,beads,stamps,stencils and paper....and etc! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRBrhP4m6yIlBguMIhfJCHCI12QyVhJNvvcv2rJDAhcAql-nxvbYTJKvDwubYFIy36ylHztFc0OL125TzCRSAwtfe8xyg51ypR6FgxBjSr3hX7CaSe3OdEQae51W1H4mvspflFKE6jtBI/s1600/542648_3849770406321_2085362624_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRBrhP4m6yIlBguMIhfJCHCI12QyVhJNvvcv2rJDAhcAql-nxvbYTJKvDwubYFIy36ylHztFc0OL125TzCRSAwtfe8xyg51ypR6FgxBjSr3hX7CaSe3OdEQae51W1H4mvspflFKE6jtBI/s400/542648_3849770406321_2085362624_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
On top of all of the crafting we all fought over holding the new baby. She is such a joy and everyone is so tickled to have a new baby, especially at the holiday's!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT4UQufXqIOuSjmOW7rARmvOHLTo35nZ5dzH5uRaufAxMlsCCqWzbj7QJdQbzu_zMM-RjKdGWJARIvarYIDDSylZQFgUi5AvSAMTp948dUQO1PNPe31IAKaQTXs0lmf9U2gsJDQu5v4Cv/s1600/60714_3849791846857_396226952_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT4UQufXqIOuSjmOW7rARmvOHLTo35nZ5dzH5uRaufAxMlsCCqWzbj7QJdQbzu_zMM-RjKdGWJARIvarYIDDSylZQFgUi5AvSAMTp948dUQO1PNPe31IAKaQTXs0lmf9U2gsJDQu5v4Cv/s400/60714_3849791846857_396226952_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
It was the best crafty birthday I could have ever imagined! Kinda took the sting out of turning that big milestone after all!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQIXFSLaMuX7D5k0__HnQC1oFor5wjG_vWMqpkVOhtVgEGQPFoVVKzhMYE-LnGGrxu6nriKHu5xlyyD6k76iC2EdcZjtLFFheEXoyFrDIGU_eP2dy_rPb2Lma3lvGJWqqfsamRsvByv8v/s1600/319096_3849817567500_813357725_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQIXFSLaMuX7D5k0__HnQC1oFor5wjG_vWMqpkVOhtVgEGQPFoVVKzhMYE-LnGGrxu6nriKHu5xlyyD6k76iC2EdcZjtLFFheEXoyFrDIGU_eP2dy_rPb2Lma3lvGJWqqfsamRsvByv8v/s400/319096_3849817567500_813357725_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-72029843767492329742012-10-28T07:25:00.001-07:002012-10-28T07:25:08.316-07:00Halloween: An Excuse to Dress Up and Act Silly We just recently went to our kids annual Halloween party and as always had a great time. They do such a great job of hosting a family friendly party for parents to bring their kids and for their teenage son to have his friends too.<br />
I wanted to share a few things we did and some creative ideas I found our there in blog-land. First from <a href="http://formalfringe.com/2012/10/04/spooky-skeleton-hands/">Formal Fringe</a> I found a great idea for some illuminated skeleton hands.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrQquChBnjOKtzI_F_0cHaykGnn8J7xgPdZBwi-MZo6HW_nOOH9q1RniuR-YPlOB41e5ArEZdgBLOzSuod2cY0BhHFfHY-0EFguHPDzbeH72MY_ZIUqRmaOwKn9W8LMow4Oxt9tlQOq4P/s1600/skeletongloves1%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrQquChBnjOKtzI_F_0cHaykGnn8J7xgPdZBwi-MZo6HW_nOOH9q1RniuR-YPlOB41e5ArEZdgBLOzSuod2cY0BhHFfHY-0EFguHPDzbeH72MY_ZIUqRmaOwKn9W8LMow4Oxt9tlQOq4P/s400/skeletongloves1%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I really wish I had found this idea before the party. I did however do something I saw a while back and I honestly can't remember where I saw it. I apologize if I'm not giving someone credit for this. But its little light up eye balls made from ping pong balls placed over battery operated votives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTx3uJCgYZ-OYUt6rPYGrvhZFYWKhm38H3GwH3dIPhIi9SqEydfCmOBHodownHjQP2H_vMjXEL98CyHj2nhaP8MtBWD6D7ik66BbDbWYBzLkZyTDZ8loMONrUgTJ4QxSa3P1YxA_dgZDtM/s1600/550_101379658%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTx3uJCgYZ-OYUt6rPYGrvhZFYWKhm38H3GwH3dIPhIi9SqEydfCmOBHodownHjQP2H_vMjXEL98CyHj2nhaP8MtBWD6D7ik66BbDbWYBzLkZyTDZ8loMONrUgTJ4QxSa3P1YxA_dgZDtM/s400/550_101379658%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
You simply cut a hole and using permanet markers draw on a black dot and some red squiggly lines around it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPqAv7itsIw9_AsAIqWwJW2JsAbAhR6vmVf1qt4Vbbh5fclNoaffJ42T_h2qyM1xfWY452KM0ledlqdYRm0TOjVTKZ5ZJwUVzFklLpX9yZ1kb8psy9DmH52dmh9vkqdGKvCD2_DqN4Dtg/s1600/New+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPqAv7itsIw9_AsAIqWwJW2JsAbAhR6vmVf1qt4Vbbh5fclNoaffJ42T_h2qyM1xfWY452KM0ledlqdYRm0TOjVTKZ5ZJwUVzFklLpX9yZ1kb8psy9DmH52dmh9vkqdGKvCD2_DqN4Dtg/s1600/New+Image.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo does not do them justice,they were very cool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We placed them all over outside and I have to say they did look great!<br />
I also made these little favor bags for the kids to take home with them that I saw on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/253046072782618704/">Pinterest</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmwcq8rjt3LnqwhmOT21QUGEIqw5NKk9wRNq7y67Y6ALWsXHqSx9Kxq6YcaJQfPKP0Y0oaCaILlm_-00vrkniWOE4DBwZ8ywGelndGtuVF2nMwXok28qv4gT7Zoq5m7x8fcTdnEBzPm5t/s1600/New+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmwcq8rjt3LnqwhmOT21QUGEIqw5NKk9wRNq7y67Y6ALWsXHqSx9Kxq6YcaJQfPKP0Y0oaCaILlm_-00vrkniWOE4DBwZ8ywGelndGtuVF2nMwXok28qv4gT7Zoq5m7x8fcTdnEBzPm5t/s400/New+Image.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Most of the kids who come to the party each year are in theater with our oldest grandson. Theater kids are always ready to help out on the "scary walk" through the woods that the little ones....and the older ones enjoy. They have to hide or position themselves to look like a statue and of course come to life and scare the pajibbers out of everyone. A lot of acting goes into this and the giggles and blood curdling screams always make me laugh.....from far of away of course! You see I'm a chicken and very "G" rated so I don't do haunted houses....or backyard scary walks of any kind!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Everyone in our family waits to see what Jason ( our youngest son) decides on for his costume. Last year he was Batman complete with theme music. We wondered how he would ever top that....but he did! He came as Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer. Of course he won all of the big prizes!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0ev08cSscMjauMe7NWBiENd83oQ9MsnH9FN_FATa40pqqnsZ14WgkDpY1edHua4Y9mdfd56xmO1RtM5v83JquCraUCEGITvk8Q3mLt-XfJMGdHaOet_qS89TrvNtUTtL8KsjQAD83RAS/s1600/DSC_0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0ev08cSscMjauMe7NWBiENd83oQ9MsnH9FN_FATa40pqqnsZ14WgkDpY1edHua4Y9mdfd56xmO1RtM5v83JquCraUCEGITvk8Q3mLt-XfJMGdHaOet_qS89TrvNtUTtL8KsjQAD83RAS/s640/DSC_0450.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's here with our little Cat in the Hat Niece.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My husband and I went as Frankenstein and I was the Mad Scientist who created him....as all wives have to do over many years haha! Shhh don't tell him I said that!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWlvC1oQvnoY6y2qIaTd6LnS3jfVJZmx2dkb8iT8EZZEc3qeuwqKWKS_NXF94qv407jh78wTDg42fMSQyWjtIy1cXD-WruKy-OBPKRRyrOfLVqz40dcC5ye9-fXp005AUuDhD4QmIRfBR/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWlvC1oQvnoY6y2qIaTd6LnS3jfVJZmx2dkb8iT8EZZEc3qeuwqKWKS_NXF94qv407jh78wTDg42fMSQyWjtIy1cXD-WruKy-OBPKRRyrOfLVqz40dcC5ye9-fXp005AUuDhD4QmIRfBR/s400/DSC_0461.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The costume that I thought was the cutest I've seen in a long time was Patrick( our oldest grandson) and his girlfriend. They came as the 1940's end of WWII famous photo (often called) <i>The Kiss</i>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8C61JseryfcjJ5bpoiQpkGh9j2lw6ZmTtXUO_MZ2XXDnY51Sexl7luZl2X53cc_JBoFN-_QNOJWZfF5NWkbgnnfgrJEhVZC3oDBtPS_2-ytpbc2ETG2KNlhHp9jYs9kdds31KCjxkK3J/s1600/DSC_0494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8C61JseryfcjJ5bpoiQpkGh9j2lw6ZmTtXUO_MZ2XXDnY51Sexl7luZl2X53cc_JBoFN-_QNOJWZfF5NWkbgnnfgrJEhVZC3oDBtPS_2-ytpbc2ETG2KNlhHp9jYs9kdds31KCjxkK3J/s400/DSC_0494.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
These aren't costumes they are the real deal. I think they are a couple of little old souls they both really enjoy nostalgia. So they searched for the actually clothes. His is a Navy uniform from that time period and hers is a 1940 Red Cross nurses dress. I just loved it,what a sweet idea. I get rather worn out with all of gory costumes so this to me was rather refreshing!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS46yuBuM7c53zbrQIOdTACBsdX9KHFIfVRG2JDJcDw4TsVdaIs264L7c7NxS1HBXWnJnxkoqkhNCzCzvXkJRfSME3va5ZQIVoHqEsn-g2xCQBImvbZM3E4DAGOlLMRWUC5TGh1iU3VWCn/s1600/DSC_0477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS46yuBuM7c53zbrQIOdTACBsdX9KHFIfVRG2JDJcDw4TsVdaIs264L7c7NxS1HBXWnJnxkoqkhNCzCzvXkJRfSME3va5ZQIVoHqEsn-g2xCQBImvbZM3E4DAGOlLMRWUC5TGh1iU3VWCn/s400/DSC_0477.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The host and hostess!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So many great costume ideas! We ate too much, laughed too much and the kids and Abe Lincoln danced the night way to Dance Central 3!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oNE9iZA5-FkgtB_OUr1lKDdR0IsqsJfjYSRxfQHNPIfEfgrASiQZo503tQt7vjJekWypsp7QOxXoMf1qG0Xbcr-bhsdLeEALKtqtCBEZfssVjMs33KaIFTwsApwfVSve7TN_zVTYxmB_/s1600/DSC_0554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oNE9iZA5-FkgtB_OUr1lKDdR0IsqsJfjYSRxfQHNPIfEfgrASiQZo503tQt7vjJekWypsp7QOxXoMf1qG0Xbcr-bhsdLeEALKtqtCBEZfssVjMs33KaIFTwsApwfVSve7TN_zVTYxmB_/s400/DSC_0554.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
There's no better place to be for us than partying with the kiddos!Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-1171209607864348292012-10-19T13:32:00.002-07:002012-10-19T13:33:40.940-07:00Babble's Top 50 Etsy Parents Shops and Little Ole ME! Thankfully it is the end of another busy and stressful week here in construction land where I work by day. What would we do without weekends to re-charge ourselves? So as I was about to leave the office I decided to do a little web surfing and found my shop in <span style="color: red;">The Top 50 Etsy Parents Shops</span> on <a href="http://www.babble.com/crafts-activities/kids-crafts-ideas/top-50-etsy-parents/">Babble</a>. <br />
I'm kind of excited,tickled,thrilled but mostly very,VERY honored......all at the same time!! Go <a href="http://www.babble.com/crafts-activities/kids-crafts-ideas/top-50-etsy-parents/">here</a> to see the list of all 50 shops.<br />
<br />
There are six catagories, Vintage,Home Goods,Paper Goods,Jewelry,Clothing and Handmade Dolls and Toys which is the catagory I'm in. I am among 12 wonderful toy shops. <br />
If you haven't shopped on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> than you have truly missed out on some of the best places to shop. I go there first before I go anywhere else.....and have found so many great gifts from all over the world!<br />
<br />
For me making felt toys is my passion.It truly was an Ah ha( moment as Oprah says)when I opened my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HopewellCreek?ref=shop_sugg">Etsy shop</a>. I realized what I was suppose to do at the ripe ole age of ....well lets say over 50.....way over 50 haha! I'm never not thinking about ideas or picking the grand-kiddos creative brains. I have so many ideas and never enough time it seems to sit down and create them. I am always happy when I am sewing!!<br />
<br />
Stop over and see all the great Etsy shops on Babble, I'm among some of the most incredible artists!!Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-88266365705502685282012-10-17T19:07:00.002-07:002012-10-17T19:10:33.939-07:00In Love With Fall But NOT Spiders<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/AVvXsEgIMug47CLuPvkPP4lWjSUqnBJ-qKUCTYQ_pZbeLg5WNgf4HrgUvnDgcPlK6jIMQJm-iywALWV-w8Cbejtb56coU3GT-gkei2IWq2PMG1p-3qqDfAcnvHFTqg-UYo6dHO-4BOQKO6fVY9Te/s1600/6236_3711640073149_1638961164_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMug47CLuPvkPP4lWjSUqnBJ-qKUCTYQ_pZbeLg5WNgf4HrgUvnDgcPlK6jIMQJm-iywALWV-w8Cbejtb56coU3GT-gkei2IWq2PMG1p-3qqDfAcnvHFTqg-UYo6dHO-4BOQKO6fVY9Te/s400/6236_3711640073149_1638961164_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some examples of leaves from down at the creek. I love the contrast against the purple bench.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It happens every year and still I remain in awe of how incredibly brilliant the trees become this time of year. I am a mid-west girl at heart and I guess couldn't imagine God's amazing color display this time of year. Some mornings as I drive into work the trees look as if they have been set ablaze as the sun comes up!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoz5JLR0p_Q788FJYhI1x5bGi09QGaovxQ3bYCS39JAbOKC71vNRjWbQc9RhGd9Mwz6sXlx5E653_t9vG-VQkQb_nWMoqYYRv27liJA7pwe2b7fDLhMhh9dKg-4hA9uQMRr3geN0YMSFM/s1600/photo-43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoz5JLR0p_Q788FJYhI1x5bGi09QGaovxQ3bYCS39JAbOKC71vNRjWbQc9RhGd9Mwz6sXlx5E653_t9vG-VQkQb_nWMoqYYRv27liJA7pwe2b7fDLhMhh9dKg-4hA9uQMRr3geN0YMSFM/s400/photo-43.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this photo on a back road while waiting for a train to pass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Is it just me or do your tastes change with the seasons? This time of year I'm loving squash,persimmons,caramel apples, and pumpkin roll....well actually pumpkin anything! But it's no wonder since we are totally surrounded with the most amazing yellows,oranges,and crimson reds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFmxtAgXkA8Ja4QYUbxLupvaQMyZOEkovusdc6pv4sBOog535KeSoGe2ZYDmBE0V1G6zgbRdNsqhqysQ1d_RjdgwVnE2L8eKkbJlHwvBTrIdvrORiajyUM3vO9UTjblU3zhvYdgXHH8HG/s1600/imagesCALOLB1E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFmxtAgXkA8Ja4QYUbxLupvaQMyZOEkovusdc6pv4sBOog535KeSoGe2ZYDmBE0V1G6zgbRdNsqhqysQ1d_RjdgwVnE2L8eKkbJlHwvBTrIdvrORiajyUM3vO9UTjblU3zhvYdgXHH8HG/s320/imagesCALOLB1E.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuNZ0Zp3SL4yzWH86_hFYE8lfnkUOZkeu5nq3TvUKzMjfLVT4aNgJ-1J9VziAGpEAGK23KpPZ8j6QNszJj1R02XSw6MGyBrWJQ6IuVONb7qekv4hktbDAWFssG56x7yrsfDzNbQVtiSE2/s1600/photo-36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuNZ0Zp3SL4yzWH86_hFYE8lfnkUOZkeu5nq3TvUKzMjfLVT4aNgJ-1J9VziAGpEAGK23KpPZ8j6QNszJj1R02XSw6MGyBrWJQ6IuVONb7qekv4hktbDAWFssG56x7yrsfDzNbQVtiSE2/s400/photo-36.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxddSTzJd9LU4c1RhboSevdAk91xCkdRKRA-R_pqaW4RNC0cUfZQ1LVn7wzaJ9MlENPS6IXR9GnCjExkWUkNxMWy40KtLU9ld3417wdcvW1zX2VHSMCZ5JE7iIdOvHQ_XW9zBl4y-R7kD/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxddSTzJd9LU4c1RhboSevdAk91xCkdRKRA-R_pqaW4RNC0cUfZQ1LVn7wzaJ9MlENPS6IXR9GnCjExkWUkNxMWy40KtLU9ld3417wdcvW1zX2VHSMCZ5JE7iIdOvHQ_XW9zBl4y-R7kD/s400/images-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Since I'm talking about all things fall I must confess something else. You see I have a passion for fall leaves, pine cones, but especially acorns. If you walked into either my office or my work room and opened just about any book you will most likely find a few colorful leaves pressed inside.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGI83y_Uc-bdzjlKy04_8y1PnCbjQEYnB332yt4CJ5-pI6G2d1l3NTY6F1x1NHDbgWLiBMbihuNKH9OO2NHavYVIaEPXSNwjXr-VRHhrk1ePWNMjBed_V0nrNhzdQsed6Vzmatk6RG1dCH/s1600/photo-41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGI83y_Uc-bdzjlKy04_8y1PnCbjQEYnB332yt4CJ5-pI6G2d1l3NTY6F1x1NHDbgWLiBMbihuNKH9OO2NHavYVIaEPXSNwjXr-VRHhrk1ePWNMjBed_V0nrNhzdQsed6Vzmatk6RG1dCH/s400/photo-41.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I just can't help myself they are just too pretty to walk past. Besides I might just need a few for a project someday. Ha! Ha! yes I'm well aware that is what all hoarders say on that reality TV show! <br />

<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXH5XflHycD5pAhrp3aCXpB6ozjhXB-_idAhYluFk_Mi1uikQAhkP7rPIpgcr51LldP_8YcFCVQaKhiDyyx4ZjTDiTLDlJbCNP2CotLPPCbeUOYuDdeYVtcW6ZAHqdes7g3dst9wPRyILb/s1600/images%5B4%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXH5XflHycD5pAhrp3aCXpB6ozjhXB-_idAhYluFk_Mi1uikQAhkP7rPIpgcr51LldP_8YcFCVQaKhiDyyx4ZjTDiTLDlJbCNP2CotLPPCbeUOYuDdeYVtcW6ZAHqdes7g3dst9wPRyILb/s1600/images%5B4%5D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who could resist picking this up?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>

I also may be the only women in America who has ever boxed up and moved a (decent size haha) collection of acorns before! More than likely my purse has a few acorns in the bottom of it from a walk to the car and back. I hoard them like a squirrel or..... like just maybe they aren't going to make them anymore. Oh well we all have something we do that makes us unique......don't we!<br />
<br />
And one more quick item I want to share with you. I recently saw a quick and easy way to make spiderwebs for your Halloween decor. Our local Ben Franklin shared this on their facebook page and I just had to try it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7u9qawxDbjSVyM-eZ3o3Jg2d3weLBSLbUx5__wUDkU6lPlQSkwFzIkiouIRxh6YnX6RVgE-Gk7WjsuNmUx8EGj8zou-IX3NNZz7Qz_O-LGPm25xrdBhjpWfUAz43s57TSP3VMQ2j8dOE/s1600/578422_3719870518905_204493214_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7u9qawxDbjSVyM-eZ3o3Jg2d3weLBSLbUx5__wUDkU6lPlQSkwFzIkiouIRxh6YnX6RVgE-Gk7WjsuNmUx8EGj8zou-IX3NNZz7Qz_O-LGPm25xrdBhjpWfUAz43s57TSP3VMQ2j8dOE/s400/578422_3719870518905_204493214_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
They couldn't be easier. Simply squirt Elmer's Glue on a piece of wax paper in the shape of a web and then sprinkle any color glitter you like over the glue while it's still wet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MNlf0dzez8jng33y0CWKO4stxG9LrkHFxLTWgTJ4eye2Bu3e_iNNHobfM4GbQAx_XhGt19pqPOauKXJLXKViWvDKp_Lvi5r3uAH9eZded1PQymgYPVaDpD6OiZ6WPreiKYCto97LPUUk/s1600/557837_3719873998992_858618524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MNlf0dzez8jng33y0CWKO4stxG9LrkHFxLTWgTJ4eye2Bu3e_iNNHobfM4GbQAx_XhGt19pqPOauKXJLXKViWvDKp_Lvi5r3uAH9eZded1PQymgYPVaDpD6OiZ6WPreiKYCto97LPUUk/s400/557837_3719873998992_858618524_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Once it completely dries peel it off of the wax paper and voila you have a pose-able web to add to your decor. They are really very glittery the photo doesn't do them justice. The one thing I won't add is a spider!! Nope no spiders in my decor EVER!! I once threw out a brand new National Geographic magazine because it had a spider on the cover.....yep you guessed it I have a few other small quirks to deal with =)<br />
<br />Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-24339900486488456352012-09-25T09:03:00.000-07:002012-09-25T09:03:57.893-07:00Pretty in Pink A few weeks ago I hosted a baby shower for my daughter-in-law who was expecting our first grand-daughter. This is new territory for our little family since we have two sons and three grandsons. Our life has been boys,boys,boys!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-jk_MPoVJ_QTZueDMl3RaKh5EYexQEWRLZKbHEMblxHgB8s003xF7D4mnnIUMz_jpVuPTgGqZ4xOHwMjLITlPx91dEELWPXaV4h2MjmUxKXg1zOblWKoxXyJme3jvVhi-gpnb5QTK8U3/s1600/IMG_1387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-jk_MPoVJ_QTZueDMl3RaKh5EYexQEWRLZKbHEMblxHgB8s003xF7D4mnnIUMz_jpVuPTgGqZ4xOHwMjLITlPx91dEELWPXaV4h2MjmUxKXg1zOblWKoxXyJme3jvVhi-gpnb5QTK8U3/s400/IMG_1387.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Needless to say pink was the main color of choice since it's a color we rarely ever see.<br />
Since the kids were doing her room in shades of pink with fairies, I decided to do a Woodland Fairy theme shower. Now the woodland part I felt comfortable with.....but pink fairies was a brand new world for me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPnVLXD7m_c338FerRfgFnKs3VdGS7JncTYCuiz7ZbixAFB1maH4-8fEr0s9xceyz9pYYTnL_JEEkKkApFmibTMgQFMKJZquBc9mDc7rayf0QGmXOuVI-tnD9VPEiIGPPC3Gn_xSybjQV/s1600/DSC_0458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPnVLXD7m_c338FerRfgFnKs3VdGS7JncTYCuiz7ZbixAFB1maH4-8fEr0s9xceyz9pYYTnL_JEEkKkApFmibTMgQFMKJZquBc9mDc7rayf0QGmXOuVI-tnD9VPEiIGPPC3Gn_xSybjQV/s400/DSC_0458.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the wooden trays I found -The right is from Crate n Barrel the left Target</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Luckily this seemed to be a popular year for gnomes and fairies so I found almost too many great items.Target, Etsy and our local garden centers seemed to be the best places. It was so hard to narrow it down to just a few. In one of the above photos you will see one of my favorites a lime green gnome candle. That little sweetie came from Target and he was on clearance!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IzugB9vlkxNiYj3hYMe4fE3teadWjILVJ8_4HLYWxXOlE58GGb5FNPtRaOqxQSYw8dR4P29S1f5lprT6zAnUL3H_kzgVnTCzQZZ2AeflOE9qaIfEKCnakfDNUOccvG3hQ5_BIb6bhxmb/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IzugB9vlkxNiYj3hYMe4fE3teadWjILVJ8_4HLYWxXOlE58GGb5FNPtRaOqxQSYw8dR4P29S1f5lprT6zAnUL3H_kzgVnTCzQZZ2AeflOE9qaIfEKCnakfDNUOccvG3hQ5_BIb6bhxmb/s400/IMG_1374.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Next I found the cutest little succulent plants to use as favors from a shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SANPEDROCACTUS">Sanpedrocactus</a>. They were absolutely adorable. To keep them in woodland feel I wrapped them in small squares cut used coffee bags. Then I added a soft pink and white fluffy yarn around the container to hold the burlap in place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQmdYazb1sOIvMle5DfxbICqNlEgPvAMWd7wTGv45CKrQPKdtI_A0lMJdFSiJpRijIfvKdV-2mjxQ7UN-L2We9_2tB4BcO9t9psu2AeumWcLFalcw4nmZvY35DYUVpP2_ZFt8Gtjwa7rz/s1600/DSC_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQmdYazb1sOIvMle5DfxbICqNlEgPvAMWd7wTGv45CKrQPKdtI_A0lMJdFSiJpRijIfvKdV-2mjxQ7UN-L2We9_2tB4BcO9t9psu2AeumWcLFalcw4nmZvY35DYUVpP2_ZFt8Gtjwa7rz/s400/DSC_0471.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I just felt like it extended the woodland feeling, to have each guest take home a <i>living</i> thank you. What really finished them off were the tiny pink mushrooms I found on Etsy that I included. The shop is called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/smalloldthings">Small Old Things</a>. I also found a cute little outdoor <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/107086163/free-shipping-miniature-fairy-door-faux">fairy door</a> that I used as a prize. As my Mother always said "It's all in the details". So I tried to pay extra attention to all of the details of the event.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHxHthNJ1NYy-0uvklHzWncfoPWXeJNfyklRVqMtH7ZconhZM01rqI5ySDy7v3PUxtn7-YNqplDEyHOQ2eeZ-lB4kYrTpXnfht4IkwNvbCDpnUilh3OfRLcaOuoCgHcLASUSec2dNbh1E/s1600/DSC_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHxHthNJ1NYy-0uvklHzWncfoPWXeJNfyklRVqMtH7ZconhZM01rqI5ySDy7v3PUxtn7-YNqplDEyHOQ2eeZ-lB4kYrTpXnfht4IkwNvbCDpnUilh3OfRLcaOuoCgHcLASUSec2dNbh1E/s400/DSC_0466.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I decided to try my hand at making a pendant banner which I am now very into and may make one for each of grand-children's birthdays. Tons of ideas are now bouncing around in my head!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY_H_PwzjbZj3pAf3u2TUuc8_kRJTtvVD1p75-H21xGiV2p5DrQYNO_ESMDs4jbTji2U28lm5OmvQ1WNqZOMvO9mofdj_So6P4g5-7Uk0BdPCHN00VmcTUTG3YiKZZZnyp_FhyphenhyphenfM8WBNC/s1600/IMG_1347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY_H_PwzjbZj3pAf3u2TUuc8_kRJTtvVD1p75-H21xGiV2p5DrQYNO_ESMDs4jbTji2U28lm5OmvQ1WNqZOMvO9mofdj_So6P4g5-7Uk0BdPCHN00VmcTUTG3YiKZZZnyp_FhyphenhyphenfM8WBNC/s400/IMG_1347.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The center of the fireplace mantel I found the cutest <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyDollsByLesya">fairy doll</a> from a shop called Happy Dolls by Lesya to use as a center piece, and as a gift to little Hadleigh. Check out her shop she has so many beautiful dolls. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNVmNe4EyGkZK0M-n2iLPZXZXrpO4pkaIbh7we1-30NtYtSzP0NeP2oKRFYt5ouisF7hb6EJittQ9VkZNd0WDiu8xfAv-VtfbeUwFKv7aJsLMf9zuLn3eHzT0-29UIbFICaNfe9B9aW1I/s1600/DSC_0472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNVmNe4EyGkZK0M-n2iLPZXZXrpO4pkaIbh7we1-30NtYtSzP0NeP2oKRFYt5ouisF7hb6EJittQ9VkZNd0WDiu8xfAv-VtfbeUwFKv7aJsLMf9zuLn3eHzT0-29UIbFICaNfe9B9aW1I/s400/DSC_0472.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I also made lots of little moss pots and felt toadstools to sit around and give every little corner a woodland fairy feel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyzqIg-wrrnX5CKDgaJO_diciQSsrKtEGIpPFhF9ksad73igoureeSssQmZ76hRGm-ZcoOdRhpZeA8N37-8BxhPJO5snmbYdnhGC86rpgKe6EolxMCtg73_Yks2Zi3DHbcZyYDigc3TcE/s1600/DSC_0463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyzqIg-wrrnX5CKDgaJO_diciQSsrKtEGIpPFhF9ksad73igoureeSssQmZ76hRGm-ZcoOdRhpZeA8N37-8BxhPJO5snmbYdnhGC86rpgKe6EolxMCtg73_Yks2Zi3DHbcZyYDigc3TcE/s400/DSC_0463.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxgXcbZnoboTrMDW8-xAeKwjULiqHFBElQmYz-avR2OERoWJmHoAL2cvSwiBFSnIx8NreO2oyd3h13HgjO8OXq8llb8oeFshN-d1vUfewYuc8Nug6Rl4ipu-tcPaJ5ow9dqCuEYfOtXZd/s1600/DSC_0464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxgXcbZnoboTrMDW8-xAeKwjULiqHFBElQmYz-avR2OERoWJmHoAL2cvSwiBFSnIx8NreO2oyd3h13HgjO8OXq8llb8oeFshN-d1vUfewYuc8Nug6Rl4ipu-tcPaJ5ow9dqCuEYfOtXZd/s400/DSC_0464.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
Many of these moss pots and toadstools the Mommy-to-be was able to use in the baby's room. That made my clean up and "what to do" with these little items so much easier!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2nmOM_Zsd6Wut8gzAZFE3tpzpeux8q68KuJIHlCj84NyoCWsrrYciwS2GTG5yJBg0g79I4GCcBJGKkYeipNefsPyKGTCYJxZybb6vk2AKQ8SnKmy8k-rZaRAOEyVeZdANCc9a_tvOO3u/s1600/DSC_0470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2nmOM_Zsd6Wut8gzAZFE3tpzpeux8q68KuJIHlCj84NyoCWsrrYciwS2GTG5yJBg0g79I4GCcBJGKkYeipNefsPyKGTCYJxZybb6vk2AKQ8SnKmy8k-rZaRAOEyVeZdANCc9a_tvOO3u/s640/DSC_0470.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<br />
Having the shower at the end of a season really helped the cost because nearly everything was either on sale or found in a clearance section.<br />

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYENN3mtz77cQ1CXDN0tmK9alHmPFAIlmlEZdUtpHVmIOxQXKmRXqP5glftG4YTsj2CXI02_yjpXwyXLErdONclY4Up8yb6ouYqRRR0UDmZ625H1Po1plSIHnXhuAXPzyp8nHWo8djPEW/s1600/DSC_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYENN3mtz77cQ1CXDN0tmK9alHmPFAIlmlEZdUtpHVmIOxQXKmRXqP5glftG4YTsj2CXI02_yjpXwyXLErdONclY4Up8yb6ouYqRRR0UDmZ625H1Po1plSIHnXhuAXPzyp8nHWo8djPEW/s320/DSC_0489.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family members playing one of our games.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I went back and forth about whether to do games or not. I just wasn't sure if it was really still popular. In the end we decided yes on the games, and the ones we chose we very funny.If you know my family funny is very important. This game was to draw a baby on top of your head. Then the mommy-to-be picked her favorite. All of my prizes were also centered around the woodland,fairy, and garden theme.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_Dt6UL3SnXECBjkgnat1gmPEuHy08qnJv2bOiavArwmv2BOJRV09_coN3r4Re92Q17j8VswiqHigHO0qunq0mMXICmtGT1xTp5HArsy3T8kvwO4UOFzSENcNP1i6duAsKrUF5bI_M30C/s1600/IMG_1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_Dt6UL3SnXECBjkgnat1gmPEuHy08qnJv2bOiavArwmv2BOJRV09_coN3r4Re92Q17j8VswiqHigHO0qunq0mMXICmtGT1xTp5HArsy3T8kvwO4UOFzSENcNP1i6duAsKrUF5bI_M30C/s400/IMG_1349.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEzjSkQzLqTpJUHOlhPna1llo_8MSP8WUs2i2_qWNxBuMBIjfLClSk7OTtpBEyb7cN6k5SZ4CN561I0FYYiIsCTXd4gg28W54l2yXblIWu3bneS7JqDnpnyCioQ9aa0s5eoOTr5Uz6X26/s1600/DSC_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEzjSkQzLqTpJUHOlhPna1llo_8MSP8WUs2i2_qWNxBuMBIjfLClSk7OTtpBEyb7cN6k5SZ4CN561I0FYYiIsCTXd4gg28W54l2yXblIWu3bneS7JqDnpnyCioQ9aa0s5eoOTr5Uz6X26/s400/DSC_0469.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So keeping with the woodland feel and attention to detail I decided to order these twig colored pencils to use in the games and for each guest to take home with her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_4UaNjPeZd8Bql79DsAQpsOQZg_myHGb3acOygXeFbmpAzoA4pQijkvdklfT2PMved70jTE9fa_3OkflolnHvCsQaiYpSJTAAq9WHnYNguIdpb2mSNB2GB_GYrit98NYgytuJwADy4dO/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_4UaNjPeZd8Bql79DsAQpsOQZg_myHGb3acOygXeFbmpAzoA4pQijkvdklfT2PMved70jTE9fa_3OkflolnHvCsQaiYpSJTAAq9WHnYNguIdpb2mSNB2GB_GYrit98NYgytuJwADy4dO/s400/IMG_1388.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I also added these carved radishes to the salad to give it a woodland fairy feel too. They are very easy and really didn't take as long as I had thought they would. I did them the evening before the event and stored them in the refrigerator.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYvziXGYHheM5CPNsu7Mes8XEG1MepyFeKYZTQtTMoAuLNVRkNDbBzRiwH8KSj7jgDCEKI6EELmwrcxLl-8k4FlQhkm4yUArxfglkmHnkzh9xUQSXgM5UXCD6hItSaD1eX2WiPrNwMvNS/s1600/DSC_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYvziXGYHheM5CPNsu7Mes8XEG1MepyFeKYZTQtTMoAuLNVRkNDbBzRiwH8KSj7jgDCEKI6EELmwrcxLl-8k4FlQhkm4yUArxfglkmHnkzh9xUQSXgM5UXCD6hItSaD1eX2WiPrNwMvNS/s400/DSC_0481.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I tried to use wooden trays for serving as much as I could and when it came time to set up my main table display I was stumped as what to use as a lift.<br />
Then a trip to the back of our shop solved that problem. I noticed two logs chunks from a downed tree just perfect for this. I plan to use these in a million different ways all year. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYveSW26oPDHtNNsj8fe2r5TjnyUJzNYBjFDkcYH4hYkv_B66IOTiPIzOoCo_SC0pNhkfCZUuqHqCemZWVupTtw9zkyczFlSrzMl-sbJzqo8165S5L1hXfghOZYKYutZTRrx2g55CpXke/s1600/DSC_0480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYveSW26oPDHtNNsj8fe2r5TjnyUJzNYBjFDkcYH4hYkv_B66IOTiPIzOoCo_SC0pNhkfCZUuqHqCemZWVupTtw9zkyczFlSrzMl-sbJzqo8165S5L1hXfghOZYKYutZTRrx2g55CpXke/s400/DSC_0480.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<br />
We had a great day together celebrating our first baby girl. But with time running out we knew we had to finish her room.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrrmT-ygutSnqd5yC0kmB1H3ZkUh_qVshd6vtsSJDAu7sqhVerphdAvJ7J1_NlZYu7KE1ELLc7-gW9gJy9Yr3LgwXml89BBb51DDfGXmakRz3t1QXRwEwSL9hCiLpNaB9iSq2kgOLoSxR/s1600/IMG_1564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrrmT-ygutSnqd5yC0kmB1H3ZkUh_qVshd6vtsSJDAu7sqhVerphdAvJ7J1_NlZYu7KE1ELLc7-gW9gJy9Yr3LgwXml89BBb51DDfGXmakRz3t1QXRwEwSL9hCiLpNaB9iSq2kgOLoSxR/s640/IMG_1564.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
<br />
So Jason and I spent many evenings and weekends painting a window on her wall as a peek into a fairy garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlXbwm8bKy5yUFXpwoBLcLN3D-rRiXqubkEGvtNK67Z0Ouc-LZ_WVL9MZKky_7oG-XOrPFcr0WBr4MtupOn6RUSq1jDroTvA8gJKzEAIFlfo_LbCVEb7GUp6bCfIKv-VMsjmR-hqU8_Qo/s1600/IMG_1565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlXbwm8bKy5yUFXpwoBLcLN3D-rRiXqubkEGvtNK67Z0Ouc-LZ_WVL9MZKky_7oG-XOrPFcr0WBr4MtupOn6RUSq1jDroTvA8gJKzEAIFlfo_LbCVEb7GUp6bCfIKv-VMsjmR-hqU8_Qo/s400/IMG_1565.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1F2EViZr11VT6xRAaWVmShL8GYw5-3kR_oS_9yBj8rWjk4NFTvY-auKDq5f3Hb95L4ckqBldSntj0c3mucZUUj1rNlfzwPyQ_H9iu0wGVBm6DaQEZDA7BdWSFh2dobIezqbyQ5Se3KJD/s1600/IMG_1567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1F2EViZr11VT6xRAaWVmShL8GYw5-3kR_oS_9yBj8rWjk4NFTvY-auKDq5f3Hb95L4ckqBldSntj0c3mucZUUj1rNlfzwPyQ_H9iu0wGVBm6DaQEZDA7BdWSFh2dobIezqbyQ5Se3KJD/s400/IMG_1567.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO7Rot3hsIONwwQjjBjNJuQmcvT25LXoy99h1MJVYJ1syFWsyjL03WLtx6L0_BKwq9DD4t3xxxfcIFE65VjH91l_CZC9aMUcGoV4ITVOGl5BR5T1hBL6BWXb2SyGDHkdLmgV7T_R-f5kr/s1600/IMG_1566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO7Rot3hsIONwwQjjBjNJuQmcvT25LXoy99h1MJVYJ1syFWsyjL03WLtx6L0_BKwq9DD4t3xxxfcIFE65VjH91l_CZC9aMUcGoV4ITVOGl5BR5T1hBL6BWXb2SyGDHkdLmgV7T_R-f5kr/s400/IMG_1566.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
We added little fairies around her room as if a few have escaped their world and into hers. This is something I so enjoy with my son.....but was certainly a new and strange territory for us. There is still a few details to add when we have time......because as you can see our sweet grand-daughter has arrived!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmH8JLbhhh-zAETBxBmPnumn3X8_rCHHXTotMvgwOGM4Pw4lP84jU1z7oLse5GCg0f6TfCjPX94eOiTF-xnRljxXexjEGjwfNNNwv2RPlEMskKArqUqf1t5XMZ_ryR6hsbbt1WoyQtnT8/s1600/206406_3614513565047_948060138_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmH8JLbhhh-zAETBxBmPnumn3X8_rCHHXTotMvgwOGM4Pw4lP84jU1z7oLse5GCg0f6TfCjPX94eOiTF-xnRljxXexjEGjwfNNNwv2RPlEMskKArqUqf1t5XMZ_ryR6hsbbt1WoyQtnT8/s400/206406_3614513565047_948060138_n.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<br />
We are more than over joyed and ready to spoil her and love her as much as we have our three wonderful grandsons!<br />
<br />
As a footnote I wanted to include a couple of other Etsy shops I used. The first one is for my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62142259/recycled-kraft-baby-girl-shower">invitations</a> I found that were just darling from a shop called Gracie Girl Notes. The other is the cutest <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/100394246/bubble-gum-stripe-straws-wdiy-party">pink striped straws</a> from a shop called Bon Fortune. I used them with the pink grapefruit Izzy 's that I love.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-25989651005671828902012-09-03T11:15:00.002-07:002012-09-03T11:21:07.149-07:00An American Made Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYJdvs-oW4mDARrELVocst10r213_SXteqRa8RWpJcKV0n4-n3BX_d4mTOVylTYet3NOzrOELqfFpaMRro_x5PuZrP3jvxs9GjxCfEIfgIkmVtLpQOwORo74RbsWm1DXPB-iYSiZ2yjgF/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYJdvs-oW4mDARrELVocst10r213_SXteqRa8RWpJcKV0n4-n3BX_d4mTOVylTYet3NOzrOELqfFpaMRro_x5PuZrP3jvxs9GjxCfEIfgIkmVtLpQOwORo74RbsWm1DXPB-iYSiZ2yjgF/s200/images.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
Hi everybody and Happy Labor Day! I hope you are enjoying this long weekend with family and friends and are staying dry!<br />
First before my mind wanders off....and we all know it will. I wanted to tell you all that I have entered my shop into the <a href="http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/about">Martha Stewart Made in America</a> contest.<br />
<br />
On September 7th (my husband's birthday maybe that will bring me luck) is the day the finalists will be announced. You can vote once each day from September 7-24th for your favorite finalist. You can read all about the rules and details <a href="http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/faq-rules-prizing">here</a> if you would like.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFw0NRSVdsLbqmfZZSb_3jwTevna45goMBQWQ3vOIOo2eUcvN85Dnu-ACZ6v2nGbXjGQyJAKmjRc7u3OoxrufJSVi1zSQVKiPOjFQ1aqGn9W8kkm5LKQdNLMJ5f_GLfxRGU7Bzt3sWUOz/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFw0NRSVdsLbqmfZZSb_3jwTevna45goMBQWQ3vOIOo2eUcvN85Dnu-ACZ6v2nGbXjGQyJAKmjRc7u3OoxrufJSVi1zSQVKiPOjFQ1aqGn9W8kkm5LKQdNLMJ5f_GLfxRGU7Bzt3sWUOz/s400/DSC_0255.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of items I'm thinking of bringing back to my shop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjdum1A7tOm5I7sYiOTE5op0kZID_UxotWe5QMAWSF6YitTjDxhphG5q8EbBW2PRo_2_U8RxjwEilAAdelQKcm08L7r7v_oVs0-puHVofgVYnzDCU83kJ0BXd01pjZudIbn_1dxK40ZcaQl/s1600/Campfire+With+Marshmallows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdum1A7tOm5I7sYiOTE5op0kZID_UxotWe5QMAWSF6YitTjDxhphG5q8EbBW2PRo_2_U8RxjwEilAAdelQKcm08L7r7v_oVs0-puHVofgVYnzDCU83kJ0BXd01pjZudIbn_1dxK40ZcaQl/s400/Campfire+With+Marshmallows.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My signature item in my shop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I am keeping my fingers crossed and probably my eyes as well hoping I make it as one of the finalists. I know I have about as much luck as Frosty does sitting by a campfire but dang it a gal's gotta dream!! Stop <a href="http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/profiles/rebecca-neafus-2564">here</a> to take a peek at my shop entry...you can even leave me a comment if you'd like. So with a new grand-baby and this contest all on the horizon I am more than on pins and needles. I just love this whole contest idea of honoring and congratulating hard working American small business owners. It really is the backbone of this great country! <br />
<br />
For me Labor Day has always been the signal that summer has come to an end. I don't think the old rules still apply...(do they?) but even though I'm still wearing white slacks, capri's and flip flops I am mentally thinking about the fall and all the treats that go along with that word.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10WG-gK5VJCUuljAhyphenhyphen06QeOwNGB2nuWLBvBoCEHMSv6-dZY7g7BAIJIEVNVFpfM-6R0zIiOGiERIgufM1B3WIoGGLTAq6Vy5xJJvzglKIxMvz4nfmPnnbknSo3p2ggad2t4yGPLihEqzd/s1600/CIMG2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10WG-gK5VJCUuljAhyphenhyphen06QeOwNGB2nuWLBvBoCEHMSv6-dZY7g7BAIJIEVNVFpfM-6R0zIiOGiERIgufM1B3WIoGGLTAq6Vy5xJJvzglKIxMvz4nfmPnnbknSo3p2ggad2t4yGPLihEqzd/s400/CIMG2212.JPG" width="363" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo from last year. Some of the reds look like fire they were so brilliant! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fall festivals, comfort food, pumpkins and persimmons. So later this week I will limp down to the basement and start to look for my fall decor. Gosh doesn't the thought of autumn make you feel all warm and cozy,or is it only me? Fall at least for me brings back so many great memories of family and old friends and fattening foods of course.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFNjDxHR0w4VgJLrf6M3DiXf8uesq2J9a2wGEqrWxus-e0kfRWA4FmX3C0Gm1hFYKmp9qprvoM0dBx6GxOMplY3jEFd8kDVUjOFXqNyvmQ7UBceLSbOLZOPnR38MRmfYOY7EZkT30b2D3/s1600/DSC_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFNjDxHR0w4VgJLrf6M3DiXf8uesq2J9a2wGEqrWxus-e0kfRWA4FmX3C0Gm1hFYKmp9qprvoM0dBx6GxOMplY3jEFd8kDVUjOFXqNyvmQ7UBceLSbOLZOPnR38MRmfYOY7EZkT30b2D3/s400/DSC_0350.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
I have had five days off and sadly our
plans fell apart with hurricane Issac traveling across the Midwest. I
think I've shared before how we as a family always come together at
Patoka Lake.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpj24H9Jmkbx5NENvXiLffMUcpHKst8biBjDW5U-cwzZ_FcEeXPfbTpbNRNESLozZiNLRwx8jJLiyyU5Zk1dBEY7mCknK_BPjHZ6zGb9cfn8ZRoSeePU93OwNjIjuha6mRO0TZu-UXqDx/s1600/100_3021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpj24H9Jmkbx5NENvXiLffMUcpHKst8biBjDW5U-cwzZ_FcEeXPfbTpbNRNESLozZiNLRwx8jJLiyyU5Zk1dBEY7mCknK_BPjHZ6zGb9cfn8ZRoSeePU93OwNjIjuha6mRO0TZu-UXqDx/s400/100_3021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From several years ago. We decided to beach the pontoon and take a walk to look for driftwood and shells</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54MFqyUAamB5x_CJuVpkGfXdxs_mmUlU7ctk1rIN89XCMfqjkd5yrO-OiIRexMd5MPGHHC2Ejrr40H6G7H6TpXjQNKvhXOKdkxcoJI-9CBLeFPQrJhNVpXS8clSQ7TaSfuR7B71vEn5VE/s1600/100_3247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54MFqyUAamB5x_CJuVpkGfXdxs_mmUlU7ctk1rIN89XCMfqjkd5yrO-OiIRexMd5MPGHHC2Ejrr40H6G7H6TpXjQNKvhXOKdkxcoJI-9CBLeFPQrJhNVpXS8clSQ7TaSfuR7B71vEn5VE/s400/100_3247.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys were almost too big for this poor tube.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgppnrAK9Qyp3VaZP8qpgHhhr7qdo2VuHgLhSkpIUM8Sal3teEJH-0OMu2qSd10FtQxt9QIjHCmnryfd7Al0-XPyP6MXuiBadqBtWLUdy639Ke_tzXzMDjPn6MEQI4WLoglPCNz05-TtNA3/s1600/CIMG0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppnrAK9Qyp3VaZP8qpgHhhr7qdo2VuHgLhSkpIUM8Sal3teEJH-0OMu2qSd10FtQxt9QIjHCmnryfd7Al0-XPyP6MXuiBadqBtWLUdy639Ke_tzXzMDjPn6MEQI4WLoglPCNz05-TtNA3/s400/CIMG0774.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fun night a few years ago of games and silliness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It wouldn't have been a total family
get together anyway since my youngest son and his wife are expecting
their second child any day now, and have been told not to travel very far. Excited isn't the word for it! We are knee deep in the color pink
and lavender since we our expecting our first grand-daughter!! We have laughed our selves
crazy because we know we have over dosed on girly girl colors, but it's
been so much fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So we simply stayed home and did some things we
haven't had the time to do. Cleaning should have been one of them but
for me it was sewing. I've had so many ideas in my head and never enough
quiet time to pull them out. I have almost completed one and hope to
have it finished and a pattern put together so I can add it to my shop. I will share it as soon as it is ready. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
My youngest grandson has put his seal of approval on this new item. He
is so funny and trust me he really does play with my new creations and
tells me if it is just dumb (his words haha), and what can I do to make it better. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjery8LdR4z39XFxpzbTciydQpu_z_uFER-SfH94j2kacfKafz94CjpycHl4jZzqaRxFecdHftnCDEEo3fC_-fpUa8tsK0_IbvcmQtXaPNRv7Px3SbPv3BgY_P88Mxy7FpWYCF09CoQVGXg/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjery8LdR4z39XFxpzbTciydQpu_z_uFER-SfH94j2kacfKafz94CjpycHl4jZzqaRxFecdHftnCDEEo3fC_-fpUa8tsK0_IbvcmQtXaPNRv7Px3SbPv3BgY_P88Mxy7FpWYCF09CoQVGXg/s400/IMG_1599.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fire for the castle entrance and some scary bones, bats and ghosts to make it even better,</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Recently he stayed with
us and I love to work while he plays.....well I should say try and work because he
wants my total attention. But for me the best part is when I get to
witness his ability to take "his" felt stuffed toys that I've made and
use them with his other toys.....that's the blue ribbon for me!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRl9ok3ooap9ba8fNK3ao2KkfNP7LIAKcpCqgQoSH-iih5dutNfZscZjOIxPBQhGgL49VTqBBVUS7wIbrZoNsC3jGigy9c2iNkm6zXHyDbdOahz4_U2ieFUICNMKVR8HB0IopUb_V4s6H/s1600/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRl9ok3ooap9ba8fNK3ao2KkfNP7LIAKcpCqgQoSH-iih5dutNfZscZjOIxPBQhGgL49VTqBBVUS7wIbrZoNsC3jGigy9c2iNkm6zXHyDbdOahz4_U2ieFUICNMKVR8HB0IopUb_V4s6H/s400/IMG_1582.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The photo is a little blurry because I didn't want to spoil the moment of our deep conversation on the swing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So it's back to my work room for a while.Then after dinner maybe a
ride in our 4 wheeler up to the cemetery that's behind our property,
just to check on things. I love to ride around and see how things start
to change. I'll take my camera of course, you just never know what you
may stumble upon. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfgyah1HFkyxQJY7aRJmzD7a7_6kcEeCKbPRODW9VtiZjSXSLl78Vl_McQ9hyphenhyphen1LYKpKz9-WwgkjtrA7Xb77dl4XGrBwl901_3-ns4oXiaq1XZElH7-6cgo55JTV6j3uA7e0Bc7CVK3_Yf/s1600/579942_2302172129421_1694920051_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><br /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-37476853147055768812012-08-19T20:10:00.000-07:002012-08-19T20:10:09.522-07:00Shaker Village and Family Trees last fall we took a short trip down to an area just east of Harrodsburg Kentucky to a place called Shaker Village.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemMrnKWBuJHpu3a9QTfnCIRa_jN9ojyBMNo0u2WVV2URlp65RHVC8t3O2e0aGVsA5yRnwXQJNYl8Gm8T3bukeHLQ8IQZ1EmY3MjKC1SZyIsgIHCFJUeenfSIeQE-Hd8dm02KUjNuDaKvA/s1600/DSC_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemMrnKWBuJHpu3a9QTfnCIRa_jN9ojyBMNo0u2WVV2URlp65RHVC8t3O2e0aGVsA5yRnwXQJNYl8Gm8T3bukeHLQ8IQZ1EmY3MjKC1SZyIsgIHCFJUeenfSIeQE-Hd8dm02KUjNuDaKvA/s400/DSC_0402.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Shaker Village is truly a step back in time! Once you enter the area you feel the strength of their convictions, of simplicity and peace. Oh and incredibly hard work......you see the results of that everywhere.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe03wBYnzyPw_0xHUVlPrdd-77NFK0odvoA9mmS8bZPcMyoG71Dt9cmQAanPqTYTXIJJOdfAaXTNWEjTaBydQI9DTiUBoCXPl_vNOjOXbZGkukmf3TppUPR6IzQTQFXk2KtLi8CFV8JgA/s1600/DSC_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe03wBYnzyPw_0xHUVlPrdd-77NFK0odvoA9mmS8bZPcMyoG71Dt9cmQAanPqTYTXIJJOdfAaXTNWEjTaBydQI9DTiUBoCXPl_vNOjOXbZGkukmf3TppUPR6IzQTQFXk2KtLi8CFV8JgA/s400/DSC_0372.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
I must admit I knew very little about this quaint and unusual group of deeply religious people. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS8R0IBDcxtXoxK30bOZXVLZ3uIBqbZX3-SeYBWnq1D3oymKG9nBwcrHlWGQC1ntGoyn-uMv4vcTR2MzvdAlSylcZJ_XDAwG4yGErgyLbBnO7NIuStBS42LE0BLMQoo-f9coy37cwRtWJ/s1600/DSC_0375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS8R0IBDcxtXoxK30bOZXVLZ3uIBqbZX3-SeYBWnq1D3oymKG9nBwcrHlWGQC1ntGoyn-uMv4vcTR2MzvdAlSylcZJ_XDAwG4yGErgyLbBnO7NIuStBS42LE0BLMQoo-f9coy37cwRtWJ/s640/DSC_0375.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">You may or may not know that the Shakers invented
the flat broom, the clothespin, and the circular saw, among many other items. This all seems amazing to me since their leader Mother Ann Lee never learned to read or write.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shaker men and women lived separately. Some members came to the group as married couples but once they became a Shaker they lived the rest their lives in separate quarters. Order,simplicity,hard work and celibacy were strong convictions of this group. In spite of the celibacy though there were lots of children raised in the Shaker villages. Often they were orphans brought in when no one else would take them.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-6A86z-MqKBXIiqIW0es3tdF_FUtoKeb_9n0-mrVS3Z6XwBtNBEPB7wLim3LJtQ1fozWTrG9HTA2UwmC0cSBw8yOOWrjed-EjChgqT8wgAApppWPFM_KhVLSjcq2aQk39oUsoI003CKG/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-6A86z-MqKBXIiqIW0es3tdF_FUtoKeb_9n0-mrVS3Z6XwBtNBEPB7wLim3LJtQ1fozWTrG9HTA2UwmC0cSBw8yOOWrjed-EjChgqT8wgAApppWPFM_KhVLSjcq2aQk39oUsoI003CKG/s400/DSC_0389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This is one of the rooms once occupied by children. It doesn't look like a lot of fun for a kid.....we didn't see any toys or dolls or any thing child like that said children once lived here.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDEIaHa8NlnIWBRnkbAH-wQEokBmBvZcodRc0Gr77BsdlLc1mz1-nO8WhBvIZxiShfJiHQyyTbAp0K6fkPXZkZyMLMTpG-6d_Oxv-a3-AFx2p0Eb2-Q_dFBHaqW8pIfGEn773GWa4m8XA/s1600/DSC_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDEIaHa8NlnIWBRnkbAH-wQEokBmBvZcodRc0Gr77BsdlLc1mz1-nO8WhBvIZxiShfJiHQyyTbAp0K6fkPXZkZyMLMTpG-6d_Oxv-a3-AFx2p0Eb2-Q_dFBHaqW8pIfGEn773GWa4m8XA/s400/DSC_0388.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"> They may have given the children a roof over their heads and three meals a day but fun and play I guess was not a priority.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFc-MlQGnF_Ka-nmOaVM0uxSNsVF9sS4-u8y8jhulSHVT7pCqn5Ftv0YxJqAOuxFuT0P__wRdH4ggOD0hFIn0O10r8TZDRVCLEg-ZC4UuzZaJPLCT62awU-ui04D-RACR9xHmUsM2MRND7/s1600/DSC_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFc-MlQGnF_Ka-nmOaVM0uxSNsVF9sS4-u8y8jhulSHVT7pCqn5Ftv0YxJqAOuxFuT0P__wRdH4ggOD0hFIn0O10r8TZDRVCLEg-ZC4UuzZaJPLCT62awU-ui04D-RACR9xHmUsM2MRND7/s400/DSC_0392.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">We fell in love with the furniture and the architecture of the village. I knew from my Mother's love of ladder back chairs that they were invited by the Shakers,and trust me comfort was not part of that invention. I think they designed these chairs so they could hang them on the wall in the evening and sweep the floors clean.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4yJJYrxvuXSqBTW4n81AYLvn1rFXaUKY57pBKbbv9j76Q2HXhypjfHJQWWDErBhQJLtsinvIBeKbl562Aj9-3mrn4vKB_9S5_38nMQHQRjwxb87o2j4W96MSPGDNa-dy_Ftv4NqgHOv9/s1600/DSC_0375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4yJJYrxvuXSqBTW4n81AYLvn1rFXaUKY57pBKbbv9j76Q2HXhypjfHJQWWDErBhQJLtsinvIBeKbl562Aj9-3mrn4vKB_9S5_38nMQHQRjwxb87o2j4W96MSPGDNa-dy_Ftv4NqgHOv9/s640/DSC_0375.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
I loved the kitchens and all of the old utensils, the beautiful large bowls and pots. It really made you realize that putting a meal on the table was not a quick and easy process........after all they didn't invent the microwave!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKORKGWw4bHqGH8Dhu_D3G9a9WR0In1XuPamBc4AGwHurT0XKiinIvrUTwebnttI51LN0ucPjsURvgVro2gBss3vpn6uqcNqEy4Jezit5Mop3Hudg7EiR-Ec1puMZ3OaPXB9L3_yw6CCZ/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKORKGWw4bHqGH8Dhu_D3G9a9WR0In1XuPamBc4AGwHurT0XKiinIvrUTwebnttI51LN0ucPjsURvgVro2gBss3vpn6uqcNqEy4Jezit5Mop3Hudg7EiR-Ec1puMZ3OaPXB9L3_yw6CCZ/s400/DSC_0397.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisN6BJcFzEBvLt3mRq_yfTA1QzgLw6-XzszIq9XP2cjco44EiXIqEZiP_Oep1KioLfw7_R_6AwjR-hrkjJpPx30WS554eg8gs1ocy3AzM577iwiHl26ua8nbpnFo044YMzxtHzTMMxIzZZ/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisN6BJcFzEBvLt3mRq_yfTA1QzgLw6-XzszIq9XP2cjco44EiXIqEZiP_Oep1KioLfw7_R_6AwjR-hrkjJpPx30WS554eg8gs1ocy3AzM577iwiHl26ua8nbpnFo044YMzxtHzTMMxIzZZ/s400/DSC_0398.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmifUPdu73Ogp_eseqUCknaoRj9Xn8ZMgvxt9wj7fup2bg9dWBBLJpxoZOP1pM4HlRJfqYmpEMShtMWLg3o30Z-ZH46Gn2xF5AoVlt7k1wltxO5H_Putqb1WWsg905RrLwwSCKf_50blO/s1600/DSC_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmifUPdu73Ogp_eseqUCknaoRj9Xn8ZMgvxt9wj7fup2bg9dWBBLJpxoZOP1pM4HlRJfqYmpEMShtMWLg3o30Z-ZH46Gn2xF5AoVlt7k1wltxO5H_Putqb1WWsg905RrLwwSCKf_50blO/s400/DSC_0399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We were surprised to learn that they have a hotel there on the property. We discovered this when we stopped for lunch at their restaurant. The atmosphere in the restaurant was very tranquil and relaxing so I bet a stay at the hotel would be they same. I actually saw this hotel on a list of the top favorite stays of Martha Stewart. I just hope the rooms are a tad more modern than what we saw on our tour of the village.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJKpgZyOUbEEvhzYIEPIPFoOhojbM9xGSNYXiixPFTHbnfpEsgGQbfpkhBL-ThOElNW6VqMq0BIHeeGvKVYPo8P0IQUuqEnKoOxK2URIe9uQjKTubFmSR0YNYka8RmFHXfjO7yHLteVUQ/s1600/DSC_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJKpgZyOUbEEvhzYIEPIPFoOhojbM9xGSNYXiixPFTHbnfpEsgGQbfpkhBL-ThOElNW6VqMq0BIHeeGvKVYPo8P0IQUuqEnKoOxK2URIe9uQjKTubFmSR0YNYka8RmFHXfjO7yHLteVUQ/s400/DSC_0404.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I have to say the food was wonderful...... they had the best ice tea I've ever had. We hope to go back down someday soon. I bet it's beautiful during the Christmas season. What a great treat that would be to go down for the weekend and shop and simply get away.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUS9ii26xHmgK58RObZ2kPOLPN6IVFBzRcaF-bj76sENslfotsARLeY48jwyScw06pCi5qL8PsIeeEmmClUZzQZ8eCmuUkrsYjGduHcf5I_WFHOKMwsmStkYMCtrJrj_UECOYa_Cgw4fV/s1600/DSC_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUS9ii26xHmgK58RObZ2kPOLPN6IVFBzRcaF-bj76sENslfotsARLeY48jwyScw06pCi5qL8PsIeeEmmClUZzQZ8eCmuUkrsYjGduHcf5I_WFHOKMwsmStkYMCtrJrj_UECOYa_Cgw4fV/s400/DSC_0403.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This is the staircase that leads to their guest rooms. I wondered if there was an elevator but we didn't any sign of one, but that doesn't mean there isn't one of course. But to be on the safe side I'd pack light!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9AxGkh2ZWacCY0Ih4v7f4-SlJqOXCFpMgfJ72CESmxYoUUP1Z8Ze9INxRnmof4hPLHKKNW-eWUu4Gt3nrOzMykfiAk-UtDyRbQC2p42CDSPwmderPW5P8W7MJzLqt0-eOog57ddRufet/s1600/DSC_0394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9AxGkh2ZWacCY0Ih4v7f4-SlJqOXCFpMgfJ72CESmxYoUUP1Z8Ze9INxRnmof4hPLHKKNW-eWUu4Gt3nrOzMykfiAk-UtDyRbQC2p42CDSPwmderPW5P8W7MJzLqt0-eOog57ddRufet/s640/DSC_0394.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
I thought this was interesting and I don't think this photo really shows you that they had separate staircases. One for men and one for women,leading them to their separate quarters. That had to add even more work to build these in each house.....I mean one staircase couldn't ensure that you lived separate from each other. It just seemed interesting to me the thought process in this I guess. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGCKkObD7gPqCbRXSs7OjUdtiRRE0r49E3xy8SoFEcBZvxwemlSqozNmmF0FjfI3N2-DMzE-5UezBSQmQ2kymEXxbWgOv2pQhGCsEMW9l1glxR62eu0FFjTLrv4UsTwdzb7tRpQ8zul5v/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGCKkObD7gPqCbRXSs7OjUdtiRRE0r49E3xy8SoFEcBZvxwemlSqozNmmF0FjfI3N2-DMzE-5UezBSQmQ2kymEXxbWgOv2pQhGCsEMW9l1glxR62eu0FFjTLrv4UsTwdzb7tRpQ8zul5v/s400/DSC_0368.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This trip was for two reasons,one to visit the Shaker Village, and two to search my mother's family tree the LeMay side. We share a family tree with General Curtis Lemay who was very important during WWll. We spent a lot of our time there in Lancaster Ky in the library researching. This research led us to meeting a few women from D.A.R. The Daughters of the American Revolution, a group I hope to join, and a women writing a book about local war veterans. What a surprise to learn she had a story about my mother's cousin who served in WW11. It gave me some much needed information about him I never would have known.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfCMBcHgBx2dRTFiKZS8Aa-0G1Ho7PeJY6HTiHSqvjW75mln11JwvddvXuabyvCFZeZXq73tV9P5Rfx559pR0OoCsaxI_brRYDHd5cQn91eYuvY22JPhXrfiMfT8wt3_gfLxq1GszyLGy/s1600/DSC_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfCMBcHgBx2dRTFiKZS8Aa-0G1Ho7PeJY6HTiHSqvjW75mln11JwvddvXuabyvCFZeZXq73tV9P5Rfx559pR0OoCsaxI_brRYDHd5cQn91eYuvY22JPhXrfiMfT8wt3_gfLxq1GszyLGy/s400/DSC_0345.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>
While we were walking around the cemetery where some of my family was laid to rest, I noticed a dog sitting in front of a grave. At first I was kind of scared because I didn't know if it was a friendly dog or not. It had been raining all day and that made it hard to see and even harder to take photos.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJFXKaZ5OICz59t5ibiX5cBppY0Ybn3iQ2eDTgam53LJeYrHlA2H8bhhez1XCZeLJxbAVi5FfGQ8n78SqPS4s4t7BkHQo4NWmoZMUXGRFsi8M6E1s-4GlXwSQqLNBmouLlFpEae23AMJJ/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJFXKaZ5OICz59t5ibiX5cBppY0Ybn3iQ2eDTgam53LJeYrHlA2H8bhhez1XCZeLJxbAVi5FfGQ8n78SqPS4s4t7BkHQo4NWmoZMUXGRFsi8M6E1s-4GlXwSQqLNBmouLlFpEae23AMJJ/s400/DSC_0352.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
But after a few seconds I realized the dog wasn't moving and was part of the grave. I just couldn't bring myself to walk any closer. The sheer sadness of this dog sitting in front of this headstone waiting on his master was so emotional.....and rather spooky too I have to admit. I just felt that walking down there would be somehow disrespectful and probably upsetting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9oEEHgduVl2RobBU4EFNtV_hXP1r5gGciN7KjiykKftIDAWFXoH3l7s4DZFellPJ6yotshylz4X0Y14i48jApZWnRzRYaxuoIFuho7kgm6SJiWZRbZj-Ytx5UlGzs3x1UTx8TEQHSJ1y/s1600/DSC_0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9oEEHgduVl2RobBU4EFNtV_hXP1r5gGciN7KjiykKftIDAWFXoH3l7s4DZFellPJ6yotshylz4X0Y14i48jApZWnRzRYaxuoIFuho7kgm6SJiWZRbZj-Ytx5UlGzs3x1UTx8TEQHSJ1y/s400/DSC_0356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In spite of the rain and drizzle it was a great trip. All of the barns with these painted quilt signs on them were so pretty. The stone walls and of course the black and some remaining white horse fences were everywhere in this area. I especially love these dry stacked stone fences,which are probably a couple hundred years old. These have most likely been here since the state was settled. If they could talk....oh just imagine the stories they could tell us. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl0Ah-TB3d7HLESdVWwXCcmNOJM9OTdVQFLXsm-EAA3C51LdoEXvdaeqbtJiS7-dikVQgAQYEApteiMHdBhFkxABdm55LRjsSxDTMV707-f-6JXrCdqpx5viFj8Z0zw4Pw6YTcmTMoV-V/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl0Ah-TB3d7HLESdVWwXCcmNOJM9OTdVQFLXsm-EAA3C51LdoEXvdaeqbtJiS7-dikVQgAQYEApteiMHdBhFkxABdm55LRjsSxDTMV707-f-6JXrCdqpx5viFj8Z0zw4Pw6YTcmTMoV-V/s400/DSC_0369.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilERw6UCVpSuNe5srmtKI6QQE6vd0yn7QAS3lAm3JJQKH6hTXSAUTCC_AgqbfCOGcaPkGnDv38BaQPr-hy30uEkMHVJAr-F-0E3NbpBPM9nprfq8Bo4Lck6mJnJMXXoKAy1mLDfj9twDgK/s1600/DSC_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilERw6UCVpSuNe5srmtKI6QQE6vd0yn7QAS3lAm3JJQKH6hTXSAUTCC_AgqbfCOGcaPkGnDv38BaQPr-hy30uEkMHVJAr-F-0E3NbpBPM9nprfq8Bo4Lck6mJnJMXXoKAy1mLDfj9twDgK/s400/DSC_0386.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
There was also some interesting cows behind a few of these fences too. I walked over to this one because it didn't look real, but it was....and huge!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv192qJWG7GBbZqCqMMyabXAX3JNPLRYDPdfPewmXDvriLmKSfF46UJHjJ5WTipdZzqjJnaW7G3dN_OK5gfzaXcHqrmCwLG5N7bddrEp1ZghmJTHvMRYhmBspGcnhl81HMXeraozzYi-ke/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv192qJWG7GBbZqCqMMyabXAX3JNPLRYDPdfPewmXDvriLmKSfF46UJHjJ5WTipdZzqjJnaW7G3dN_OK5gfzaXcHqrmCwLG5N7bddrEp1ZghmJTHvMRYhmBspGcnhl81HMXeraozzYi-ke/s400/DSC_0354.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Each time we passed an abandoned house I wondered....could this have once been owned by someone in my family. I have been told that the house my grandmother was raised in still partially stands, but where? So still more to research. My next stop is the University of Kentucky to look at old newspapers and even older recorders.You see this search is easy and hard because my great-great grandparents were first cousins! So my search for both sides is with the same last name. Often back in those days people could not read or write so they never knew if the census taker recorded them correctly. This has made me crazy at times!<br />
After I find all I can on this part of my tree I plan to do more on my Dads side the Jones'es and my mom's father's side the Sawyers. An interesting discovery was made before my dad died. We never knew that my mom's maiden name was not Sawyer it was in fact we believe Sawyers......or so I have seen on old records in Kentucky. This search has led me to discover that we descend from Daniel Boone's sister, Mary Polly Boone. Still lots to confirm and discover.......but one fact has I have learned for is more and more interesting and colorful characters turn up at each point of this process.<br />
<br />
I just wish I had paid more attention to my parents and grandparents when they tried to tell me who and where I came from. I hope to leave a better record of things for my sons and their family!<br />
<br />
As an interesting foot note, I discovered that as of 2010, this once thriving group has dwindled down to only 3 remaining Shakers. I don't know if this number is still true today. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-64685282305723109182012-08-11T09:59:00.000-07:002012-08-11T09:59:10.636-07:00Space and an Evening Under the Stars Have you ever wondered what space smell like? No? I now that I've never thought about it to tell you the truth. But now I am intrigued. Evidently the odor or smell clings to the astronauts space suit,gloves,helmets and even their tools from when they are out working in space. NASA Astronaut Kevin Ford says it a smell he's never smelled before and will never ever forget!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkg74wVuPkAMnD98mEg-CLDzwQyjcaoA1UKI6N_oEILxYCLzxftUnAil25DeU7nmYW1toid-WCllUZyJBEuY7HZu6KYhbYs6vBmwPZWA8Io4hDPckx6GmCj2IkBkMdKFJYLAs4iMq_LWj/s1600/235794main_GPN-2006-000025_full1-600x603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkg74wVuPkAMnD98mEg-CLDzwQyjcaoA1UKI6N_oEILxYCLzxftUnAil25DeU7nmYW1toid-WCllUZyJBEuY7HZu6KYhbYs6vBmwPZWA8Io4hDPckx6GmCj2IkBkMdKFJYLAs4iMq_LWj/s400/235794main_GPN-2006-000025_full1-600x603.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh my.....can you just imagine what everything looks like from there, our planet I mean. No politics, no hatred, borders. Just earthlings, all appearing smaller than ants, and all working hard to survive. What an awesome thing to ever be able to experience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQIg7tNMbirS2kpwCRj6AY3mIwv_3YjeyOJBuo1aq0JbqFWdaCQGHyht8g6iSBCTkPEHhQZ3qrmIR1kXYmoQjnzP6XphxLYfDGCYzgztKpGUzpXwUvOiT_kQOCWQZPls5YVGs7HxgfUQV/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQIg7tNMbirS2kpwCRj6AY3mIwv_3YjeyOJBuo1aq0JbqFWdaCQGHyht8g6iSBCTkPEHhQZ3qrmIR1kXYmoQjnzP6XphxLYfDGCYzgztKpGUzpXwUvOiT_kQOCWQZPls5YVGs7HxgfUQV/s400/images-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I have Skyview on my IPhone I guess that's as close as I'm ever going to get. I use it often whether I'm inside or outside in the evening. I even sometimes use it at my desk at work. It's a little harder to see but it's still too much fun!I just love knowing where the planets are or where the International Space Station is.....so much....so vast...God is incredible!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtGNFy_zSh7GfphnFbMt121TbuVABcaljUIh4VwJkRD40oKQCLxfpQEWrfgB7EFlPTmUzR55aZNi1UV_Z-_qfuRqaoEM7_t4m55MinwgT5x8Akyq_Chy-6QNoBkydGZ3ICBLs29e_XUKX/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtGNFy_zSh7GfphnFbMt121TbuVABcaljUIh4VwJkRD40oKQCLxfpQEWrfgB7EFlPTmUzR55aZNi1UV_Z-_qfuRqaoEM7_t4m55MinwgT5x8Akyq_Chy-6QNoBkydGZ3ICBLs29e_XUKX/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Stop by <a href="http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/07/24/what-does-space-smell-like/?source=link_fb20120809ngnw-icymismell&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_fb20120809ngnw-icymismell&utm_campaign=Content">National Geographic</a> for the answer to what space smells like....it may surprise you.<br />
<br />
Tonight we are planning on taking our tractor, some folding chairs and blankets and going out to the center of our property to watch the meteor shower which is suppose to be huge!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63FpCnPUVTt7WxKi4eoZpWPxJQ830fMnVEvhvcDyl278HMOvbbxPbBml4QBHRl48YbCXRjHMgXYc6W2Rve4rYFyDyjH-cwP_49DkT2YkFpjTlUQzw2Ymg7b9VZ3kKmlu-4iT4OyYnCk3l/s1600/100_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63FpCnPUVTt7WxKi4eoZpWPxJQ830fMnVEvhvcDyl278HMOvbbxPbBml4QBHRl48YbCXRjHMgXYc6W2Rve4rYFyDyjH-cwP_49DkT2YkFpjTlUQzw2Ymg7b9VZ3kKmlu-4iT4OyYnCk3l/s400/100_2060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This sounds absolutely wonderful to me.....no TV, no computers, no lights on.....just sitting or laying on a blanket and waiting for what some say will be a spectacular meteor display!! I sure hope so because with grand-kids they'll be chasing firefly's in no time. So lets see I've got blankets,water bottles, bug spray, and cameras ready....lets hope it's a good show!Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-38327708527679299782012-08-07T20:12:00.003-07:002012-08-07T20:12:53.850-07:00Vacations Never Last Long EnoughWell here I am back again with more boring vacations photos and stories. So sorry I just couldn't help myself. Honestly I think it all goes back to elementary school when we had to write each year about what you did over your summer vacation. I was always very long winded! So have a seat this could take a while.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhH0-rLHeffUrXwGTqp03RP6we_aSfiS0ru5mCumTXTsI1dWi8Qguv9cU-Coj8jD0caLk0HOvdfevb6yJk9TI4bLeSbPhFYPaYpBODeo-Wha2GXBHoCzJDgG2KRLsRgcSVkm-lEgRdmGWn/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhH0-rLHeffUrXwGTqp03RP6we_aSfiS0ru5mCumTXTsI1dWi8Qguv9cU-Coj8jD0caLk0HOvdfevb6yJk9TI4bLeSbPhFYPaYpBODeo-Wha2GXBHoCzJDgG2KRLsRgcSVkm-lEgRdmGWn/s400/IMG_0958.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When I was going through all the photos feverishly trying to crop myself out, I began to feel so sad. Sad because it will most likely be a whole year before we can go again on any form of vacation.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5qzYgxpa5EL1dMjxfgNtJd-EaTAxBDtbO_U52WpYpcdlLlZQfJ5YL2X6nAnEbfJIQBHt84BN0BI1g05sZihy_vZPAj2qrn-ZD-z4TH2H66yWoMPAQUkpJhac_BasoA-9gpy0391kV2Wz/s1600/IMG_0960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5qzYgxpa5EL1dMjxfgNtJd-EaTAxBDtbO_U52WpYpcdlLlZQfJ5YL2X6nAnEbfJIQBHt84BN0BI1g05sZihy_vZPAj2qrn-ZD-z4TH2H66yWoMPAQUkpJhac_BasoA-9gpy0391kV2Wz/s400/IMG_0960.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep I could have laid there all day.....and did on more than one occasion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now believe me I realize have no reason to complain because we do have a place we go to on weekends,but that in some ways has become another house to clean, repair and grocery shop for! Please don't miss understand we LOVE it there and it is very relaxing. But vacations are totally different they're all about fun and relaxing or WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO.....yep I still miss it!<br />
It's all about seeing NEW sights,new experiences,new places! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqfPe33y0HGgZPOUKhCjjVHAzNRAOS4hYY-Fwmy7pR_Dz4z3jVRg2ZqN-ldHChew33UjUDJ4KJEmJJgn8r4kWdv1t-Y6ArkAiqsohGWdn0B0mctXZPNeNaUkiNRIOL0qs6wz3b49guwzx/s1600/IMG_0989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqfPe33y0HGgZPOUKhCjjVHAzNRAOS4hYY-Fwmy7pR_Dz4z3jVRg2ZqN-ldHChew33UjUDJ4KJEmJJgn8r4kWdv1t-Y6ArkAiqsohGWdn0B0mctXZPNeNaUkiNRIOL0qs6wz3b49guwzx/s320/IMG_0989.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We still are trying to master the self photo hahaha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After we left Savannah Georgia we headed down to Cocoa Beach Fl. It wasn't our first choice but we decided to stay there because our oldest grandson was on a school trip to Orlando....at the big W.D.W. His health had been an issue lately so we wanted to be close enough that if he had any problems we could get there quick. So since we were in the area we decided to go and see him for a very short visit.They were waiting for all of the kids to arrive so we drove over and had a quick lunch with him and a few of his theater pals.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirM438gMgV19CULDkdHBhtvH7CF5C58Pu1HRyE9F0OZd1E-5X-FuicVGXEZ552JiYlsE_w45E_BnWnTln1uduFziCS2cIBJSov_XZs5E6RroQe1IEqkMfR6jz_5aTBFHT6T82XRJZEUQip/s1600/IMG_0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirM438gMgV19CULDkdHBhtvH7CF5C58Pu1HRyE9F0OZd1E-5X-FuicVGXEZ552JiYlsE_w45E_BnWnTln1uduFziCS2cIBJSov_XZs5E6RroQe1IEqkMfR6jz_5aTBFHT6T82XRJZEUQip/s400/IMG_0926.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new favorite photo of mine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjBtDI0cscuBaME1liXxidi0uc8kjJr7yfVXUqnH6vZON_dqCu_nd-ipAJ46fUNVeefXootXY9boKTUnAhsy7K-HJoC_YiPCl1hskLqWB8w2CuJJIKuYICEI6jW0N05yW2IP6i0ps5-lnb0/s1600/IMG_0929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtDI0cscuBaME1liXxidi0uc8kjJr7yfVXUqnH6vZON_dqCu_nd-ipAJ46fUNVeefXootXY9boKTUnAhsy7K-HJoC_YiPCl1hskLqWB8w2CuJJIKuYICEI6jW0N05yW2IP6i0ps5-lnb0/s400/IMG_0929.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say cheese....he is one of the kindest,smartest,and funniest kids you'll ever meet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Before we arrived in Cocoa Beach we made a quick stop in St. Augustine Fl. We really want to go back there and spend more time, it is such a great city.........so much history and Pirate stuff! Yep I am a kid at heart....sadly however my knees are not.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdik1bTAQuK9JMmoFFi7QRtnBDyFLHQP0O8cRKzrpvtVkUaV6aMOpqeywrASq8-kttj-W_2v-TvQOKw8syTtiY9J0cwTdU7ZRSTnst3Ta-A-Bd6sMvJI6OrerJjSY2I7Z_rymomCJVW7LK/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdik1bTAQuK9JMmoFFi7QRtnBDyFLHQP0O8cRKzrpvtVkUaV6aMOpqeywrASq8-kttj-W_2v-TvQOKw8syTtiY9J0cwTdU7ZRSTnst3Ta-A-Bd6sMvJI6OrerJjSY2I7Z_rymomCJVW7LK/s400/DSC_0144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So cool,so much history....history is one of our shared passions!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was in St. Augustine that I decided I have had it with constant pain and am now planning on having my knee replaced. Well that's a subject for another time, oh and I will be begging all you sweet people out in blogland for lots of prayers too,because you see I am a HUGE chicken!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsVfxH89jeLRzZWwpLDeNC75i2PZunb14QNUdE-urhMGVwt0Nkb8MDTyOj3v-YMGeHNPb_C_7P6D7SQ1ye71uWsLY0HaGnK6jjrFm4_9tBGYCWwPWh2hsSUi2plTDA0kIMfK_76urCJbd/s1600/DSC_0139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsVfxH89jeLRzZWwpLDeNC75i2PZunb14QNUdE-urhMGVwt0Nkb8MDTyOj3v-YMGeHNPb_C_7P6D7SQ1ye71uWsLY0HaGnK6jjrFm4_9tBGYCWwPWh2hsSUi2plTDA0kIMfK_76urCJbd/s400/DSC_0139.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I promise you he was burning up in this costume. It was at least 100 degrees that day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But in spite of these crunchy,swollen, knobby knees I walked the fort that I had wanted to see and the Pirate Museum across the street. Sadly the Pirate Museum doesn't allow any photography inside and that's a shame because it is great. <a href="http://www.piratesoul.com/">The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum</a> is great for kids and well big kids too. It's all hands on, and chocked full of fun learning and even more fun pirate experiences. They have the largest collection of real pirate artifacts in the world.
Blackbeard, Captain Kid and many more. You can see Captain Kids real
treasure chest and his read his last words. You can light a canon, touch a 450
year old pirate chest,and lift a gold bar and see real wanted posters of some of the most famous pirates.<br />
There was one thing missing for us however....................... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWtv8nojcEbFRNZRaGViMLtNy-xseTxrEsCqUJgThYTXAF7iicClwXNPC0OhsLVcdggDiu4XQlzWqu-M4HCw574cDEpfsOjOB0bcb3ylfj0VvKy8mMH7wstEH_tX1i-iCzbX3ZexI4Hud/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWtv8nojcEbFRNZRaGViMLtNy-xseTxrEsCqUJgThYTXAF7iicClwXNPC0OhsLVcdggDiu4XQlzWqu-M4HCw574cDEpfsOjOB0bcb3ylfj0VvKy8mMH7wstEH_tX1i-iCzbX3ZexI4Hud/s400/IMG_0981.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwTwVSwls2vPMaudpfbVse8THRblNNALiqJwPbMNsWyZVS6NzoZ7hhtQR3ezHQCDeoykxRf1p0B5Xy8F4yQOsUSjlImqBQo1zXJQ0X5uxSMwMKTWbqkBuySwAr7FdUqV1oqjoX6NgtwLa/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwTwVSwls2vPMaudpfbVse8THRblNNALiqJwPbMNsWyZVS6NzoZ7hhtQR3ezHQCDeoykxRf1p0B5Xy8F4yQOsUSjlImqBQo1zXJQ0X5uxSMwMKTWbqkBuySwAr7FdUqV1oqjoX6NgtwLa/s400/IMG_0983.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We so wished we had our grand-kids with us.... lots of things they would have flipped out over....... well who knows maybe next year!<br />
We spent lots of time on the beach, and so enjoyed the sail boats and the people we came across.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ISQNg1x0RNEA8oP8yaedbilRlqA09-WTIw8zUuk3jcgAXMNkb0p-UZPof9j78NVu-NF6gJyD2B13DWgFz5r7mp4Mc9TZaX0WRIIC3xUzMw6UQnGZYE_s3E4ePbOGfBYZEUbOWi8pUMU4/s1600/DSC_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ISQNg1x0RNEA8oP8yaedbilRlqA09-WTIw8zUuk3jcgAXMNkb0p-UZPof9j78NVu-NF6gJyD2B13DWgFz5r7mp4Mc9TZaX0WRIIC3xUzMw6UQnGZYE_s3E4ePbOGfBYZEUbOWi8pUMU4/s400/DSC_0189.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
For example this man and his delightful family. We watched them walk the beach gathering seaweed one evening. Each bunch they picked up they would rinse off in the ocean water. They were fun to watch, laughing and talking....they left us wondering about them....and what exactly they would do with all that seaweed. There was an elderly Asian gentleman who arrived at the exact same time each evening to walk and he even stopped at the same spot each time to check his pulse.....I will miss him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3O0YujbRtmpcrU9VXnlNoyJ3l0q5ioRXHBI-UnwWjx1IKDnELT0HpAtyocv2NzSuZ-nwc1iHx5ovkRcLmr7eW_o40WY8M7h_5wkPD2IbdJL4j68-Dd1y-ULFNnx17LDHBt7_4jXYsh1PI/s1600/IMG_1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3O0YujbRtmpcrU9VXnlNoyJ3l0q5ioRXHBI-UnwWjx1IKDnELT0HpAtyocv2NzSuZ-nwc1iHx5ovkRcLmr7eW_o40WY8M7h_5wkPD2IbdJL4j68-Dd1y-ULFNnx17LDHBt7_4jXYsh1PI/s400/IMG_1090.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bZxG0ZmYYQO4KHUTH0r6YyGXny3Bv4W2ouyq77izW2k5kz20qM8QsHl_ohvU80rCuIwZ6P6kD_0vLySFBXNiOdECU2JFPTWq8h7ZGI7C-_uM9oKfAkQs-4YdplP0Iv5hQTntnxlq7LuV/s1600/IMG_1053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bZxG0ZmYYQO4KHUTH0r6YyGXny3Bv4W2ouyq77izW2k5kz20qM8QsHl_ohvU80rCuIwZ6P6kD_0vLySFBXNiOdECU2JFPTWq8h7ZGI7C-_uM9oKfAkQs-4YdplP0Iv5hQTntnxlq7LuV/s400/IMG_1053.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The largest one story building in the world. One star is 6' high.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We visited the <a href="http://www.kennedyspacecentertours.net/?ctt_id=1736228&ctt_adnw=Google&ctt_ch=ps&ctt_entity=tc&ctt_cli=11x23045x69428x514382&ctt_kw=kennedy%20space%20center&ctt_adid=7000147932&ctt_nwtype=search&gclid=CLvu_qb11rECFUkbQgodDgIAPA">Kennedy Space Center</a> one day as well as the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/">Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge</a>. I highly recommend both! So many times we were in awe of the brave men and women who have gone where most all of us will NEVER go. You can experience and see so many things that I would never be able to list it all.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNKt-gJgjLnX0ei_i-Qk8SYOt1q_S9h1BQfr5sNGi9Y2UpaxTHfGPqe13O5GEC-lbvQSBvdYR6sWZUTi7fULw5mOpQ66K9sXfi-oQ57_kvbRRoNW4XkzFeW-akJ2-5ti1puRBWTwOLovF/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNKt-gJgjLnX0ei_i-Qk8SYOt1q_S9h1BQfr5sNGi9Y2UpaxTHfGPqe13O5GEC-lbvQSBvdYR6sWZUTi7fULw5mOpQ66K9sXfi-oQ57_kvbRRoNW4XkzFeW-akJ2-5ti1puRBWTwOLovF/s400/IMG_1194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought the kids some fun stuff,and a few things for us too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Go if you should ever have the chance!The tour is worth every penny! We walked around and drove around the nature reserve and it is something to see!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1v2uwQOiR2ABNnqQDcrGtlIqAtgO9jlWcKCQamMftfGOi2hsgBFGpjt6Q8XjtVv7e7LH8C7oPr1VdI9xyvKP3ZxomkJ5J5c7lVJWVwDxgTKzADVKkWG29O2s32YeLqWPIjIR1ulmGDB62/s400/DSC_0316.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we walked we began to hear a gator,so we high tailed it out of there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We met a sweet couple from Holland here on vacation and spent a few moments discussing all the places they had visited, and where they were headed after their stay in Cocoa Beach. She is also a blogger and is expecting their first child. <a href="http://madivacreations.blogspot.com/">Madiva-Creations </a>is her blog name and I certainly enjoyed meeting them both.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaSR29oD60qHZiIiZA_K4YeiWuvJPosBuMntx8-1ip_hXc_OKC6HQ_L7QPvL27h_5DLifVra068xYpldh46t4Pzr7J90cCinhTTeTKhsSR4rx9n1Ag33DChyphenhyphen1cUk_x5HxXlwL8xIn56sC/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaSR29oD60qHZiIiZA_K4YeiWuvJPosBuMntx8-1ip_hXc_OKC6HQ_L7QPvL27h_5DLifVra068xYpldh46t4Pzr7J90cCinhTTeTKhsSR4rx9n1Ag33DChyphenhyphen1cUk_x5HxXlwL8xIn56sC/s320/DSC_0309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a wonderful time and are ready to leave again tomorrow........Vacations are good for whatever ails ya!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivhTLWW3PqXckNN94CweZ-2o-mOkZ7g7j-ka8FNQY7tDDrW_8M4xhGcMmvCe8GhX75lukb3wn3LfYtGkNt5w0O2cOZaInpnmqkz4JMiX8pOXPELy713vL-IvkCEcrqopd4QFhBM09Koxr/s1600/IMG_1197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivhTLWW3PqXckNN94CweZ-2o-mOkZ7g7j-ka8FNQY7tDDrW_8M4xhGcMmvCe8GhX75lukb3wn3LfYtGkNt5w0O2cOZaInpnmqkz4JMiX8pOXPELy713vL-IvkCEcrqopd4QFhBM09Koxr/s320/IMG_1197.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3D I-Max movie about living on International Space Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We played hard,ate too much and spent too much money.We did everything we said we wouldn't do hahaha.....oh well we had a blast! The best part is we lots of memories and photos to enjoy!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J7ep_8WQ6Go3Jz2UoVC2MjpYBHVBcAIaVrtABa9NcVtlG7QFAhlI3aM90qDcirNsP7cGHNwQFOCZQSSG3OhdsbkfA1VcaT9rKjZaCJj7av2SaaAyUZHAwQtPMKNO2JqN-L75np0rCvSh/s1600/IMG_1214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J7ep_8WQ6Go3Jz2UoVC2MjpYBHVBcAIaVrtABa9NcVtlG7QFAhlI3aM90qDcirNsP7cGHNwQFOCZQSSG3OhdsbkfA1VcaT9rKjZaCJj7av2SaaAyUZHAwQtPMKNO2JqN-L75np0rCvSh/s400/IMG_1214.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this mailbox a hoot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So Savannah & Cocoa Beach we sure hope to.............</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGEYFLTElbcbcA0lh-EzJrs5xf69Y6r_WubokomOjwU0jOhkCG4cU-DbTdUS2rOGQ0I0hN2RAcmpFmx9x_oC6r6vdmKaiYHrNSx-CgRfxGLDpCqBSHUWwjAk0_1bGvbCtzDR05R_bCYVU/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGEYFLTElbcbcA0lh-EzJrs5xf69Y6r_WubokomOjwU0jOhkCG4cU-DbTdUS2rOGQ0I0hN2RAcmpFmx9x_oC6r6vdmKaiYHrNSx-CgRfxGLDpCqBSHUWwjAk0_1bGvbCtzDR05R_bCYVU/s320/IMG_1334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-38179925462450012462012-08-01T08:00:00.000-07:002012-08-01T08:00:09.756-07:00A Wonderful Summer Get-Away<br />
<div style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
A few nights ago I did something really rare. I say this because I'm usually sewing, Oh who am I kidding I'm always sewing! This rare ocurrance was that I sat down and did nothing.....but read magazines!! I haven't had a lot of spare time lately because I've been preparing for a baby shower I'm hosting soon. Besides that I've also been crazy busy trying to finish editing the rest of our vacation photos. So an evening to just flip leisurely through some magazines was a real treat!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje24VNFXdge8MSuY-B0ncZ74GD_8MyAVbpuXp01RinQ2094l2P_eJjGSwUQEtMM3saTeNE9mIlyC0k2ZyGuApYy3nEuKf9EkzEwhrHdd_nJYwaEaL4S126X41Aviw8j0N3YG_lS_3aK_Qs/s1600/photo-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje24VNFXdge8MSuY-B0ncZ74GD_8MyAVbpuXp01RinQ2094l2P_eJjGSwUQEtMM3saTeNE9mIlyC0k2ZyGuApYy3nEuKf9EkzEwhrHdd_nJYwaEaL4S126X41Aviw8j0N3YG_lS_3aK_Qs/s400/photo-10.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I was tickled to see a two page story about something that is near and dear to our hearts. Patoka Lake was featured in this months <a href="http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/around-the-region/lake-getaways-without-the-crowds/">Midwest Living</a> in a story about lake getaways without the crowds. Our family has a small cabin near this lake and this is where we spend most of our summers. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkWse71RgnFvIfcLnYigt45loaMCh-T-7V0JIclgWwG1iHKULok6uy-v1Z2hQc-5JjTHifVUXginkWPMcqGAXoT7DJsGy0P2UTE5IbuASBkfQOiLu8Eio_cFqWTrVQwk4aa9oURDl0567/s1600/photo-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkWse71RgnFvIfcLnYigt45loaMCh-T-7V0JIclgWwG1iHKULok6uy-v1Z2hQc-5JjTHifVUXginkWPMcqGAXoT7DJsGy0P2UTE5IbuASBkfQOiLu8Eio_cFqWTrVQwk4aa9oURDl0567/s400/photo-11.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Patoka Lake is the second largest lake in the state of Indiana, and is a perfect place for all things family! If you like camping,hiking,boating and swimming then this is the perfect place for you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nyVaK-c4Hm0X_LT4oLrt_UX7j7ppJOqNBZPZiVY2IQOLhyphenhyphen7eH2JAPv7BnKHIvvo0JG58s7ElK7y3N5vJZepp5QWv6-mIElx23w9CjcUVkdvpEccnoYpmp9X_bFASfzzhT5xLsPK7lE1E/s1600/CIMG0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nyVaK-c4Hm0X_LT4oLrt_UX7j7ppJOqNBZPZiVY2IQOLhyphenhyphen7eH2JAPv7BnKHIvvo0JG58s7ElK7y3N5vJZepp5QWv6-mIElx23w9CjcUVkdvpEccnoYpmp9X_bFASfzzhT5xLsPK7lE1E/s400/CIMG0812.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
These days we spend most our weekends just chillin and visiting with family at either our cabin or my brother's new camp site. We don't go on the lake as much we use to and I must admit I do miss it. My brother and his wife bought a place last summer and have just about finished tweaking things. They have now parked their once traveling RV and swear it is forever, no more pulling it in and out! I wish I had some photos of their place finished, because it is simply beautiful. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMyqlp4WGk5lYUk10c1NrmQxnj9QJyfblqS54oM2cjCDQVqHBHDwmdq1WbbspkZQwgSzZbYyzJt-QvzRJuCLhcwWcWeyM3Su-FrbuN9wsVf4v8S_Efimof0Zlc7eRhnrKrLqa7fw2ELPY/s1600/576255_422436534435712_1217733503_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMyqlp4WGk5lYUk10c1NrmQxnj9QJyfblqS54oM2cjCDQVqHBHDwmdq1WbbspkZQwgSzZbYyzJt-QvzRJuCLhcwWcWeyM3Su-FrbuN9wsVf4v8S_Efimof0Zlc7eRhnrKrLqa7fw2ELPY/s640/576255_422436534435712_1217733503_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9pPXb4791yGgT5y87jB49iIZbPaWzUfk494z4W_UZ4b-I6i-Gpb_WfaiHRG9R31EXXAby1EOMjbntQRXftlcQTEmZEK2NX0YyZz9gbhjnjLBdju6HX-T8U9yt_8YmFv3o9ucWOh_zfNG/s1600/579169_422437027768996_2028832562_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9pPXb4791yGgT5y87jB49iIZbPaWzUfk494z4W_UZ4b-I6i-Gpb_WfaiHRG9R31EXXAby1EOMjbntQRXftlcQTEmZEK2NX0YyZz9gbhjnjLBdju6HX-T8U9yt_8YmFv3o9ucWOh_zfNG/s640/579169_422437027768996_2028832562_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So each evening as the sun goes down the chillaxin begins! We head around the corner to sit and remove the stresses of the work week.......with a pitcher of frozen margaritas in hand of course! Lately we have been branching out into other fun beverages like mojitos and recently my husbands new specialty, rum punch.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5EeDXfhhytaPeKZDoB6TzPlZ_hjvO0tZJwP-pZ4HR8bKuWZKMAFiAii0d5wk2skSI_stXZQZRpKQLtrKl7kd7yJQ_KZx-wGj0yOgy_-XGxAr78U33JcRQGcwvFRFaG3OJ9tZnVKsmBUb/s1600/246497_3295358826378_76351250_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5EeDXfhhytaPeKZDoB6TzPlZ_hjvO0tZJwP-pZ4HR8bKuWZKMAFiAii0d5wk2skSI_stXZQZRpKQLtrKl7kd7yJQ_KZx-wGj0yOgy_-XGxAr78U33JcRQGcwvFRFaG3OJ9tZnVKsmBUb/s400/246497_3295358826378_76351250_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are ready to enjoy a pitcher of something frozen! We still haven't mastered the art of taking a self portait.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>

<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; 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/AVvXsEjQZzTDiwBqjxH11JBo3qKHb_wmp_IpNgzgcPUyXLEsZJQYitiuo7HhztuAvBo3hfTKp5YYLMb6LJRT0qa59qL5SRVcg_mQuTHqg19sMYvqVom7e1nT-l2y80Ng4d5WiZOokmbtHmbP0_l8/s1600/beckys+misc+pics+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZzTDiwBqjxH11JBo3qKHb_wmp_IpNgzgcPUyXLEsZJQYitiuo7HhztuAvBo3hfTKp5YYLMb6LJRT0qa59qL5SRVcg_mQuTHqg19sMYvqVom7e1nT-l2y80Ng4d5WiZOokmbtHmbP0_l8/s640/beckys+misc+pics+054.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few yrs ago on the lake. Papa and his grandson enjoying a quiet moment on the back of the boat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
When life gets crazy and it always does, I can sit down, take a deep breath and know in a few days we will be heading down to our cozy cabin. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; 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/AVvXsEhCFgpMYOHR__e4IaCAEuNY0MFFDjKDRe93SkOWyqOv3YgjeQdDb-Yi9OlY4weGssYobwUkeIr4nrVCM_A3YqQTOsXQOvYbmF0CJduN4nUP953WCea_AIQlL75MjZQqw1RXF9lYdGJ3z2lQ/s1600/becky's+5-2009+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFgpMYOHR__e4IaCAEuNY0MFFDjKDRe93SkOWyqOv3YgjeQdDb-Yi9OlY4weGssYobwUkeIr4nrVCM_A3YqQTOsXQOvYbmF0CJduN4nUP953WCea_AIQlL75MjZQqw1RXF9lYdGJ3z2lQ/s400/becky's+5-2009+036.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During an evening cruise on our son's boat on Patoka Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I know my posts haven't been coming as often as I would like.....Please bare with me as I struggle to do IT ALL as they say. I guess you really can't do it all,something always gets neglected. But I plan to be back very soon and bore you to death with more of our vacation photos.=)</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-10387553711326666502012-07-11T19:11:00.002-07:002012-07-11T19:13:49.781-07:00Yeah Summer Vacation at Last!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzmSCmkOK0je3R_eW1JXup6yK0QM1tHp15dUjBsqwSQRXSE8nGvLLfbF4YBxaJTaGMRDba-oGVOXH0-ribCFILiAvZ3s00fSsepMWhCNVZYkx_7HE3n9x3BrwjnNb6cWh12J0Yd-aQ9-k/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzmSCmkOK0je3R_eW1JXup6yK0QM1tHp15dUjBsqwSQRXSE8nGvLLfbF4YBxaJTaGMRDba-oGVOXH0-ribCFILiAvZ3s00fSsepMWhCNVZYkx_7HE3n9x3BrwjnNb6cWh12J0Yd-aQ9-k/s400/DSC_0076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What is it about the word vacation that totally makes me scream with joy! We were so ready for a few days to sleep in and go where life (or our reservations) take us. We are traveling south and our first main stop was Savannah Georgia. We feel in love with this beautiful city at first glance. We were only there for a few days, but boy did we crammed as much as we could into those few days.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImaHhURsd3Q934yfpN6gvXb46RaWB44lCxCWdWKU5xxpqvbmfnk2OrWHcBFPi4Y9n65dQeF7eabVZvg3Q8Jm7qlHy8mEdJktOUPwLBbmnkTXvYbyh6WNUuBZec5s4o5LQCvYDnhhpgvAq/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImaHhURsd3Q934yfpN6gvXb46RaWB44lCxCWdWKU5xxpqvbmfnk2OrWHcBFPi4Y9n65dQeF7eabVZvg3Q8Jm7qlHy8mEdJktOUPwLBbmnkTXvYbyh6WNUuBZec5s4o5LQCvYDnhhpgvAq/s400/DSC_0071.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mercer Williams house. I could so live there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We knew we wanted to see Jim Williams house ever since we saw the movie <i>Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil</i>. It lived up to all we had heard. The house is beautiful and the furnishings were absolutely gorgeous. I wished photographs would have been allowed, because there were so many great rooms I wish I could have shared with you all.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRozCmrV5yfND4PSUWOMASCHJ_4FD_2_3DR_HaqVRIg8qXTD2RIBzW4O4hb381zVG6De39Fc_ExZwZoFynEwzgNwHeR-GbbSiEbW1LZ1nC29efiJur7SPCSrc3Z7ztkhPgsiKVctjTF7f0/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRozCmrV5yfND4PSUWOMASCHJ_4FD_2_3DR_HaqVRIg8qXTD2RIBzW4O4hb381zVG6De39Fc_ExZwZoFynEwzgNwHeR-GbbSiEbW1LZ1nC29efiJur7SPCSrc3Z7ztkhPgsiKVctjTF7f0/s400/DSC_0107.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shops on River Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgpyUcXk-WhxYboK7UJaV3aoDyIu4P80j-ZXSlEJY6-Q6_4Zsxs7LTnbeEb1A8dFNpOHsKgUyJe_1jzyu-yV0wVAbX5jOwa2F-XW8a89SRXQFb44TebmjSiZOtxSyzQi3QMXQxw-NjWg60e/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyUcXk-WhxYboK7UJaV3aoDyIu4P80j-ZXSlEJY6-Q6_4Zsxs7LTnbeEb1A8dFNpOHsKgUyJe_1jzyu-yV0wVAbX5jOwa2F-XW8a89SRXQFb44TebmjSiZOtxSyzQi3QMXQxw-NjWg60e/s640/DSC_0056.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cotton Exchange </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For our grandson's girlfriend we went on the lookout for some supernatural items since this is her passion.....not mine. I have to say Savannah is choked full of ghostly spooky tales.<br />
The one we enjoyed the most was <a href="http://www.thepirateshouse.com/">The Pirate House</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKjBzUMU3JYnhdj14cl0WpXuLNpedbLEoPHB-fSbPSRvcWveyZ2ARVfqc1qY5TxOF0SFBDfzuZith0DHTN-UjLH3cBVfqxWLMHm8SVqu5awVxT2tjvQ0tdgVgy2-VlHDsVhDgkMLOla20/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKjBzUMU3JYnhdj14cl0WpXuLNpedbLEoPHB-fSbPSRvcWveyZ2ARVfqc1qY5TxOF0SFBDfzuZith0DHTN-UjLH3cBVfqxWLMHm8SVqu5awVxT2tjvQ0tdgVgy2-VlHDsVhDgkMLOla20/s400/DSC_0092.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So many stories surround this 1700 original building. The best is that is was often used to shanghai many an unsuspecting soul to serve as a mate on a short handed ship. As the story goes there was a tunnel that started somewhere from the Captain's Room and lead down to the docks.One story that we were told was about a police officer who had stopped in for a drink (back in the pirate days) and was knocked unconscious and when he woke up he was out to sea. It took him two years to get back home!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2Cja8cRxet93xxkrJJDVBguuJodT4jt9KVbVBLuDBVpZRtLqeExog3Cu_SiDRrKNLEp-oV8LB0BW1sI1E6JIAzMMoYupwEfEGn69NxvIkDfgbbPK57P1IRHwNIwrBO9p5C_7ahM2tcJW/s1600/200px-Treasure_Island-Scribner's-1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2Cja8cRxet93xxkrJJDVBguuJodT4jt9KVbVBLuDBVpZRtLqeExog3Cu_SiDRrKNLEp-oV8LB0BW1sI1E6JIAzMMoYupwEfEGn69NxvIkDfgbbPK57P1IRHwNIwrBO9p5C_7ahM2tcJW/s1600/200px-Treasure_Island-Scribner's-1911.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Robert Louis Stevenson also mentioned this place in his world famous book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Island-Signet-Classics-Stevenson/dp/0451527046">Treasure Island</a>. Some of the action is suppose to have taken place right there. Hanging in the Captions Room are frames containing pages from an early, and very rare edition of the book. <br />
This building contains so many twists and turns. There is even a building within one of the buildings. It is now a restaurant and is well worth a visit. As we were being seated I was a tad worried we would never find our way out and would end up on Captain Jack Sparrow's ship.....oh no, wait that just was a wish I had tehe!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-7f_0Qql9gvgWv4-oBEg7ASNTdSI3r_mCUes0kPeIdEdYaxGdDYa-beTzlG2owqe4Mvfx3Rw01MQaYStVky-QThkExNBTEsFlLg4zrrMUWSDZx2AHMTGXOAFkDEf3wxvq86asADu_35G/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-7f_0Qql9gvgWv4-oBEg7ASNTdSI3r_mCUes0kPeIdEdYaxGdDYa-beTzlG2owqe4Mvfx3Rw01MQaYStVky-QThkExNBTEsFlLg4zrrMUWSDZx2AHMTGXOAFkDEf3wxvq86asADu_35G/s400/DSC_0122.JPG" width="381" /></a></div>
<br />
One bit of interesting trivia we learned was that during the Civil War when the Union soldiers were held up in the Colonial Cemetery they became bored. So what does a bored soldier do with his time....he's re-carves headstones! Yes they changed dates on some making it look as if some people lived for a very long time,or making a 9yr look as if he had a 7yr old wife and so on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw6t4E46lAezH5EqJmpNgV4ULTwZ2he3N_sxss7DJGnYnKOs7i_5mUTaFToPEd5P94iJMrYsez-CyF6FIxA-bJyRuy0QwIvfoWhqcJx2VXJdGmYdtIzdMHgDlr_ZgQNTvHbvC8gHUmls-/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw6t4E46lAezH5EqJmpNgV4ULTwZ2he3N_sxss7DJGnYnKOs7i_5mUTaFToPEd5P94iJMrYsez-CyF6FIxA-bJyRuy0QwIvfoWhqcJx2VXJdGmYdtIzdMHgDlr_ZgQNTvHbvC8gHUmls-/s320/DSC_0124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There is another world famous cemetery called Bonaventure Cemetery. I so wanted to go and see it but was advised not to due to many people being robbed.....not sure if that was from thugs or ghosts I should have asked.<br />
Much of the city is actually paved and have had houses built right over old graves. We read some stories about body parts surfacing at times, up through flooded basements and of course during excavation.<br />
Savannah is historic, quaint, spooky and down right gorgeous.....and we loved every minute we were there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjl5fvhFehfRhJiNCrxhDfznkeN96Lt85bFwhyLxvTCzfkl5hF2LwA8Dgul77I2pMaHvAZCxAo0QvgAo5kFOFl8kb6CN8mvtMfE2ECNkbHXAydEzjzIt5GmOlXaC29KEU_DkC2J7Rz3xA/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjl5fvhFehfRhJiNCrxhDfznkeN96Lt85bFwhyLxvTCzfkl5hF2LwA8Dgul77I2pMaHvAZCxAo0QvgAo5kFOFl8kb6CN8mvtMfE2ECNkbHXAydEzjzIt5GmOlXaC29KEU_DkC2J7Rz3xA/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmmeya2ZWzFEObyvwzCwBl-vm9q3IsvvOqUBSg28tzbNBmVotJ-WluTxpNEFN_WRB-3vnPb-QdSHDgcRQG2w8dsI6JQYEwONdZQHSEaAvJBUfut4V5ZmT_5so9Bbn4qHdquEzRQL6CdD3/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmmeya2ZWzFEObyvwzCwBl-vm9q3IsvvOqUBSg28tzbNBmVotJ-WluTxpNEFN_WRB-3vnPb-QdSHDgcRQG2w8dsI6JQYEwONdZQHSEaAvJBUfut4V5ZmT_5so9Bbn4qHdquEzRQL6CdD3/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNZ3mgS-0lkSYbTV6Q_t2DFw3c5qwImmTNK47jlDqGDA2LfJJOe4MmOaDeLDS4nikRNIw1IkQ0TSy-4eoPS0HsuFnh1jTyvniF6LMlyqu1Nb912FMlOVN_xJGl5ZqnxQ-R71N8dSG2rBq/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNZ3mgS-0lkSYbTV6Q_t2DFw3c5qwImmTNK47jlDqGDA2LfJJOe4MmOaDeLDS4nikRNIw1IkQ0TSy-4eoPS0HsuFnh1jTyvniF6LMlyqu1Nb912FMlOVN_xJGl5ZqnxQ-R71N8dSG2rBq/s400/DSC_0043.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh and I nearly left out the best part.....our room! We stayed at The Mansion on Forsyth Park. It was a bit pricey but we thought it was worth it since we would only be there a few days. So now we're on the road again heading on down to Florida.....to us it's not a vacation if you don't get to see the ocean!! <br />
<span class="content"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-60734898908698480402012-06-23T13:49:00.000-07:002012-06-23T13:49:06.202-07:00I Spy Bottles I wanted to share something I made a few weeks ago for my neice's birthday. I made her an I-Spy Bottle. It's something I saw on Pinterest and on a daytime TV show called <a href="http://theview.abc.go.com/">The View</a>. My niece was turning 16 and she had asked for money this year. I hate giving gift cards or money, it just seems so impersonal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
As I was putting her money in her card it occurred to me that maybe this was something different I could include. She has always been my biggest fan on everything I create,giving me her opinion on what she likes, and what other kids might like. Lindsey is an awesome kid......kind of an old soul in away....grown up and very responsible. But what I love about her the most is she gets me....she really gets me!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipy-TErPbbSEl9JnYTOT2pCC6LaY1iacpZ-uxshCQmmeUJDKVkAkTdmrieSk_P_B9Cyhsl5v6Aw_7hyphenhyphenW6t5Vc1m-MpdUxEf31G8ryndpWFbjeQ6WJfjr-VMDxfGT94qyf-S2-27aOeVrPz/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipy-TErPbbSEl9JnYTOT2pCC6LaY1iacpZ-uxshCQmmeUJDKVkAkTdmrieSk_P_B9Cyhsl5v6Aw_7hyphenhyphenW6t5Vc1m-MpdUxEf31G8ryndpWFbjeQ6WJfjr-VMDxfGT94qyf-S2-27aOeVrPz/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So the hard part for me was narrowing it down to what items to include.I have seen several different versions on this so pretty much anything goes!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZkuqDfql1CyKsVMhDP6Xx3APgd4DSvvCnVujHq2LbA1B6n9hVqjrdu5Bp5zhawSvswIHqjNGYz5k-0LFpRmoIy1XpQd42zXqCGVQrjlhyLgeQJRfpcPxdpUZdeg91CqvWueVOqtgju10/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZkuqDfql1CyKsVMhDP6Xx3APgd4DSvvCnVujHq2LbA1B6n9hVqjrdu5Bp5zhawSvswIHqjNGYz5k-0LFpRmoIy1XpQd42zXqCGVQrjlhyLgeQJRfpcPxdpUZdeg91CqvWueVOqtgju10/s640/16.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is another version from a blog called <a href="http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/02/homemade-i-spy-bottles-tutorial.html#%21/2011/02/homemade-i-spy-bottles-tutorial.html">Counting Coconuts</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lindsey has always been an enormous movie fan and has lots of movie memorabilia in her room. Her main favorites so far have been, James Cameron's Avatar, Harry Potter, Twilight, Pirates, and most recently Hunger Games. We share the same favorites as a matter of fact! Yes I know I have proven over and over again on this blog that I am still a kid!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB_kAZsvRGl6LYqAsMiZOJVNSS5jXzFTf43qcIWQ9E_M9LBzh7mrxBJAN8M3L6NJML-pkWDuLGHChAYCZnFwp_2MqQhBwCTO5wee_c_yQiv5iIlS3kAWXSzCtEsakywJvx_ybogpqO6SD/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB_kAZsvRGl6LYqAsMiZOJVNSS5jXzFTf43qcIWQ9E_M9LBzh7mrxBJAN8M3L6NJML-pkWDuLGHChAYCZnFwp_2MqQhBwCTO5wee_c_yQiv5iIlS3kAWXSzCtEsakywJvx_ybogpqO6SD/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the tiny Harry Potter figure to the left of the purple stone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So since I had trouble narrowing it all down I went a tad over board on her bottle. I probably could have made several with all the stuff I included. So consequently I had to up the size of the bottle. I ended up using a wide mouthed Gatorade bottle. My daughter-in-law Amy was my super shopper and boy did she find some great items.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryaJgnFrz6P7c0omSG9-jC5mZ3ZN6FYKO5GkEniqIg4ywFHzJrnonaVbh24GNxr7sk8d9TpQWajR4Knswo6OECIjWZe6Pw3KCM7eAr_XIGKDty6ef6ILP_nkYw36RbP3bXMtsX4zEYng8/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryaJgnFrz6P7c0omSG9-jC5mZ3ZN6FYKO5GkEniqIg4ywFHzJrnonaVbh24GNxr7sk8d9TpQWajR4Knswo6OECIjWZe6Pw3KCM7eAr_XIGKDty6ef6ILP_nkYw36RbP3bXMtsX4zEYng8/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We used some tiny erasers, some sparkly buttons, some little charms, even some doodads and some doohickeys......with glitter of course!<br />
On top of that we also included some flamingo stickers that we were able to stick back to back. We sprinkled in some bright colored sparkly confetti and of course a touch of glitter to make even more fun. It's amazing though what all you can gather up just from one household junk drawer. So look around your house you may have plenty of items stashed and saved that would be perfect for this.<br />
<br />
Afterward I realized that these are just a modern day, handmade version of a kaleidoscope. Like the one in the photo below from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68276628/blue-and-green-seals-on-a-stained-glass?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_includes%5B%5D=tags&ga_search_query=glass+kaleidoscope&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery">Kaleidoscop Galaxy</a> on Etsy. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0s4P1qLvIbRSNpKjxLSIPT-eZZB2aUbiwrjLwPT5DArbhKA5KRFTFDVZfJVgwFFL8qMSDiwbGGjxnPFE_EUUXnmCVPW7B3WPYpriVJBbJOlhVbcuc7fxAVnue8XIXXt30A4u2WdR-P7R/s1600/il_570xN.217899435%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0s4P1qLvIbRSNpKjxLSIPT-eZZB2aUbiwrjLwPT5DArbhKA5KRFTFDVZfJVgwFFL8qMSDiwbGGjxnPFE_EUUXnmCVPW7B3WPYpriVJBbJOlhVbcuc7fxAVnue8XIXXt30A4u2WdR-P7R/s400/il_570xN.217899435%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I know I have always loved these? I use to think they were so magical and always wanted one. It could be how my addiction to sparkles started. If I have animal totem it has to be a crow since they are also attracted to sparkly things!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwB_wsQqDW9pMo86vMZGlfbpLn48mLItuwT6lpa7-xScta5IbTO_dd0mtjMyAMPyXQMZZfTOI_I0RIa97idzcln0kjxiJCL20a47QqNsxrUPStSiS7131cdtju_LsK4PWbZhyphenhyphenKMqY-ejm/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwB_wsQqDW9pMo86vMZGlfbpLn48mLItuwT6lpa7-xScta5IbTO_dd0mtjMyAMPyXQMZZfTOI_I0RIa97idzcln0kjxiJCL20a47QqNsxrUPStSiS7131cdtju_LsK4PWbZhyphenhyphenKMqY-ejm/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One very important tip to remember is be sure and glue the lid on your bottle. If you don't and it's opened..... well it could certainly make a huge, sparkly mess.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mWhbv58jK0zQPlvwt3leuW9WVYqRWDBUgIxjZmJOaDpEvDtzHV4nPw8vaM_6ET55DgDD-J4mshkYMdRFb0NoHi06uTQieFg2f9Ba88zsLRxONhO4MUroHLML6y649n4UBuCFE_dhN7h1/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mWhbv58jK0zQPlvwt3leuW9WVYqRWDBUgIxjZmJOaDpEvDtzHV4nPw8vaM_6ET55DgDD-J4mshkYMdRFb0NoHi06uTQieFg2f9Ba88zsLRxONhO4MUroHLML6y649n4UBuCFE_dhN7h1/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had a thought after I finished my neices. What about and all black and white theme and add a few bright red items that your kids would have to find and keep track of. Maybe to win a special prize or treat at each rest stop along your car trip.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcg6SJWgh03XLgEPmC3Fje085Jc1qWvYJY0KnvQcFVoS6SiwLMmAs2HqrVkiH3IMGcc4BzA2BLpmLNWrWTjNB6GFG8hn8-XA9QSIDgTDnnJ0zdBsD1RKUB4UXSivcU9eKTdqG9lVUC5AP/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcg6SJWgh03XLgEPmC3Fje085Jc1qWvYJY0KnvQcFVoS6SiwLMmAs2HqrVkiH3IMGcc4BzA2BLpmLNWrWTjNB6GFG8hn8-XA9QSIDgTDnnJ0zdBsD1RKUB4UXSivcU9eKTdqG9lVUC5AP/s400/DSC_0053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
You could use any color variation or any items you want..... that's what makes this so much fun. We all know how hard it can be to keep kids happy and busy while your driving somewhere on vacation. So give it a try it is cheap, easy, and fun.....don't ya just love those three words!?!Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-8645808841489256132012-06-09T14:10:00.000-07:002012-06-21T11:40:23.304-07:00You Are Never Too Old To Be Silly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
On Memorial weekend we had our annual family get together at our house. Every year I keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't rain and that it isn't blistering hot. Well I got one wish, it didn't rain but the temps were off the chart for southern Indiana. It actually broke all records at a ridiculous 97 degrees.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIFTwnxer78p8OWVnQI84uaZjZVxLwDdZ49iQp0ZT_QUh3HCtQ1OpG9amL908p1Y7KFJt_ElMRWVt4-wUj0D-AX3g-JkU8iRe-fYhcw4PX87ZOWKh7YwI2AedE4ZIJLBlg983yUOYvDHf/s1600/DSC_0314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIFTwnxer78p8OWVnQI84uaZjZVxLwDdZ49iQp0ZT_QUh3HCtQ1OpG9amL908p1Y7KFJt_ElMRWVt4-wUj0D-AX3g-JkU8iRe-fYhcw4PX87ZOWKh7YwI2AedE4ZIJLBlg983yUOYvDHf/s400/DSC_0314.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found an American Flag floating in the creek and decided to save it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEh7CS2ImpEfgi96BX1wIz3_do3kdHzNHRZZtM3tQLxkzjjzDr8sU5ktWO3CmJfTHnw8pnN7IvywwlVPwndgBm67Vhf-hZDNtqDvZRPyaPv2A2r6CSCJdsTspj7qdHD0PjjxWLhZ2dMQCH/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEh7CS2ImpEfgi96BX1wIz3_do3kdHzNHRZZtM3tQLxkzjjzDr8sU5ktWO3CmJfTHnw8pnN7IvywwlVPwndgBm67Vhf-hZDNtqDvZRPyaPv2A2r6CSCJdsTspj7qdHD0PjjxWLhZ2dMQCH/s320/DSC_0097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So I decided since we didn't have our pool set up yet (due to my husband having a minor knee surgery) I had better rent something fun for the kiddos, and it should have a water feature too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMyB0fVoOwzthWnYe_dEbeXJs8mdHCqRuHlWh2tcoPrXpPhQW7wwH7ybpN46-QqygK-ffYIyFqmwK-J5k1HKMNrt9TLd36TVNqaWjAngVbuAJReeylF22igKM3eRquVsfa3yLorSBsJvx/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMyB0fVoOwzthWnYe_dEbeXJs8mdHCqRuHlWh2tcoPrXpPhQW7wwH7ybpN46-QqygK-ffYIyFqmwK-J5k1HKMNrt9TLd36TVNqaWjAngVbuAJReeylF22igKM3eRquVsfa3yLorSBsJvx/s400/DSC_0183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our deck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0zUzfMRQxumRrCH0mFfSWvabuPcMjuCFvY3vrtG7CwVRAFX3gYIVool7TNkz8kPe7llqOfKsakpHlpKKASGXlIn0TyDhnVToi5I5cHRGvgBTIk1EsoI4ItoUgbbVNWk7P2evEBuQf3RJ/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0zUzfMRQxumRrCH0mFfSWvabuPcMjuCFvY3vrtG7CwVRAFX3gYIVool7TNkz8kPe7llqOfKsakpHlpKKASGXlIn0TyDhnVToi5I5cHRGvgBTIk1EsoI4ItoUgbbVNWk7P2evEBuQf3RJ/s400/DSC_0071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I decided on a blow up water slide. It was a huge hit with the kids and the adults! Even though the sun was beating down all day on them they never seemed to notice. But boy did we go through the sun screen! The little ones barely left the slide to eat or drink. It was belly laughs and giggles all day. Plus moments we had wished we'd set up a hidden camera for some hysterical sliding moments that could never be re-created if they tried.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuA7mmwFWvKOpdpyLqsNgIiMxvfEY1VaCMYg18MFbwqtrYDXxXuTNDY7MYrpL4F0_hkIR9B1gO0NlIf-19ACuBaLcdSU5NdgMpJ4ry7SZmg6ClDp4AIX7nN46ovo5aCiEhUimIBXiCrHq/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuA7mmwFWvKOpdpyLqsNgIiMxvfEY1VaCMYg18MFbwqtrYDXxXuTNDY7MYrpL4F0_hkIR9B1gO0NlIf-19ACuBaLcdSU5NdgMpJ4ry7SZmg6ClDp4AIX7nN46ovo5aCiEhUimIBXiCrHq/s400/DSC_0102.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We rode go-carts, dirt bikes and 4 wheelers down to the creek and up the hill to the grave yard. The heat didn't stop our fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSTjcop9tz10ARGmxwSH7YcXtvtBe0Ok2tbJ3AqiLthZtGkD4-zMuCMTGPAYWnPegRFhtNlKRLo-UxKsDBxipgKCKWi9yRqFADnQW8g3YfQarLBXRDtZ35ouv0sQI-hUiVqw2fPuxkp-o/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSTjcop9tz10ARGmxwSH7YcXtvtBe0Ok2tbJ3AqiLthZtGkD4-zMuCMTGPAYWnPegRFhtNlKRLo-UxKsDBxipgKCKWi9yRqFADnQW8g3YfQarLBXRDtZ35ouv0sQI-hUiVqw2fPuxkp-o/s400/DSC_0090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The kids love to hunt for fossils at the creek and thankfully there is never a shortage. Sadly though no one found any arrow heads. We have only found one since we've lived here and I can't believe that there aren't more in this area........oh well we will just have to keep searching.<br />
<br />
Then later in the day we girls started our annual craft project. I had originally thought we would do a concrete craft,making a leaf bowl. But after further study I discovered that the leaf would have to sit for 24 hours to dry. On Pinterest I noticed a fun and easy re-do for cheap flip flops. The blog is called <a href="http://www.themotherhuddle.com/tutorial-the-knot-so-hard-flip-flop-diy/">The Mother Huddle</a>. The flips flops tutorial looked easy and was explained very well.....however this group just couldn't quite get the hang of it. Maybe it was the heat, it couldn't be from a lack of talent........could it!?!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpTm5QDXKw7gjQS8vwZpNbfn5Fj3ZFZsZ8Z1m-VCRjBpKls2PmIrdMvX9AZ9AIiYGP3YT35epM6rQifeMYACO8iIeXbr8B978lCCJ4xVQ8Xu82_eRfmZvKrA6sL5BrNuwbWJ1J_hXqrjr/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpTm5QDXKw7gjQS8vwZpNbfn5Fj3ZFZsZ8Z1m-VCRjBpKls2PmIrdMvX9AZ9AIiYGP3YT35epM6rQifeMYACO8iIeXbr8B978lCCJ4xVQ8Xu82_eRfmZvKrA6sL5BrNuwbWJ1J_hXqrjr/s400/DSC_0111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
So eventually my sons decided to come down and help us and thats when it all went so comically wrong.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThpKOhOSPrvqht8IMnTEvwbLInx5o2BSwH5hBBod3gY-RiyAla_YF2QvVDEurv3x_6mlQ-_-7K78P-5GIW-RRIw1QPlLuO5kSBFKGhm0qJc3O2pcOfkcdnGw1F2_QrYoIdPofwv2ZUNd-/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThpKOhOSPrvqht8IMnTEvwbLInx5o2BSwH5hBBod3gY-RiyAla_YF2QvVDEurv3x_6mlQ-_-7K78P-5GIW-RRIw1QPlLuO5kSBFKGhm0qJc3O2pcOfkcdnGw1F2_QrYoIdPofwv2ZUNd-/s400/DSC_0112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Jason read the instructions and Will help aid the ladies when they couldn't quite understand the instructions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK8c1PEQhtOJftTkj6FAOBWocl4xmXiJ1c4_x1awx5FV2K656CqmHoVKaRrTFBp2JtSh1cFUqUQjtBKWkkkg3zgYjUhkUaY6EWqEnm2TrC0mrt1FvWZ32_nO7IJVj5OYKDnbfquhdSadr/s1600/DSC_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK8c1PEQhtOJftTkj6FAOBWocl4xmXiJ1c4_x1awx5FV2K656CqmHoVKaRrTFBp2JtSh1cFUqUQjtBKWkkkg3zgYjUhkUaY6EWqEnm2TrC0mrt1FvWZ32_nO7IJVj5OYKDnbfquhdSadr/s400/DSC_0135.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
Well in the end we may not have nailed this project but we all had a blast trying. I for one am not finished with this. I am determined to make a pair and actually wear them at the camp!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMd2Hd40ExSRyPX3HkJ2uS9TT39BE-H7MJEorBjsaYKPROVuFhsS5UjgAy9LJPmu5A9bMczmapw20g_JOk-6lJMhy2O8xNPTWrrO2kRhLxERC2tyfAuFAdx3BDhGRfJx6zyWU8G_HzbMSD/s1600/DSC_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMd2Hd40ExSRyPX3HkJ2uS9TT39BE-H7MJEorBjsaYKPROVuFhsS5UjgAy9LJPmu5A9bMczmapw20g_JOk-6lJMhy2O8xNPTWrrO2kRhLxERC2tyfAuFAdx3BDhGRfJx6zyWU8G_HzbMSD/s400/DSC_0133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Another fun party item I had this year was a vase I set out of photo props. I found a fun little shop on Etsy who sells all sorts. The shop is called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PAPERandPANCAKES">PAPER and PANCAKES</a> and they so many fun mustaches, glasses, hats and etc. Stop by their shop and check them out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHurliP44wNb5l0K3LxqVco9IiEAqeqNmD0uLewOS6yv4DY0YgkunM6gNHEr8e2hzhIT9hdPEuHsOxVlrxKPSHgBdXKMnphqMaC3NBZb8OSWxAquiwMKbvQdcFhTi_SU9EdB70GatT-MH/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHurliP44wNb5l0K3LxqVco9IiEAqeqNmD0uLewOS6yv4DY0YgkunM6gNHEr8e2hzhIT9hdPEuHsOxVlrxKPSHgBdXKMnphqMaC3NBZb8OSWxAquiwMKbvQdcFhTi_SU9EdB70GatT-MH/s320/DSC_0160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Old and young enjoyed these and I was able to capture some photos I will treasure forever.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0gTy6nFoJt4qKOJV2fWHVqyibm_QzBb-xy6tXHctur7GgpjsbEsZxMZB6v8JUCTt-bhU025ktgM-AM9NA_y9enql5ooV2vBVca6gh9MKJ6MS_sIeHliLIouTwhSmZAak9DLNho8H0kOl/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0gTy6nFoJt4qKOJV2fWHVqyibm_QzBb-xy6tXHctur7GgpjsbEsZxMZB6v8JUCTt-bhU025ktgM-AM9NA_y9enql5ooV2vBVca6gh9MKJ6MS_sIeHliLIouTwhSmZAak9DLNho8H0kOl/s320/DSC_0161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovnvtMxFrbTeAvfCKGeclB8Kl2EVF3CplvJ9tDbFA1dg5dBZbIdDJer_-vFDZiElSxDrtCFJlbRJTtkAWUdDmS0bDKwot8L5egcFAtUSO3QoOngcToPTShilmaLg_uT6a8RTfGLr_iCgW/s1600/DSC_0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovnvtMxFrbTeAvfCKGeclB8Kl2EVF3CplvJ9tDbFA1dg5dBZbIdDJer_-vFDZiElSxDrtCFJlbRJTtkAWUdDmS0bDKwot8L5egcFAtUSO3QoOngcToPTShilmaLg_uT6a8RTfGLr_iCgW/s400/DSC_0253.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one took a group effort but after several attempts we finally got it!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbv6_fnOusbMMN7R7yaWItO8JojELys82VnOJnhHIwvaH0CA4ppp3jMnP8C6P08YH-kNvyUhfJ9uqqaAEH8zFtjgpIPEJ2pTDMHtctyMZFET5Xql8am9_WMXtZA-FIhfTPVJLpgAVhE2A/s1600/DSC_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbv6_fnOusbMMN7R7yaWItO8JojELys82VnOJnhHIwvaH0CA4ppp3jMnP8C6P08YH-kNvyUhfJ9uqqaAEH8zFtjgpIPEJ2pTDMHtctyMZFET5Xql8am9_WMXtZA-FIhfTPVJLpgAVhE2A/s320/DSC_0189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I just wish I could wear glasses like this all the time! Glitter is my passion!!<br />
Another fun family photo prop I used was an inexpensive card board matte. So many good pictures. Too many to share, but we all had so much fun using them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSF18lGUa_rAdDv9MI0j22XRpZ_MfLGSa269kh4G3SU9YCcA3_eGFi1SfnKqHcTZ8ky6zAqSBTiDm1JL2yA0NyGAH9BednfhZnN6hIlDv3-c-PdzYgfwB3KF62jniTEGG7yg7Yepb6aqi/s1600/DSC_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSF18lGUa_rAdDv9MI0j22XRpZ_MfLGSa269kh4G3SU9YCcA3_eGFi1SfnKqHcTZ8ky6zAqSBTiDm1JL2yA0NyGAH9BednfhZnN6hIlDv3-c-PdzYgfwB3KF62jniTEGG7yg7Yepb6aqi/s400/DSC_0206.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Something happens when you set these out....even the quiet and shy will begin to strike a pose. It seriously can be a great ice breaker at any get together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHK5TBQvtfn_vfmWE5pweJ2GjJRAjvz5ygCKcJuCX7g4SEpY_fa9pobdVX-pC_24HfuwdK9_oz9Az9nwL3R6cR0YbetICBLGgdbRWd97ZruwAQFzoQ5cvykvTEW5oHgSHnfv5kdCVt6h6/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHK5TBQvtfn_vfmWE5pweJ2GjJRAjvz5ygCKcJuCX7g4SEpY_fa9pobdVX-pC_24HfuwdK9_oz9Az9nwL3R6cR0YbetICBLGgdbRWd97ZruwAQFzoQ5cvykvTEW5oHgSHnfv5kdCVt6h6/s400/DSC_0214.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFPPFADVhH9Lm6MvynIYMnaTJeNF6jalKfO8qLc59aVsyEUTsTrpp474wtQZ_6JGjP7MK_TqSn97ye_cvj9ae_0Yq4ZGbuz8HYXOP5HJ31fLXXR1yKLZs2XMFe2LqnFZORPSMP22F_we-/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFPPFADVhH9Lm6MvynIYMnaTJeNF6jalKfO8qLc59aVsyEUTsTrpp474wtQZ_6JGjP7MK_TqSn97ye_cvj9ae_0Yq4ZGbuz8HYXOP5HJ31fLXXR1yKLZs2XMFe2LqnFZORPSMP22F_we-/s400/DSC_0202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Not that our family needs any help being silly. I think we were all born this way actually. I just left them out and once one person does it before long everyone joins in.<br />
Most everyone had their photos taken. However some of us couldn't quite master the whole matte pose. Or was it our photographer?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTV3_OvzSg_i27Ikpto3gnbRGk7r7WVqFFnhhXXmZLShdAXYOuy8wH-2HCQJQhc73AXsrV6AEfD7cfQdtq_gTdJnWdVvRZmw-8JVJZxFazIrZxKkOpv3n5mqP8jsELPMjFCgX5GiKNjvB/s1600/DSC_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTV3_OvzSg_i27Ikpto3gnbRGk7r7WVqFFnhhXXmZLShdAXYOuy8wH-2HCQJQhc73AXsrV6AEfD7cfQdtq_gTdJnWdVvRZmw-8JVJZxFazIrZxKkOpv3n5mqP8jsELPMjFCgX5GiKNjvB/s400/DSC_0180.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The kids have said we need even more photo props for the next family event. So now I'm on the look out for some new ideas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR288swlmMuJmrb8VHq1571s3gkY7E9R7rfskHp7pW3V3yiy3aywlfnyaz_L9QrTcg8JQnDJLkaKB7Lu3B0rZbA6YuElqpC7G0P31BBQOiEcOiyR-LFzhaf52PQOmvCXPZMhAZaAD-idqh/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR288swlmMuJmrb8VHq1571s3gkY7E9R7rfskHp7pW3V3yiy3aywlfnyaz_L9QrTcg8JQnDJLkaKB7Lu3B0rZbA6YuElqpC7G0P31BBQOiEcOiyR-LFzhaf52PQOmvCXPZMhAZaAD-idqh/s400/DSC_0252.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the end of the day our youngest grandson just couldn't leave the slide until he absolutely had too. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTp1U7DfhyphenhyphenhJxBkRh5USKtYsJZzH1tJl-1lughyGSXywf4Qivc-do3Et0rdCKLGXXW8pkLNt2z_sjv57x0CMGfQ8xcuArpcADjFhHBTXSMOhY4Mqe6QvABq0WCtz5vtu8Fe1bcltWAwgG/s1600/DSC_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTp1U7DfhyphenhyphenhJxBkRh5USKtYsJZzH1tJl-1lughyGSXywf4Qivc-do3Et0rdCKLGXXW8pkLNt2z_sjv57x0CMGfQ8xcuArpcADjFhHBTXSMOhY4Mqe6QvABq0WCtz5vtu8Fe1bcltWAwgG/s320/DSC_0267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Oh and I forgot to mention it was also our sweet nieces 16th birthday. So we had to have just the right props for her. We have an on going joke with her about flamingos so that was this year's theme.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFDeu6V-U8zify3hvYp5xA-RyJz-lTLM28pgRbw4W1Yc5ZTLkPGpaFRnSbzn718fnQK5qBjq0xrFkioQ6D3s9MXyiPcnBle-hZKVF1o5oSR53Gb1NONrfO_yCaTuEmmUNGX3WOnu1ZA2M/s1600/DSC_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFDeu6V-U8zify3hvYp5xA-RyJz-lTLM28pgRbw4W1Yc5ZTLkPGpaFRnSbzn718fnQK5qBjq0xrFkioQ6D3s9MXyiPcnBle-hZKVF1o5oSR53Gb1NONrfO_yCaTuEmmUNGX3WOnu1ZA2M/s400/DSC_0106.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
So later in the day when the sun started to go down and we had to say goodbye to the blow up slide we brought out the glow in the dark balloons and glow in the dark straws. We walked out in the yard and looked at the stars and let our glow balloons go up into the air. We watched them for what seemed like forever. That was my favorite part of the day. That shared moment with my grandson watching the balloons float away.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6WvgfITgHhjxL__ZYKrH2qHuh5fNYYDnV50bz_O-N6x1xJa3IeNT27xzF4-s_g30ZKB-nZFXtElA8h-jSkoyy4qgmBmJxAyDRBiQj_ytzya_9CpyVfvnN0dmFuIQPkRIlNpLGec8qPI_/s1600/DSC_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6WvgfITgHhjxL__ZYKrH2qHuh5fNYYDnV50bz_O-N6x1xJa3IeNT27xzF4-s_g30ZKB-nZFXtElA8h-jSkoyy4qgmBmJxAyDRBiQj_ytzya_9CpyVfvnN0dmFuIQPkRIlNpLGec8qPI_/s320/DSC_0225.JPG" width="293" /></a></div>
Yes it was the best day!!!Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-82527079727718630952012-05-25T22:02:00.000-07:002012-05-25T22:03:42.336-07:00Hungry For Games A few weeks ago my oldest grandson came up with an outdoor game for him and his friends. At first it was just an idea that he presented on his facebook page but it grew in popularity so fast that he knew he had to make it a reality. It was then that <i>Hunger Games The Game </i>was born!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_UiHHHTDc0G-amB28hHEwdIl-X0ojJp-bf6uWEDexW4or2m1qQUjWX3jv9ax0Xu5AtPyAyN3H906KS5ePgQg5DELEPsFFHMOMbFSG1BCriqou-9CXdeCwqY-Ee6SmPeksR_fM60APTOw/s1600/DSC_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_UiHHHTDc0G-amB28hHEwdIl-X0ojJp-bf6uWEDexW4or2m1qQUjWX3jv9ax0Xu5AtPyAyN3H906KS5ePgQg5DELEPsFFHMOMbFSG1BCriqou-9CXdeCwqY-Ee6SmPeksR_fM60APTOw/s320/DSC_0147.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
No one had any idea how this was going to work....but we were pretty sure that Nerf weapons would be the weapons of choice. I must admit that spontaneous Nerf wars has been the norm for our family for years. We all own some pretty intense arsenals. My husband and I have been known to do surprise attacks on the grand-kiddos when we arrive for a visits. And our youngest grandson gets so excited when the wars begin that we have nicknamed him <i>The General</i>.....mainly because he will search through all the Nerf bullets (barking orders feverishly) looking for the black tipped ones he calls "The painshots" haha.....yes we get pretty serious!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIDIzc4Jq41Amvk57l4AtTmEGJjb05FGbExb3cqe26W53Ppxurw4KprcyoSJtIrDdsksnA-e1Vym858wiUPdpME5UTG39fc_wYyhyphenhyphenl0K-bdjjmbSZ8LgSkjZi2rzYoLBEKDF9SO6R8a4V/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIDIzc4Jq41Amvk57l4AtTmEGJjb05FGbExb3cqe26W53Ppxurw4KprcyoSJtIrDdsksnA-e1Vym858wiUPdpME5UTG39fc_wYyhyphenhyphenl0K-bdjjmbSZ8LgSkjZi2rzYoLBEKDF9SO6R8a4V/s320/DSC_0104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfgSHbboSvxyubqpGxOeoHL5eUPwBMH6_aSJ6AAdHo0GNQ6nNOZSeU1btcZqQAygRiTLDj2qumS0pyE8p3Ng2eKXxolTQVtGwCoevKeK_bphTyNPIxH9z2dkGp_-MyemqISBRmICM-XhV/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfgSHbboSvxyubqpGxOeoHL5eUPwBMH6_aSJ6AAdHo0GNQ6nNOZSeU1btcZqQAygRiTLDj2qumS0pyE8p3Ng2eKXxolTQVtGwCoevKeK_bphTyNPIxH9z2dkGp_-MyemqISBRmICM-XhV/s400/DSC_0116.JPG" width="350" /></a></div>
<br />
So when the kids said the Hunger Games was set I knew I had to be there to photograph the event. At first I worried that I was interrupting the game, but then I remembered these are theater kids and photos of their performances is their passion!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6mvbyn2ZBOfye4ZSoaPedkWKviYaFl-vG4dK6RX2pxqIQwgQHb3ZQsRkF6lfAZvDb-HAwSzrX2FGUTq1usfEii4Fu1Cq_ZQ8obkZJdSq4mwYCv7D28JWSXnu_wpxiA-quPAxi_bLfttb/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6mvbyn2ZBOfye4ZSoaPedkWKviYaFl-vG4dK6RX2pxqIQwgQHb3ZQsRkF6lfAZvDb-HAwSzrX2FGUTq1usfEii4Fu1Cq_ZQ8obkZJdSq4mwYCv7D28JWSXnu_wpxiA-quPAxi_bLfttb/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Names were placed in a bowl and called out into teams of two. At the count of three and the shout of "GO" from the Game Maker Amy the kids take off from the patio using the strategy they think will work. Some chose to run and gather weapons while others decided to run and find a good hiding place hoping to find weapons from fallen tributes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0bmc1_a1bhJ9eGX9VBqdiKfZMsUJh9xoBwqfZdtI6lpqGey-2Jv_dGuUb1ZSG0YpQiRRhAHC2T_GgfM-plGyb9K41rDt23G9au6khROClajs8CpO2FbKlBOitfxas0VeMkTWfRkYfo6T/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0bmc1_a1bhJ9eGX9VBqdiKfZMsUJh9xoBwqfZdtI6lpqGey-2Jv_dGuUb1ZSG0YpQiRRhAHC2T_GgfM-plGyb9K41rDt23G9au6khROClajs8CpO2FbKlBOitfxas0VeMkTWfRkYfo6T/s400/DSC_0089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If a tribute is shot or struck in the arms or legs we felt that could possibly be a survivable injury.....but only if they could find a hidden medicine bag.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yuTk84UDVIsnJzYoviS5YPRL2YkH6BDcTNtLM2ffkOpg5x3bdKK-hElkiSonYxoIhuGHAZR-aJSh2TpZXmVaWdVMyqhyfXR55o4ARqbAY2uhDQdCSPU3xqJsigZUordjJ9niNRaYwTf_/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yuTk84UDVIsnJzYoviS5YPRL2YkH6BDcTNtLM2ffkOpg5x3bdKK-hElkiSonYxoIhuGHAZR-aJSh2TpZXmVaWdVMyqhyfXR55o4ARqbAY2uhDQdCSPU3xqJsigZUordjJ9niNRaYwTf_/s320/DSC_0085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If a tribute was shot or struck in the head or torso, in an area deemed fatal than you were dead and out for this challenge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJkT_bTa2bF7GkwVRcWoVTqKpxXwV7lGjgTUJK_52Lx60AEqJ1J23db4GEExuiXovWEHqHED6hnl2Ibs0ScZdVDsRNkww7I0AqBacHsoOgEdE22Qqkl9UQoo5pCEEAXPwd0yeAk_yj1zQ/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJkT_bTa2bF7GkwVRcWoVTqKpxXwV7lGjgTUJK_52Lx60AEqJ1J23db4GEExuiXovWEHqHED6hnl2Ibs0ScZdVDsRNkww7I0AqBacHsoOgEdE22Qqkl9UQoo5pCEEAXPwd0yeAk_yj1zQ/s400/DSC_0036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The laughter and stories from these fallen tributes was so much fun. It was so hard for them to sit out and just be a spectator, but this gave them time to make new plans for the next set of games.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrl4OpjpxoymxcllUf5752c_y3a7ltSNo2udu1HTFpKz5SL3udFm0HbAzWvAND0rGdyUYlQLgpYaFaDN_VsrfkZ8fjg9joelfJV9KVrVvtdrReHxzUf_Y58OT7bYbLUsADBvV79IenS66/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrl4OpjpxoymxcllUf5752c_y3a7ltSNo2udu1HTFpKz5SL3udFm0HbAzWvAND0rGdyUYlQLgpYaFaDN_VsrfkZ8fjg9joelfJV9KVrVvtdrReHxzUf_Y58OT7bYbLUsADBvV79IenS66/s400/DSC_0060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Many were killed fast ( which was usually hysterical) while others found hiding places so good that we would have to force them out and back into play.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNO2Jd02Vo2NbuDIyXjRf0xT7AEd4t1dOuej4ZuL7baymnqDfjmBaLItnzyme_3n5CZxWoCkpPQjdlGb6Vc9L4v1XSMo0x0bHQ04Vs-sEQwM9aNoxglXuXeggEIBzX2f7dCjSmLk9j-_L/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNO2Jd02Vo2NbuDIyXjRf0xT7AEd4t1dOuej4ZuL7baymnqDfjmBaLItnzyme_3n5CZxWoCkpPQjdlGb6Vc9L4v1XSMo0x0bHQ04Vs-sEQwM9aNoxglXuXeggEIBzX2f7dCjSmLk9j-_L/s400/DSC_0129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
As often happens the rules evolved as the game did. We quickly learned what worked, and what didn't. So after the first evening of games everyone felt we had it rock solid. Once all of the photos were posted on Facebook <i>Hunger Games The Game</i> became huge!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3EFlCgac8CyAniQay4xUH7g0mV1dIs1VlftXAAzJ5EiJF8jF0RCUB0lrgVQeqi-3cs4Nlq9wVVX9F4ElTowv6g8Losyv3oTLvC2qxHZClAK6qr2doQBWy_WUTG9ISxhJgntkAwZObzs8/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3EFlCgac8CyAniQay4xUH7g0mV1dIs1VlftXAAzJ5EiJF8jF0RCUB0lrgVQeqi-3cs4Nlq9wVVX9F4ElTowv6g8Losyv3oTLvC2qxHZClAK6qr2doQBWy_WUTG9ISxhJgntkAwZObzs8/s400/DSC_0163.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_Bt0KTAfEj7tG6jvTCuHOBdHHALdTMI9iXjTAEJod83xP3SkH6VM783xpd5vzJbbGX8noJ2hTOSlGoTQLxh7yI9ndS9ii4YscHTrlnhdqTltWPwXdWMW9S12_fmcU7wT4RF1jjC4f-yt/s1600/524185_2954133615961_1340065045_32130999_46420685_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_Bt0KTAfEj7tG6jvTCuHOBdHHALdTMI9iXjTAEJod83xP3SkH6VM783xpd5vzJbbGX8noJ2hTOSlGoTQLxh7yI9ndS9ii4YscHTrlnhdqTltWPwXdWMW9S12_fmcU7wT4RF1jjC4f-yt/s400/524185_2954133615961_1340065045_32130999_46420685_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The numbers grew from 6 kids to 20 in no time. So <i>Hunger Games The Game ll </i>was set. It was again a huge success and now the kids plan on a summer of Hunger Games.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTF3lWAslSMrpBizif0kT7_2hjI7flR-jdFGRv4zeuXjsNMRbfYyq1q1Egp10CqgwJRf3tY4pgBrWnC3fcLiVj3hUif0g9zl2buHQro3pkAwyv7Lif2SvQEEBX18vdr6Go1U6xm-TMUv7/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTF3lWAslSMrpBizif0kT7_2hjI7flR-jdFGRv4zeuXjsNMRbfYyq1q1Egp10CqgwJRf3tY4pgBrWnC3fcLiVj3hUif0g9zl2buHQro3pkAwyv7Lif2SvQEEBX18vdr6Go1U6xm-TMUv7/s400/DSC_0238.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Most of the close neighbors sat out on the decks and patios to watch all of the fun. The next day one of the neighbors thanked my daughter in law for such a fun evening of festivities. The games went on for hours well past dark. Which allowed us to bring out the glow sticks, my favorite!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6KaWApqBqeOqwIgTJ7AZBioBQUKUyqtbnldVroaDdbObL0-wPlYQsCaQnS_s4OK5Tey8qsJFhABE5qhc7rhG66zYpjrohkFMABrieqIYPUK_JtKRJ3eJRreQfMyPI9AcbJ8Yq0CAC5lu/s1600/523749_2089616615666_1702766983_1017620_1369803295_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6KaWApqBqeOqwIgTJ7AZBioBQUKUyqtbnldVroaDdbObL0-wPlYQsCaQnS_s4OK5Tey8qsJFhABE5qhc7rhG66zYpjrohkFMABrieqIYPUK_JtKRJ3eJRreQfMyPI9AcbJ8Yq0CAC5lu/s640/523749_2089616615666_1702766983_1017620_1369803295_n.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<br />
Strategies,weapons, matching shirts, and how to shoot silver parachutes to tributes have all been discussed for future games. Other parents have even asked to host the games at their houses. For the adults it brought back memories of innocent outdoor play. Back at a time when neighbors actually neighbored and street lights indicated it was time to go in!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1K-vG3GMD6GTZpf_KPYob59w0My800qQPSa60YUgCTgZ7D68CUANHMvmtor2uLZX2XEOqXwxnPIjt_0QwIy7XUAuOF1K25zbUGcL97w-uq7ZgOR6P2RDd898YrL9N6vlotdOVnUpWfEG5/s1600/DSC_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1K-vG3GMD6GTZpf_KPYob59w0My800qQPSa60YUgCTgZ7D68CUANHMvmtor2uLZX2XEOqXwxnPIjt_0QwIy7XUAuOF1K25zbUGcL97w-uq7ZgOR6P2RDd898YrL9N6vlotdOVnUpWfEG5/s400/DSC_0194.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The important part of all of this was just good old fashion outdoor fun and laughter. Kids being kids! How wonderful too at a time when childhood obesity is at an all time high and many schools have had to work hard to encourage physical activity.<br />
We all laughed till we cried and shared one of the best evening we've had in ages.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9auAxaSz14f7Spf5nKlZhXnBw1PAzr2zz-42j6lovQ3UGkRhCByb8osgeW6NwHeEG_hq-UUETY43c2O2Ru3iUKEjgSqjMl6W99frAD_iQX7fybnDtwxlbSD5iLKQkDIPzecX7Z8F3xxa/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9auAxaSz14f7Spf5nKlZhXnBw1PAzr2zz-42j6lovQ3UGkRhCByb8osgeW6NwHeEG_hq-UUETY43c2O2Ru3iUKEjgSqjMl6W99frAD_iQX7fybnDtwxlbSD5iLKQkDIPzecX7Z8F3xxa/s400/DSC_0052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
So if your kids or grand-kids are bored this summer or have become couch/computer potatoes.....get them outside and create an outdoor game like this with them. It's safe harmless fun, and believe me there is nothing like being a kid again....... with your kids!!<br />
Happy Summer everyone and have a wonderful Memorial weekend =)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUG10rCb-PnUtjIb3Zo2PiWsJUSvx0mG26ny8lZw8-mosX6fZC4tdBgAnfanhQn-eaLT8ODrsh6vGqRReNkneCbxiGjV13D0V-Si8yL7Bwnum9wiHI3u6MEajolF41_EsN4EpsFFXwWTj/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUG10rCb-PnUtjIb3Zo2PiWsJUSvx0mG26ny8lZw8-mosX6fZC4tdBgAnfanhQn-eaLT8ODrsh6vGqRReNkneCbxiGjV13D0V-Si8yL7Bwnum9wiHI3u6MEajolF41_EsN4EpsFFXwWTj/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZL8ZxyW-IpEeGivONw0EPNioBdP5syP8QjY25pbHod3VhShcKT4wFnWD7PQE36AUcGR7Ew_m9K3X_G3n9ABlXUWHRl8uLLNcu8oY47Ivg_pvXMo-m8B1YlCcta8r5ReNK5IJ0kv6TQna/s1600/DSC_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZL8ZxyW-IpEeGivONw0EPNioBdP5syP8QjY25pbHod3VhShcKT4wFnWD7PQE36AUcGR7Ew_m9K3X_G3n9ABlXUWHRl8uLLNcu8oY47Ivg_pvXMo-m8B1YlCcta8r5ReNK5IJ0kv6TQna/s400/DSC_0045.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh did I forget to mention it was also a surprise birthday for one of his friends......ya gotta love a bunch of kids armed with silly string! <br />
<br />Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-11372296754918651082012-05-11T20:05:00.002-07:002012-05-11T20:05:58.875-07:00Creating Garden Decor Memorial weekend is just around the corner and for us that means our annual family get together. I've been searching for a craft project that the ladies and I can do together. I've really been in the mood to add a couple of small flower gardens around our patio area. With 6 acres to mow and trim, flowers gardens have not been on our priority list.We have added lots of wildflower seeds which is perfect for larger areas and requires little or no maintenance. It's been so much fun watching the wild flowers spread year after year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5AxsOIJejHIt_Sqb1t1eW0ITBQOykQCr641kpNkloxNjNf1ielkz5ZW8ihSWFXt6UNFR-AHyQQMD88z-AAzbTlL5Owe1r_cWT-_GPI8EQZmgDWtiizirdnvAlaux2WP4dtPp-bxEZm3k/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5AxsOIJejHIt_Sqb1t1eW0ITBQOykQCr641kpNkloxNjNf1ielkz5ZW8ihSWFXt6UNFR-AHyQQMD88z-AAzbTlL5Owe1r_cWT-_GPI8EQZmgDWtiizirdnvAlaux2WP4dtPp-bxEZm3k/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KSKni-1bVePtwVANdUwmcwt2cPFzsJoAX5EJX_wS7yR4Lr6Lc487P7A3vCLfmuYyepo_pfPM_iyXum6wLDc8-EscjRZpMAZKJ7Ra3xyBqabz3p3d48JqlJiFWc3iR63LThyphenhyphenLC-AbNlsN/s1600/DSC_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KSKni-1bVePtwVANdUwmcwt2cPFzsJoAX5EJX_wS7yR4Lr6Lc487P7A3vCLfmuYyepo_pfPM_iyXum6wLDc8-EscjRZpMAZKJ7Ra3xyBqabz3p3d48JqlJiFWc3iR63LThyphenhyphenLC-AbNlsN/s400/DSC_0329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now I'm ready to add some small flower gardens around our lower patio. This has become our favorite place to sit and relax when the weather turns steamy hot!<br />
I've been looking at some decorative garden items and have had some sticker shock at the cost. Plus being a crafter my first thought is always how can I make this myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqrrAQlRpGsEYkYJ-yK5040DssR5wZpd0Uif8mizdrmX5NiDTkjS4OAc9Stq-74kJj79b7Ln4avehvXfvUkqbdDxY_0nnZwYSwUDg2lXd5ePG2DRmB0rDg3TTnpQ4gK4NnDBJ4MFOBEC4/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqrrAQlRpGsEYkYJ-yK5040DssR5wZpd0Uif8mizdrmX5NiDTkjS4OAc9Stq-74kJj79b7Ln4avehvXfvUkqbdDxY_0nnZwYSwUDg2lXd5ePG2DRmB0rDg3TTnpQ4gK4NnDBJ4MFOBEC4/s1600/untitled.bmp" /></a></div>
Today I found what I think could be a easy idea for some <a href="http://sunsetgurldesign.typepad.com/weblog/2009/06/diy-garden-stone.html">garden stones</a> on a blog called <a href="http://sunsetgurldesign.typepad.com/">Sunset Gurl Design</a>. Plus what I like about this idea is it uses something everyone should have or can get easily find which is leaves. I really like how the bottoms of large plant leaves look with all their veins, and it really makes quite an impact in these garden stones.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WtGG31GX1hyCpMV_yd5gxxff_75oUKOqBxb8HWQnfAZ65HEsGCGU28jVDao4Rwzds_o3C1TYVwAP9KcEAPgtwuMfJkh2lx3hgKzUUcbiGV2lcuDMET6smdWxkeE7ZKiIXDlbl_pfxo20/s1600/6001_101110_cement_leaves_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WtGG31GX1hyCpMV_yd5gxxff_75oUKOqBxb8HWQnfAZ65HEsGCGU28jVDao4Rwzds_o3C1TYVwAP9KcEAPgtwuMfJkh2lx3hgKzUUcbiGV2lcuDMET6smdWxkeE7ZKiIXDlbl_pfxo20/s400/6001_101110_cement_leaves_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's very similar to a project I saw last year on <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/264289/cement-leaves">The Martha Stewart</a> show. Cement garden leaves, and once again using plant leaves. I have kept this idea on my "to do" list as a future project. Items like these at your local garden centers would not be inexpensive. So making them seems to me to be a cost effect idea.<br />
The main ingedients are ready mix and sand and of course leaves of your choice. Wouldn't this be fun to do with your kiddos. My grandsons would enjoy a hike down the creek in search of a variety of interesting leaves, just don't pick the itchy ones! It's kind of like combining education with creativity as well as an outdoor experience. <br />
<br />
If this ends up being the project that we choose I will share the process good, bad or comical as well as our photos. But really the best part of any project we choose is just being together, laughing and chatting and creating great memories!<br />
<br />
What does your Memorial weekend look like? I would love to hear what traditions or activities you and your family enjoys on our nations very popular three day weekend.<br />
<br />Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-14457493065975202562012-04-26T11:56:00.000-07:002012-04-26T11:56:47.431-07:00A Proud Shop Owner Today was a typical busy day in my life....I know,I know when isn't it. But while I was doing what I do at my day job I suddenly realized that today's Martha Stewart show was all about Etsy!<br />
Just in case you missed it here is a link to today's <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/901112/etsy-show">episode</a>.<br />
I couldn't have been more proud to be a shop owner......well perhaps I could have ya know if I was lucky enough to be on the show. But I am delighted that Etsy is receiving some great exposure. Exposure like this could give all of us a better chance at higher sales!<br />
One shop I must tell you about that was featured on her show is called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/focuslineart">Focus Line Art</a> The owner <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/focuslineart">Tracy Melton</a> is a fellow Hoosier!! Woot Woot....go Indiana artists!! His shop's shingle hangs in Indianapolis Indiana. I love his work,it is so vibrant and so unusual,your eyes will be held captive! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mJ5610cRAIz3sJ0WGc6Kmm-F9wpqsK_-sTPI0u8VtljxzZ3Vz44QaSfxDIq39e3Way9vMAtxd2vBobmHG-r6YFqbXjCvhfuLgIiUTdGtobu520NOkn2XEPxG0R_Q8KOgFVklb9NkZ-ql/s1600/il_570xN.287879467%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mJ5610cRAIz3sJ0WGc6Kmm-F9wpqsK_-sTPI0u8VtljxzZ3Vz44QaSfxDIq39e3Way9vMAtxd2vBobmHG-r6YFqbXjCvhfuLgIiUTdGtobu520NOkn2XEPxG0R_Q8KOgFVklb9NkZ-ql/s320/il_570xN.287879467%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTu9Hv3qIlsS16q21J6uAcYaq5yVpmrwaFFEe3X6tokA-_cyc85iTR_CoNIt6c1n1gcSyRZh9XWPXQJ5bpAi-8Ig1x0T9G8Kl-GVVGMZeZA6j5VxREWh2AqMGQdR0y4fDaPVYI6R0b7ic/s1600/il_570xN.290597903%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTu9Hv3qIlsS16q21J6uAcYaq5yVpmrwaFFEe3X6tokA-_cyc85iTR_CoNIt6c1n1gcSyRZh9XWPXQJ5bpAi-8Ig1x0T9G8Kl-GVVGMZeZA6j5VxREWh2AqMGQdR0y4fDaPVYI6R0b7ic/s320/il_570xN.290597903%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGPm7TksXXWqxV21Ab3YRULMMUgkMXqWpqNWViq4ukSfNzxBInqwC0okbkU6uvwR0XiAjHl9ACfr7iHtVMF__8yiFIFP5pgAx7lDKOoOaWDNhHZQbPvr6lAJHtCZcGO6g-xfh7ddJaK1J/s1600/il_570xN.321712449%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGPm7TksXXWqxV21Ab3YRULMMUgkMXqWpqNWViq4ukSfNzxBInqwC0okbkU6uvwR0XiAjHl9ACfr7iHtVMF__8yiFIFP5pgAx7lDKOoOaWDNhHZQbPvr6lAJHtCZcGO6g-xfh7ddJaK1J/s400/il_570xN.321712449%5B1%5D.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But today was also bitter sweet for me having learned that Martha's show has been cancelled by the Hallmark Channel. I am not happy! I have always loved her show and I hope she finds a new home channel. Because it just will not be the same without her.Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-61038741433414295612012-04-22T08:56:00.001-07:002012-04-22T08:56:49.509-07:00Cleaning Out The Craft Closet A while back I decided to clean out my craft closet in my work room, mostly because it was bulging at it's hinges, and I promised myself I would get control of this! I tend to hang on to just about anything that seems useful or could be made into something. I have saved some goofy stuff over the years, all in the name of future craft projects.<br />
Like for example I saved a couple of pop bottles because I had this idea. I always felt like the neck of the bottle and part of the center would make a great spy glass or kids.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSfqqzV30rTeAD5t4sQSPn1QuVsIs-LoW2kjiHFXZOVwIte1O1gs2KrY2wEbDY2YC-eNARUcD79U6U1OSvzuf-xe7BlNSv9UtXbI49LzgEuG5Iwhgq1GWejkh_-XaWqAj0PH5unEqJqXE/s1600/DSC_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSfqqzV30rTeAD5t4sQSPn1QuVsIs-LoW2kjiHFXZOVwIte1O1gs2KrY2wEbDY2YC-eNARUcD79U6U1OSvzuf-xe7BlNSv9UtXbI49LzgEuG5Iwhgq1GWejkh_-XaWqAj0PH5unEqJqXE/s400/DSC_0716.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
So finally I made one. My stash of clear flat plastic came in handy for the wide end of the spy glass. After I completed this and came up with a pattern for future spy glasses I pulled out more interesting items.<br />
Some items I had to stare at for a while to try and remember what in the world I was thinking when I saved it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqFG5QI4HTfyZkovvS2RA7ZQy7ghT_u0Ry7Sx6gPkhwDquuaijN-S-e7RDFRCcEKeYWmnufDcKFld5TM6Cuo58Ra3N0-c6GWqflNb0i39nm4i7x5HnYdQlPhnfrmyQdspzXYKCfx8PlkS/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqFG5QI4HTfyZkovvS2RA7ZQy7ghT_u0Ry7Sx6gPkhwDquuaijN-S-e7RDFRCcEKeYWmnufDcKFld5TM6Cuo58Ra3N0-c6GWqflNb0i39nm4i7x5HnYdQlPhnfrmyQdspzXYKCfx8PlkS/s400/DSC_0298.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Like these for example. Prescription bottles because the their shape and the colored soft rubbery rings around their necks.....really made me nuts to toss them out. But after months and months of holding onto them without any craft idea, it was time. Another item I hold onto is the brown paper wrapper below that comes off of the paper towels we use at the office. I believe that they would be perfect for stamping and using on a small gift as wrapping paper,or to homemade gift bows.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWby_LFBg05FRENh90wyhvXVFZeMIaFehh2J5muxp6GDnAnYpQ5cdHWfJhlI5ftCc6VHt1nk9gR5i2IzFARbKXO0QLdu9FQon_FfZdbvba0vxJyJmJW4uqUgj4DjkC2ASEZ9xDSxyGGdx/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWby_LFBg05FRENh90wyhvXVFZeMIaFehh2J5muxp6GDnAnYpQ5cdHWfJhlI5ftCc6VHt1nk9gR5i2IzFARbKXO0QLdu9FQon_FfZdbvba0vxJyJmJW4uqUgj4DjkC2ASEZ9xDSxyGGdx/s400/DSC_0296.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
So to say I'm a pack rat is an under statement. It's just that every time I start to toss something in the trash bin I stop and think can I use this for something? These trays from Healthy Choice frozen meals have made me crazy for a long time. All I could think was I bet they would make a great stencil for something.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEoPVvimlUCmDocTwd8T9WKBOOpsSQnlsGGkBsIbBCD1DC9-tExQwiR7fwOMp2EQqTZUxmiMfQf80YnD1iVaXVaXpkhWx51yO5t0NbEcwcer9McG0Y7dzaifgGbJR0xXVTYle3HT90wAW/s1600/DSC_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEoPVvimlUCmDocTwd8T9WKBOOpsSQnlsGGkBsIbBCD1DC9-tExQwiR7fwOMp2EQqTZUxmiMfQf80YnD1iVaXVaXpkhWx51yO5t0NbEcwcer9McG0Y7dzaifgGbJR0xXVTYle3HT90wAW/s400/DSC_0301.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I was right it worked! Lets see what else can I do. While I never did make anything of any real usefulness then I still believe they will come in handy someday. So back into the craft closet they went.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRao8LmSZcbJBb_tWzCxkf7S2Mspxhyg6uLYsqBy9IY7cNRHMkop_lZRjWMu1oPKbgIQ4pf9w_ArugQdFPHn6uVOUgJtZbNwVyBZnax_GHuycHx_6cgvlfUKcfXAZdBu1az0WYziyj1A3e/s1600/DSC_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRao8LmSZcbJBb_tWzCxkf7S2Mspxhyg6uLYsqBy9IY7cNRHMkop_lZRjWMu1oPKbgIQ4pf9w_ArugQdFPHn6uVOUgJtZbNwVyBZnax_GHuycHx_6cgvlfUKcfXAZdBu1az0WYziyj1A3e/s320/DSC_0307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This then lead me to some foam stamps I have had for years. I saw them once on a show I use to LOVE called the <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/search/results.do?hgSearchString=carol+duvall&hgSearchType=HGTV.com">Carol Duvall Show</a>. It was a great show which was on HGTV, back when they use to show craft programs. This was before their executives decided we all wanted to see only gardening, and flip your house kind of shows. A guest on her show was demonstrating these stamps and I immediately felt I needed them. I did some research and found them online.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr35V66kkxjTb22s5cYjp5uviT9s3jOt9wA7jXu-XgTEsvNfVBrCKUtrdhhAjuGSJhlzLQPC73ZTJ1NikEpyn_HQik6RZP0RtGd7QzSGGx4x_kZ6oUQpWNk1vAv_ZxjlzM7XIIe2UccG8/s1600/DSC_0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr35V66kkxjTb22s5cYjp5uviT9s3jOt9wA7jXu-XgTEsvNfVBrCKUtrdhhAjuGSJhlzLQPC73ZTJ1NikEpyn_HQik6RZP0RtGd7QzSGGx4x_kZ6oUQpWNk1vAv_ZxjlzM7XIIe2UccG8/s640/DSC_0308.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
You can use these stamps over and over again. Heat them with a heat gun and then immediately press them against something else and they will take on that image. I like to look around the house and press them against the corner of a ornate picture frame,or a drawer handle,or my mothers vintage cookie and butter molds. I have also used antique silver ware to make beautiful tags and cards.But remember whatever you press them against it will give you the reverse of that image,and that makes it even more fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEs6JOw5xvdIocMh4cUe3jVIQXzYXcrGrYtOIPR7zgBx7WPHBFY6K0oQk8igm0u3E5y55DkXEE8xK_d8D4Q_N1wEz153k1g9fMYmDXZ78Y1_QX95wIS89EXmE_X9wqV-jSssZltAPumys/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEs6JOw5xvdIocMh4cUe3jVIQXzYXcrGrYtOIPR7zgBx7WPHBFY6K0oQk8igm0u3E5y55DkXEE8xK_d8D4Q_N1wEz153k1g9fMYmDXZ78Y1_QX95wIS89EXmE_X9wqV-jSssZltAPumys/s400/DSC_0309.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Mine look stained and rather well used. It's because the uses for these are endless, and that makes them addicting. I have used them for gift tags and cards and scrap booking for many, many years.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2EmoGZv-uF0QlV0696XGtofSd2qh3OUuPJFqMT62WNTtS9flzbrysVsiMSsVhjEY8qIyNNX5NtWi56m82tf7kycPy1T0vfDoJPrJyMSR7cEmhM20NvO1H0KHO43BKrdKiT6DMz7iSVu3/s1600/DSC_0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2EmoGZv-uF0QlV0696XGtofSd2qh3OUuPJFqMT62WNTtS9flzbrysVsiMSsVhjEY8qIyNNX5NtWi56m82tf7kycPy1T0vfDoJPrJyMSR7cEmhM20NvO1H0KHO43BKrdKiT6DMz7iSVu3/s400/DSC_0310.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
After I played around for a while with my foam stamps I pulled out the linoleum and carving tools. This is a hobby that is relaxing to me like coloring a page in a coloring book. It's an instant satisfaction craft. So easy to do like carving butter, smooth and soft. So every now and then I just have to drag them out and make something with them. I must admit the linoleum isn't a cheap craft product so I tend to be stingy with it. I always make sure I have my sketches just right before I begin to carve.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SNi0GAUPb_gjO6V00IEjHYR09RyCbCAjEyVguHXjgcPSjL5sQF2rL44YBIncIYjlbpuGb-I3qe3IZNRyDkr6tlgFvFuRkndNavzjFzWrknItZ3ieUnN_PjChj0QlAIWzbNQcUiaxVGeG/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SNi0GAUPb_gjO6V00IEjHYR09RyCbCAjEyVguHXjgcPSjL5sQF2rL44YBIncIYjlbpuGb-I3qe3IZNRyDkr6tlgFvFuRkndNavzjFzWrknItZ3ieUnN_PjChj0QlAIWzbNQcUiaxVGeG/s400/DSC_0312.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
My favorite stamp that I have carved and used over and over again is the fish (in the center of the photo). It has been great for gift tags,cards and wrapping paper. Well I must admit, I have used the bumble bee quite a bit too for gift tags. It's fun to stamp out a bunch and then have the grand kiddos color them for future use. My 9 yr old grandson has wanted to try his hand at carving and I think he's probably old enough to do it now. I use to be scared to death to let him try it with these sharp carving blades. Then I remembered my parents giving me a wood burning tool with it's lava hot tip at a very young age! Different times, different rules I guess. How did we all survive without all the new guidelines on safety haha!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU5d0uys0bd8gzP10JBUH0dhW1sDLC1n_KuT8B1ySrFPR1HaanLwYpqFD1pkx1tHhX1IZX_AR3CWlbcoTdsS1fmj7ujlhdYVWAfFOvzIzScoUgQBYoL8mmUIfkBjmhDBiTzCOo6FhrZ7Z/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU5d0uys0bd8gzP10JBUH0dhW1sDLC1n_KuT8B1ySrFPR1HaanLwYpqFD1pkx1tHhX1IZX_AR3CWlbcoTdsS1fmj7ujlhdYVWAfFOvzIzScoUgQBYoL8mmUIfkBjmhDBiTzCOo6FhrZ7Z/s400/DSC_0313.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUdS0neH0ozYlSFd1v8gHJH6Y3pM8lbYiy0CcijJC8KHN0zPHEUmNSfQfqapHeVGI50ahaUBzSx65anLycVQt47LEjFH8C1V51CoanRDLv7CtD-_NlbleKdWY5KvE9aYpmzzM-yzEV89B/s1600/DSC_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUdS0neH0ozYlSFd1v8gHJH6Y3pM8lbYiy0CcijJC8KHN0zPHEUmNSfQfqapHeVGI50ahaUBzSx65anLycVQt47LEjFH8C1V51CoanRDLv7CtD-_NlbleKdWY5KvE9aYpmzzM-yzEV89B/s400/DSC_0316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Spending an afternoon just playing can be very relaxing for me. I rarely accomplish much when I am in this mood. It's more about the act of experimenting and just plain old fashion playing. And sometimes during this process I might actually clean out my craft closet!Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252323504538211106.post-60164191188691432332012-04-07T06:42:00.000-07:002012-04-07T06:42:11.366-07:00Celebrating Easter As I prepare for our family to arrive today for our Easter celebration I wanted to wish all of my blog buddies a Happy Easter! I finished up the baskets last night for the kiddos and all of the eggs have been stuffed with tons of goodies. The house is as clean as it's going to get and all 6 acres has been cut and neatly trimmed in preparation for the chaos that will happen today.<br />
You may remember our traditional confetti egg hunt and ultimate egg war. Here are a few photos from last years fun!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tsJOlAX1EKWufjS4n7psc4RWN1Ykg7HfRW1zhyXwKog6N7pirSr55E4smzCOHlblh3B74OaNSstk1Df_EzdawOZEYI9oX_uR8hyphenhyphenMo_7bvPlebEzEHzIHLcRmo9lJQYxdSEPJPwr4bJd9/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tsJOlAX1EKWufjS4n7psc4RWN1Ykg7HfRW1zhyXwKog6N7pirSr55E4smzCOHlblh3B74OaNSstk1Df_EzdawOZEYI9oX_uR8hyphenhyphenMo_7bvPlebEzEHzIHLcRmo9lJQYxdSEPJPwr4bJd9/s400/DSC_0214.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run Lindsey run haha!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEhaCNhoe8QF69-QqF9Uw7x07pYlXn0747qtYkEX2dSmlGJc3fJgWBKPh8WYu5L_A6eQciab335H8ZxpN0amCkFyXklL9yaLyzT3RkdfVl1aWYJsFRujX61NIWAiaLp4iFXPuo8UbjpIalNy/s1600/DSC_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCNhoe8QF69-QqF9Uw7x07pYlXn0747qtYkEX2dSmlGJc3fJgWBKPh8WYu5L_A6eQciab335H8ZxpN0amCkFyXklL9yaLyzT3RkdfVl1aWYJsFRujX61NIWAiaLp4iFXPuo8UbjpIalNy/s400/DSC_0216.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family spreading the luck of a confetti egg being cracked on your head!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQqxBgTigy0rfNw_-dODkj0lpbiM5YS8pXFZ0ZXEomGhRYUsDMvsio6T_4pCuGOI0HL33Rs2xzWRJG8d_mFv9BH2vtirkfzC7zznxsE-Cxmu-mHDXjIc8ar3K93Di5QR4LKw0_AI_mRCP/s1600/DSC_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQqxBgTigy0rfNw_-dODkj0lpbiM5YS8pXFZ0ZXEomGhRYUsDMvsio6T_4pCuGOI0HL33Rs2xzWRJG8d_mFv9BH2vtirkfzC7zznxsE-Cxmu-mHDXjIc8ar3K93Di5QR4LKw0_AI_mRCP/s640/DSC_0241.JPG" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His clever idea of a scarf tied around his neck still didn't stop the confetti from going down his shirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have 10 dozen more for this year. I'm so hoping 46 dozen will be enough. It always goes so fast each year that it is a blur of bright colors flying through the air. Really makes capturing these moments on camera very difficult.<br />
The little kiddos love doing this so much. They asked Papa if he can make them an egg rocket so they can get their Dad's on top of their heads. We couldn't figure out an egg rocket but we did come up with a dollar store sling shot,so we'll see how that works. Everyone must bring a change of clothes and shoes because we get very serious about this tradition! Afterward most of the beautiful colors will end up in my house....haha!<br />
After dark we hope to do another egg hunt using glow sticks inside of the eggs. These we have to sneak out in the early evening to hide. So as the sun does down they will begin to show up and glow.<br />
<br />
Since my knees are bad and my husband has twisted his knee we will be driving in our little gator and will be launching them as we pass by......moooohahahaha!!! I usually lose my whole bag to one of my sons as they run by and snatch it from me. I am a sitting duck for most everybody. But not this year!!<br />
Either way it is a blast of fun!!<br />
<br />
So now I am off to finish all of the last minute touches for today. But before I go I did want to give you a recipe of some Bunny Bait I made last night, it is yummy!! <a href="http://www.bloomdesignsonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/easter-tag-redux-and-100000-view-give.html">Bloom Designs online blog</a> has recipe for this sweet treat. Stop by and check it out it is simple, and very pretty. I wish I could have found the Easter M&M it would have looked better, but trust me it stills tastes great!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_s4jYlzNpBDkZgw1dwwbKVKY1gYp8rc3d8RHzLDUQ1SDrU9YrNthFUkcUchyphenhyphenr4mqcTZyGEFEGveW3GdOlIvgOitTiOFIH6SJQXDIXvqogBeOXft5Sa_5gxqAEnNQUXzotGnQoDJwW26I/s1600/537039_2910409042874_1340065045_32108058_74897418_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_s4jYlzNpBDkZgw1dwwbKVKY1gYp8rc3d8RHzLDUQ1SDrU9YrNthFUkcUchyphenhyphenr4mqcTZyGEFEGveW3GdOlIvgOitTiOFIH6SJQXDIXvqogBeOXft5Sa_5gxqAEnNQUXzotGnQoDJwW26I/s400/537039_2910409042874_1340065045_32108058_74897418_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And if you still need a last minute craft then stop by <a href="http://rosinahuber.blogspot.com/2012/03/wet-felted-easter-eggs-tutorial.html">Rosy-Posy</a> for a tutorial on wet felting Easter eggs. She has a wonderful blog always full of so many great family crafts and recipes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG7G_zgq9uPzKM6EojIaCs0iciHyIE307PHVrsmfFpVeCp98zhCyjTtx9rQDb6-fv3uj3qr-dh279H4SMf_nGy4VY-E5ztqAbKeg1Kkal2FQdaHO3-17j_B0hr4dXb4g1rkaMFvBxBdIG/s1600/7028821325_73676e59c0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG7G_zgq9uPzKM6EojIaCs0iciHyIE307PHVrsmfFpVeCp98zhCyjTtx9rQDb6-fv3uj3qr-dh279H4SMf_nGy4VY-E5ztqAbKeg1Kkal2FQdaHO3-17j_B0hr4dXb4g1rkaMFvBxBdIG/s400/7028821325_73676e59c0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend full on family and friends,and lots of good food...... and a few sweet treats too!<br />
God bless us all as we come together remembering the real reason for this glorious weekend. That Jesus lives!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnI5cu7FtYtLe_IB6V52YG_lmOSXJornpOaMhu62k9A_umR62agadzONXUVeyMQPj5aBFgWoNDDOh4IBMfEmxLapHyfMEw-tRYAi8HBlOVNr59zZWZjQ230I1tuunMdbrT9zHJq4jifm8/s1600/538758_324859937569531_175655829156610_815929_818760204_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnI5cu7FtYtLe_IB6V52YG_lmOSXJornpOaMhu62k9A_umR62agadzONXUVeyMQPj5aBFgWoNDDOh4IBMfEmxLapHyfMEw-tRYAi8HBlOVNr59zZWZjQ230I1tuunMdbrT9zHJq4jifm8/s400/538758_324859937569531_175655829156610_815929_818760204_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
HE died for us so that we can live for HIM! Happy Easter!!!Hopewell Creek Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13955966572286894122noreply@blogger.com4