tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74700756568345445102024-03-13T10:06:07.856-04:00the normally-odd coupleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-6563178241718784572011-05-03T15:19:00.001-04:002011-05-03T15:23:28.515-04:00Gettin' Dirty With ItWe gave our flowerbeds a full 365 days (plus more, since that year started at the end of November, there really wasn't much we could do outside other than shovel anyhow) to show us their stuff before deciding to work on getting rid of shrubs, trees and plants that weren't really our taste. It was a good idea to do this, so we could see what bloomed when, what color the blooms were, and what we just couldn't stand. The previous homeowner really liked her plants, and because she was older, probably grew to not be able to care for them like they needed. Many of the plants have been reproducing like crazy (iris, day lilies, daffodils) and others are just overgrown and need to be reeled in BIG TIME! I am all for the "natural" approach to gardening, you know - like English cottage style, if it is done well, but right now, I just want to clean things up and transplant some of what we already have back into the garden and go from there. Start from scratch, so to speak. And actually be able to see what is planted and mulch around them...<br />
<br />
Our first nice spring day was last Saturday, and the re-landscaping mayhem began! There was a bed in the back that needed to be regraded away from the house (so that water flowed away from the foundation instead of toward it) - so this was the first project we tackled. We took all the plants out of the bed and dug up grass so that we could till, add soil and peat moss, and make it level before mulching. We decided that we would do this, and then replant.<br />
<br />
Part of this planning involved a trip to our local garden center, <a href="http://www.achinbackgardencenter.com/">Achin' Back</a> (love the clever name!) for the first time. I like local nurseries, and have always wanted to stop by this one. AB is family-owned small business, and their staff have been so helpful so far in our past two visits. If you're in the Chester County area, check them out!<br />
<br />
One of the services they offer, in addition to great advice for problem areas, is landscape design. For free. We met Matt, our new friend at AB (hopefully he doesn't get tired of us and our silly questions), on our first visit and he explained that if we took pictures of our house and brought them in, he could help us to design our vision, help us select plants that would work in certain locations around our house, etc. After getting the basic idea for what we have and where we'd like to be at the end of our project (with a new patio outback and moving the front walk and front flower bed, widening and reshaping beds, etc.), Matt walked us around and showed us different plants and trees and figured out what looked best and fit with our tastes.<br />
<br />
Here's the preliminary sketch Matt made:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10lmnxc3gOc/TcBUwcZhtzI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/kMzRr5MwdjE/s1600/Scan001+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10lmnxc3gOc/TcBUwcZhtzI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/kMzRr5MwdjE/s640/Scan001+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>And my updated color version that includes other trees, etc. that we already have and are planning to keep and use:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R0pj1qgxdQI/TcBUqYDUi0I/AAAAAAAAB4U/Nu8Jp338_Eo/s1600/Scan001+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R0pj1qgxdQI/TcBUqYDUi0I/AAAAAAAAB4U/Nu8Jp338_Eo/s640/Scan001+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And so you can get an idea of what some of the plants are (and to help us remember what we ended up choosing - for now at least), I have included some pictures of the new plants/trees we're planning to plant!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHrQNyWYTf8/TcBRgeEExwI/AAAAAAAAB3w/XhQiGEjA110/s1600/Blue+Star+Juniper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHrQNyWYTf8/TcBRgeEExwI/AAAAAAAAB3w/XhQiGEjA110/s1600/Blue+Star+Juniper.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lrKWWYbQHs/TcBRg8hrouI/AAAAAAAAB30/A4aKnfZ402A/s1600/bluepoint_juniper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lrKWWYbQHs/TcBRg8hrouI/AAAAAAAAB30/A4aKnfZ402A/s640/bluepoint_juniper.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo4WIdljAVg/TcBRg1PZ_eI/AAAAAAAAB34/kmUCffMEmwE/s1600/Crape+Myrtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo4WIdljAVg/TcBRg1PZ_eI/AAAAAAAAB34/kmUCffMEmwE/s400/Crape+Myrtle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRhSpSrLInk/TcBRhPYzcnI/AAAAAAAAB38/RmWkuXnEa4A/s1600/cavatine+pieres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRhSpSrLInk/TcBRhPYzcnI/AAAAAAAAB38/RmWkuXnEa4A/s400/cavatine+pieres.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GUd80wij89Y/TcBRiGyERLI/AAAAAAAAB4M/JAXKZvoXr_Y/s1600/Eternal+Fragrence+Daphne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GUd80wij89Y/TcBRiGyERLI/AAAAAAAAB4M/JAXKZvoXr_Y/s400/Eternal+Fragrence+Daphne.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-TOZraS7CU/TcBRiOki9EI/AAAAAAAAB4I/cJC51DOqfW4/s1600/Sunjoy+Barberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-TOZraS7CU/TcBRiOki9EI/AAAAAAAAB4I/cJC51DOqfW4/s400/Sunjoy+Barberry.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--z64DUmTJN8/TcBRh6wFyZI/AAAAAAAAB4E/A6xDyumwac4/s1600/Heartbreaker+Weeping+Redbud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--z64DUmTJN8/TcBRh6wFyZI/AAAAAAAAB4E/A6xDyumwac4/s400/Heartbreaker+Weeping+Redbud.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_gM1c_DO5E/TcBRhrrs_NI/AAAAAAAAB4A/v48VQ0eEI5o/s1600/Snow_Fountains_+full_head%2528RGB%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_gM1c_DO5E/TcBRhrrs_NI/AAAAAAAAB4A/v48VQ0eEI5o/s400/Snow_Fountains_+full_head%2528RGB%2529.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
What are your thoughts on our picks so far? What's your preference between the Weeping Redbud and the Snow Fountain Cherry?<br />
<br />
Be back soon with our "in-progress" pictures.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-62432689494276473692010-12-09T11:13:00.002-05:002010-12-09T11:14:45.981-05:00Have you read what I've read? (to the tune of Do You Hear What I Hear)Have you seen the application going around on Facebook, asking you to identify whether or not you have read more than 6 of the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml">100 books listed below by BBC</a>? I don't really do Facebook apps, but was interested in looking at the list to see which books I have read, to see if I read more than the average person. The books I have read in my lifetime are marked in bold below.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TQD59dZwPqI/AAAAAAAABkQ/YG4QRuL7ZfI/s1600/penguinclassics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TQD59dZwPqI/AAAAAAAABkQ/YG4QRuL7ZfI/s1600/penguinclassics.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/classics/hardcoverclassics/index.html">image from penguinbooks.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien<br />
<b>2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen</b><br />
3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman<br />
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams<br />
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling<br />
<b>6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee</b><br />
<b>7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne</b><br />
<b>8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell</b><br />
<b>9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis</b><br />
<b>10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë</b><br />
11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller<br />
12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë<br />
13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks<br />
14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier<br />
<b>15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger</b><br />
16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame<br />
<b>17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens</b><br />
<b>18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott</b><br />
19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres<br />
20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy<br />
21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell<br />
22. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, JK Rowling<br />
23. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, JK Rowling<br />
24. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, JK Rowling<br />
25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien<br />
26. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy<br />
27. Middlemarch, George Eliot<br />
28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving<br />
29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck<br />
30. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll<br />
31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson<br />
32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez<br />
33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett<br />
34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens<br />
<b>35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl</b><br />
36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson<br />
37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute<br />
38. Persuasion, Jane Austen<br />
39. Dune, Frank Herbert<br />
40. Emma, Jane Austen<br />
<b>41. Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery</b><br />
42. Watership Down, Richard Adams<b><br />
43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald</b><br />
44. The Count Of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas<br />
45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh<br />
<b>46. Animal Farm, George Orwell</b><br />
<b>47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens</b><br />
48. Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy<br />
49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian<br />
50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher<br />
<b>51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett</b><br />
<b>52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck</b><br />
53. The Stand, Stephen King<br />
54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy<br />
55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth<br />
<b>56. The BFG, Roald Dahl</b><br />
57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome<br />
58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell<br />
59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer<br />
60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky<br />
61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman<br />
62. Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden<br />
63. A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens<br />
64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough<br />
65. Mort, Terry Pratchett<br />
66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton<br />
67. The Magus, John Fowles<br />
68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman<br />
69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett<br />
<b>70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding</b><br />
71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind<br />
72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell<br />
73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett<br />
<b>74. Matilda, Roald Dahl</b><br />
75. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding<br />
76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt<br />
77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins<br />
78. Ulysses, James Joyce<br />
79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens<br />
80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson<br />
81. The Twits, Roald Dahl<br />
82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith<br />
83. Holes, Louis Sachar<br />
84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake<br />
85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy<br />
86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson<br />
<b>87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley</b><br />
88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons<br />
89. Magician, Raymond E Feist<br />
90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac<br />
91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo<br />
92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel<br />
93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett<br />
<b>94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho</b><br />
95. Katherine, Anya Seton<br />
96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer<br />
97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez<br />
98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson<br />
99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot<br />
100. Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie<br />
<br />
21 out of 100. Not too shabby I suppose, although I am sure there are many of you who have read way more than that. There are some that I did not bold because I have read parts of these books but not the whole thing. Others I have seen in the film form, but that does not count, because we all know that the book is always better than the movie. And I actually own others of these books that I have not yet read. A few years ago, my goal in the New Year (some would call this a resolution) was to read 50 books. With this list and the unread books on my bookshelf as inspiration (a la <a href="http://pancakesandfrenchfries.com/unread-library/">Jules' unread library</a>), I am thinking that I just might have to come up with some sort of reading program for myself for 2011.<br />
<br />
Are there any books on this 100 best-loved novels list that you've read and would recommend to me? Or have read and would advise me to not waste my time on?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-45766714995425063912010-12-06T10:16:00.000-05:002010-12-06T10:16:47.303-05:00The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!I think Christmas really is the most wonderful time of year. As I write this post, I am listening to Christmas music, my house smells like a fresh balsam tree (thanks to Bath & Body Works and their <a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3515870&cp=2484529.10935777&cm_re=Holiday3+HP-_-Sub+Feature-_-Mix+%26amp%3Bamp%3B+Match+WF">wallflower</a>, you'd never know we have an artificial tree), and the lights on the tree and mantle are a-sparkling.<br />
<br />
Most of my present-purchasing is finished. I've started sending Christmas cards to loved ones. And in the midst of the chaos that comes along with the kitchen renovation, our home is mostly decorated - this year inside and out (with a 36" lit wreath on the bay window and some lights on our bushes out front).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz13JUGlrI/AAAAAAAABj4/2uR94nIDXQs/s1600/Christmas+Three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz13JUGlrI/AAAAAAAABj4/2uR94nIDXQs/s640/Christmas+Three.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz137R3cPI/AAAAAAAABkA/YA_2MmCwGa4/s1600/Christmas+Five.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz137R3cPI/AAAAAAAABkA/YA_2MmCwGa4/s640/Christmas+Five.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz19ITur8I/AAAAAAAABkE/EE7gbTYXOdk/s1600/Christmas+Six.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz19ITur8I/AAAAAAAABkE/EE7gbTYXOdk/s640/Christmas+Six.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz13Xp5-bI/AAAAAAAABj8/qSabBsFY9JQ/s1600/Christmas+Four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz13Xp5-bI/AAAAAAAABj8/qSabBsFY9JQ/s640/Christmas+Four.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz19XgTGwI/AAAAAAAABkI/CXHJcnL3RHs/s1600/Christmas+Seven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz19XgTGwI/AAAAAAAABkI/CXHJcnL3RHs/s640/Christmas+Seven.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz12i7eimI/AAAAAAAABjw/dgkNjNYeDeo/s1600/Christmas+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz12i7eimI/AAAAAAAABjw/dgkNjNYeDeo/s640/Christmas+one.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz129FdmxI/AAAAAAAABj0/53rKkZgQjwk/s1600/Christmas+Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPz129FdmxI/AAAAAAAABj0/53rKkZgQjwk/s640/Christmas+Two.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br />
Of course, I still have a few final touches on the decorating, and one or two gifts to buy and most of them to wrap. But I feel like the planning and energy to get ahead this year has really paid off. I always enjoy Christmas. I love Christmas. But some years, I feel like I get so caught up in the commercialism and busyness that I forget to treasure and ponder the (as cheesy as it might sound) real reason we celebrate this holiday. This year, I find myself cherishing the celebration of Advent and praising God that he made Himself flesh and dwelt among us, the light of the world coming into the darkness (John 1) so that He could live a perfect life and one day go to the cross to pay the penalty for our sin, so that we may have fellowship with Him and eternal life. The mystery of Christmas.<br />
<br />
Christmas this year has been a time of real reflection for me personally, through the Advent readings of Scripture and Christmas music/lyrics. I hope that it will be for you as well.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-35144080245483033412010-12-01T22:07:00.001-05:002010-12-01T22:08:10.395-05:00"Wordless" Wednesday - Christmas Edition<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPcNa1YmSII/AAAAAAAABa4/MzT_bi7A_aM/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TPcNa1YmSII/AAAAAAAABa4/MzT_bi7A_aM/s640/DSC_0115.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-47512371880923859282010-11-18T13:14:00.001-05:002010-11-18T13:14:53.835-05:00sneak peekThe kitchen has waved farewell to its demolition phase and reconstruction is underway. Here's a sneak peek. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TOVsDiSR5JI/AAAAAAAABaM/7U2ln03nS0o/s1600/DSC_1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TOVsDiSR5JI/AAAAAAAABaM/7U2ln03nS0o/s640/DSC_1112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TOVsEpLe8yI/AAAAAAAABaQ/QEL19aQbP2c/s1600/DSC_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TOVsEpLe8yI/AAAAAAAABaQ/QEL19aQbP2c/s640/DSC_1116.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TOVsGNO5EDI/AAAAAAAABaU/xN8BUi8tzQE/s1600/DSC_1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TOVsGNO5EDI/AAAAAAAABaU/xN8BUi8tzQE/s640/DSC_1130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-75274982093538717442010-11-04T15:42:00.001-04:002010-11-04T15:43:43.925-04:00Help!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNMK7KQkkWI/AAAAAAAABZU/PzYVrG0fxOI/s1600/stove+moved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNMK7KQkkWI/AAAAAAAABZU/PzYVrG0fxOI/s640/stove+moved.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Before I begin, sorry for the poor quality of this photo... iPhone. :)<br />
<br />
OK. So I need your opinion. Based on all of the "potential move" of kitchen appliances I shared with you in my previous post, a few nights ago <strike>we were inspired </strike>I was inspired (so Rob was pretty much forced to help) to start demo-ing our kitchen. I like to call it test-demo. We took the countertop off of the small cabinet next to the stove in the photo above. Easy as pie. It was only held on with L-brackets and screws. I also peeled off the plastic toe-kick on the bottom of that cabinet, because that will eventually go before we repaint the cabinets. See the teal? That's what color the cabinets ORIGINALLY were before the cream color they are currently. Then we tried moving the stove over to the corner because the upper cabinet is higher and more equally proportioned to the dimensions of modern day stoves/ovens. We plan to purchase a new one. You can see why. (PS - don't look to closely at the dirt that was where the stove used to me or your gag reflex might kick in if you are anything like me). You can also see what the wall looks like underneath the laminate backsplash. Dark brown glue goop that is impossible to remove.<br />
<br />
Oh, did I mention we're having house guests next weekend?<br />
<br />
I guess we'll be eating out. I hope they don't mind.<br />
<br />
So... we can't decide about the stove. Corner or back in the original location? HELP!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-15633310232043983532010-11-02T10:56:00.001-04:002010-11-02T11:13:20.265-04:00A Fresh StartThis weekend, we were able to find the time to FINALLY start a bunch of projects that we have been <i>meaning</i> to start for months. I am so glad that they are underway, and can't wait to share the progress with you as they go. First up is our kitchen. It looks like we've either just moved in, or are getting ready to move out. The displaced kitchen items have found homes in the living room (where we're currently testing out a conjoined dining room/living room to see how we feel about it), basement, and even office/guest room. I'm an "a place for everything and everything in its place" kind of gal, and so we'll see how long it takes before the chaos gets to me. But so far it's been 2.5 days, and I am holding up okay. Check back on me in a week. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAilzFWuKI/AAAAAAAABY8/7NVkROXnnkY/s1600/DSC_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAilzFWuKI/AAAAAAAABY8/7NVkROXnnkY/s640/DSC_1079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAi7-6duzI/AAAAAAAABZI/40Y8aTM28a0/s1600/DSC_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAi7-6duzI/AAAAAAAABZI/40Y8aTM28a0/s640/DSC_1080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Above are a few shots of the displacement, and below, the dining room/living room conjoinment... What do you think?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAi8X-CvpI/AAAAAAAABZM/IeD5SYJIs9c/s1600/DSC_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAi8X-CvpI/AAAAAAAABZM/IeD5SYJIs9c/s640/DSC_1082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Anyway, we knew that in order to get actually started on the project and not just thinking about starting, we would have to empty out the room so that we could again see what we were working with. We'd have to do this to start, and although we're still trying to figure a few things out first, we feel like we've started and clearly can't go on living like this forever. <br />
<br />
Our plans for the kitchen "renovations" have changed about 17 times, and we are still undecided about just how we want to work the layout. We have solid wood cabinets, which we've talked about replacing, but the truth is that right now, we think we'd regret tearing them all out (both sentimentally and budget-wise). Our plans are to sand them down, patch up the holes, and paint them a coat of crisp, clean white. We're deciding whether or not to move the stove from the middle to the corner of one wall, to remedy the "original stove was larger than current 30" stove and vent" problem with the cabinet above, as you can see in the following shots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAikeQGPhI/AAAAAAAABYs/6-nNY7UYRLA/s1600/DSC_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAikeQGPhI/AAAAAAAABYs/6-nNY7UYRLA/s640/DSC_1075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAikjqMgoI/AAAAAAAABYw/Gkh-Gld-aPE/s1600/DSC_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAikjqMgoI/AAAAAAAABYw/Gkh-Gld-aPE/s640/DSC_1076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAilFmOaGI/AAAAAAAABY0/g4af5HSQwtM/s1600/DSC_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAilFmOaGI/AAAAAAAABY0/g4af5HSQwtM/s640/DSC_1077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We've also got to figure out how to remove the laminate backsplash that is currently the same as the laminate countertops without damaging the countertops in case we don't redo the counters and sink right away. We know we want to tile the backsplash with subway tile close together and gray grout... it's just a matter of doing things in the right order, which currently we're thinking is: 1) remove old backsplash; 2) paint cabinets; 3) tile.<br />
<br />
Our second big project is working on the outside. We have beds the whole way around our rancher, and a few large trees, so lately we've been tree pruning like crazy and this weekend, we cut down all of the flowers in the back beds in preparation for some major work this spring with the rototiller. We have some regrading to do (still working on our inspection checklist) and plan on installing new walkways to the front and back leading to a new stone or brick patio outside of our screened-in porch. We also have a decent amount of leaves, and filled up 9 compost bags full of leaves and the clippings from our back beds. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiOIcd7MI/AAAAAAAABYY/5Xh-iygmvoI/s1600/DSC_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiOIcd7MI/AAAAAAAABYY/5Xh-iygmvoI/s640/DSC_1055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Last weekend, Rob (with the help of our uncle who was visiting from Boston for the weekend) built this ramp into the shed so that we can easily store our tractor and lawnmower in there. It looks great and is SO functional!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiQ3LEmnI/AAAAAAAABYk/D7b8tgnT_xY/s1600/DSC_1071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiQ3LEmnI/AAAAAAAABYk/D7b8tgnT_xY/s640/DSC_1071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>With the leftover board from the ramp project last weekend, this weekend we installed a swing from the huge oak tree in our front yard. It adds a little charm, and is fun too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiOmptdDI/AAAAAAAABYc/xJ-B4-SomiQ/s1600/DSC_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiOmptdDI/AAAAAAAABYc/xJ-B4-SomiQ/s640/DSC_1067.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiPrdLRBI/AAAAAAAABYg/-LS065CdWNU/s1600/DSC_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiPrdLRBI/AAAAAAAABYg/-LS065CdWNU/s640/DSC_1070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
So, that was our weekend. Have you started any projects lately?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-10480795732731429172010-11-01T10:57:00.001-04:002010-11-02T10:41:27.251-04:00seasons series | fall | giving thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiNXWIcgI/AAAAAAAABYU/oenLqyjcAH0/s1600/DSC_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiNXWIcgI/AAAAAAAABYU/oenLqyjcAH0/s640/DSC_1052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Happy November! I love that the holidays are right around the corner... my favorite time of year because of the occasions to celebrate with family and friends. There is a time of slowing down and focusing on those things that are really important in life. Not that we can't do this at other times of the year, of course. But Thanksgiving, in particular, is a time when I am reminded of all that I am blessed with in life, and that even in the midst of difficult times, God is good. <br />
<br />
And as cliche as it might sound, I am really going to try to make a list, one day at a time, of things that I am thankful for this month. I am not much of a journaler... more of a list-maker, so that's what I will do. And just before Thanksgiving, I will share them with you. I think this exercise will put things back in perspective for me. It's so easy to lose perspective, isn't it?<br />
<br />
What are you thankful for? Will you join me in this little challenge this month? Make it a family activity. If you have children, teach them to be thankful at a young age. Display the list somewhere in your house so everyone is reminded throughout the month of the things they mentioned.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-50457077467195743972010-10-26T15:59:00.001-04:002010-10-26T16:01:03.385-04:00Out of the Dark AgesWell, we've finally gotten around to doing this... a <strike>sorta big</strike> announcement...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TMcx63aWgaI/AAAAAAAABWg/wwWAddHDNiU/s1600/normallyoddcouple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TMcx63aWgaI/AAAAAAAABWg/wwWAddHDNiU/s640/normallyoddcouple.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We're now accessible at <a href="http://www.normallyoddcouple.com/">www.normallyoddcouple.com</a> (we love blogspot, don't get us wrong, but wanted to shorten our address). So, tell everyone you know! Kidding. Update your bookmarks, and any links you may have on your page to ours. If you're still trying to visit us at our old address, don't worry. You should automatically be redirected.<br />
<br />
Nothing else has changed YET... but stay tuned for a new house tour page... coming soon!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-67969325476120438712010-10-12T14:54:00.000-04:002010-10-12T14:54:27.919-04:00Office BlingFor the past few years, I've been trying to bring a little of home into the office. Not only does it create a comfortable environment in which to work, but it makes the office more welcoming in general. It's all in the little things - curtains, plants, candles, etc. My latest purchase ($1.49 at Ross) will not only be helpful in providing a little more organization but a little sophistication as well. I introduce you to....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TLSsldG_0bI/AAAAAAAABU8/s6BJRu2M4Fw/s1600/paper+clips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TLSsldG_0bI/AAAAAAAABU8/s6BJRu2M4Fw/s640/paper+clips.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>... my new paper clip container - which I found on clearance in the "bathroom accessories" section. No longer will the clips be mingled in with the staple remover and white out. They'll have a new little home all to themselves.<br />
<br />
Now the paper clip holder is making my pencil cup look a little sad...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-28552585860831814632010-10-07T16:17:00.002-04:002010-11-02T10:42:11.361-04:00seasons series | apple butter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiNXWIcgI/AAAAAAAABYU/oenLqyjcAH0/s1600/DSC_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TNAiNXWIcgI/AAAAAAAABYU/oenLqyjcAH0/s640/DSC_1052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I am introducing a new "category" to the blog in which I can share seasonal decorating ideas, recipes, photographs, craft projects and the like. A few posts each season will be dedicated to this category, and I hope you find it enjoyable and maybe even helpful. I live in Pennsylvania, and am blessed to be able to watch the seasons change in very distinct ways - colors of the trees, weather/changes in temperature, and other patterns in nature. It's hard to say I have a favorite season, because I really do enjoy special things about each one.<br />
<br />
One of my favorite things about fall is the abundance of flavors that hint at the need for warmth as the temperature gradually grows cooler and the air is marked by crispness. Apple and pumpkin added to just about anything you can think of. My mother-in-law stopped by a local orchard recently, and bought an abundance of apples for baking - Gold Delicious and Cortland. She gave me about 40 of them, and with a few, I made this <a href="http://bspokeblog.com/?p=452">apple cake</a> shared by Bethany over at b*spoke, which was so yummy! Instead of mixing the nuts in, though, I sprinkled about a 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts over half the cake after I spread it into the baking dish, and then sprinkled the whole thing lightly with some cinnamon. You can't go wrong with a little cinnamon!<br />
<br />
So this past weekend, Rob and I visited my cousin in Virginia Beach, and I brought some apples with me, in case we decided to make a treat. She shared that she had been wanting to try this apple butter for the crock pot recipe for a while now, so we got everything together that we needed... made a double recipe... and let me tell you, it is GOOD. Here's the recipe we followed, with a few changes that we made along the way.<br />
<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
Approx. 3 lb. apples, 2 c. sugar (we cut this down from 3 cups), 2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. allspice, 1/2 tsp. cloves, dash of salt, 3/4 c. water<br />
<br />
DIRECTIONS<br />
Fill crock pot 3/4 full of peeled, cored sliced apples. Add remaining ingredients and stir until evenly mixed. Cover and cook on low overnight, for 8-10 hours (took more like 12 for the doubled batch). If butter has too much liquid, remove lid and cook on high until desired consistency results, checking and stirring every 20 minutes. The finished consistency will not be as smooth as its store-bought counterpart <br />
<br />
I am excited to make this again, (for Thanksgiving dinner maybe?) and would welcome your feedback if you decide to give it a go!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-61297513888456935472010-09-30T15:32:00.001-04:002010-09-30T15:32:30.055-04:00Chocolate......need I say more? <br /><br />Sometimes, it is the only thing that will get me through the day.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/09/30/1492.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/09/30/s_1492.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-40754127670068923022010-09-28T11:20:00.000-04:002010-09-28T11:20:44.435-04:00Saturday's ProjectIt's been WAY too long since my last post. Things have been busy, and we've been enjoying the last of summer and settling back into our "school year" routine. We've been working on a lot lately, but unfortunately my follow-through hasn't been good enough to get things up here... my apologies.<br />
<br />
This weekend, we tackled the headboard project for our bed. Just before we got married, we purchased a new queen-size bed so that we'd have something to rest our heads on. Two twins pushed together just wouldn't cut it. :) If you've been reading for a while, you know that Rob's grandmother passed away just days after the wedding, and we spent much of the following year helping sort through things to get her house ready to sell. Then once it sold, we helped move everything out, and inherited some of the furniture, including the bedroom set (large dresser and chest of drawers with two matching nightstands and a king-size bed with a brass headboard). The bed was almost brand new, and actually fits in our bedroom with plenty of room to spare, so we moved our queen into the <a href="http://normallyoddcouple.blogspot.com/2010/08/be-our-guest.html">guest room</a> and have been sleeping on a headboardless king bed for the past few months.<br />
<br />
With the help of a 40% off your total order at JoAnn's, a little inspiration, and a few hours of work, we crafted a lovely (if I do say so myself) tufted headboard. We purchased plywood cut to our desired dimensions (75" x 30") by the kind folks at Lowe's, drilled 10 holes into the wood for the buttons, then spray glued the 2" foam, covered it with batting and then the linen fabric, made the buttons, attached them to the headboard, attached 4 hooks onto the back of the board across the top to ensure a secure "hang", and then mounted it onto the wall. <br />
<br />
Here's a little photo collage of the process (iPhone pics), plus a few shots of the finished look:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TKIDRuWW3eI/AAAAAAAABRQ/GOCFMpW0T3c/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TKIDRuWW3eI/AAAAAAAABRQ/GOCFMpW0T3c/s640/collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TKIHH6lgwPI/AAAAAAAABRY/ykgh2xEK0qY/s1600/DSC_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TKIHH6lgwPI/AAAAAAAABRY/ykgh2xEK0qY/s640/DSC_0994.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TKIHJNaY7GI/AAAAAAAABRg/DH9ExCElYp0/s1600/DSC_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TKIHJNaY7GI/AAAAAAAABRg/DH9ExCElYp0/s640/DSC_0996.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TKIHITwwToI/AAAAAAAABRc/BuoJTZ2Dvgw/s1600/DSC_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TKIHITwwToI/AAAAAAAABRc/BuoJTZ2Dvgw/s640/DSC_0995.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
So far, we've slept in our bed without worries of the headboard crashing down on us in the middle of the night, so I'd call it a success!<br />
<br />
What do you think? What have you been DIYing lately?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-5532430198027154012010-09-02T10:39:00.000-04:002010-09-02T10:39:41.450-04:002010 Project UpdateWith the recent heat wave, and very hot summer, January 2010 seems like decades ago! But as we settle back into our "school year routine", we're taking a look at the projects we'd like to complete this fall, before the snow returns...<br />
<br />
Here were our goals for the year:<br />
<br />
1. Finish replacing outlets, light switches and cable boxes. Rob has gotten a lesson on replacing all these things from a good friend of ours who has a background in all things electric, so he got busy starting this project - but every time we think a room is finished, we find another old outlet. <b>We got off to a good start on this, but unfortunately still have some naked outlets... The good news is that all of the VISIBLE ones have been replaced.</b><br />
2. <strike>Refinish dresser for master bedroom.</strike> The dresser we currently have is from Rob's childhood, and his mom painted it teal many years ago to compliment the jungle theme in his bedroom. A fresh coat of black paint and some new hardware will make this look like it was meant to go with the bed we purchased a few months ago.<br />
3. <strike>Remove wallpaper and paint. </strike>We're still working out all of the different design elements for the kitchen, as we eventually plan to put in new flooring and countertops, so stay tuned!<br />
4. Sand and paint kitchen cabinets, followed by installing the new hardware we recently purchased at Lowe's over Christmas break on our huge shopping trip. <b>We are still in the planning phases for our kitchen renovation, but have purchased items like a sink and countertops... not we actually just need to get started.</b><br />
5. <strike>Update the look of our front door with paint</strike> (red or black? still trying to decide) and new locks and handles... and maybe a new storm door to create a better seal and save us some major mulah on the heating/cooling bill. <b>We chose red, and are very happy with the result. We installed a new deadbolt, but realized after we removed the old hardware for the actual knob that they don't make that size anymore, so we've been front-door-doorknob-less since, oh, April. :)</b><br />
6. <strike>Linen wall board(s) project</strike>, <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/large-linen-pinboard/?pkey=cwall-organization">like this one from PB</a>, to help get our organization booties in gear. <br />
7. Refinish daybed - paint and purchase some new, more fitted bedding and tons of throw pillows.<br />
8. Organize basement. This will include sorting stuff that we've been receiving from our parents' storage, deciding what will go toward a yard sale that we hope to have sometime this spring, and figuring out an aesthetically pleasing way to store what we do want to keep - most likely with the help of an Ikea storage system (like this <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/secondary_storage/10898/">GORM system</a>) that suits our needs. <b>We have partially accomplished this goal. In May, we had a <a href="http://normallyoddcouple.blogspot.com/2010/05/yard-sale-postlogue.html">yard sale</a> but our basement could still use a little help...</b> <br />
9. Build workbench to maximize storage in garage, and provide an area for organizing our ever-growing collection of tools and project parts, like this great <a href="http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=2601-22&CategoryName=SC%3aDriver%2fDrills">new cordless drill</a> we got for Christmas. <b>This is on our to-do list for the fall, along with building our compost bin.</b><br />
10. Landscape, landscape, landscape. This is Rob's main goal for the year. I think he could probably care less about some of the other projects on our list. There is one section of our yard that needs to be graded away from our foundation on more of a slope, and we're hoping that will solve the one area of our basement that leaks the least bit. But we want to get this taken care of so that we can plan how to refinish the basement in future years. There are also some trees that need to be cut down, branches trimmed, beds redefined, and the list goes on. So we will be looking forward to spring in a major way this year! <b>Another partially completed goal... we were able to get rid of some trees and do some basic landscaping, but have a long way to go!</b><br />
<br />
As new homeowners (this fall we will celebrate our first year in our home!) we definitely had a lot we wanted to accomplish and were a bit overly-optimistic about all that we thought we could accomplish. We've definitely been learning that all projects take WAY more time (and sometimes more money, resulting in more time) to complete than they look at the outset. <br />
<br />
Stay tuned as we continue to chip away at our list for the year...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-25122276443967378382010-08-23T20:17:00.004-04:002010-08-23T20:36:48.373-04:00Photography: Walls Family, July 2010Rob and I went to college with Jen & Tyler, and I was thrilled (and surprised, of course!) when Jen asked me to shoot a few photos of their happy family when they were visiting family and friends here in Pennsylvania this summer. It was so good to see them to catch up for a little, and it helped that their little guy, Ethan, loved the camera...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOHsCefWI/AAAAAAAABNg/EaLFv8Sutko/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOHsCefWI/AAAAAAAABNg/EaLFv8Sutko/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMNPyWA3nI/AAAAAAAABNA/F7vi9-oalZ0/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMNPyWA3nI/AAAAAAAABNA/F7vi9-oalZ0/s640/DSC_0012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMNQf5EXdI/AAAAAAAABNI/NevzjhWvt-g/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMNQf5EXdI/AAAAAAAABNI/NevzjhWvt-g/s640/DSC_0019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMNQq0PxcI/AAAAAAAABNQ/gUVS0enM-tY/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="464" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMNQq0PxcI/AAAAAAAABNQ/gUVS0enM-tY/s640/DSC_0022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMNRapFc3I/AAAAAAAABNY/_t3iOH8PUwA/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMNRapFc3I/AAAAAAAABNY/_t3iOH8PUwA/s640/DSC_0023.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOKIcdxyI/AAAAAAAABNw/hBB0X62WXus/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOKIcdxyI/AAAAAAAABNw/hBB0X62WXus/s640/DSC_0026.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOKw4VbZI/AAAAAAAABN4/NYPsIjlOYak/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOKw4VbZI/AAAAAAAABN4/NYPsIjlOYak/s640/DSC_0027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOOSBo6ZI/AAAAAAAABOQ/C3gr-YLbGTU/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOOSBo6ZI/AAAAAAAABOQ/C3gr-YLbGTU/s640/DSC_0033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOMGVP5SI/AAAAAAAABOA/O-Tz3OwCCsA/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOMGVP5SI/AAAAAAAABOA/O-Tz3OwCCsA/s640/DSC_0030.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOP52xNyI/AAAAAAAABOY/SwN8jeOaBr8/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOP52xNyI/AAAAAAAABOY/SwN8jeOaBr8/s640/DSC_0035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMORmpWnYI/AAAAAAAABOg/4OPyIFGAOI0/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMORmpWnYI/AAAAAAAABOg/4OPyIFGAOI0/s640/DSC_0053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOSl3iDgI/AAAAAAAABOo/bDbOhpsJPwk/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMOSl3iDgI/AAAAAAAABOo/bDbOhpsJPwk/s640/DSC_0072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMPEI5qybI/AAAAAAAABOw/ENiuMAQk8Jk/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMPEI5qybI/AAAAAAAABOw/ENiuMAQk8Jk/s640/DSC_0061.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMPF2kD3oI/AAAAAAAABO4/nIGXhcYdHdg/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMPF2kD3oI/AAAAAAAABO4/nIGXhcYdHdg/s640/DSC_0069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMPIWJG27I/AAAAAAAABPA/HbAwZ1bkUhQ/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/THMPIWJG27I/AAAAAAAABPA/HbAwZ1bkUhQ/s640/DSC_0082.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my first family "photo shoot", and the 95+ degree weather on one of the most humid days in July, I was pretty pleased with the results (although I still have a ton to learn photo-wise)... and I hope Jen, Tyler and little Ethan are too! </div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-994226818438083372010-08-12T12:50:00.004-04:002010-08-12T19:54:00.919-04:00How we Spent our Summer Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiI-5u7qI/AAAAAAAABM0/qtUpc3MN47E/s1600/DSC_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiI-5u7qI/AAAAAAAABM0/qtUpc3MN47E/s640/DSC_0199.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We spent a little over a week and a half splitting our time on lakes and in mountains in the Poconos, Pennsylvania and Portland/Oxford, Maine. I think I am one of those people who loves both the mountains and the beach, but this summer's mountain/lake vacations were SO relaxing and peaceful. There sure is something to be said for the beauty and stillness of nature, and it really does the soul good.<br />
<br />
Most of our days consisted of sleeping until awoken by the sunshine (we didn't have one day of rain!), sipping 2-3 cups of coffee in the morning, and then changing out of our pajamas and into our swimsuits for a day of soaking in the sun, reading, and swimming/pontooning. We snacked for lunch, and when the sun had set, drank wine and played games while slowly preparing dinner and eating late. Followed by an evening campfire, filled with more games (our family likes to play Trivial Pursuit around the fire), sometimes with marshmallows and s'mores. <br />
<br />
My parents joined Rob and I, and Rob's mom, in the Poconos at Rob's family's cabin on Lake Watawga for a long weekend. Other than the activities mentioned above, we got in our exercise by stacking 2 cords of firewood in preparation for the winter (one cord = about 300 logs), went kayaking, peddle boating, and canoeing... and had a delicious meal out at <a href="http://www.smugglerscove.net/">Smuggler's Cove</a>. Oh, and we went to the annual Mt. Pocono carnival on our last night there after our friends Meg and Matt joined us... Meg won a game of BINGO and a fish, which promptly died overnight. Nice knowing you, Olivia (the name of the fish).<br />
<br />
On our first day in Portland, ME, after being picked up from the airport by Rob's aunt and uncle, we headed to see some lighthouses, have a picnic lunch, and hike around for a bit to explore. We did some window shopping in Portland, had dinner (delicious fish & chips & onion rings and blueberry wheat beer at <a href="http://www.portholemaine.com/">The Porthole</a>), and headed to Jenny and Joe's cabin on Thompson Lake in Oxford, ME.<br />
<br />
Here are some shots of our travels:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhcHbIX7I/AAAAAAAABKk/9G0sBgQp7Ww/s1600/DSC_0209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhcHbIX7I/AAAAAAAABKk/9G0sBgQp7Ww/s640/DSC_0209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQheKrmhkI/AAAAAAAABKo/oTe86okB1Jw/s1600/DSC_0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQheKrmhkI/AAAAAAAABKo/oTe86okB1Jw/s640/DSC_0214.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bark? guess again...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhgGeBItI/AAAAAAAABKs/GTzBls__TYY/s1600/DSC_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhgGeBItI/AAAAAAAABKs/GTzBls__TYY/s640/DSC_0215.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">huge stone rocks that looked like wood... amazing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhii2l6zI/AAAAAAAABK0/FY6UHprPmRk/s1600/DSC_0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhii2l6zI/AAAAAAAABK0/FY6UHprPmRk/s640/DSC_0222.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhkvVNxlI/AAAAAAAABK4/G_ob1HxKEBM/s1600/DSC_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhkvVNxlI/AAAAAAAABK4/G_ob1HxKEBM/s640/DSC_0224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Head Lighthouse, the oldest in the U.S., commissioned by George Washington</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhnMFXaVI/AAAAAAAABK8/sLOdW2pygyg/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhnMFXaVI/AAAAAAAABK8/sLOdW2pygyg/s640/DSC_0225.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhr-yv-7I/AAAAAAAABLI/WuvDFE3xl-Y/s1600/DSC_0254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhr-yv-7I/AAAAAAAABLI/WuvDFE3xl-Y/s640/DSC_0254.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhtoU44bI/AAAAAAAABLM/m928jYUaHcI/s1600/DSC_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhtoU44bI/AAAAAAAABLM/m928jYUaHcI/s640/DSC_0261.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhqKPlMmI/AAAAAAAABLE/9-GLwf5osWs/s1600/DSC_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhqKPlMmI/AAAAAAAABLE/9-GLwf5osWs/s640/DSC_0247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhxAxE9wI/AAAAAAAABLY/De7S-3fzK3w/s1600/DSC_0268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhxAxE9wI/AAAAAAAABLY/De7S-3fzK3w/s640/DSC_0268.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny, Joe, and Robin (Rob's mom)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhy9mkIlI/AAAAAAAABLc/HmNIblDnHzY/s1600/DSC_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhy9mkIlI/AAAAAAAABLc/HmNIblDnHzY/s640/DSC_0275.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhz5vxk5I/AAAAAAAABLg/jnBxxmVJ8wA/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQhz5vxk5I/AAAAAAAABLg/jnBxxmVJ8wA/s640/DSC_0286.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh1Ui8uoI/AAAAAAAABLo/8dNOxf3tC9o/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh1Ui8uoI/AAAAAAAABLo/8dNOxf3tC9o/s640/DSC_0294.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goofy sisters</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh22WNC_I/AAAAAAAABLw/8gBTMKVUlTA/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh22WNC_I/AAAAAAAABLw/8gBTMKVUlTA/s640/DSC_0313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nothing like the view at the summit...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh5CtiPFI/AAAAAAAABL0/iTBeTGCq-04/s1600/DSC_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh5CtiPFI/AAAAAAAABL0/iTBeTGCq-04/s640/DSC_0318.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh60pCnwI/AAAAAAAABL8/YfIxszGwiDo/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh60pCnwI/AAAAAAAABL8/YfIxszGwiDo/s640/DSC_0322.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh_Jo_vvI/AAAAAAAABMM/9ItNfmQjxr0/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQh_Jo_vvI/AAAAAAAABMM/9ItNfmQjxr0/s640/DSC_0339.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cousin Lauren and her boyfriend, Ross</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiAwDHCdI/AAAAAAAABMQ/6cez9uqKwB8/s1600/DSC_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiAwDHCdI/AAAAAAAABMQ/6cez9uqKwB8/s640/DSC_0341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cousin Paul, rockin' out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiCHxH9VI/AAAAAAAABMY/QH4-d85v0PA/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiCHxH9VI/AAAAAAAABMY/QH4-d85v0PA/s640/DSC_0344.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an attempt at a family photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiFukRBgI/AAAAAAAABMo/kzdSaiSFI-Y/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiFukRBgI/AAAAAAAABMo/kzdSaiSFI-Y/s640/DSC_0354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiHBgadxI/AAAAAAAABMw/dOFXmzaQBgE/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGQiHBgadxI/AAAAAAAABMw/dOFXmzaQBgE/s640/DSC_0363.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It was a vacation I won't soon forget!<br />
How did you spend your lazy days of summer?<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
KatieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-83626417418352004162010-08-11T11:12:00.001-04:002010-08-11T11:13:56.627-04:00Be... our.... Guest!Finally. We can finally have friends and family over and give them a comfortable place to rest their head in one cohesive space. It feels like it's been years in the making (even though we moved in to our home a little less than a year ago).<br />
<br />
While I can't seem to dig up a before shot right now, when we moved in, the walls and all the trim in the room were pink. For the past nine months, we utilized the space pretty much as a dumping grounds for furniture that didn't fit in any other room, random decor, out-of-season clothes, etc.<br />
<br />
Now the most modern room in our house, the furniture is not a random mish-mash, and the curtains and simplicity of the decor provide a really calming space... perfect for our guests!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGK1f8P_fTI/AAAAAAAABIw/hUnXJI_7t8s/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGK1f8P_fTI/AAAAAAAABIw/hUnXJI_7t8s/s640/DSC_0166.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGK1gob4qVI/AAAAAAAABI0/iNXbVB_a59I/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGK1gob4qVI/AAAAAAAABI0/iNXbVB_a59I/s640/DSC_0167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGK1h_ndjsI/AAAAAAAABI8/GXB7q4pfHXo/s1600/DSC_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGK1h_ndjsI/AAAAAAAABI8/GXB7q4pfHXo/s640/DSC_0169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGK1hGpC5kI/AAAAAAAABI4/t2ddjZo9xdQ/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGK1hGpC5kI/AAAAAAAABI4/t2ddjZo9xdQ/s640/DSC_0168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
The four poster bed frame was actually one that we had in our master bedroom, but we've recently inherited a king-size bed, and the black frame worked perfectly in our black and white scheme for the room. The windows face the street out front, and the curtains and sheers really bring not only a soft, luxurious feel to the room, but also bring very practical much-needed privacy. We also moved in the <a href="http://normallyoddcouple.blogspot.com/2010/05/furniture-rehab.html">black dresser (the one that used to be teal)</a> and kept the dresser, which was my first furniture painting project before heading off to life in my college apartment, originally given to me by my grandparents for my nursery/bedroom as a baby. It's still going strong! I love the Style&co shams, which somehow perfectly are the same hue as the wall color, which I found in a clearance bin at Macy's a few months back. <br />
<br />
What do you think? Any artwork suggestions (I have one little project up my sleeve that I am hoping to complete and share soon)? Want to come for a visit?<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/S_VYgmYrC7I/AAAAAAAAAwg/utm4dU_BWDU/s1600/blogsignature2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/S_VYgmYrC7I/AAAAAAAAAwg/utm4dU_BWDU/s200/blogsignature2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-32354159031928084942010-08-11T09:59:00.003-04:002010-08-11T10:13:55.356-04:00... and we're back!Life got busy for a little while, and we decided to take an unconscious break from blogging to deal. Camp ended, I co-hosted a baby shower for one of my dearest friends (more details to come on that later), and we went on vacation (more on that eventually, too). And I just couldn't keep up with blogging... but am happy to say that I am rejuvenated, very tan!, and ready to attack the blog. :)<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for tales of our adventures, the guest bedroom makeover reveal, and more!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGKwGGkEjpI/AAAAAAAABIc/b0ZUnfoIYTU/s1600/blogsignature2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGKwGGkEjpI/AAAAAAAABIc/b0ZUnfoIYTU/s320/blogsignature2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span id="goog_1905506718"></span><span id="goog_1905506719"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-69810293301709252572010-06-26T10:15:00.001-04:002010-08-11T10:10:30.173-04:00Summer Book Review: Start Your FamilyWhile this book wasn't on my <a href="http://normallyoddcouple.blogspot.com/2010/05/summer-reading.html">official summer reading list</a> that I shared back in May, as Rob and I were packing up for camp, I grabbed a few more books in case I finished everything else on my list (or to be honest, got bored with the ones I was reading and wanted to start yet another book). Among them was a book that I bought last summer on Amazon, which was a "recommended read" called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802458300?ie=UTF8&tag=helgetmar-20&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=0802458300"><i>Start Your Family: Inspiration for Having Babies</i></a>.<br />
<br />
The book, written by Steve and Candace Watters (you can visit their website/blog <a href="http://www.startyourfamily.com/">here</a>), challenges couples to be intentional about starting a family early in their marriage while in the peak of fertility, even though doing so goes against the message of culture which says that couples should be "settled into a home in suburbia, out of debt and in good position financially, etc." before even thinking about having children - let alone encourages them to bring children into this world at all instead of pursuing their professional and consumeristic dreams. <br />
<br />
The Watters' encourage couples to think about they have to give and gain in the task of raising children, and share so many of the positives and blessings from God that are given to parents through children that couples do not hear from society, or frankly, even from the Church. They invite couples to step out in faith when starting their family, trusting God to provide (along with the work and preparation we must do ourselves, of course) and bless, as He did throughout the course of history in struggles and worries that couples have had, as revealed in Scripture. <br />
<br />
My favorite chapter in the book was Chapter 3: Crucible in the "Why Start a Family?" section of the book. Their main points for the chapter are that children reveal who we (the parents) really are, that they help us work the selfishness out of our lives, and that they condition us to serve others. Here are some things that really stuck with me:<br />
<br />
<i>"Our culture teaches us image management - to look our best and make good impressions. Our children teach us... 'Who do you think you're kidding?'... Parenting provides an 'incarnational' version of our faith - projecting our beliefs into flesh and blood. We see now how God gives us a family as a mirror to see ourselves, to push us to recognize who we really are and what we're capable of, both for good and for evil... Parenting gives us a God-supplied glimpse at how He sees us. When you start a family, you're signing up for a responsibility that requires all of you... The demands of another person start with the pregnancy, are painfully obvious during the delivery, and continue in waves throughout the season of raising children."</i><br />
<br />
This book really challenged me to look at my own goals and priorities in life, and to think about continuing the conversation with Rob about when we want to start our own family, in light of some of the challenges of the book. If you are getting married soon, have recently gotten married, or even if you already have children, I would encourage you to read this book. Even though I do not necessarily agree with<i> everything </i>the authors write, it will be a good starting place for conversations about why, how, and when to start our family.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGKvR3NxBJI/AAAAAAAABIM/9sm-juQsq1I/s1600/blogsignature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TGKvR3NxBJI/AAAAAAAABIM/9sm-juQsq1I/s200/blogsignature.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-13622735356217690872010-06-25T10:02:00.000-04:002010-06-25T10:02:23.299-04:00Wedding InvitationsI thought I would share with you a project that I recently finished up for friends of ours who are getting hitched in mid-August. I was humbled when they asked me to create the invitations to the celebration of their special day! I designed and put together the invitations and all of the other materials like table number cards, menus, and the ceremony program for my own wedding (I'll have to post pictures of those sometime), and really had a lot of fun doing it. Here's what I finally came up with for Andy & Jessica, after lots of ideas and edits to get it looking just right:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBvCZfNBNeI/AAAAAAAAA90/um40FPkE62Q/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBvCZfNBNeI/AAAAAAAAA90/um40FPkE62Q/s640/DSC_0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBvCaS56xoI/AAAAAAAAA-E/YkT3IJnPFuw/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBvCaS56xoI/AAAAAAAAA-E/YkT3IJnPFuw/s640/DSC_0006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBvCcHFr0QI/AAAAAAAAA-c/uVbp_tKsEOM/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBvCcHFr0QI/AAAAAAAAA-c/uVbp_tKsEOM/s640/DSC_0012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Hopefully this won't bring any crashers out to the wedding ;) As I was working on them, I fell in love with the simplicity and classicness of the small black border and elegant black knot, which I guess you could interpret as J & A "tying the knot". What do you think?<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/S_GgzEAJwrI/AAAAAAAAAu8/14UV67LVTbo/s1600/blogsignature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/S_GgzEAJwrI/AAAAAAAAAu8/14UV67LVTbo/s200/blogsignature.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-58288769063227383922010-06-24T11:08:00.000-04:002010-06-24T11:08:25.037-04:00Sold!I am proud to share the news that I am offically an Etsy SELLER. That's right, one of my prints actually sold! Visit through my lens: katiecarusophotography <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/katieacaruso">here</a>. You can also get there by clicking on the "Our Shop" tab above.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TCNznij5A-I/AAAAAAAABHY/WsnG_TrlEsE/s1600/firstetsysale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TCNznij5A-I/AAAAAAAABHY/WsnG_TrlEsE/s640/firstetsysale.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Thanks for celebrating with me! I am by no means an Etsy expert, but it does feel good when a stranger thinks your craft is good enough to buy and frame and hang on their wall. Any of you out there have Etsy shops? I'd love to visit and take a look at what you've got, and I am sure other readers would too.<br />
<br />
Now, back to work on getting that first print mailed out... <br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/S_GgzEAJwrI/AAAAAAAAAu8/14UV67LVTbo/s1600/blogsignature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/S_GgzEAJwrI/AAAAAAAAAu8/14UV67LVTbo/s200/blogsignature.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-74661315750618246392010-06-16T15:08:00.000-04:002010-06-16T15:08:05.151-04:00Summer Means CampForgive me for my lack of posting this week so far. It's that time of year again, to pack up (done) and move to camp (also done). Camp will be home for the next five weeks! We're excited to be back for another summer, and even though I have to work at my real job during the day, it's a great way to serve the Lord and keep Rob from getting into trouble with too much time on his hands in the summer months.<br />
<br />
So in the next month, look for camp themed posts, [even more] pictures of nature, and a little slower blogging pace from me (since internet access will be a bit limited) - and maybe even some postings through my newly-downloaded <a href="http://blogpress.coollittlethings.com/">BlogPress</a> for iPhone app! <br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBkg8p27r3I/AAAAAAAAA9E/zKY60QAjsb4/s1600/katieblogsignature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBkg8p27r3I/AAAAAAAAA9E/zKY60QAjsb4/s200/katieblogsignature.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-34178102837307774302010-06-11T12:39:00.000-04:002010-06-11T12:40:49.744-04:00Inside my... [JCrew Summer] Purse!Today I diverge from my "normal" photos to share about the contents of my <strike>basket</strike> purse. I've become a little OCD lately about having my purse organized. Maybe it's because my summer purse only closes with the tie of a ribbon, and not a zipper, so stuff is more prone to fall when my purse takes a tumble and I don't want to risk losing anything. Or maybe it's because I've gotten sick of glares and dirty looks from people behind me in the check-out line when I can't find my credit card among the cluster of old receipts.<br />
<br />
So, here's a peak inside my purse, and a break down of how I've managed to organize it all... (please excuse the quality of my photos today - pics taken from iPhone... maybe they'd be better if I had the iPhone 4.. hint, hint to the hubster). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJiWOzsZXI/AAAAAAAAA8s/ssAkPDIbfi8/s1600/purse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJiWOzsZXI/AAAAAAAAA8s/ssAkPDIbfi8/s400/purse.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJiZpDKqRI/AAAAAAAAA80/6O4MXg2FT4o/s1600/purse2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJiZpDKqRI/AAAAAAAAA80/6O4MXg2FT4o/s400/purse2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
First, two summer purse additions that I can't live without, and neither should you. A coffee cozy (top left - given to me by a friend who found them in two-packs at the dollar store) and a small tube of sunscreen (bottom right - mine happens to be <a href="http://www.aveeno.com/suncare/cp/facial/spf30">Aveeno Continuous Protection SPF30</a>). I am a pretty big fan of Aveeno products. Check <a href="http://www.aveeno.com/1005/haircare-free-sample">here</a> for some free samples - they usually rotate, and are good for trying out a product before committing to purchase.<br />
<br />
I try to always keep a book in my purse. You never know when you'll have a few minutes of down time. In the summer, it's usually a lighter read for me, as you can tell. And small paperbacks work best. <br />
<br />
And finally, I'll work from front to back explaining what's in each of my little pouches. The orange zippered case is actually this <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1635&f=36222">airline travel case</a>, but I use it to corral all of my coupons so that when I'm in a store, the coupons are right there with me (side note... do you say q-pons or coo-pons?). The brown and floral "evening" purse is where I keep all my credit, debit, and store cards and my iPhone. It's small enough to fit nicely inside my larger purse, but is easy to grab and carry inside a store when I don't feel like lugging the basket. My keys even fit inside then too! The <a href="http://www.verabradley.com/product/Category/All-Sale/Wristlet/154814/defaultColor/Night%20Owl/pc/638/p/154814/sc/729/c/0.uts">Vera Bradley wristlet wallet</a> neatly holds my receipts and gift cards. When my receipts start getting too crazy, I sort through them and move important ones for larger purchases (not Dunkin Donuts receipts for example... those meet the trashcan) in a box in our home office. And lastly, a cute little blue linen zippered case holds my extra tube of mascara, a foldup hairbrush, and a Tide stick. <br />
<br />
Whew! So... my purse pretty much holds my life. And it is probably more than you wanted to know. Thanks for reading my random Friday post. Have a great weekend!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJmvFezftI/AAAAAAAAA88/SyARzs9m9Sc/s1600/blogsignature2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJmvFezftI/AAAAAAAAA88/SyARzs9m9Sc/s200/blogsignature2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-37132869086717823652010-06-11T12:15:00.000-04:002010-06-11T12:15:29.159-04:00Friday FollowCheck out <a href="http://friday-follow.com/">Friday Follow</a> to get to know some other bloggers. It's a great way to get your blog out there and find other blogs to read.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJgwII_OMI/AAAAAAAAA8c/RuD7FFl5OGo/s1600/button1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJgwII_OMI/AAAAAAAAA8c/RuD7FFl5OGo/s200/button1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJg8Ch-E4I/AAAAAAAAA8k/2yJWHsIYt44/s1600/blogsignature2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TBJg8Ch-E4I/AAAAAAAAA8k/2yJWHsIYt44/s200/blogsignature2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7470075656834544510.post-15410591812152299782010-06-09T11:32:00.000-04:002010-06-09T11:32:36.115-04:00More Kitchen PrepIt seems like all we ever do is measure the kitchen. Well, tonight after work, Rob and I are planning to meet at IKEA to actually make some decisions and actually maybe do some ordering for our kitchen. Countertops, sink + faucet, and flooring are on the list. Plus who knows what else...<br />
<br />
Here's a little pre-trip planning, completed in the wee hours of this morning. Too early for me to be out of bed. I hope I measured accurately! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TA-yOpOy-AI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/PUY2xVzkW8k/s1600/kitchenmeasurements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TA-yOpOy-AI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/PUY2xVzkW8k/s640/kitchenmeasurements.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>You can see a little bit of bleed-through to my "list" complete with prices and measurements on the reverse side. Like the planning phase, but think I will LOVE the finished phase. Although I know it will never truly be "finished". And that's what I love about nesting!<br />
<br />
Can you see how this fits into our <a href="http://normallyoddcouple.blogspot.com/2010/06/to-give-you-better-idea-about-layout-of.html">floor plan</a>?<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for some before and "during" pictures - to see what's happened so far behind the elusive <a href="http://normallyoddcouple.blogspot.com/2010/04/project-fever.html">plastic curtain</a> I posted a few months ago. <br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TAa948mo0iI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/cyXV_AB-fOo/s1600/blogsignature2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1y2b1ALhlHQ/TAa948mo0iI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/cyXV_AB-fOo/s200/blogsignature2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04745731890404274977noreply@blogger.com0