tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12277297926299668682024-03-05T23:55:27.646-08:00Boutique On The CheapI'm just a girl trying to love Jesus with my whole heart, love my husband the way I'm called to, and raise my children to love and to be loved knowing who they are in Christ. I love to create and teach people how to DIY rather than pay boutique prices,and all of that is what you can expect to find here! xoxocourtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-66273946405828593392011-07-06T08:11:00.000-07:002011-07-06T08:13:08.971-07:00They say it's my Birthday!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Okay so I didn't get to post last night </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">because I was entirely too tired and wanted </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">to talk to Brad while my eyes would still stay open.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><b>I'm</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>27!</b></span></span></div><div style="color: #93c47d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Was NOT exactly looking forward to that. <b> </b></span></div><div style="color: #93c47d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do NOT feel like I'm 27, but regardless I am. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We slept in yesterday morning which is totally my style! </span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My hubby sent me a birthday video:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">be prepared. he's a total boy. No clue why I look like a hooker though.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="312" width="504"><param name="movie" value="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/jwplayer.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars"value="height=312&width=504&allowscriptaccess=always&allowfullscreen=true&skin=http://www.xtranormal.com%2Fsite_media%2Fplayers%2Fjw_player_v54%2Fxn.xml&file=http://farmprod.content.xtranormal.com/2011-07-04/publish/c7cb80f6-a6c6-11e0-a592-12313d2b3844.mp4&image=http://farmprod.content.xtranormal.com/2011-07-04/publish/c7cb80f6-a6c6-11e0-a592-12313d2b3844.png&link=http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/12276248/playgoz-movie&title=Playgoz Movie&author=beechjet47&date=July 5, 2011&plugins=gapro%2Cfbit-1%2Ctweetit-1%2Cviral-2&gapro.accountid=UA-5134028-2"/><embed src="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/jw_player_v54/player.swf" height="312" width="504" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="skin=http://www.xtranormal.com%2Fsite_media%2Fplayers%2Fjw_player_v54%2Fxn.xml&file=http://farmprod.content.xtranormal.com/2011-07-04/publish/c7cb80f6-a6c6-11e0-a592-12313d2b3844.mp4&image=http://farmprod.content.xtranormal.com/2011-07-04/publish/c7cb80f6-a6c6-11e0-a592-12313d2b3844.png&link=http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/12276248/playgoz-movie&title=Playgoz Movie&author=beechjet47&date=July 5, 2011&plugins=gapro%2Cfbit-1%2Ctweetit-1%2Cviral-2&gapro.accountid=UA-5134028-2" /></embed></object><object height="1" width="1"><param name="movie" value="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/embedded-xnl-stats.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/embedded-xnl-stats.swf" width="1" height="1" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I headed to the salon:</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">Embellish Salon and Spa in Knoxville, TN.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amy Swank: Owner/stylist/bestie</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I started out with no make-up and hair in a bun.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgNc6KRHwTnuRBI_O0rE9zNHpaYdyNjbtEzF88c4FIJiqcV8XEavQDSTgcFf0440vGhd_wOIqcbKVgsLZEMUVaJwPoGK3DbkLIaeINZZM2_0CydmIBserTk2JyepgLLwFBKsqIXSiupHc/s1600/IMAG1847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgNc6KRHwTnuRBI_O0rE9zNHpaYdyNjbtEzF88c4FIJiqcV8XEavQDSTgcFf0440vGhd_wOIqcbKVgsLZEMUVaJwPoGK3DbkLIaeINZZM2_0CydmIBserTk2JyepgLLwFBKsqIXSiupHc/s320/IMAG1847.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy_IZoYY6HuFq5RkKzo7TB3Ru5_QtM5R7rPkNf2vYZc78a7Gnoj-Egdyjhi6gSgDgLz2j9xgx_65zkhyudYB69bYOFLaws71ShL-z_G8nQoAcnx3SFvvIb50THikWjtw1eUyM4zV6SZCB/s1600/IMAG1848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy_IZoYY6HuFq5RkKzo7TB3Ru5_QtM5R7rPkNf2vYZc78a7Gnoj-Egdyjhi6gSgDgLz2j9xgx_65zkhyudYB69bYOFLaws71ShL-z_G8nQoAcnx3SFvvIb50THikWjtw1eUyM4zV6SZCB/s320/IMAG1848.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgNs6SdiKvREYQwXeEfJa-pTHLdzLUj5tQErR75jt3A0ksC7lNgt0AYiRKncUm871Jm_YJke9-ibugGkzaMtxRYtBGOYS4DIf4AwnoHTWT13UKv0yK1EyGK4t8ETP9_HJIY3QT12xdn5d/s1600/IMAG1849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgNs6SdiKvREYQwXeEfJa-pTHLdzLUj5tQErR75jt3A0ksC7lNgt0AYiRKncUm871Jm_YJke9-ibugGkzaMtxRYtBGOYS4DIf4AwnoHTWT13UKv0yK1EyGK4t8ETP9_HJIY3QT12xdn5d/s320/IMAG1849.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I already had the feathers, but they got moved so they would be more visable. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then onto the outlets with my mother in law and and niece...</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and here is my loot:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWkyUZ6M6mK9yqUV9MFAE-Tg6UOVKpyENZV2Hw6Y9_LX7XaAUNPP-zLpGwv5-RjFkBPTiv-9W5BE46PkGDdd_iUTMAJ2Sc6nE-0r3o5UdvZOEyzUTyE8kBG2gLJXA47EEhHZ38DoK3nXi/s1600/IMAG1850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWkyUZ6M6mK9yqUV9MFAE-Tg6UOVKpyENZV2Hw6Y9_LX7XaAUNPP-zLpGwv5-RjFkBPTiv-9W5BE46PkGDdd_iUTMAJ2Sc6nE-0r3o5UdvZOEyzUTyE8kBG2gLJXA47EEhHZ38DoK3nXi/s400/IMAG1850.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Okay excuse my messy hair, but I can't wash it until tonight! </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: x-large;">MICHAEL!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KAAva81so5MwNocHyq_uPAsc_uxjCJqwKw68AT0OnYwZvN4qBM95w2d4JodfFebV4R7Gyv0kY2dsVFk1T0gFOKqBAo58vJffI9GX6PG2wMhlayvugkMFXCPVqfp9By2zu8BtAEW4pG6P/s1600/IMAG1862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KAAva81so5MwNocHyq_uPAsc_uxjCJqwKw68AT0OnYwZvN4qBM95w2d4JodfFebV4R7Gyv0kY2dsVFk1T0gFOKqBAo58vJffI9GX6PG2wMhlayvugkMFXCPVqfp9By2zu8BtAEW4pG6P/s640/IMAG1862.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #93c47d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">My very first Michael Kors bag! I LOVE!!!</span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #93c47d;">And a little closet therapy.... </b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff6Kka54rwah6Z7_H02vBM4ndu5O4iAVHPzhJ_8Zffg_-51vt8swQC13f1s1_u_aO5UWorkj4XeSBhN-Ry5nOV_AZoXp8dg1dZmOVEMfnNEtbhMDRINS9KbjhOcuYvAxufZ0K4Cn5DHLS/s1600/IMAG1865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff6Kka54rwah6Z7_H02vBM4ndu5O4iAVHPzhJ_8Zffg_-51vt8swQC13f1s1_u_aO5UWorkj4XeSBhN-Ry5nOV_AZoXp8dg1dZmOVEMfnNEtbhMDRINS9KbjhOcuYvAxufZ0K4Cn5DHLS/s640/IMAG1865.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">J.Crew </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">No clue why my cell phone is taking such poor quality photos lately, but I oh well. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">All in all it was a great day! </span> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm so thankful for every single blessing. Most importantly God chose July 5th to be my birthday which makes it special regardless of how I celebrate or who with. </span></div><div style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;">I so appreciate all of the wonderful birthday wishes!</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Court</span></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-61004530866327339202011-07-04T19:55:00.000-07:002011-07-04T19:55:16.415-07:00Gour-Make It Monday - Cookie Bars<div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"> Today my super talented, equally sweet, friend Toni Jill is guest posting.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy.</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hi Friends! </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH1p_Gj8E9EelMcY1QHt8hD3FDz84rl8hkgFCMmxM5nCiuignaD73-SIW_uj4uBVH7e9bZG2wILGyfhznl6kNTlc7riqeMYf75s3k8IRiNciKftFMlKUJc5CpmH5apRLLlwQBplNgNv2v/s1600/229375_2046922661129_1486293554_32468075_1701947_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH1p_Gj8E9EelMcY1QHt8hD3FDz84rl8hkgFCMmxM5nCiuignaD73-SIW_uj4uBVH7e9bZG2wILGyfhznl6kNTlc7riqeMYf75s3k8IRiNciKftFMlKUJc5CpmH5apRLLlwQBplNgNv2v/s320/229375_2046922661129_1486293554_32468075_1701947_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><b> My name is Toni Jill Cox and I am super excited to be guest posting for Ms. Courtney today! I am a licensed teacher who has been out of teaching in the public schools for 5 years, having and raising my babies! </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJIqvplW72w8p8sivCRMKLGzO1g7xzuUH7J5JGx48t2oO-zSGR9HBoAKDbYW7s1Kqno6NQkwC4j49nCTYBBErePeu_U1ADjbjLhwYgbek102CwrjGJZHsYkRkIH14UX1VdcMhyphenhyphen9naHlwK/s1600/28590_1448623384021_1486293554_31208160_4993975_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJIqvplW72w8p8sivCRMKLGzO1g7xzuUH7J5JGx48t2oO-zSGR9HBoAKDbYW7s1Kqno6NQkwC4j49nCTYBBErePeu_U1ADjbjLhwYgbek102CwrjGJZHsYkRkIH14UX1VdcMhyphenhyphen9naHlwK/s320/28590_1448623384021_1486293554_31208160_4993975_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><b>I have a 5 year old Molly and 4 year old twin boys named Cooper and Brody! I have been married to my sweet hubby Chad for 9 years this month and he teaches school and coaches football and track! </b></div><div> </div><b> </b><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #3d85c6;">Ok, that's enough about me - on to my favorite, super-easy dessert recipe:</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cookie Bars! </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yHuqLLXo8BBBAes3AzC54FJm-VGPEsOVIIBBWDwT8woAGlRU9KgJahbCU8LekV_Omfr4SuudH4ok7MR9AMHFu27Dd9rid546EYDZZaMpnNDsEFtjF5x5UfeHEEWPgcq-Z0h06Ouko6Cy/s1600/101_7689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yHuqLLXo8BBBAes3AzC54FJm-VGPEsOVIIBBWDwT8woAGlRU9KgJahbCU8LekV_Omfr4SuudH4ok7MR9AMHFu27Dd9rid546EYDZZaMpnNDsEFtjF5x5UfeHEEWPgcq-Z0h06Ouko6Cy/s320/101_7689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"> Let's get started!</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"> </div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> You will need: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HnTYXmgCQW460GqxokMZYNyDoFFlxSWSCCjBTnqld_woXHSLokAnsP1fLssPESMGFDw2BxvrEjS-_oZPaTzQ7SyGERdaf4xDOW28iFGiW8EF_n3ek_BCEI5YpyDpPt3XLLSa8zqQKf-s/s1600/101_7678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HnTYXmgCQW460GqxokMZYNyDoFFlxSWSCCjBTnqld_woXHSLokAnsP1fLssPESMGFDw2BxvrEjS-_oZPaTzQ7SyGERdaf4xDOW28iFGiW8EF_n3ek_BCEI5YpyDpPt3XLLSa8zqQKf-s/s320/101_7678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><b>One box yellow cake mix, </b></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><b>2 eggs, </b></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><b>1/2 cup oil, </b></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><b>1/2 bag of chocolate morsels</b></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b> (or whatever you have in your cabinet - semi sweet morsels are good too)</b></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b> and butter spray for your 9x13 pan!</b><div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">Next, spray your 9x13 pan and preheat your oven to 350 degrees.</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"> </div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Then, mix your cake mix, 1/2 cup oil and 2 eggs until well blended</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AwPtba0RaknW_TNU3qCEA4D6s9z2ykBd_KYZchy-sYgNTOoi7clscvu04sBONn47x6Vb1_whArHGl83nOGf0FgKXnO21Z-1p0if6J5aXZU7wTrz9mgF3slidik0lskkJal5s6jkdzjaO/s1600/101_7682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AwPtba0RaknW_TNU3qCEA4D6s9z2ykBd_KYZchy-sYgNTOoi7clscvu04sBONn47x6Vb1_whArHGl83nOGf0FgKXnO21Z-1p0if6J5aXZU7wTrz9mgF3slidik0lskkJal5s6jkdzjaO/s320/101_7682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">and add your chocolate chips! At this point, if you have a CRAZY NEED to eat some cookie batter, please go ahead (my hubby teases me that I only make the cookie bars to eat the batter and well, he's pretty much right!).</span></div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcataD2IvBHZBzN2hFIDw9REzUABeZSlgGu2opyR-JKEtCZH9WrlbHWANF1h8D2hvqTpTYQMI0W5Zpxzm33V6Gg_s1pfC8qI-P3GjPP64N-Hmpk39rrRgDPzDqT6ewUbD7tpa0Tc14xfg/s1600/101_7685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcataD2IvBHZBzN2hFIDw9REzUABeZSlgGu2opyR-JKEtCZH9WrlbHWANF1h8D2hvqTpTYQMI0W5Zpxzm33V6Gg_s1pfC8qI-P3GjPP64N-Hmpk39rrRgDPzDqT6ewUbD7tpa0Tc14xfg/s320/101_7685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931127" style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"> Now, Bake your cookie bars at 350 for about 20 minutes or so depending on how hot your oven gets. I like to take mine out when the edges are just starting to turn golden brown.</div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;">Finally, Cut your bars, pour a glass of milk, grab your favorite book and enjoy your cookies!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yHuqLLXo8BBBAes3AzC54FJm-VGPEsOVIIBBWDwT8woAGlRU9KgJahbCU8LekV_Omfr4SuudH4ok7MR9AMHFu27Dd9rid546EYDZZaMpnNDsEFtjF5x5UfeHEEWPgcq-Z0h06Ouko6Cy/s1600/101_7689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yHuqLLXo8BBBAes3AzC54FJm-VGPEsOVIIBBWDwT8woAGlRU9KgJahbCU8LekV_Omfr4SuudH4ok7MR9AMHFu27Dd9rid546EYDZZaMpnNDsEFtjF5x5UfeHEEWPgcq-Z0h06Ouko6Cy/s320/101_7689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931124" style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><b>Thanks Courtney for having me and I hope to be back soon with a sewing tutorial! Please visit my blog sometime and say hello at <a href="http://www.thecoxclanof5.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309833410_0">www.thecoxclanof5.blogspot.com</span></a></b></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931124" style="text-align: center;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309833410_0"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931124" style="text-align: center;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309833410_0"> You can also find Toni Jill on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/MCBs-Bows-and-Pillowcase-Dresses/103025449782276">MCBs Bows and Pillowcase Dresses</a>. </span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931124" style="text-align: center;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309833410_0">She will also be a vendor on July 9th at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Kitts-Market/175502759164635">Kitts Market</a> at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Kitts-Cafe/109735021897">Kitts Cafe.</a></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931124" style="text-align: center;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309833410_0"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931124" style="text-align: center;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309833410_0">xoxo</span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_3_1309833395931124" style="text-align: center;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309833410_0">Court</span></div></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-60101823967540196412011-06-24T19:10:00.000-07:002011-06-24T19:10:39.408-07:00Overload<div style="color: #e06666; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hi!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, I'm still here. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I know it's been a good bit since I've posted. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I would apologize, but I think it's better I just explain myself. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was in <b>overload.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You see, sometimes I have to live for extended periods of time without my hubby.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He's not military, but he is gone enough that often people ask me if he is. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Over the past year and a half though, we were blessed enough to hardly fly with the job we had and then we got laid off which kept Daddy home every single day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not working and being laid off a blessing you say?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, yes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever had a 6 month period of time where your husband had </div><div style="text-align: center;">no other priorities but you and your kids. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh money is stressful for sure, and not knowing what, if anything, was coming was hard,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but having him here every day was priceless. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A gift my children don't even realize they were getting. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway back to overloaded me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My goals are like this:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Monday: </b>work on Evelyn's Closet orders</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tuseday: </b>Zoo or something fun with my kids</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Wednesday: </b>Evelyn's Closet</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Thursday-Saturday: </b>more fun with my kids</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sunday:</b> Church</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seems easy enough right? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Except it isn't always. </b></div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: center;">Somewhere in there I try to make the time to read my Bible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">It's a priority that I want to be more like eating..I know I have to do it to survive. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">That mostly happens at about midnight every night and I </div><div style="text-align: center;">am so interested in what I'm learning that I stay up way more than 30mins to an hour.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I'm tired. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Kids wait for no man! Absolutely no rest for the tired momma if Evelyn Claire is awake! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then there is this super blog! </div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;">I LOVE my blog!</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, it's a bit time consuming when you first start out. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I found out fast that I needed to link to my facebook often. I needed a Twitter. </div><div style="text-align: center;">That lead me to other amazing blogs that I wanted to read and learn from. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I cut out TV altogether. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Thought it would be hard, but it wasn't AT ALL. I don't even miss it. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">But the computer is much harder to put down. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I need to be on here to get my orders, but I need to be working on orders to maintain timely deliveries. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I need to be sure that I don't use the words</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Not right now baby, mommy is working" </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">because this business is just a side item. This includes not saying that I'm too busy blogging either. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My hubby works so I can stay home and our amazing family</div><div style="text-align: center;">who has taken care of us through all of our job issues does so, that I may stay home</div><div style="text-align: center;">and raise our babies. They are VERY FIRST! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So a little over a month ago I posted about B having some emergency surgery. </div><div style="text-align: center;">From then on it was chaos. He left, A got sick, E got sick, E got hurt. They don't even make me </div><div style="text-align: center;">officially sign in at the ER anymore. I just initial in 3 places. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I probably should have written a post about how I needed a break, but there was no time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just stopped. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Everything computer related. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No blog. No Twitter. Just kiddos. Some minor Evelyn's Closet when they were sleeping. </div><div style="text-align: center;">More Bible time. </div><div style="text-align: center;">VBS.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby home. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now I think I'm ready to be back. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you forgive me for abandoning all forms of communication?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #ffe599; text-align: center;"><b>I thought you might! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next week will be great! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Furniture tutorial. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Guest Gour-Make It Monday from my super sweet friend Toni Jill!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I'll "Pour out what's on my heart" as usual, and I really hope you aren't on </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>overload so you can pop by and visit me. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Goodbye Overload....until next time. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm a mother..I know "overlaod" will be back! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;">Courtney</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-2488339832144481102011-06-02T08:27:00.000-07:002011-06-02T08:27:34.964-07:00Pouring out what's "On My Heart" - Real ABCs<div style="text-align: center;"> Sorry for being on a bit of a break from the blog.<br />
My little man is sick this week, and 1 visit to the ER later,<br />
we're just spending a lot of time cuddling and getting well.<br />
So a little early, but here is my Friday post:<br />
<br />
<br />
I did a post a few weeks ago about the ABC's of Me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">While everything I wrote was factual, it didn't </div><div style="text-align: center;">really sit well with me. It felt formal. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Who cares what size my bed is, </div><div style="text-align: center;">or what my first pet's name was? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There is a LOT more to me that those things. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm really this girl:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">No photos. You'll see why...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm working on it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I'm incredibly insecure. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes. I have a blog and I share some deep stuff.</div><div style="text-align: center;">P.s. I'm sitting behind my laptop. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm in control of my camera. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You only see shots of me where my nose doesn't look too, well like my nose. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You only see me on days were I like my clothes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Most days I'm in sweats. I have 2 small kids ppl. Lets be real.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am fantastic at sharing emotion. If it's possible to be "too honest"</div><div style="text-align: center;">then I've got that covered. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">What you might not know is I have always </div><div style="text-align: center;">been completely down on my looks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Specifically, my nose. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Would you believe people have said that they don't like me because of my nose?!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What does a nose have to do with my personality?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also don't favor my teeth. They are just outright not good teeth.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually had a part of my tooth fall off while preggers with A. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I want them to be all brand new teeth, but I'm a nervous </div><div style="text-align: center;">wreck that I won't like them. Same with my nose.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I can't afford either, and I'm trying to not care so much)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm flat chested. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Most days I don't care, but some days I want to be SURE</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>that my husband isn't disappointed by that.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm super slim, but not toned. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I hate that because people think I'm this super healthy </div><div style="text-align: center;">chick and I'M NOT! I eat junk ALL THE TIME!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was never happy single. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I had NO clue how to be who I wanted to be. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I always wanted a husband and a family. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't feel like I've missed out on a single thing during my 20s </div><div style="text-align: center;">because of marriage and kids.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I met my husband on the internet!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yup. He is a pilot, and I was a flight attendant.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, we didn't know one another. </div><div style="text-align: center;">GASP! I know. But this year is our 5yr anniversary.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had both dated and didn't want to search for people in the typical dating scene anymore.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We both wanted to get married and start a family ASAP. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We did. We're happy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We will probably have more kids. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Be fine with or be shocked, but unless your God you can't control it. Sorry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">but not really sorry at all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My kids are the most precious blessing of my life</b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and just one more way that God reminds me that he made me on purpose</div><div style="text-align: center;">and he loves me enough to fill the holes in my heart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I'm down I have a handful of people that I know will pick me up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm thankful for that more than anybody knows.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In elementary school there was a club of girls called:</div><div style="text-align: center;">"The I hate Courtney Club". </div><div style="text-align: center;">No idea why they hated me. We were nine.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, God has given me friends who are thicker than </div><div style="text-align: center;">the thickest family and I'm so thankful for that. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Three blog friends of mine </div><div style="text-align: center;">have been a huge inspiration. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>They have shown me that I have my own story.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">To share, to write, to let God dictate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Their buttons are to the right of this post:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Storing Up Treasures</div><div style="text-align: center;">Casey Wiegand</div><div style="text-align: center;">and </div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Ms Momma. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for letting me share the real parts of </div><div style="text-align: center;">ME.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;">Courtney<br />
<br />
Linking up with Casey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thewiegands.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb380/CaseyWiegand/c8cff56a-10.jpg" /></a></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-86766918515019554992011-05-27T19:17:00.000-07:002011-05-27T19:17:01.312-07:00Pouring out what's "On My Heart" : When you're almost TWO<div style="text-align: center;">What's on my heart this week is my almost two year old little girl<br />
Evelyn Claire<br />
<br />
<b>When you're a little girl and you're almost two</b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">your mommy will begin to think. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She'll remember all of the wonderful things you have shared with her in just two short years. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She'll dream of all of the times you will share over your beautiful life. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She'll smile and laugh a little to herself because,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you're almost two:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9DOfpwgmWQGTgL-EJBxTfa9NpbWpQ3uqC8UqGNTGtUSzCL4XOWMJ-_3Yobih6Ii9kkSVjNnatuvsOnls266BKTyZti328DI6wrd-b2UkaiHy443bKVj8seu6y8jLTEf4t_zZuM7iPv3y/s1600/1306544367081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9DOfpwgmWQGTgL-EJBxTfa9NpbWpQ3uqC8UqGNTGtUSzCL4XOWMJ-_3Yobih6Ii9kkSVjNnatuvsOnls266BKTyZti328DI6wrd-b2UkaiHy443bKVj8seu6y8jLTEf4t_zZuM7iPv3y/s320/1306544367081.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mommy spends time every evening filling up your jewelry box. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Beads, Coach tags (good taste sweetheart), </div><div style="text-align: center;">cell phones (because every girl needs multiple phones),</div><div style="text-align: center;">your little ipod, cash, watches, and a magic wand.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think about how I hope these things fill you with imagination.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I LOVE how girl you are. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also very much love your:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5W8yve9F6PohaePfgK090QdDNTnhyfkjuj4_Y0nVdN3x18dhTGmFG-QJQQY5JjJ4XyI9GBawIqZLvC0W_YHroVfB8RNr1uu5r1hUrsI1oqsheSgktcx0FuCoUA_UcMxcFA4DjAyhS-lx/s1600/1306544396178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5W8yve9F6PohaePfgK090QdDNTnhyfkjuj4_Y0nVdN3x18dhTGmFG-QJQQY5JjJ4XyI9GBawIqZLvC0W_YHroVfB8RNr1uu5r1hUrsI1oqsheSgktcx0FuCoUA_UcMxcFA4DjAyhS-lx/s320/1306544396178.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">love for "coloring". When you are almost two, you're quite the artist.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't know this, but most girls your age don't get ink pens. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You get them because you eat crayons. Like candy. Without fail, every time you get one.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I give you the pens and spend the last few minutes before your</div><div style="text-align: center;">almost two year old head hits the pillow, wiping you down to remove the ink. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Every night. With a smile. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you're almost two your mommy still makes sure</div><div style="text-align: center;">that your crib is perfect before you get into it, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQWc_oof_XRxgGTFW1e_iASznhMJpnZcgWqRdsrHkvztyEmE_fEWF4E8pcYmbzSIOeCh6eohH-shKBNgZb6Gb8TYLpBV04DTLsu9P1k3jJ5SeF5Y18i4mMEvP9ZKGkCVIsKPM0A70zM5R/s1600/1306544447661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQWc_oof_XRxgGTFW1e_iASznhMJpnZcgWqRdsrHkvztyEmE_fEWF4E8pcYmbzSIOeCh6eohH-shKBNgZb6Gb8TYLpBV04DTLsu9P1k3jJ5SeF5Y18i4mMEvP9ZKGkCVIsKPM0A70zM5R/s320/1306544447661.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">even though you'll just terrorize it in the night.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know full well that you like more than one paci, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and if baby doll isn't there, we're going to have some tears. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The other two lovies are from your uncles, and you never loved </div><div style="text-align: center;">animal toys until the week kitty and piglet came into your life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you're almost two you don't know that THIS:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVc5fDj8ggd0X9uBbnPpoARP8RwtmL5gmQM96Q4qfbIlDx8vqhyphenhyphenfjP6WEPSwkyw2zP6cw9D-fPQEl9qbn-DCidRbfBPLNVTyqJiHlQJL69iIRquFQQmfpL21YAlNaoLhaMHGM-7a6DwzG2/s1600/1306544491694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVc5fDj8ggd0X9uBbnPpoARP8RwtmL5gmQM96Q4qfbIlDx8vqhyphenhyphenfjP6WEPSwkyw2zP6cw9D-fPQEl9qbn-DCidRbfBPLNVTyqJiHlQJL69iIRquFQQmfpL21YAlNaoLhaMHGM-7a6DwzG2/s320/1306544491694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Is an example of how much I love you and your bubba.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That THESE:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTsX-5oG9oAsOFCRF8Fb0sDskoS-3i9Ac9AUoMVOmqqCAl4Ci7f4CjFYiRJzKb5sLKUqXjLsmqYhGGhJyi_vSh6ZR9jJpV1krLgpo_FCEmUhjROxvOdpIIqo1uv5eD4iE0-IQm5Kwf6vm/s1600/1306544525323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTsX-5oG9oAsOFCRF8Fb0sDskoS-3i9Ac9AUoMVOmqqCAl4Ci7f4CjFYiRJzKb5sLKUqXjLsmqYhGGhJyi_vSh6ZR9jJpV1krLgpo_FCEmUhjROxvOdpIIqo1uv5eD4iE0-IQm5Kwf6vm/s320/1306544525323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">are books you will cherish your entire life because I read them to you often, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and you will probably read them to your kids one day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know you don't understand that I buy the expensive milk because:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmTvKadID8WsO-1O5BJLk12TxjPNqY45tPCeZrFHLjMnMG6FK9QeyJRbvSXueCKacE6UyxGUeIFb6AIboPUR3TjjETsYadzlQfYC73WHqsHPzeRNtjHF00PVwZeSJdXf7BpVKV78uAHHP/s1600/1306544591476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmTvKadID8WsO-1O5BJLk12TxjPNqY45tPCeZrFHLjMnMG6FK9QeyJRbvSXueCKacE6UyxGUeIFb6AIboPUR3TjjETsYadzlQfYC73WHqsHPzeRNtjHF00PVwZeSJdXf7BpVKV78uAHHP/s320/1306544591476.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">it makes your brain smarter! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You probably think Daddy and I are crazy when we get down on all fours frantically searching for this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFODmfh-RuLr0Rb9eyXKFqd65iwMcoU2Zb8JapONX6HJklUvimlDBadOAJ42GNFWD73ocOYOHW4I1Y1dTLF-weBO1KeRLWHbhN32sWordIwcd7eyWt0cL7eDDyqFEJCzvz7Dlh09jPzsxG/s1600/1306544676628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFODmfh-RuLr0Rb9eyXKFqd65iwMcoU2Zb8JapONX6HJklUvimlDBadOAJ42GNFWD73ocOYOHW4I1Y1dTLF-weBO1KeRLWHbhN32sWordIwcd7eyWt0cL7eDDyqFEJCzvz7Dlh09jPzsxG/s320/1306544676628.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And though I said I'd NEVER buy character clothes...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I took pleasure in buying you this outfit and you love it so much that you hug it before we put it on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDOt8rMG9ByhR0tZXX0p84XBGxd51cHtBPWwR1tsdqNQjthTsJBAgGYFOGtUwZYoIyjEz_BJtyAKnsNSrNw8X_dFBeYrMZMIvDaQFpTIJYEJ_ulSx_vemM2oJ05LtBgtw_wdKaJC1opXj/s1600/1306544875672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDOt8rMG9ByhR0tZXX0p84XBGxd51cHtBPWwR1tsdqNQjthTsJBAgGYFOGtUwZYoIyjEz_BJtyAKnsNSrNw8X_dFBeYrMZMIvDaQFpTIJYEJ_ulSx_vemM2oJ05LtBgtw_wdKaJC1opXj/s320/1306544875672.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">When you're almost two you don't realize that your fun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6UXODOJpZOW-VkBviuyzGslOZrw7AxyV1AkpDcQ2pCT9c_MpVDfSWwxY03QPEwOIwO4U6E0vAdAZKUrfVp6GLPYpkUD6LKvBQ8Bkn9BM_1eLBxPvCTOX5rTtWxTWIIR1dP35f3Y6DivR/s1600/1306544616164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6UXODOJpZOW-VkBviuyzGslOZrw7AxyV1AkpDcQ2pCT9c_MpVDfSWwxY03QPEwOIwO4U6E0vAdAZKUrfVp6GLPYpkUD6LKvBQ8Bkn9BM_1eLBxPvCTOX5rTtWxTWIIR1dP35f3Y6DivR/s320/1306544616164.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">is God's way of growing Mommy, and curbing Daddy's OCD about messes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We never knew how much we'd invest in this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpW3v0PmKrzYQGUGE9ECfrK34tQITWxEYvwwSeuWSTtCTBM9LEfxOPHbxAi8stKtxfIJv3BNzNEvvjPBVKUFUAMS57_nd6a4txzi6UthZCF-ccliIDQlSunaAAK0J_oUba38WoSUQikOTz/s1600/1306544702161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpW3v0PmKrzYQGUGE9ECfrK34tQITWxEYvwwSeuWSTtCTBM9LEfxOPHbxAi8stKtxfIJv3BNzNEvvjPBVKUFUAMS57_nd6a4txzi6UthZCF-ccliIDQlSunaAAK0J_oUba38WoSUQikOTz/s320/1306544702161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">When you're almost two, the one thing you DO know more than anything....</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is that we love you more each and every day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We are so blessed to have our lives forever changed because of your almost two </div><div style="text-align: center;">precious years. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I want you to know that:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc5DNVrAs_vIFKUJTD6JEiXaqXCeAF5ZtCPwQK2yev9akuHpuZ2QKSOJQeRodprqizkLBzI_9TnEIikl7hFbm_X0TDwwnp0zIW7d5rzm1rK4u-BYt0FpvBFTT4FfgkM0unx0DFtD9OX5R/s1600/1306544733652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc5DNVrAs_vIFKUJTD6JEiXaqXCeAF5ZtCPwQK2yev9akuHpuZ2QKSOJQeRodprqizkLBzI_9TnEIikl7hFbm_X0TDwwnp0zIW7d5rzm1rK4u-BYt0FpvBFTT4FfgkM0unx0DFtD9OX5R/s320/1306544733652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and I think you do because I sing it to you EVERY NIGHT...at least three times. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is you...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ2h0X8xr7pXjEcJliji81ni1aUl-l3229i6azwGm9vecXt2DsNa2ozvyKQqaQOl_PwwpLP9fFVBZx589QD0kxLxnDEZuPaeTmopBHR5EmeCfXet8p2Vx6wdHqmum-yi78rSt28qyHK2M/s1600/1306544956101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ2h0X8xr7pXjEcJliji81ni1aUl-l3229i6azwGm9vecXt2DsNa2ozvyKQqaQOl_PwwpLP9fFVBZx589QD0kxLxnDEZuPaeTmopBHR5EmeCfXet8p2Vx6wdHqmum-yi78rSt28qyHK2M/s320/1306544956101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At "almost" TWO! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
xoxo<br />
Mommy (Courtney)<br />
<br />
p.s. This is a link up I do with Casey Wiegand.<br />
You can find more about her by clicking on her<br />
adorable photo:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thewiegands.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb380/CaseyWiegand/c8cff56a-10.jpg" /></a></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-14982371964792694952011-05-25T20:59:00.000-07:002011-05-25T21:01:04.349-07:00Willing Wednesday - Fruit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIF-HuERCOGpehBV1trQHFaxrzJZybCjzuVFdc4lfjn5c91Pj0fdmo_j3L5M6xmNEfLuIDGRhuzNR-5FhSRze7AeZ-Eyi1RlU0IXtAtpBexXKrA0_JtPEuANwCby-KEwHk87oQQHJaEUL/s1600/162746_472568361895_524251895_5836907_4315771_n-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIF-HuERCOGpehBV1trQHFaxrzJZybCjzuVFdc4lfjn5c91Pj0fdmo_j3L5M6xmNEfLuIDGRhuzNR-5FhSRze7AeZ-Eyi1RlU0IXtAtpBexXKrA0_JtPEuANwCby-KEwHk87oQQHJaEUL/s400/162746_472568361895_524251895_5836907_4315771_n-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Been thinking a lot on on the Proverbs 31 woman. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She works hard. She rises before her children, and rests long after their heads have hit the pillow. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Her husband sees her just as any woman desires to be viewed. She is valued. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She uses her talents and has a bank account. She is generous. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think her goodness is largely in part to the fruit she bears. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I featured some of my friends in the photo because they </div><div style="text-align: center;">represent a time when attempting to be like Mrs. 31 came easy for me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was so eager to give love. To bring peace and joy. Patience and kindness came so naturally. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The motivation for goodness was abounding by overwhelming faithfulness from the most gentle friends. Self control is always easy in mixed company among mothers isn't it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was real. It was so EASY. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I accomplished a LOT. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">After having to leave that comfortable environment I realized that receiving the fruits of others depends on the fruits I produce. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love, joy, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, generosity...those come so easy for me on a regular basis.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Peace, patience, gentleness, and self control aren't always a piece of cake. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I give in when provoked too easily. When I am hurt I don't handle it gently. I'm impatient with mediocrity,lying,selfishness. I have a hard time finding peace among life's stresses from time to time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, what about it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I will willingly take the time to produce fruit that is worth sharing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will do my best to be like Mrs. 31 and take each moment as an opportunity to do "one better". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it will be so much easier to model after her when I focus not on her deeds, but the fact that her fruit is given fresh in all areas. It isn't siting around getting stale. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Nobody wants someone's stale fruit. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shine your light and let the whole world see! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Focus less on the fruits of your physical labor, and more on the fruits of the Spirit. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Let the Spirit compel you forward and produce a lovely, peaceful, Mrs. 31.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."<br />
Galatians 5:22-23 </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Wednesday</div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;">Courtney</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-26096447317259491172011-05-22T21:39:00.000-07:002011-05-22T21:39:02.364-07:00Gour-Make It Monday - Strawberry Cream Puff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Summer is the perfect time for recipes that are cool to the tongue. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is also the season of strawberry recipes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is one that my family uses often and there are never any left-overs. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Strawberry Cream Puff</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRAL32rQgp_xnDZCxw6y1u_uVNtw85zCdeh1ifKIfaWMU7uScv9iw4mKUezwlEcrhXXq4SfYv2bzBGNpalxQhgD2KDnyM59kaBmMYFYcE6e14_Fy1Gyt0f4K2Mgw_f09m6PX7yjpqP3dj/s1600/IMAG1550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRAL32rQgp_xnDZCxw6y1u_uVNtw85zCdeh1ifKIfaWMU7uScv9iw4mKUezwlEcrhXXq4SfYv2bzBGNpalxQhgD2KDnyM59kaBmMYFYcE6e14_Fy1Gyt0f4K2Mgw_f09m6PX7yjpqP3dj/s400/IMAG1550.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Head out to the store for:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Puff: 6 Tablespoons of margarine </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3/4 cups of water</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3/4 cup all purpose flour</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/4 tsp. salt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3 eggs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Filling: 3<span style="font-size: small;">1/8</span>-oz. pkg. Vanilla Pudding & pie filling</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSdbAabd_51Wo6mOMeYs57uHcij5KxY5gUvuS4SKwrL0_ywgTYcQaHhXFbhYhLCukXo1OPFKcXPNGB3HeChVm5hhNBByB-7Zw6USDPlhl141bA3_xiMcqvvLuFi5grv5EqWStwsRcXG5R/s1600/IMAG1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSdbAabd_51Wo6mOMeYs57uHcij5KxY5gUvuS4SKwrL0_ywgTYcQaHhXFbhYhLCukXo1OPFKcXPNGB3HeChVm5hhNBByB-7Zw6USDPlhl141bA3_xiMcqvvLuFi5grv5EqWStwsRcXG5R/s320/IMAG1540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> 1</span><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 <span style="font-size: large;">cup milk</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 tsp. grated orange peel (I did not use this part)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup whipping cream (whipped) OR </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">frozen whipped topping thawed.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Whip your own. Trust me. Whip it THICK)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 pint (2 cups) fresh strawberries sliced. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To begin preheat your oven to 400.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grease your cookie sheet. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Go ahead and get your water, margarine, flour, and salt measured out</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">Also go ahead and crack your eggs. (you will need to add them in one at a time, but you can still crack them into the same bowl)</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-A6KwKXPRWHVo4yX116x8LNJ0ffqjURpELOp4wn_eFI_dAKzRcbxrx4iZ-Nv-9ccYDPkMZoOB1Qqdf5O2yoxOUCVQBgmtT1iNGckdvy-TkwEzcHHS41JhcRosCwm_s9rwNYe2d4ayJTL/s1600/IMAG1534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-A6KwKXPRWHVo4yX116x8LNJ0ffqjURpELOp4wn_eFI_dAKzRcbxrx4iZ-Nv-9ccYDPkMZoOB1Qqdf5O2yoxOUCVQBgmtT1iNGckdvy-TkwEzcHHS41JhcRosCwm_s9rwNYe2d4ayJTL/s320/IMAG1534.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My salt is sitting on top of my flour! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> In a medium saucepan (or large if you're messy) bring your butter and water to a boil over medium heat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEX2nlEES_Y9O4k53DXLhj_gcCxM2oPgcVWH4KSNM3YkRIKKFfR4HNPpoxK2ge9Pabt09KUc2ETarJu0X4H61HJsD9zNmiJx8tsdHmVvYr5aUHJLRp3Av_jzKIjm_pIlpJnJxnY1HmOkd/s1600/IMAG1535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEX2nlEES_Y9O4k53DXLhj_gcCxM2oPgcVWH4KSNM3YkRIKKFfR4HNPpoxK2ge9Pabt09KUc2ETarJu0X4H61HJsD9zNmiJx8tsdHmVvYr5aUHJLRp3Av_jzKIjm_pIlpJnJxnY1HmOkd/s320/IMAG1535.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stir in flour and salt. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Continue cooking, stirring constantly until the mixture is into a ball and leaves the sides of the pan smooth:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSBv2zbpVeLbkzYpV0YnHkwhvHuIbiG7rcO_vycgAQ5rBSsh_6xUKowMd4o0qfINid4_BbH8YdcgxZQTWY3g3GMTq2xPyBrAKpW9QI_KQ6V0R7k3EK40GW_qSr1Xfy1QZssRp2axreU2n/s1600/IMAG1536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSBv2zbpVeLbkzYpV0YnHkwhvHuIbiG7rcO_vycgAQ5rBSsh_6xUKowMd4o0qfINid4_BbH8YdcgxZQTWY3g3GMTq2xPyBrAKpW9QI_KQ6V0R7k3EK40GW_qSr1Xfy1QZssRp2axreU2n/s320/IMAG1536.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Remove from heat and begin to vigorously stir in eggs one at a time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOWOgfUEs0AeMEPHJAJo585R9O1qTO6Pq56xZXKF028ODEclms3ws1sbjuWDFVCE9axYCu0moMVkjmPU0kZu3K4rZMcHhTBfwo41tTXXVh5vzTuMgzbEdSaunPC1csMePDmz5zIIZUXJN/s1600/IMAG1537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOWOgfUEs0AeMEPHJAJo585R9O1qTO6Pq56xZXKF028ODEclms3ws1sbjuWDFVCE9axYCu0moMVkjmPU0kZu3K4rZMcHhTBfwo41tTXXVh5vzTuMgzbEdSaunPC1csMePDmz5zIIZUXJN/s320/IMAG1537.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It will separate again and look all wrong, but it's right. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When all of the eggs are mixed in it will look like this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip58C_SwgkpIaDw4t3aFNxv7r4O57KaUpK9TJ87GyYZBNOqkWvKYrW87VOcan7PrT8pZRBfZqtnVo5AFSTlM2lOPcd5ENJEM4Uwx2NZvs6stLwjZt1TFPory7xCJ78XqJNFpBbhRhyphenhyphennDj/s1600/IMAG1538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip58C_SwgkpIaDw4t3aFNxv7r4O57KaUpK9TJ87GyYZBNOqkWvKYrW87VOcan7PrT8pZRBfZqtnVo5AFSTlM2lOPcd5ENJEM4Uwx2NZvs6stLwjZt1TFPory7xCJ78XqJNFpBbhRhyphenhyphennDj/s320/IMAG1538.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Now you will spoon mixture onto greased cookie sheet into an 8 inch ring made of ...well essentially they are blobs. See...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgftg7lvcbq7ULYC5MPijfcNaQf7S7rUXtsju-XdTyzBmIe8k0ysa5nw6Yhl6SRH8HcBONTiz9dum_NZRMm1wSucD5wYB7Mm9T2wf_lUcv-9Dqd5mj_eJ4F3LLfX8ozJGvfR5ruKwe8ko/s1600/IMAG1539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgftg7lvcbq7ULYC5MPijfcNaQf7S7rUXtsju-XdTyzBmIe8k0ysa5nw6Yhl6SRH8HcBONTiz9dum_NZRMm1wSucD5wYB7Mm9T2wf_lUcv-9Dqd5mj_eJ4F3LLfX8ozJGvfR5ruKwe8ko/s320/IMAG1539.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bake this for 40-50 minutes or until golden brown. Mine took exactly 40 minutes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When it comes out, prick it with a knife. (this has to do with the puff allowing you to fill it.) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK2gyMwuSGWGXUcmI72XDIIJ4jKCwCqFGN-Qz6Dl4aYdAePmg_rMta8xmBZj9Ykc1osdw5YHXFmoR1x806ZuRYopAfCqciqKUs16dUrRSvIdqpGKTqGdibjpGffzgUFwDBZ6ueL0ICoLK/s1600/IMAG1542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK2gyMwuSGWGXUcmI72XDIIJ4jKCwCqFGN-Qz6Dl4aYdAePmg_rMta8xmBZj9Ykc1osdw5YHXFmoR1x806ZuRYopAfCqciqKUs16dUrRSvIdqpGKTqGdibjpGffzgUFwDBZ6ueL0ICoLK/s400/IMAG1542.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While that is baking....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Go back to your filling ingredients.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In another medium (large for me) saucepan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">mix 1<span style="font-size: small;">1/2 <span style="font-size: large;">cup of milk with your pudding mix and orange peel if you used it. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Have you made pudding before? If so then you know what you're looking for.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Boil 1 minute and remove from heat. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cool 1 hour. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fold whipped cream into cooled pudding. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAoqNMu4_tld80uxCzVaq-3uRDlVgcq1dbARIvkJH4B1HYPY6W9x-Rbsiu-HLUV076GB7EsOpyeoiLnSALvjyCKpn7LOumrP1U6211NGX_Uh9Z-BwA2PujJUNdL4IITDzbfr2BukiJTYe/s1600/IMAG1544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAoqNMu4_tld80uxCzVaq-3uRDlVgcq1dbARIvkJH4B1HYPY6W9x-Rbsiu-HLUV076GB7EsOpyeoiLnSALvjyCKpn7LOumrP1U6211NGX_Uh9Z-BwA2PujJUNdL4IITDzbfr2BukiJTYe/s400/IMAG1544.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Slice your strawberries: </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEjRD01QDRD2oey-xmxaI1NMldD654WcbenPj0bo8DTIHnLW_DfomQ-p2Z9xGT_upqeXBGSQoTgBJedqy8UQ7FyxoZEbpv9co5dyWQYerndLLFXZLoLj0haZ7pUYeROHgR2C1yL2d3r6a/s1600/IMAG1543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEjRD01QDRD2oey-xmxaI1NMldD654WcbenPj0bo8DTIHnLW_DfomQ-p2Z9xGT_upqeXBGSQoTgBJedqy8UQ7FyxoZEbpv9co5dyWQYerndLLFXZLoLj0haZ7pUYeROHgR2C1yL2d3r6a/s400/IMAG1543.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used the tips for my son's lunch tomorrow. Don't waste strawberry parts folks! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Now you can slice your puff in half on your most beautiful cake plate or platter. Take off the top carefully and lay it aside. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmQ6VkH0xo0j7uD4ursXrNwsnCqv5-n86RXqPQivtVdKugiPlXSQEoWl9SL5V3yvGSBB0tatoOQmVRM5L8bfRbgoOWCSoWb6t2423CeUrMoxO5AhABPm-tgfGx7EFWMUMextAFrYCZ3da/s1600/IMAG1546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmQ6VkH0xo0j7uD4ursXrNwsnCqv5-n86RXqPQivtVdKugiPlXSQEoWl9SL5V3yvGSBB0tatoOQmVRM5L8bfRbgoOWCSoWb6t2423CeUrMoxO5AhABPm-tgfGx7EFWMUMextAFrYCZ3da/s400/IMAG1546.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Spoon the filling mixture onto the base of the puff.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbRDekYCVl7JB6BQl8PQoFBtKzvlIDZxobxqEihiWWxMJTySZ9zvl3a5XVXUHcM8G96u9ybrA5dV6rSIddlIHo6jJx7_K1o5LNjHeC-fzUANnIJ-eMr6LJyW_yBPBFoSi_FJ5FNsnT85w/s1600/IMAG1545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbRDekYCVl7JB6BQl8PQoFBtKzvlIDZxobxqEihiWWxMJTySZ9zvl3a5XVXUHcM8G96u9ybrA5dV6rSIddlIHo6jJx7_K1o5LNjHeC-fzUANnIJ-eMr6LJyW_yBPBFoSi_FJ5FNsnT85w/s400/IMAG1545.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Add your strawberries.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9qXW4zy1Q8zmCuSTX80pqOPnoHpZFQ5fslzT17PM6cW7MyN9bnH1gYwE6evNcPvcKxCo-r6GEmI3rj06W5Y8NurFawCMvk7hqmkPPIHlkaC6KaYXO_fOOOfKqrxcwNbPevNXVJdBzbRl/s1600/IMAG1547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9qXW4zy1Q8zmCuSTX80pqOPnoHpZFQ5fslzT17PM6cW7MyN9bnH1gYwE6evNcPvcKxCo-r6GEmI3rj06W5Y8NurFawCMvk7hqmkPPIHlkaC6KaYXO_fOOOfKqrxcwNbPevNXVJdBzbRl/s320/IMAG1547.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Put the top back on....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRAL32rQgp_xnDZCxw6y1u_uVNtw85zCdeh1ifKIfaWMU7uScv9iw4mKUezwlEcrhXXq4SfYv2bzBGNpalxQhgD2KDnyM59kaBmMYFYcE6e14_Fy1Gyt0f4K2Mgw_f09m6PX7yjpqP3dj/s1600/IMAG1550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRAL32rQgp_xnDZCxw6y1u_uVNtw85zCdeh1ifKIfaWMU7uScv9iw4mKUezwlEcrhXXq4SfYv2bzBGNpalxQhgD2KDnyM59kaBmMYFYcE6e14_Fy1Gyt0f4K2Mgw_f09m6PX7yjpqP3dj/s400/IMAG1550.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And share this with someone! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or do what I'm going to do and eat it all yourself! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy "Gour-Make It Monday"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Courtney </span></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-14706576053629488852011-05-19T22:13:00.000-07:002011-05-19T22:13:00.914-07:00Meet Sissy - Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since I am a self starter with Evelyn's Closet, I LOVE to meet other self starters working their little tails off to make what they love and make it well. Like Sissy...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEETVANv4v0lFt_-l1hawfETdGbEgvZxmGfq3ogZo4_AIl-ZBmEjAWtUTYr6SLKK7dFasRbFvNh4dKJBUzLH0t4DQjO6JJNUZzXLeTCbug7nfqx9evEAXkbA-dyAd8V8kcSSPvLJiYBKA/s1600/217026_193243607386161_160420950668427_458689_3907896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEETVANv4v0lFt_-l1hawfETdGbEgvZxmGfq3ogZo4_AIl-ZBmEjAWtUTYr6SLKK7dFasRbFvNh4dKJBUzLH0t4DQjO6JJNUZzXLeTCbug7nfqx9evEAXkbA-dyAd8V8kcSSPvLJiYBKA/s320/217026_193243607386161_160420950668427_458689_3907896_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKGp7tqsldt-O0sEKA142CMOGkpaz8FOgNyPak_ou771LMqc0x3ciiTYpXbV67u1AATE9wU4T7opLnxbol5QIonmeSMSDgEYXZHl43_ntWFBHXLfDt9E0cvrkVrxw6iLZRum2QVcjKWci/s1600/217201_193243797386142_160420950668427_458691_4152830_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKGp7tqsldt-O0sEKA142CMOGkpaz8FOgNyPak_ou771LMqc0x3ciiTYpXbV67u1AATE9wU4T7opLnxbol5QIonmeSMSDgEYXZHl43_ntWFBHXLfDt9E0cvrkVrxw6iLZRum2QVcjKWci/s320/217201_193243797386142_160420950668427_458691_4152830_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She makes something yummy. Something natural. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She makes....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/pages/Sissys-Soap/160420950668427?sk=wall">Sissy's Soap</a></span></b></div><div class="data_field" style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Spa products including bath soaks,</span></div><div class="data_field" style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> sugar scrubs, lotions, homemade soaps </span></div><div class="data_field" style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and custom gift baskets." </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9a4-kKVQfwwRBQg8IWL4nQvgw_5X_e9ac1EHYwlbEgtYBa_e7e_E6UA2KnBtCsdWcY6ZWmhId6YtXIQWi2K9Ox0f0qk_MBDFPSueaHPhlYcu30ElUfoU4r6_QvWYxiiFATBacn78y_Gv/s1600/162837_160425377334651_160420950668427_283562_3399210_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9a4-kKVQfwwRBQg8IWL4nQvgw_5X_e9ac1EHYwlbEgtYBa_e7e_E6UA2KnBtCsdWcY6ZWmhId6YtXIQWi2K9Ox0f0qk_MBDFPSueaHPhlYcu30ElUfoU4r6_QvWYxiiFATBacn78y_Gv/s320/162837_160425377334651_160420950668427_283562_3399210_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This one is "Oats-n-Honey In Goat's Milk. Sounds amazing!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Vkn8KF_IgfHZdTSyBYjlMIKiuQzJS2Ke4HhzbW3lwdusZH4awiYbLy4c0xAqTL7eCbMPknqvoza_Q1Dw8O7nrWl7vkFBNwB0EjikEC11mBAeKb6WPMmLj69RopdtS2moAYru_9TG0NBM/s1600/180090_176578575719331_160420950668427_364737_5694198_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Vkn8KF_IgfHZdTSyBYjlMIKiuQzJS2Ke4HhzbW3lwdusZH4awiYbLy4c0xAqTL7eCbMPknqvoza_Q1Dw8O7nrWl7vkFBNwB0EjikEC11mBAeKb6WPMmLj69RopdtS2moAYru_9TG0NBM/s400/180090_176578575719331_160420950668427_364737_5694198_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I'm dying to try this one...Starbucks & Vanilla!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are you drooling over that as much as I am?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I had the pleasure of meeting her today, and she was generous enough to give me TWO bars of her soap. One for me to try </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and one for you to WIN!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her soaps come in a wide variety of shape, color, and flavor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">(can I say flavor?..because these things sound so great they are almost tasty!!) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Sissy can cater to your custom color or design to match your bathroom, kitchen, gift giving needs, etc. She also makes way more than just your traditional bar of soap.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRdgv58PdPw8Ev_2dBCvKSyhJW53IM9_SMT51Z7XNdtNOXSNRxHOJHVXFmnFTdS8mIgKz8uM_05Bu926Kl-aEj4lIzTf9KnEuDuWcbQATBVBPAuQZEUJmqnG1BEGAW9TDwsgpdjMtTnIX/s1600/180511_178101478900374_160420950668427_371234_930138_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRdgv58PdPw8Ev_2dBCvKSyhJW53IM9_SMT51Z7XNdtNOXSNRxHOJHVXFmnFTdS8mIgKz8uM_05Bu926Kl-aEj4lIzTf9KnEuDuWcbQATBVBPAuQZEUJmqnG1BEGAW9TDwsgpdjMtTnIX/s400/180511_178101478900374_160420950668427_371234_930138_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vFfX1wtJF42pwlpQYBTqYQtMsrtqRiHyR4t8_WohRltJxSM2Mu-zQjhn4EM6ViFJfmKVKNPKQOFI0nr2DPREVArYGV5se5AZoc3R6pwjLKmrlZgsOt56U151bcDvfA_DZ2qk2MI8Yw89/s1600/155076_160425500667972_160420950668427_283565_5474853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vFfX1wtJF42pwlpQYBTqYQtMsrtqRiHyR4t8_WohRltJxSM2Mu-zQjhn4EM6ViFJfmKVKNPKQOFI0nr2DPREVArYGV5se5AZoc3R6pwjLKmrlZgsOt56U151bcDvfA_DZ2qk2MI8Yw89/s320/155076_160425500667972_160420950668427_283565_5474853_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7WvUVt3AGEHSWqIC49vAsOLSuR7B-2793kifrMamVwNag9D6g_isSjV53d5e1TjkW0fO9u4eqveMb0GgTTBf5uGkzks6GlypRwToLXx0D0aLsOEe6yHENtAr2QbOJOFC9fxEPVI5mN8q/s1600/166429_167385486638640_160420950668427_316236_6355110_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7WvUVt3AGEHSWqIC49vAsOLSuR7B-2793kifrMamVwNag9D6g_isSjV53d5e1TjkW0fO9u4eqveMb0GgTTBf5uGkzks6GlypRwToLXx0D0aLsOEe6yHENtAr2QbOJOFC9fxEPVI5mN8q/s320/166429_167385486638640_160420950668427_316236_6355110_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5zjAnR4iK0K8VKG9b9yB3jVjPwLYZCyKWmXLMSX_glqioBhJ_YynidFJuyTUpfZYU4QYSkTjIOFMcs88VZkoasnMWDh-sxiDJsE_tWVaDfuZ0Is5hZcAg1GqMHcADY6HFX3rHu8kkLCB/s1600/179866_176578739052648_160420950668427_364741_910050_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5zjAnR4iK0K8VKG9b9yB3jVjPwLYZCyKWmXLMSX_glqioBhJ_YynidFJuyTUpfZYU4QYSkTjIOFMcs88VZkoasnMWDh-sxiDJsE_tWVaDfuZ0Is5hZcAg1GqMHcADY6HFX3rHu8kkLCB/s320/179866_176578739052648_160420950668427_364741_910050_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, that is a chocolate bath soak!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1pLYeH6L2nWSekwNY29pEx7lJqNyO3PtSnPSFTZv_oYSIOb_pfFpEFwpfZYIQQPPhDBq_2gbCJGvZejgPCpKWH5eso0kjcA_iNiYtLANodc4q7dLJi0EslNqPBk75RjY8QvxoCCg1lAX/s1600/180023_178101418900380_160420950668427_371232_6144674_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1pLYeH6L2nWSekwNY29pEx7lJqNyO3PtSnPSFTZv_oYSIOb_pfFpEFwpfZYIQQPPhDBq_2gbCJGvZejgPCpKWH5eso0kjcA_iNiYtLANodc4q7dLJi0EslNqPBk75RjY8QvxoCCg1lAX/s320/180023_178101418900380_160420950668427_371232_6144674_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">single soap rose petals! Would be perfect in a foot bath. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqYQhHVRsjqAoZEP-dVr8GGYibJVQlLsG9_ePgtiVtpmwrdNa_iDvVYxDTRCDUEI0RziD1sYth7b-eoh20XkCncpA-lX_iPkE1benR7k84G9rTgt6Bx1wXoH-fwt3dJiTxOFYjGoY1r7x/s1600/181544_178101222233733_160420950668427_371227_6814680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqYQhHVRsjqAoZEP-dVr8GGYibJVQlLsG9_ePgtiVtpmwrdNa_iDvVYxDTRCDUEI0RziD1sYth7b-eoh20XkCncpA-lX_iPkE1benR7k84G9rTgt6Bx1wXoH-fwt3dJiTxOFYjGoY1r7x/s320/181544_178101222233733_160420950668427_371227_6814680_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioJq96dIRE9ib7fGm2KvDehFfa2HP6BvYEjneUjuz4LAlLLyReUEVrNBrBJzwxYryNQV5HmE4K2mwhCKvL1dW7PZV10ywS3BRQ8mgKdfCE_PyqNbR5ZTsHYQ4Hp8mdgkzoZbEs56Lkp4Z/s1600/182889_178101305567058_160420950668427_371229_8046502_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioJq96dIRE9ib7fGm2KvDehFfa2HP6BvYEjneUjuz4LAlLLyReUEVrNBrBJzwxYryNQV5HmE4K2mwhCKvL1dW7PZV10ywS3BRQ8mgKdfCE_PyqNbR5ZTsHYQ4Hp8mdgkzoZbEs56Lkp4Z/s320/182889_178101305567058_160420950668427_371229_8046502_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is her description of her products. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="data_field" style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="data_field" style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Most soaps are made with goats milk & shea butter, others in avocado cucumber or olive oil including herbs and natural additives. <br />
Shea lotions in a variety of fragrances <br />
Sugar scrubs with all natural products including Vitamin E (a natural preservative)<br />
Bath soaks combine old healing remedies and new age. Available with herbs or fragrance."</b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, most of us are ladies here, and I know there isn't a girl around who doesn't like great soap. It has to smell right, feel right, be right. </span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;">I am beyond picky with my "products" so I will tell you first hand that I couldn't wait to get home to try mine. My entire purse smells amazing from carrying it around. </span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">And since Sissy was so kind to give me two... I'll give one to YOU!</span></b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A bar of <span style="color: #f1c232;">Honeysuckle</span> soap- perfect for Summer </span></b></span></div><div class="data_field"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="data_field" style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">All you have to do is "like" Sissy'sSoap</span></b></div><div class="data_field" style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/pages/Sissys-Soap/160420950668427?sk=info">Facebook Page</a> </span></b></div><div class="data_field" style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">and come back to comment telling me you've done so. </span></b></div><div class="data_field"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Sissy will be joining me as a featured vendor at </b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kitt's Market in Knoxville, TN on </b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>June 4th at Kitt's Cafe. </b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You can also find her on @ her online shop:</b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.zibbet.com/SissysSoap">Here</a></b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhYFZTBphRCn00XT49XaU3RAwOx9Odgie7wpsJoDFHN4WTLZ2mEQY4W1KpEUxN-daR7F7jL00hvxyc-oXZU4AjG6DF3KnhbPqDdQgmWTMmCwwtOvP3i4BwA9OlDU7cXm5tv_HyQzJBKPx/s1600/240240_200315783345610_160420950668427_503699_4216109_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhYFZTBphRCn00XT49XaU3RAwOx9Odgie7wpsJoDFHN4WTLZ2mEQY4W1KpEUxN-daR7F7jL00hvxyc-oXZU4AjG6DF3KnhbPqDdQgmWTMmCwwtOvP3i4BwA9OlDU7cXm5tv_HyQzJBKPx/s640/240240_200315783345610_160420950668427_503699_4216109_o.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Courtney</b></span></div><div class="data_field"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-70011395949290663222011-05-18T17:35:00.000-07:002011-05-18T17:38:03.377-07:00Willing to Work and WIW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKc9BejOs_LoxIu9gUU7XCP2HYBnWdL4ufVFvq1kOBXlE9R6noy8aSGl6ADTrvD3jJIcyqlN-nSGLHph3tXZ3NnS367qyW9yv3pOHsNlgL0psRd46CbQWTO9pJ-zj_WOHeTe49_hh6Ls9/s1600/229161_188460167868894_175502759164635_467800_6067671_n-1-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKc9BejOs_LoxIu9gUU7XCP2HYBnWdL4ufVFvq1kOBXlE9R6noy8aSGl6ADTrvD3jJIcyqlN-nSGLHph3tXZ3NnS367qyW9yv3pOHsNlgL0psRd46CbQWTO9pJ-zj_WOHeTe49_hh6Ls9/s400/229161_188460167868894_175502759164635_467800_6067671_n-1-1.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">See that beautiful banner? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Know what it means?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It means that I have an ETSY.com Shop</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">After much asking and some </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">adorable photos from </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/lifeslittlestories?sk=wall" style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Life's Little Stories</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">that were taken at </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/Kitts-Market/175502759164635"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Kitt's Market</span> </span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and lots of lovelies asking..</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">"So, where can I shop your stuff?"</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The answer is...</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/courtiebeth21?ref=seller_info"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKc9BejOs_LoxIu9gUU7XCP2HYBnWdL4ufVFvq1kOBXlE9R6noy8aSGl6ADTrvD3jJIcyqlN-nSGLHph3tXZ3NnS367qyW9yv3pOHsNlgL0psRd46CbQWTO9pJ-zj_WOHeTe49_hh6Ls9/s400/229161_188460167868894_175502759164635_467800_6067671_n-1-1.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span> </span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">All you need do is click on </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">that beautiful flashing banner</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and shop shop shop!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">w.i.w</span> </span></span></div><a href="http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/?action=view&current=IMAG1450.jpg" target="_blank"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/?action=view&current=IMAG1450-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/IMAG1450-1.jpg" /></a></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-90574271234413422002011-05-17T07:46:00.000-07:002011-05-17T07:46:26.845-07:00Tutorial Tuesday - Boudior Pillow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While my husband is away I've set a goal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm going to finish all lying around projects. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To start I'm going to finish our bedroom as we've had this</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pillow fabric for about 3 months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Boudoir Pillows</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6gAr4-B7uYvYexqudUP79RoXI2kY_NiKY3ruJ8tlKmhCq7p7tlXnMJMAezk2AIXfyrasUqWa1A2vFb0SBTIskwXs9_nJL3L4mI-sO8BSB07v0uJaiwAwiCJfdgtV-eCDCCLN5EUGk4U9/s1600/IMAG1430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6gAr4-B7uYvYexqudUP79RoXI2kY_NiKY3ruJ8tlKmhCq7p7tlXnMJMAezk2AIXfyrasUqWa1A2vFb0SBTIskwXs9_nJL3L4mI-sO8BSB07v0uJaiwAwiCJfdgtV-eCDCCLN5EUGk4U9/s400/IMAG1430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First let me say that I used a silky upholstery fabric which I don't entirely recommend if you </div><div style="text-align: center;">have never sewn with it before, or you're just a beginner sewer. It is very pretty though </div><div style="text-align: center;">and gives a great luxurious bedroom feel though so I'll give you a few tips</div><div style="text-align: center;">so that if you are a first timer, you don't tear it or have shedding issues. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Here is what you'll need:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPjkiKzrw28V7wroF1nHUZomcJUr9pYmqNIl4C0KME4uPD1CwovFmq943JuLbl6TCuF4clqcRCQFqihbYv5Fzxhv91fK0Nm0IkFdtu52boBWSuyrmQy7t0fSk4K3VpxpAmE2w64fBxPih/s1600/IMAG1417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPjkiKzrw28V7wroF1nHUZomcJUr9pYmqNIl4C0KME4uPD1CwovFmq943JuLbl6TCuF4clqcRCQFqihbYv5Fzxhv91fK0Nm0IkFdtu52boBWSuyrmQy7t0fSk4K3VpxpAmE2w64fBxPih/s320/IMAG1417.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>- Sewing Machine</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-scissors or a rotary cutter</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-cutting mat</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-measuring tape</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-yard stick</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-fabric</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-pins</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-old pillow or pillow stuffing</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-quilt batting </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was working with a purpose to reuse some old pillows that</div><div style="text-align: center;">were given to me with a bedding set. Since we were gifted a brand</div><div style="text-align: center;">new bedding set when we moved back to TN, the colors no longer match our room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>So I measured my old pillow...</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8fvezAFWkoXfqP94mYQ_7qDhWx8t8apFqdiw07YW-aibH1jRXJSeut57jdtKEM7-hj964OCeMIlgVf-k16wWMxHsw9hrLVkng6uKzUQtc2zD4lLdoNX5fJDJR13Ampk_YZvOWGJnCHiH/s1600/IMAG1418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8fvezAFWkoXfqP94mYQ_7qDhWx8t8apFqdiw07YW-aibH1jRXJSeut57jdtKEM7-hj964OCeMIlgVf-k16wWMxHsw9hrLVkng6uKzUQtc2zD4lLdoNX5fJDJR13Ampk_YZvOWGJnCHiH/s320/IMAG1418.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was 19X19 inches. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>If you are just making a pillow from scratch, just get an idea of what size you want your pillow to be. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew I didn't want a perfect square so I cut my fabric at a 20 X 16.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I cut <b>1 pieces of this measurement out of my fabric and 1 piece of this measurement out of my batting</b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The front piece of fabric needs to be 2 X's the length of the back piece (so for me 40 inches) and 2 inches wider (again for me it would be a 40 X 18 inch piece)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptiiqHNCoydvrsQSVLgfYWUP4gRpwQWnj2KFLzYnTtXfbcxIeptU95pAKXg07rJrGKdNI-PEd-f3beBpzsYONnL56LI3M-yvs-o7ULD120OVzLDBG8Q4VK5LRaJVVIOvQg27G264MSF30/s1600/IMAG1419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptiiqHNCoydvrsQSVLgfYWUP4gRpwQWnj2KFLzYnTtXfbcxIeptU95pAKXg07rJrGKdNI-PEd-f3beBpzsYONnL56LI3M-yvs-o7ULD120OVzLDBG8Q4VK5LRaJVVIOvQg27G264MSF30/s320/IMAG1419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">No matter how straight I think I'm cutting, it's NEVER straight. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't want a crazy looking pillow so I laid out my fabric </div><div style="text-align: center;">on the cutting mat. made a perfect line with a PENCIL. Don't use a pen unless it's</div><div style="text-align: center;">a fabric pen. Then I used to rotary cutter to cut it all even and perfect. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Now for setting up your machine to ruffle the front of the pillow. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Use a basting stitch (the basic straight stitch) but open it up</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>to the widest stitch there is. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>( </b>If you don't know how to do this, READ YOUR MACHINE BOOK! </div><div style="text-align: center;">It will help you! You can also google tutorials for how to use your machine.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> I measured my piece to allow 3 ruffle lines. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Leave a few (like 4-6) inches of bobbin and top thread hanging out before you begin to sew. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvx2dCsJDQsTQ7Oyv_j7yPOoaiU4vrC5w28OXxKmelOAKeYaCYWXQu_Pp1l4Y9hR5Z0TjGqXmMAyvE1iDEKPAi3BxeGf5nLYrB2Mk72ck-tdxgWRsXVblsh_-qySeThubCG-8Wkm-JuSe/s1600/IMAG1420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvx2dCsJDQsTQ7Oyv_j7yPOoaiU4vrC5w28OXxKmelOAKeYaCYWXQu_Pp1l4Y9hR5Z0TjGqXmMAyvE1iDEKPAi3BxeGf5nLYrB2Mk72ck-tdxgWRsXVblsh_-qySeThubCG-8Wkm-JuSe/s320/IMAG1420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I used my yard stick to measure 3 equal sections across the end of my fabric. Then I traced it with my pencil lightly on the bottom side. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHMe0YXqI3DHBzBKJ3lPuv_RA4imW4JvZMf9ytNPVk_jzTNsTaP1PjljDXfEmobzqTT6GY2c1bVuvPZxjJF9D6c6U9zSV8QmHltoFrPukxyBduwReiU1EPIPGIYzXcNs3LrGK_wyetTTY/s1600/IMAG1421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHMe0YXqI3DHBzBKJ3lPuv_RA4imW4JvZMf9ytNPVk_jzTNsTaP1PjljDXfEmobzqTT6GY2c1bVuvPZxjJF9D6c6U9zSV8QmHltoFrPukxyBduwReiU1EPIPGIYzXcNs3LrGK_wyetTTY/s640/IMAG1421.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see 2 of my stitches. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOGoLufH4COXo7N5Z9yhURNUU02F3naXb62rL47To3uIaLCvhCHw-oBaUDJ9I9RM4v_8uDcW08tdoGEpkZXrJGFFzbFSHHZ9AueX2lM2UTrryUBO7VTZC7s3qFRDzJdL3bXqvl18_F1P7/s1600/IMAG1422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOGoLufH4COXo7N5Z9yhURNUU02F3naXb62rL47To3uIaLCvhCHw-oBaUDJ9I9RM4v_8uDcW08tdoGEpkZXrJGFFzbFSHHZ9AueX2lM2UTrryUBO7VTZC7s3qFRDzJdL3bXqvl18_F1P7/s320/IMAG1422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">leave excess bobbin and top thread at the other end too!</span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Now you will grab the top thread and GENTLY</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">begin to pull your fabric away from your </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">hand causing it to ruffle. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A tip is to pull a few inches from the end and then stop for a minute</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and pull those inches towards the other end. Then start at the front again. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Repeat on all 3 stitches and you get this:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51QWTTDjQt9jSbvN6ZBW-sm_vrohYdcJH-7gOkJX8WWds2PIH_1qpmEcIXE8IZwxhVCGuiPycgPZjaUskOzo0vEuG-_kpAAbCKP_Iv3MIfdKRTdtDoTmuRsadT_X0vTd7JeGtYf5VnA0S/s1600/IMAG1427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51QWTTDjQt9jSbvN6ZBW-sm_vrohYdcJH-7gOkJX8WWds2PIH_1qpmEcIXE8IZwxhVCGuiPycgPZjaUskOzo0vEuG-_kpAAbCKP_Iv3MIfdKRTdtDoTmuRsadT_X0vTd7JeGtYf5VnA0S/s320/IMAG1427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Next you will pin the front piece to the quilt batting all the way around. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This allows you to get it JUST how you want it and make it stable. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NsDEh-9xVjiqgcxjkkLiWHBQA5UjGi95yM-OLygOFynLQ-ujVVtIRRxQG9hyphenhypheniqDtG347Ha2oyE6lr42agpNHO-EZcxK-N3jxvpM9o0APdI29ublPnXSpasBhYXzV15UVJtIx1gE0ateE/s1600/IMAG1424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NsDEh-9xVjiqgcxjkkLiWHBQA5UjGi95yM-OLygOFynLQ-ujVVtIRRxQG9hyphenhypheniqDtG347Ha2oyE6lr42agpNHO-EZcxK-N3jxvpM9o0APdI29ublPnXSpasBhYXzV15UVJtIx1gE0ateE/s320/IMAG1424.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMGU7-pwFUhWMyL8eCrN4AJw3wl60mNZrRoz_iqBU9KIx95vtDlWD65_EHfJ72_Nk2uMhcO0TRSrT2tkVREOeX5Mq6ji9E2Rie6N3c8N-BvkOkLyD780Yvz_HbB7dblTWgoyK_ALdksIZ/s1600/IMAG1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMGU7-pwFUhWMyL8eCrN4AJw3wl60mNZrRoz_iqBU9KIx95vtDlWD65_EHfJ72_Nk2uMhcO0TRSrT2tkVREOeX5Mq6ji9E2Rie6N3c8N-BvkOkLyD780Yvz_HbB7dblTWgoyK_ALdksIZ/s320/IMAG1425.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now sew one straight stitch (on it's regular setting) </b>over top of </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the bunched stitches and around all 4 edges. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It will then look like this:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQanUzio_86HzOFn692GchMMrOQftFC0In1uYgMhsVWBAn-4ANleHcHzSJD9zAPiX_jijRq_ptcgBH1G3DFtYUMZ2JZyJHCE7xtQxaS6en2gCOlPvvg7H_WaYdHGxaJQ9mGRwzoPNLg-aE/s1600/IMAG1429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQanUzio_86HzOFn692GchMMrOQftFC0In1uYgMhsVWBAn-4ANleHcHzSJD9zAPiX_jijRq_ptcgBH1G3DFtYUMZ2JZyJHCE7xtQxaS6en2gCOlPvvg7H_WaYdHGxaJQ9mGRwzoPNLg-aE/s320/IMAG1429.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>All that is left to do is pin the front and back together "face sides" IN and sew 3 edges. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Flip right side out and fill with stuffing. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You also have the option of finishing the bottom with a zipper. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I just pinned the open edges in and hand-hem stitched </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>the pillow closed! </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy Tuesday! </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When you try it be sure to come back and comment and share a photo! </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Also be sure to go and visit <a href="http://boutiqueonthecheap.blogspot.com/2011/05/gour-make-it-monday-you-tell-me-pot.html" style="color: #3d85c6;">yesterday's blog</a> and comment</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">with your pot roast recipe.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b> </span><br />
</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-75689789910711525882011-05-16T19:52:00.000-07:002011-05-16T19:52:47.355-07:00Gour-Make It Monday - You tell me Pot Roast<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You may not know this about me but, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I LOVE POT ROAST!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qeGVgbPRW5SkkOKtkZoIsrSMtAgrfmBzOMClvKd6_OeoRsnH3f0CeaBgtomeuEp8rs8ne4XT4qanMrEl4e5YRs9Y0_3uZLfzDdISKt9YXSqV41rWLQAN2wbaR4ckKGqucTSFGExwLWha/s1600/pot-roast-recipe-crock-pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qeGVgbPRW5SkkOKtkZoIsrSMtAgrfmBzOMClvKd6_OeoRsnH3f0CeaBgtomeuEp8rs8ne4XT4qanMrEl4e5YRs9Y0_3uZLfzDdISKt9YXSqV41rWLQAN2wbaR4ckKGqucTSFGExwLWha/s1600/pot-roast-recipe-crock-pot.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.potroastrecipecrockpot.com/">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My husband.... hates it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I never make it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In fact, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have NEVER made one EVER. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do have 2 in my freezer though. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I'm just itching to get out my crock pot </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and smell something amazing from it </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">for a few hours in my home</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">only to follow that by eating something </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">truly scrumptious. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Someone tell me how!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It needs to be fool proof. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">No strange veggies please, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">but other than that I'll try whatever. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's your turn to show your expertise. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm ALWAYS doing the showing. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Somebody show me! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lets have it then....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What is your BEST Pot Roast recipe? </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>and......GO! </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will take two recipes posted. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will try them both and blog them both. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will give YOU the tasty awesome recipe glory! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want comments with recipes when I wake up! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">kidding.. but seriously...comments! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Courtney </span><b> </b></span></span></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-32172458152531964392011-05-15T08:26:00.000-07:002011-05-15T08:26:32.804-07:00BOTC A.B.C<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my sweet bloggy friends had the cutest post: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mommiecouture.blogspot.com/2011/04/b-cs-of-mommie-couture.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook">A.B.C's of Mommy Couture</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">and while I don't usually do the "play along" things, I just loved the idea.<br />
A.B.C's of Me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiC6Wk2w2vDnVR5CEu7oEQQkRcCUQaT4Gf2ymve237x8vHBU7EOl1RdFOlcVoj8-zx3zkSjwdorroiPaCvfYpRG5mEG7FuNwW3J7T1QZHAzlkXgWKrVblUPLQtobzGgoNkiTMxr735-ZJ/s1600/felt-letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiC6Wk2w2vDnVR5CEu7oEQQkRcCUQaT4Gf2ymve237x8vHBU7EOl1RdFOlcVoj8-zx3zkSjwdorroiPaCvfYpRG5mEG7FuNwW3J7T1QZHAzlkXgWKrVblUPLQtobzGgoNkiTMxr735-ZJ/s320/felt-letters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So here it goes....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A. Age</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2jsS596VJmxp5lDhEun_1YrOupXI7UHSFZ95IrSRAQisE9kK2f_mCyks9JtCZObTQYxt5lUKwN9ijad27vgX7-QDc7KaSmdLXwkgxCgNbapCeRvA-9Zdsv2GCjw3XSu34EY7YThLGC3r/s1600/219220_10150151970504774_501204773_6399722_7390324_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2jsS596VJmxp5lDhEun_1YrOupXI7UHSFZ95IrSRAQisE9kK2f_mCyks9JtCZObTQYxt5lUKwN9ijad27vgX7-QDc7KaSmdLXwkgxCgNbapCeRvA-9Zdsv2GCjw3XSu34EY7YThLGC3r/s320/219220_10150151970504774_501204773_6399722_7390324_o.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/1303931793489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/1303931793489.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I make a lot of the jewelry/hair accessories I wear.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/1304519986508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/1304519986508.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love my boots. All of them. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>B. Bed Size</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ak6Kea7AtWnd6KVqfmUVtCIoV0bcdD2eh4djWvrgXl0EON5dsBRD1tdXk6gtIpdos_tdidJAI4anGazptVxsySQLeZrl36YWzLm2vhxUCx0S9mlge_dVRQR1eOgK-9SzSVgRHjPPhCpw/s1600/219606_10150181606369774_501204773_6679660_2430207_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ak6Kea7AtWnd6KVqfmUVtCIoV0bcdD2eh4djWvrgXl0EON5dsBRD1tdXk6gtIpdos_tdidJAI4anGazptVxsySQLeZrl36YWzLm2vhxUCx0S9mlge_dVRQR1eOgK-9SzSVgRHjPPhCpw/s320/219606_10150181606369774_501204773_6679660_2430207_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">KING!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
C. Chore I Dislike<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Washing Dishes</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>D. Dogs?</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzGOKMvLY6YAgC3ZZsOjXfj45vesidxz4Zf8jYxRdSWq3QI5LA9Wpn3Asn6CxP7A6MZTynAY4YSlNesDdCw8u96l-M0hydKcstdWKkRMFN8asgHQrAqNlQBM6ex8n7_vPeNA6zRwYONH4/s1600/IM000146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzGOKMvLY6YAgC3ZZsOjXfj45vesidxz4Zf8jYxRdSWq3QI5LA9Wpn3Asn6CxP7A6MZTynAY4YSlNesDdCw8u96l-M0hydKcstdWKkRMFN8asgHQrAqNlQBM6ex8n7_vPeNA6zRwYONH4/s320/IM000146.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Barley. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now lives with my In Laws because the move to TX was just too much for him. :(<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>E. Essential to start my day</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oFKC3H8t9zMbxWb7f9OOzQ7uFv8CclPVl4FQ1zuAmIZzX6jw_6dBzgLdC8wfN3CpDHCw_DR0FyaqBCFNMST7_fb4yF4-G858_8xj2C65NyFFSghFtJ6oGBG4nol6Ydwihvv5sFJyOGDQ/s1600/194035_10150119625214774_501204773_6233576_1798960_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oFKC3H8t9zMbxWb7f9OOzQ7uFv8CclPVl4FQ1zuAmIZzX6jw_6dBzgLdC8wfN3CpDHCw_DR0FyaqBCFNMST7_fb4yF4-G858_8xj2C65NyFFSghFtJ6oGBG4nol6Ydwihvv5sFJyOGDQ/s320/194035_10150119625214774_501204773_6233576_1798960_o.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>F. Favorite Color</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lately I'm obsessed with blues and <span style="color: #bf9000;">Mustard!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>G. Gold or Silver</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-6xNq73aPTtk1zFWniuQN1ByZ84nKQT1BwZlJ102m6dFIHj-SIcqTMgtcnRllwJKzGIrVhR76LAIMAY6ckeOGD9bj-TMoVWrdMmAkPiij0KMJrMJYyTgJ_sM8lelktA2bPiwztamwPK7/s1600/Photo+62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-6xNq73aPTtk1zFWniuQN1ByZ84nKQT1BwZlJ102m6dFIHj-SIcqTMgtcnRllwJKzGIrVhR76LAIMAY6ckeOGD9bj-TMoVWrdMmAkPiij0KMJrMJYyTgJ_sM8lelktA2bPiwztamwPK7/s320/Photo+62.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Platinum. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">But I really like both <span style="color: #ffe599;">gold</span> and <span style="color: #cccccc;">silver</span>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>H. Height</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5'7"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I. Instrument</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So far my only instrument is my voice,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">but I'd love to learn Piano or anything with strings.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>J. Job Title</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTto-EGVSJWwPAgQQS5UZpbARQVAsQNLrMxu8Wfq2TXeqH-BOTkS6MXgVIUNSRR_GYxxws09_I5EvI-Gi9nhY2nTHP7wxc-_D5QDddx1SLEVmOz0W_Jp1Kxlw5SFQHnjayRylVFNPvE1U5/s1600/1304685121624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTto-EGVSJWwPAgQQS5UZpbARQVAsQNLrMxu8Wfq2TXeqH-BOTkS6MXgVIUNSRR_GYxxws09_I5EvI-Gi9nhY2nTHP7wxc-_D5QDddx1SLEVmOz0W_Jp1Kxlw5SFQHnjayRylVFNPvE1U5/s200/1304685121624.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1st I'm a Christian wife to my best friend. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95y4ER8COLUu-147hSVZcRKm9KB_rsD3lBEoeV0IenAp_iBv6v_tfpq82WaXaw4ncMjR7vzfJ3xZvj0jg4klu57VmrJEImh7OQkT8RPOm4WEPQOTMulc51ik-NtvfRM8z3Xb9Sy0l_L7Y/s1600/73839_10150315908340562_500360561_15723783_1999673_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95y4ER8COLUu-147hSVZcRKm9KB_rsD3lBEoeV0IenAp_iBv6v_tfpq82WaXaw4ncMjR7vzfJ3xZvj0jg4klu57VmrJEImh7OQkT8RPOm4WEPQOTMulc51ik-NtvfRM8z3Xb9Sy0l_L7Y/s320/73839_10150315908340562_500360561_15723783_1999673_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2nd I'm a Mommy to 2 amazing kids.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuUygqRiA4We4u2XgxPqUF-3oTIgLQsTwXTG28g1fzRDt7ptD-Z4kkqiDx6GxsrQk6XgaC1X82AlwthfwQt7OU1lGAi7cJDsX2HdNB_Au4s7Ve_-qlI3KrQND3XdAiV6bbBR9aPpbHXOr/s1600/1304639696354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuUygqRiA4We4u2XgxPqUF-3oTIgLQsTwXTG28g1fzRDt7ptD-Z4kkqiDx6GxsrQk6XgaC1X82AlwthfwQt7OU1lGAi7cJDsX2HdNB_Au4s7Ve_-qlI3KrQND3XdAiV6bbBR9aPpbHXOr/s200/1304639696354.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3rd In Home Handmade Shop Owner - giving it my best try!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>K. Kids</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fSNXJwukcGOokrI3Xt6I8vjrPM-qqfdcuLTmVu6cuD2490ofXPSENBqmfb0d7B16CT5pEI8hqG1B6oSyK7vC1iXGSAcEAzl91x8S2KUXtr2VqZl8j_EWGqvxU1-WeUR1X4CCuG2E9RcD/s1600/CIMG1459+copy+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fSNXJwukcGOokrI3Xt6I8vjrPM-qqfdcuLTmVu6cuD2490ofXPSENBqmfb0d7B16CT5pEI8hqG1B6oSyK7vC1iXGSAcEAzl91x8S2KUXtr2VqZl8j_EWGqvxU1-WeUR1X4CCuG2E9RcD/s320/CIMG1459+copy+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Abram - My first born. My love.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4xfwyQdN1D3HJTPYaFMm64KK6CARp8bb8r2lnPd4YKw4GoMLLkXDEvQ9dgGpMXs1SPD77nPZPfDkvqGQ-nTQib5cR2bZdloP7uJ6SIFnHfvInCDKyq1Y6nOKZxO56c1fkqh2WKsB7hjl/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4xfwyQdN1D3HJTPYaFMm64KK6CARp8bb8r2lnPd4YKw4GoMLLkXDEvQ9dgGpMXs1SPD77nPZPfDkvqGQ-nTQib5cR2bZdloP7uJ6SIFnHfvInCDKyq1Y6nOKZxO56c1fkqh2WKsB7hjl/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU40Tk6bI2Yodcx-XQQvu7dFe7bfTBcQh6RFGWbdovnMiiVJ4h1OS6ACcW7HAeqhpVbHgvr5HR7B8AUkqxK_YwF0FwtsifhkmVcGnC7jMOsNTQl2VSfhhLW2UVMyQF9DsYOsjtDjZbfMxL/s1600/47242_1616520051651_1195845999_2518502_6956198_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU40Tk6bI2Yodcx-XQQvu7dFe7bfTBcQh6RFGWbdovnMiiVJ4h1OS6ACcW7HAeqhpVbHgvr5HR7B8AUkqxK_YwF0FwtsifhkmVcGnC7jMOsNTQl2VSfhhLW2UVMyQF9DsYOsjtDjZbfMxL/s320/47242_1616520051651_1195845999_2518502_6956198_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7e1zXvdJCH6psPEWoX6eaH0oGZOxmCzAsQRROcMcocdGa0VnHIZx6C9d_PxMTCbnQL580Rbz6iSmE9n5bzWXB6NHIYizLTrPSy6J6BfsFkaLPu40gatPFPkZbSwbEfBu9y2BzzAc2X0e/s1600/IMG_6390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7e1zXvdJCH6psPEWoX6eaH0oGZOxmCzAsQRROcMcocdGa0VnHIZx6C9d_PxMTCbnQL580Rbz6iSmE9n5bzWXB6NHIYizLTrPSy6J6BfsFkaLPu40gatPFPkZbSwbEfBu9y2BzzAc2X0e/s400/IMG_6390.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Evelyn Claire</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWxkGFlpFGbAerhszteDmOj2MIrhGjKSCAAQnGByUkx_NtXYknRNDf7rpYJjIrPyAz7PXC_2udHWZxM57YEj_HgZn4mPct70MdvX7cCydiB9tzDUk79K6EMvUdOI4i7bpeaEuISQTnnza/s1600/35327_415286004773_501204773_4416300_1624679_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWxkGFlpFGbAerhszteDmOj2MIrhGjKSCAAQnGByUkx_NtXYknRNDf7rpYJjIrPyAz7PXC_2udHWZxM57YEj_HgZn4mPct70MdvX7cCydiB9tzDUk79K6EMvUdOI4i7bpeaEuISQTnnza/s400/35327_415286004773_501204773_4416300_1624679_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pYdumBBSo9mnqHLmYfruxrOP1_2WnnzNDem5tAvz6POMumh632vklbeV3DEaCdt-OlrMvj20wYf3Sh7bco6qHaQKck25thQT9VJ27fq6D1lIp9u7q2j1agC4Iz-kz1sbJnwKmKMWwfZ5/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pYdumBBSo9mnqHLmYfruxrOP1_2WnnzNDem5tAvz6POMumh632vklbeV3DEaCdt-OlrMvj20wYf3Sh7bco6qHaQKck25thQT9VJ27fq6D1lIp9u7q2j1agC4Iz-kz1sbJnwKmKMWwfZ5/s400/IMG_1012.JPG" width="290" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>L. Live</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJZ7HQZ4kbX2yLrZlU8HME4Ejw-QaqwdIFu9nQmNIoMMOYibJMsNScNtIrmBiEtmunodoM3b8jJRjzu-zqIni1VwC6GcOQXfzM3LXIWLI2QGf0kRJz3zmDUahO9xGE7sSM0aa5Rk9sNXp/s1600/36325_404653469773_501204773_4151173_4563434_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJZ7HQZ4kbX2yLrZlU8HME4Ejw-QaqwdIFu9nQmNIoMMOYibJMsNScNtIrmBiEtmunodoM3b8jJRjzu-zqIni1VwC6GcOQXfzM3LXIWLI2QGf0kRJz3zmDUahO9xGE7sSM0aa5Rk9sNXp/s320/36325_404653469773_501204773_4151173_4563434_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tennessee</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>M. Milk</b></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">ANY but mostly organic vitamin D </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>N. Nickname</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Depends on who you ask.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Husband: stinky pants (don't ask)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Grandmother: Courtie Beth</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Aunt: Courtisha</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Kids: Momma </span> <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">O. Overnight Hospital Stays</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">18yrs Jaw surgery</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">23yrs Birthed Abram</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">25yrs C-section with Evelyn Claire</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>P. Pet Peeves</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">spelling words wrong on purpose.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">lying at all. ever. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Q. Quote from a Movie</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anything from Sweet Home Alabama. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For some reason the lines from that are locked in my brain.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>R. Ring Size</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I think I have 3 different sizes. A 4.5, 4.75, and a 5 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">all on the same finger. </span><br />
S. Siblings<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wTiV3WZYsXkh2kwMv-zvothyrVpPb9_8sCBgOoaT9LXKF0bIiN5XlFPU5tglliYXtroIegvFXFjJIY11Towk1iWDNtKJHFvPTqoL9yEgH27quhTyr5TGPMTQ59ZB6EYM4zTD9ovIL18l/s1600/31260_394115214773_501204773_3885198_5585410_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wTiV3WZYsXkh2kwMv-zvothyrVpPb9_8sCBgOoaT9LXKF0bIiN5XlFPU5tglliYXtroIegvFXFjJIY11Towk1iWDNtKJHFvPTqoL9yEgH27quhTyr5TGPMTQ59ZB6EYM4zTD9ovIL18l/s320/31260_394115214773_501204773_3885198_5585410_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Older Brother - far right. Middle Brother - Far Left. Baby Brother - Center. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>T. Time you wake Up</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now around 8. When Brad is home...most days </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">around 10 because he loves me that much! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>U. Underwear</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I wear it</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>V. Vegetables you don't Like</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">cauliflower</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>W. What makes you Late</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWcMuJLV77u51BqU0ZmsvXFDFcet-2Xx6zYZhPIdi-jhvZWphM7jIDy9lrWOspck73TuqDkgQQbL23L90G3POk8sYJ8Z3taG50Q919zn0-CVn3Xf_GNvbW_XedoqF9NSIMUsJOlGRKEpd/s1600/22254_214294049773_501204773_2908026_5938097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWcMuJLV77u51BqU0ZmsvXFDFcet-2Xx6zYZhPIdi-jhvZWphM7jIDy9lrWOspck73TuqDkgQQbL23L90G3POk8sYJ8Z3taG50Q919zn0-CVn3Xf_GNvbW_XedoqF9NSIMUsJOlGRKEpd/s320/22254_214294049773_501204773_2908026_5938097_n.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of the time I'm late in the mornings because of sleep, but really just..</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-size: large;">Everything!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>X. Xrays I've had</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jaw, knee, teeth...</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Y. Yummy food I Make</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If it's not yummy I don't make it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I like comfort food. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">People tend to like my baked goods. </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6CrctldzbNgWxl7z8OYXP7KpDra5H22J_IH7Zx6EdDPt-iXD5949ddeGqpHczcw26c1LSilXSzMcqy9PYNK6Kp1j8ryy3ubugKzCoSUbyS_6hAZUqQz3xjm4R2yzUS9v26mdtIzFFkm6/s1600/172276_10150090979519774_501204773_5944522_4624549_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6CrctldzbNgWxl7z8OYXP7KpDra5H22J_IH7Zx6EdDPt-iXD5949ddeGqpHczcw26c1LSilXSzMcqy9PYNK6Kp1j8ryy3ubugKzCoSUbyS_6hAZUqQz3xjm4R2yzUS9v26mdtIzFFkm6/s320/172276_10150090979519774_501204773_5944522_4624549_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Z. Zoo animals I Love</b></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/1304097701084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/1304097701084.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have always LOVED Elephants. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">I took this picture a couple of weeks ago at our Zoo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I loved being so close to them. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Evelyn Claire.... did not. Now she is even afraid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">watching Horton Hears A Who. Seriously.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well that's me by way of the alphabet.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Courtney</span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-36224473625717216242011-05-14T11:43:00.000-07:002011-05-14T12:18:12.387-07:00Where was my "mommy-tuition"?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtdiNR1wq1N7q9u5i4ypgtGG5gg45eIr_N0ve4ohua7MZRueVlPiqPN1r2v9cbNfLOOW8B27ZF8pbe2YXc4aj89-qBpAi5SBgpERsd_cKuIoES3n0fb1ncgR4i-u245XqoufAj5DFFD9n/s1600/CIMG0335+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtdiNR1wq1N7q9u5i4ypgtGG5gg45eIr_N0ve4ohua7MZRueVlPiqPN1r2v9cbNfLOOW8B27ZF8pbe2YXc4aj89-qBpAi5SBgpERsd_cKuIoES3n0fb1ncgR4i-u245XqoufAj5DFFD9n/s200/CIMG0335+copy.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the day my intuition started to grow. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGKhgIfncpe4AJXGYwh5DbRCG4LhGOU0bqZnTyq1Q31Un3PjnunY2yqH75Nrytcri_5EPw0FHp6GjYBcmcQYMPOXB9vFCBa4oX5fyX7-GKRW8nZQdXtwhV_KGjRbEMz7-ci0K7UGYAipc/s1600/BABY+1_16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGKhgIfncpe4AJXGYwh5DbRCG4LhGOU0bqZnTyq1Q31Un3PjnunY2yqH75Nrytcri_5EPw0FHp6GjYBcmcQYMPOXB9vFCBa4oX5fyX7-GKRW8nZQdXtwhV_KGjRbEMz7-ci0K7UGYAipc/s320/BABY+1_16.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On this day it grew in leaps and bounds. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbZ8EZ8TggrvolnI8X1cKessve4JEjHSZyQOIiEk5_IgsWFNRl9kRuJKwU-ReN8Hlm4QesZtCJ-AGMRB2h1OwQwvD2Jk5tg0B7v87NFWczwUzepTgshfXS02FR1jvcgHvfZPCsScD0iET/s1600/CIMG0716+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbZ8EZ8TggrvolnI8X1cKessve4JEjHSZyQOIiEk5_IgsWFNRl9kRuJKwU-ReN8Hlm4QesZtCJ-AGMRB2h1OwQwvD2Jk5tg0B7v87NFWczwUzepTgshfXS02FR1jvcgHvfZPCsScD0iET/s320/CIMG0716+copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Full on emotional involvement in the ins and outs of this little person's life. Mommy Intuition had arrived. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where in the WORLD was it today? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I knew better than to go. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Where was my verse?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm strongly in place about doing things that are uncomfortable from the start. If my mommy intuition goes off, I'll run with my kids on the other direction. They're still babies, after all. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did it anyway though.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went to the bounce house today.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is NOT my favorite place. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like to go play in places where I can see my kids</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">pretty much at all times. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't like a lot of "older" kids playing around my littles</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">for safety reasons. Biggers are just rougher and that </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">is fine, but not for a 1 or 3yr old. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last time we bounced my son got hurt. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pure accident, but hurt none the less. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He wouldn't put weight on his knee for a week. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I knew I didn't want to go. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">"Why did you mention that place? Is that the ONLY indoor play place you can think of?"</span>, I thought to myself as we talked on the phone. Why on earth did I mention the bounce house?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I have a membership to the Zoo and they were having a fun event. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a FREE day for the kids and I. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was supposed to rain on and off all day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We haven't had a drop of rain at my house so far, BUT </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">nonetheless we decided not to venture out there </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">on the chance that we might get drenched. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now I wish we had gone. Really. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we arrived I knew I didn't want to go in. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It would cost money too which I wasn't fond of given that we had a free activity across town. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I go to pay and realize I don't even have my wallet. Coincidence? Probably not. I had no business going there. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cars EVERYWHERE. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">ONE room. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I went to one in Texas that I LOVED with my friends</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amy and Beth. Separate rooms. Some rooms for littles.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some rooms for bigger kids. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Laid out in a way that there was only 1 way in and 1 way out. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">SAFE. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not today. I knew yesterday that it wasn't going to go well, but</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hate leaving something on a bad note so I thought</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">for Abram's sake specifically we would bounce once more. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I knew again when we got there. <span style="color: #e06666;">"Not for us"</span>, I thought to myself. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had made plans though and while I usually </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">don't mind to bail because my plan- attempting God's plan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">for my kids is always first and I have no problem</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">telling someone:</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">"I am doing a great work and I cannot come down"</span></b></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nehemiah 6:3</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we've had obedience or listening problems we'll stay home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we just need play time with mommy and daddy we'll stay home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we're tired and I know we can't behave tired, we'll stay home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I try to avoid places and things that will tempt my </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">small children to get into trouble. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Especially when my husband is gone, I try to avoid going</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">somewhere that will entice my older child to run off from me </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">while I'm caught up wrangling the baby.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I couldn't bail today though. I wouldn't. "I won't let myself be a letdown", I thought. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though now I'm thinking <span style="color: #e06666;">"letdown to who?"</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's a real live friendship. I can say no, or feel no, or change my mind and be my quirky self. It's been 4 years or more. I am who I am right? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We did go in. It was insanity. A was instantly frustrated because </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't stand at the baby area with E and still watch him in his</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"age appropriate" (joke) area. They had 2 and under in one blow up. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I get that. The next part is fishy. 7 and under? Really? 7yr olds</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">should be playing in a rough rowdy setting</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">with 3yr olds. A's friend isn't even 3 yet and while the </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">size of the inflatable was appropriate, the older kids</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">shoving her down just as she figured out the climbing wall part</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">was not appropriate at all. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A wanted so badly to run all around like </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">all of the other older kids who's parents weren't watching them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When he did though, he realized he couldn't see me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and would start searching and whimpering. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three times that happened before he realized</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">it wasn't THAT exciting of a place. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He started playing with his little friend though</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and her Daddy joined in on the fun. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Okay it's been 30 minutes and we are fine....45 minutes now."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And.... cut to my little Evie falling out of the 2 and under </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">inflatable FLAT on her nose. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blood EVERYWHERE. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
We left.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The point is though, that I have been entrusted </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">with two very small very perfect people. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been given a gift of conviction often called</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"mommy intuition" that will sneak up in my head</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">when something isn't right for my child. It comes around when</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">they are sick, and when they just need love. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I didn't listen to it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I knew better.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bloody nose is my fault. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The stressed out me is my fault too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will write the verse in Nehemiah</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">on my heart and in my mind and remeber</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">that my mommy-tuition is most always right. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Make sure you don't forget yours.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Courtney</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-67566702002300007422011-05-13T16:58:00.000-07:002011-05-13T16:58:01.740-07:00Zippered Pouch-torial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUIVh98AlnlMfO5G-R2voVa4ljiUkAuZeo3z0X5vFpgW62gnZVJkEu4HRPj-cN7ZMXWToMykVqTrdBxKLsqjL9MlnYd051uSI2k7uar2JXm0-vDRknLIwNUakVRMMog8yPwMIF6bRvdXZ/s1600/1305259473230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUIVh98AlnlMfO5G-R2voVa4ljiUkAuZeo3z0X5vFpgW62gnZVJkEu4HRPj-cN7ZMXWToMykVqTrdBxKLsqjL9MlnYd051uSI2k7uar2JXm0-vDRknLIwNUakVRMMog8yPwMIF6bRvdXZ/s320/1305259473230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Totally cute Zippered Pouch. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First I'm sorry about the photo quality. I have the darkest house in the world I think.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What you'll need:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I4ZuFsKg_qczuZ8mLsBNE6AiIPBbTo4o7tJlyTkl4D5DpkKCLjshvUwolJ-Qju3mfnVuUjEBTqmFQVHFJYHPBXSM8yobiO5a1r6TC8pND7VaKmieNQGqP07aSR0yEpxu6HgI_2ij-0ww/s1600/1305256000684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I4ZuFsKg_qczuZ8mLsBNE6AiIPBbTo4o7tJlyTkl4D5DpkKCLjshvUwolJ-Qju3mfnVuUjEBTqmFQVHFJYHPBXSM8yobiO5a1r6TC8pND7VaKmieNQGqP07aSR0yEpxu6HgI_2ij-0ww/s320/1305256000684.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>- Sewing Machine</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-4 pieces of fabric cut equally</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(cut to the FULL length of your zipper. 2 lining pieces. 2 outer pieces. Any size you choose. I wanted mine to hold 4 or 5 diapers so I literally used a diaper to measure and then made it a few inches bigger above, below, and on both ends than the diaper. I also had a 9 inch zipper to work with. )</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>- Zipper</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-Scissors</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-Pins</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Obviously I embellished my pieces a bit. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Creativity is a part of the process, but it has nothing to do with </div><div style="text-align: center;">knowing how to sew. I can teach you the fundamentals of any </div><div style="text-align: center;">of these projects, but the little extras are up to you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Trying" your ideas is a GREAT way to find your creative style.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That said I will ask you to ignore the embellishments and just go with the tutorial.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>To begin you will need your zipper and 1 outer fabric piece and 1 inner. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Make a zipper sandwich. </b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KRBA3he2JBupuJ4qoIcPDxqh0fou4v6_ZYMS1I4UyI10nKKXdJvWgMZvv-rbHzJ2k5XwpSQDX_TXwvuZ1dYTrBj75b-nPsKUqf_lI2ZMqsIRdKldjZDiVXAgvDpoKZnsbj_qWPf_ir49/s1600/1305256115651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KRBA3he2JBupuJ4qoIcPDxqh0fou4v6_ZYMS1I4UyI10nKKXdJvWgMZvv-rbHzJ2k5XwpSQDX_TXwvuZ1dYTrBj75b-nPsKUqf_lI2ZMqsIRdKldjZDiVXAgvDpoKZnsbj_qWPf_ir49/s320/1305256115651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So far this shows 1 side of the lining and the zipper laying on t</span>op:</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL0DsySYaPXM1w2rYEgDss-CV5H1CnD2fqWSy_2epyXk4PNfAF6iVCUlxkYpD-G2M_-6uYp_zwmc1xm3SPgQ66V1ZoxJaimYX_BUHShPAN0UollbpwejOMdd6MwDaokzecsJ1jKOx60yk/s1600/1305256140120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL0DsySYaPXM1w2rYEgDss-CV5H1CnD2fqWSy_2epyXk4PNfAF6iVCUlxkYpD-G2M_-6uYp_zwmc1xm3SPgQ66V1ZoxJaimYX_BUHShPAN0UollbpwejOMdd6MwDaokzecsJ1jKOx60yk/s320/1305256140120.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm laying the FACE side down on the same edge of the zipper. Thus the zipper sandwich.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b>You'll want the face sides of the fabric facing IN! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">You need a zipper foot for this if using a machine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> If you don't know how to use yours..break out your machine manual. <b>I did!</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I used a basic straight stitch. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's important to remember that while you do want the fabric CLOSE to the actual zipper,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you need to <b>allow enough space</b>..a few extra hairs will do it..<b>so that your fabric doesn't get </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>caught in your zipper when you open and close.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Repeat the same step on the other side of the zipper.</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92ide2-bPo9tRbI5CreP7jqOLHb2Zls1mcAO1eYsBHp40bOIB89F0OXCar1vMbOxHI9y-SSjcGtTXa9kaxjfPwJDn3POr9yMECv7S3bscXyfFIoc7wl62PX9SFwINNsSgF65VFIUrjngr/s1600/1305257189573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92ide2-bPo9tRbI5CreP7jqOLHb2Zls1mcAO1eYsBHp40bOIB89F0OXCar1vMbOxHI9y-SSjcGtTXa9kaxjfPwJDn3POr9yMECv7S3bscXyfFIoc7wl62PX9SFwINNsSgF65VFIUrjngr/s320/1305257189573.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then you will have two insides and two outsides on either side of your zipper. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Unzip your zipper HALFWAY. If you don't do this you won't be able to flip the bag inside out!</b> Then arrange the bag so that both outside face sides are together and both inner linings are together and pin 3 sides. (yes i pinned 4, but it was for my peace of mind.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">leave the bottom edge of the inner lining unpinned/un-sewn for now.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfFUjpqusGDoql_jG6bleLnRTeV4qoQlDqaI2qDY18sbMH_8TFGWMii2rZ2_X_t35IfL9yGtMn8xdnVwU_hW14ksqRh8HqKUPOg0fTx6fUGGhyphenhyphenP9ziievXmALmtQi7c0oL5bg84q1ER75/s1600/1305257645642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfFUjpqusGDoql_jG6bleLnRTeV4qoQlDqaI2qDY18sbMH_8TFGWMii2rZ2_X_t35IfL9yGtMn8xdnVwU_hW14ksqRh8HqKUPOg0fTx6fUGGhyphenhyphenP9ziievXmALmtQi7c0oL5bg84q1ER75/s320/1305257645642.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One side note. If you want the wrist strap. Make one out of your fabric and then you'll want the loop to be INSIDE of the two outer pieces. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w-V7v-j3xiGdoG2k6KeHXEnZ7ZMW1t0YT8Hi9byWLUSwh9JWpHSxfnX4aAGbfVaXGTRcx8I27dcz9azMVdr8zmCLU1q_Ib9WZSyCPDVW4XB52shVq2c8lmU6nqMHhFG3wkvUKC5saAiG/s1600/1305257671246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w-V7v-j3xiGdoG2k6KeHXEnZ7ZMW1t0YT8Hi9byWLUSwh9JWpHSxfnX4aAGbfVaXGTRcx8I27dcz9azMVdr8zmCLU1q_Ib9WZSyCPDVW4XB52shVq2c8lmU6nqMHhFG3wkvUKC5saAiG/s320/1305257671246.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had already cut the excess, but that is how it looked before I cut the ends down. Again the loop is INSIDE.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Stitch all 3 sides</b> (2long sides and 1 short side of the outer part of bag).</div><div style="text-align: center;">I used a triple stitch for this so it would be very durable. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Flip the bag inside out through the bottom of the liner. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpysxXjm0vr8RKbM6fYUxBGodfpjj5xiDpWnqWni5-zwZBjDrL8wUnS2okvAft4dNbBO_yLE-qfQUB00axkwpKHVmjiLg9rOvufGk17rHies8xtUn7WiaHD4pugfJ90jKDfqgcbAdC1fZ0/s1600/1305258712577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpysxXjm0vr8RKbM6fYUxBGodfpjj5xiDpWnqWni5-zwZBjDrL8wUnS2okvAft4dNbBO_yLE-qfQUB00axkwpKHVmjiLg9rOvufGk17rHies8xtUn7WiaHD4pugfJ90jKDfqgcbAdC1fZ0/s320/1305258712577.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Stitch (again with the triple) the open edge and push down inside the bag.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE7MfA77NZQ5Kks5PdOalW9EdJZQPA2OeqZtjGQL6Xt8XHHi7fd5baOc8MGeTi3s2dc911eIPU691Z9Jedh4sV7CktvXim_d2uimlxV2aigAf1UI0-CzxEnYaUlR7vBhD6GppM-AvsWmE/s1600/1305259268428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE7MfA77NZQ5Kks5PdOalW9EdJZQPA2OeqZtjGQL6Xt8XHHi7fd5baOc8MGeTi3s2dc911eIPU691Z9Jedh4sV7CktvXim_d2uimlxV2aigAf1UI0-CzxEnYaUlR7vBhD6GppM-AvsWmE/s320/1305259268428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbhFEtXI5ZTfh2rW4h_akMtzlSERioDlawslv7eGguipoXdBZit-m0re7lxDfp-oTtrR2BV_n5oFn2dT1vhUU52FzdT29G_BeJ2EBPqfsOpeyjhaQ1y_G7cEeDFYdx4gzaIVERzdXugzl/s1600/1305259118581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbhFEtXI5ZTfh2rW4h_akMtzlSERioDlawslv7eGguipoXdBZit-m0re7lxDfp-oTtrR2BV_n5oFn2dT1vhUU52FzdT29G_BeJ2EBPqfsOpeyjhaQ1y_G7cEeDFYdx4gzaIVERzdXugzl/s320/1305259118581.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK6ojzQ5tNvqzx2AMQ19-QmvBgLR7lRXXJniacyVHNnNho77tHF5Li8LarsI5A3pTeP2HGWMyVGaof1e8YpUwZRgfAumBc-huCRTyHvQGIwmG9italGFEeS_TvaNew4ooh2jiXg5nOa8l/s1600/1305259377494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK6ojzQ5tNvqzx2AMQ19-QmvBgLR7lRXXJniacyVHNnNho77tHF5Li8LarsI5A3pTeP2HGWMyVGaof1e8YpUwZRgfAumBc-huCRTyHvQGIwmG9italGFEeS_TvaNew4ooh2jiXg5nOa8l/s320/1305259377494.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And there you have it! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy pouching! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;">Courtney</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-51653731205955001362011-05-12T11:18:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:23:29.658-07:00S.I.X! ... and I know your story...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">May 2nd marked our </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">6 year first date-iversary. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7AgvksSBEEUcW8PIBWUp_NPl6sBWxAqFgBc1QE9WQNNr5ND89-8IgXFStwySuwN4RK0VgMDOgdOMZN7r4N-EzKMRSVZaGMf9eIOZdvW9cakBzT-IcKLfrwHoq2RNt8QynJrMiPEWa0M2/s1600/IM000057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7AgvksSBEEUcW8PIBWUp_NPl6sBWxAqFgBc1QE9WQNNr5ND89-8IgXFStwySuwN4RK0VgMDOgdOMZN7r4N-EzKMRSVZaGMf9eIOZdvW9cakBzT-IcKLfrwHoq2RNt8QynJrMiPEWa0M2/s320/IM000057.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you've been reading you know</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">what happened to our plans. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hospital. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That is okay though. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As long as we were alone together</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(albeit in 15 minute time slots) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">that was all I needed. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hubby and I have been talking a lot</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">lately about his testimony.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He isn't really a "speaker" so </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">the thought of sharing it doesn't</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">bring on relaxed feelings. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I heard a song that I felt </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">would really give "our" testimony </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">over the last 6 years. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We pray for blessings</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLJtf_Nf-06Hip_R9TY2Hbt1Pme86qz7mLKyvxM_dRZYc4MziiVAkMTVBCJwUpHFsGScK5bP8DYO-Z4wgYjdMt1T9ZPOvntI6dwJC68CHJ98bmR3fHKZH7ZX9lvW_DNXAHQHzWFCaPm9v/s1600/227863_13778979773_501204773_432425_1533_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLJtf_Nf-06Hip_R9TY2Hbt1Pme86qz7mLKyvxM_dRZYc4MziiVAkMTVBCJwUpHFsGScK5bP8DYO-Z4wgYjdMt1T9ZPOvntI6dwJC68CHJ98bmR3fHKZH7ZX9lvW_DNXAHQHzWFCaPm9v/s320/227863_13778979773_501204773_432425_1533_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">(this is our first home. We bought it and through the loss of out job ended up paying $1300 to someone at the closing table)</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">We pray for peace</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Comfort for family, protection while we sleep</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dd3SPK4jOc1YgbzTr_DrZlAT00XF77DQbAfKnm30YYS2Y1oC5nKIu1RoZaB2619r-XEmFEF4RAxc-rZf1dZqknITC52ht4yXeg42giA92fvnWj5oXu2g8COeL2dJrSvn4ONUCo_r_x38/s1600/200625_5853689773_501204773_171214_156_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dd3SPK4jOc1YgbzTr_DrZlAT00XF77DQbAfKnm30YYS2Y1oC5nKIu1RoZaB2619r-XEmFEF4RAxc-rZf1dZqknITC52ht4yXeg42giA92fvnWj5oXu2g8COeL2dJrSvn4ONUCo_r_x38/s320/200625_5853689773_501204773_171214_156_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #0b5394;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(but during losing that job and selling out Condo we had this little guy. Perfect in every way. There were struggles with our insurance during pregnancy and the job that we got and lost all during his short pregnancy and birth paid for it all. <b>God is faithful</b>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">We pray for healing, for prosperity</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBUYJOIaJa1N0qFkaNN3CPyeXvgT9cln8BGONby4k0Zk8FPcB3VxbhY7tScnz3PcmWJCxdWVoYog7JAfxKyG6EczoY4Od6O3OqpKuxmhi7ABtEQs7ZZfjiZ1P-N3rwsaNA9dPR0Xw5sWN/s1600/197325_1027746732686_1195845999_884506_3928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBUYJOIaJa1N0qFkaNN3CPyeXvgT9cln8BGONby4k0Zk8FPcB3VxbhY7tScnz3PcmWJCxdWVoYog7JAfxKyG6EczoY4Od6O3OqpKuxmhi7ABtEQs7ZZfjiZ1P-N3rwsaNA9dPR0Xw5sWN/s320/197325_1027746732686_1195845999_884506_3928_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">(New Job! New state. New life. Same sweet family of 3)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">All the while, You hear each spoken need</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops</span></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7A16p9eMWDKCJTOiJTauj3BtvEbAC1AsV-_35h6sOMNfrTfWN8rrBLiBb2lUtb7BXfB-4rlnlAyt-Uu5TIdXtLJJoSeW3-7OygXtdZbapBd9KNrf6-Fnx_R2GywbZzvh4-QUUyy8PtjR/s1600/tn-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7A16p9eMWDKCJTOiJTauj3BtvEbAC1AsV-_35h6sOMNfrTfWN8rrBLiBb2lUtb7BXfB-4rlnlAyt-Uu5TIdXtLJJoSeW3-7OygXtdZbapBd9KNrf6-Fnx_R2GywbZzvh4-QUUyy8PtjR/s320/tn-3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQfIngY3eDNz_rEDO5bhOzpidpxEWGwKQbWziWIkCqPFOsSGv0DFC4iYjK1tPXC5UnLFSQI8Q-2Bj0_aQKiZhTzNG6ymeD76AXP8K2BuUAE8u8IUGvkZg3zKj-4gs0qz6umASyIrYiA1m/s1600/n501204773_707063_4255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQfIngY3eDNz_rEDO5bhOzpidpxEWGwKQbWziWIkCqPFOsSGv0DFC4iYjK1tPXC5UnLFSQI8Q-2Bj0_aQKiZhTzNG6ymeD76AXP8K2BuUAE8u8IUGvkZg3zKj-4gs0qz6umASyIrYiA1m/s320/n501204773_707063_4255.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">(H</span><span style="font-size: large;">urricane Ike hit our home destroying most everything in it. After that the economy crash finally hit Houston and taking our salary down a LOT. We also found out around this time that we were expecting our 2nd baby)</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
What if Your healing comes through tears<br />
What if a thousand sleepless nights </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJDghw92eP-fkrJ6SCiSG1-X8UeKI26maQHmfSg198ZcOAbclJIyeetCXvdZLkoUQ4FKkPfu8vFa0A-SyGgEN2RRYljshtbKTyQKQ6XBjOzjcmV2koDR-B22eqPmUZ6nPP68W8Xm2V02F/s1600/0730091139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJDghw92eP-fkrJ6SCiSG1-X8UeKI26maQHmfSg198ZcOAbclJIyeetCXvdZLkoUQ4FKkPfu8vFa0A-SyGgEN2RRYljshtbKTyQKQ6XBjOzjcmV2koDR-B22eqPmUZ6nPP68W8Xm2V02F/s320/0730091139.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">(She was early. We had NO money. Our job was hanging by a thread)</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehL0L7jKbyOItfuSBuag4U5dsZPIJm3hwmWeUrswMz6jwJxLQxMMOg6P2sp2ynTt2j2ITiLGrMzAl29wKudsvjtLY5nTJnvT1l2F3KSpvQR60XA9mv7UxfLgW5ZkEioEaolMA0GHcs9FT/s1600/2910647_0263303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehL0L7jKbyOItfuSBuag4U5dsZPIJm3hwmWeUrswMz6jwJxLQxMMOg6P2sp2ynTt2j2ITiLGrMzAl29wKudsvjtLY5nTJnvT1l2F3KSpvQR60XA9mv7UxfLgW5ZkEioEaolMA0GHcs9FT/s320/2910647_0263303.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #0b5394;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(But God opened the door to move us to a new job in a new state and there he gave us the BEST life. GREAT church, GREAT friends. Happiness. <b>God is faithful</b>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Are what it takes to know You’re near</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> We pray for wisdom</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Your voice to hear</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love</span></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">(That job ended way before we were told it would, leaving us unemployed with NO options out there. We had to move back to TN and leave the place where we had found the most joy in our married life. It was like a knife to the heart just to wake up every day and pack up the life I loved knowing that it wouldn't ever be the same again.)</span></span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough<br />
All the while, You hear each desperate plea<br />
And long that we'd have faith to believe<br />
<br />
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
What if Your healing comes through tears<br />
What if a thousand sleepless nights <br />
Are what it takes to know You’re near<br />
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise<br />
<br />
When friends betray us</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
When darkness seems to win<br />
We know the pain reminds this heart<br />
That this is not, this is not our home<br />
<br />
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
What if Your healing comes through tears<br />
And what if a thousand sleepless nights <br />
Are what it takes to know You’re near<br />
What if my greatest disappointments<br />
Or the aching of this life<br />
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy<br />
And what if trials of this life<br />
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights<br />
Are Your mercies in disguise</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Now we are living in a family home that is owned. We have help with our bills, and the most beautiful back yard we've ever had. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Our son goes to the sweetest school and our family is close. Brad has found a new job and is in school currently. It is looking like the steadiest company we've ever been hired by. Somehow our debt keeps going down. Somehow we stay healthy and fearless. We're at peace and thankful every single day. We have hope and faith. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> We've been knocked down enough to know who is catching us.</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I guess in our testimony we'd say that "faith like a mustard seed" will get you farther than you know. Trusting God in your marriage will bless you more than your heart can hold. Babies are the only Gold this earth has to offer. Money means NOTHING. Yes we need it to get along down here, but he WILL provide it. Every single raindrop has indeed been a blessing. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We couldn't have afforded the house that got destroyed with the pay cut that was coming. We wouldn't have been able to keep flying if we hadn't paid to sell our condo. Jobs won't wait. We would have been completely without if Evelyn hadn't been born, and her timing..HIS timing for her was perfect. We wouldn't be able to tell people with certainty that they will be fine when they lose their job. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We wouldn't have been broken before the Lord and blessed more than we can store had it not rained a little. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our ever evolving testimony..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd LOVE to hear yours! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Courtney </span></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-55988090912056155232011-05-10T18:59:00.000-07:002011-05-10T18:59:39.386-07:00We're Alive. I Promise.<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last I left you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">we were on the verge of surgery </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">for my sweet husband.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since then:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S39zIJf0uV6RsiEwHg4lUOhqzLsNOOCvvO-oipxG3c54WEW7hugzFzWUg9QEN2NHhKVrUvPP_G3iueR2390Eg6dM6wa_NMz-RasROqtqMgn_nu1skBdyc7uqaDVzvYu-qNkrojpnHM-O/s1600/1304678620444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S39zIJf0uV6RsiEwHg4lUOhqzLsNOOCvvO-oipxG3c54WEW7hugzFzWUg9QEN2NHhKVrUvPP_G3iueR2390Eg6dM6wa_NMz-RasROqtqMgn_nu1skBdyc7uqaDVzvYu-qNkrojpnHM-O/s320/1304678620444.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went to surgery on Friday. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjad1vn154F4ySowqz18jEI0-w_0Y575KLdvvgW_YvdysJRf0puEX3X119rDqcxWwZsLAkhWuqGRNBkdnb7Gvvub2kJLukTe34Hj0SuE1gXKT3J8UUe9Vn7lA8O-O-nhyR6R3dL9B46iTZD/s1600/1304675789545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjad1vn154F4ySowqz18jEI0-w_0Y575KLdvvgW_YvdysJRf0puEX3X119rDqcxWwZsLAkhWuqGRNBkdnb7Gvvub2kJLukTe34Hj0SuE1gXKT3J8UUe9Vn7lA8O-O-nhyR6R3dL9B46iTZD/s320/1304675789545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And he got cool socks...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPUcBGaOeXFoYlLX6njUAEpdwfaGqaZ3n4b4CdFM3HT9edHBhnjONxp0YrzN64ZeeE4DEfMFD6WKZqUWlw_yUPJsrotTI8CFt4yRyhH0mBXt-inyjRNds0lf_Rd67bO-jRz7vFJtWOpqF/s1600/1304675885358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPUcBGaOeXFoYlLX6njUAEpdwfaGqaZ3n4b4CdFM3HT9edHBhnjONxp0YrzN64ZeeE4DEfMFD6WKZqUWlw_yUPJsrotTI8CFt4yRyhH0mBXt-inyjRNds0lf_Rd67bO-jRz7vFJtWOpqF/s320/1304675885358.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and he was the cutest sick man EVER! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our sweet nurse Vickie prayed with him before he went back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMhP-gUmFmoOr-hV1brp0pwWxKlxMQOX4QMG575K58iHxbMGBuGuvq7xFhnOK-MJbdNaehxmhgVAHdLeEytSk6CFjaP8Uhw1dgZ69tQS1_uvXz37gQfpWyH01sC-A9glv63oweebB-XME/s1600/1304685045325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMhP-gUmFmoOr-hV1brp0pwWxKlxMQOX4QMG575K58iHxbMGBuGuvq7xFhnOK-MJbdNaehxmhgVAHdLeEytSk6CFjaP8Uhw1dgZ69tQS1_uvXz37gQfpWyH01sC-A9glv63oweebB-XME/s320/1304685045325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I did a lot of waiting. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was super early in the morning. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXakPk65Nlv0bz_bIARFcEGgLpzvtl47n1NOA4nU71O4S5inSWq5m6DAzrd-Jy80QpoQ1GamvoE2KE3TckUcK-os8LVa26HZwaYqXKAJRrKJfKuJjfMfRmvvzGqrrtyHKInUIxab2hbcB_/s1600/1304685023868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXakPk65Nlv0bz_bIARFcEGgLpzvtl47n1NOA4nU71O4S5inSWq5m6DAzrd-Jy80QpoQ1GamvoE2KE3TckUcK-os8LVa26HZwaYqXKAJRrKJfKuJjfMfRmvvzGqrrtyHKInUIxab2hbcB_/s320/1304685023868.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and after 45 minutes and 3 of these</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was ready to see my husband.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After all...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTto-EGVSJWwPAgQQS5UZpbARQVAsQNLrMxu8Wfq2TXeqH-BOTkS6MXgVIUNSRR_GYxxws09_I5EvI-Gi9nhY2nTHP7wxc-_D5QDddx1SLEVmOz0W_Jp1Kxlw5SFQHnjayRylVFNPvE1U5/s1600/1304685121624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTto-EGVSJWwPAgQQS5UZpbARQVAsQNLrMxu8Wfq2TXeqH-BOTkS6MXgVIUNSRR_GYxxws09_I5EvI-Gi9nhY2nTHP7wxc-_D5QDddx1SLEVmOz0W_Jp1Kxlw5SFQHnjayRylVFNPvE1U5/s320/1304685121624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I had something very important of his</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">that I needed to give back to him. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He was a star patient. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(more on that this week)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to all who prayed for </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE love of my life! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">All the glory be to God </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">for his faithful protection and </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">healing hands on Bradley.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Monday (yes 3 days later) I drove him to </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nashville and put him on an airplane to Tulsa.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I wont' see him again fro 35 days. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Heart breaking)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To feel better we did this...</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVGAy64OWZX7ihYWS0ZDO_Uv_yea_GOZo7xztxej5GHAq1mhLwX7PAQlnrA-IFR3crb4xqLYeNB4J6H68FtHXxaYZclPcTWh0faikN_eio_7PAVdtk_BGk_AdTrGYtIq-Pfs79SCjoEGd/s1600/1304983825638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVGAy64OWZX7ihYWS0ZDO_Uv_yea_GOZo7xztxej5GHAq1mhLwX7PAQlnrA-IFR3crb4xqLYeNB4J6H68FtHXxaYZclPcTWh0faikN_eio_7PAVdtk_BGk_AdTrGYtIq-Pfs79SCjoEGd/s320/1304983825638.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is Addi Kate's house. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her mother has been my best friend for 15 years.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXgAutLiL2IDgL8F4GFvrTO1UB6u-34ejsGerlYj_qcWR8be4RzKa80stmQvdHxiB5a582-EUjUJrLdbOq-1hbvTn8LtDl-GpMWD2BHT6i3c2cP9PL3Bdhk_-NK6TVACePTXNVz56bc2a/s1600/1304983871914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTnVapdYUrYiJWtb74Ifer5eIxB1wavUpeU1fSJzc0IT1LnwYOsIOc7ooOky1ykqB-oNnPukY256EK04YimOl59XzLu_qOGAENlgAbATStN6yBIYzyYJ2e5F-geGqwZUk19ajsEwdMF7R/s1600/1304983899402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTnVapdYUrYiJWtb74Ifer5eIxB1wavUpeU1fSJzc0IT1LnwYOsIOc7ooOky1ykqB-oNnPukY256EK04YimOl59XzLu_qOGAENlgAbATStN6yBIYzyYJ2e5F-geGqwZUk19ajsEwdMF7R/s320/1304983899402.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Addi has great toys!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7m9N_Xt5lPRf8JSY6E9dIUeiflMmIiXxDh63_zCVr0R_YST0pf15UPsdCb_0BODy5tpT_cM3laKUBtL8pcunjNXPZZJeJZyeeOSQyDS63C84ICddoVdrzKWWFQTI4j6KFNVRZuCFqkJY/s1600/1304983962612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7m9N_Xt5lPRf8JSY6E9dIUeiflMmIiXxDh63_zCVr0R_YST0pf15UPsdCb_0BODy5tpT_cM3laKUBtL8pcunjNXPZZJeJZyeeOSQyDS63C84ICddoVdrzKWWFQTI4j6KFNVRZuCFqkJY/s320/1304983962612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the same sip cups as us because JennJenn bought us ours.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILa2GKoBRLfQgFgQgHJ97NAUi63BPvvk9YbhyphenhyphenF7ktjqB6hwVYoZW-HA3eQW-UkZgZ3QrQYdofaA9eKWMGurn8-aOfqyLV569NEjVNyd5b4MPWCnNMXj3tJR5CApajAv8gmQ2878GCASt7/s1600/1305045275847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILa2GKoBRLfQgFgQgHJ97NAUi63BPvvk9YbhyphenhyphenF7ktjqB6hwVYoZW-HA3eQW-UkZgZ3QrQYdofaA9eKWMGurn8-aOfqyLV569NEjVNyd5b4MPWCnNMXj3tJR5CApajAv8gmQ2878GCASt7/s320/1305045275847.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went to a museum with a cool tree house.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB9p2FVEKZZ2pemqCA7pfDTH36argqA2kCx9lOvakydfQO8xrq-rNF69uCWnXlWU5KY4bWhOHYvzAm41hRZ640071N3iwMzuF83vj1sWIFg8-A8-res9atV-YVO9bPWKJJh352xTZ78u9/s1600/1305045322684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB9p2FVEKZZ2pemqCA7pfDTH36argqA2kCx9lOvakydfQO8xrq-rNF69uCWnXlWU5KY4bWhOHYvzAm41hRZ640071N3iwMzuF83vj1sWIFg8-A8-res9atV-YVO9bPWKJJh352xTZ78u9/s320/1305045322684.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFBwph1bi4xvR0BhILEhm0Z8qNtv6knNppyk9viGETnVSOGoJA0y9nZ-AuUpTMEHoudOtwkueLckk8dOq1s9pwP-rOaMUkGdQ2xnc1LbVq_C3tI1wSEshMJ1SuehEUsDGFyOqTOIpFptr/s1600/1305045346315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFBwph1bi4xvR0BhILEhm0Z8qNtv6knNppyk9viGETnVSOGoJA0y9nZ-AuUpTMEHoudOtwkueLckk8dOq1s9pwP-rOaMUkGdQ2xnc1LbVq_C3tI1wSEshMJ1SuehEUsDGFyOqTOIpFptr/s320/1305045346315.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And Evie was her normal sassy adorable self! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8EVluEKObEPmrju7M-4oAzd1PQyo1_-VSgiIGPc_Y0cZi5DJB_lHell2k56YZyQaxu1bsNpdB1uHaItDJSUf6uJO-vBIBHzW6BYYOu_D9ddydKqnN-E9OpXu3P-6geVDzDDifmgymSL4/s1600/1305046427636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8EVluEKObEPmrju7M-4oAzd1PQyo1_-VSgiIGPc_Y0cZi5DJB_lHell2k56YZyQaxu1bsNpdB1uHaItDJSUf6uJO-vBIBHzW6BYYOu_D9ddydKqnN-E9OpXu3P-6geVDzDDifmgymSL4/s320/1305046427636.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And Jennifer packed light. ha!</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GnoO3xZm4qUjJHJL6Pi5XNx-qHj2WucNlm6S1cUD9hXpHiGuDrZLTkTVKFg28yxw26G21k0r64jTOosA-4nye5DzRJ_fRx1JQCOpH-iv0d9DvcSHkMfaxtRWirN9uhaYXeijdbEGg99y/s1600/1305049227359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GnoO3xZm4qUjJHJL6Pi5XNx-qHj2WucNlm6S1cUD9hXpHiGuDrZLTkTVKFg28yxw26G21k0r64jTOosA-4nye5DzRJ_fRx1JQCOpH-iv0d9DvcSHkMfaxtRWirN9uhaYXeijdbEGg99y/s320/1305049227359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qakfZxfHfSK1L-8_an4g-7iU7eheZORFD1fx_k5OULOeZGTVtui1brAsMZIELJBXR-wiaaz-jTxAP3kKArxr-wmcTwa8B3zpV6SsudCd0-ld1BNXRp4bleK5KQDHo3g5V8S8PKlHW5tA/s1600/1305049244234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qakfZxfHfSK1L-8_an4g-7iU7eheZORFD1fx_k5OULOeZGTVtui1brAsMZIELJBXR-wiaaz-jTxAP3kKArxr-wmcTwa8B3zpV6SsudCd0-ld1BNXRp4bleK5KQDHo3g5V8S8PKlHW5tA/s320/1305049244234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVoz-N96V0IY4J9aZGaEdJl4CNUHpfXuzrcHlVTmsuu6VWaEJfXgZwVyR03TxQB7r9s2PufFy0Q26W1sQcW5SEDIZEuZqq-FdwokiVtCPFDVuVIOCKVo-u-vW-Z5jcT2pSEUAM4lJt-Ks/s1600/1305049292173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVoz-N96V0IY4J9aZGaEdJl4CNUHpfXuzrcHlVTmsuu6VWaEJfXgZwVyR03TxQB7r9s2PufFy0Q26W1sQcW5SEDIZEuZqq-FdwokiVtCPFDVuVIOCKVo-u-vW-Z5jcT2pSEUAM4lJt-Ks/s320/1305049292173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry for the blurry ones.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My kids move fast! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Courtney </span></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-15974357892519144752011-05-03T12:42:00.000-07:002011-05-03T20:49:12.488-07:00A little sickness<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Sorry</span> to be m.i.a.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">but we're suffering from a little </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">sickness</span> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndBop0KolGpbUCx_lvHoeW0AqNmMFhLXFn0rr2sUatGleTdt57OzWcHlc8HGfZ2wb0oqbcRCINWsoGZduzkdFhZOYZM6Fjx9jLiRObaQiRzM9CZN318imkvz6NcQeJqn4Xiia3Jl2zVSu/s1600/5928_1093962277698_1485782233_281373_3880957_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndBop0KolGpbUCx_lvHoeW0AqNmMFhLXFn0rr2sUatGleTdt57OzWcHlc8HGfZ2wb0oqbcRCINWsoGZduzkdFhZOYZM6Fjx9jLiRObaQiRzM9CZN318imkvz6NcQeJqn4Xiia3Jl2zVSu/s320/5928_1093962277698_1485782233_281373_3880957_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(I am not the one sick, but this is the only "sick" photo</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">we have and it is too precious not to share. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had just had E and A thought I needed his babies to</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">help make me better. )</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> at our house.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And... It's a rainy day. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSpy-udwb_0oarEgZtK7eBrkNIE0ZKmBgLPU8hzY5N0rC8gmtql7SHARNdztu2sxxmwWbtyNWbrMni9g1U6aNJWsUycvqCIkobD-e1abnGxdwPjj0d2hFLnYBi0ELRirBjtNcjXFcY-es/s1600/35990_1538484140802_1195845999_2310746_7430353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSpy-udwb_0oarEgZtK7eBrkNIE0ZKmBgLPU8hzY5N0rC8gmtql7SHARNdztu2sxxmwWbtyNWbrMni9g1U6aNJWsUycvqCIkobD-e1abnGxdwPjj0d2hFLnYBi0ELRirBjtNcjXFcY-es/s320/35990_1538484140802_1195845999_2310746_7430353_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">so, this little guy and his sister are stuck</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">staring at their back porch longing to go out and color!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trying to get it ironed out so </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can get back to you <span style="color: #e06666;">lovelies</span>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some things to check out while you wait:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1.<a href="http://ashlemieux.blogspot.com/"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">The Shine Project</span></a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://ashlemieux.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="ashlemieux" src="http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j359/ashlemieux/button-1.jpg" /></a></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>(yes, that again! <span style="color: #bf9000;">GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CITY)</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. <a href="http://www.joemcgeeministries.com/" style="color: #3d85c6;">Joe McGee Ministries</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> Brad and I listen to Joe A LOT! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">He is smart and knows the word!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Practical biblical advice for YOU! </span></b> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joe can also be found on:</span><br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501204773#%21/joemcgeeministries"><span style="font-size: large;">Facebook</span></a></div><a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Joe_McGee" style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">Twitter</span></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3<a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501204773#%21/pages/Kitts-Cafe/109735021897">. <span style="color: #38761d;">Kitts Cafe </span></a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">(for those in Knoxville)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Great place for breakfast and lunch</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">on weekdays, and about to host</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">an awesome handmade </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">shopping event </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501204773#%21/pages/Kitts-Market/175502759164635" style="color: #674ea7;">Kitts Market </a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">that</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">your very own</span></b><br />
<div style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501204773#%21/pages/Evelyns-Closet-evelynsclosettutusgmailcom/126596200749483"><b>Evelyn's Closet </b></a></span></div><div style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.evelynscloset.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/59238_761299043835_38412156_40796757_7836593_s-1.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">will be featured at!!!!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">If you've ever wanted to shop in </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">person. This is the place to do it. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I will be offering a bit of everything. </span></b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">Also....</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">4. take a moment to visit my</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Scentsy</span> site:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a _blank="" href="https://courtcollins.scentsy.us/Home%20target=" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/ScentsyButton.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Scentsy make an <span style="color: #3d85c6;">EXCELLENT </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mother's Day Gift! </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>All orders placed during May will </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>be entered to win a FREE plug in warmer</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>and bar of their choice! A $25 value!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Since I'm stuck on the couch I might</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">as well do a<span style="font-size: x-large;"> giveaway</span> too:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">How about a free Scentsy </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">room spray,travel tin, AND scent circle </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">in the scent of your choice? Yes? </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Okay great!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Just:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">-follow my blog(only option required for entry)</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">but you can also:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">-follow the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.108838224773.92052.501204773#%21/pages/Evelyns-Closet-evelynsclosettutusgmailcom/126596200749483">Evelyn's Closet FB page</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">-leave a comment for each of those. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">-Bonus entry for anyone who shares</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">on their FB and or Twitter for additional entries.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">giveaway winner will be announced Friday, </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and free plug in /bar will be announced on the 31st. </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">remember ANY order qualifies you to be entered! </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">xoxo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Courtney </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-25833744517198983502011-05-02T07:25:00.000-07:002011-05-02T07:25:08.887-07:00Gussy Entry # 4<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without a win so far, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to have to step it up</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">in my "<span style="color: #e06666;">Gussy</span>" entries.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So far I've entered about 4 or 5 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">giveaways to win </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">one of her adorable ruffled bags.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shopgussy.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Maggie Whitley Gussy Sews" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.gussysews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/GussySews125.jpg" title="Gussy Sews" width="125" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> p.s. This is a button so hop over to her site<br />
and check out these awesome bags!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today she is teaming up with </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.littlealouette.com/" style="color: #3d85c6;">Little Alouette</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A company that makes the most darling</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">wooden baby toys. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and they are giving away a diaper/wristlet </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and two mustache teethers. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So adorable! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is to hoping I win! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Courtney</span></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-6350499038297239982011-05-01T06:09:00.000-07:002011-05-01T06:10:49.481-07:00Sing out<div style="color: #f1c232; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Good Morning! </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBbdOchJZCxx4Y0CVK4ti1EP9urtTpUFCYD5RDS1iuZg5A_6SMZIfQx_CeRn1lwp720snljbhuDAkxPjBV5tcgFZjnRkHIMUvzTTPH6iQ4cia-LYjHXs_sjfchqeQzxjl6VgqHmDy9mXF/s1600/IMG_1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBbdOchJZCxx4Y0CVK4ti1EP9urtTpUFCYD5RDS1iuZg5A_6SMZIfQx_CeRn1lwp720snljbhuDAkxPjBV5tcgFZjnRkHIMUvzTTPH6iQ4cia-LYjHXs_sjfchqeQzxjl6VgqHmDy9mXF/s320/IMG_1248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(our back yard)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This house is stirring and getting ready for church. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes when I'm tired I lose sight </div><div style="text-align: center;">of what the purpose of going to worship is. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I get there and the singing starts and </div><div style="text-align: center;">in the midst of a couple hundred people raising their </div><div style="text-align: center;">voices, I find myself feeling completely </div><div style="text-align: center;">alone with him. Worshiping with my voice</div><div style="text-align: center;">is one of my fav. things to do. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It does help that he made my voice so he must</div><div style="text-align: center;">like hearing it, even if other people don't! lol</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Psalms 66:1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a song I LOVE and thought I'd share with you today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Need To Breathe -<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><a href="http://youtu.be/li8aiGtNyZo" style="color: #38761d;">Garden</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(video in link :) )</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Won't you take this cup from me<br />
Cause fear has stolen all my sleep <br />
If tomorrow means my death<br />
I pray you'll save their souls with it<br />
<br />
<b>Let the songs I sing<br />
Bring joy to you<br />
Let the words I say profess my love<br />
Let the notes I choose<br />
Be your favorite tune<br />
Father let my heart be after you</b><br />
<br />
In this hour of doubt I see<br />
But who I am is not just me<br />
So give me strength to die myself<br />
So love can live to tell the tale<br />
<br />
Let the songs I sing<br />
Bring joy to you<br />
Let the words I say profess my love<br />
Let the notes I choose<br />
Be your favorite tune<br />
Father let my heart be after you<br />
<br />
Father let my heart be...<br />
For you<br />
<br />
Let the songs I sing<br />
Bring joy to you<br />
Let the words I say profess my love<br />
Let the notes I choose<br />
Be your favorite tune<br />
Father let my heart be after you </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you find somewhere to worship with your voice today!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">xoxo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Courtney</span></div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-20564565308487281112011-04-30T15:03:00.000-07:002011-04-30T15:03:25.986-07:00Saturday Snapshot<div style="text-align: center;">I rarely take photos alone, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and even when I do I rarely post them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy the rare treat:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/1304102039010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/1304102039010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We hit up the zoo and I'll have more photos of that in a later post, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but for today I thought I'd share this one. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I know it's not Wednesday, but I had so many people</div><div style="text-align: center;">ask me where I got my dress so I thought I'd share.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hadn't even planned on wearing a dress. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't want to be the over dressed girl at the zoo.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did however want to be cool instead of sweaty. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It worked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got the dress recently at <a href="http://www.target.com/Merona-Artist-Dress-Smock-Waist/dp/B004GGUXME/ref=br_1_4?ie=UTF8&id=Merona%20Artist%20Dress%20Smock%20Waist&node=1104830&searchSize=30&searchView=grid5&searchPage=1&sr=1-4&qid=1304200259&rh=sleeve_type%3ASleeveless&searchBinNameList=style_name%2Csleeve_type%2Ccollar_style-bin%2Clifestyle-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchRank=salesrank&frombrowse=1" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Target</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is so comfy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately though I got the belt 6 years ago </div><div style="text-align: center;">when I was the assistant manager at The Limited. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope everyone has as pretty of a Saturday as we did! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to share your snapshot!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.yellowsongbird.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="yellow songbird" src="http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1218/yellowbutton.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Courtney</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-34326573768136414772011-04-29T19:53:00.000-07:002011-04-30T15:52:20.005-07:00Pouring out what's "On My Heart" (3)<div style="text-align: center;">This week my hear it ALL over the place. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Storms, letters, love, and clearing something up.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll just jump in. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/34900_1538487140877_1195845999_2310756_6320861_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/34900_1538487140877_1195845999_2310756_6320861_n-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo by my hubby Brad Collins)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Dear God,<br />
Make it go away forever.<br />
Until then,<br />
"I will praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands<br />
For you are who you are, no matter where I am.<br />
And every tear I've cried, you hold in your hands.<br />
You've never left my side, and though my heart is torn<br />
I will praise you in this storm"<br />
xoxo<br />
-Me<br />
<br />
Just an F.Y.I. <br />
Misery doesn't love company in the sense that people imply. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say</div><div style="text-align: center;">"They are only unkind because you're so happy, and they are not. Misery loves company".</div><div style="text-align: center;">You know what misery loves? Itself. Anyone who listens but never speaks. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyone who pretends. Not too happy, not too needy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Dear Misery,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"Take what you want. Steal my pride. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Build me up or cut me down to size. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Shut me out and I'll just scream.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'm only one voice in a million, but you </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">ain't takin' that from me"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Love, Me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(great song from Morning Glory that resonates strongly with me this week)<br />
<br />
I love my friend Tina. Whether I'm happy or sad, right or wrong, she always tells me:<br />
"I miss you, I'm praying for you, I love you."<br />
If you don't have a friend like her....find one.<br />
Life is much easier having a faithful friend to walk with. <br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #3d85c6;">"He was pierced for our transgressions. Hung for our sins. </div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">The punishment that brought us peace was upon him.</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">By his wounds, by his wounds we are healed"</div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I so desire to be who God wants me to be. A faithful daughter. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A loving wife and mother who is seeking wisdom and his plan for my life.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In that search I have started reading my Bible one book at a time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've found answers that I was seeking. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes I post those out of complete excitement. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Last week I posted this verse:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Proverbs 20:1 </span> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler,</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>whoever is lead astray by them is not wise."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In posting that I wasn't trying to mislead. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wasn't trying to preach something to the masses.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wasn't trying to ruffle up feathers.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was pointing out that I found an answer to my question. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Are we or aren't we "drinkers". Socially or otherwise. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes I know it can set a bad example, yes I know it can lead to foolishness. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Do I have a problem with my consumption? Nope. Never have. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So after a TON of responses, messages, text, here is what is in my heart about</div><div style="text-align: center;">the subject.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Was Jesus a sinner? <span style="color: #e06666;">No</span>. Did he drink wine?<span style="color: #e06666;"> Yes. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Can I in ANY way compare myself to Christ? <span style="color: #e06666;">NO!</span> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I am a HUMAN being and ONLY that. </b></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: center;"><b>He was fully God and fully man. Without sin. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He wasn't ever going to drink too much. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He wasn't ever going to say the wrong thing or do something foolish. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He wasn't going to embarrass himself or his friends. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He wasn't having his drink to escape a harsh reality in his life. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">He is JESUS CHRIST</span>.<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> Free from sin whatsoever. </span></b></div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: center;"><b>The only time in his 33 years that he EVER had an ounce of sin was </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">when he was on the cross carrying MINE.</span> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He IS better than me. </b><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">He is perfect.</span> I am not. He doesn't struggle with </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>temptation the way that I do. He doesn't misrepresent himself accidentally.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I can't walk on water, I can't feed the masses, and<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> I can't even begin to justify doing something </span></b></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><b>in my humanity that the Bible says is<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #e06666;"> unwise</span></span></b><b> based on the fact that it says in the Bible</b></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><b>Jesus had wine. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>If we could all be perfect then the risks of drinking...all of the risks wouldn't apply. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>But we are human, and they do!</b><br />
<b>Here is to letting go of one more selfish desire. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b>" Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about , seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8 </b></span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My son has been the bright spot on every day of my life for the past 3 and a half years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qf7vbS7m227ZE8UDp9tOC4ry-BT5Pi9etF_nBEGYgGkQn-VQB__d_bF4_14oSPLvLYwXYI3A3Wt_H7jDMeSQFGggfPFwoRc2qdluKNV-IUejDuupFPEbSY5P3zT477g1IO8MVtxgA6_S/s1600/1303930518180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qf7vbS7m227ZE8UDp9tOC4ry-BT5Pi9etF_nBEGYgGkQn-VQB__d_bF4_14oSPLvLYwXYI3A3Wt_H7jDMeSQFGggfPFwoRc2qdluKNV-IUejDuupFPEbSY5P3zT477g1IO8MVtxgA6_S/s320/1303930518180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dear little boy of mine,</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are amazing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You are so precious. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So serious.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So caring and tender hearted.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You have SO much to say. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You're learning to pray and that is </div><div style="text-align: center;">the single most precious thing I</div><div style="text-align: center;">hear. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You love your Bible and ask us</div><div style="text-align: center;">to read it to you constantly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are just three.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will pray for you every single day </div><div style="text-align: center;">of my life that these </div><div style="text-align: center;">foundations will stay with you forever,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even as I type you are</div><div style="text-align: center;">playing with my belt like it is a snake</div><div style="text-align: center;">and remembering our day at the Zoo</div><div style="text-align: center;">today. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe you should be in bed, but</div><div style="text-align: center;">quieting you sweet voice for me will</div><div style="text-align: center;">never be easy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish I could bottle your wonder and imagination. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you so much my heart aches.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That will never change. </div><div style="text-align: center;">-Mommy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Told you I was all over the place. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Where is your heart this week? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thewiegands.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb380/CaseyWiegand/IMG_8455_2-1-1-5.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Courtney</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-17254451419691580372011-04-28T12:22:00.000-07:002011-04-28T12:25:44.951-07:00Tutorial Thursday - pjs from pjs<div style="text-align: center;">There is a reason I don't sell everything I make. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Quite simply it is because there are things that others make MUCH better than me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You might even be one of those someone's. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We could all try the same project and get all different results. </div><div style="text-align: center;">That being said.. I've made some super cute sweat pants before.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like these:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5H0mAQoXwj5wkEwNi9LWTAOk1zAG4G-vorwv4anN-_OvJlvsY5mBt28I-TgFrsaGLJWmzfbmUpupnra2fhGuLRc05FvIyz1Es5GKdtwT09uHROkUDMX7rg_adxhyphenhyphen-I19C4ZM30NwsXXi/s1600/76532_458776559773_501204773_5286453_7860389_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5H0mAQoXwj5wkEwNi9LWTAOk1zAG4G-vorwv4anN-_OvJlvsY5mBt28I-TgFrsaGLJWmzfbmUpupnra2fhGuLRc05FvIyz1Es5GKdtwT09uHROkUDMX7rg_adxhyphenhyphen-I19C4ZM30NwsXXi/s320/76532_458776559773_501204773_5286453_7860389_n.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So naturally when I realized that all of little sister's PJs </div><div style="text-align: center;">were hot winter jams I decided to make her some for summer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got the brilliant idea to use some old jersey sweats</div><div style="text-align: center;">That I don't wear anymore. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And so begins Tutorial Thursday...</div><div style="text-align: center;">pjs from pjs:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/IMAG1369-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/IMAG1369-1.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is what you'll need:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWa6mVf_KTWk8kdsXUCFbCWDhfdknNuvN5TfvSX12EKtcDB67Rn_GMDQr5BBXeXTrAYeBVLo0fec4DCOvPQxNbGi0ouD7W1hXSjPuYLsfeGXx1tcjVikwd4nm65T2cL87qqG9Iqh5FbOz2/s1600/IMAG1351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWa6mVf_KTWk8kdsXUCFbCWDhfdknNuvN5TfvSX12EKtcDB67Rn_GMDQr5BBXeXTrAYeBVLo0fec4DCOvPQxNbGi0ouD7W1hXSjPuYLsfeGXx1tcjVikwd4nm65T2cL87qqG9Iqh5FbOz2/s320/IMAG1351.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Scissors<br />
-old adult or bigger kid pants<br />
(or adult t-shirt. will explain)<br />
-matching thread<br />
-fabric for embellishing bottom<br />
(i used felt)<br />
-sewing machine<br />
-pins<br />
-elastic band.<br />
-spare pair of fitting pj pants to measure by. <br />
<br />
Begin by laying out one leg of the pants on a flat surface<br />
lay the existing pants out flat on the fold like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJzbZunjbC_NlELYl17JSakKnSnAvhM0rjo-y6t4NLcogO5O23_XOx2oTVjufpnNNPjuV2Rz8ejJF1l6whKAfxdsVYAgXUjL0fTW9jOe7_WKydABiSOVcyXW4ggvUcvXCR5nqH7NUVtQN/s1600/IMAG1352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJzbZunjbC_NlELYl17JSakKnSnAvhM0rjo-y6t4NLcogO5O23_XOx2oTVjufpnNNPjuV2Rz8ejJF1l6whKAfxdsVYAgXUjL0fTW9jOe7_WKydABiSOVcyXW4ggvUcvXCR5nqH7NUVtQN/s320/IMAG1352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Cut out around the pants. I lined up the bottoms of both pair of pants to eliminate some cutting. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember to give yourself seam room. I didn't leave enough at the top to really please my eye, so leave more than I did:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJBkPVdi1VGMG2Xk4FFIymIFP-gb2oEzxouDumfPf-OksL4RaDGIgR1OUvXcP5uE-4LKTIJNxgf_lr83uLqwxC9TZ3KenkWYETaf6U3viz1syZyWSwTbMUvHpuTJNmcsYc73go0NXLV5W/s1600/IMAG1353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJBkPVdi1VGMG2Xk4FFIymIFP-gb2oEzxouDumfPf-OksL4RaDGIgR1OUvXcP5uE-4LKTIJNxgf_lr83uLqwxC9TZ3KenkWYETaf6U3viz1syZyWSwTbMUvHpuTJNmcsYc73go0NXLV5W/s320/IMAG1353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Repeat this step with the other pant leg. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then you are left with two identical pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiLad-wKhuz4Y_fd5Phfbv6s5DP1BSixMJsC75ZC6VymAdeQ_o9w7bXDx7jVPQvvJQhrpnTAso9bGysgq2sKd_gvfUsEsT-z4k8qR6Dmphwdz46FqbQw5MHl60sSh1WB-dQNGytGbdIlJ/s1600/IMAG1354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiLad-wKhuz4Y_fd5Phfbv6s5DP1BSixMJsC75ZC6VymAdeQ_o9w7bXDx7jVPQvvJQhrpnTAso9bGysgq2sKd_gvfUsEsT-z4k8qR6Dmphwdz46FqbQw5MHl60sSh1WB-dQNGytGbdIlJ/s320/IMAG1354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">lay them on top of one another right sides facing in.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pin and stitch the curves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYiubwtmDyASzPOu7SDV_AaBHQUSL3ADtK7F_Kvzy2PZ4KUMvXPPZEC0T78L5DDpo8XTCBIwLQMLEagjysGboqSaOQtGEjpHAX1-zRB102rjsu9LpPGbhzrro9FAs99PXtngIFBD3bR1Y/s1600/IMAG1355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYiubwtmDyASzPOu7SDV_AaBHQUSL3ADtK7F_Kvzy2PZ4KUMvXPPZEC0T78L5DDpo8XTCBIwLQMLEagjysGboqSaOQtGEjpHAX1-zRB102rjsu9LpPGbhzrro9FAs99PXtngIFBD3bR1Y/s320/IMAG1355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">guess what else I did wrong? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I stitched the WRONG curves. </div><div style="text-align: center;">When using a material like jersey it is easy to stretch it out a bit. </div><div style="text-align: center;">That left me with 4 curves. My bad. Even if you do the same mistake though it will all work out.</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;">Don't panic. keep sewing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Stitch the TOP. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once you reorient the project you will see pants!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BFdR3pIVB_jmjjxMY3YY-DHFWwQjAT9cgPKgHOsLDmKLpin0DThlX_bIYg8vcijOjJTkoqYYv3qZtyG_NtGwj5_Tt_MhjV7mbsBTPQKNVhO3_pUQApSDPhie_frLAVPfw_hjMPcbDM9c/s1600/IMAG1356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BFdR3pIVB_jmjjxMY3YY-DHFWwQjAT9cgPKgHOsLDmKLpin0DThlX_bIYg8vcijOjJTkoqYYv3qZtyG_NtGwj5_Tt_MhjV7mbsBTPQKNVhO3_pUQApSDPhie_frLAVPfw_hjMPcbDM9c/s320/IMAG1356.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All that happened was that I made the legs the waist and the waist the legs. lol.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Luckily I allowed enough extra that the pants still cover her rump, but are now full length pants instead of cute summer capris. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Next I added embellishments to the bottom to make them look more "finished" and girly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I laid them back out wide again but with the right sides facing out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb_De4OsHgqB_b7gz6H4whufkn0KR8wENWCtwTqlxt-mgFpBag3TXMiRnFh9ns2x9sOgXo_5vQUdfkX5IykPQTudWYab4Dr6-uZd9yyPc-rr7JLRFEr9m7HlyQvkaalhfIyvNhCjgv-1J/s1600/IMAG1357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb_De4OsHgqB_b7gz6H4whufkn0KR8wENWCtwTqlxt-mgFpBag3TXMiRnFh9ns2x9sOgXo_5vQUdfkX5IykPQTudWYab4Dr6-uZd9yyPc-rr7JLRFEr9m7HlyQvkaalhfIyvNhCjgv-1J/s320/IMAG1357.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then across the bottom of one leg I added a 2 strips of felt.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had cut them both straight across the top and wavy on the bottom. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CkQkyldEUhmqphf0E_9ZVwGqMoy3zCpxoBcLQrAFH6wWdcdKpxrewvXxQ3IR8SGffRmQ_tN3NBOBICw0z7Nqcbc0Uf7doTi4KwUN8GtyuqAJBBo4Guo9b3jiZtbiiJ4z8378Krqdo0r0/s1600/IMAG1361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CkQkyldEUhmqphf0E_9ZVwGqMoy3zCpxoBcLQrAFH6wWdcdKpxrewvXxQ3IR8SGffRmQ_tN3NBOBICw0z7Nqcbc0Uf7doTi4KwUN8GtyuqAJBBo4Guo9b3jiZtbiiJ4z8378Krqdo0r0/s320/IMAG1361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stitch the bottom one on first and the top over it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDwlu_i4F5EiSp7Hkqp6TYndEF9BwkDlnwBmrZjHYTUj95RuxNMr6M2WDsuJC3dQeExtvssPkN7eSzLO5HzJhTOz9zBnGB6ihGjiDG7OSgBWATjqpAsP0rVGFCEKYnVIJvg-1_bRfSqHz/s1600/IMAG1362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDwlu_i4F5EiSp7Hkqp6TYndEF9BwkDlnwBmrZjHYTUj95RuxNMr6M2WDsuJC3dQeExtvssPkN7eSzLO5HzJhTOz9zBnGB6ihGjiDG7OSgBWATjqpAsP0rVGFCEKYnVIJvg-1_bRfSqHz/s320/IMAG1362.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Once you are done flip the pants back inside out and reorient them into pants again. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pin and stitch the crotch.<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> Again with a zig zag stitch and then another straight over top, or a triple stitch. I find zig zag is easier with jersey.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKzWNIsXlJ2Kt4YtiTC_Bz_UoJF-WgRvmHDzccbobAYGwTsPvi8A7KXgF8TfSliagKC1FLiZ1mxKkG92e5n21e1AZBjeeFatR4LXeR2trtdHjF4phOr15XqZkJLKRoUd9_nN2Se9ELWpE/s1600/IMAG1363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKzWNIsXlJ2Kt4YtiTC_Bz_UoJF-WgRvmHDzccbobAYGwTsPvi8A7KXgF8TfSliagKC1FLiZ1mxKkG92e5n21e1AZBjeeFatR4LXeR2trtdHjF4phOr15XqZkJLKRoUd9_nN2Se9ELWpE/s320/IMAG1363.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Flip down the waist and pin for the waistband. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqy2CraKO57IxnmezTk655se69JP3wRS8-W2szEJM8ZXcN6nTw6Lug7UNmto14NNZH2jRisCZauYs4U0Q3DoK2o5G374fnszsGIo9HfSBMvFalW5yDsIfNEB7Zo4bA55UHo8ezBHnL9CyC/s1600/IMAG1365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqy2CraKO57IxnmezTk655se69JP3wRS8-W2szEJM8ZXcN6nTw6Lug7UNmto14NNZH2jRisCZauYs4U0Q3DoK2o5G374fnszsGIo9HfSBMvFalW5yDsIfNEB7Zo4bA55UHo8ezBHnL9CyC/s320/IMAG1365.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">See those two pins facing the wrong way? </div><div style="text-align: center;">They remind me <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">NOT</span> to sew there so I can get my elastic in.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once it is time for elastic I just measured around E's little tummy..ha. little tumy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">and cut accordingly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I always run elastic through with a hard plastic straw and a straight pin like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HCgs-WXHCTIXr-ecE98YoO-Og-3Zub5Bg3Z7qWeSSPDug2odugbpG5OWBfhdfpKWOJ0LUi4c92V3J04p6bTW_v1_bIuf5_1-eMmyyaVt_xviMGYMtuyanbHFwGCtAjLcWB6l44C96rjM/s1600/IMAG1366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HCgs-WXHCTIXr-ecE98YoO-Og-3Zub5Bg3Z7qWeSSPDug2odugbpG5OWBfhdfpKWOJ0LUi4c92V3J04p6bTW_v1_bIuf5_1-eMmyyaVt_xviMGYMtuyanbHFwGCtAjLcWB6l44C96rjM/s320/IMAG1366.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and once both sides are through I pin them together for a minute to be sure all of my insides are straight and not twisted.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I pull out some excess and stitch them together with a triple stitch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HORVByYHbIcs_Ul30rPfF9WdIke_wVt7S5GveshyKyciG7PQ__cCB0anK3TiIyrPa3teThi0Bgt91yg8rhvzE9NenSiSXTBLZfZdRJ7h2mNhz7AgRruThd51yoW1cmkm5B3G-lEWEMPM/s1600/IMAG1367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HORVByYHbIcs_Ul30rPfF9WdIke_wVt7S5GveshyKyciG7PQ__cCB0anK3TiIyrPa3teThi0Bgt91yg8rhvzE9NenSiSXTBLZfZdRJ7h2mNhz7AgRruThd51yoW1cmkm5B3G-lEWEMPM/s320/IMAG1367.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwxwg-nQGFufE_OAs_0G-Q1dY3oeFLCmUkzQVLC4rLM4AdKhaN-JXO79ICUvwRPCJPsASeuyh04dXa_fUFd826FFkU2rA7S_bUlhfNV7lFowArK0OVQDcJ67oQyZhx-CAWone2k8dnrhO/s1600/IMAG1368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwxwg-nQGFufE_OAs_0G-Q1dY3oeFLCmUkzQVLC4rLM4AdKhaN-JXO79ICUvwRPCJPsASeuyh04dXa_fUFd826FFkU2rA7S_bUlhfNV7lFowArK0OVQDcJ67oQyZhx-CAWone2k8dnrhO/s320/IMAG1368.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finish stitching the open part of the waist and turn inside out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">PANTS!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/IMAG1369-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/IMAG1369-1.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They are cute and they will work, but I need some practice. </div><div style="text-align: center;">If you try them LET ME SEE THEM! <br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">If you want to try making them from a t-shirt just follow the same instructions. Place the pants on the fold of the t-shirt under the sleeve and then repeat on the other side of the shirt. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love to know when something I've posted has been of use!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Courtney</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-92061536532718506702011-04-27T14:18:00.000-07:002011-04-27T14:18:28.001-07:00Willing to SHINE! + WIW<div style="text-align: center;">So this is my sweet friend <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Ashely</span>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<center></center><center><a href="http://ashlemieux.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="ashlemieux" src="http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j359/ashlemieux/stacylynn3-2.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">And she <span style="color: #e06666;">LOVES</span> to <span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll let her tell you how this all started on her blog <a href="http://ashlemieux.blogspot.com/p/about.html">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Each week Ashley issues to us a "Shine Challenge".</div><div style="text-align: center;">All requiring the reader to step just slightly outside of their comfort zone </div><div style="text-align: center;">and getting to know, helping, caring for others. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last week during Earth week our challenge was to give back to </div><div style="text-align: center;">this most beautiful creation we live on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I found out at the beginning of the week that Lowes was offering to </div><div style="text-align: center;">give away 1 MILLION trees. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was ALL over that! FREE TREES y'all! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are doing our Shine Challenge</div><div style="text-align: center;">A bit late, but we were waiting for a good day. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiSCY7OGrzvRcqePv-J_IR00j-nHdIG1FDnYaKNImS1Fx5ScSBDw5zV8JDoI-MQtxyEQLSxp3soxUmqCAzn9hc-teALV8eMd7Bl3Mze_RxjpEWq7x8f2rY8CSVtmdPjWwnqVZuGPJOlSf/s1600/1303927493532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiSCY7OGrzvRcqePv-J_IR00j-nHdIG1FDnYaKNImS1Fx5ScSBDw5zV8JDoI-MQtxyEQLSxp3soxUmqCAzn9hc-teALV8eMd7Bl3Mze_RxjpEWq7x8f2rY8CSVtmdPjWwnqVZuGPJOlSf/s200/1303927493532.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A with his tree! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapv8wctTJxgnAfZ3H0Kl1fvQ1MHsFlVsjU5XkOzVrXYcYxr-iX7bWr18xfckFIUPgSEA9m2ZLMnLBMBbvlA-VjNRABbF41TiPDXTr2XlkwdG-TER0UCbyHiPzMGQ0wR7-CEERjVc2jWy-/s1600/1303927529270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapv8wctTJxgnAfZ3H0Kl1fvQ1MHsFlVsjU5XkOzVrXYcYxr-iX7bWr18xfckFIUPgSEA9m2ZLMnLBMBbvlA-VjNRABbF41TiPDXTr2XlkwdG-TER0UCbyHiPzMGQ0wR7-CEERjVc2jWy-/s200/1303927529270.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet thing trying to figure out what it is..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhNgwCjbYcoVkDgqIG8R1XOLj2wROpS3I8f6sinARkct-qomDHNU_jRVhip9xjncvB2QcjoBybkMUBeSXu2NtSa-XhH90u4qGWS2A1NYc8bxjh6KVEdgTWTQp9AeiE9E_r7VXVLuBOw-6/s1600/1303927550869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhNgwCjbYcoVkDgqIG8R1XOLj2wROpS3I8f6sinARkct-qomDHNU_jRVhip9xjncvB2QcjoBybkMUBeSXu2NtSa-XhH90u4qGWS2A1NYc8bxjh6KVEdgTWTQp9AeiE9E_r7VXVLuBOw-6/s320/1303927550869.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of life... tree life anyway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLMeGgcfPnGNiLSo0M7P9M1pp6V0efB3wBwkYo-m1cNOueejBvLyobHTp7DY85lRWU-V0RASCz8WwPCEDbSsdk-fS5l64f6cIYS8GsrJxDszRevj4939OxNKMgVlwV4T6A04TXzv79Wip/s1600/1303927754713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLMeGgcfPnGNiLSo0M7P9M1pp6V0efB3wBwkYo-m1cNOueejBvLyobHTp7DY85lRWU-V0RASCz8WwPCEDbSsdk-fS5l64f6cIYS8GsrJxDszRevj4939OxNKMgVlwV4T6A04TXzv79Wip/s320/1303927754713.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy got the soil ready and fertilized.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQoXCA6-Ke4A0J4tYxPbUEoV4UYs66F2EuTTCyGE4q4YS0b6h0oPuJc5XU40myTa6up6_Db5PtbQxZRkrOSQBrl49Orzbe3hlH2xSjm4RK0peSA95Vq9ogBqNyx90_B8Wv5wLKkbtdmCZ/s1600/1303927766594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQoXCA6-Ke4A0J4tYxPbUEoV4UYs66F2EuTTCyGE4q4YS0b6h0oPuJc5XU40myTa6up6_Db5PtbQxZRkrOSQBrl49Orzbe3hlH2xSjm4RK0peSA95Vq9ogBqNyx90_B8Wv5wLKkbtdmCZ/s320/1303927766594.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JFEE5xBvGKTxcoFJf4iWUMiqSWG3uH-9pI0nqC1DTA_M7n9fbBtUVDHcM08Wjmej0RI0_s5NvaFtOIqSmI8rsf8a9npOxwgAFSfw6gdJsMPi0VoSaUBkjnc7pJxQN3KCsKOLIcRwE5jS/s1600/1303927850232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JFEE5xBvGKTxcoFJf4iWUMiqSWG3uH-9pI0nqC1DTA_M7n9fbBtUVDHcM08Wjmej0RI0_s5NvaFtOIqSmI8rsf8a9npOxwgAFSfw6gdJsMPi0VoSaUBkjnc7pJxQN3KCsKOLIcRwE5jS/s320/1303927850232.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trees even came with instructions. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NakrGEpvN2EcoP2NM0Il13cFF5UhTg6_xjOV599KO5210h8G6M5L0CaYT2ghfqTvcKC6kd1E02zdxwhsujvp17YazK3bOj1f4BgvmVrPdobv6m1Jgl8GvTyQ1L78Q3ZJgOdBcPmphPer/s1600/1303927866632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NakrGEpvN2EcoP2NM0Il13cFF5UhTg6_xjOV599KO5210h8G6M5L0CaYT2ghfqTvcKC6kd1E02zdxwhsujvp17YazK3bOj1f4BgvmVrPdobv6m1Jgl8GvTyQ1L78Q3ZJgOdBcPmphPer/s320/1303927866632.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A put his in! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hAtPwBkhctIqCSfBQMOLYaRYTNoi1Q9Md17E1utkPG_xP1vKwFNu5klLhoV0JbuxIKhqDv3OBJAWlyPJf8UkzwDrXi_WQrxUt8-l3V2my6nzFIZt17OxFxkxtLSrV6Vp97m-ULmO-cQu/s1600/1303927900931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hAtPwBkhctIqCSfBQMOLYaRYTNoi1Q9Md17E1utkPG_xP1vKwFNu5klLhoV0JbuxIKhqDv3OBJAWlyPJf8UkzwDrXi_WQrxUt8-l3V2my6nzFIZt17OxFxkxtLSrV6Vp97m-ULmO-cQu/s320/1303927900931.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then watched it grow for a bit! So sweet!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ogc0RvIestJ0LfiXS0TxpiBUptMWmGX3HkmGYMTXIz5taM0xVyxycvFER_dl9If0cVIzWDwmsX-uMf5byA4ERWTlX2nB29rZPVh-v91D0Ui8T8gywlJ_Wf4oj4_n-jzaVZZU5pVdUIZs/s1600/1303927988280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ogc0RvIestJ0LfiXS0TxpiBUptMWmGX3HkmGYMTXIz5taM0xVyxycvFER_dl9If0cVIzWDwmsX-uMf5byA4ERWTlX2nB29rZPVh-v91D0Ui8T8gywlJ_Wf4oj4_n-jzaVZZU5pVdUIZs/s320/1303927988280.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then it was little miss's turn...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaKC4kfDb9Oqsz5Nv4yv9MUSmkWhDLefIHqFS5O47-RBpfjx7NdgX_o_Fngs55cH3hI-wbQLu5SmxbaRA9U9Hfm75nZtBIGOlhMmbuZ_Exr8AXHYY6xO8fG3WmL4rEheQ0Tgl8qcfVRfi/s1600/1303928049060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaKC4kfDb9Oqsz5Nv4yv9MUSmkWhDLefIHqFS5O47-RBpfjx7NdgX_o_Fngs55cH3hI-wbQLu5SmxbaRA9U9Hfm75nZtBIGOlhMmbuZ_Exr8AXHYY6xO8fG3WmL4rEheQ0Tgl8qcfVRfi/s320/1303928049060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new life and new life? </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> It was so fun to see the kids get so excited to "grow" something. </div><div style="text-align: center;">After about a year those will join our yard and something else will grow in their pots. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Who knows... maybe even more free trees from Lowes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<center><a href="http://ashlemieux.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee460/theshineproject/1000celebration1-2.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center> The Shine Project also has adorable necklaces and t shirts to get the word out and remind you to SHINE!</center><center><br />
</center><center>Now for my terrible WIW...</center><center>It seems like EVERY Wednesday I dress terribly, but here are my favorite parts...</center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvts_6697UybVsx0pTJHHMgAcWbZRhjNicX4G4XHoCRblO_RVn-gBvbJ4wJUHVTDQrh0SzcrN8h7GMehNa-I3a6oBrCmP-sTZ9WcoL4G_3VTJFIgrzzEkKO-JL5Ub6uVPA9yEezdSD2ybz/s1600/1303932129396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvts_6697UybVsx0pTJHHMgAcWbZRhjNicX4G4XHoCRblO_RVn-gBvbJ4wJUHVTDQrh0SzcrN8h7GMehNa-I3a6oBrCmP-sTZ9WcoL4G_3VTJFIgrzzEkKO-JL5Ub6uVPA9yEezdSD2ybz/s320/1303932129396.jpg" width="320" /><span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My <a href="http://evelynscloset.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #e06666;">Evelyn's Closet</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666;"> </span>Rosette Necklace </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><center><span style="font-size: large;">that I paired with matching bud earrings.</span></center><center><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and my fav. sandals again, though the more </span></center><center><span style="font-size: large;">I wear them the more I need special camera settings</span></center><center><span style="font-size: large;">so you can't see what bad shape they are in...</span></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PlUo0kr8ro3w9nvNLHteVIpdWACA01DDayPHqb07-Z_zNkbgztHVonQ-utkLU4r-WX3S2fW7Qg9vJ9XPOqGcLiHrdF8_UJasmZEqbWvGCv9CHby4mLjy6B2-FCfEsosI9qk7q2w3OQMj/s1600/1303931928292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PlUo0kr8ro3w9nvNLHteVIpdWACA01DDayPHqb07-Z_zNkbgztHVonQ-utkLU4r-WX3S2fW7Qg9vJ9XPOqGcLiHrdF8_UJasmZEqbWvGCv9CHby4mLjy6B2-FCfEsosI9qk7q2w3OQMj/s320/1303931928292.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeans from American Eagle in 2006... yes 5 year old jeans! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><center><span style="font-size: large;">Keyhole sandals from gojane.com</span></center><center><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></center><center><span style="font-size: large;">Be willing to shine and love our earth every day! </span></center><center><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></center><center><span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span></center><center><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></center><center><span style="font-size: large;">Courtney</span></center><center><br />
</center><center><br />
</center><center> </center>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-12781496953237887212011-04-25T18:49:00.000-07:002011-04-25T18:49:52.287-07:00Evelyn's Closet Items<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Evelyn's Closet</span> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V-RsB7RR6W6E-uL05agtmZTFRLBvOVWOg1FNtJNXlyxifJldXsQWRbq0LoCAOc_260Hr3X7AbpqL_A3CmnZAil2x_n4LF8T4qN6Nylgix_lgsRXtLKuyHsFVXmf1n3uO2XL3Uy7oXjGG/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V-RsB7RR6W6E-uL05agtmZTFRLBvOVWOg1FNtJNXlyxifJldXsQWRbq0LoCAOc_260Hr3X7AbpqL_A3CmnZAil2x_n4LF8T4qN6Nylgix_lgsRXtLKuyHsFVXmf1n3uO2XL3Uy7oXjGG/s320/IMG_1012.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Can be found on this blog!</span> </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </b></span>All you need to do to find it is click the<span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #e06666;">Evelyn's Closet</b> tab at just under the blog title! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another option is to click on this link "<a href="http://evelynscloset.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Evelyn's Closet</span></b></a>" and it will take you to the specific site for my items. It is still under construction, but gives a good idea of prices, and also explains who I am and how I got started!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank <span style="color: #3d85c6;">YOU </span>so much for stopping by. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please feel free to email me with any questions@ <b style="color: #3d85c6;">evelynsclosettutus@gmail.com</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and <span style="color: #3d85c6;">PLEASE check us out on May 7th at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kitts-Market/175502759164635#%21/pages/Kitts-Market/175502759164635">Kitt's Market</a> at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kitts-Market/175502759164635#%21/pages/Kitts-Cafe/109735021897">Kitt's Cafe</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.evelynscloset.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/CourtandAbram/59238_761299043835_38412156_40796757_7836593_s-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Courtney</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227729792629966868.post-13721011484106631612011-04-25T12:25:00.000-07:002011-04-25T12:25:38.698-07:00Gour-Make It Monday - From the reserve<div style="text-align: center;">Today wasn't a Gourmet kind of day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a <span style="color: #e06666;">"I'm going to clean the house"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">kind of a day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A "I've not even considered thawing meat or whipping</div><div style="text-align: center;">up some yummy batter for something" kind of a day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is <span style="color: orange;">BEAUTIFUL</span> outside, so </div><div style="text-align: center;">thanks to my screened in porch</div><div style="text-align: center;">my kids are playing with the </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">french doors open </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;">While I clean clean clean. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;">What I want to tell you about to day is my reserve. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;">It's like a personal family grocery store. A.k.a. a stockpile. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyG1MGp94asiPQFTA8l-EGEM79EjTeIzLLuyj6Bhn832w19b2gq1alRDD32Fa2qdzZHCZKBTXxObHEfRi-i3xhczL8nQjnc2CDF-WJ2vv7pH2jS0tRxpb21XFtzg3oEQXJpxBx0aKCbX1/s1600/1303756846338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyG1MGp94asiPQFTA8l-EGEM79EjTeIzLLuyj6Bhn832w19b2gq1alRDD32Fa2qdzZHCZKBTXxObHEfRi-i3xhczL8nQjnc2CDF-WJ2vv7pH2jS0tRxpb21XFtzg3oEQXJpxBx0aKCbX1/s320/1303756846338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span>With the growing popularity of the new Extreme Couponing show </div><div style="text-align: center;">that I have not had a chance to see, I've seen a ton </div><div style="text-align: center;">of posting about it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">As I understand it some people are addicted to </div><div style="text-align: center;">couponing. Let me assure you... I'm not. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I do love to follow the freebie and deal finders on </div><div style="text-align: center;">FB and Twitter: </div><div style="text-align: center;">@MomsWhoSave</div><div style="text-align: center;">@ThisFrugal_Life</div><div style="text-align: center;">@couponmom</div><div style="text-align: center;">To name a few. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In reality though I don't think spending full time </div><div style="text-align: center;">job hours hunting, clipping, and list making </div><div style="text-align: center;">is a very efficient use of my time </div><div style="text-align: center;">since my job is to be a mommy first. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For me, starting the reserve was easy (due to some unique circumstances), but for others</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know it isn't. Trying to stock pile while already on a tight</div><div style="text-align: center;">budget can be difficult. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I really recommend <a href="http://groceryuniversity.com/">Grocery University</a> to </div><div style="text-align: center;">help with tips on how to start one when </div><div style="text-align: center;">you don't have a good amount of cash</div><div style="text-align: center;">to start out with. </div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: center;">I must add however, that recently some major grocery</div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: center;">stores have changed their policies on coupons, so know your </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">store and their policies</span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So back to my house. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It is so small and our storage is limited so finding a place </div><div style="text-align: center;">to put my goods was the first challenge. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Brad went to Lowes and bought 2 long boards about 12 inches deep or more</div><div style="text-align: center;">and hung them for me in my laundry room. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I began shopping for bargains. I got so lucky to find that </div><div style="text-align: center;">green beans, corn, and peas were all on sale one weekend for</div><div style="text-align: center;">10 for a dollar. So bam.. there they are.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also Cake mixes go on that same sale often so I got those too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Most importantly for me though is to stock up on meat when it is on sale and freeze it. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also my baking supplies such as sugar, flower, etc. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I don't have a deep freeze</b>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eMgrXAD7DHSXEDp4WT5mU4cu5qqtAOfZRAaniD5m-8NNiBz0Y98NwhTrEUu7RrM3haSCSh9famtImw1NSNfy-85xSYPFc87I1wwlc3iWytg5Kz546QlDD-VotUxnhRHfFM0mrqBKb3x7/s1600/1303756822885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eMgrXAD7DHSXEDp4WT5mU4cu5qqtAOfZRAaniD5m-8NNiBz0Y98NwhTrEUu7RrM3haSCSh9famtImw1NSNfy-85xSYPFc87I1wwlc3iWytg5Kz546QlDD-VotUxnhRHfFM0mrqBKb3x7/s320/1303756822885.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is 6 months of meat. Each kind is divided. Wrapped in freezer paper, and dated.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have 1lb a week of chicken, ground beef, and pot roast. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I also buy the freezer pizzas when they are REALLY on sale. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I freeze my flour because I don't want it to take bugs, and I freeze bread too. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">For days like today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The most important thing is to USE your stockpile. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Sale groceries aren't any good to you if they go bad. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I wanted to clean so...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had previously baked some mini banana nut muffins and froze them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thaw those:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBsLWxTNsStJjPtYjBhoxwbMVZsPBkiaGkzshK51N3vC94dbZ1cnDyRGioHnDlX6eAK7WmQ8-y3drsuXmU1Tpotjo6jG2ow5RoF9b0nt18E9inT-udDvxGV3Zo0oirnJt2zcxdlEZeJMG/s1600/1303756788537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBsLWxTNsStJjPtYjBhoxwbMVZsPBkiaGkzshK51N3vC94dbZ1cnDyRGioHnDlX6eAK7WmQ8-y3drsuXmU1Tpotjo6jG2ow5RoF9b0nt18E9inT-udDvxGV3Zo0oirnJt2zcxdlEZeJMG/s320/1303756788537.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then for lunch we dipped into our reserve of Pizza:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTt6DFM0CIls1HBnh0hnQtiTqxe5pv1iP1xwVxfJl1_utaKfs9i4T9Z6ydgh3AMvWprnhXli2_LSXwg9oh5kTMZXdheT-ynQ4n7Btp4J3nEA4A26m9q1vFazIqremSENa5p-zYU62u0djn/s1600/1303756807317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTt6DFM0CIls1HBnh0hnQtiTqxe5pv1iP1xwVxfJl1_utaKfs9i4T9Z6ydgh3AMvWprnhXli2_LSXwg9oh5kTMZXdheT-ynQ4n7Btp4J3nEA4A26m9q1vFazIqremSENa5p-zYU62u0djn/s320/1303756807317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I usually try to keep it where I need to buy some sort of groceries about every 2 weeks, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but milk and produce are a once a week affair. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a list of all that I buy on sales and store and how many I'll buy at a time:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Canned goods</b> (only the ones our family likes) and I'll by 10 of each. ONLY on sale!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>noodles</b> (macaroni, spaghetti, etc.) and I'll buy 10 of those too. Then I could really have 6 months bought in one trip. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Spaghetti sauce</b> (I never buy more than 2 at a time because of the dates)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Deodorant </b>- one or two when on sale and no more until the last one is going to run out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Toilet paper.</b> I pretty much get some anytime the sale is less than 50% of the normal price. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Paper towels</b> are the same.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Peanut butter</b> I'll buy about 4 of when on sale. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cake mixes</b>. I'll buy 10 for $1 but not all the time. only when getting low on them. I bake A LOT!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Flour Sugar Syrup </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm just a beginner at this stuff. I have friends that would blow your mind with how prepared they are. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now once the pile is about 6 months full I only use the sales to replace what I've used. So I end up only needing one or two of some items on any given trip. Thus saving myself a ton o cash at the store. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So while it wasn't Gour-Made... It was yummy and free-ish! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Monday! </div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Courtney</div>courtiebethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354216734254917582noreply@blogger.com0