tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9376887740268634432024-03-12T18:49:37.290-05:00Jody BlueJody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-43739708859409156512011-05-02T23:18:00.010-05:002011-05-03T01:03:13.771-05:00Royalty<div style="text-align: center;"> While the rest of you were setting your DVR's so you didn't have to get up so crazy early and watch the royal wedding, I was making lists, double checking flower colors and if a wrist corsage was what Willy's date wanted. I have made my fair share of corsages and boutonnieres for our kids, I started when I paid to much for a bad corsage. I figured I could rip ugly petals off just as well as the florist who seemed a bit annoyed with me that I would not want my boy to hand a browning wilted flower over to his date. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WNHitkq0AZ8/Tb-Fq9lbfnI/AAAAAAAABls/MGvAqZAt6VQ/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B082.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WNHitkq0AZ8/Tb-Fq9lbfnI/AAAAAAAABls/MGvAqZAt6VQ/s320/card%2Bdump%2B082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602343434604740210" border="0" /></a>I start with a trip to Hobby Lobby for supplies and a grocery store or Walmart for some affordable flowers. Then the assembling, which is very fun for me to be a bit creative.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ieu2BZcTZdw/Tb-DLT4OW2I/AAAAAAAABk0/BqRRJnugG5U/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B084.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ieu2BZcTZdw/Tb-DLT4OW2I/AAAAAAAABk0/BqRRJnugG5U/s320/card%2Bdump%2B084.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602340691810081634" border="0" /></a>These are the two corsages I did last fall for Avery and Willy's Homecoming dates.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRXC8kXOxLc/Tb-EPpBTxyI/AAAAAAAABlU/70O4lP_KBzA/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B122.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRXC8kXOxLc/Tb-EPpBTxyI/AAAAAAAABlU/70O4lP_KBzA/s320/card%2Bdump%2B122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602341865716434722" border="0" /></a>Lexi's corsage.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OY5XNFLl-U/Tb-DNv99KzI/AAAAAAAABlM/0jP6Z-O-_Lw/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B117.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OY5XNFLl-U/Tb-DNv99KzI/AAAAAAAABlM/0jP6Z-O-_Lw/s320/card%2Bdump%2B117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602340733710052146" border="0" /></a>Willy and Lexi<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-bLqWgtHg0/Tb-DMlKGqGI/AAAAAAAABlE/G4Ak4BN5NFQ/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B103.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-bLqWgtHg0/Tb-DMlKGqGI/AAAAAAAABlE/G4Ak4BN5NFQ/s320/card%2Bdump%2B103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602340713628346466" border="0" /></a>Taylor's corsage.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PE0OCqGUshg/Tb-DMAB7zGI/AAAAAAAABk8/mkVq196NIaU/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B086.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PE0OCqGUshg/Tb-DMAB7zGI/AAAAAAAABk8/mkVq196NIaU/s320/card%2Bdump%2B086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602340703661968482" border="0" /></a>Taylor and our handsome Avery.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlbNhPr4sO0/Tb-S1ZpwcNI/AAAAAAAABmM/KzXcf9CUvys/s1600/Ave%2BHomecoming.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlbNhPr4sO0/Tb-S1ZpwcNI/AAAAAAAABmM/KzXcf9CUvys/s320/Ave%2BHomecoming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602357907588935890" border="0" /></a> Avery was on Homecoming court last fall, so yes I do live with royalty!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxIvADzVEgE/Tb-EQLCcniI/AAAAAAAABlc/ZcE5nnTojrk/s1600/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxIvADzVEgE/Tb-EQLCcniI/AAAAAAAABlc/ZcE5nnTojrk/s320/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%25281%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602341874848013858" border="0" /></a>Spring time brings Prom and the fun starts all over again. I found mini roses, oh so cute. The mistake I made was hot gluing them on, I usually sew or floral tape, but last fall I glued roses on and it worked, I just think that the mini roses are a bit more delicate. They started to brown a bit before the dance(by then pictures and supper out were over and sweet Lexi didn't mind..I know 'cuz I asked and had enough time and mini roses to replace), they were however really pretty when Willy slid them on her wrist.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pqf7bCI0wE/Tb-EQwgr_aI/AAAAAAAABlk/4PqqiKmes0E/s1600/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pqf7bCI0wE/Tb-EQwgr_aI/AAAAAAAABlk/4PqqiKmes0E/s320/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602341884906962338" border="0" /></a>I also made Willy's boutonniere so that it would match Lexi's corsage.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18WTgfbqVAU/Tb-FrzEwGoI/AAAAAAAABmE/-arWWZX7LT8/s1600/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%252829%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18WTgfbqVAU/Tb-FrzEwGoI/AAAAAAAABmE/-arWWZX7LT8/s320/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%252829%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602343448963193474" border="0" /></a>Stunning!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RH6DUU_rqkY/Tb-FrjuaUbI/AAAAAAAABl8/bzquHNAP1UA/s1600/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%252844%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 167px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RH6DUU_rqkY/Tb-FrjuaUbI/AAAAAAAABl8/bzquHNAP1UA/s320/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%252844%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602343444842959282" border="0" /></a>More royalty! Willy was on Prom Court (Willy is the 4th one in). By now you do realize that with 2 boys on court it makes me...ok so maybe not the Queen Mother, but something royal!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NUGIgX_BZU/Tb-FrGPMa4I/AAAAAAAABl0/h5Tay3bRgcM/s1600/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%252836%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NUGIgX_BZU/Tb-FrGPMa4I/AAAAAAAABl0/h5Tay3bRgcM/s320/Willy%2B%2526%2BLexi%2BProm%2B%252711%2B%252836%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602343436927396738" border="0" /></a>Buckingham Palace has nothing on us, to see Lexi and Willy in the grand march...<br />royally stunning!<br /></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-28478503746212235362011-04-19T12:07:00.006-05:002011-04-19T13:24:16.371-05:00Life is a symphony...<div style="text-align: center;">...and you just never know what your missing until you have a fun experience!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSkw5JLOfvs/Ta3G_wz-zMI/AAAAAAAABkk/cXKARwyFYVQ/s1600/Spring%2B%252711%2B023.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSkw5JLOfvs/Ta3G_wz-zMI/AAAAAAAABkk/cXKARwyFYVQ/s320/Spring%2B%252711%2B023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597348710628379842" border="0" /></a>Last Saturday we actually factually(flash back to Charolett's Web movie...I'm feeling all kinds of musical) went to the LaCrosse Symphony Orchestra. We went to see...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wueqZNaHLkg/Ta3C5e7jVeI/AAAAAAAABkM/bSLQqGgxJ3s/s1600/Spring%2B%252711%2B008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wueqZNaHLkg/Ta3C5e7jVeI/AAAAAAAABkM/bSLQqGgxJ3s/s320/Spring%2B%252711%2B008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597344204702569954" border="0" /></a>...Margit who is J.J.'s girl friend, she is a concert violinist.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnhH-j6l9nQ/Ta3CJTDXofI/AAAAAAAABj8/rOf66kzXLfw/s1600/Spring%2B%252711%2B011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnhH-j6l9nQ/Ta3CJTDXofI/AAAAAAAABj8/rOf66kzXLfw/s320/Spring%2B%252711%2B011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597343376880411122" border="0" /></a>We met Margit's parents for the first time, it was probably to J.J.'s advantage that we were all dressed up and in a formal setting;) We also met her violin teacher, he is in the orchestra also. Who would have thought that a concert violinist who teaches violin to 17 students also has a violin teacher?!? It was so fun that you could hear just one little pluck of a violin string, and that so many different sounds came out of each instrument. It has to be appreciated in real life, TV does not do an orchestra justice.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkTRttbp6aI/Ta3C5kXc8wI/AAAAAAAABkU/1pyOD3bATEA/s1600/Spring%2B%252711%2B004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkTRttbp6aI/Ta3C5kXc8wI/AAAAAAAABkU/1pyOD3bATEA/s320/Spring%2B%252711%2B004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597344206161769218" border="0" /></a>Avery, Ian(Grace's boyfriend), and Grace went with.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vDP8kg0QgJ8/Ta3C6MkKugI/AAAAAAAABkc/nzlSBHBsQ5k/s1600/Spring%2B%252711%2B022.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vDP8kg0QgJ8/Ta3C6MkKugI/AAAAAAAABkc/nzlSBHBsQ5k/s320/Spring%2B%252711%2B022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597344216952519170" border="0" /></a>Willy went too and informed us that he may become a symphony orchestra junkie, he loved it! <a href="http://jodyblue.blogspot.com/2008/09/big-brass-band.html">Willy plays trombone,</a> in the high school band so he understands details that I have no clue about.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsJMJQxU8VA/Ta3CJNgiwpI/AAAAAAAABj0/dqsRCoz63gA/s1600/Spring%2B%252711%2B017.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 301px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsJMJQxU8VA/Ta3CJNgiwpI/AAAAAAAABj0/dqsRCoz63gA/s320/Spring%2B%252711%2B017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597343375392162450" border="0" /></a>This was a new experience for both Jon and I. I enjoyed the music and people watching. We may not purchase season tickets but defiantly would love to go again, especially if Margit is playing!<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-7636289154731589392011-04-13T22:13:00.002-05:002011-04-13T23:01:02.519-05:00rhuBarb<div style="text-align: center;">Spring is in full gear around here,<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmbR7Ybbvr8/TaZoDsMJBUI/AAAAAAAABjk/Ra0zZPBPnxA/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B978.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmbR7Ybbvr8/TaZoDsMJBUI/AAAAAAAABjk/Ra0zZPBPnxA/s320/card%2Bdump%2B978.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595273999665399106" border="0" /></a>and my raspberries are leafing out real nice.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gTM-zgC91Uk/TaZoDAPouhI/AAAAAAAABjc/GUDVx7gkg7k/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B979.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gTM-zgC91Uk/TaZoDAPouhI/AAAAAAAABjc/GUDVx7gkg7k/s320/card%2Bdump%2B979.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595273987868899858" border="0" /></a>But its the rhuBarb that I am keeping a good eye on. I can't wait for that 1st pan of rhuBarb desert. I think the one with the custard topped with meringue will be my favorite this year, and yes my favorite does change every year.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W48R0pIH6Ks/TaZoCm1t0tI/AAAAAAAABjU/ZScjFRxytQo/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B028.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W48R0pIH6Ks/TaZoCm1t0tI/AAAAAAAABjU/ZScjFRxytQo/s320/card%2Bdump%2B028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595273981049295570" border="0" /></a>This is the other reason I'm keeping track of it. I'm leaf looking to make some more of these. Willy and I made a few late last spring. It was a trial and error kind of thing. I had seen one at a friends house, she said she paid $25 for her's, I wanted one but do love the challenge of seeing if I can do a project for little or nothing. Willy made rounded mounds of sawdust(we have so much from the ski making business), we laid rhuBarb leaves bottom side up on the sawdust. The bottom side has more detail and that gives a better impression on the cement. Willy mixed the bags of cement and scooped it onto the leaves. We smoothed them off and on a couple built up a little flat area. The cement did go threw the one leaf that had a couple of holes in it, it kinda looks like it has warts. I broke one before it was dry because I jumped the gun a bit, moved it, and it cracked. Another one cracked on its own.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBfDUkGbNXo/TaZoBr9twtI/AAAAAAAABjM/Ytrf-B146Dc/s1600/card%2Bdump%2B027.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBfDUkGbNXo/TaZoBr9twtI/AAAAAAAABjM/Ytrf-B146Dc/s320/card%2Bdump%2B027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595273965245154002" border="0" /></a>One I took to my friend Barb, she has it on her deck with bird seed in, and the birds kept her company all winter long. The warty one we put on the ground where the rain water runs off the house. I no longer look at rhuBarb leaves the same, they are for more than being fanned with:)<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-37246451359936565992011-03-15T08:47:00.005-05:002011-03-15T10:29:14.660-05:00Moved...<div style="text-align: center;">The March 11, 2011 earth quake has <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">moved</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Japan</span> 13 feet closer to the <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">United</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">States</span>. The earths axis has been <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">moved</span> by 6.5 inches <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">moving</span> our day 1.8 microseconds shorter. The tsunami that followed <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">moved</span> a 23 foot high wall of <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">water</span>. The tsunami <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">moved</span> across the ocean at 500 miles per hour reaching Hawaii in less than 12 hours, then it <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">moved</span> and reached the main land of <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">North</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">America</span>.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JURknyVqeA0/TX9uBnEByWI/AAAAAAAABjE/zfyyscfbK6c/s1600/Ryan%2BK..jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JURknyVqeA0/TX9uBnEByWI/AAAAAAAABjE/zfyyscfbK6c/s320/Ryan%2BK..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584303036907506018" border="0" /></a>This is Ryan a friend of ours and of our extended family, I borrowed the picture from his facebook:) He has been in <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Japan</span> for the past 6 weeks in Itayangi, 200 miles northwest of Sendai(see news story <a href="http://www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=14243890">here at WKTB</a> video on right). Ryan is safe.<br />When our world is rocked, literally and figuratively,<br />we are <span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">moved</span> in one way or another...<br />many have been <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">moved</span> to tears,<br />others will be <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">moved</span> to fears...<br />...I am <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">moved</span> to pray this day, for some way I can reach out.<br />How will this <span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">move</span> you?<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-20890363928024321972011-02-14T08:43:00.007-06:002011-02-14T10:15:48.521-06:00Nothin' says lovin'...<div style="text-align: center;"> In the words of that great philosopher The Pillsbury Doughboy "nothin' says <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">lovin'</span> like somethin' from the oven!" In honor of <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Valentines Day</span> I give you our FAVORITE sugar cookie recipe. Quite a few years ago I was on a mission to find a sugar cookie that we <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">loved</span>. I tried every sugar cookie recipe in every cook book I had, asked family and friends, and scoured magazines while waiting in line at the grocery store(remember how it was before we could go online?). Then our family went to a graduation party, balloons and streamers parted, and garage lights shown down upon Sugar Cookie perfection!!! I hunted down the maker of said perfection, of course it would be the Grma of the graduate. She said "another girl also wants the recipe" that other girl turned out to be one of ours, so I knew we had found "the one". Grma Shirley sent me the recipe and it has remained our favorite ever since.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_rBwsR4Woc/TVlAIG-DH-I/AAAAAAAABik/Dzmn5KpfQCo/s1600/Blog%2B005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_rBwsR4Woc/TVlAIG-DH-I/AAAAAAAABik/Dzmn5KpfQCo/s320/Blog%2B005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573556521901694946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grma Shirley's Sugar Cookies</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup vegetable oil<br />1 cup butter<br />1 cup white sugar<br />1 cup powdered sugar<br />2 eggs<br />1 teaspoon vanilla (I use 2-3)<br />4 cups flour<br />1 teaspoon cream of tartar<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Preheat oven to 350* Mix ingredients in order. Chill dough. Roll into walnut sized balls(I just use a small ice cream scoop). Dip bottom of glass into sugar then gently press cookie. Bake @ 350* for 10-12 min on lightly greased cookie sheet. Makes 3-4 dozen. For my family if the edges start to brown they are to done. For festive occasions I mix decorating sugar with granulated sugar).<br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nMPZnmpeTK8/TVlAJ1Yb5lI/AAAAAAAABi0/Miy1C7ujQp4/s1600/Blog%2B003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nMPZnmpeTK8/TVlAJ1Yb5lI/AAAAAAAABi0/Miy1C7ujQp4/s320/Blog%2B003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573556551540270674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgLoQ5XmKoQ/TVlAIjNUnTI/AAAAAAAABis/uNvNbrfmTtI/s1600/Blog%2B004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgLoQ5XmKoQ/TVlAIjNUnTI/AAAAAAAABis/uNvNbrfmTtI/s320/Blog%2B004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573556529481948466" border="0" /></a>We also went on a perfect cookie press search, and found a vase that works great. I spray the bottom of the vase with cooking spray before the first sugar dip. I now <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">want</span> to go on the perfect cookie sheet search, mine are really old. I though I should just use one of the many jelly roll/bar pans I have, I wasn't impressed. The cookies turned out a little flat and not as many fit on the pan. For now I'll go back to my old ones, they have a seasoned quality.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdyiivbgMe0/TVlAKQxF2qI/AAAAAAAABi8/KZ_K8gYznJs/s1600/Blog%2B001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdyiivbgMe0/TVlAKQxF2qI/AAAAAAAABi8/KZ_K8gYznJs/s320/Blog%2B001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573556558891440802" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Happy Valentines Day</span> and let the <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">lovin'</span> begin!!!<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-60188677900207775352011-01-18T18:46:00.005-06:002011-01-19T10:02:39.165-06:00Fresh Start<div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TTY1lFqkejI/AAAAAAAABiY/duc0-iofDu0/s1600/Jody%2B1911.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563693300954987058" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TTY1lFqkejI/AAAAAAAABiY/duc0-iofDu0/s320/Jody%2B1911.jpg" border="0" /></a>Its that time of year when we all seem to want a fresh coat of paint, or make a change of some kind, inside and out. I like to freshen things up but not lose the character in the process. Rust and wrinkles...its all good!<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TTY1j17BagI/AAAAAAAABiA/HEZq7QBtW1c/s1600/Jody%2B1920.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563693279549155842" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TTY1j17BagI/AAAAAAAABiA/HEZq7QBtW1c/s320/Jody%2B1920.jpg" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Last summer I found this Decoware bread box in the bargain bin at an antique mall in Wadena MN. I paid just $4 for it. Add two cans of spray paint, antique ivory for the inside and sage green for the outside, and for around 10 bucks I have what I call a "treasure" and my kids call "dead people junk". Jon patiently took me to 4 different stores looking for the perfect paint color...we didn't find it (it exists only in my mind). The doors are so fun, inside and out so we kept them original and painted the rest. Jon was the one who put on the final coats, it kept running for me, with all the furniture and ski's he has sprayed he is pretty much the master when it comes to laying down a smooth finish.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TTY1kE1t7kI/AAAAAAAABiI/M_MdaVP898M/s1600/Jody%2B1919.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563693283553439298" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TTY1kE1t7kI/AAAAAAAABiI/M_MdaVP898M/s320/Jody%2B1919.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pretty fun huh?!? When I shut and open the doors it makes the sweetest little "ting" sound. My Grma Brown had a bread box and it reminds me of the one that sat on her counter. Mine will live in my sewing room.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TTY1k4xgBkI/AAAAAAAABiQ/1YZNXNYPFFA/s1600/Jody%2B1917.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563693297494394434" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TTY1k4xgBkI/AAAAAAAABiQ/1YZNXNYPFFA/s320/Jody%2B1917.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is my other New Year fresh start. For the 1st time I am trying a sourdough starter. I had bubbles after the 3rd day and after a week I baked my fist loaf of sourdough bread. It didn't have the sour flavor I was expecting, but it was good non the less, so I'm letting it do its thing for another week and see if that improves the tang. Rust and wrinkles, ting and tang, its all a good "fresh start" to my year!<br /></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-29067136835870029082010-12-14T22:28:00.007-06:002010-12-15T01:00:07.112-06:00WAndering<div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, finally I am getting around to my last post about my trip with Barb to WAshington state for a visit with my Sister Tami. Maybe it was my subconscious not WAnting the trip to ever end, so I just kept putting it off...anyWAy here we go!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhJ_kJ0i5I/AAAAAAAABhY/1JQHtEL-DFY/s1600/Jody%2B1132.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550767897119591314" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhJ_kJ0i5I/AAAAAAAABhY/1JQHtEL-DFY/s320/Jody%2B1132.jpg" border="0" /></a>This WAs the first view we had of Mt. Rainier poking above the clouds. In the days that followed it seemed to peek its head around every unexpected corner.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhKAepgZeI/AAAAAAAABho/wMcVp236rQU/s1600/Jody%2B1259.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550767912821745122" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhKAepgZeI/AAAAAAAABho/wMcVp236rQU/s320/Jody%2B1259.jpg" border="0" /></a>On the WAy up we stopped at an over look, I actually think Tami stopped to just give Barb and I a taste, we were wild with excitement! We had much more than a taste here, we had many deep deep inhales. The smell was something you just could not get enough of, we decide that this is where fragrance makers for anything marketed under the banner of "mountain fresh" come with jars in hand trying to capture the scent...and if you were not already aWAre, there isn't a laundry soap, fabric softener,or sachet that can even hold a scented candle to that fresh mountain air!<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhKALNc8DI/AAAAAAAABhg/TZY1KmsBA2U/s1600/Jody%2B1254.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550767907603804210" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhKALNc8DI/AAAAAAAABhg/TZY1KmsBA2U/s320/Jody%2B1254.jpg" border="0" /></a><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">You can hardly see the mountain stream that WAs running threw this valley, it looks small compared to the rest of the riverbed that Tami pointed out becomes a ragging torrent when the spring snows melt.<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhGtG3pBDI/AAAAAAAABgg/l_eR9WVF5vM/s1600/Jody%2B1271.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550764281486181426" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhGtG3pBDI/AAAAAAAABgg/l_eR9WVF5vM/s320/Jody%2B1271.jpg" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Happy WAnderers!<br />The General, Tami, Bubby, The Princess, and Barb...and our new best friend...Mt Rainier<br /></div><div><br /><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhJ-iMfx3I/AAAAAAAABhI/TpyQ1_Mrbak/s1600/Jody%2B1308.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550767879414073202" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhJ-iMfx3I/AAAAAAAABhI/TpyQ1_Mrbak/s320/Jody%2B1308.jpg" border="0" /></a>I love to go a-WAndering along the mountain track...<br />and use the sticks along the way to mount my sneak attack!<br /></div><br /><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhGuD7NXoI/AAAAAAAABgw/cmRgvQV36Ko/s1600/Jody%2B1291.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550764297875709570" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhGuD7NXoI/AAAAAAAABgw/cmRgvQV36Ko/s320/Jody%2B1291.jpg" border="0" /></a>The hills are alive...with the sounds, the sights, and even the love! Do you see it on the far hill?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhGuhUEcpI/AAAAAAAABg4/0bO7lWl-SUs/s1600/Jody%2B1293.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550764305764610706" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhGuhUEcpI/AAAAAAAABg4/0bO7lWl-SUs/s320/Jody%2B1293.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love to WAnder by the stream that dances in the sun...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhJ_HDmYCI/AAAAAAAABhQ/yHqJbVL403E/s1600/Jody%2B1301.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550767889308868642" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhJ_HDmYCI/AAAAAAAABhQ/yHqJbVL403E/s320/Jody%2B1301.jpg" border="0" /></a>So joyously it calls to me...<br />Jody, come again this place to see!!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhGtiTLtrI/AAAAAAAABgo/NP-wedQkPVI/s1600/Jody%2B1272.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550764288849458866" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhGtiTLtrI/AAAAAAAABgo/NP-wedQkPVI/s320/Jody%2B1272.jpg" border="0" /></a>I WAve my hat to all I meet...<br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhFjuEYoSI/AAAAAAAABgQ/OKBD4MdHfiE/s1600/Jody%2B1307.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550763020698296610" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhFjuEYoSI/AAAAAAAABgQ/OKBD4MdHfiE/s320/Jody%2B1307.jpg" border="0" /></a>...and they WAve back to me...<br />or we find a bench...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was so nice just to WAlk abit, sit abit, and just let your all senses WAke up.<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhFjNBKttI/AAAAAAAABgI/8eEcopdS5Ak/s1600/Jody%2B1311.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550763011826431698" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhFjNBKttI/AAAAAAAABgI/8eEcopdS5Ak/s320/Jody%2B1311.jpg" border="0" /></a>Goodness, I felt like I had WAlked into the middle of a painting!<br /></div> </div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhFij0b1tI/AAAAAAAABgA/jvU7_BYAl1o/s1600/Jody%2B1313.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550763000767174354" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhFij0b1tI/AAAAAAAABgA/jvU7_BYAl1o/s320/Jody%2B1313.jpg" border="0" /></a>I actually took this picture! Can you believe it!?! I know, it looks like a post card! The beauty just surrounded us, it WAs seriously hard to take a bad picture.<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhFiEH7-VI/AAAAAAAABf4/oJFzmKCQlOw/s1600/Jody%2B1314.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550762992259037522" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TQhFiEH7-VI/AAAAAAAABf4/oJFzmKCQlOw/s320/Jody%2B1314.jpg" border="0" /></a>Oh, may I go a-WAndering until the day I die!<br />Oh, may I always laugh and sing, beneath God's clear blue sky!!!<br /><br /></div>My heart still WAnders back there every now and then.<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-28730475865470451702010-11-09T23:06:00.013-06:002010-11-11T09:10:21.373-06:00WAter WAy<div><div style="text-align: center;">My WA trip continued.<br />We went to Seattle across Puget Sound by WAy of WAter.<br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNoph1nKoAI/AAAAAAAABd4/B7WSvPwLNKg/s1600/Jody%2B1373.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537784353109221378" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNoph1nKoAI/AAAAAAAABd4/B7WSvPwLNKg/s320/Jody%2B1373.jpg" border="0" /></a>Crossing a pretty impressive bridge along the WAy.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNopiVf6YiI/AAAAAAAABeA/QqCSoo2r6Y4/s1600/Jody%2B1379.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537784361668731426" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNopiVf6YiI/AAAAAAAABeA/QqCSoo2r6Y4/s320/Jody%2B1379.jpg" border="0" /></a>This was our greeter while WAiting to drive onto the ferry. It is a Rhodesian Ridgeback, they are used by Homeland Security, he WAs very excited to do his job.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNopi_92kgI/AAAAAAAABeI/Sb077Noj3KM/s1600/Jody%2B1380.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537784373068599810" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNopi_92kgI/AAAAAAAABeI/Sb077Noj3KM/s320/Jody%2B1380.jpg" border="0" /></a>All aboard!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNopjY8E-uI/AAAAAAAABeQ/ECDz2ct_G9g/s1600/Jody%2B1393.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537784379772041954" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNopjY8E-uI/AAAAAAAABeQ/ECDz2ct_G9g/s320/Jody%2B1393.jpg" border="0" /></a>WAter WAtching.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNopj1VztYI/AAAAAAAABeY/qCkwwDdU7zo/s1600/Jody%2B1410.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537784387396154754" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNopj1VztYI/AAAAAAAABeY/qCkwwDdU7zo/s320/Jody%2B1410.jpg" border="0" /></a>A passing ferry.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNoqhdDA6gI/AAAAAAAABew/uXx6vONKvfA/s1600/Jody%2B1423.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537785446026766850" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNoqhdDA6gI/AAAAAAAABew/uXx6vONKvfA/s320/Jody%2B1423.jpg" border="0" /></a>There's Seattle! Its good to see the Space Needle from afar because once your up close its hard first of all to crane your neck to see it(said the lady with a titanium plate in her's) and second to really appreciate it compared to its surroundings.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosMf7o60I/AAAAAAAABfo/kz_XaoIvMdQ/s1600/Jody%2B1438.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537787285047143234" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosMf7o60I/AAAAAAAABfo/kz_XaoIvMdQ/s320/Jody%2B1438.jpg" border="0" /></a>And here we are at Pike Place Market! We had front row parking(I don't know about you but to me thats a little blessing) we just got out of Tami's Taxi and walked right in. Tami does a very impressive job at getting around, she was also determined not to wear us out so she did alot of the drop and go method...she would drop us off and go find a go find a parking spot.<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosK4iXeqI/AAAAAAAABfQ/x7a_NW9NGyI/s1600/Jody%2B1464.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537787257292290722" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosK4iXeqI/AAAAAAAABfQ/x7a_NW9NGyI/s320/Jody%2B1464.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We could hear music as soon as we got out of the vehicle. This guy was warming up as we left. The musicians take turns playing throughout the day. Our arrival serenader was <a href="http://www.myspace.com/coatesmusic">James Coates</a>, Barb and I both bought his cd.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNoqisCbvgI/AAAAAAAABfA/hbuYcu0UqKM/s1600/Jody%2B1446.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537785467230731778" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNoqisCbvgI/AAAAAAAABfA/hbuYcu0UqKM/s320/Jody%2B1446.jpg" border="0" /></a>I took this picture for my boys that love to bike, I thought they'd like the "bike stand".<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosL-Az_SI/AAAAAAAABfg/_RZi40CoupU/s1600/Jody%2B1441.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537787275942034722" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosL-Az_SI/AAAAAAAABfg/_RZi40CoupU/s320/Jody%2B1441.jpg" border="0" /></a>So much to see.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNoqh2IE6eI/AAAAAAAABe4/tZTRm_Srfi8/s1600/Jody%2B1444.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537785452758886882" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNoqh2IE6eI/AAAAAAAABe4/tZTRm_Srfi8/s320/Jody%2B1444.jpg" border="0" /></a>The fish throwers!! How cool is that I got a picture of them throwing fish...yup, I WAs impressed.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNotT8A8rTI/AAAAAAAABfw/AknKJF8aFiA/s1600/Jody%2B1456.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537788512356314418" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNotT8A8rTI/AAAAAAAABfw/AknKJF8aFiA/s320/Jody%2B1456.jpg" border="0" /></a>Besides the fish throwers this guy is a main attraction, you have to WAit your turn to take pictures with him.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosKdsieKI/AAAAAAAABfI/F1zVOAiZw60/s1600/Jody%2B1462.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537787250087196834" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosKdsieKI/AAAAAAAABfI/F1zVOAiZw60/s320/Jody%2B1462.jpg" border="0" /></a>Then we crossed the street to the original Starbucks, where I bought my husband one of his favorite things...<a href="http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/whole-bean-coffee/asia-pacific/anniversary-blend">coffee</a> and a mug to put it in...yup, he WAs happy.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosLSGHHOI/AAAAAAAABfY/Tv8EmVYr7vw/s1600/Jody%2B1482.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537787264153099490" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TNosLSGHHOI/AAAAAAAABfY/Tv8EmVYr7vw/s320/Jody%2B1482.jpg" border="0" /></a>Our last stop WAs at the Space Needle. These carvers impressed me as much as the Needle. My next and last post on my trip is, besides getting to spend time with Tami & family and Barb, one of my favorite things about the trip...it will be well worth the WAit!!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-9970196164847320082010-10-31T19:55:00.009-05:002010-11-01T14:57:36.166-05:00WAlk with me...<div>...around Olympia WA(my trip to see my sister continued) there is alot of fun stuff to see and do. <a href="http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/">The Farmers Market</a> is really fun, it's big enough to have a good variety of things but not so big that it wears you out. Most of it is covered so even when it rains the buying and selling continues.<br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4ZJQrtxaI/AAAAAAAABdo/xEunhzkSSxE/s1600/Jody+1340.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534388638972757410" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4ZJQrtxaI/AAAAAAAABdo/xEunhzkSSxE/s320/Jody+1340.jpg" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">The food court has alot of fun choices from German to Oriental to Mexican and local. Tami had Curry in a Hurry, the name just made me laugh...and she did get her curry lickety-split!<br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4RbmyCERI/AAAAAAAABbY/DiTxQK5p5M4/s1600/Jody+1343.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534380158049456402" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4RbmyCERI/AAAAAAAABbY/DiTxQK5p5M4/s320/Jody+1343.jpg" border="0" /></a>So many seeds.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4Rb9HBgSI/AAAAAAAABbg/R9k5ey4vW-Y/s1600/Jody+1347.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534380164043079970" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4Rb9HBgSI/AAAAAAAABbg/R9k5ey4vW-Y/s320/Jody+1347.jpg" border="0" /></a>Flowers...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4RcO8oOqI/AAAAAAAABbo/R_9cSgSXXaA/s1600/Jody+1349.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534380168831318690" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4RcO8oOqI/AAAAAAAABbo/R_9cSgSXXaA/s320/Jody+1349.jpg" border="0" /></a>...and more flowers. This just amazed me that the beginning of October and flowers were blooming, not just the ones for sale at the farmers market but in back yards, front yards, along boulevards and in turn abouts.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4RcwhhkOI/AAAAAAAABbw/g0kFNIeNPJI/s1600/Jody+1352.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534380177844441314" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4RcwhhkOI/AAAAAAAABbw/g0kFNIeNPJI/s320/Jody+1352.jpg" border="0" /></a>Barb & I shared a crab cake with a side of coleslaw, it was so good and fresh. Then it was time for dessert.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4RdO-bfNI/AAAAAAAABb4/pFjyz1ogWuQ/s1600/Jody+1353.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534380186018741458" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4RdO-bfNI/AAAAAAAABb4/pFjyz1ogWuQ/s320/Jody+1353.jpg" border="0" /></a>Horn of Marzipan as big as my hand!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4ZI4WhP-I/AAAAAAAABdg/cSyBBkY_EeM/s1600/Jody+1350.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534388632441405410" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4ZI4WhP-I/AAAAAAAABdg/cSyBBkY_EeM/s320/Jody+1350.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bubby went for the brownie on a stick!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UaQ36LNI/AAAAAAAABdI/w5mh9P6xdtQ/s1600/Jody+1550.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534383433523539154" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UaQ36LNI/AAAAAAAABdI/w5mh9P6xdtQ/s320/Jody+1550.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tami the phoodie introduced us to "phoo" (like fa as in fa la la la). I'm going to make it for my family, I think I can come pretty close to duplicating it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TDzimH9I/AAAAAAAABcg/qchJSWCMwTs/s1600/Jody+1503.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534381948180766674" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TDzimH9I/AAAAAAAABcg/qchJSWCMwTs/s320/Jody+1503.jpg" border="0" /></a>The proprietress of this retro little shop, isn't she fun!?!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UYsjU_BI/AAAAAAAABco/gBc3mwdB2Oc/s1600/Jody+1511.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534383406593670162" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UYsjU_BI/AAAAAAAABco/gBc3mwdB2Oc/s320/Jody+1511.jpg" border="0" /></a>The inside of the little place was just as fun for the Princess and I.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TDL3uYlI/AAAAAAAABcI/XuG_Eosq4_M/s1600/Jody+1497.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534381937531970130" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TDL3uYlI/AAAAAAAABcI/XuG_Eosq4_M/s320/Jody+1497.jpg" border="0" /></a>A stop off at this little place for a cup of joe-lt.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TDXDRv5I/AAAAAAAABcQ/6Frn2UEI3qQ/s1600/Jody+1499.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534381940533215122" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TDXDRv5I/AAAAAAAABcQ/6Frn2UEI3qQ/s320/Jody+1499.jpg" border="0" /></a>I love details like this. I'd stop for a cappuccino just to get to use that door pull.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TDhdiPMI/AAAAAAAABcY/TKJOWTFiGLw/s1600/Jody+1501.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534381943327702210" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TDhdiPMI/AAAAAAAABcY/TKJOWTFiGLw/s320/Jody+1501.jpg" border="0" /></a>Details:) Don't let the love on the top of my latte fool you this stuff was high on the jolt-o-meter! I'm a serious caffeine wienie, so about 1/4 the way threw it my hair was standing on end and I was starting to talk alot...the Princess finished it off for me...we dropped her off at dance so she had a place to utilize the caffeine:)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UZwnK00I/AAAAAAAABdA/-52JBnhu59w/s1600/Jody+1520.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534383424863392578" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UZwnK00I/AAAAAAAABdA/-52JBnhu59w/s320/Jody+1520.jpg" border="0" /></a>Playing at Puget Sound during low tide.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UZYeotiI/AAAAAAAABc4/2kuD8wJGFAk/s1600/Jody+1532.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534383418385151522" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UZYeotiI/AAAAAAAABc4/2kuD8wJGFAk/s320/Jody+1532.jpg" border="0" /></a>Such a creative WAy to WAlk on the beach.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4ZHy_ti-I/AAAAAAAABdQ/MpdKdyMRwBw/s1600/Jody+1537.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534388613823695842" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4ZHy_ti-I/AAAAAAAABdQ/MpdKdyMRwBw/s320/Jody+1537.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://fivenomads-tami.blogspot.com/">My sweet sister Tami</a> and I.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UZC7XyWI/AAAAAAAABcw/l699kf0HG0Y/s1600/Jody+1523.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534383412600097122" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4UZC7XyWI/AAAAAAAABcw/l699kf0HG0Y/s320/Jody+1523.jpg" border="0" /></a>Shadow WAlking<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4ZIawTAGI/AAAAAAAABdY/VAgzat_pJGM/s1600/Jody+1633.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534388624496459874" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4ZIawTAGI/AAAAAAAABdY/VAgzat_pJGM/s320/Jody+1633.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wood WAlking, <a href="http://brabsglob.blogspot.com/">Barb</a> and I loved-loved the tree's they are just plain huge and tall...very very tall. It felt like the Hundred Acre Wood.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TCn8O_II/AAAAAAAABcA/IoCmV-LEFQs/s1600/Jody+1151.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534381927887207554" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TM4TCn8O_II/AAAAAAAABcA/IoCmV-LEFQs/s320/Jody+1151.jpg" border="0" /></a>And after the little WAlks here and there...my heart WAs WArmed:)<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-58744720963688050822010-10-24T22:44:00.008-05:002010-10-25T01:53:06.539-05:00WAahoo!!!<div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">WAaaahoooo!!!<br />I was blessed with a trip to WAshington state to visit my sister and her little's!!<br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531825709682330962" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TMT-LJD9DVI/AAAAAAAABaQ/F5HMsJYbGXA/s320/Jody+1129.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">My friend Barb and I went, she was kind and let me have the window seat. I was like a 5 year old with my nose to the window on the flight out, I was also probably as annoying as a 5 year old can be with my play by play of what we were flying over. All the lakes of MN was so neat to see. Across ND and MT it was pretty much alot of uninhabited land, it had a stark beauty to it. The closer we were to the Rocky mountains the land looked like a velvet quilt made in hues of dark greens and browns, so pretty. Then mountains with silver streams and then clouds.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531825727697963170" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TMT-MMLNyKI/AAAAAAAABag/r_PWxhzM91s/s320/Jody+1147.jpg" border="0" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first day there Tami took Barb and I to Steilacoom for a Thai shrimp salad(Tami is a serious foodie) and oddly enough as I type this out I am really hungry for that salad. We then did a bit of sight seeing, and then for desert to this quaint little place that was once a general store, pharmacy, and post office all in one...so that's where Target and Walmart got the idea:)<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531825722795723266" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TMT-L56bigI/AAAAAAAABaY/0jhe_uA2Vj0/s320/Jody+1134.jpg" border="0" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The middle white building is the Steilacoom city hall, it was so picturesque. And just look at the view of Puget sound.<br /></div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531825730691058130" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TMT-MXU0ydI/AAAAAAAABao/J5IkGvfu0AE/s320/Jody+1200.jpg" border="0" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Another day we visited the state capital in Olympia WA.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531827772252893538" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TMUADMvGMWI/AAAAAAAABbI/LXWHKBxa5MA/s320/Jody+1170.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Statue of Mother Joseph, she was a huge part of the settling of the Northwest. She not only designed 11 hospitals, 7 academies, 5 Indian schools, and 2 orphanages, she also raised money to build them, oversaw, took part, and inspected the buildings, clearly she could bring home the bacon, build the kitchen to fry it in and then fry it up in the pan.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531828471786918194" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TMUAr6tAUTI/AAAAAAAABbQ/OOoUv0aH8Vw/s320/Jody+1196.jpg" border="0" />All of the lights in the capital were purchased from Tiffany's long before Tiffany was famous so they were purchased at a bargain price.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531825740549245682" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TMT-M8DMyvI/AAAAAAAABaw/gcCLD4DpHGs/s320/Jody+1187.jpg" border="0" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Two of these really pretty chandeliers hang in the State Reception room. The me that dabbles in a bit of jewelry making would love to just touch those crystals, or at least be around when they clean the thing, can you imagine!?!<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531827763462288514" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TMUACr_QNII/AAAAAAAABa4/XTyfyq2pKfk/s320/Jody+1191.jpg" border="0" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the Rotunda hangs the largest chandelier ever created by Tiffany, its chain alone weighs 1&1/2 tons, the chandelier weighs 5 tons. During one of the 3 earthquakes to really shake the place it swung for 3 days(it might have been more, I can't recall and so for the sake of not exaggerating I'll stick with 3 days until Tami sets me straight or I get curious enough to just call the number on my capital brochure and ask...I may suggest that they put this kind of information in the brochure so that inquiring minds like mine can know these things. I did try to google it but apparently its a state secret that only the tour guide knows and the rest of us can't remember long enough to get it on the web!)<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531827768751058946" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TMUAC_sMcAI/AAAAAAAABbA/c9C0BmZNlpw/s320/Jody+1206.jpg" border="0" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The capital over looks this little man made lake that over looks Pudget sound. The rest of the trip is soon to follow. I have to do it in a few posts, there is just so much to share.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-57357558678354821072010-09-06T22:40:00.006-05:002010-09-12T23:08:04.796-05:00Birds of a Feather...<div><div style="text-align: center;">For about a week during the summer I had been watching this baby bird in our back yard who obviously jumped the nest well before it was ready to fly. It might have been Papa Robin but for the sake of my having a mini revelation we're going with Mama Robin. That Mama Robin fed and watched over her off spring like a hawk, and when it strayed too far or I was too close she called it back again. But there were times when all she could do was sit on a branch and watch.<br /></div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1KGk9eDI/AAAAAAAABWg/5avJiPX2kbA/s1600/Jody+509.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514012503953995826" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1KGk9eDI/AAAAAAAABWg/5avJiPX2kbA/s320/Jody+509.jpg" border="0" /></a>One day when J came home for a visit he yelled for me to come quick and bring the camera, he had rescued a bird from the jaws of the "beast". I told him how we had been observing it, we put said beast in doors and he let the little guy go and it wasn't long and Mama bird was checking her baby out and no doubt a bit thankful for the rescuer.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1KmkkDCI/AAAAAAAABWo/iy_zgqvZMhU/s1600/Jody+512.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514012512542264354" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1KmkkDCI/AAAAAAAABWo/iy_zgqvZMhU/s320/Jody+512.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://jodyblue.blogspot.com/2009/05/tales-from-duck-side.html">Our J didn't jump the nest too soon</a> but <a href="http://jodyblue.blogspot.com/2009/02/gift-for-his-mom.html">where he landed at times saddeneds us</a>. We feed him when he comes around, hang out and love on him and the pretty girl who sometimes tags along. I probably chirp a bit too much for his liking a times. I do hope that when things get too much and the world out there would like to chew him up that there is someone who would rescue him from the jaws of life...and I will be thankful.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1LOzJdnI/AAAAAAAABWw/y8Hzz2mG9Xg/s1600/Jody+664.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514012523340854898" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1LOzJdnI/AAAAAAAABWw/y8Hzz2mG9Xg/s320/Jody+664.jpg" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile in the front yard a whole nother saga was taking place.We live on a busy main street on the edge of town, traffic moves fast, you have to pass our home to get to the high school, the pool, the Piggley Wiggley, etc. And look where a Robin couple built a nest, and they kept it in use for weeks, I think they had 3 different clutches of eggs. I tried to not be too much of a busy body neighbor.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1wnME_MI/AAAAAAAABXA/yExh_oiMa44/s1600/Jody+667.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514013165543029954" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 243px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1wnME_MI/AAAAAAAABXA/yExh_oiMa44/s320/Jody+667.jpg" border="0" /></a>I heard a story about a contest that was held to paint a perfect picture of peace, the final two pictures where unveiled. The first was of a glass smooth lake with sheep grazing along the shore. The second was of a storm darkened sky over a rushing torrent of a waterfall, a tree growing on the precipice and on a branch sitting on a nest was a mother bird, covering her young.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1w8TSfrI/AAAAAAAABXI/cXu_yXcCHYY/s1600/Jody+671.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514013171210419890" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1w8TSfrI/AAAAAAAABXI/cXu_yXcCHYY/s320/Jody+671.jpg" border="0" /></a>Peace in my own front yard.<br />We had some wild storms this year and this Mama held tight. I would watch her, once I thought the nest was blown away so I went out on the veranda and could hardly see the few feet threw the rain and yet there she sat, all hunkered down in her nest waiting for the storm to pass. I'm learning.<br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1ISn__3I/AAAAAAAABWQ/IGebYqKJDXw/s1600/Jody+1049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514012472828231538" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TIW1ISn__3I/AAAAAAAABWQ/IGebYqKJDXw/s320/Jody+1049.jpg" border="0" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;">And look that Mama Robin even built her nest with love!<br />Can you see it woven in?<br /></div><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-67238297676080688382010-08-25T22:55:00.008-05:002010-08-28T23:42:40.892-05:005 and big!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/THXmFuj7ItI/AAAAAAAABV4/kGz0qYJ0ILs/s1600/Jody+960.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/THXmFuj7ItI/AAAAAAAABV4/kGz0qYJ0ILs/s320/Jody+960.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509562705230111442" border="0" /></a>When our Randi was little she couldn't wait to turn "5 and big"! Oh the things she was going to do, the closer she was to turning 5 the more fun she was sure she would be having. When Randi married and started having babies, I was so excited to be part of my own grown up version of "5 and big".<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/THXmE2MJ5-I/AAAAAAAABVw/Ym81RK3SIo4/s1600/Jody+723.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/THXmE2MJ5-I/AAAAAAAABVw/Ym81RK3SIo4/s320/Jody+723.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509562690098030562" border="0" /></a>5 generations!!!<br />1st-my Grma Brown, 2nd-my Dad, 3rd-ME!!! 4th-my Randi and 5th-my Grandsons Elijah and Connor. I love this picture! My Dad looks proud as a peacock...but that was before Grma "got after" him, not once but 3 times for not telling her we were coming, it was priceless! Let me tell you at 94 Grma is sharp as a tack and a still a force to be reckoned with! This was so special for me! Randi was right...it is oh so fun to be "5 and big".<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-35167625428058907962010-08-11T23:12:00.010-05:002010-08-13T11:41:31.885-05:00If ya can't take the heat...<div align="center"> Grilling out is one way we keep our house cooler in the heat of summer. I would really like one of those green EGG ceramic grills...but here's the honest truth...rarely do I do the grilling. Jon does our grilling and he is pretty much a master at it on our Weber kettle grill. I'm the kitchen prep part of this dynamic duo. Although I'm pretty sure if we had an EGG he would love it...and I would love him loving it. I did decide if I was going to say that we would really love an EGG I should at least make and attempt at grilling a meal or two. So far this summer I've done one meal all by my lonesome.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504372593018690962" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TGN1tb5GXZI/AAAAAAAABVg/kw4Bv-ctHHc/s320/Jody+919.jpg" border="0" />I made pork and grilled corn. I found a recipe for grilled corn with a mayo mixture smeared on, it was really good. Most of the time when we grill there are 2 things that are a grill staple for us, grilled toast, and potatoes on the grill.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504372586927145586" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TGN1tFMwwnI/AAAAAAAABVY/0lWC2KVkIKQ/s320/Jody+924.jpg" border="0" />When we make <span style="font-weight: bold;">Grilled Toast</span> we try to use bread that we can cut thick, I like using sourdough. Butter both sides and sprinkle with Lawry's season salt and grill both sides, so good that even the ones that get a bit to dark get eaten. This year we are using natural lump charcoal, so far we are pretty impressed.<br /><div> </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504373884769006738" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 255px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TGN24oCX9JI/AAAAAAAABVo/YRl8s8ZbzPc/s320/Jody+952.jpg" border="0" /><div> </div><div> </div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Potatoes on the grill.</span><br />Grated potatoes<br />Thinly sliced onions<br />Butter, salt, pepper, Lawry's, lemon pepper.<br />Spray heavy duty tin foil. Put potatoes, onions, butter and seasons on tin foil then wrap up and then wrap with another piece of tin foil. Grill until done. We usually put on before we put the meat on unless we are grilling something that is really thick.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TGN1QiJws5I/AAAAAAAABVQ/3jmUXBvPSzA/s1600/Jody+956.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504372096482980754" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TGN1QiJws5I/AAAAAAAABVQ/3jmUXBvPSzA/s320/Jody+956.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tastes even better than they look!! The sweet corn is from our garden, we plant<a href="http://gurneys.com/product.asp?pn=72258&bhcd2=1281676868"> Gotta have it from Gurneys</a> and it is by far the best corm we have ever had or grown.<br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TGN1QfO-COI/AAAAAAAABVI/n7Is6RkO2IA/s1600/Jody+957.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504372095699519714" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TGN1QfO-COI/AAAAAAAABVI/n7Is6RkO2IA/s320/Jody+957.jpg" border="0" /></a>Summer supper out doors...keepin' it cool inside.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TGN1QCSiEoI/AAAAAAAABVA/_aHxI9Vu4kU/s1600/Jody+959.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504372087929836162" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TGN1QCSiEoI/AAAAAAAABVA/_aHxI9Vu4kU/s320/Jody+959.jpg" border="0" /></a>Here I am helping clean up(fulfilling my part of the dynamic duo;) in my new apron from <a href="http://cowgirlgoods.typepad.com/cowgirl_goods/">Cowgirl Goods</a>, I love it! Oh yea Cowgirl has an EGG, and she hardly uses her oven...yup she's cool.<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-6326490632572145112010-08-04T00:51:00.009-05:002010-08-06T16:36:09.728-05:00Going Home<div><div style="text-align: center;">My Mom & Dad dee. I. vee. oh. are. see. e'd when I was 20, by then I had already been gone since I was 17, my Brother who is just a year younger had came and went a couple of times , my Sister Tami left shortly after the big D. at age 13. Our youngest Brother stayed the longest but was bounced between our parents and Ants & Uncles. I have often felt saddened when someone would say "we always come home on the weekends" or "I'm going home to see my folks". Fragmented family's often times don't lend themselves to having a roots kind of home. I remember when my Mom or Brother would say "are you coming up home for Christmas?" I'd reply "I am home but we are up coming for a visit"...petty I know. Trips north to visit family have always been so special to me, it has also been bittersweet. Recently one of my favorite Uncles passed away after nearly 3 year cancer battle (just for the record...most of them are my favorite, 9 on my Mom's side and 4 on Dad's). Packing and heading up north this time was that very rare feeling of "I am going home". A trip back to see Aunts, Uncles, cousins and neighbors that I hadn't seen in years, catching up, and being surrounded by people that I really love alot, at a very hard time...bittersweet.<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA35ZEOoI/AAAAAAAABUY/oJAPtoSCfhI/s1600/Jody+950.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501429380108532354" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA35ZEOoI/AAAAAAAABUY/oJAPtoSCfhI/s320/Jody+950.jpg" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Exhale. I am here, not my home but a home that I and my siblings spent ALOT of time at when we were kids, there are other homes, but for this trip this is where I want to be. The farm of my Uncle and my Ant. home. This is where I spent many summer days on the back of a horse or a pony herding the milk cows in the field out behind the barn. I also spent alot of time riding pigs and those milk cows, Uncle was fine with us riding pigs...not so fine with us riding the milk cows, especially when their milk production dropped. He never passed up a hard luck case or a good laugh. Over the years my Uncle and Ant took in many strays...human and critter...young and old. No one was ever turned away from their table. When he "went home" tickets were purchased post-haste, nieces, nephews, friends of his children that came to stay for the weekend and left over a year later...or never left until they were adults...we all came "home".<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA5Nx5xSI/AAAAAAAABUw/WYVEQvtlEJ4/s1600/Jody+946.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501429402761282850" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA5Nx5xSI/AAAAAAAABUw/WYVEQvtlEJ4/s320/Jody+946.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is Sandy.<br />My Uncle and his son went to buy tractor parts, and came home with her, they bought her off a slaughter truck for $20, hooves over grown and nothing but skin and bones, she was in really rough shape. Another Aunt of mine, who lives down the road from Uncle had to have knee surgery...she was in rough shape too, so the donkey was named after Ant Sandy.<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA4su2zEI/AAAAAAAABUo/htjaSEWCH0E/s1600/Jody+947.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501429393890135106" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA4su2zEI/AAAAAAAABUo/htjaSEWCH0E/s320/Jody+947.jpg" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">One day Kyle ran to the house saying "Grandpa Sandy is down, we need the 4 wheeler!" Uncle said "We'll take the truck, hop in" then he drove to get his son to help "get ol' Sandy up" all the while thinking it was Ant Sandy who was down. He pulled up to where Dan was, and said at the same time he saw Sandy the donkey on the ground "Dan, Sandy is down we need to go..." The story was still being told and laughed at as we all sat around and visited as families do when a loved one "goes home".<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA4ZK0i9I/AAAAAAAABUg/veW1ExnwtYA/s1600/Jody+948.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501429388638718930" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA4ZK0i9I/AAAAAAAABUg/veW1ExnwtYA/s320/Jody+948.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ant Sandy's knee healed, and Sandy the donkey managed to get pregnant and have little Ellie Mae a couple of weeks ago, even though she still looks a bit rough she looks a whole lot better than she did when she stepped off the slaughter truck, another stray taken in. My Uncle will be missed, he was a good example of giving and reaching out to so many of us. It was a bittersweet trip...so if home really is where the heart is...then I can truly say...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA56ebifI/AAAAAAAABU4/j9XpwDUpxIE/s1600/Jody+945.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501429414759205362" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TFkA56ebifI/AAAAAAAABU4/j9XpwDUpxIE/s320/Jody+945.jpg" border="0" /></a>...it was good to be "home".<br /></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-89618175754291454312010-07-19T00:02:00.008-05:002010-07-20T00:39:14.164-05:00Winds of Change<div style="text-align: center;">On June 17, 2010 a tornado ripped threw the Wadena MN area, Jon's hometown. With in hours facebook was full of pictures from the area. Can I just say I love facebook!?! With in a short time after the storm I knew that my Aunt Ruth was fine, although 3 blocks from the twister her home was fine. I also knew that my Aunt and Uncle in Deer Creek were ok and their farm had been spared, I knew that my cousins Grma H. who is over 90 years old was ok and had just lost power. Then the pictures started to pop up on fb, for days we had a virtual tour of the devastation. The 6 hours away from family and friends, didn't seem as far. Yup, love that facebook. Over the 4th of July weekend we traveled there. So sad to see places that we hung around just gone. All but one of the pictures I took, keep in mind that I took them two weeks later, and ALOT of clean up had taken place. If you want to see more pictures YouTube or google.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPeuypqxEI/AAAAAAAABUA/6u99I8128Rg/s1600/Jody+714.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPeuypqxEI/AAAAAAAABUA/6u99I8128Rg/s320/Jody+714.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495480865774027842" border="0" /></a>The north end of the Wadena County Fair grounds, this was one of our date spots.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPfDczMVpI/AAAAAAAABUI/i_q7S3ZNwVM/s1600/Jody+715.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPfDczMVpI/AAAAAAAABUI/i_q7S3ZNwVM/s320/Jody+715.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495481220685649554" border="0" /></a>I don't think any of these school buses will be ready for next fall. Some of them were thrown across the highway.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPeueFiH4I/AAAAAAAABT4/xNNpQRIs4sE/s1600/Jody+738.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPeueFiH4I/AAAAAAAABT4/xNNpQRIs4sE/s320/Jody+738.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495480860253757314" border="0" /></a>This is the high school Jon graduated from. The roof was peeled off and balled up like aluminum foil. They will bulldoze and build a new school, in the fall the kids will go to the local community college and the college students will attend other colleges in the area.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPetzuODzI/AAAAAAAABTw/c3-oesSpI38/s1600/Jody+737.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPetzuODzI/AAAAAAAABTw/c3-oesSpI38/s320/Jody+737.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495480848881684274" border="0" /></a>This is the ag service that my Uncle used all his years of farming<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdw-adjSI/AAAAAAAABTo/irR3kUQQWWo/s1600/Jody+743.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdw-adjSI/AAAAAAAABTo/irR3kUQQWWo/s320/Jody+743.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495479803779583266" border="0" /></a>The cemetery lost so many huge trees, and stones were flung around, a couple are still missing. The cross with Jesus on in the middle, stood threw the storm. As we were driving around looking at all the debris and damage, Grace said it looks alot like Mexico.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdwrT_9UI/AAAAAAAABTg/IS60rh6UjVA/s1600/Jody+744.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdwrT_9UI/AAAAAAAABTg/IS60rh6UjVA/s320/Jody+744.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495479798652204354" border="0" /></a>One of Jon's friend's grew up here, Jon spent may hours hanging out there.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdwG9IASI/AAAAAAAABTY/68WiFdyKjBc/s1600/Jody+749.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdwG9IASI/AAAAAAAABTY/68WiFdyKjBc/s320/Jody+749.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495479788892586274" border="0" /></a>Now that puts things into perspective.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdvq0n8XI/AAAAAAAABTQ/1CjGklgtn-M/s1600/Jody+750.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdvq0n8XI/AAAAAAAABTQ/1CjGklgtn-M/s320/Jody+750.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495479781340737906" border="0" /></a>That tree is plastered with insulation.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdvJND4KI/AAAAAAAABTI/3CdZ6iV1Xn8/s1600/Jody+751.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEPdvJND4KI/AAAAAAAABTI/3CdZ6iV1Xn8/s320/Jody+751.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495479772316426402" border="0" /></a>No need for commentary on this picture, it was the 4th after all.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEUgz9PXf9I/AAAAAAAABUQ/xWm7yv0mIfQ/s1600/100_1099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TEUgz9PXf9I/AAAAAAAABUQ/xWm7yv0mIfQ/s320/100_1099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495834997259993042" border="0" /></a>This is the one picture I didn't take. It was taken by my Aunt the day after the storm. When this picture made it to facebook via her grand daughter for me this was the one that broke my heart the most. That is my Uncle, and he is usually smiling. Even though I couldn't see his whole face I knew he was in a state of awe...and not a good state of awe either. To know that his landscape the way he knew it, now had been forever changed, it made me so sad. We can see havoc and devestation on the news and web, and be saddened by it, it is when it touches those you love that it becomes a reality, when it really rocks your world. Reminds me of of this song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq-_zwyTeGc<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-25999246761934966982010-06-29T23:35:00.008-05:002010-06-30T01:01:51.058-05:00Sock it to me:)<div style="text-align: center;">While my sister Tami is in <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Hawaii</span> funning and sunning for the past week...I'm here in <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">WI</span> missing phone chats with her and enjoying these socks she knitted and sent me. It is supposed to get down to 47* tonight...and one would think I would sleep with these really comfy, really cool socks on...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TCrJ8zQhdVI/AAAAAAAABTA/DoJEJoL_0oE/s1600/Jody+680.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TCrJ8zQhdVI/AAAAAAAABTA/DoJEJoL_0oE/s320/Jody+680.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488421142293214546" border="0" /></a>...you see I have really cold feet, when I was younger I always slept with my socks on. Then along came Jon who said "what in the world are you doing with your socks on?" I explained that my feet are cold...really <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">cold</span>.<br />Have no fear your knight in shining armor is here!<br />You sleep without socks and you can <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">warm</span> your feet up on my <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">legs</span>...deal? Deal! So for years I pop into bed no matter the hour and if I so wish I plant my <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">ice cubes</span> on his <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">heat radiating</span> legs...deal...deal...not so fast. Last winter after over 25 years of defrosting my tootsies, I pop into bed...you can see where this is going right!?! So, I plant my <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">frigid feet</span> upon <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Mr. Lava Legs</span> and he says "take those<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> ice cubes</span> off me." I reply in a somewhat state of you have got to be kidding me "say what? serious?" He assured me he was indeed serious. I remind him of the commitment he had made, cuz a deal after say 25 years is pretty much a committed for life kind of deal...right!?! He said "put your socks back on" "Well the honeymoon must be over and a deal is a deal...do we need to go to counseling (anytime he bugs me I tell him I'm signing us up for counseling...it's become a bit of a joke between us)?"<br />So with windows wide open and the fan blowing the nice cool...cold night air in on my <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">hot</span> honey...<br />...I will be sleeping...<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">...</span>without</span> socks on...<br />...ahhhh all is right with the world:)<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-25638690066228417032010-06-15T22:12:00.010-05:002010-06-19T15:21:21.379-05:00End-End<div style="text-align: center;">Schools (finally) out for summer!!! The end of school has been a little bitter sweet for me. Here are just a couple of memories from the year.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483205159054307378" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBhCCngFcDI/AAAAAAAABSg/KEz7LOFLYuU/s320/Jody+657.jpg" border="0" /> I'm glad I caught this picture for posterity sake.<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483205125666268338" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBhCArHwZLI/AAAAAAAABSQ/6n5UhcdnxsQ/s320/Jody+659.jpg" border="0" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Avery made these polar fleece pajamas...<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483205139991737154" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBhCBgfNs0I/AAAAAAAABSY/yutp5laFZxk/s320/Jody+658.jpg" border="0" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...and this guy in a Sew Much More home ec. class. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483234696879767682" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBhc58edgII/AAAAAAAABS4/w8BE8BZowsE/s320/Jody+661.jpg" border="0" /> Willy giving it his all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483205077012263762" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBhB913vM1I/AAAAAAAABSA/g0KotDJhzG0/s320/Jody+662.jpg" border="0" />Working at the high school has had it perks, getting asked to wear a football jersey Homecoming game day would be one of them:)<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Here is where the end of the end comes in...<br />...the "how do you like them apples?"<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483205668851328546" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBhCgSpKpiI/AAAAAAAABSo/EucL7CJzXxc/s320/Jody+678.jpg" border="0" />For the past 10 years I have worked at the local high school as a teachers aide (excuse me if I don't use the PC terminology--paraprofessional). I was injured on the job a little over 2 years ago, recovery has been slow and not total. I would love to spill the whole pot of beans on this but until all is said and done with workman's comp mums the word.<br />Bear with me, as I go a little off track, it will all come together...in the end. Through out this injury my sister Tami has been a huge support and just a bit outspoken ( I know, hard to believe) on the whole ordeal. As I dealt/deal with w/c, the school, meds, drs. dr. bills, surgery, PT, OT, etc. etc. in the back ground has been my sister "you tell them that they broke you, now they need to fix this mess!" She has talked me through the in and outs, ups and downs, and has been a shoulder to cry on. Back on track we go...<br />I have had work restrictions and it has been a challenge for the school to work within my limitations. A month before school was out the superintendent came to see me one day and explained that due to my medical restrictions they will not have a position for me next year. A couple weeks later I learned that I would be getting my 10 years of service "Apple Award". When I told Tami about my "apple award" she said something to the effect "Well, will it have a big ol' bite taken out!?! It really should, and if they hand you the whole apple you just hand it back to them and say(I'll insert a breath here for her, although she doesn't often come up for need of air)..."clearly you seem to have forgotten to take a bite out of the proverbial apple" at this point what do you have to lose I mean REALLY!!" So the last week of school on Monday I was given my walking papers, and on Wednesday I was given my "apple award" I opened the box, took out my apple and had a little chuckle...<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483205677890956674" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBhCg0UYbYI/AAAAAAAABSw/ar6DV7EvQFc/s320/Jody+679.jpg" border="0" />...as requested Tami, the proverbial bite had been taken :)</div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-24147175265036189132010-06-10T01:03:00.008-05:002010-06-10T15:15:59.416-05:00Too Far<div style="text-align: center;">We went to Missouri for a long Memorial Day weekend. It is a long, long drive. Along the way I found my self saying "this is just too far" thats the adult version of "are we there yet?" But really 485 miles to get there is defiantly not <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">too far</span> to meet...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCBZDELQfI/AAAAAAAABRw/NOhukMR43TE/s1600/Jody+644.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCBZDELQfI/AAAAAAAABRw/NOhukMR43TE/s320/Jody+644.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481023013829427698" border="0" /></a>Connor our new grandson.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCBZlQG98I/AAAAAAAABR4/pHW8qioeqlo/s1600/Jody+611.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCBZlQG98I/AAAAAAAABR4/pHW8qioeqlo/s320/Jody+611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481023023006283714" border="0" /></a>Nor is it <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;">too far</span> to be able to <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">snuggle</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">him</span> in my arms.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCAtYH74oI/AAAAAAAABRY/qD_e3NSr_mc/s1600/Jody+654.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCAtYH74oI/AAAAAAAABRY/qD_e3NSr_mc/s320/Jody+654.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481022263568097922" border="0" /></a>On the ride home Jon couldn't leave Missouri with out making a last stop on the Missouri-Iowa boarder at a huge fireworks warehouse....he may have gone <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">too far</span> this time, I'm quite certain he will get his butt tossed in jail when he lights them all off. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCBYufXULI/AAAAAAAABRo/0sYpGcbwpco/s1600/Jody+652.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCBYufXULI/AAAAAAAABRo/0sYpGcbwpco/s320/Jody+652.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481023008306319538" border="0" /></a>A friend lent us her touring van, and let me tell you it was a <span style="font-style: italic;">really, really</span>, sweet ride, complete with a sheep skin rug for me to sit on. We have not had a full sized van for years, just minivans, with alot less leg room, cargo space, and space between the seats, this was a treat to say the least.<br />Over 1200 miles round trip was not <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">too far</span>...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCBYDf7u9I/AAAAAAAABRg/jxN28oAo9ZA/s1600/Jody+653.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/TBCBYDf7u9I/AAAAAAAABRg/jxN28oAo9ZA/s320/Jody+653.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481022996765981650" border="0" /></a>...but the space between us was!<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-45046984612393312402010-05-12T22:35:00.010-05:002010-05-13T21:49:13.677-05:00Whooo's your mama!?!<div style="text-align: center;">A couple weeks ago I was at a church tag sale(if you think you see an <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; 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margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><s style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></s> pattern here you maybe right) and I found...this...
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S-t0X7fnJtI/AAAAAAAABQo/Z-IEbESSwIw/s1600/DSC02297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S-t0X7fnJtI/AAAAAAAABQo/Z-IEbESSwIw/s320/DSC02297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470594126827693778" border="0" /></a>At first sight of this I began to laugh and reach for my cell phone "Grace I'm at the sale at the Presbyterian Church here in town and I just found an owl lamp....I said OWL-who-who lamp its a foot and 1/2 tall, hangs from the ceiling, lights up, its harvest gold and-" "ITS SO MINE, buy it for me" she said as she laughs like crazy. Jon paid the $3 for it all the while I as thinking "there has to be a blog post somewhere in this purchase...maybe "whoo loves you" or something like that." Then the other day I was e-mailing one of my bloggy friends and had asked if she had kids...besides Bob the dog. She replied no and that it was all good for her. She has nieces and nephew that she dotes on. My mind raced back(and a blog post was born) to every summer as a kid when we went to Iowa to visit my Dad's cousin Francis and her husband Ed. They had no kids and for those few days every year she loved on us like there was no tomorrow...sweet tea, raspberries, tucking us in...lovin' us...and making a difference in the lives of 4 wild little kids.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S-t0ZWOO1UI/AAAAAAAABRA/1tnT8oy2gxs/s1600/Jody+507.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S-t0ZWOO1UI/AAAAAAAABRA/1tnT8oy2gxs/s320/Jody+507.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470594151182423362" border="0" /></a>I also thought of Jon's Aunt Mae who didn't have kids, when we go north we visit her as if she were a Grma, making sure we get pictures of her with our kids because she has prayed and cared about our kids as much as she did Jon and his brothers and sisters.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S-t0XsPNQJI/AAAAAAAABQg/s0BzhrnI4eY/s1600/DSC02296.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S-t0XsPNQJI/AAAAAAAABQg/s0BzhrnI4eY/s320/DSC02296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470594122732355730" border="0" /></a>In the spirit of just having celebrated Mother's Day, there ought to be a 'Nother Mothers Day, not an "Other Mothers Day" cuz that would mean a mother in law. 'Nother, like in "you want 'nother cookie?" meaning added to the goodness that one already has... an added unexpected sweetness to ones life...like a second cookie. These "nother Mothers at times, have the time, energy, and resources that everyday Mama's have been tapped out of just providing the basics. They often give where regular Mama's forget to, they bring gifts tangible and non-tangible into our worlds, taking us on day trips and journeys. Sometimes when it feels like life has left us hanging 'Nother Mother's are there to light the way and let us know we are loved.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S-t0Y8oIcLI/AAAAAAAABQ4/ouTAUWU4RRk/s1600/DSC02307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S-t0Y8oIcLI/AAAAAAAABQ4/ouTAUWU4RRk/s320/DSC02307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470594144311734450" border="0" /></a>So...whoo's your 'nother Mother?
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let her know she shines through you:)
<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-7507814884975596382010-05-02T21:11:00.012-05:002010-05-03T13:51:10.150-05:00Sugar Shack<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xkIvAgjI/AAAAAAAABPI/zuVlFKahsFc/s1600/Jody+490.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xkIvAgjI/AAAAAAAABPI/zuVlFKahsFc/s320/Jody+490.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466861494564061746" border="0" /></a>Our ride out to the sugar shack, Bob & Beauty. We could have driven in for it was dry enough...but who would want to pass up a wagon ride!?!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xjWYd4mI/AAAAAAAABO4/0z7Uuo5Io-o/s1600/Jody+503.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xjWYd4mI/AAAAAAAABO4/0z7Uuo5Io-o/s320/Jody+503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466861481047745122" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We were reminded that life in the woods would indeed be moving at a much slower pace.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94zNJY2EnI/AAAAAAAABQA/tUf1hu1G0Vc/s1600/Jody+464.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94zNJY2EnI/AAAAAAAABQA/tUf1hu1G0Vc/s320/Jody+464.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466863298625802866" border="0" /></a>This guy was our musical entertainment while we were enjoying our pancakes and REAL maple syrup. There is a funny little story behind this picture, so I'll set the stage, pun intended. In Feb. we celebrated Jon being sober for 24 years (YEAH~HOORAY~YAHOO!!!), back in what I refer to as the crazy daze, the guy would dance all night long with me...now when we do go to a wedding dance its a couple of slow dances and his dance card has been fulfilled and he's good for the evening. When I have reminded him how much he used to dance, he says "why do you think they call it liquid courage?" So we're eating pancakes, listening to Woodland Willie and he starts to sing "Love me tender" and I think hey it is a slow one...a girl has to try...right? I look across the picnic table at Jon and say "so...are you going to ask me to dance??" and with out skipping a beat he said "I need a few more pancakes in me." It was good humor and a good laugh:)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xktO0ekI/AAAAAAAABPQ/L4xZUoags7o/s1600/Jody+483.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xktO0ekI/AAAAAAAABPQ/L4xZUoags7o/s320/Jody+483.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466861504361167426" border="0" /></a>Our other entertainment for the day was my Heaven on earth!! When we first laid eyes(and my hands followed with in seconds) on the sheep and goats, Jon knew it would be a very long visit in the woods. This little guy was 11 days old, he just had his tail banded, goodness he was so so sweet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94y8_2UCRI/AAAAAAAABPo/GFXgVJ0Qufo/s1600/Jody+455.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94y8_2UCRI/AAAAAAAABPo/GFXgVJ0Qufo/s320/Jody+455.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466863021187139858" border="0" /></a>Sweet curiosity.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94y73u2txI/AAAAAAAABPY/8HJsd-AJWuE/s1600/Jody+475.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94y73u2txI/AAAAAAAABPY/8HJsd-AJWuE/s320/Jody+475.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466863001828505362" border="0" /></a>This is the actual sugar shack where the maple sap is boiled down to make maple syrup. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Grmpa</span> & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Grma</span> made maple syrup when my Dad was growing up and when I was growing up, seeing all this was a sweet walk down memory lane. We would go to their home in the woods and help empty the sap buckets off the trees. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Grmpa</span> would let us put more wood on the fire, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Grma</span> would can the syrup and my Dad would take some of it to sell down in the "cities" that's what Minnesotans call <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mpls</span>/St. Paul.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94y8p6Pt3I/AAAAAAAABPg/1yatYRWNHjM/s1600/Jody+446.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94y8p6Pt3I/AAAAAAAABPg/1yatYRWNHjM/s320/Jody+446.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466863015298054002" border="0" /></a>Inside the sugar shack, look at all that sweet steam, the ratio is 40 to 1, it takes 40 quarts of sap to make 1 quart of syrup. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94y9bepRBI/AAAAAAAABPw/uFMbPfEJwug/s1600/Jody+426.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94y9bepRBI/AAAAAAAABPw/uFMbPfEJwug/s320/Jody+426.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466863028604060690" border="0" /></a>"Jody Bloom"<br />When I showed Grace the pictures from my amazing day she said this one should be titled "Jody Bloom" The floor of the woods was covered with these little Violets.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94w4gEnJII/AAAAAAAABOo/7hpuUFazJXY/s1600/Jody+485.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94w4gEnJII/AAAAAAAABOo/7hpuUFazJXY/s320/Jody+485.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466860744914445442" border="0" /></a>Even the view out the outhouse window was wonderful, the Violets look like a carpet.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S95Mwaa9DzI/AAAAAAAABQI/2hoM81Ei1m0/s1600/Jody+487.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S95Mwaa9DzI/AAAAAAAABQI/2hoM81Ei1m0/s320/Jody+487.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466891392284167986" border="0" /></a>Nieces:)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xjr-KWOI/AAAAAAAABPA/4F7-zTarTJk/s1600/Jody+494.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xjr-KWOI/AAAAAAAABPA/4F7-zTarTJk/s320/Jody+494.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466861486842992866" border="0" /></a>A girl after my own heart!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S95Mwz4PpkI/AAAAAAAABQQ/ExpGRRu7x_A/s1600/Jody+437.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S95Mwz4PpkI/AAAAAAAABQQ/ExpGRRu7x_A/s320/Jody+437.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466891399117907522" border="0" /></a>I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tellin</span>' ya, my Heaven on earth...I am one happy camper!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xi4bavZI/AAAAAAAABOw/t1FaYAAFx5I/s1600/Jody+506.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S94xi4bavZI/AAAAAAAABOw/t1FaYAAFx5I/s320/Jody+506.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466861473007058322" border="0" /></a>The ride home did not disappoint either, it was a day that was tailor made for me.<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-85192485228899037582010-04-18T21:46:00.007-05:002010-04-20T10:04:18.486-05:00Pancake Ingenuity<div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday Jon and I went to a sugar shack for pancakes in the woods at some dear friends of ours Mark and Mari~Belle, they make maple syrup on their farm. Let me tell you I have a couple weeks of blog fodder to use!! It was heaven on earth for me, but I'll expound on that in the next post(s). The making of the pancakes deserves a post all its own and when you see this I'm sure you will be as impressed as we were. It is a homemade pancake making machine!!!<br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE96bXaHI/AAAAAAAABIw/zOaM4Nvmv_s/s1600/Jody+457.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461675541051959410" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE96bXaHI/AAAAAAAABIw/zOaM4Nvmv_s/s320/Jody+457.jpg" border="0" /></a>They mix the batter up in 5 gallon buckets and then pour about 1/2 of it into the hopper. Then it's rolled down to the other end. The hopper is on little train wheels and the griddle has little tracks on each side. The griddle is scrubbed with a rag between fry's that has about 2 cups of salt tied into it and then it soaks in oil between scrubs. The workers told me it keeps the griddle from smoking, it must work, there was none of that smokey griddle smell, just the aroma of the pancakes frying away.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE-aE1xBI/AAAAAAAABI4/98_eSiBrdtQ/s1600/Jody+458.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461675549547414546" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE-aE1xBI/AAAAAAAABI4/98_eSiBrdtQ/s320/Jody+458.jpg" border="0" /></a>As the hopper is pushed down the track a lever is pushed...or pulled(?) to release batter onto the griddle, 4 pancakes at a time...<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE-k0JXDI/AAAAAAAABJA/ezeFkC6AXD8/s1600/Jody+459.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461675552430185522" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE-k0JXDI/AAAAAAAABJA/ezeFkC6AXD8/s320/Jody+459.jpg" border="0" /></a>...and another 4 pancakes...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE_IlMj-I/AAAAAAAABJI/786JjtkMKhc/s1600/Jody+460.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461675562031157218" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE_IlMj-I/AAAAAAAABJI/786JjtkMKhc/s320/Jody+460.jpg" border="0" /></a>...and on and on...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE_lqv0tI/AAAAAAAABJQ/yNw2eNY384w/s1600/Jody+461.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461675569839067858" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vE_lqv0tI/AAAAAAAABJQ/yNw2eNY384w/s320/Jody+461.jpg" border="0" /></a>...until the whole griddle is full of 40 pancakes. How impressive is that. Mari~Belle told me that when they first started doing the pancakes in the woods they just did it on household griddles, what an undertaking that had to be!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vFx5-q66I/AAAAAAAABJY/MtMKPrdejj4/s1600/Jody+462.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461676434284800930" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vFx5-q66I/AAAAAAAABJY/MtMKPrdejj4/s320/Jody+462.jpg" border="0" /></a>There you have it sweet pancake ingenuity! <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vFysecKBI/AAAAAAAABJo/Yp3oDf6XR5k/s1600/Jody+465.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461676447839823890" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vFysecKBI/AAAAAAAABJo/Yp3oDf6XR5k/s320/Jody+465.jpg" border="0" /></a>Josh enjoying his pancakes...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vFy5gKMrI/AAAAAAAABJw/UwNEWyWU4q8/s1600/Jody+466.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461676451336696498" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vFy5gKMrI/AAAAAAAABJw/UwNEWyWU4q8/s320/Jody+466.jpg" border="0" /></a>...Blessing enjoying hers...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vFyO_w7iI/AAAAAAAABJg/Rk3D7kJKDS4/s1600/Jody+463.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461676439926533666" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8vFyO_w7iI/AAAAAAAABJg/Rk3D7kJKDS4/s320/Jody+463.jpg" border="0" /></a>...there is nothing sweeter than sharing the experience with family!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-25936311781073224522010-04-12T21:49:00.005-05:002010-04-13T00:25:23.396-05:00In the Parlor with the Candlestick<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Everyone has their own signal that spring is here and summer is on its way. For me it is Zion Lutheran in town having their annual thrift sale that supports their youth group. It was held last Saturday. Grace and I go every year, when Randi lived around here she went. Some years Jon goes with. We usually find a treasure or two. Jon found a 1966 Schwinn bike, the handle bars have been changed so he will be on the look out for some that are original. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8Pb3OkN7VI/AAAAAAAABIA/NeVHpZh0LWY/s1600/Jody+414.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8Pb3OkN7VI/AAAAAAAABIA/NeVHpZh0LWY/s320/Jody+414.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>This was one of my finds, and to be honest when I saw it I thought "uffda just how much ugly can I put up with?...$3 for the lamp and 50 cents for the shade...alot of ugly...I guess." I had a flash back of Jon on occasion sitting the recliner that is not "his" chair reaching up and turning on a pretend lamp so he could see his laptop. Then he says something like "I forgot we don't have lamp here". I know the guy is just plain fun...never a dull moment. Anywho the ugly was even more bearable when they threw in the shade for free. I was home less than 10 minuets and Avery took the tin snips after the leaves before I could get the before picture, just trust me we all agreed they had to go along with the 4 inch plastic tube . Once we had it all stripped down Ave said it looked like a life size game piece from "Clue".</div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8Pb3_QNYBI/AAAAAAAABIQ/G_zBUmhVc4E/s1600/Jody+416.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8Pb3_QNYBI/AAAAAAAABIQ/G_zBUmhVc4E/s320/Jody+416.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Jon bought a new finial and spray painted both pieces ivory. It was a bit to bright so I antiqued it with some deft oil that had a finish in it. I started off rubbing it on with a rag but went to just pouring some in my gloved hand, smeared, and when it was almost tacky then I rubbed some off with the rag.<br /></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8Pb4t4SsYI/AAAAAAAABIY/YxCduefuQh8/s1600/Jody+417.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8Pb4t4SsYI/AAAAAAAABIY/YxCduefuQh8/s320/Jody+417.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The kids say it still looks like a pineapple, I say not bad for 3 bucks and some parts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8Per1te6SI/AAAAAAAABIg/-eLgXmCws7Q/s1600/Jody+419.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S8Per1te6SI/AAAAAAAABIg/-eLgXmCws7Q/s320/Jody+419.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459452018036762914" border="0" /></a>Now Jon can see things in a whole new light;)<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-44859629939255672082010-03-18T22:18:00.006-05:002010-03-18T23:53:32.252-05:00Touch O' The Green!?!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S6LtU1_vgrI/AAAAAAAABHA/Zjlmk85ldHM/s1600-h/Jody+414.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S6LtU1_vgrI/AAAAAAAABHA/Zjlmk85ldHM/s320/Jody+414.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450179441419322034" border="0" /></a>Are you so impressed with my Burgundy Shamrock?!? I am for three reasons. First off this was a starter from a plant that my sister in law had, I would much rather have a plant that I nurtured as a starter or a cutting. Second it was all a bloom for St. Patrick's Day. Third it is a live...I may have taken some liberties when when I said I nurtured it. I do enjoy plants, I just forget them at times. My brother Rock says I do well with plants that thrive on abuse, and such is the case with this Shamrock. I also have a green Shamrock(a gift from Barb) that thrives on the same amount of neglect...it is what it is...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S6LtVl4kjEI/AAAAAAAABHI/uVPiFmhl_UM/s1600-h/Jody+415.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S6LtVl4kjEI/AAAAAAAABHI/uVPiFmhl_UM/s320/Jody+415.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450179454274145346" border="0" /></a>Irish tradition says that St. Patrick used the Shamrock to explain The Holy Trinity of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to druid priests. The light bulb went on and the rest is history...Irish history. One <a href="http://jodyblue.blogspot.com/search/label/St.Patricks%20Day">St. Patrick's day tradition for us</a> is making pistachio bread , not because its Irish, but because its green...lime green...pale lime green. A little disclaimer, any recipe that has a cake mix as its base is just that...a cake. Maybe by putting it in loaf pans it then becomes a bread, who knows!?!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S6LtWB2lC3I/AAAAAAAABHQ/lOpU3fJsrK8/s1600-h/Jody+416.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S6LtWB2lC3I/AAAAAAAABHQ/lOpU3fJsrK8/s320/Jody+416.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450179461781982066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Pistachio Bread</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 box yellow cake mix<br />1 pkg. instant pistachio pudding<br />4 eggs<br />1/8 cup water<br />1/4 cup oil<br />1 cup sour cream<br /><br />Preheat oven 350* (325* for glass) Gently mix all ingredients together.<br /> Grease 2 loaf pans and coat with mixture of:<br />1/3 cup sugar<br />1 tsp. cinnamon<br />Divide batter equally between pans. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of batter. Bake 350* for 45 min (maybe?) use butter knife around edges and tip out of pans. Cool...or not and enjoy!<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-84377244427262013402010-03-08T23:46:00.014-06:002010-03-09T01:45:26.727-06:001 ringy dingy...2 ringy dingy...<div style="text-align: center;">Since the local Piggly Wiggly no longer has an UPS pick up this place is now the local drop off, it saves driving 25 miles just to rid one's self of the 2nd xbox 360 that needed to be returned due being afflicted with the red ring of death. When I took the first one in to be sent off I thought "oh next time I have to send off a package I'm bringing my camera"...little did I know it would be sooner than later....and with my camera this time.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XjYtAZ71I/AAAAAAAABGo/N2xMkmFxZA4/s1600-h/Jody+434.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XjYtAZ71I/AAAAAAAABGo/N2xMkmFxZA4/s320/Jody+434.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446509337912143698" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.phonecoinc.com/">Phoneco</a> is located in Galesville WI<br />They have so many phones and a museum of sorts, the phone guy told me every thing is for sale. I was hoping to see a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9e3dTOJi0o">Lily Tomlin</a> switch board but there was so much fun stuff to look at I forgot to take notice...the red ring of death may strike again, if so I'll be on the look out.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XjYFn8vyI/AAAAAAAABGg/hvDIKeJRhvQ/s1600-h/Jody+432.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XjYFn8vyI/AAAAAAAABGg/hvDIKeJRhvQ/s320/Jody+432.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446509327340584738" border="0" /></a>He told me that these can be made into working phones with a dial out installed inside the box.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XjXowTq6I/AAAAAAAABGY/vRZX25XZ6Gw/s1600-h/Jody+431.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XjXowTq6I/AAAAAAAABGY/vRZX25XZ6Gw/s320/Jody+431.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446509319591013282" border="0" /></a>Pretty creative way to dress up the stair well.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xi60rphAI/AAAAAAAABGI/TgeaGXpGIJw/s1600-h/Jody+429.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xi60rphAI/AAAAAAAABGI/TgeaGXpGIJw/s320/Jody+429.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508824576492546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xi6YTq2lI/AAAAAAAABGA/_k4XQavPafY/s1600-h/Jody+428.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xi6YTq2lI/AAAAAAAABGA/_k4XQavPafY/s320/Jody+428.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508816959724114" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xi5H8DRYI/AAAAAAAABFw/JbO4uEAooJg/s1600-h/Jody+426.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xi5H8DRYI/AAAAAAAABFw/JbO4uEAooJg/s320/Jody+426.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508795385824642" border="0" /></a>I wonder if that red phone is a direct line to a local super hero!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xi5tqFy3I/AAAAAAAABF4/BUwP9cGKoKs/s1600-h/Jody+427.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xi5tqFy3I/AAAAAAAABF4/BUwP9cGKoKs/s320/Jody+427.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508805511039858" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">My Aunt Ruth and Uncle Fred had a phone similar to this one in thier big farm house, as a kid I thought it was so cool...the phone and the farm house:)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiVFa4ReI/AAAAAAAABFo/IxlHfNKHNLA/s1600-h/Jody+425.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiVFa4ReI/AAAAAAAABFo/IxlHfNKHNLA/s320/Jody+425.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508176234530274" border="0" /></a>Some of the first colored plastic phones.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiUheuMNI/AAAAAAAABFg/ValJDymRFK8/s1600-h/Jody+424.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiUheuMNI/AAAAAAAABFg/ValJDymRFK8/s320/Jody+424.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508166586970322" border="0" /></a>Now these bring back memories of being a kid, and that of our kids, our grandson has a toy cell phone.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiUKNVHeI/AAAAAAAABFY/vtI2IBl6IBk/s1600-h/Jody+423.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiUKNVHeI/AAAAAAAABFY/vtI2IBl6IBk/s320/Jody+423.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508160340008418" border="0" /></a>I really like the look of the black desk phones.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiThxFuBI/AAAAAAAABFQ/KXNdfQ_vino/s1600-h/Jody+422.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiThxFuBI/AAAAAAAABFQ/KXNdfQ_vino/s320/Jody+422.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508149484140562" border="0" /></a>Had I seen these as a teenager I would have wanted one I'm sure.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiTHlTD1I/AAAAAAAABFI/VC-K5jkG1L4/s1600-h/Jody+421.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XiTHlTD1I/AAAAAAAABFI/VC-K5jkG1L4/s320/Jody+421.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508142455361362" border="0" /></a>I can just see <a href="http://www.reelclassics.com/Movies/Wonlife/wonlife.htm">George Baily(Its a Wonderful Life)</a> talking on one of these.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XhnEthMcI/AAAAAAAABEg/QLieHudSHsA/s1600-h/Jody+414.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XhnEthMcI/AAAAAAAABEg/QLieHudSHsA/s320/Jody+414.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446507385770291650" border="0" /></a>My Mom had the a phone exactly like this one in her bedroom.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XhoXIOwDI/AAAAAAAABE4/T_oSRTATjs4/s1600-h/Jody+417.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XhoXIOwDI/AAAAAAAABE4/T_oSRTATjs4/s320/Jody+417.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446507407894036530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xhn_Bbr-I/AAAAAAAABEw/4jjRZnoHDtQ/s1600-h/Jody+416.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5Xhn_Bbr-I/AAAAAAAABEw/4jjRZnoHDtQ/s320/Jody+416.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446507401423073250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XhneWLTLI/AAAAAAAABEo/FgArUoyxY8w/s1600-h/Jody+415.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XhneWLTLI/AAAAAAAABEo/FgArUoyxY8w/s320/Jody+415.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446507392651709618" border="0" /></a>Not only do they have alot of phones, but also old phone signs, advertisements, and every phone innard you could think of and some you would never even think to think of.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XhpKVFCuI/AAAAAAAABFA/uxBRhL2tYK0/s1600-h/Jody+418.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S5XhpKVFCuI/AAAAAAAABFA/uxBRhL2tYK0/s320/Jody+418.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446507421638134498" border="0" /></a>...all these phones remind me...<br />I need to call my sister;)<br /></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937688774026863443.post-40992953582215883792010-02-23T20:45:00.009-06:002010-02-25T10:26:03.922-06:00Grace Under Foot<div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S4SWQWzqTmI/AAAAAAAABEI/MSPSDi5WdtQ/s1600-h/Jody+389.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441639457514737250" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S4SWQWzqTmI/AAAAAAAABEI/MSPSDi5WdtQ/s320/Jody+389.jpg" border="0" /></a>At the end of last summer I rescued cotton skirts from Grace's give-away pile, 4 skirts to be exact. I started at the bottom and cut up and around making one continuous strand to crochet. I threw this one on the floor so it could start practicing. It would go from a life of Sunday morning Church...out to lunch and hanging out(or on) with young women, college bound, with hopes and dreams and enough energy to chase them, to a life of utility. To be tread upon, feet wiped on, laid on by critters, egg shells dropped upon...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S4SWucmiebI/AAAAAAAABEY/jkdiyTl_TTM/s1600-h/Jody+408.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441639974466386354" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SV852Eo96AE/S4SWucmiebI/AAAAAAAABEY/jkdiyTl_TTM/s320/Jody+408.jpg" border="0" /></a>...and yet there is beauty and grace in the staying put and providing comfort.<br />This is my first successful oval rug, I recently finished it to gift my friend <a href="http://brabsglob.blogspot.com/">Barb</a> for her birthday. <a href="http://jodyblue.blogspot.com/2009/04/covered-in-love.html">Barb has graced my life</a> in so many ways I thought it a fitting gift, a little grace under foot...literally and figuratively:)<br /></div></div></div></div>Jody Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822023313529125586noreply@blogger.com9