tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623623872039200932024-03-05T20:04:46.630-05:00My Remodeled NestLife through my lens!Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-25752074151785801512011-08-09T23:40:00.000-04:002011-08-09T23:40:29.300-04:00Happy Angry Bird-day!My son Benjamin recently turned SIX! I know, that's crazy! And each year when I ask what type of party the boys want...lately their answer is always STAR WARS! I don't quite understand what the appeal is with Star Wars, so I was very happy when Ben suggested having an "Angry Birds" party! He loves playing "Angry Birds" on my husband's phone, and I have to admit I like playing it too! <br />
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I found many ideas on Pinterest. And since Angry Birds is fairly new, there isn't any type of party decorations (unless you have a ton of money to spend on Etsy). So I had to come up with ideas on my own or should I say with the help of the internet! ;)<br />
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I LOVED this balloon idea! It can be found <a href="http://www.thepartyanimal-blog.org/angry-birds-balloons-free-templates/">HERE</a>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityOpbcQ4ut2H3jxcMwwegaRcnayqOX9r4qSpa5KXI6wWecr5EdiVxVGZickQ8gYtkjSJguy1jlrmp3v_qFhL2uaIWcfM1ufFxSjRq_fqhYlhou6HADxN41mls2Aqc9xduPFtFgVu5UcM/s1600/balloons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityOpbcQ4ut2H3jxcMwwegaRcnayqOX9r4qSpa5KXI6wWecr5EdiVxVGZickQ8gYtkjSJguy1jlrmp3v_qFhL2uaIWcfM1ufFxSjRq_fqhYlhou6HADxN41mls2Aqc9xduPFtFgVu5UcM/s400/balloons.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div> The party stores in the neighborhood wouldn't fill latex balloons with helium, so I bought a small helium tank from Walmart and filled my own. Or should I say my hubby filled them for me! I know that latex doesn't hold helium long, but my balloons started falling about a half hour after we filled them! :( So that was a bust! But they sure were cute while they lasted!<br />
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What was neat about making these little characters was that the paper weighed down the balloons a little, so we left them hang from the ceiling and it looked like the little angry birds were looking down on us! ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh17-DU6cN5snk0AXeEqUDsRwthymuzGQv0ZZ-_bGfQMaO1DkW93dD0kFErKh75I6vs4xR8NKaTt9d9eSDlNGYvQSFSnPTgC8cYBAX2vRwAvxcTedjzuUsktC60uZDFsaj1ipq5HgtYs/s1600/balloons1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh17-DU6cN5snk0AXeEqUDsRwthymuzGQv0ZZ-_bGfQMaO1DkW93dD0kFErKh75I6vs4xR8NKaTt9d9eSDlNGYvQSFSnPTgC8cYBAX2vRwAvxcTedjzuUsktC60uZDFsaj1ipq5HgtYs/s400/balloons1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div> I think the little blue one is my favorite!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSHjkxWVZbnDhgQMkxsKqU6ygFDWGv65MBTN2hMUjC2qNbZhumlko0GU_MTdHttzjlW1XAS-JRlmqwNyujw3bATup_bTQN00CzWoR30uATwP37FcWAi_ZAr_sQzMWQZv3SrhlgjD3bR8/s1600/balloons2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSHjkxWVZbnDhgQMkxsKqU6ygFDWGv65MBTN2hMUjC2qNbZhumlko0GU_MTdHttzjlW1XAS-JRlmqwNyujw3bATup_bTQN00CzWoR30uATwP37FcWAi_ZAr_sQzMWQZv3SrhlgjD3bR8/s400/balloons2.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div> I found these little plush pigs and angry birds at Toys R Us...so I bought them and we set up our own little lifesized Angry Bird Game.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJwuOLKxbmLFJphZC8aM_Yn1iLNAGkhAWY1EJdkNfFgyKQUt1LCf5TTXT4H8-G3iwBCJfjAFHv4X9GEiGrxZr0EUtL2UpFsjUmqLnQqZ8_AO-O_kmIN3BtJIgm-ExAbE6KJcJJMJQB8w/s1600/boxes1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJwuOLKxbmLFJphZC8aM_Yn1iLNAGkhAWY1EJdkNfFgyKQUt1LCf5TTXT4H8-G3iwBCJfjAFHv4X9GEiGrxZr0EUtL2UpFsjUmqLnQqZ8_AO-O_kmIN3BtJIgm-ExAbE6KJcJJMJQB8w/s400/boxes1.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div> We were going to use a real slingshot, but it was too hard for the boys to work, so they just threw the angry birds! They had a blast!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIst6wIHJTC8nX3ySV48IDNOm-Cjo6u3QDKIKD3HMqrDCszcDgk1ajjHoEHpdojhyphenhyphen1Lv_X3N9BbMkPLeYL2a-ufrUGE0RFGQruuGlPcBcwar88zwfthY-lpNhcajPkQaQz1yOXD6Ar8HY/s1600/boxes2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIst6wIHJTC8nX3ySV48IDNOm-Cjo6u3QDKIKD3HMqrDCszcDgk1ajjHoEHpdojhyphenhyphen1Lv_X3N9BbMkPLeYL2a-ufrUGE0RFGQruuGlPcBcwar88zwfthY-lpNhcajPkQaQz1yOXD6Ar8HY/s400/boxes2.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div> As for the cake, I ordered it at Walmart. I could have baked a cake like this, but I try to eliminate as much added stress as possible lately, so we had the party catered, and I ordered the cake. I did however decorate the cake myself. I was going to make little angry birds out of clay or fondant, but again I wanted no stress, so I ordered the Angry Bird Game off of Amazon.com and just used the game pieces. I think it made the cake look fun! <br />
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I was a little upset with the fact that the cake decorator inscribed the cake wrong. I specifically gave her what to write in writing, but she still managed to screw it up. It was supposed to say: "Happy Angry Bird-day Ben!" But she wrote: "Happy Angry Bird Birthday Ben!" But oh well, it's just minor and bothered me just a little! ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1Sw1i9663NCUyYsy_dtKcQDgOUTw0dXT_F31k9EocWU3Am9ybvJbU9NJswrW1x842mO5z2Pm5q09z8LILE_rZE2xunw3yOb8WLRLgiFGsqJOY2_jwlKkb-9CyOIy86yTJ0jcu8r9oP0/s1600/cake1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1Sw1i9663NCUyYsy_dtKcQDgOUTw0dXT_F31k9EocWU3Am9ybvJbU9NJswrW1x842mO5z2Pm5q09z8LILE_rZE2xunw3yOb8WLRLgiFGsqJOY2_jwlKkb-9CyOIy86yTJ0jcu8r9oP0/s400/cake1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div> But in the end Ben loved his cake and that's all that mattered! :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcQDhsHX-GCKwlAjhctZkpg3GOSfAVNbc2F42aMA-6t_om6ekOaf9cH6p9rsm6EnIHwtsXF-15CZSv28tjPIF_FCoxF_Q-lr63ZXmm4QR3Kpp695yxQJf8vJCnVMce1iupVL-QBVyIqQ/s1600/bencake1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcQDhsHX-GCKwlAjhctZkpg3GOSfAVNbc2F42aMA-6t_om6ekOaf9cH6p9rsm6EnIHwtsXF-15CZSv28tjPIF_FCoxF_Q-lr63ZXmm4QR3Kpp695yxQJf8vJCnVMce1iupVL-QBVyIqQ/s400/bencake1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the invitation that I made him. I think it's horrible, and I could have done a much better job had I hand drawn it, but I digitally drew it on the computer which is hard!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSUmtccf4TnLmoKDTH_L_QT3mreVyc9_WeEJ0dW74Aj58-LoGn06AxbWXmT_xhSHwaMmE8L7yGP4M2gVA2flqtwI0o18nsV5CFkorIVuwE9W99bZo2aSCn88v2EU1bE8AaMZohwaywlQ/s1600/birdinvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSUmtccf4TnLmoKDTH_L_QT3mreVyc9_WeEJ0dW74Aj58-LoGn06AxbWXmT_xhSHwaMmE8L7yGP4M2gVA2flqtwI0o18nsV5CFkorIVuwE9W99bZo2aSCn88v2EU1bE8AaMZohwaywlQ/s400/birdinvite.jpg" width="285px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally here we are in our Angry Bird shirts that I waited to the last minute to buy. In the end I traveled about an hour to find our shirts in our sizes! Alex is going through this stage where he makes faces everytime we take a photo! It's exhausting! lol </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyZWRyLEbZ4L3HUuVH7ZuAfX4NOZSOCY6xMR8tzkolX-8it57rThuSD9i4AdAk47g0B8BSYYC2es7y_szMwk-MKTKKjr3ppzt6sjHJTVhLcdf32B9a0lMjHA6pPLqbttaDImA9TqqwAc/s1600/angrybirdsus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyZWRyLEbZ4L3HUuVH7ZuAfX4NOZSOCY6xMR8tzkolX-8it57rThuSD9i4AdAk47g0B8BSYYC2es7y_szMwk-MKTKKjr3ppzt6sjHJTVhLcdf32B9a0lMjHA6pPLqbttaDImA9TqqwAc/s400/angrybirdsus.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So that was our simple Angry Bird party! Do you play Angry Birds?</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-53001273671863013212011-08-07T21:07:00.000-04:002011-08-07T21:07:12.773-04:00Chicken Tomato Alfredo=YUM!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have a love affair with pasta! I would be in some serious trouble had I married an Italian! ;) Luckily, my husband is Polish but holidays can be fattening with all of the homemade pierogies & cabbage rolls! lol </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, here is one of my new favorite pasta recipes. This is super yummy! A couple weeks ago I had made a homemade alfredo sauce, but it called for butter, garlic, flour, half-and-half, Parmesan Cheese, Colby-Monterey Jack Cheese, and Sour Cream..among other things. The recipe was super super rich and my husband and I didn't care for it. It was a highly rated 5 star recipe on allrecipes.com...but for us it was merely 3 stars if that. My husband and I didn't even have a second helping...it was that bad. I think it was just too much cheese, butter and sour cream!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway I had made this Chicken Tomato Alfredo and fell head over heels in love with it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is my second time making it and I made a few minor changes from the original recipe, and to us it is perfect! The original recipe can be found <a href="http://foodbringsfamiliestogether.blogspot.com/2010/03/chicken-tomato-alfredo.html">HERE</a>. I love her blog! Her recipes look sooo yummy! I definitely want to try more, especially after this recipe turned out soo well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbGHFn2LKNnuT5tTYiPP3M3_hSYRCw1qVvVehSGfNF8bANxtCuShVOaP7ifQARd-v25jHIPXIf6K1ryaXc29kk-CMlZYt0y4r6sLhIYUnV28sOmwB5AjAf9F84g2J5j9bvXBKL_2Z19U/s1600/DSC_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbGHFn2LKNnuT5tTYiPP3M3_hSYRCw1qVvVehSGfNF8bANxtCuShVOaP7ifQARd-v25jHIPXIf6K1ryaXc29kk-CMlZYt0y4r6sLhIYUnV28sOmwB5AjAf9F84g2J5j9bvXBKL_2Z19U/s400/DSC_0819.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While her recipe was super yummy, I found that two cans of tomatoes like she suggested in place of mushrooms was just too much. My husband liked it, and while it was good, the second time I used only one can and it was PERFECT! I ate three huge plates! I'll be totally mad when it causes me to put on a few pounds, but I promise you...it's sooooo worth it! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the recipe exactly as I made it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><strong>Chicken Tomato Alfredo</strong></u></div><br />
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1/4 cup butter<br />
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1/4 cup olive oil<br />
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3 chicken breasts (halves), cubed<br />
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1 regular onion,diced<br />
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2 tsp minced garlic (I used 4 large cloves)<br />
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1 cup heavy whipping cream<br />
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1 package Alfredo sauce mix (I used Knorrs)<br />
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12 oz. Fresh slice mushrooms (I didn't add any mushrooms because my hubby hates them, but I imagine it's sooo good that way)<br />
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1(15oz) can diced tomatoes<br />
1 1/2 tsp salt<br />
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1 tsp pepper<br />
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1/4 cup chopped parsley or 2 T. dried (I used dried)<br />
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2 T. dried basil<br />
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1 lb fettuccini or any pasta you like, cooked according to package directions (I love using Penne Pasta)<br />
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1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (not the shaker cheese...use the real shredded cheese)<br />
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Heat the oil and the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, onion, and garlic and cook until chicken is no longer pink. While the chicken is cooking, whisk the cream and alfredo sauce mix together in a small bowl. When chicken is cooked pour the cream sauce mixture into the skillet with chicken. Add the mushrooms, tomatoes and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat while stirring. Reduce the heat and simmer about 10 minutes or until sauce thickens. Stir in Parsley and basil. Remove from heat and toss the sauce with cooked pasta and parmesan cheese.<br />
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This is soo yummy and it makes just enough sauce for 1 lb of penne pasta! Blogging this is making my mouth water...it's nearly 9 at night and I think I'm headed to the fridge for leftovers! lol <br />
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Enjoy!Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-14628684226182022982011-07-14T12:34:00.000-04:002011-07-14T12:34:57.235-04:00Beach- Day 6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was our last full day camping at the beach! This day we went back to Assateague Island (Maryland) to enjoy our day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys have a blast at the beach!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFNA1MMzfxqNGRV3hvlaXLnU1JfongZuYmtwY9yf5HAmpwfQJGgGOj4iOI0Y1ZcfYxEya33uTfw7dIDeAClGDgWleV9Yz8ketkhVmKsn991mrDZsBMbODccqH0pw0SBx7_ICBlsOrwTU/s1600/boysbeach3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFNA1MMzfxqNGRV3hvlaXLnU1JfongZuYmtwY9yf5HAmpwfQJGgGOj4iOI0Y1ZcfYxEya33uTfw7dIDeAClGDgWleV9Yz8ketkhVmKsn991mrDZsBMbODccqH0pw0SBx7_ICBlsOrwTU/s400/boysbeach3.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> They could spend all day just playing, or laying around in the sand!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y3NG20uel08RRiZm-XPrEdiSNLPf8q-pxzK_bvaQ6CJQRa-bBTNoB5ixGhIRYIANCSymfY2ZoP5pPbxA4KxTlUhufjyaLjTvrpn1XhmvZr1favFYZQy8_cXBijI0s-3FKDLdyTdTM2k/s1600/boyssand1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y3NG20uel08RRiZm-XPrEdiSNLPf8q-pxzK_bvaQ6CJQRa-bBTNoB5ixGhIRYIANCSymfY2ZoP5pPbxA4KxTlUhufjyaLjTvrpn1XhmvZr1favFYZQy8_cXBijI0s-3FKDLdyTdTM2k/s400/boyssand1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can be found usually bent over, picking up shells that wash up on shore! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j83FSV6iWQm-Cr_HjMAHTpG-08wIyBwNS3khFEwKAxhG6fH_wUMbwHRipbtueqg6iSGTyek1i2iogmY90SeDJ47cYv2HdO0aRE4NyJflBYy8RmtTdVveqmT6O-LKLz5ud51pL3NpZSY/s1600/meshells3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j83FSV6iWQm-Cr_HjMAHTpG-08wIyBwNS3khFEwKAxhG6fH_wUMbwHRipbtueqg6iSGTyek1i2iogmY90SeDJ47cYv2HdO0aRE4NyJflBYy8RmtTdVveqmT6O-LKLz5ud51pL3NpZSY/s400/meshells3.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love when we are visited by the horses!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoq7ttgTRk0oZ4Txqq0ym3uPGdQ3cW67ONSgxNDiXh-QQs_YbSm45wRKBG-fMNmpheigO5EzH7f1eC8QTyuKWinfobpM0SAjLJ7bBHWE-iC5i92VCfx2lERHbV86R_ZIBRSJzIbUW3VY/s1600/mealexhorse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoq7ttgTRk0oZ4Txqq0ym3uPGdQ3cW67ONSgxNDiXh-QQs_YbSm45wRKBG-fMNmpheigO5EzH7f1eC8QTyuKWinfobpM0SAjLJ7bBHWE-iC5i92VCfx2lERHbV86R_ZIBRSJzIbUW3VY/s400/mealexhorse.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the horses love walking all over everyone's beach towels and eating and pooping on anything they can! As a matter of fact, the guy in the right of the photo had a "present" that was left on his beach towel! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTR9xfjDcRuMHSZIaF7dxAq3fEWmZZzVxgGdNiK6G4ST8wAeBKrX-6AQj0tHcMMUW_0rWJ3uX_rXE6i6V-qWAFA5y8TPceh8t8pGPL_0YxqIVowkVoz9np7GjGJjQmuENA8yZPQE06Sc/s1600/horsebeach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTR9xfjDcRuMHSZIaF7dxAq3fEWmZZzVxgGdNiK6G4ST8wAeBKrX-6AQj0tHcMMUW_0rWJ3uX_rXE6i6V-qWAFA5y8TPceh8t8pGPL_0YxqIVowkVoz9np7GjGJjQmuENA8yZPQE06Sc/s400/horsebeach1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of the horses just stand and watch the ocean for hours!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIICnUTopdAnakbiTkmSQO84ckJ2qagSjfp44LL0GrMSkkN-xM09QAeJfUy3-gQtI727smaF6CMd79DuVb9eg-JcccVShhjTZryXmPMCNDHkfnFAPp7BuN5VqtOWicMJHwhuDB4KPNUug/s1600/horsebeach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIICnUTopdAnakbiTkmSQO84ckJ2qagSjfp44LL0GrMSkkN-xM09QAeJfUy3-gQtI727smaF6CMd79DuVb9eg-JcccVShhjTZryXmPMCNDHkfnFAPp7BuN5VqtOWicMJHwhuDB4KPNUug/s400/horsebeach2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This sweet little pony enjoys lunch on the beach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCC4s93uUcVT11SVrA3cUa_XKOGeu9jFLm4Fhf-RBgR-4VvdiDhIftsqsRudoCRXk7dqzirQh_wOX9AdDjpTECEMfHO8cdrMBJ6ppe9AGZaerWp7kbnrl6BktsRdjxS5nLI27_H4M81Y/s1600/babyfeed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCC4s93uUcVT11SVrA3cUa_XKOGeu9jFLm4Fhf-RBgR-4VvdiDhIftsqsRudoCRXk7dqzirQh_wOX9AdDjpTECEMfHO8cdrMBJ6ppe9AGZaerWp7kbnrl6BktsRdjxS5nLI27_H4M81Y/s400/babyfeed1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Then she decides to take a nap! I love how the other horses just watch her sleep! There's something wonderful about a sleeping baby!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhMPrNiUfFx5NTXTjsZPakyvMlNSQSLXwB5LdVbA7Keef9I6AeHgllMGt6Th_T7a5fuh8YnIhJWngmdrqDd0gz5hLOuefcQmdsRMAOVRAOAJROKxNE_tfiFFslFnclaW1SkdwLTQZH54/s1600/babysleep1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhMPrNiUfFx5NTXTjsZPakyvMlNSQSLXwB5LdVbA7Keef9I6AeHgllMGt6Th_T7a5fuh8YnIhJWngmdrqDd0gz5hLOuefcQmdsRMAOVRAOAJROKxNE_tfiFFslFnclaW1SkdwLTQZH54/s400/babysleep1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> Sandy toes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG48eP53NqYDavU6DuzSE4GPi6_bxIBOheGt46t7AsNLUUzJkdcnHsi05k1FwvHwy9y5EUJSi8uZ3wHSQwH6e0NPqLmXkVnx1bvQgmvOOak38xrn2A3e-ePTBqtkbXcXsV1IibZ4GUHY/s1600/toes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG48eP53NqYDavU6DuzSE4GPi6_bxIBOheGt46t7AsNLUUzJkdcnHsi05k1FwvHwy9y5EUJSi8uZ3wHSQwH6e0NPqLmXkVnx1bvQgmvOOak38xrn2A3e-ePTBqtkbXcXsV1IibZ4GUHY/s400/toes1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And one happy family sad to see their beach vacation over! :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRlE-V47-y28M_AFjRhB7bJdYwpfK0CzHzXZhZKFb0aaNL_R9PoCYH4hOOSNK5NQVu6SbiwRBwcmAH8QkdXMDI84xTTfIrNkNUgdUt_ZCn7Kt1olObHrw_fGVrJMRngvKF25N980hH1s/s1600/usbeach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRlE-V47-y28M_AFjRhB7bJdYwpfK0CzHzXZhZKFb0aaNL_R9PoCYH4hOOSNK5NQVu6SbiwRBwcmAH8QkdXMDI84xTTfIrNkNUgdUt_ZCn7Kt1olObHrw_fGVrJMRngvKF25N980hH1s/s400/usbeach1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y3NG20uel08RRiZm-XPrEdiSNLPf8q-pxzK_bvaQ6CJQRa-bBTNoB5ixGhIRYIANCSymfY2ZoP5pPbxA4KxTlUhufjyaLjTvrpn1XhmvZr1favFYZQy8_cXBijI0s-3FKDLdyTdTM2k/s1600/boyssand1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>We stayed for a week, but I'm not posting photos of our last day. We didn't do much but pack up our camper and then eventually head home! We had soo much fun and I cannot wait until next year until we go back! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-23696527049299247942011-07-12T22:42:00.000-04:002011-07-12T22:42:56.971-04:00Beach- Day 5<div style="text-align: center;">During our fifth day at the beach it was raining, so we decided to take a little road trip. We ended up driving to Assateague Island in Virginia which is about a 2 hour trip from Assateague in Maryland (where we were staying). I had saw online that they had a lighthouse, and I knew it was something that I wanted to photograph. It was literally pouring, so the conditions weren't that great but we really had a fun time!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I love this chippy little lighthouse! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZonUa8nUkftdMF9NKUYgUBsYzC0aVABnfB99WCdK4rIszAJutT_V3bPeSo3BLm7p18yR4HNd62mbyyJhQ25pWBXFeU22RJEMhF0esPXUX0O9-OLU5bJavTt6rZ6qz17J8PeTCLYe1zUo/s1600/lh3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZonUa8nUkftdMF9NKUYgUBsYzC0aVABnfB99WCdK4rIszAJutT_V3bPeSo3BLm7p18yR4HNd62mbyyJhQ25pWBXFeU22RJEMhF0esPXUX0O9-OLU5bJavTt6rZ6qz17J8PeTCLYe1zUo/s400/lh3.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sorry, this photo is out of sequence. It was really cloudy and just plain BLAH when we first arrived! This photo was after we had gone to the car and it had gotten sunny! I hiked the trail to get some better shots! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7iUfwY_h7bihcXmgchfaa_UXK0hl_4KUARBAT55d_WHITMEW9IY70XHSBmQDwYEPKU8VqNOhxc-mwhkbtdCqb4GrjNf8JqnfJAoK-I23uPBwAP4zZ1g9xhG7LGJ8ly2ZJwsBa_Qgg-4/s1600/lh34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7iUfwY_h7bihcXmgchfaa_UXK0hl_4KUARBAT55d_WHITMEW9IY70XHSBmQDwYEPKU8VqNOhxc-mwhkbtdCqb4GrjNf8JqnfJAoK-I23uPBwAP4zZ1g9xhG7LGJ8ly2ZJwsBa_Qgg-4/s400/lh34.jpg" width="257px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa_8PfmvT0QVTpGwPel_bPU7uIzBXL2t0WJJJcL858NBXce8l7ImzxkcGrz5ZeZ_ZpQh26tmkwKwlN3GCLzKQlK59WpD-7CM_-TbxI3UnLvGyN87BWE6j08YixlCc93a4AktTeNOqexw/s1600/lh18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa_8PfmvT0QVTpGwPel_bPU7uIzBXL2t0WJJJcL858NBXce8l7ImzxkcGrz5ZeZ_ZpQh26tmkwKwlN3GCLzKQlK59WpD-7CM_-TbxI3UnLvGyN87BWE6j08YixlCc93a4AktTeNOqexw/s400/lh18.jpg" width="265px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tend to over pack when we go on a camping trip. This year I packed even more than last, and had decided to pack their rain gear! It worked out perfectly...and these little rain jackets look so darn cute on them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmL0C5GAPCUEobA5ttxjUfkst1bLXGHY7yrLd-IJhezKM6qcDilBMBTFM3ejzRKA9T_EQFNjyaeAHCCG0iIDadUCzUhaTBq1iUknBfmUXKIqiUD0NoHHgj3aVLpjBkTE-LDLJ0W6a-Ktg/s1600/alexraincoat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmL0C5GAPCUEobA5ttxjUfkst1bLXGHY7yrLd-IJhezKM6qcDilBMBTFM3ejzRKA9T_EQFNjyaeAHCCG0iIDadUCzUhaTBq1iUknBfmUXKIqiUD0NoHHgj3aVLpjBkTE-LDLJ0W6a-Ktg/s400/alexraincoat.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ben was very nervous at the top of the lighthouse. I couldn't get a photo of him relaxed and smiling nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rN816oqmSmOSnGA-vjfpPztC4Ci_89mD5cWbiHIt2cRf_kbDx25Qt8kVTxdUbLroK_7SbMg8spGusC87VrX0R7B89-Ss6q-GaQgyehvuJWsPUu07RKahdg7c1PIFi-OdnaYbvGcRvnw/s1600/benraincoat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rN816oqmSmOSnGA-vjfpPztC4Ci_89mD5cWbiHIt2cRf_kbDx25Qt8kVTxdUbLroK_7SbMg8spGusC87VrX0R7B89-Ss6q-GaQgyehvuJWsPUu07RKahdg7c1PIFi-OdnaYbvGcRvnw/s400/benraincoat.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here they are at the top. Still very nervous looking! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyUlrCjhJ_S9ZzfWOcxfil7-cGOVwcAduBCWZ6j7Vb7kJQbuig-4XP5Q3J0WilpisBTIvMb-1a4b5hc1xHlhAYb5Ud2O3i3gRKYHhtSXjFo7-rhxO0Wrav4C87800vSiC6eE1m_W2nWw/s1600/boyslighthouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyUlrCjhJ_S9ZzfWOcxfil7-cGOVwcAduBCWZ6j7Vb7kJQbuig-4XP5Q3J0WilpisBTIvMb-1a4b5hc1xHlhAYb5Ud2O3i3gRKYHhtSXjFo7-rhxO0Wrav4C87800vSiC6eE1m_W2nWw/s400/boyslighthouse.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is a view from the top. It was pouring...so it looks very hazy! I just took a couple quick shots because I didn't want to get my camera soaked! As you can see from the photo there is a lot of stagnant water that surrounds the lighthouse. This meant that the mosquitoes were BAD! I normally don't get bit up by bugs, but they were feasting on me! They were flying into our cars and they were just everywhere! I never in my life have seen mosquitoes this bad!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfEad7yGnaSeWYJW9HV5rD-6_cjSx_XqoRaOKGt9jSQNeXAkIQxQHxOkkwoectcQ7dUnhyE3DoEoYKWe5lOYPKvJNTaF4-fYa2AHVo_Ze58VLqvwrjMWtV4jOIS4nki_DVFKGdJup7Lk/s1600/lhview1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfEad7yGnaSeWYJW9HV5rD-6_cjSx_XqoRaOKGt9jSQNeXAkIQxQHxOkkwoectcQ7dUnhyE3DoEoYKWe5lOYPKvJNTaF4-fYa2AHVo_Ze58VLqvwrjMWtV4jOIS4nki_DVFKGdJup7Lk/s400/lhview1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Love these old windows and their views!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1awkKXHTK5MNyyj_rtxZ7y_0vr8OFGRC7pHganErB0tPat9Jkmi9sHZmUpc5d0JDsZWiXXg8PA8IYRabVdUlkrBlMQBVBFhZjVpcyPnFWrEIu0QD55s2SkWPSDYs_kP-mdN7dWVSuJNY/s1600/lhwindow1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1awkKXHTK5MNyyj_rtxZ7y_0vr8OFGRC7pHganErB0tPat9Jkmi9sHZmUpc5d0JDsZWiXXg8PA8IYRabVdUlkrBlMQBVBFhZjVpcyPnFWrEIu0QD55s2SkWPSDYs_kP-mdN7dWVSuJNY/s400/lhwindow1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Like I said, the weather was soo crappy! But eventually and it figured it waited until we got to our car...it cleared up and became beautiful! So Ben and I hiked the trail (the only way of getting to the lighthouse)! But it was totally worth it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPIEJxTbtz6M-ubxtiU-uHTzbMYlZ5_nBYHrZkzCHScPEZQE5i16tvFSeMiYDwybgRAv0xGVYRIomgn7yp5v2Vh5blC5RUPA7XaRWYsYEy2LU3cjXkguaTKye1QT0GED7UEqgKiVqL7s/s1600/lh35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPIEJxTbtz6M-ubxtiU-uHTzbMYlZ5_nBYHrZkzCHScPEZQE5i16tvFSeMiYDwybgRAv0xGVYRIomgn7yp5v2Vh5blC5RUPA7XaRWYsYEy2LU3cjXkguaTKye1QT0GED7UEqgKiVqL7s/s400/lh35.jpg" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After we visited the lighthouse we decided to take the "nature loop" scenic drive. And it was totally worth it! There were amazing views and amazing wild life! We saw a huge eagle perched in a tree, many beautiful birds and this huge snapping turtle!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4UeEoLTB5yPY8sqAbG-y3FhaZ7YSuI8byRuLTGPBwui-ypraFXOBht9U77iewCpmbd2CbDgu2m5lnk8JH8JqGArEP0kG69dlwl8UZErXjOMNrfqTOkP1hz-pD8wzI54tflAr9fYf8R8/s1600/christurtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4UeEoLTB5yPY8sqAbG-y3FhaZ7YSuI8byRuLTGPBwui-ypraFXOBht9U77iewCpmbd2CbDgu2m5lnk8JH8JqGArEP0kG69dlwl8UZErXjOMNrfqTOkP1hz-pD8wzI54tflAr9fYf8R8/s400/christurtle.jpg" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love the placement of the bird in this photo. It was soo serene there and such a perfect way of ending what would normally be a stay in the camper type of day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxO-oYIy8P-p8UBnaSw9xtbaUa4A80IxlmfQ43M2XdG-3RtUxhJoUJqGwyNEwNOSquhB1fE8gzJellGGMLhlzAB7kdpFQVCO3IUIHfmTbtXUFHYImU-7kZshhoKNDPsw4wpLii5-sA1o/s1600/crane1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxO-oYIy8P-p8UBnaSw9xtbaUa4A80IxlmfQ43M2XdG-3RtUxhJoUJqGwyNEwNOSquhB1fE8gzJellGGMLhlzAB7kdpFQVCO3IUIHfmTbtXUFHYImU-7kZshhoKNDPsw4wpLii5-sA1o/s400/crane1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-76054700251011452832011-07-11T20:35:00.000-04:002011-07-11T20:35:44.614-04:00Beach- Day 4<div style="text-align: center;">We have been back from the beach for several weeks now and I am so sorry that I haven't finished posting the remaining photos. So here are a few photos of us at the boardwalk in Ocean City Maryland!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is one of the entrances to the boardwalk. You cannot really tell, but my boys are standing underneath the huge signage!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTPgv3wyU67YzqXg8piTm8YNMTkkOgiD5kXJIGgxMY1N78x0MAbFFUYh9WrioRLa2amYSfIlTfF0BfEFdv74d9stGXOvqBBycQKf0yzoseIXZ_GCnHKiNnwj0EksuiWgiYAinCW_Zt2c/s1600/boysbrdwalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTPgv3wyU67YzqXg8piTm8YNMTkkOgiD5kXJIGgxMY1N78x0MAbFFUYh9WrioRLa2amYSfIlTfF0BfEFdv74d9stGXOvqBBycQKf0yzoseIXZ_GCnHKiNnwj0EksuiWgiYAinCW_Zt2c/s400/boysbrdwalk.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Chris and the boys taking in the sights!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqf0m70E0VGyQzlbwdGexgDJq0evR2NF7Pq5Dh7crnH33ADD03xVGVf1GSvAJDwyx5yconIqXPa0k82rYKkkpKI3m2reqqnffAs4IOvC9TWx4nl9VQZOY7cQapap_94nd0WB8Z2tH4iUo/s1600/boysoc1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqf0m70E0VGyQzlbwdGexgDJq0evR2NF7Pq5Dh7crnH33ADD03xVGVf1GSvAJDwyx5yconIqXPa0k82rYKkkpKI3m2reqqnffAs4IOvC9TWx4nl9VQZOY7cQapap_94nd0WB8Z2tH4iUo/s400/boysoc1.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me and the boys.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuIfL7aeLwd0UM1058d_QFlAlrZjXITEx-Qa9NwbfsHyzOyf5TB-ptMTBzrle0Repii2Fei7Q3iQpTzHnvTCu0F0-YKtyRbFopnDAjUcEPMdyH8fNF9pvtjXkSovS8Pe0b7bGtvIn_wM/s1600/meboysoc1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuIfL7aeLwd0UM1058d_QFlAlrZjXITEx-Qa9NwbfsHyzOyf5TB-ptMTBzrle0Repii2Fei7Q3iQpTzHnvTCu0F0-YKtyRbFopnDAjUcEPMdyH8fNF9pvtjXkSovS8Pe0b7bGtvIn_wM/s400/meboysoc1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I was really looking forward to finding the "Ocean Gallery" and photographing it! It's probably one of the most recognized places on the boardwalk. Inside is hundreds and hundreds of prints and paintings! If you are a neat freak...do not go inside...it is totally crammed inside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjxR-Ng2TjhqnXnwL00f0zwKgCKS-LKtQP13t51vyYO4jHDR80Hf69FPi7cjwgjgP0wd7sjd48y6RbtNpjmCMSFybaTBT3CIUDj-vlgW0jciIq6m80Pr_NlzJSm4tEhOx4fqv65UPd6U/s1600/oceangallery1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjxR-Ng2TjhqnXnwL00f0zwKgCKS-LKtQP13t51vyYO4jHDR80Hf69FPi7cjwgjgP0wd7sjd48y6RbtNpjmCMSFybaTBT3CIUDj-vlgW0jciIq6m80Pr_NlzJSm4tEhOx4fqv65UPd6U/s400/oceangallery1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I took the following two photos inside. I took them really quick, because I doubt that I was allowed to take photos inside of a print store. I just wanted to give you an idea of how packed it was inside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixsvymggT2oEmNdqt__mjBcDPT3YvQAcxSe5GSF0SwiTZf1oyj4t50aEVBDZploJmzKEGaf9Vb7mg30nkIvxNpQO05y1Cl88BzAl93aRPhtbSKSsxUqEOBnFkIgeucjl2aSbhYREi2V0/s1600/oceangallery4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixsvymggT2oEmNdqt__mjBcDPT3YvQAcxSe5GSF0SwiTZf1oyj4t50aEVBDZploJmzKEGaf9Vb7mg30nkIvxNpQO05y1Cl88BzAl93aRPhtbSKSsxUqEOBnFkIgeucjl2aSbhYREi2V0/s400/oceangallery4.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> There was just a very narrow path where you were able to walk through!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8nhRm8IF4HLsMCH95rEqofoNSLrXKKqBm5tuqNjux5bcDjCmffAJU9qUcwZHnJAYCQYr5JDASDG18jeA9IvgJZYxV1Ch1rDBtd3crdNHe3a_bhxbb3b2dWDU4OfVHtO1PbU8N1nbSpY/s1600/oceangallery5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8nhRm8IF4HLsMCH95rEqofoNSLrXKKqBm5tuqNjux5bcDjCmffAJU9qUcwZHnJAYCQYr5JDASDG18jeA9IvgJZYxV1Ch1rDBtd3crdNHe3a_bhxbb3b2dWDU4OfVHtO1PbU8N1nbSpY/s400/oceangallery5.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> One thing about the boardwalk that was a bit much was the seagulls! They were EVERYWHERE... and they weren't very afraid of people at all! Tons of them would just fly right by your head! I don't mind birds, but at times it freaked me out a little! lol </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmLuovac28Ces4iUdqUV0-GdtI24ZL4FjZBz9NU6hQ8Gy3pJ7ZV4M-qZmKXOfTEju-NsC-1f-QNdol6I3QVpENFw3ck9IKtwg1Y3YbFMKFgpOTySeXojKVeAOvxlyiq5N4oCYLjw1My0/s1600/alexseagulls1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmLuovac28Ces4iUdqUV0-GdtI24ZL4FjZBz9NU6hQ8Gy3pJ7ZV4M-qZmKXOfTEju-NsC-1f-QNdol6I3QVpENFw3ck9IKtwg1Y3YbFMKFgpOTySeXojKVeAOvxlyiq5N4oCYLjw1My0/s400/alexseagulls1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We didn't go inside Ripleys, the huge tire outside the museum was a total photo op! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSPaVTBFVdwa41I6Zb4mF6C1H97YA5HJrpDdzpJTty22SsheT0DxNDTM2nfs8V8R4yYGCG4QXOvoELQn7-Drx03L9HXuAjdVmwq1RbnkNUjvIzIXK8oOPnpSuz5fQTfwXiHCZK4TzAIo/s1600/boystire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSPaVTBFVdwa41I6Zb4mF6C1H97YA5HJrpDdzpJTty22SsheT0DxNDTM2nfs8V8R4yYGCG4QXOvoELQn7-Drx03L9HXuAjdVmwq1RbnkNUjvIzIXK8oOPnpSuz5fQTfwXiHCZK4TzAIo/s400/boystire.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> One thing that did bother me a bit about the beach was how easily and how novel buying a hermit crab was! Every souvenir shop has cages full of them! Most offered special deals where if you bought a couple of t-shirts you'd get a free hermit crab! Poor crabs! They sure are beautiful to look at though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J2A8PmRtplv9iHFKMD6W4AxAvx6zB3bi6zAYMe0sPxHPHEtieejGyEO4u1UXwV5uAzf5-_9L17bpyRtmwtn3V_prPH56NKbgXZS8KIfhCJzx-j3ma1LMQ4uoZO6t8zAnTL_rGcyLwhs/s1600/hermitcrabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J2A8PmRtplv9iHFKMD6W4AxAvx6zB3bi6zAYMe0sPxHPHEtieejGyEO4u1UXwV5uAzf5-_9L17bpyRtmwtn3V_prPH56NKbgXZS8KIfhCJzx-j3ma1LMQ4uoZO6t8zAnTL_rGcyLwhs/s400/hermitcrabs.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I always love getting photos of the clocks when we are on vacation! They are so ornate and I love how they are welcoming as well! This one had a hot dog on it, which I thought was odd!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HNT9OFqiyajXG0F4ggBynOVs03uNSYnrVsgXvZ4_5KOxk0qLZRXLN95C-SnV1oQEtXTLZMNZ1eMuUQZH-7Sg_BTKPsrgKiO5E1b28VqB4RXp3yxX7wEgFRrO9Z1eWGH0yUItfzvTB90/s1600/clock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HNT9OFqiyajXG0F4ggBynOVs03uNSYnrVsgXvZ4_5KOxk0qLZRXLN95C-SnV1oQEtXTLZMNZ1eMuUQZH-7Sg_BTKPsrgKiO5E1b28VqB4RXp3yxX7wEgFRrO9Z1eWGH0yUItfzvTB90/s400/clock.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyhow, that is how we spend day 4 at the beach! In the next few days I'll wrap up my vacation photos and then we'll be all caught up and I can start fresh again! I have a lot to share with you, so stay tuned!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png&url=http://pinterest.com/&description=Pinterest%20Logo" id="PinItButton">Pin It</a><script src="http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript">
</script> </div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-12953779402548405692011-06-20T00:43:00.000-04:002011-06-20T00:43:39.325-04:00Beach- Day 3We spent our third full day of vacation at Assateague Island in Maryland! I blogged about it last year, it's the island where the wild horses roam! It's so fun driving on the island, because you never know what you're going to see! I totally fell in love with this little pony! I wish I could cram him in the camper and take him home with me!<br />
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The baby stayed close to it's mother at all times. They were to the left of the road and on the other side of the road was it's "pack."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TDInwGhHAUyitve0KUDSOG4o8aW06F4ieD-wFXfjNdoJuHfgQme9a9bzfAeJZIaeMS9R9agHidPp7VDBj1HmJ40yrpAVbD34y_A1eG73R4mzptlsApBccQT0irXpgTWM82WCt3D5F9M/s1600/baby7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TDInwGhHAUyitve0KUDSOG4o8aW06F4ieD-wFXfjNdoJuHfgQme9a9bzfAeJZIaeMS9R9agHidPp7VDBj1HmJ40yrpAVbD34y_A1eG73R4mzptlsApBccQT0irXpgTWM82WCt3D5F9M/s320/baby7.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div> The baby just whinnied and whinnied and eventually the baby and it's mother decided to cross to the other side. As they were crossing, the horse (which you can see on the right came out to block traffic, so that the mother and baby could safely cross! <br />
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Apparently, (I read this information today) there is one male "leader" of the pack who protects the mares. This must be their leader. By the way, the lady to the left of the photo is "pony patrol!" lol<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyJQ16gHuvYsPPtbpNnaVVuWv08JmFuXJ7gvBEMTmBijt34RyKwLApOsfbkQL0o_TaHYUkWUzYKAOrMNuCiA5Is_DnOqbq-rnGehEMhqq2PKvulh7UrRO_IvANSmbr2lOFcShVhMZqyU/s1600/baby9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyJQ16gHuvYsPPtbpNnaVVuWv08JmFuXJ7gvBEMTmBijt34RyKwLApOsfbkQL0o_TaHYUkWUzYKAOrMNuCiA5Is_DnOqbq-rnGehEMhqq2PKvulh7UrRO_IvANSmbr2lOFcShVhMZqyU/s400/baby9.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div> Here they are all together, making their dramatic descent onto the parking lot! lol<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGbR5Ml_oSPYZR8c8UygMMsPt8tng7psue63kuJf2VF7BjbulVMjn3eBHIio8BELfpwNlq_oJaOVflDa98mqGYcIz3pm39LHMGJj5M5Hwb30VenEaxw70ccEG_cWKPQAaAeWdXxWiiK4/s1600/baby11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGbR5Ml_oSPYZR8c8UygMMsPt8tng7psue63kuJf2VF7BjbulVMjn3eBHIio8BELfpwNlq_oJaOVflDa98mqGYcIz3pm39LHMGJj5M5Hwb30VenEaxw70ccEG_cWKPQAaAeWdXxWiiK4/s400/baby11.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div> I could stand there all day long and just watch and photograph them! My husband makes fun of me and says that they are just horses, but it's not often that you see horses just roaming around free! <br />
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Ben and Alex enjoyed playing in the sand.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx3G-tdaVPorNvQAHXkWf8p_94g9_b76lF-jSEx0N-PaG5FtZO_1gQqgyT0xjVj-55a0R1jkQiju0_uc2M8W0hXNfH0UXyF4ilV47KUllRGgkbMBmi4v1Y0PkUb9hvnjD-FyXrmnqYfs/s1600/boysbeach7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx3G-tdaVPorNvQAHXkWf8p_94g9_b76lF-jSEx0N-PaG5FtZO_1gQqgyT0xjVj-55a0R1jkQiju0_uc2M8W0hXNfH0UXyF4ilV47KUllRGgkbMBmi4v1Y0PkUb9hvnjD-FyXrmnqYfs/s400/boysbeach7.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> And running from waves!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRX8qZv-N0WqvZMoqVVlj9kz9Pae3sg1oYZ6UUYDRNXd9NH3y4aPVSTlkIeJdkD_btIulJZxGyf_7gHAICknO7t9UNaE0cVd0qmbuFix-gE1yJVIGGdRP7kB-s1vRtami6hf0pZX71oc/s1600/boysbeach8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRX8qZv-N0WqvZMoqVVlj9kz9Pae3sg1oYZ6UUYDRNXd9NH3y4aPVSTlkIeJdkD_btIulJZxGyf_7gHAICknO7t9UNaE0cVd0qmbuFix-gE1yJVIGGdRP7kB-s1vRtami6hf0pZX71oc/s400/boysbeach8.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>I enjoyed just sitting and relaxing! I think my pale stomach is just hilarious! This is the first time that my belly has seen the sun in probably 10 years! lol I may be a little too old to wear a bikini, but I worked my butt off this past Spring chasing those men around the hockey rink! lol And by the way my stomach is just as pale now as it was then! I used SPF 70 on it because I knew it would probably burn. It didn't burn and I didn't even get one tan line! :(<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22-Cxvdi0kqQ73O1wsUqjTYc2Vr60mGsVHTz8dc-_pWfC_OtC6wMQzCRszyav8rsVLYtoEnpXOFkRezYl4At8dBXjSGbH8hJjiIYMKjMRNYxEdu4_EONEE_pF1_kKHB0Ej2LAzLAmvNk/s1600/mebeach8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22-Cxvdi0kqQ73O1wsUqjTYc2Vr60mGsVHTz8dc-_pWfC_OtC6wMQzCRszyav8rsVLYtoEnpXOFkRezYl4At8dBXjSGbH8hJjiIYMKjMRNYxEdu4_EONEE_pF1_kKHB0Ej2LAzLAmvNk/s320/mebeach8.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div> I had to include this photo! It makes me laugh! Every time that I try to get a photo of me and my husband together, he always makes a funny face in at least one of the photos! lol <br />
<br />
He said that this is his "stressed out from vacation" look! lol I did end up getting a nice photo after all!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NOe8hy9p-Dr-tmQVBPX_aARW0liNYztWbctxIejAVtDAPyMSi2mgLEN6Rl36VUmll9UrKSNMcnCvORHCOi96dyIRfcPOEMLwfJ0a7cuo2BE1cHpWREbF7kABj4Sffb8YD73Mn5EJAHo/s1600/usbeach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NOe8hy9p-Dr-tmQVBPX_aARW0liNYztWbctxIejAVtDAPyMSi2mgLEN6Rl36VUmll9UrKSNMcnCvORHCOi96dyIRfcPOEMLwfJ0a7cuo2BE1cHpWREbF7kABj4Sffb8YD73Mn5EJAHo/s400/usbeach2.jpg" width="300px" /></a></div> We decided to take a little walk on the beach and we came to a group of horses just taking a rest! lol I didn't get to see this last year, so it was quite a delight to come upon this! I guess they like to enjoy the beaches and work on their tan lines too! lol<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfxBbkxjKYtczzg9B7CFhLcietiPcvK3DWJEciSbeY2kCQjikRmPQr_WvvDXLLN84E_egEM3boOpOJ1cBoIzu-O780Z1tEwQxySJ9Yj7EN58vPKxOzCiHs6McwM5H8V3DkIoIc-kEvnI/s1600/boyspony2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfxBbkxjKYtczzg9B7CFhLcietiPcvK3DWJEciSbeY2kCQjikRmPQr_WvvDXLLN84E_egEM3boOpOJ1cBoIzu-O780Z1tEwQxySJ9Yj7EN58vPKxOzCiHs6McwM5H8V3DkIoIc-kEvnI/s400/boyspony2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> And as we were leaving we drove up to this group of horses who found a watering hole. We stopped and watched them. They jumped in got wet and went on their way! I know...they're just wild horses, but they are so fascinating to me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDszs0nhIcA10KHJVzZTpBW-Ngm_C8aBSC3aG56tk9l5x9JqeqQ42JSKBK4pNsrh6xqrwgsFoP3hzvs7n9mXVcEr2d6RZOdksTrG8v_uQFMk2OJ-urtVYaeF4z54bPfoYqFoI5YdjpGpQ/s1600/horseswater2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDszs0nhIcA10KHJVzZTpBW-Ngm_C8aBSC3aG56tk9l5x9JqeqQ42JSKBK4pNsrh6xqrwgsFoP3hzvs7n9mXVcEr2d6RZOdksTrG8v_uQFMk2OJ-urtVYaeF4z54bPfoYqFoI5YdjpGpQ/s400/horseswater2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We plan to go back to Assateague in the next day or two, and I cannot wait! </div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-86805279822537758422011-06-18T00:28:00.000-04:002011-06-18T00:28:01.546-04:00Beach-Day 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're having a wonderful time in Maryland! Today we went into the town of Berlin to the Farmer's Market and to eat lunch at Rayne's Reef!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I absolutely LOVE Berlin! It's soo small town and reminds me alot of South Western Pennsylvania. The only difference is that all of our old stores are shut down and boarded up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIq-IZ02kGIRLwDFiuhkJ1The3yN7HiiEIVs9ZIjh-J03Mmgvm7Cx9BkpohC-syQHVHeGb0fLVp5JZhhLwanmI-XXQV8oc4-RQzDzrxLzgF6RzHfHyjvmcaclpb_c9WXo5LB6PYC65vE0/s1600/mebenberlin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIq-IZ02kGIRLwDFiuhkJ1The3yN7HiiEIVs9ZIjh-J03Mmgvm7Cx9BkpohC-syQHVHeGb0fLVp5JZhhLwanmI-XXQV8oc4-RQzDzrxLzgF6RzHfHyjvmcaclpb_c9WXo5LB6PYC65vE0/s400/mebenberlin.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Last year when we visited Berlin, I blogged about meeting this cute little Golden Retriever. Well guess what? He was in exactly the same place since I last saw him! Right in front of his owner's business! See him laying down outside the door? He is absolutely adorable! And I found out that his name is Brady!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-BHNFyM5cwoky-DhlU5ETb18NwfNxm1GZsfYIiRxQDJ979yYqly0NESSwqa_cVv3zagA4VRRlWxVCkm75rlxViMG5F8RAJ5Yy4J7vNgwJFr5gRJ2jAjir8PBMZBb-pDKR_dS2gt6qgg/s1600/brady2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-BHNFyM5cwoky-DhlU5ETb18NwfNxm1GZsfYIiRxQDJ979yYqly0NESSwqa_cVv3zagA4VRRlWxVCkm75rlxViMG5F8RAJ5Yy4J7vNgwJFr5gRJ2jAjir8PBMZBb-pDKR_dS2gt6qgg/s400/brady2.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I talked again to Brady's owner (I apologize, because I didn't get his name) and he said that he has read my blog and recognized my boys! lol </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was very exciting because I have never met anyone who has read my blog before! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this shot of Brady, if you click on the photo to enlarge it, it looks like he is smiling as he basks in the sun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am going back into town in the next couple of days to take some photos. I'll have to get the owner's name.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8r-DxlvxdI22KDUXpWhHCFb8xkutq0l5dhbXYpuEgpOY_4g4_7T-VZV2H3p95HMm6xXs-c1uhXieNRJ7srqq2Z42ArMEJgWaq45XLCosCJs1nNOKyzaJonvRXwrhBd8GPj7VMTaWx3I/s1600/brady.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8r-DxlvxdI22KDUXpWhHCFb8xkutq0l5dhbXYpuEgpOY_4g4_7T-VZV2H3p95HMm6xXs-c1uhXieNRJ7srqq2Z42ArMEJgWaq45XLCosCJs1nNOKyzaJonvRXwrhBd8GPj7VMTaWx3I/s400/brady.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here's me and Alex as we wait for our lunch at Rayne's Reef! They have the most delicious food in this quaint little diner! I had a tuna salad wrap, which was yummy, and Alex had french fries only! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRWJygHpTl3dZ2gEDPsBrk2Nq_ZOpqS6O3MVwjKKhgCKKcrPOzzd-AeF-Q0oLFjikexrATOPpzxMdzpWJFKVI9pK2Y4xuDv9BBLQg2UnHaIHao09MOIioIuIJGbGuJxgEcYsRpSzO-MQ/s1600/mealex1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRWJygHpTl3dZ2gEDPsBrk2Nq_ZOpqS6O3MVwjKKhgCKKcrPOzzd-AeF-Q0oLFjikexrATOPpzxMdzpWJFKVI9pK2Y4xuDv9BBLQg2UnHaIHao09MOIioIuIJGbGuJxgEcYsRpSzO-MQ/s400/mealex1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Chris had a tuscan chicken wrap, which he enjoyed, and Ben ate two hot dogs! Besides seeing Brady again, I think this little lunch spot is another reason I must go back to town in the next couple of days! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVpSp2SURuu-Vkx4M91ifGw4RrDiajmFrJeMuljW4ZMGvH0ghDI7Nr-jD92ZwoZeOgpdAmxp-y3BhrLaGrREuoTEh2V5A9h50F7C8PwUmpyWdVzGDn7UfpBzXfew979oRBTUw0XEs_N8/s1600/benchris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVpSp2SURuu-Vkx4M91ifGw4RrDiajmFrJeMuljW4ZMGvH0ghDI7Nr-jD92ZwoZeOgpdAmxp-y3BhrLaGrREuoTEh2V5A9h50F7C8PwUmpyWdVzGDn7UfpBzXfew979oRBTUw0XEs_N8/s400/benchris.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love how beautiful and quaint this little town is! The details in the signs are amazing...everything is just amazing and wonderful to look at! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJUnj0t0CazVtPxkTAaveQ7X04hRe6SQ8M8Drv4fi_-29HwtCvJPYDYM8D0ekADyG8NFOXdRvpPwIMJvLw6l_74igsUCU94_MVEF2-4UO41WVB5UXLcPClEoR06GohNPw2TVytlrDFqE/s1600/berlin1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJUnj0t0CazVtPxkTAaveQ7X04hRe6SQ8M8Drv4fi_-29HwtCvJPYDYM8D0ekADyG8NFOXdRvpPwIMJvLw6l_74igsUCU94_MVEF2-4UO41WVB5UXLcPClEoR06GohNPw2TVytlrDFqE/s400/berlin1.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And the store windows are dressed so beautifully as well! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLSOKChJZRErVyzQukgpSYXEtJNhwidzNLY4fVY_PjqC3TrHPvVZcNoXF4eUm3785XysPJb6la6uljEBGngTWv6bHGM_ILVHx_EhHbt0etcu909l3NK6YvJVJxuDVekwPYRILt7jlsfU/s1600/tada.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLSOKChJZRErVyzQukgpSYXEtJNhwidzNLY4fVY_PjqC3TrHPvVZcNoXF4eUm3785XysPJb6la6uljEBGngTWv6bHGM_ILVHx_EhHbt0etcu909l3NK6YvJVJxuDVekwPYRILt7jlsfU/s400/tada.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Last year when I had visited this store (Victorian Charm) she had a Vera Bradley window display. I was quite tickled when I saw this window display cause we all know how much I love Richard Gere! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At the bottom left of the window you can almost see the little white dog that is lying there. He lays there all day long, and was there last year as well! One little tip...he's not very friendly...not like Brady at all! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWOZi9GbWw9RLq2uKowSD-tKG08pMOmNk8CC-_Xwz0p_A4YXeDO45o4WQ8Z-GOAIgAzrmBoha15n9YZ64vFWRXNbPS2XmBW0-_Un6cDh1T-B8AAIIhib33WgMg9WjIb0X6s8kDbrjPo0/s1600/victoriancharm1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWOZi9GbWw9RLq2uKowSD-tKG08pMOmNk8CC-_Xwz0p_A4YXeDO45o4WQ8Z-GOAIgAzrmBoha15n9YZ64vFWRXNbPS2XmBW0-_Un6cDh1T-B8AAIIhib33WgMg9WjIb0X6s8kDbrjPo0/s400/victoriancharm1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After spending the afternoon in Berlin, we went back to the campground where we got these shots!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1_VV56CP4pYGJV6oz_ra0E1rySio3IE5C97trtOviVl7vyawqWK1cbXHG_is60GEBA_gTLSsHhI9jUyETJGfefEsgK9PtWMcrjsDFOYNRHhttPbXknXIsa2XD_vFb2fXXUCBdpJYAYY/s1600/meboys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1_VV56CP4pYGJV6oz_ra0E1rySio3IE5C97trtOviVl7vyawqWK1cbXHG_is60GEBA_gTLSsHhI9jUyETJGfefEsgK9PtWMcrjsDFOYNRHhttPbXknXIsa2XD_vFb2fXXUCBdpJYAYY/s400/meboys.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mcb6RRxuGnmH_xUwtvAwCXY_aFvjiw2f-7xI6h2A-d5JrTXMyI7w3hz8Tq1K9Rt2Biq7Ernt8kA2tNk7fIqDy4-ev5u1iuxRbzX40FYARKJMJ-e8u2XnbXtEjEvXeJgKIJ2MB96S6X0/s1600/chrisboys1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mcb6RRxuGnmH_xUwtvAwCXY_aFvjiw2f-7xI6h2A-d5JrTXMyI7w3hz8Tq1K9Rt2Biq7Ernt8kA2tNk7fIqDy4-ev5u1iuxRbzX40FYARKJMJ-e8u2XnbXtEjEvXeJgKIJ2MB96S6X0/s400/chrisboys1.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The boys had such a great time! And I look forward to going back to Main Street in Berlin sometime soon! I am going alone because there are a lot of antique stores and places where I do not want my 4 and 5-year-old inside! lol Oh and I plan to take my bike there are a lot of places that I want to photograph!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow we are going to Asseategue Island...I cannot wait! :)</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-27836634536339245122011-06-16T22:51:00.000-04:002011-06-16T22:51:23.968-04:00Beach-Day 1Hello! This is our first full day at the beach! Oh how I've missed this place! No other campground has been the same ever since the first time we came here last year! We're at <a href="http://www.castawaysrvoc.com/">Castaways Campground</a> in Berlin Maryland! It's in between Ocean City and Asseateague Island! <br />
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Today we spent the whole day at the campground. They have a bunch of organized activities for the boys so they were happy staying here for the day! Tomorrow we plan to go into the town of Berlin! I blogged about this town last year. It's where the movie "Runaway Bride" was filmed! That blog post happens to be one of the most read posts of mine ever! Not sure why, but it's a wonderful town and I could only dream of living there!<br />
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Here are some highlights from Day 1.<br />
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The boys really had fun playing on this inflatable bouncy thing out on the water. They said they were playing "Wipeout!" lol<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtuREbz6Hp5bUiwKUfTV-MgiHwAI1xCHKn08FpEP1hyuruZhD4FEgvQXPlnZuI1oIfv04qLU2JBbJ_mee3JNIWacKvZakBrpyeLVFRpGOBXZfMbzUHHK0EdkBXzVfyVwQK6hFGm4fX3E/s1600/boyswipeout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtuREbz6Hp5bUiwKUfTV-MgiHwAI1xCHKn08FpEP1hyuruZhD4FEgvQXPlnZuI1oIfv04qLU2JBbJ_mee3JNIWacKvZakBrpyeLVFRpGOBXZfMbzUHHK0EdkBXzVfyVwQK6hFGm4fX3E/s320/boyswipeout.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div> Here is Ben, his friend, and Chris walking out in the middle of the water on a sandbar!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOorUA7AGwVOlA2q7U2gL2MHYLKQePelp4TwRD8Giydqu7NxnxXGWYnCA2yUpYZ21sh2BgvfUhQ0QqsoAb3u-xb2LR0XKFslxH7wydQuOYETswqHeiaOfQkXWRYoGLXmxhFT5o7LTuLGc/s1600/bensandbar2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOorUA7AGwVOlA2q7U2gL2MHYLKQePelp4TwRD8Giydqu7NxnxXGWYnCA2yUpYZ21sh2BgvfUhQ0QqsoAb3u-xb2LR0XKFslxH7wydQuOYETswqHeiaOfQkXWRYoGLXmxhFT5o7LTuLGc/s400/bensandbar2.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div> Me and Alex!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquEw-SLtaiGeWd-hYts9uH-zvEoAPV842T_Meava0CHLuQuboEltvcW_VtUQvuvrxc-fKrfSrOtvevNZ6OykusCj8gyUsCeyhdySCE01cxiydOnT4e8GSiA9q_xsldGTEG8RpuLwmt7k/s1600/mealex1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquEw-SLtaiGeWd-hYts9uH-zvEoAPV842T_Meava0CHLuQuboEltvcW_VtUQvuvrxc-fKrfSrOtvevNZ6OykusCj8gyUsCeyhdySCE01cxiydOnT4e8GSiA9q_xsldGTEG8RpuLwmt7k/s400/mealex1.JPG" t8="true" width="300px" /></a></div> Me and Chris.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HNdz55glufgiXgF6cQ7EgSNK4wTSjpmJl-ySx1IDcFBRse5sJ8mF4rjXmMZZm1e7lBJ8AQH18ChtWQBg4i9Q73mvdAC2YEta0qGrfBUSwKYAV4MtvqXT2A2NMkTxN9drkrqJk357OAc/s1600/mechris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HNdz55glufgiXgF6cQ7EgSNK4wTSjpmJl-ySx1IDcFBRse5sJ8mF4rjXmMZZm1e7lBJ8AQH18ChtWQBg4i9Q73mvdAC2YEta0qGrfBUSwKYAV4MtvqXT2A2NMkTxN9drkrqJk357OAc/s400/mechris.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div> I love this photo because it wasn't taken in the way that it actually turned out. I was taking a photo of the seagull, but if you enlarge the photo or just glance at the specs on the bottom, it's Ben and Chris out on the water walking on a sandbar!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99r6VeSISAJ7c34jsXGRMVyAoWiUL4eTOH1bpo8Oh5s6qQF6bfwQddO6mIBuv74S7aQYDhCQvwgx4pzSr9KDMfkYYUDXAKGwvHrUNJPpx9pqeut8JgjUwvet9qolL-sDqFs2k6PUa_0I/s1600/seagull1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99r6VeSISAJ7c34jsXGRMVyAoWiUL4eTOH1bpo8Oh5s6qQF6bfwQddO6mIBuv74S7aQYDhCQvwgx4pzSr9KDMfkYYUDXAKGwvHrUNJPpx9pqeut8JgjUwvet9qolL-sDqFs2k6PUa_0I/s400/seagull1.JPG" t8="true" width="300px" /></a></div> I had so much fun painting on the beach! What a wonderful way to pass the afternoon! I absolutely LOVE how fast my watercolor paint dried!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4RlzwVa8fZSRgQz1TkbUsS8QT9UHsWyLZTu3oJWctwm1PluTX8WacINuUwr04JdwhVX-78fa8FV9915xRw0IoHZPBWfCS0ns04f2CsP8zevAOPTsnYTBMkjlqgZgalZJWAfoSHY6pYI/s1600/paintbeach1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4RlzwVa8fZSRgQz1TkbUsS8QT9UHsWyLZTu3oJWctwm1PluTX8WacINuUwr04JdwhVX-78fa8FV9915xRw0IoHZPBWfCS0ns04f2CsP8zevAOPTsnYTBMkjlqgZgalZJWAfoSHY6pYI/s400/paintbeach1.JPG" t8="true" width="300px" /></a></div> The boys having a blast playing in the sand!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFebDzhhU4oYaUrFVRdG_NE3_XBhYjf-R5nh5ez-pkqg3cS3QhsqPqvqLjOaCsFY-FHiDj72MxfPoUW5dK60Kar_3BpqAqXNRTp9YpNA_saRkzeDIUUHmBYgi9MC-rhBWVmvB0bxT_Ya4/s1600/benalex2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFebDzhhU4oYaUrFVRdG_NE3_XBhYjf-R5nh5ez-pkqg3cS3QhsqPqvqLjOaCsFY-FHiDj72MxfPoUW5dK60Kar_3BpqAqXNRTp9YpNA_saRkzeDIUUHmBYgi9MC-rhBWVmvB0bxT_Ya4/s400/benalex2.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Tomorrow should be a fun day! Like I said, we plan on going into the town of Berlin to the Farmer's Market. We're going to eat lunch at Rayne's Reef (YUM), and then we are going to Asseateague Island! I cannot wait to collect sea shells! Have a wonderful night!Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-11172934189171081742011-06-10T21:28:00.001-04:002011-06-10T21:35:41.348-04:00Post from my phone<div><p>Hi everyone! Soo much has happened in the last couple of weeks....particularly our new addition to our family!</p>
<p>Meet little Katie!</p>
<p>Poor thing has some sort of eye infection and has been to the vet's twice in the last week. </p>
<p>Hopefully she'll be better soon!</p>
<p>I also got a new phone which I love and am trying to blog with it so I can blog on vacation!</p>
<p>Tomorrow I will upload more photos of Katie and talk to you about her wonderful personality!</p>
<p>Have a wonderful night!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAahXrBYgEMjKdtWBpETMnlH0yw-qEG7Ms4ol8pEbFIRopETNCrT5z7mKyGv-UkA1mD92tkvLbCuLYxb7_U5GX1jHOqsO64E-T6G5Mnfpy8rsMm8TxmqSwDHzMbhjfhjrLE3LnfsoFXQ/' /></div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-51460367584543552122011-05-25T22:29:00.001-04:002011-05-25T22:29:24.537-04:00Inspired By Nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today I had a nature filled day, and right outside my kitchen window!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Outside of my kitchen window is a big tree. I noticed two squirrels playing on the tree. I don't know if they are mates or siblings, but they sure are cute! I watched them for about a half hour. This one took a nap while the other played nearby on my deck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkWIkx3ABs4_ATyEmi1Ldx0TP7gBEvOp-z4zA-x7O6sr72iHsqYC8U1I5C5NaM__C-Z94ET34EYXVDWsfPfe_sqkMM5V4cqFsHZJTEb_e8veiOlXCs6LOCrSitumcriwkdckwKhssZws/s1600/squirrelnap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkWIkx3ABs4_ATyEmi1Ldx0TP7gBEvOp-z4zA-x7O6sr72iHsqYC8U1I5C5NaM__C-Z94ET34EYXVDWsfPfe_sqkMM5V4cqFsHZJTEb_e8veiOlXCs6LOCrSitumcriwkdckwKhssZws/s400/squirrelnap1.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is the one that played around on the deck. My goal is to get them tame or not run away when I go outside. There was a blog I read last year and the lady had a squirrel that became tame and would come into their house for food! lol How cute would that be? lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JqRlpsyFIXPJdNNgg3aYZHVP9JYwzfKQxi7xEFnFa6jwhW5FedvbY3yhiean0aV61BCY18zMCH0JivxEnxG5XFx3Wr_fpqTDXnnMl8UzWlzDxrYovmkifba0XJn9KbEjGR0PcMHICnw/s1600/squirrelfence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JqRlpsyFIXPJdNNgg3aYZHVP9JYwzfKQxi7xEFnFa6jwhW5FedvbY3yhiean0aV61BCY18zMCH0JivxEnxG5XFx3Wr_fpqTDXnnMl8UzWlzDxrYovmkifba0XJn9KbEjGR0PcMHICnw/s400/squirrelfence.jpg" t8="true" width="313px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Eventually the squirrel became tired of playing alone so it climbed up the tree to wake up the one that was napping! Notice the five toes with sharp nails on it's back feet. It only has four toes on its front feet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL_JJQgTuTU2lm4QYxSvzcCvw9bz6kekKTukkJYtuDkBbHhutt580gLH9q51LZiuokOYqetRh8R7qtOut6adFyyRxpwOgHBnjs26aE6T3P6Svytw9IuiWA2cp3khD1gkF8uolAO9nVQM/s1600/squirrelupsidedown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL_JJQgTuTU2lm4QYxSvzcCvw9bz6kekKTukkJYtuDkBbHhutt580gLH9q51LZiuokOYqetRh8R7qtOut6adFyyRxpwOgHBnjs26aE6T3P6Svytw9IuiWA2cp3khD1gkF8uolAO9nVQM/s400/squirrelupsidedown.jpg" t8="true" width="265px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> While I think they are adorable, my husband hates them and calls them "furry rats!" He is planning on cutting the remaining three trees that we have in our yard! That makes me very sad!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0A6KUooG4oYDeb1G48TuV87W2p2BQlVHc4_bYeVf2b1QPoreRtIcEpU_8_bBTJndGXzNxumyDXt5FkMdf_Oa2pkDQ3loOyRMjxyNJ6lzsoekUpaj7EyWnTNrdWJIrMf59vEOBvd_GEo/s1600/squirrelsun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0A6KUooG4oYDeb1G48TuV87W2p2BQlVHc4_bYeVf2b1QPoreRtIcEpU_8_bBTJndGXzNxumyDXt5FkMdf_Oa2pkDQ3loOyRMjxyNJ6lzsoekUpaj7EyWnTNrdWJIrMf59vEOBvd_GEo/s400/squirrelsun.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After it woke up the other, they decided to run around on the branches! They reminded me of little monkeys. Again...oooh sooo cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnrlDgesq2s6_OUUxnmWMAoxI7Cy_9IbOOrHMZPnR-tT5kAzk6FtvOcddvSE75wTBESdGhoX1X0FcKHaQKqTr4sTFlXYGQNul_XIb0B9Yzdkx5t6remawmp2tPFiJbOfRw-XKZRmvg4c/s1600/squirrelrun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnrlDgesq2s6_OUUxnmWMAoxI7Cy_9IbOOrHMZPnR-tT5kAzk6FtvOcddvSE75wTBESdGhoX1X0FcKHaQKqTr4sTFlXYGQNul_XIb0B9Yzdkx5t6remawmp2tPFiJbOfRw-XKZRmvg4c/s400/squirrelrun.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Squirrel number 2 reminds me of myself...very clumsy! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpXUu38vhd73CsSEmZ20o90uYOw-rrtyFMCGS61rWvJwT9YmWWsLt4_F4ZBTn0LfWkJcHH5m_M8ALejNyO8cecTHRoY6itMzph6HxIveaomh_U1CSRqUOj7wAlN8O4vh5XPVAYK9TKJU/s1600/squirrelrun2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpXUu38vhd73CsSEmZ20o90uYOw-rrtyFMCGS61rWvJwT9YmWWsLt4_F4ZBTn0LfWkJcHH5m_M8ALejNyO8cecTHRoY6itMzph6HxIveaomh_U1CSRqUOj7wAlN8O4vh5XPVAYK9TKJU/s400/squirrelrun2.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Since I was totally surprised by the squirrels today, I did not have time to mess with the settings on my camera. So this action shot was very blurry! I love how squirrel number 1 is a big blur!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50lD-b6gkI6AeLe-SY09IEvaoIylUpixOtMEIsq955b9oATsXx7KjNrGGDB71JHx8TDVKHG-I5p_13Iy5CDV_YaCQq42xlK5eO8smbnaSmspunMFSExIU8jtOJx0Orm8d-S4ul_syG6o/s1600/squirrel+jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50lD-b6gkI6AeLe-SY09IEvaoIylUpixOtMEIsq955b9oATsXx7KjNrGGDB71JHx8TDVKHG-I5p_13Iy5CDV_YaCQq42xlK5eO8smbnaSmspunMFSExIU8jtOJx0Orm8d-S4ul_syG6o/s400/squirrel+jump.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Also during my day I noticed a big commotion in my backyard! Again this year we have a bird nest that is on the boy's clubhouse. This time she built it on the ledge and this year I have been very respectful and have given her her space. Remember last year when I photographed the nest everyday? You can read about that <a href="http://myremodelednest.blogspot.com/2010/04/bird-versus-toddler.html">here</a>. If you go back through after that post you can view all of the stages from building the nest to the baby birds leaving the nest. It's very educational! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I really left the nest alone because I was too chicken to get up close and take the chance of being attacked by the mama bird! lol </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway I noticed this huge commotion in my backyard. The birds left the nest today and Allie got one! I was soo upset! She didn't kill it thankfully, so I woke my husband up and he put it in the neighbor's yard where Allie can't get to it! But all these birds were out there attacking her! Not just robins, but big black birds and small tiny birds! It was quite a sight to see! Here is a photo after my husband relocated the baby. A couple of birds sat on the fence and watched over it. It was very weird. They do not appear to be robins, but they seemed concerned. I also noticed in this shot that you can see the mama bird in the middle of the photo in flight! I feel really bad, but like my husband says..."that's part of nature!" The other baby bird was able to fly to safety, while the remaining third remained in the nest. I kept Allie in all day long and took her out only under supervision!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIkGC3FZBzSQmymD9oKgP2lLA_ffw4wgdMn2mwzlmlGdZxvAsGrRzG43NL7-iKgFvwN7ksiUSoaka96TeC_Ckc68Db-ytptBR5ttpK26Y3VtLvDp3DWTiiXoatxazIBzpL8dWsLf5BCk/s1600/birdswatchingfence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIkGC3FZBzSQmymD9oKgP2lLA_ffw4wgdMn2mwzlmlGdZxvAsGrRzG43NL7-iKgFvwN7ksiUSoaka96TeC_Ckc68Db-ytptBR5ttpK26Y3VtLvDp3DWTiiXoatxazIBzpL8dWsLf5BCk/s400/birdswatchingfence.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Later in the evening this is what we noticed on our deck. The third baby bird flew out of the nest and somehow landed on our deck! Isn't it soo sweet with that fluffy little head!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI7hb1qv_5wr_wzxW55RqCl9qUWlDdRJiNKjEvmqvlgReC17aIS-O7y47bLdN8KecfWXgbQL1Vo2_HegSyZYlqtai0iWIAp9cAafGcDZL1T-OV_Ua8zvajnnhUPWK8T1_aCduGTb16Ug/s1600/babyrobin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI7hb1qv_5wr_wzxW55RqCl9qUWlDdRJiNKjEvmqvlgReC17aIS-O7y47bLdN8KecfWXgbQL1Vo2_HegSyZYlqtai0iWIAp9cAafGcDZL1T-OV_Ua8zvajnnhUPWK8T1_aCduGTb16Ug/s400/babyrobin1.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The mama bird was never very far. You can see the baby on the deck at the bottom left, and the mama in the tree at the upper right!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02ir-2InHyUSBqMdTLX05SKsm1R46iOpkOYO1RBbb9RnjF9oLK8eDYVgRtRrEbh-KMUQLmQwfxhHMd8f-8FqiRdiv0HzPVd-5rcUOEXAmuZH3WyFbgRYgSYRdqWQIN6j-G8uCFS_djDc/s1600/decksitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02ir-2InHyUSBqMdTLX05SKsm1R46iOpkOYO1RBbb9RnjF9oLK8eDYVgRtRrEbh-KMUQLmQwfxhHMd8f-8FqiRdiv0HzPVd-5rcUOEXAmuZH3WyFbgRYgSYRdqWQIN6j-G8uCFS_djDc/s400/decksitting.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We watched her as she fed it a worm. Within a couple minutes later she returned with this huge worm, but the poor baby refused to eat it! I don't blame her! lol </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM6U-XCl-cU7bKZsRJ4ptAM8hcFrJhqhod4Wzx6nLveLDm6hyfxbuC3gu-4enPxeS-ug8LVwlstf0BYuyp7eS6eXGhxi25-Oh28NZr0Wm6Ig3bA_PJwmjU-23cC5PmZwuatVgSkS6vVo/s1600/robinfeed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM6U-XCl-cU7bKZsRJ4ptAM8hcFrJhqhod4Wzx6nLveLDm6hyfxbuC3gu-4enPxeS-ug8LVwlstf0BYuyp7eS6eXGhxi25-Oh28NZr0Wm6Ig3bA_PJwmjU-23cC5PmZwuatVgSkS6vVo/s400/robinfeed1.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So the mama bird walked around with it for a few minutes.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlpt0fpRS8aeTAfe7vpjoa4k1tLsTF051WKt_WcVqyNO-IHD0pKJI9GJyvP0VwndW9rM5DFzwltsUFuAJkyTfXvUMBlLWrWWH-gVancjfVmZR7JEh3gjVngFLs_aApRah_xvQl8PmvCQ/s1600/robinfeed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlpt0fpRS8aeTAfe7vpjoa4k1tLsTF051WKt_WcVqyNO-IHD0pKJI9GJyvP0VwndW9rM5DFzwltsUFuAJkyTfXvUMBlLWrWWH-gVancjfVmZR7JEh3gjVngFLs_aApRah_xvQl8PmvCQ/s400/robinfeed2.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then returned and tried to shove it down the poor baby's throat! lol </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlBX3FY1L_tpCwmu5dQleRAoqoDbKpg8ry4LWKQkMmRfphPAxhg0JWbKWmwRqmGQjDmRFAW5ETdlAvTb9kJQLm6zW6oVRA41mE7s7H7eza_cgRlkJEG1ieyPU3rRQJH4GAIhtwxUt4uA/s1600/robinfeed3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlBX3FY1L_tpCwmu5dQleRAoqoDbKpg8ry4LWKQkMmRfphPAxhg0JWbKWmwRqmGQjDmRFAW5ETdlAvTb9kJQLm6zW6oVRA41mE7s7H7eza_cgRlkJEG1ieyPU3rRQJH4GAIhtwxUt4uA/s400/robinfeed3.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few hours later we were off to hockey practice and the baby bird was off of the deck. I had my husband walk around to make sure it was safe and it was nowhere to be found!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a wonderful day filled with nature! :)</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-28711580588460625822011-05-24T00:39:00.000-04:002011-05-24T00:39:11.180-04:00A House For An Imaginary Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My son Benjamin has had an imaginary friend for the past couple of years. Can you guess who it may be? Sometimes I find him playing alone with "Jerry." They even play boardgames together! His friend Jerry is from the cartoon "Tom & Jerry!" I have no idea why Jerry has all of a sudden become his friend, but he has and I'm totally fine with that. Someone I know suggested that I don't play into this imaginary friend thing. But I find it harmless and have read that it probably means he's creative and imaginative. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuDZqWXYKQRSr9gubUm63AdjvijpLK5ZZxg5TFzq_msQKzoYfdgkfhcdvMYpfdz8p57m28oQbvHF1AKFnHXMOZ92uAvXGItDqpJeOqNdnmvnVDFvI0rmYVmAdE3RSYEyKqhw4CWqBHF0/s1600/jerry_mice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuDZqWXYKQRSr9gubUm63AdjvijpLK5ZZxg5TFzq_msQKzoYfdgkfhcdvMYpfdz8p57m28oQbvHF1AKFnHXMOZ92uAvXGItDqpJeOqNdnmvnVDFvI0rmYVmAdE3RSYEyKqhw4CWqBHF0/s400/jerry_mice.jpg" width="355px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For awhile now I haven't heard anything about Jerry. But the other day while driving in the car, I noticed that Ben was very sad. Since I had just picked him up from school, I thought that something may have occurred there. So I asked him what was wrong. He said: "Jerry moved away with his family." And he said it with this sad sigh as he put his head against the seat. I asked him why Jerry couldn't move back in with us, and he said because Tom would probably chase him! lol I thought about it for awhile and then I came up with a solution.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a bin full of unfinished birdhouses in storage that I have never gotten around to painting. So I let Ben choose which house would be suitable for his friend and he came up with this one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I really wanted to paint this myself with big funky polka dots and bright colors, but he only let me paint just a little bit. I guess I'll need to make my own mouse house! lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQuazSB6FCENa0ghOOssuVqDWgb2_0SqKKv9TkwNRdJU0vc9KU19-xoCF63ukcL8SNDyLHvg0Z9Dz-B7ltRxu1L1uEP5V1fKqf36OqZp0AbzYJJUnQYYEpmTT0gXzZoYeEWmXfBIPVs8/s1600/painting1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQuazSB6FCENa0ghOOssuVqDWgb2_0SqKKv9TkwNRdJU0vc9KU19-xoCF63ukcL8SNDyLHvg0Z9Dz-B7ltRxu1L1uEP5V1fKqf36OqZp0AbzYJJUnQYYEpmTT0gXzZoYeEWmXfBIPVs8/s400/painting1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> He was really drawn to the glittery paint. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdShKy03byCUlapR07SNAOwZV6VQGeATcYEvLFPSSbPhN_FuESG-p0V6485-uG3ydhPkGwwfOELboHAWLx1ynqztXOkm6qjVLa4gQBT8bqIGgvUJo2I84jQJXGURXVT1DyLV_d4ruWGU/s1600/painting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdShKy03byCUlapR07SNAOwZV6VQGeATcYEvLFPSSbPhN_FuESG-p0V6485-uG3ydhPkGwwfOELboHAWLx1ynqztXOkm6qjVLa4gQBT8bqIGgvUJo2I84jQJXGURXVT1DyLV_d4ruWGU/s400/painting2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is his finished "mouse house." He was soo proud! According to Ben, Jerry's last name is "Mouse"...so I painted that on the doormat! Hopefully this house is big enough because Ben said there are 200 mice in Jerry's family! lol </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vqnDp7HP7mDPLOE1eP-L6aEMNv2mJPStIREjgDOgbW0XXFRBXZ_UDFRQNKfROs_ZKqR_kp6_Q99DJJSDCTbyAXql9XBjEoHNH6eZ50uhaqdyFFkGekJps5eul4bWjTVR9Hgg-QiOJoE/s1600/benhouse1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vqnDp7HP7mDPLOE1eP-L6aEMNv2mJPStIREjgDOgbW0XXFRBXZ_UDFRQNKfROs_ZKqR_kp6_Q99DJJSDCTbyAXql9XBjEoHNH6eZ50uhaqdyFFkGekJps5eul4bWjTVR9Hgg-QiOJoE/s400/benhouse1.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This photo cracks me up! lol He has that look on his face like he is thinking: "Come let me lure you into this mouse house with a trap...Muahahahahahaha!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqtQHr-g9UVg6EmzD6n2oZ9tcZyq7Udy2VwACqRv_PiWqkqbObLr348ALtlNz0LHMrxd7Cq21pS4tY8G7-E7hhUJkgFc9N8BHYeChG3PC8CliGaOCeWstIxhhzU9VWioeQTe_DfcwwBI/s1600/benhouse2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqtQHr-g9UVg6EmzD6n2oZ9tcZyq7Udy2VwACqRv_PiWqkqbObLr348ALtlNz0LHMrxd7Cq21pS4tY8G7-E7hhUJkgFc9N8BHYeChG3PC8CliGaOCeWstIxhhzU9VWioeQTe_DfcwwBI/s400/benhouse2.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is Ben's mouse house with a little plant that we added on the porch! It sits beside his bed so Jerry and his family of 200 can move back in with us! And all is well again! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo8MlvpDvQRLD1izleKrjylDQA02vnoMkyN53dQh7DymSILHy1raUO6wOnD9qInJUfofjOcXN9WPqBp5XwLc8oSRgyLHMofI5_cJV-MSDtDF8obhSthl4weGCWDNtiIUkL39EY2BLDjk/s1600/house1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo8MlvpDvQRLD1izleKrjylDQA02vnoMkyN53dQh7DymSILHy1raUO6wOnD9qInJUfofjOcXN9WPqBp5XwLc8oSRgyLHMofI5_cJV-MSDtDF8obhSthl4weGCWDNtiIUkL39EY2BLDjk/s400/house1.jpg" width="300px" /></a></div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-6792154315113240692011-05-11T22:00:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:52:15.347-04:00Easter 2011<div style="text-align: center;">Here are some highlights from Easter 2011. Easter was a couple weeks ago...but better late than never, right?! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys sit and wait here on the steps on Christmas and Easter morning. This gives me time to grab my camera and video camera to capture them going into the living room to see what the Easter Bunny or Santa brought them the night before! Each year I take a photo of them sitting on the stairs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52qcdBZtjiRUofSaefxmdS_JLvP6CiugxLwKyGqhdcpZN6vfh8ERkzqepztumco8M79tONQ7syvyuXN1HD4fGU0ACoHjFp2G25lNycNZx_oFg0LMgTMpvQySVWr7eDfgngfswUwqxkPs/s1600/waiting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52qcdBZtjiRUofSaefxmdS_JLvP6CiugxLwKyGqhdcpZN6vfh8ERkzqepztumco8M79tONQ7syvyuXN1HD4fGU0ACoHjFp2G25lNycNZx_oFg0LMgTMpvQySVWr7eDfgngfswUwqxkPs/s400/waiting.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And every year the Easter Bunny leaves "bunny tracks" on the couches and floor that leads the boys to their baskets! As you can see from the photo, the bunny hopped all around Allie! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGGdKX1LXwQSMwYcxwYEhtfsXojucizcnyrJDbOep0byDKvNzqtlaK08306-efEPu2Pp8eFfEedF3wEOTk_X66_UZ6LanhB7jOT6KK2pYAHe-kKswyd9Tv-3kVtyC2s-A0BEtc_A0Hvw/s1600/bunny+tracks1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGGdKX1LXwQSMwYcxwYEhtfsXojucizcnyrJDbOep0byDKvNzqtlaK08306-efEPu2Pp8eFfEedF3wEOTk_X66_UZ6LanhB7jOT6KK2pYAHe-kKswyd9Tv-3kVtyC2s-A0BEtc_A0Hvw/s400/bunny+tracks1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is Alex with his basket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3XsHwCbCOSHQ6A_croOlcVeRWTopCbHHDU8-UjNngKDeFNUzyVns1CGQgVlMa3b-tezKsbsLCZ9Lb8qn_hES4AErzRKU8_kkVA0IH1g-l7KQG6-lo9XtZfcnCVG4I2VbcU0DlaM_N-s/s1600/alexbasket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3XsHwCbCOSHQ6A_croOlcVeRWTopCbHHDU8-UjNngKDeFNUzyVns1CGQgVlMa3b-tezKsbsLCZ9Lb8qn_hES4AErzRKU8_kkVA0IH1g-l7KQG6-lo9XtZfcnCVG4I2VbcU0DlaM_N-s/s400/alexbasket.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And Ben with his. The bunny left a powdery mess all over my floor! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdxxhoMLLnrXpusNMjEHa213bKOOciwjxFMKQTxVrDsSGV9gFE6H9znQalXa64-9CUIhJaq_5boh0-QTYVohfEcrH7edjdrfatKB-z19ck7YoVCd68heO5BQ1kouhm526aCIDfqZfw9s/s1600/benbasket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdxxhoMLLnrXpusNMjEHa213bKOOciwjxFMKQTxVrDsSGV9gFE6H9znQalXa64-9CUIhJaq_5boh0-QTYVohfEcrH7edjdrfatKB-z19ck7YoVCd68heO5BQ1kouhm526aCIDfqZfw9s/s400/benbasket.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The boys had egg hunts at both grandparent's houses. I just love this photo! It shows just how exciting egg hunts are to kids!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMHIxU1IB1P7wAhN8RFU9kpulmR6JgJ0Ir4SeYEysWVvGy7ufq53MqJdjQMkltqKZF8bKGvCjlI3PgBgRpHM6mDjCekxhP1lB6XsP9ywSZX8LUk5fIH8xNlJ9MsXUUnCe5-f4TpotvtI/s1600/egg+hunt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMHIxU1IB1P7wAhN8RFU9kpulmR6JgJ0Ir4SeYEysWVvGy7ufq53MqJdjQMkltqKZF8bKGvCjlI3PgBgRpHM6mDjCekxhP1lB6XsP9ywSZX8LUk5fIH8xNlJ9MsXUUnCe5-f4TpotvtI/s400/egg+hunt.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is me and my wonderful family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDPm9fDHgM046tH-f9zz6ALGUD8LoRPoJ8AU3oKh92O882dS0UtC9Y1X0aGmR3yBj7cIMl2A5Dkb5_g-n4Qd2HF983l9lfCZCoEoBSjD5hw5kqTWFHmEkGP7hRStXbGI8zvqST8G2PTw/s1600/family1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDPm9fDHgM046tH-f9zz6ALGUD8LoRPoJ8AU3oKh92O882dS0UtC9Y1X0aGmR3yBj7cIMl2A5Dkb5_g-n4Qd2HF983l9lfCZCoEoBSjD5hw5kqTWFHmEkGP7hRStXbGI8zvqST8G2PTw/s400/family1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And me and my precious boys! I am soo blessed to have such a wonderful family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sZYrzqs47DpjG3gzip661E6iPLMa_TtQyZI594fSv-wiJHdOR1CEA1yFPuetzkpi5b5zF9MyN4i4Gvw9QMEqUCetEOMZqtZtyIIW8gVJYRFb0iAC1d8baME5e-pQR4mAF4NIOBA3KM8/s1600/meboys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sZYrzqs47DpjG3gzip661E6iPLMa_TtQyZI594fSv-wiJHdOR1CEA1yFPuetzkpi5b5zF9MyN4i4Gvw9QMEqUCetEOMZqtZtyIIW8gVJYRFb0iAC1d8baME5e-pQR4mAF4NIOBA3KM8/s400/meboys.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div align="center">Soooo much has been going on here in the last few weeks. I plan to start blogging a few times a week to catch you up to speed! Hope you had a wonderful Easter!</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-46550413828422631802011-04-17T00:29:00.000-04:002011-04-17T00:29:28.590-04:00Goals Scored & Goals Prevented!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know that I usually start off by saying life has been so chaotic and that's why I'm not keeping up with my blog. But I couldn't be any more honest! I fell and hit my head during one of my hockey games and got a slight concussion...so I've been taking it easy this past week!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">But last two weeks have been especially crazy! Ben had 2 hockey programs going at once and soccer as well! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For example, one Saturday morning he had soccer photos at 9:10 am and then hockey practice from 10:00-11:00 am. Then he had a soccer game that started at 11:00 am! It's impossible to be at two places at one time, so we missed half of his soccer game. The good news though, once we got there Ben scored three goals! I love this photo...he gets so excited when he scores! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One good thing about hockey is that it's helping him with his soccer. Ben used to be the type of kid who didn't go after the ball. Now, he totally goes after the ball and tries to hold the other kids back!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qkyt_lKbMXcv4qX-r4GNnVAk_gc_XfdSwpzhasXGgigKMN-HWk5Tcbjhbk2x7eyDyog5EVtTBDluZvuP3oWzZX_qLJrjqy_Ke1PZ1K3rZH_hhCcUjD1THx62DajaDGm7QWnBSj_MAIw/s1600/goal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qkyt_lKbMXcv4qX-r4GNnVAk_gc_XfdSwpzhasXGgigKMN-HWk5Tcbjhbk2x7eyDyog5EVtTBDluZvuP3oWzZX_qLJrjqy_Ke1PZ1K3rZH_hhCcUjD1THx62DajaDGm7QWnBSj_MAIw/s400/goal.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Luckily, soccer was canceled today because of rain! It was super nice not to have to rush around after hockey practice!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This past Thursday was the last of Ben's "Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey" program. This was the program that started at the end of January. If you remember this was Ben's first time on ice. He pushed a little bucket around so he didn't fall down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTllc8F27ObfO1bfrTiLvubFg91qkYokRpEhjXKQTK2RbBInzcLDlrRJOnku6sRloFsjgvE2JvmZoRiORy6NLdq8d6q0vrJdI2aHxmoBNJyOM_XCRPSWa0zZNOmeBNyNgnUGvfZbdDjdY/s1600/benskate3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTllc8F27ObfO1bfrTiLvubFg91qkYokRpEhjXKQTK2RbBInzcLDlrRJOnku6sRloFsjgvE2JvmZoRiORy6NLdq8d6q0vrJdI2aHxmoBNJyOM_XCRPSWa0zZNOmeBNyNgnUGvfZbdDjdY/s400/benskate3.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is Ben this past Thursday! He's a goalie now, and he's having the time of his life! Not bad for only being on skates for nearly three months!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-dyIru3VWa3wYoqIn2KyRpYTUUTVqfSJQFVbbNMZMehyphenhyphen4RBgFq4bE4Q43Y89ibfkGDD6dGDM9XPjVE5VfEA8oIm2HbiG721eOWH55QG2hFwOqLLrPTv18R1HfF5-T1Enhz24qsoPmyE/s1600/DSC_0021_filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-dyIru3VWa3wYoqIn2KyRpYTUUTVqfSJQFVbbNMZMehyphenhyphen4RBgFq4bE4Q43Y89ibfkGDD6dGDM9XPjVE5VfEA8oIm2HbiG721eOWH55QG2hFwOqLLrPTv18R1HfF5-T1Enhz24qsoPmyE/s400/DSC_0021_filtered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sooo cute! I love how he's smaller than the net!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQToMBcGy-V6Suc8PF18rmRfF1gq3-CdZOHcSyySzWQev2oJOuHMo9dn4wm5qJEcl6UNIAN-n2UliJOWnYWQym_Zkhb_2Ism6F4zP8POht6dTD5ojAlaNId58y27uV-fpbe6EPW5yzsGM/s1600/DSC_0034_filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQToMBcGy-V6Suc8PF18rmRfF1gq3-CdZOHcSyySzWQev2oJOuHMo9dn4wm5qJEcl6UNIAN-n2UliJOWnYWQym_Zkhb_2Ism6F4zP8POht6dTD5ojAlaNId58y27uV-fpbe6EPW5yzsGM/s400/DSC_0034_filtered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And he can stop the puck with his eyes closed! lol </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_ietZUIBNQQVRf_0lS-OSm-16XQVzOBgKmedLZYR1RfaSnTyz47mYkd-BXBMZpiBJxXelUWLHB2fCIfygYRPH_Yf6hU9I3BIMjku3spSze-DyAcThzibfZtFx6-oYHsExtqfAhM5JRg/s1600/DSC_0099_filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_ietZUIBNQQVRf_0lS-OSm-16XQVzOBgKmedLZYR1RfaSnTyz47mYkd-BXBMZpiBJxXelUWLHB2fCIfygYRPH_Yf6hU9I3BIMjku3spSze-DyAcThzibfZtFx6-oYHsExtqfAhM5JRg/s400/DSC_0099_filtered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It's soo sad that this was the last of this program! We had such a great time and the people at the rink went above and beyond to make this a great experience!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiJ9Wz0JXU5elyZmx87Dd38warsWjsYg1Tx5IWIMg7h2IOM82gQBBOadTMkjnN-Own-CObZSEW-na1m-DM85hCZhpVOSpH-hH8w0u3H5sr33eQvfq_zemlMWZISN_AC9asqKBFMlGhGg/s1600/DSC_0118_filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiJ9Wz0JXU5elyZmx87Dd38warsWjsYg1Tx5IWIMg7h2IOM82gQBBOadTMkjnN-Own-CObZSEW-na1m-DM85hCZhpVOSpH-hH8w0u3H5sr33eQvfq_zemlMWZISN_AC9asqKBFMlGhGg/s400/DSC_0118_filtered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm soo proud of every single participant! The majority of the kids started out not knowing how to skate and most of them just whip around the ice now! It's amazing to see them progress!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJWQsn7OlrQ1ZpdxUUkoo5CMN9dPuz6VnhPEC-jkvS5UO8J7zz2SzVa-Ki-289fzV-FfjVshFlX0IrfeRyi9o-HYrlGkiU_W5nHpQGMizw0AcZRMp8xSTPTMGNOIYOvYOm-NFNd3osG0/s1600/DSC_0135_filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJWQsn7OlrQ1ZpdxUUkoo5CMN9dPuz6VnhPEC-jkvS5UO8J7zz2SzVa-Ki-289fzV-FfjVshFlX0IrfeRyi9o-HYrlGkiU_W5nHpQGMizw0AcZRMp8xSTPTMGNOIYOvYOm-NFNd3osG0/s400/DSC_0135_filtered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It's not everyday you can get your photo taken with a Stanley Cup Replica. But all Ben can think of is eating the ice! lol He must find this tasty, because when it snows he always outside eating the snow! lol At least my snow cone machine will get a lot of use this summer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuT1raEuUc6w1gh_vqTwYKqW-2vXR0LccJq9gPicA49zZBZXXn8byYe6D5aUSnejYLf-HLl-Fx3mbFtlSlsORfbBvo7CDSGuScXVXfNkK_2Jld8s5E8jqeCHxL9bq0408vo5HcL2YfqM/s1600/DSC_0140_filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuT1raEuUc6w1gh_vqTwYKqW-2vXR0LccJq9gPicA49zZBZXXn8byYe6D5aUSnejYLf-HLl-Fx3mbFtlSlsORfbBvo7CDSGuScXVXfNkK_2Jld8s5E8jqeCHxL9bq0408vo5HcL2YfqM/s400/DSC_0140_filtered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm sooo proud of big Ben! :) Hopefully he'll be holding the Stanley Cup over his head again in another 15 years or so! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqSOX3f57i7cdb6AmWPT2lgiD1hqGZ38OvHZMYNlZztnwoew5Z3kaoQ9GQoQh91fRGQorlqeUwNBiV3paAUt7PuXA3fcBaAx6KwC8XkY6T7R-TRJ2b_xesr4QMmO5SXGP46ehQ0g6AOk/s1600/DSC_0291_filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqSOX3f57i7cdb6AmWPT2lgiD1hqGZ38OvHZMYNlZztnwoew5Z3kaoQ9GQoQh91fRGQorlqeUwNBiV3paAUt7PuXA3fcBaAx6KwC8XkY6T7R-TRJ2b_xesr4QMmO5SXGP46ehQ0g6AOk/s400/DSC_0291_filtered.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm soo proud of him! :)</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-21842225168395505982011-04-01T13:09:00.000-04:002011-04-01T13:09:48.110-04:00Friday Fragments<div style="text-align: center;">I'm participating in Mrs. 4444's "<a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/2011/03/friday-fragments-episode-138.html">Friday Fragments</a>!" I love Friday Fragments because here I can post about a bunch of random different things that happened during my week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfc1YZvXcdyQ2RtUVnhPOV5KnVh6kPDeNhOUXsFdxdPMwonA_oescZP_w2vuOcw6HrjUAqQvQaFDIK6be1_WAzYTTqkiiptKSnJ5FdLNQ37TAxV8vBNWCH3I3lQZeMIJVJUJMiUMr6i8/s1600/HPKT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfc1YZvXcdyQ2RtUVnhPOV5KnVh6kPDeNhOUXsFdxdPMwonA_oescZP_w2vuOcw6HrjUAqQvQaFDIK6be1_WAzYTTqkiiptKSnJ5FdLNQ37TAxV8vBNWCH3I3lQZeMIJVJUJMiUMr6i8/s320/HPKT2.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't believe that it's been a whole week since my last post! That's what I love about Friday Fragments, I can sum up my whole week in one blog post!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We still have been playing a lot of hockey! Both Ben and myself! As you can see from the photo below, Alex is actually trying it, but doesn't enjoy it as much as Ben. Ben's Spring Season starts next Wednesday, so between that and soccer we'll be keeping busy. He has decided that he wants to be a goalie, so I'm going today to pick him up some goalie equipment! I'll have to keep you updated, because he's going to make such a cute and tiny goalie!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmGyW95tGZ5E9tpnG8GGBm_ujs9dePImdE_XY_e2bbdMrUvgtWTEpla0rXdDxQit42BwJ6MlN6gwuOTv1vHb_tYBnwAqTAtHEAr9jHKV1bUvt2yjQvTcOwcEkK-Z9YeJ_ubvVgZAAiPo/s1600/icemine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmGyW95tGZ5E9tpnG8GGBm_ujs9dePImdE_XY_e2bbdMrUvgtWTEpla0rXdDxQit42BwJ6MlN6gwuOTv1vHb_tYBnwAqTAtHEAr9jHKV1bUvt2yjQvTcOwcEkK-Z9YeJ_ubvVgZAAiPo/s400/icemine.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm going to soon be selling some of my art and jewelry at a local Art Gallery. I've been working on things lately to put in the gallery plus to fill my Etsy shop back up. Here is the beginnings of a bird nest pendant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u7bxwCjP7h8D0KalsF76_l0dHAWaCAPUflBtcZUgC2QdlXQUycYGDg4OeJZq3mvzqYnxiyVx2oZSxP5s-0bCnGsaKGYdCWxSOw5VV552Fx37ils-ISrw0unEL_U-WlyQkFXXayzYOAo/s1600/nest+pendant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u7bxwCjP7h8D0KalsF76_l0dHAWaCAPUflBtcZUgC2QdlXQUycYGDg4OeJZq3mvzqYnxiyVx2oZSxP5s-0bCnGsaKGYdCWxSOw5VV552Fx37ils-ISrw0unEL_U-WlyQkFXXayzYOAo/s400/nest+pendant.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Again Ben won three awards at school: Reading Excellence, Math Whiz, and All A's! He loves writing in his journal daily and at the end of each month his teacher sends home his journal pages. I love what he writes, but this particular page made me laugh. It says: "My choowowo is fat." He's talking about our chihuahua Allie! lol :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY4y_oktnQPfJdLGHnQMllCWCP1XGmwh2ILc5YNAvobAU9Rf3sOIlOsoiC0XYEAZXjQaKy4dwtH6QwLmjBuO439F9knv4Xx55syjrKdFEu49m-CRpVxaaqRGbxO-yM7s0v_pFmtQv1zI/s1600/fatchihuahua.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY4y_oktnQPfJdLGHnQMllCWCP1XGmwh2ILc5YNAvobAU9Rf3sOIlOsoiC0XYEAZXjQaKy4dwtH6QwLmjBuO439F9knv4Xx55syjrKdFEu49m-CRpVxaaqRGbxO-yM7s0v_pFmtQv1zI/s400/fatchihuahua.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm not much of a sweets person, but every once in awhile I crave chocolate. I love Cadbury Eggs, but they are way too big and way too sweet for me. I did find that they make mini Cadbury Eggs, and they are just the perfect size! One definitely satisfies my cravings! And they sell them by the dozen! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYgT_Yn4OxPiVJtAIvZHJrhCbLSSqq5ZR5F-QFQ92Mw7o7pP8JQNEw0G8s7ZqmdT0XhhaZxPi0Ecpy6JQzKtKlJCJKyrhgsovhiFpgMalk8P8ddvxcvp07X-v8xmWqNNv2VD1nGztgak/s1600/cadbury+eggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYgT_Yn4OxPiVJtAIvZHJrhCbLSSqq5ZR5F-QFQ92Mw7o7pP8JQNEw0G8s7ZqmdT0XhhaZxPi0Ecpy6JQzKtKlJCJKyrhgsovhiFpgMalk8P8ddvxcvp07X-v8xmWqNNv2VD1nGztgak/s400/cadbury+eggs.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Another blogger (I'm sorry I can't remember who) recommended this nail polish. I tried it yesterday and I am in love! I'm not much of a purple person but this polish screams Spring! And I can almost feel the warmer weather just by wearing it! It's called "Lacey Lilac." Excuse my unmanicured fingers. Between hockey and housework, my hands really take a beating! I am definitely in need of a manicure! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't wear nail polish often, but this particular brand is awesome! I also bought a pretty green color too and I can't wait to try it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPdTFIxGbfzIv-q1vwmOvzGNHLFJdojXRBcMkXDyzxsmhdaoEQi65_LXdkFKhtUSYnpUvQG8eNLo5ZgPcqhePvQ9iYnb-HR19zOO4qTVyltuGU7hfRoeBMc7tJAoGe3WLWt6LFTzu3D0/s1600/polish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPdTFIxGbfzIv-q1vwmOvzGNHLFJdojXRBcMkXDyzxsmhdaoEQi65_LXdkFKhtUSYnpUvQG8eNLo5ZgPcqhePvQ9iYnb-HR19zOO4qTVyltuGU7hfRoeBMc7tJAoGe3WLWt6LFTzu3D0/s400/polish.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That basically sums up my week. Hopefully I can be back on track and start blogging at least every other day. We'll see like I said Ben starts Spring Hockey next week so I'm sure it will be hectic!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a wonderful week!</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-8813080813995632332011-03-25T10:59:00.000-04:002011-03-25T10:59:11.963-04:00Friday Fragments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm participating in Mrs. 4444's "<a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/2011/03/friday-fragments-episode-138.html">Friday Fragments</a>!" I love Friday Fragments because here I can post about a bunch of random different things that happened during my week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKE7k7LbFDV8yqeAxr2afc47HPz0_EGjbi4VM0jgttVfFdsHs_ORmqIUnqJKTcjWG5Nw0iWkvJW1eyh-a0BvsLp7ILTAgH4BpddzR3sQ4DKdcoyj2yLN9KahMnwofI37tw5sFsXg-Of8/s1600/HPKT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKE7k7LbFDV8yqeAxr2afc47HPz0_EGjbi4VM0jgttVfFdsHs_ORmqIUnqJKTcjWG5Nw0iWkvJW1eyh-a0BvsLp7ILTAgH4BpddzR3sQ4DKdcoyj2yLN9KahMnwofI37tw5sFsXg-Of8/s320/HPKT2.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have soo much to randomly talk about, and it all starts out with the "supermoon!" I think the supermoon is to blame for my crazy week! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a photo that I took from my backyard. I finally figured out the correct setting for my camera and was able to capture the magnificent moon! I don't know if you were able to see it, but it was mesmerizing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjf-VASanEi4edAPcBSaxWY7h7r_eWtFgJpHPzLPSr119doGs7YLroUkHojq0Ng0D2czutNQw2g8HqppdyDy23UB6k7eEda5-VrNYWO1u8wuB6E7pMdRbMyutYYPi0vIx19ssu-I5XXA/s1600/supermoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjf-VASanEi4edAPcBSaxWY7h7r_eWtFgJpHPzLPSr119doGs7YLroUkHojq0Ng0D2czutNQw2g8HqppdyDy23UB6k7eEda5-VrNYWO1u8wuB6E7pMdRbMyutYYPi0vIx19ssu-I5XXA/s400/supermoon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Over the last week or so we have had the most beautiful weather! It was like Spring had come early, which is unusual in South Western Pennsylvania! It was nice to be able to get out after a long winter! Alex loves blowing bubbles, and this was the first time this year that he was able to do so! Our weather was beautiful one day and then our area got a huge tornado! It destroyed my high school and did a lot of damage! Some people lost their entire houses! I'm so glad that nobody was hurt! <br />
<br />
The tornado happened on Wednesday. And I was just in the area that the tornado hit, but I had to go pick up Ben from school. I missed it by 2 hours! Thank goodness, because I don't know what I would have done if I would have seen it! It's rare for us to get tornadoes. So we're not used to seeing them! But I have realized one thing....I need to carry my camera with me at all times! You never know when you may need to use it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwL_Qf8qce_5mMcbcx_h3VRUk73qVeLj7nm_12D8nxB-DRAIKOzCOe9d1HZz4o7jDokpmYytNfFBsu1x8N7uVmIM7XF_DC-jCzb7_AADJus57XEOdtIecG6kHVh_GkpRqdcXORxMpvC0/s1600/DSC_2481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwL_Qf8qce_5mMcbcx_h3VRUk73qVeLj7nm_12D8nxB-DRAIKOzCOe9d1HZz4o7jDokpmYytNfFBsu1x8N7uVmIM7XF_DC-jCzb7_AADJus57XEOdtIecG6kHVh_GkpRqdcXORxMpvC0/s400/DSC_2481.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The warm weather has brought lots of birds! They have gotten so bad to the point that you can hear them chirping very loudly in the trees from inside the house with all the doors and windows shut! And we're not talking cute little birds...we're talking the big black scary ones! lol I wanted to get a photo of them all flying away, so my husband went out and started banging on things, but they wouldn't budge! I told you...big scary birds who are not afraid! It reminds me of that Alfred Hitchcock movie "The Birds!" Have you seen it? There were hundreds more in the trees, but this was just a sampling!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhFyPeroL7lc_aCrUkx2hjDTrMBARBeyTcZjJCu7n9tMglpJRHTWMB7aWt9Pe3U0dkYRZfeFy2qgxHBQLGo3Hr74pnUnfQiGGccwAI3m2vfWeCGPD-BJj1AEL3Fhzv7rVeANQgB2VvPQ/s1600/birdtree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhFyPeroL7lc_aCrUkx2hjDTrMBARBeyTcZjJCu7n9tMglpJRHTWMB7aWt9Pe3U0dkYRZfeFy2qgxHBQLGo3Hr74pnUnfQiGGccwAI3m2vfWeCGPD-BJj1AEL3Fhzv7rVeANQgB2VvPQ/s400/birdtree.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a hockey game this week and as much as I have complained in the past about hockey...I'm actually starting to enjoy it! It figures we only have about four games left! At our last game we only had five people show up for our team, which means that we had to play an entire game of hockey without being able to sit down and take a break! That's sixty minutes of hockey! The only break we had was the one minute in between periods! We were exhausted...but I SCORED A GOAL! I told you that weird supermoon is causing all kinds of things to happen! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbYV7yrx7nDO31CAW0PB2kBuuYWGfjHEja21Sop9l0bfI4r0YBXvP46W4ouwAVWFjV6uarYYYxMTeUSUWN23NgaSVUWrg_koXG3-mYxY0gUth8w5V4N4wWk-GWZWXFN_Zp8hncOWQl8g/s1600/mehockey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbYV7yrx7nDO31CAW0PB2kBuuYWGfjHEja21Sop9l0bfI4r0YBXvP46W4ouwAVWFjV6uarYYYxMTeUSUWN23NgaSVUWrg_koXG3-mYxY0gUth8w5V4N4wWk-GWZWXFN_Zp8hncOWQl8g/s400/mehockey.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And lastly is about my dog Allie. Allie loves her toy bunnies! She has several of them and loves sleeping with them at night. Since she cannot jump onto our bed, we have doggie steps for her to help her. Alex recently broke the steps so she had no way of getting onto our bed. So at night she likes to sleep on the shower mat in the bathroom next to our bedroom waiting for us to go to bed. Normally she'll lay there with her bunny and wait for me to lift her onto the bed. Well the other night we were getting ready for bed and this is what my husbnd found on the mat in the bathroom! </div><div style="text-align: center;">It looks like Allie will not be getting anything from the Easter bunny this year! lol </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As much as I keep nagging my husband about fixing the dog steps, I'm glad he didn't cause this is what we would have found in our bed! lol Poor baby bunny!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVErcejHY0EUMH7It5mYEBbjmSJK2G0rSydyyQd3GJcXCGeAAPp3zkmd_xW4HO2TOJuGi7CMMUr7etS4Z7CE_KC3ygYB6mUZjexBH8fauB_1XUhusPFowKEZwhlC9J3cLOXMfeTSOHMfA/s1600/bunny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVErcejHY0EUMH7It5mYEBbjmSJK2G0rSydyyQd3GJcXCGeAAPp3zkmd_xW4HO2TOJuGi7CMMUr7etS4Z7CE_KC3ygYB6mUZjexBH8fauB_1XUhusPFowKEZwhlC9J3cLOXMfeTSOHMfA/s400/bunny.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">See I told you it's been a crazy week! Hope next week is boring!</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-57870417368984174622011-03-22T00:22:00.000-04:002011-03-22T00:22:46.401-04:00A Photo Shoot With Alex!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This past week we had such beautiful weather, and I couldn't wait to get back outside to take photos!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While Ben was in school one day, Alex and I took off to a local bike trail to take some photos. They have a couple abandoned trains there, so I thought it would make a cute prop! Alex's favorite color is red, so that was our theme!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUw3QfTV5Z0UzsGx_SpkX4xHROy6l06-EsFR3-xwHaxhW5LuLDW7ocO1HEuvJYlMUlb0UvDyOdwNv3XV0G0JYc4PS7kX2-gFKRUBkMAk13vq8UDhqQIfA6zWhglXiOTy3g7XzHBPz__hA/s1600/DSC_1297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUw3QfTV5Z0UzsGx_SpkX4xHROy6l06-EsFR3-xwHaxhW5LuLDW7ocO1HEuvJYlMUlb0UvDyOdwNv3XV0G0JYc4PS7kX2-gFKRUBkMAk13vq8UDhqQIfA6zWhglXiOTy3g7XzHBPz__hA/s400/DSC_1297.jpg" width="265" /></a></div> I love this old abandoned bridge in the background! It sure is beautiful here in South Western Pennsylvania! As much as I complain about the weather and wish I lived elsewhere...I need to look at the beauty that is around me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIbD6iFRBFX-ZrVvR8W1DhHUAvULSWVy2ORbypabQLpMs5kcY286zSyPa1r4SdHg0XDK6XhC2LqEVwHvKdtV_l4fYJ8Oa5HIbmUwuWHUxksXKL6Lf4sHysyLWSV-nKTkmR7oIN_8uy58/s1600/DSC_1339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIbD6iFRBFX-ZrVvR8W1DhHUAvULSWVy2ORbypabQLpMs5kcY286zSyPa1r4SdHg0XDK6XhC2LqEVwHvKdtV_l4fYJ8Oa5HIbmUwuWHUxksXKL6Lf4sHysyLWSV-nKTkmR7oIN_8uy58/s400/DSC_1339.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I had this vintage tricycle in the garage, and thought it would be fun to add to our red themed photo shoot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd6UEsVnmXt0_vJbQR5BmQgocUJJaGOumzxQ-yWmp91RcXE4sf0frr0F6HGQ-9uBoMhkPoKGLMBC-ci2nsBNnAf5WgnA3lb6pxmrKir5u6-fMvSkIe9xnrnwXD_pUHwE-gxLunWHOPkE/s1600/DSC_1403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd6UEsVnmXt0_vJbQR5BmQgocUJJaGOumzxQ-yWmp91RcXE4sf0frr0F6HGQ-9uBoMhkPoKGLMBC-ci2nsBNnAf5WgnA3lb6pxmrKir5u6-fMvSkIe9xnrnwXD_pUHwE-gxLunWHOPkE/s400/DSC_1403.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here he is taking a break at a fountain. I should have taken a photo of the fountain that was near the ground. There were three fountains each at different heights. It would have been more convenient for him to use the one that was closer to the ground, but I'm guessing that it's for dogs? Not sure, and I didn't want to take any chances! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDn23kFOjoJhQk-CwQrLXqd0Y_aOAEBywXAF6fkAZShF7hz38JYopMdjZWC31B_hueKz-AixgzwYyIXm9d8xy6faRz57EFid-V93KUmllHTcCfJ13g6c6bCSq27_PGWxqL41r_dFAuNOg/s1600/DSC_1411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDn23kFOjoJhQk-CwQrLXqd0Y_aOAEBywXAF6fkAZShF7hz38JYopMdjZWC31B_hueKz-AixgzwYyIXm9d8xy6faRz57EFid-V93KUmllHTcCfJ13g6c6bCSq27_PGWxqL41r_dFAuNOg/s400/DSC_1411.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And of course we had to take some silly photos! He sure does like making silly faces!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMTvd8oUBR93sT7jF4hZnfWQKF2QYUJbVS_MhPzuFjFUMxAdx-7qW0M-AYzl0ddNzAbx9-di9FQgnMdFDFtHjYfMRNQQZT6PBUV52g0qQLa7RhygiN00SLFVaHHuIp8B0uJ7CEvxMzhY/s1600/DSC_1420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMTvd8oUBR93sT7jF4hZnfWQKF2QYUJbVS_MhPzuFjFUMxAdx-7qW0M-AYzl0ddNzAbx9-di9FQgnMdFDFtHjYfMRNQQZT6PBUV52g0qQLa7RhygiN00SLFVaHHuIp8B0uJ7CEvxMzhY/s400/DSC_1420.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I know every mom thinks that their kid is just the cutest...but I swear it can't get any cuter than this! But don't let this cute face fool you, he is one stubborn little boy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zVxmTmc5qZB0-r4hkgNrGopDuLz7aI6UnBBCm-U4Wsmo9oUAN9HB0LKTsTu-pa2Xj-u_ZXMk-j5Qdp3PDKlQ56jt8ev_miHeYx6mbQPWmE7rZVveWMJWE87uVNcVGQ3-KEwEW4tdjQo/s1600/DSC_1473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zVxmTmc5qZB0-r4hkgNrGopDuLz7aI6UnBBCm-U4Wsmo9oUAN9HB0LKTsTu-pa2Xj-u_ZXMk-j5Qdp3PDKlQ56jt8ev_miHeYx6mbQPWmE7rZVveWMJWE87uVNcVGQ3-KEwEW4tdjQo/s400/DSC_1473.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"A" is for ALEX!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SpN-_o00Y1uKtXF_NBRI9LQEXCAFra_JnV_W8jSKcLACguSfef9ILhAok8J7NSFhzTkBxzrNINejp8WwyM4OONNmA0guZZ1depC8Y87WmCWmTsdhypCfLuyw5yIxojgCkxAUp4a-QxU/s1600/DSC_1501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SpN-_o00Y1uKtXF_NBRI9LQEXCAFra_JnV_W8jSKcLACguSfef9ILhAok8J7NSFhzTkBxzrNINejp8WwyM4OONNmA0guZZ1depC8Y87WmCWmTsdhypCfLuyw5yIxojgCkxAUp4a-QxU/s400/DSC_1501.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And as my friend pointed out...it's also for "Air-borne!" :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPxqx2sD99bdecKDVoREprs2pG7XdeY4JqBSIEuXWUdEvH0RzcYgdljI200lPQ2lO8yoAR1N-0Z_t06V6PM4BPDB2pFvi-ZhRv76MwYEXtadP3af_9gK1W4aeXA2rX7VqqvJWqetSp7E/s1600/DSC_1542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPxqx2sD99bdecKDVoREprs2pG7XdeY4JqBSIEuXWUdEvH0RzcYgdljI200lPQ2lO8yoAR1N-0Z_t06V6PM4BPDB2pFvi-ZhRv76MwYEXtadP3af_9gK1W4aeXA2rX7VqqvJWqetSp7E/s400/DSC_1542.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love black and white photos with a touch of color!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMDiJP7Y5TdTWhby3tQVhZKSAgiVNFJSXPNAC7UEfgCbWxSVyW6lKJ_ljmmiRTOEUCKKCnwujRKtFgazl-kGZVxuk-jsXqBmEf7b3ssDf_l7jeIJla70RZSzlnJy_8vdaA9C7L5NZnak/s1600/DSC_1594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMDiJP7Y5TdTWhby3tQVhZKSAgiVNFJSXPNAC7UEfgCbWxSVyW6lKJ_ljmmiRTOEUCKKCnwujRKtFgazl-kGZVxuk-jsXqBmEf7b3ssDf_l7jeIJla70RZSzlnJy_8vdaA9C7L5NZnak/s400/DSC_1594.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> As I mentioned, we went with a "red" theme, but I'm thinking that this may be a little too much red!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNX3wBvlRyCMITBu_oJ_7ilWjlPSvHkm-zHhJh-WL8PDPLH6MK9LqXWaBFWmyFCkeQi6WurJvDNOxONEmB6ik6YwFUYb830cOtPowbXJ3lhqWN_9NTk9tF1djFQzns605C-NFYmNmgyE/s1600/DSC_1637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNX3wBvlRyCMITBu_oJ_7ilWjlPSvHkm-zHhJh-WL8PDPLH6MK9LqXWaBFWmyFCkeQi6WurJvDNOxONEmB6ik6YwFUYb830cOtPowbXJ3lhqWN_9NTk9tF1djFQzns605C-NFYmNmgyE/s400/DSC_1637.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I just LOVE this shot! His little shoes are sooo adorable and so are the skull shoe laces! Little girls are fun because you can accessorize with bows and things like that. But with boys, it's very limited, so I guess skulls are the cool thing for boys!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQaA3m8C5LoNSE4V-jNxRtMFA5gLfDq5BIETlS_9Y7yxOmuPjXzoCxIEjrV9fcQb-ld4FvC5yZ_jz39IgTnoKvi0xxFz9gQXWk9hqAOXPwUIoDpyQDnbMHYbk722OZHyL4qL2GzjCmTU/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQaA3m8C5LoNSE4V-jNxRtMFA5gLfDq5BIETlS_9Y7yxOmuPjXzoCxIEjrV9fcQb-ld4FvC5yZ_jz39IgTnoKvi0xxFz9gQXWk9hqAOXPwUIoDpyQDnbMHYbk722OZHyL4qL2GzjCmTU/s400/shoes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So we've been enjoying this beautiful weather. Rumor has it that it is going to snow towards the end of the week! I sure hope not! I'm getting too spoiled by this early Spring weather!</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-86665948030065057672011-03-07T11:54:00.000-05:002011-03-07T11:54:33.371-05:00Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got a little snow yesterday, and it's one of those cold crappy days outside. I have a lot of house work to do, and to be honest I've been putting it off! After I took Ben to school today, I took my last online art class, and then I decided to get on facebook. I get onto facebook throughout my day, but today I noticed something just simply beautiful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I keep my laptop in my kitchen on my breakfast bar, and behind me is a huge arch window which I absolutely love! You can see by the reflection on my computer screen, just why I love this big arch window!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course each day the window reflects onto my computer screen, but today I noticed, and was just mesmerized by it's beauty! The sky is such a wonderful shade of blue and the tree branches are lined with snow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJKIvWICn1mMB3Ir5VrpG52oZNzAh2-RETeCRJA5SMlScRR9zO-QOq5_tKzPEJan-vi3vLv8_v_jNYWmbWvnl5rnwCJaKvooqKPgln80vzXySBuTOIMJdW_rd6Sknaia64l1Wb-RkOE0/s1600/computerreflc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJKIvWICn1mMB3Ir5VrpG52oZNzAh2-RETeCRJA5SMlScRR9zO-QOq5_tKzPEJan-vi3vLv8_v_jNYWmbWvnl5rnwCJaKvooqKPgln80vzXySBuTOIMJdW_rd6Sknaia64l1Wb-RkOE0/s400/computerreflc.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is another reflection (an up close one) from my computer screen!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAvuHidx155lFmiAoOMmA_KXEOMwISp-kdpYUhQGOIEzSuN6T3ULq8bdWbVDZVGPos-acroqf_M_MXHmxIa0F_PxVnSQq2CwJZV1BxgsOrDAfLfMQ3Olbh8rwW6_VS01dqPNL7T2-yiE/s1600/computerref1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAvuHidx155lFmiAoOMmA_KXEOMwISp-kdpYUhQGOIEzSuN6T3ULq8bdWbVDZVGPos-acroqf_M_MXHmxIa0F_PxVnSQq2CwJZV1BxgsOrDAfLfMQ3Olbh8rwW6_VS01dqPNL7T2-yiE/s400/computerref1.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And one more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL86w_ma_dKSMh46LZzFU9P9oLIe14NoV4AHSOm43-qHJw4gCxJvw3ztP2WwBSWh-6_-pUjl3R_gave9SztjF4lrxAEJnm_s-UjeVe4owxrESBYw6KBznFQKOQT38mViSmlnEx8l9FvQ/s1600/computerrefl2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL86w_ma_dKSMh46LZzFU9P9oLIe14NoV4AHSOm43-qHJw4gCxJvw3ztP2WwBSWh-6_-pUjl3R_gave9SztjF4lrxAEJnm_s-UjeVe4owxrESBYw6KBznFQKOQT38mViSmlnEx8l9FvQ/s400/computerrefl2.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I grabbed my camera, turned around, and took a photo of the arch window and the amazing view!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqEHTfZJHJu3LJdYFpOWkSAv0ceMetzHgqdVjxuuqIcq8JES7AS84IlL57CouxjUNmX8TpluVT_3CXEzk0_lh_PCVPdrpV3t7HgsSew6QHATjl5j-xkVBo3iS8qyHSLSxdgzUxL1Dyrc/s1600/window1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqEHTfZJHJu3LJdYFpOWkSAv0ceMetzHgqdVjxuuqIcq8JES7AS84IlL57CouxjUNmX8TpluVT_3CXEzk0_lh_PCVPdrpV3t7HgsSew6QHATjl5j-xkVBo3iS8qyHSLSxdgzUxL1Dyrc/s400/window1.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't it just beautiful outside? And just think, my husband wants to take these trees down this summer! What will I look at then?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOLxzLuYJpkZymVTxGdUjV3kaDOmB_SH3h8y7tac9tfPtpJ3PQaQAhzshQ4YToVQqbkkpZgX5AiAVj7yzjK8guwlv9e_GXBterO1sNOx0WzmR96zS6s3i9VVf2gd8dIXLdCH2JPWyqnY/s1600/window2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOLxzLuYJpkZymVTxGdUjV3kaDOmB_SH3h8y7tac9tfPtpJ3PQaQAhzshQ4YToVQqbkkpZgX5AiAVj7yzjK8guwlv9e_GXBterO1sNOx0WzmR96zS6s3i9VVf2gd8dIXLdCH2JPWyqnY/s400/window2.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I see a sketchbook page in my future! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now off to do the dreaded housework! </div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-89651481739619791712011-03-05T00:44:00.000-05:002011-03-05T00:44:19.735-05:00Hockey and Comfort Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is just a random post about what I have been up to lately. Ben is still continuing in the Little Penguins hockey program and he is loving it! He is turning into such a great little player, and he amazed me the other day with how fast he can skate backwards! And I am totally enjoying helping to teach the kids! It is amazing to see how fast they are progressing! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am on the left (in pink of course) watching them do a drill! Ben is in the front of the line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_FA8Z1CpBxd7kqGFB-rUagRBmWeSlxHzR16ceG-YjlH75QPNNrOpjykmRmPRg-5TdtBdGEgQHo2XBiO0YZKLCEwNqzZVvrog3L3T34ioUFTTadr8poruHzY5KH68hyphenhyphensO20kVF4i8TnY/s1600/hockey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_FA8Z1CpBxd7kqGFB-rUagRBmWeSlxHzR16ceG-YjlH75QPNNrOpjykmRmPRg-5TdtBdGEgQHo2XBiO0YZKLCEwNqzZVvrog3L3T34ioUFTTadr8poruHzY5KH68hyphenhyphensO20kVF4i8TnY/s400/hockey1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> I normally wear full equipment, even when it's just teaching the kids, because I don't want to get hurt. Well at this particular practice I decided not to wear any because I had a hockey game later that night (last night). I didn't plan on skating around too much. Well earlier that day I bought new skates, because my other pair were about 17-years-old and falling apart. I figured they would be just like my old skates...well they were not! lol I stepped out on the ice and nearly wiped out! This happened several times, but within the hour and a half I got use to them! Thank goodness because later that night (last night) I had a game with "the big boys!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmvkrllFqUTamTk11nCn3FwpdfWWb_CH8hlT1mWnvIlkeIoRFhjUpQg2PwrmLIP4Pch4JKRDBXYIcOVqx63lOSLZgkHfjPJOCH93LTXB656aFt71cyQ0YgwbPKBiDRj1N_kXy-UiFnfk/s1600/hockey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmvkrllFqUTamTk11nCn3FwpdfWWb_CH8hlT1mWnvIlkeIoRFhjUpQg2PwrmLIP4Pch4JKRDBXYIcOVqx63lOSLZgkHfjPJOCH93LTXB656aFt71cyQ0YgwbPKBiDRj1N_kXy-UiFnfk/s400/hockey2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I do need to get a photo of me in my hockey equipment from my men's league. I thought I wanted to quit, because it was sooo hard core, but I decided to give it another try last night and it went really well actually! I think my body is finally getting conditioned! It wasn't worse than childbirth last night, and I'm sort of looking forward to my next game!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember when I posted about my first game ever in the men's league? I said that no one talked to me and I just didn't have a good time. Well last night we had a new player on our team and he was so nice! He actually talked to me the whole time that we were on the bench and I don't feel so out of place now! We even shared water! ;) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The other players were even actually joking with me about my age! They found out that I was 33-years-old and I had a couple players come up to me after the game and ask me if it was the truth! lol Apparently to them I look like I'm in my twenties! Now you can understand why I keep going back going back! Plus the weight loss helps too! ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh and speaking of hockey...I am a little irritated about one thing! Now that I am playing hockey again and now they finally have pink laces, and pink hockey tape, and pink sticks...it's wonderful for a girl. And it's my thing that keeps me different from the men...or at least that's what I thought! Last night one guy had a pink stick with pink hockey tape and pink laces in his skates! Come on! I don't even have a pink stick! I was a little jealous! But seriously this is the latest trend with men playing hockey!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok onto another note: cooking! The past week or so I haven't cooked much at all! You know how it is when you get out of a routine and then it becomes hard to get back into that routine? Well that was me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday I did make some yummy chicken enchiladas with a homemade enchilada sauce! They turned out great! And today I needed some comfort food! I get soo exhausted from running around after the boys, going to Ben's hockey practice, and me playing in my league! For example I was out on the ice with Ben last night for an hour and a half and then later had a game of my own! I didn't get home from my hockey game until about 11:00 last night and then stayed up a few hours after that only to get up early this morning for a doctor's appointment. I was exhausted today that I ended up taking a two hour nap this afternoon! So when I woke up I wanted comfort food and something that I love is tuna melts! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As a matter of fact, when I was pregnant with both boys I craved tuna salad sandwiches. But as you know eating tuna isn't safe during pregnancy, so I rarely ate it. When both of the boys were born in the hospital I ordered a tuna salad sandwich for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I just couldn't get enough of them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we vacationed in Ohio and we went to this fancy restaurant for lunch and I ordered a tuna salad sandwich and it tasted just like the ones I ate at the hospital...just delicious! So I asked them what was in it, and when they told me I was shocked at how simple it was! The secret is mayo and not Miracle Whip! Previously I was using Miracle Whip and I couldn't understand why I couldn't replicate the taste. Well know I knew! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is how I make it. I take a couple cans of tuna; drain and flake it. Add some chopped onion and chopped celery. The amount just depends on your taste. And then you add some mayo. Not a lot because you don't want it too wet, but just enough where it's not too dry. Mix it together and chill! It's that simple!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So tonight I made up my favorite tuna salad and made tuna melts with it! I also made a side of the best buttered noodles! You can find that recipe <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/buttered-egg-noodles-best-ever-11107">HERE</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the second time I made these noodles and they are just delicious! The key to making these is to cook them in a large skillet, not a tall pot. This is because you cook them in very little liquid, so you want to make sure that the noodles are spread out so they cook evenly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a photo of the yummy tuna melts and yummy buttered noodles! As you can see from the photo, I am definitely NOT a food photographer! lol But trust me they were yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj79HOT1CVrgZar2iBVgKOEKsc8kDU1AwKiiSp1JUkAVNxv2oQnElZUEHf6rDhMsm7NFTffBo-n6LmA_VS-Rh4ikdl7LHQAs8zkTIsgyQ8enAdGvSb1CAPInIOduVwd9ZO2VyvYXgJdzk/s1600/tunanoodles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj79HOT1CVrgZar2iBVgKOEKsc8kDU1AwKiiSp1JUkAVNxv2oQnElZUEHf6rDhMsm7NFTffBo-n6LmA_VS-Rh4ikdl7LHQAs8zkTIsgyQ8enAdGvSb1CAPInIOduVwd9ZO2VyvYXgJdzk/s400/tunanoodles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">What kind of food comforts you?</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-21754772158294595632011-02-28T23:04:00.000-05:002011-02-28T23:04:18.181-05:00Vintage Photography<div style="text-align: center;">I love all things vintage! I mean what's not to love? I especially LOVE and collect vintage aprons! I feel soo "June Cleaver" when I wear one! ;) </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Anyway, I was in an antique shop a couple years ago when I came across this box! Since I am such a lover of photography, I just knew I had to have it! Plus the $5.00 price tag made my decision easy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpcYKRCiyGWLrjEHenEwZ7wNXMXaUb-lBnnrjAqlwBgxISpO3YqB-0ECO8BE8HcQTy67zhrV9b-ki7TYflPF_8y75OfOV7HVHuUCafW5u7lJY0NfWhst67I3-yhL8suKl5bGx6uLnR6s/s1600/camerabox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpcYKRCiyGWLrjEHenEwZ7wNXMXaUb-lBnnrjAqlwBgxISpO3YqB-0ECO8BE8HcQTy67zhrV9b-ki7TYflPF_8y75OfOV7HVHuUCafW5u7lJY0NfWhst67I3-yhL8suKl5bGx6uLnR6s/s400/camerabox.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What drew me to this camera was how unusual it looked with it's weird dials, and just how solid it was. I have started a collection of old cameras, so I really didn't plan on doing anything with it except to keep it. I did want to create a cool camera robot out of it...but now that it works that is out of the question! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, for the last couple of years I had pushed the camera aside! When I came across the box a few months ago, my husband and I looked more closely at it. We couldn't figure out where the viewfinder was. Or the button to actually take the photo! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Just the other day when I actually researched the camera I realized that the viewfinder stands on top of the camera. It's a pop-out viewfinder. See the photo below...that's where the viewfinder would be if it had one. Besides a missing viewfinder, it is in very good condition!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAawHJrNun_-HixVnhzUJMjlYUP0k9CNPV5C3teMJZCIKPrRiImQbEqRDUsFghKgfiu_ipFiFNqeEb2q2NGtNeV0mbqG4XMtpvpSzKSyYAniMqORHjSM85S2HXOMTo4UevwLq_36FK9zU/s1600/camera1arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAawHJrNun_-HixVnhzUJMjlYUP0k9CNPV5C3teMJZCIKPrRiImQbEqRDUsFghKgfiu_ipFiFNqeEb2q2NGtNeV0mbqG4XMtpvpSzKSyYAniMqORHjSM85S2HXOMTo4UevwLq_36FK9zU/s400/camera1arrow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> So I began to research the camera. I found out that it is a Kodak 35 camera from the year 1938! I was soo excited! I never imagined it to be this old! It was Kodak's first 35mm camera! When I found that out I was super excited, because 35mm film is easy to find and inexpensive!<br />
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In 1938 the cost of this camera was $40 which converts to a price of what would now be $609 according to data from the year 2009.<br />
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But I had no manual! Luckily, I came across an old one that someone had uploaded! I ran upstairs and grabbed a roll of 35mm film that I had leftover from the days before I went digital, and I began to experiment with it! Unfortunately, I snapped/broke two rolls of film before I figured out how to load and unload it properly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfBmte5dde0ltC7RMlIiA1tvPRfi1rot23ELsBg_t0rZm8JoGgD-vkMKQ_fbsBT6uPzMoPniXqT3KHez6XHSIpqwL0e56Rctyk1DI7xlqopbk0EalmgH64xp4Am3gpcGbCAgFmHX9Ha8/s1600/camera2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfBmte5dde0ltC7RMlIiA1tvPRfi1rot23ELsBg_t0rZm8JoGgD-vkMKQ_fbsBT6uPzMoPniXqT3KHez6XHSIpqwL0e56Rctyk1DI7xlqopbk0EalmgH64xp4Am3gpcGbCAgFmHX9Ha8/s400/camera2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love how sleek and wonderful the metal is! On the left you can see the "rewind button", and on the right is the "exposure dial" that shows you how many photos you have left on the roll! And next to the exposure dial is the "wind button"...yes you have to manually operate this camera! lol Did they even have batteries in 1938? Eventhough I know it's manual...I still look for it to operate with batteries for some reason! lol I just cannot imagine or comprehend how it works without batteries! lol </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHrk-LeMXfBDwYwCuF9sBigrlL_FXXnGDyZ1qOQlKJkdQ75fpSpi9QV-0JDsNNGERuVC9qQ7qih7bI0Uvzrb-jlU0K7KtpaR68vjBrYFIlZWTcSguFYdeluFt0e30_eBJsiuDqszyNqE/s1600/camera3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHrk-LeMXfBDwYwCuF9sBigrlL_FXXnGDyZ1qOQlKJkdQ75fpSpi9QV-0JDsNNGERuVC9qQ7qih7bI0Uvzrb-jlU0K7KtpaR68vjBrYFIlZWTcSguFYdeluFt0e30_eBJsiuDqszyNqE/s400/camera3.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also under close inspection of the camera...we didn't know where the "exposure button" was to take the photo! After reading the manual you have to push down the screw/lever on the side of the lense. I added the arrow to show you exactly where the button/lever is. According to the manual you press down the lever and "take a breath" and release it! I can't wait to play around with this button and hold it down for more than a breath just to see how much light gets added to the finished photo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABl5a7qH01zF4fEh_6EpaxB3yr1Q1dwEy3KCjcEgO5q31m7OKU0Tr9JEHIgW6UIsV3a32p4v8-fHCN9q-23ljYUs1YSVF_T3px7TNzQwHBfcRXxipkiMutPYlTCYK7S4_Jh1-h8Xczu0/s1600/cameraexposure1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABl5a7qH01zF4fEh_6EpaxB3yr1Q1dwEy3KCjcEgO5q31m7OKU0Tr9JEHIgW6UIsV3a32p4v8-fHCN9q-23ljYUs1YSVF_T3px7TNzQwHBfcRXxipkiMutPYlTCYK7S4_Jh1-h8Xczu0/s400/cameraexposure1.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love the little plate on top of the lense that is written in a cursive font that says: "Made in the USA!" It's hard to find a good quality product anymore that is actually made in the USA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNjAM13vwgohMJxi5Ak8r4_REA_vULdyA4YAkPtJ85IKwgQVN7TfdQ0WZHWBsmjYxTGZg-Vig3hVJnoeZLI6ke5x4-QuaIrMsTmZGSx4WL4du7Fnvvq-EkoXaK-mN5lfBjUfn8DtjIcI/s1600/camerausa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNjAM13vwgohMJxi5Ak8r4_REA_vULdyA4YAkPtJ85IKwgQVN7TfdQ0WZHWBsmjYxTGZg-Vig3hVJnoeZLI6ke5x4-QuaIrMsTmZGSx4WL4du7Fnvvq-EkoXaK-mN5lfBjUfn8DtjIcI/s400/camerausa.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can't tell visually by looking at the camera in person, but I realized from the photo below that the lense is very dusty! I guess I am going to have to clean it now that I know that it works!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONflKoN-rXL8wNJtGIen7qG9Hnsp_c0sGw2UeFhI-lkzBjusdR6B8tqjF87zGqJiRI7qHRovBGRlv2C88XGeY11PEhf2UxpRe5yvE9vxP0OpubHEzY9w7k6uVFbtmnr_pZUnveHCk5uQ/s1600/cameradust.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONflKoN-rXL8wNJtGIen7qG9Hnsp_c0sGw2UeFhI-lkzBjusdR6B8tqjF87zGqJiRI7qHRovBGRlv2C88XGeY11PEhf2UxpRe5yvE9vxP0OpubHEzY9w7k6uVFbtmnr_pZUnveHCk5uQ/s400/cameradust.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So today I tried roll number 3 and successfully managed to load and unload the roll of film without breaking it! I was soo excited with the possibility of it actually working that I didn't read the manual correctly the first couple of times! Now that I have learned how to properly load and unload the film...I cannot wait to experiment! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The photos are a little blurry, but I love how it adds to that vintage photo effect! That is another downside to the way this camera is made. Without a viewfinder to look through that is inside the camera, there is no way to see if your image will turn out blurry. Along the lense is a dial that has a distance you can adjust, by how many feet you are standing away from the object. I think it starts with four feet and goes up to about twenty feet and then to "infinity" or something like that. I'll need to play around with it more and keep a notebook until I learn how to correctly take an image. I am just soo happy that it is actually a functioning camera! I have never been soo excited over blurry photos before until today! :)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I processed them at a 1-hour lab and looked at them several times on the way home! I was that excited!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like I said I was so excited with just wanting the camera to work that I just took random photos from my backyard...nothing really planned out. Since there is no flash on the camera, it'll probably work best on bright and sunny days. Today it was rainy and an overcast. I took some photos in the house, they turned out, but were too dark.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipf4mPwE_ynIKCKj3QKVGHJgCOdc5eS0JoRhFeVkC88vj25nDNLiY4x91bfGtkdVSBf5FSzao6s0v-v2dxTDmtTDkzo6dXmYrsJ-HlZtj-cpB0APFnESLP7tXJZHb1zjWlSyFGQeG632I/s1600/img121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipf4mPwE_ynIKCKj3QKVGHJgCOdc5eS0JoRhFeVkC88vj25nDNLiY4x91bfGtkdVSBf5FSzao6s0v-v2dxTDmtTDkzo6dXmYrsJ-HlZtj-cpB0APFnESLP7tXJZHb1zjWlSyFGQeG632I/s400/img121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like I said, I randomly took photos, not thinking that anything would actually turn out! lol For example why on earth would I take a photo of the faucet outside?! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiGBKyv_wSFNwZEK6eCM-dg2ZH7NfTkisL3faiRsIbWsLRiJGHQtxtmEnhBo8v3UA7BOuR5ZAFW1prCfJgVgQlUMfdiAbqtW3mgtRCDzqHwWqzxomXYFHtebC10Evf8QF3UggI1b6cdo/s1600/img122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiGBKyv_wSFNwZEK6eCM-dg2ZH7NfTkisL3faiRsIbWsLRiJGHQtxtmEnhBo8v3UA7BOuR5ZAFW1prCfJgVgQlUMfdiAbqtW3mgtRCDzqHwWqzxomXYFHtebC10Evf8QF3UggI1b6cdo/s400/img122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or the camper! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFXUBtjVOWhQIveiDitLwR_mAjkaHIGVt8mvD9e0eUtx9nye_gfSDo4CdnIFM1gz3ac225l7WLcqrOl8dMZAyB5ZFS_fkO2JdPrQ9Sxs2tf64g1v83xmSk7aQ4CxHDpqEzx3ZhFjNHEY/s1600/img123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFXUBtjVOWhQIveiDitLwR_mAjkaHIGVt8mvD9e0eUtx9nye_gfSDo4CdnIFM1gz3ac225l7WLcqrOl8dMZAyB5ZFS_fkO2JdPrQ9Sxs2tf64g1v83xmSk7aQ4CxHDpqEzx3ZhFjNHEY/s400/img123.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All of these photos were straight from the camera. I did not photoshop any of them except the black and white one below! I love how the black and white one turned out...it really gives it a vintage feel!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kH0eF0Cai6cHyCvYTHpDfpIAHpi1almDEMVRDzWX6im8fEFktHB4dmLwLMYwYNsA4AcL76x6s0ETFUjj100E8RW8U1CCYoLb8Q9snDtsFXAidiFrSvqxtLrSMfmiJk3e3DxY7pO50m8/s1600/img121bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kH0eF0Cai6cHyCvYTHpDfpIAHpi1almDEMVRDzWX6im8fEFktHB4dmLwLMYwYNsA4AcL76x6s0ETFUjj100E8RW8U1CCYoLb8Q9snDtsFXAidiFrSvqxtLrSMfmiJk3e3DxY7pO50m8/s400/img121bw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also love and collect old vintage photographs that I have displayed around my home. I'll have to share those with you sometime soon as well! But with a camera from 1938, it makes me wonder...what photos has this camera taken. Who owned it? And did they love photography as much as I do?</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-82003451960721796022011-02-21T23:46:00.000-05:002011-02-21T23:46:51.160-05:00A Peek Into My Art Journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is week 3 of my online "Sketchbook Delight" class! And I am loving it! Last weeks lesson was about finding your inspiration or "muse." I have realized that there are soo many things around me that are inspiring...that have great textures and beautiful colors! I really learned to open my eyes and see all the detail, that I normally overlook!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week I found some old corn cobs in our garage for our squirrel. They had such wonderful texture. I knew I must capture it in my art journal. It wasn't Indian Corn, but I love the colors of Autumn so I made it into Indian Corn! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLTlu9P4AbM0HjrjCcCfq3DV2IuxNkG37LwL7pNrF7EksijLDgwepGjNSfl54AuNRvMuQZoIpavNLXxpb0y9Gc7DkAz2xi2mgBumbxXT_FLA8iMJD8Ujg1Pln_DDEATlhvsLvirgT83U/s1600/indiancorn2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLTlu9P4AbM0HjrjCcCfq3DV2IuxNkG37LwL7pNrF7EksijLDgwepGjNSfl54AuNRvMuQZoIpavNLXxpb0y9Gc7DkAz2xi2mgBumbxXT_FLA8iMJD8Ujg1Pln_DDEATlhvsLvirgT83U/s400/indiancorn2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Another view.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ5lo6kLsnG2jLou2n7A45XeijmVvN3DhGtTgUQX4bcywtzGO3aoHmeFr1PXjLRHlSABCf6Es8P4oHl056nht7CY_4UfsDz-y3KXhfPTID2UFrcCQkgxYCveDxLVukfksdJzaGwc2Z5I/s1600/indiancorn3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ5lo6kLsnG2jLou2n7A45XeijmVvN3DhGtTgUQX4bcywtzGO3aoHmeFr1PXjLRHlSABCf6Es8P4oHl056nht7CY_4UfsDz-y3KXhfPTID2UFrcCQkgxYCveDxLVukfksdJzaGwc2Z5I/s400/indiancorn3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And I have many inspiring photos on file that I have taken over the years. I have been looking back at old photos and they just speak to me now! I love putting them down on paper! I'm not a realist type of artist, I love the whimsical dreamy look of art, so that's how I create!<br />
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Here is a nest that was built by a killdeer in the middle of my sister's driveway! I love how unique it was and I am sooo glad that I was able to photograph it! I've been drawn to bird nests lately, so you may be seeing a lot more of them!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVye1Uj7-hhn6NS9Is-JUNzMxVz9QxA5G1u3L4mJiwJjCvd1IZw4C12xGX9ZIwNYL1JBXdxzxD_Mru-bQxJ8Bhc8PBg1_X3C3CC2ovTgC_OTX_8hDJ80KQ85ab_ipeAPyVrgkw2lTLag/s1600/nestcolorwatermark+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVye1Uj7-hhn6NS9Is-JUNzMxVz9QxA5G1u3L4mJiwJjCvd1IZw4C12xGX9ZIwNYL1JBXdxzxD_Mru-bQxJ8Bhc8PBg1_X3C3CC2ovTgC_OTX_8hDJ80KQ85ab_ipeAPyVrgkw2lTLag/s400/nestcolorwatermark+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Here is my take on the bird nest. I journaled around the painting. I used watercolor, pencil, colored pencil, and markers.<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/AVvXsEji5EeZlhqNYBaXqRwo_i_XAea0cNpfYMQJTgpjK9vDVSuYmjMPbeUvy2laOQf_u7r3dCgGMIMaqlM7e0koqT-3fndMuivTwWbyFJP607B83bp1pOR8aDLo_PQdbxm-81A4vKZWGxyLXeY/s1600/gravelnest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5EeZlhqNYBaXqRwo_i_XAea0cNpfYMQJTgpjK9vDVSuYmjMPbeUvy2laOQf_u7r3dCgGMIMaqlM7e0koqT-3fndMuivTwWbyFJP607B83bp1pOR8aDLo_PQdbxm-81A4vKZWGxyLXeY/s400/gravelnest1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Another angle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF-8NJnw7wuFdTq0rao6PuAtIh43m4DLSINsIl4Typ_e32x0M5zjQSdD773Q29pzyYXlnOSQd3eIlo8mmxkvzgaUThNwphOA-badnGF2J5rKRFyjTg2c1vEFXCXFsFUcsiMtRpAgz7jc/s1600/gravelnest2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF-8NJnw7wuFdTq0rao6PuAtIh43m4DLSINsIl4Typ_e32x0M5zjQSdD773Q29pzyYXlnOSQd3eIlo8mmxkvzgaUThNwphOA-badnGF2J5rKRFyjTg2c1vEFXCXFsFUcsiMtRpAgz7jc/s400/gravelnest2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And by far the most inspirational place I have been to recently was our trip to the beach this past summer! I didn't realize how inspired I was until after I came home and missed it tremendously! I cannot wait to go to the beach again this summer and take my watercolors and just paint on the beach!<br />
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Here was our view from the campground we stayed at called "Castaways" in Berlin, Maryland. We stayed on the bay side and in the distance you can see Assateague Island.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u29eLyxf8p9LatH27qfgE-x8MtE9rYnmq1WDnlgQiQYqOSAqhD-pQk7g-BY0i1JbUbiKvksbmSGXy4xJTY66ybV1J1NcDndychEqFY8vhyxKyDApCARciO8QV2qeQfVitsEVH4LE_JE/s1600/castawaysinspr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u29eLyxf8p9LatH27qfgE-x8MtE9rYnmq1WDnlgQiQYqOSAqhD-pQk7g-BY0i1JbUbiKvksbmSGXy4xJTY66ybV1J1NcDndychEqFY8vhyxKyDApCARciO8QV2qeQfVitsEVH4LE_JE/s400/castawaysinspr.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>I should have varied the colors of blue, but since I am just beginning with watercolors I am ok with it. I had an inspirational moment and just went with it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEOzpf0PQB9142uMduEJp8DN1DNWkFJkopvmjMXee2zaN19DDqYykRMXQrGD2BYFYGlxjbyGHXKPhCcFWELLxP7gy5CX8ZzdPiASqmdACHr6i7eWSy4cHB6y141LPbQ7VnqjTZutJ3F0/s1600/castaway1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEOzpf0PQB9142uMduEJp8DN1DNWkFJkopvmjMXee2zaN19DDqYykRMXQrGD2BYFYGlxjbyGHXKPhCcFWELLxP7gy5CX8ZzdPiASqmdACHr6i7eWSy4cHB6y141LPbQ7VnqjTZutJ3F0/s400/castaway1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And I did the journaling on the sand.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsOFTeO2nz1v8PM8aNIxu1Pi1QUX0h-sv12aXjN4pCQhLjOEoWCe95hfAwpoDeqrAzI4cWIRhDudLR8b4PeCYhTMtJbG9D-zvuQQCvIKvtvd8f5wZjU8t12sot_pA5oSIG6ZzGOlBC88/s1600/castaways2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsOFTeO2nz1v8PM8aNIxu1Pi1QUX0h-sv12aXjN4pCQhLjOEoWCe95hfAwpoDeqrAzI4cWIRhDudLR8b4PeCYhTMtJbG9D-zvuQQCvIKvtvd8f5wZjU8t12sot_pA5oSIG6ZzGOlBC88/s400/castaways2.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>Another view.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWhACkKymrL-SLBWi2y3vkGr6fLPH1C9OdkESTWkye45eUBHLJ8-mYDck8eSi1qhpsC-Y8b9f9eTAz-sdXiLOgslWEfZTH6tG2h0C874CxslNiLA6GuQcRzNTJudz68P49h9K1UJysJ8/s1600/castaways3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWhACkKymrL-SLBWi2y3vkGr6fLPH1C9OdkESTWkye45eUBHLJ8-mYDck8eSi1qhpsC-Y8b9f9eTAz-sdXiLOgslWEfZTH6tG2h0C874CxslNiLA6GuQcRzNTJudz68P49h9K1UJysJ8/s400/castaways3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I religiously work in my art journal everyday! I have been going through some tough times lately, and art is a great escape for me! I am seeing the world with a whole new view, and I LOVE it! :)</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-8788093315990035542011-02-16T13:13:00.008-05:002011-02-16T14:20:59.057-05:00Fairies Out...Gnomes In!<span style="color: blue;">Awhile back I blogged about our "Fairy Door." You can read about that <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://myremodelednest.blogspot.com/2010/03/fairies-gather-here.html"><span style="background-color: black;"></span>HERE</a> It's a tiny little door in our dining room on the floor and it's where the fairies live. The "fairies" would leave the boys little notes and treats in the mailbox and the boys had a lot of fun with it. But then like all things when you get super busy...it fades away. Ben and I started talking about the fairy door last night, and I told him that the fairy must have moved away because all of the dust on her doorstep. I honestly think she got way to busy with taking her kids to hockey practice, painting, cleaning, and laundry...but I didn't tell him that! ;)</span><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span><br />
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So before bed, Ben wanted to write the fairy a little note and leave it in her mailbox. It says: "I hope you enjoy." And he also left her an Andes Candy! She like Santa Claus LOVES Andes Candies and coffee! ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2dDLaio5jcMh9NRTQ1gFL0dUBXQWIMAkBVRqcGBfoXio_DE7-WSfl2h1ce25bakOlfuwwxbnj1chEytRiDoaxYYYZrPQAMCsCiKoJswMW1FD3nQt2-A090k10oT1zR7TXJJ4pm3wtvw/s1600/bennote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2dDLaio5jcMh9NRTQ1gFL0dUBXQWIMAkBVRqcGBfoXio_DE7-WSfl2h1ce25bakOlfuwwxbnj1chEytRiDoaxYYYZrPQAMCsCiKoJswMW1FD3nQt2-A090k10oT1zR7TXJJ4pm3wtvw/s400/bennote.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Here he is putting the note and Andes Candy into her mailbox with hopes she will find it and enjoy! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8Q5Il7IgrLRIlu85lYV8DBQIOxOnUu_Gp32Svdu8-aX_l8xmmiJM3DkqWsN9BEy3J7R7DPDfu2jXq5KyaAzTd8JSNbCXqdNBx-JMRodHzuYmyq-9-1raZkvSd3hZqfjbnB4YSRbGrRk/s1600/benmailbox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8Q5Il7IgrLRIlu85lYV8DBQIOxOnUu_Gp32Svdu8-aX_l8xmmiJM3DkqWsN9BEy3J7R7DPDfu2jXq5KyaAzTd8JSNbCXqdNBx-JMRodHzuYmyq-9-1raZkvSd3hZqfjbnB4YSRbGrRk/s400/benmailbox.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> And this morning Ben checked the mailbox and the note said: "Thank you Ben! From Mr. Gnome...enjoy!" And Mr. Gnome left Ben a "Crabby Patty!"<br />
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Apparently the fairies have moved out and the gnomes have taken over! :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfoqpXMurh6DkKAhr3pHLTPoEptqWqVvFppslToTLh87zJCUk6mXruStAygiHnaUK6i48lhP52mnqkGd5Wh1jBznt62fU9RvukwkkkXJcVDaQPhQJrtehvpiRBNCgPy2NBMNYJLvnxYU/s1600/bennote2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfoqpXMurh6DkKAhr3pHLTPoEptqWqVvFppslToTLh87zJCUk6mXruStAygiHnaUK6i48lhP52mnqkGd5Wh1jBznt62fU9RvukwkkkXJcVDaQPhQJrtehvpiRBNCgPy2NBMNYJLvnxYU/s400/bennote2.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>So in the next couple of days we will be decorating the "Gnome Door" with St. Patrick's Day decorations! I'll be sure to share what we come up with!<br />
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And hopefully this Spring I'm going to create my own set of "Gnome/Fairies Doors" for my Etsy Shop! So stay tuned for that!Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-53252392373243615052011-02-15T00:02:00.002-05:002011-02-15T00:05:58.686-05:00Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been soo busy over the last week! Friday was my 33rd birthday (YIKES) and I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a wonderful bunch of friends at a Scrapbook Retreat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was supposed to play hockey last night, but didn't feel well when I got home. We planned on seeing Gnomeo and Juliet yesterday afternoon, but it was sold out! The boys were soo excited and couldn't wait until I got home from the retreat to see the movie. I ended up going home and going to bed so Chris took the boys to see the movie without me! :( It came out on my birthday, and the movie is meant for me (since I'm a gnome lover) and THEY LEFT ME AT HOME!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I'm planning on seeing the movie soon...and probably alone! lol </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So anyhow I am into my second week in an online sketchbook class called: "Sketchbook Delight" taught by the wonderful artist Alisa Burke!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This weeks class was about finding your inspiration! I have always thought that I was artistically challenged! I seemed to never come up with my own inspiration...I always got inspired by other's artwork! Let me clarify, I never copied <span style="background-color: white;">anyone's </span>work, but I looked for things in it that inspired me. And I always wished to find my own "style."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over the years and especially this last year I have walked through life blindly...unable to see the beauty that is around me! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well look out...I have finally opened my eyes and I see all the beauty that surrounds me! And it feels soo good to create, and do it on my own! Remember the bird nest I blogged about this past Spring? You can read about it <a href="http://myremodelednest.blogspot.com/search/label/Bird%20Nest"><span style="background-color: white;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi752WO8OiJEVMO8_Ar7-EJ6F1MezLm-VFSoU9dNphf0CL3MZnVshEQEm4L8OpyqlHnrODyhxY54aT4KbYEaeGULjnT343I8PeSRUGaDRv-PiCoCg7jzXzcBn6rNNO-yk5uLp9B-lvuyR4/s1600/7+042910+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi752WO8OiJEVMO8_Ar7-EJ6F1MezLm-VFSoU9dNphf0CL3MZnVshEQEm4L8OpyqlHnrODyhxY54aT4KbYEaeGULjnT343I8PeSRUGaDRv-PiCoCg7jzXzcBn6rNNO-yk5uLp9B-lvuyR4/s400/7+042910+5.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what I came up with! I have played with watercolors before, but haven't done any real paintings. This is my first attempt at a sketchbook page! I really love how it turned out! I first sketched it in pencil in the waiting room at my son's pediatricians. Yes, he's sick again and actually ruptured his eardrum! He's finally feeling a little better today, thankfully!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPHTbqTIhqWN3TjhZ3N7_1GgbhuBBOZtrgx0nIicXIKQnawJx7OYeI8NsLPaqUbh1H36MwPGf9VC8tyvK4Fjq-4kMjvIB45LzIgjIYAQdhwCcpX5tBUzL1opKZ0k9jp0xvZ-qk6j-GSQ/s1600/nest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPHTbqTIhqWN3TjhZ3N7_1GgbhuBBOZtrgx0nIicXIKQnawJx7OYeI8NsLPaqUbh1H36MwPGf9VC8tyvK4Fjq-4kMjvIB45LzIgjIYAQdhwCcpX5tBUzL1opKZ0k9jp0xvZ-qk6j-GSQ/s400/nest1.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a closeup. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh67BOgC-hHkeldyOJhGdC2hxY3zUgRrBsWV_rRhdsoqS72I5Ky_8sOdjPTuZxG7b1m9Qz2Nf1abOtjalqnEq9prZcEcg2GyPSpMe3xgvKtfb9uR2MGCVmTzZ-1QCe_iQRYfbMe88RWc/s1600/nest2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh67BOgC-hHkeldyOJhGdC2hxY3zUgRrBsWV_rRhdsoqS72I5Ky_8sOdjPTuZxG7b1m9Qz2Nf1abOtjalqnEq9prZcEcg2GyPSpMe3xgvKtfb9uR2MGCVmTzZ-1QCe_iQRYfbMe88RWc/s400/nest2.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another closeup.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1TIFmlzT41M2oL1haHQYBRVrMgGo_AfUNHfYauDKLgGinkwt6Lo1JqTJgc4u3P-vUIo8VHC3Zp_JFFKBYHS7QPYFAptc4ccdzdTn8aR1XEv1Fgsgdem_xY6QO_r1roDUPK_zNgb6WQA/s1600/nest3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1TIFmlzT41M2oL1haHQYBRVrMgGo_AfUNHfYauDKLgGinkwt6Lo1JqTJgc4u3P-vUIo8VHC3Zp_JFFKBYHS7QPYFAptc4ccdzdTn8aR1XEv1Fgsgdem_xY6QO_r1roDUPK_zNgb6WQA/s400/nest3.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPShO-wZJsFrHENnx7SZSrWw2HDAn99E1wsex9NXgthz3DnNmo9I8lAkuOGbtdVr8ERRIbr-voZINCCc49yHNEjX0kSsCdek-O2C-5fC0UI1h0K9-sk8uEZ5ZEEh4dqUU4Edt8ANHQ8E/s1600/nest4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPShO-wZJsFrHENnx7SZSrWw2HDAn99E1wsex9NXgthz3DnNmo9I8lAkuOGbtdVr8ERRIbr-voZINCCc49yHNEjX0kSsCdek-O2C-5fC0UI1h0K9-sk8uEZ5ZEEh4dqUU4Edt8ANHQ8E/s400/nest4.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another....you get the idea! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQS5P0Gv9pcsOv9dLBPRFe8JsTXneTZQQp7qJTMOCTn7DMc5OvgVHx9kcMlHRxvoUeJIV1Y-B6KoAKuGxvvhIDSl2lX6RrZ3HpkhztY0reruoSgqVJHfHCkJfYAQcm4n041eXW3B2_M8/s1600/nest5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQS5P0Gv9pcsOv9dLBPRFe8JsTXneTZQQp7qJTMOCTn7DMc5OvgVHx9kcMlHRxvoUeJIV1Y-B6KoAKuGxvvhIDSl2lX6RrZ3HpkhztY0reruoSgqVJHfHCkJfYAQcm4n041eXW3B2_M8/s400/nest5.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And speaking of art...look what Alex made me on my birthday? A pink playdoh cake! He's my little artist...he loves to paint and just create anything! Wonder who he takes after? ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_2v46yL2iRDl3z5GJINsUF_s_7eTX8zqWflh1_xL-34mdgUa25rJYcjzKZADvtQF6lM4XlCo7I2lYiKuy8NQQfLLCaqvqCApsJ94QeGub407gjqUTUbEHcjreh1o3meLT6WM7hEmAso/s1600/birthdaycake1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_2v46yL2iRDl3z5GJINsUF_s_7eTX8zqWflh1_xL-34mdgUa25rJYcjzKZADvtQF6lM4XlCo7I2lYiKuy8NQQfLLCaqvqCApsJ94QeGub407gjqUTUbEHcjreh1o3meLT6WM7hEmAso/s400/birthdaycake1.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's almost midnight and I have a ton of ideas that I can't wait to get into my sketchbook! I have been working at it non-stop and I just can't quit! It feels soooo good! I'll share more of my sketchbook in the next couple of days! Have a wonderful week!</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-29754551614500009402011-02-09T12:20:00.000-05:002011-02-09T12:20:51.466-05:00Much, much too old for this!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1PsT0CSDs3Sru3Q-vgumGed8nhf-ArOsP9-CAF5xlE6PcQAeF6vWwfwYw7-Hln2KNlu0_FpzbY2_mZlIH9HHcoZRpy9QT2KSRvJBSeiNugFSCqSpfC9Sw-J6D0ULgBe6fMSYVl1QUG8/s1600/skate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1PsT0CSDs3Sru3Q-vgumGed8nhf-ArOsP9-CAF5xlE6PcQAeF6vWwfwYw7-Hln2KNlu0_FpzbY2_mZlIH9HHcoZRpy9QT2KSRvJBSeiNugFSCqSpfC9Sw-J6D0ULgBe6fMSYVl1QUG8/s400/skate.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>Last night I played in my first official hockey game in about 15 years! As you know from my previous blog posts I have been helping out with my local rink's Little Penguin Learn To Play program. It felt natural to be out there playing again, and I was looking forward to joining a team!<br />
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I got a call asking about joining a team a couple days ago. I originally wanted to play with younger kids/teens because that is more my speed. Unfortunately, there wasn't any spots in that division so I was asked to play with the adults (or big boys as I call them)! A little unsure I said "yes" and very late last night I headed to my first real game! I need to give a big thank you to my wonderful neice Desiree for coming over to sit at the house while I was gone!<br />
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It's a little lonely being the only girl on an all boys team. I have to get dressed in my very own dressing room...alone! And rarely anyone talks to me. I don't know what the big deal is about changing around men or vice versa. I already have a t-shirt on and shorts under my jeans, so it's not like I get naked and plus when you've seen one man...you basically have seen them all...they all look the same! lol But anyway I got ready alone. Oh and I got my very own jersey and socks...which was exciting, and made it ever so "real!"<br />
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So then it was time for the big game. I wasn't nervous at all and was actually really excited! Our team isn't very full, so there are only three players who sit on the bench at one time. Which means you play a majority of the game....3- 20 minute periods! YIKES!<br />
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The game started and I nearly died seeing how fast the other team was! I come to find out that they are very experienced high school hockey players! What the heck did I get myself into?! The first period trying to keep up to these men was super exhausting! I'm not an overly religious person, but found myself sitting on the bench trying to catch my breath and praying that I either didn't throw up or pass out! lol <br />
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When I played hockey in the past there was always an ambulance there in case something happened. Last night there wasn't one, and I honestly thought I was going to have a heart attack and I was going to die right there among a bunch of clueless high school teenagers! lol I was also beginning to panic when I didn't even see one of those glass cases that hold a Heart Defibulator! I was seeing stars and thought I was doomed! lol <span class="tl" sizcache="32" sizset="0"><span style="display: inline-block;"></span></span><span class="tl" sizcache="32" sizset="0"> </span>I honestly wanted to quit during that first period, but I would never do that because I was part of a team that depended on me! Normally I play defense, which requires a lot of skating backwards, but they were just too darn fast and I spent most of my time just trying to keep up!<br />
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By the third period I was physically exhausted! When it was time for a line change I would just roll over the boards and onto the bench! Then I would go out there and last maybe a minute and would need to sit back down...it was crazy! I continued to pray that the time would just go by quickly, and eventually it did! After an excruciating hour it was finally over! And at 11:30 pm nonetheless! I find out that the oldest person on our team according to one of the other guys, is 30-years-old which to them is old! Apparently they think I'm in my early twenties, but will be 33-years-old in just a couple days! <br />
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With the late games and priorities as a mom, I'm not sure if I'm going to continue. My team wants me to come back, but I'm still unsure. I would love to continue playing because it's such a great workout, but apparently I'm the only one with parental obligations! The other players go out to the bar after the game and don't have to get up the next morning at 7 am to pack lunches and get a 5-year-old ready for school! And speaking of getting up...I could barely move this morning...I'm hurting in places that I've never hurt before! lol <br />
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But to sum up my night and just to give you an idea of just how excruciating it was...I told my husband I would rather give birth to 100 babies than have to endure that again! lol And the two births that I experienced were very long and very, very painful! lolRuth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-51692222499124654242011-02-06T10:47:00.001-05:002011-02-06T10:48:31.251-05:00You're In Steeler Country<div style="text-align: center;">It's hard to find a street in my area that is not decorated with Steeler decorations! You'll find several houses that aren't decorated (including mine), but you can't go far without seeing the black and gold!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even though I am not a football fan, I wanted to share some of my favorite local decorations!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They put a lot of effort and detail into decorating this house! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtmckSAwsCpPnVFdQp5M6PBqc3ZQ-KsEva2r9p5-l4jhvW94x01UMuVDZ6_gPylu571pZQq40XOUnopCVMHGY0gejkPX0caDy03AbNkgG6Ekc6AuOwjClOybHv69t7fp7ux7ZTkCldwM/s1600/house1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtmckSAwsCpPnVFdQp5M6PBqc3ZQ-KsEva2r9p5-l4jhvW94x01UMuVDZ6_gPylu571pZQq40XOUnopCVMHGY0gejkPX0caDy03AbNkgG6Ekc6AuOwjClOybHv69t7fp7ux7ZTkCldwM/s400/house1.JPG" width="265" /></a></div> I didn't catch it at the time but Alex yelled from the backseat...look at that giant bottle of "hot sauce!" It's not hot sauce, but Heinz Ketchup (a Pittsburgh made product)! I tried to convince him that it was "ketchup" but he didn't believe me! ;) I have seen a lot of inflatable decorations over the years, but never a giant ketchup bottle! lol <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nWr2ZpfznNmIA5zzO4eYZ3ZAkaLMqWiwq92EaBVVlQBm97L0O7X-094BEmu77jfZzxIPiydQBmBwF8zNbxAKUwREmUbRJ1KKY1ppsSCI2ZHVrnIhq_bym9XkcOURfckBII9eVr0puN4/s1600/ketchup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nWr2ZpfznNmIA5zzO4eYZ3ZAkaLMqWiwq92EaBVVlQBm97L0O7X-094BEmu77jfZzxIPiydQBmBwF8zNbxAKUwREmUbRJ1KKY1ppsSCI2ZHVrnIhq_bym9XkcOURfckBII9eVr0puN4/s400/ketchup.jpg" width="265" /></a></div> Here is another view of the house. I love how they have made goal lines/yard lines (I think that is what they are called) in the grass. Usually we have snow, so that is probably why I have never noticed them before!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA41AgOWUsmLBq_8hsbDt8MB9hb1_eRJXtYijdF274670OQqg7aQtRrbaGz6XQ5nkryc7C0olSZle0k0qMxx1VSEomygKA2h5kWWxdBjQMeqPZagbRctT_TW-98Qid84blas4_fFJSBY/s1600/house2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA41AgOWUsmLBq_8hsbDt8MB9hb1_eRJXtYijdF274670OQqg7aQtRrbaGz6XQ5nkryc7C0olSZle0k0qMxx1VSEomygKA2h5kWWxdBjQMeqPZagbRctT_TW-98Qid84blas4_fFJSBY/s400/house2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Also to the side of their yard they have a little black and gold graveyard! Tomorrow they will probably be adding a "Green Bay" tombstone! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6bgBGtBFFy5QEwmbVEr-w2-S0cv5a8BgglQ6mJuiK7b4mUfBmXRktFLqS-razNwCcScsfs2Mu9v3brV7Dro_w3FLw7seiPPXhYH4QsktK1AwXVar4vjgCgWsNG8xscMRZx9xZeHaBwY/s1600/gravestones.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6bgBGtBFFy5QEwmbVEr-w2-S0cv5a8BgglQ6mJuiK7b4mUfBmXRktFLqS-razNwCcScsfs2Mu9v3brV7Dro_w3FLw7seiPPXhYH4QsktK1AwXVar4vjgCgWsNG8xscMRZx9xZeHaBwY/s400/gravestones.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is another house. Love the sign: "You're In Steeler Country!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMWM8eAXGghf4B8PVWkPcTtJ8q-YMukJ3qdBbULaNXKc6ggwnJCDofqJnGmJq3q1iungFX9_yy_u2-GpQAalQoEQHgelUmaAd5S6ffNQcImW35N1qyXkpcDc0R2W_fiEXJJGyafIT6js/s1600/house3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMWM8eAXGghf4B8PVWkPcTtJ8q-YMukJ3qdBbULaNXKc6ggwnJCDofqJnGmJq3q1iungFX9_yy_u2-GpQAalQoEQHgelUmaAd5S6ffNQcImW35N1qyXkpcDc0R2W_fiEXJJGyafIT6js/s400/house3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really wanted to get a photo of the sign that was hung at a local restaurant. It said we are now serving "Roethlis-burgers!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apparently it is a burger named after our quarterback Ben Roethlisberger! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unfortunately, the sign was no longer up, so I couldn't get a photo for you!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I probably will not be watching the game...I'll probably flip back and forth. I'm just not a football kind of girl! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, I was surprised to hear that Pittsburgh City Schools have a 2 hour delay in the morning! And this is just because of the Superbowl! I'm glad that we live outside of the city. I would be upset if our school was delayed for something as stupid as football! But like I said before Pittsburgers take their football very seriously! ;)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Have a safe and fun Superbowl Sunday!</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262362387203920093.post-68965075163708599722011-02-04T12:18:00.000-05:002011-02-04T12:18:15.726-05:00Here We GoHere We Go Steelers, Here We Go, Pittsburgh's Going To The Superbowl!"<br />
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Ok let me go back to yesterday.....<br />
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My husband picked up Ben from school and around 4:15 he handed me a note from Ben's teacher. The note said that she was having a last minute Superbowl Party at school the following day and it would be great if I can contribute to this party! We had to leave for hockey practice at 5:00, so I only had 45 minutes to run to Walmart to get these supplies for the party! I knew that I could have gone after practice, but I actually help teach the kids to play, and knew that I couldn't go to the store smelling all sweaty and nasty. <br />
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Sidenote: The way you smell after playing hockey is the worst smell possible. I knew I could not go out in public smelling that way! ;)<br />
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Anyway, this is what I grabbed at the store. I'm not a football fan, so hopefully this will work for a Kindergarten Superbowl Party. <br />
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Have you seen these cute football shaped Little Debbie's Brownies? They are sooo adorable and very tasty!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93-w8pX6B2w0uax6eu39USE6tHZAbvSbhVpEAbLU21scosctls2aRH40k04ukS1gGqOsiwi6u3YrdTzbcuJY1KWbApyo7cMAxaRoQFlkmD7HQKlcHP2ukrr-AA9uqqLlGOnuRdm3-Dc0/s1600/brownies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93-w8pX6B2w0uax6eu39USE6tHZAbvSbhVpEAbLU21scosctls2aRH40k04ukS1gGqOsiwi6u3YrdTzbcuJY1KWbApyo7cMAxaRoQFlkmD7HQKlcHP2ukrr-AA9uqqLlGOnuRdm3-Dc0/s400/brownies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I also bought black and yellow Pittsburgh Steeler tortilla chips! Yes, we have our own Steeler Tortilla Chips that comes out this time of year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgi1T3vI0GShoowltIo0LipEudfLMtTjpEpeZKl48hIU9ULinJZH84T-c0n9tBKkCWDtVcJ55yRSxhKDK8XAUyLMddzWH7hIXd-I8-DVffB_qcN5EyITFlPhlNp1rQRX8bVutAP67qYE/s1600/chips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgi1T3vI0GShoowltIo0LipEudfLMtTjpEpeZKl48hIU9ULinJZH84T-c0n9tBKkCWDtVcJ55yRSxhKDK8XAUyLMddzWH7hIXd-I8-DVffB_qcN5EyITFlPhlNp1rQRX8bVutAP67qYE/s400/chips.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>And of course I had to get Steeler napkins and plates! <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/AVvXsEjflDCcucTr47w_-vv8_i91y8BBM00JBpoKq7bjSZf3_6F6D_Bhpdxfmhge9QyXoND2axw05n7yXtpbRNLHR_RdN39XaBuPcCIwcDwWBxSUhBxMFYpHQT86eyQRHy8sZws1h5DxqFBO_aQ/s1600/napkinsplates.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflDCcucTr47w_-vv8_i91y8BBM00JBpoKq7bjSZf3_6F6D_Bhpdxfmhge9QyXoND2axw05n7yXtpbRNLHR_RdN39XaBuPcCIwcDwWBxSUhBxMFYpHQT86eyQRHy8sZws1h5DxqFBO_aQ/s400/napkinsplates.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>And then I went to the party store. I wanted each of the kids to have something that was fun and something that they could take home with them. So I bought black and gold Mardis Gras beads! I'm just hoping that they do not know the real use of Mardis Gras beads or we may have a huge problem on our hands! lol ;) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHYfiWHchtSVWDYGkTf7oI7XXZUo5KtwTUqbyEOeqMxKWhTWAIIo0cz-zBQnM5MNuqgjGa0ls2WRgJBba4PovO9ipxhB_q19EpEHJOyQUKWOPaNRZeIRrnZsUNH6lIh8I9YEdOh7uKSA/s1600/beads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHYfiWHchtSVWDYGkTf7oI7XXZUo5KtwTUqbyEOeqMxKWhTWAIIo0cz-zBQnM5MNuqgjGa0ls2WRgJBba4PovO9ipxhB_q19EpEHJOyQUKWOPaNRZeIRrnZsUNH6lIh8I9YEdOh7uKSA/s400/beads.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also came up with a little game for the party. At the party store I bought a little penalty flag, which is like a weighted type of flag. I thought it would be perfect for playing either hot potato or used to throw at a target like a garbage can. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">People in Pittsburgh really take their football seriously...it's like a religion! I'll blog more about that tomorrow. But yesterday being Thursday was crazy with people rummaging through all of the Steeler merchandise at Walmart and the party store! It was nuts! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Will you be watching the big game on Sunday? Who are you rooting for?</div>Ruth Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568017190120770889noreply@blogger.com2