tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47128379144467334792024-03-15T02:27:24.801-06:00 everyday lovelyCailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-7090480785359449872013-07-10T10:32:00.001-06:002013-07-10T10:32:14.582-06:00Surprise, Surprise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nobody more surprised than us. Or more happy. </div>
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*Baby due Christmas 2013*</div>
<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com99tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-36105126889605079222012-12-18T11:50:00.000-07:002012-12-18T11:50:16.059-07:00saturday waffles<div style="text-align: left;">
Tradition. I love the sound of that word and all the possibility of pleasant times and warm memories it holds. But when it comes to starting and sticking with one...</div>
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Early this fall, we discovered<span style="color: #76a5af;"> <a href="http://www.roostblog.com/roost/almond-yogurt-waffles-with-orange-honey-syrup.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">this waffle recipe</span> </a></span>and my children fell in love with the video of them being made - watched it over and over. And then, we proceeded to dream of a waffle machine and a Saturday morning waffle tradition for two months. </div>
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One day, I determined we would start the hunt for a machine, and I took us all to a local second-hand shop and actually did find this darling, vintage waffle machine for $2. It then sat around for another whole month.</div>
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At last, on Saturday, December 1st, I woke up and determined that this would be the day. I wouldn't put if off or wait for someone to come hold my hand and do it for me anymore. I would do it. We would make waffles.</div>
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I gathered the children around the kitchen counter, and we mixed the batter together and warmed up the old machine. We had some fussing, some tears - all the built up excitement proved too much for some of our little hearts.</div>
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But almost magically one waffle after another was added to the stack. And soon we were all sitting around our family table, having Saturday Morning Waffles. </div>
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It was wonderful, so wonderful that we've made waffles every Saturday this month. We just may have started a real-life Tradition. Only time will tell, but we're making good memories in the meantime. And by the bye, we love<span style="color: #76a5af;"> t<span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="http://www.roostblog.com/roost/almond-yogurt-waffles-with-orange-honey-syrup.html">his recipe</a></span> <span style="color: black;">- </span></span>it's packed with protein and gluten free, using almond flour instead of wheat. The waffles have a sweet, nutty taste, perfect with butter and just a little real maple syrup. <br />
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with love,<br />
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Cailan <br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-53608063447461677872012-12-12T13:13:00.002-07:002012-12-12T13:19:40.045-07:00at my desk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I pretty much finished addressing our Christmas cards this afternoon - there are always seems to be one or two addresses left to track down. And while it may have been convenient to address our Christmas cards while watching our customary show at night, I decided instead to address them at my little desk, to enjoy the glow of the Christmas tree nearby, the noise of the children running all about, and<span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Bells-Kate-Rusby/dp/B004B4S5BM/ref=sr_1_1_digr?ie=UTF8&qid=1355277820&sr=8-1"> <span style="color: #76a5af;">this Christmas music</span> </a></span>- which I just discovered and is the only Christmas music I seem to want to listen to - I love it so much.</div>
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This year we ordered our cards from<span style="color: #76a5af;"> <span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="http://www.minted.com/referral/landing/8ij0s6">Minted</a></span>. </span></span> I never tried them before, but was tempted by a $25 free credit. The packaging made me happy.<br />
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We went with postcards this year. I liked that you could have another picture on the back, and then we could use postcard stamps. The only downfall was that the U.S. Postal service does not make Christmas postcard stamps, so all my Christmas postcards went out stamped with an "Aloha" Hawaiian shirt. Oh well. We can't have it all just so. <br />
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So thankful simply to have a photo of our family, all together, in front of our home, and for friends near and far to send Christmas wishes to. Thank you for all your sweet wishes this week and welcome back - you all are so kind.<br />
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love,<br />
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Cailan<br />
<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-59322928342763159612012-12-08T21:43:00.000-07:002012-12-08T21:43:54.820-07:00Present<br />
Been absent such a while now. After <i>such</i> a while it's little daunting to come back. But I think I'm ready...at least for the purposes of sharing a little here and there in the Christmas celebration. A new year is just weeks away - a handy and appropriate time to begin an earnest, fresh start...in so many things.<br />
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For the dear, faithful friends who will read this, thank you for being so patient and for the very kind emails.<br />
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with love,<br />
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Cailan Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-72900053620837621652012-10-09T22:51:00.002-06:002012-10-09T22:51:29.014-06:00a little Orla Kiely in the house<br />
Going to Target has always felt like something of a treat to me, even when it was just a five minute drive from my house. Now the closest Target is <i>50 minutes</i> away, making it a veritable Destination.<br />
Don't worry, I've still managed to make it there about once a month. ; ) On my last trip I made a beeline to the hand soap section to find myself a couple of these.<br />
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Target is carrying Method soaps in Orla Kiely patterns for the fall. Have you seen them? It just doesn't get much better than this. <br />
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I really love Orla Kiely - from purses to wallpaper, her patterns look fresh and happy anywhere. This wallpaper has been around a lot and it's discontinued now, but it will always be my favorite. <br />
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<a href="http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/">via</a></div>
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Wouldn't this be the happiest surprise in the closet?<br />
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Pretty Orla Kiely umbrella.<br />
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Orla clothes are amazingly charming. <br />
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Always cute-cute handbags. <br />
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The thing is that Orla's pricey wallpaper, clothes and purses are not very likely to make it into my house. But some Orla Kiely hand soap, I can manage. I justified two, so I'd have an extra one on hand for a pretty, fall hostess gift. You just never know when you'll need one. <br />
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<br />love,<br />
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cailan Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-63850854611456431512012-09-27T07:26:00.002-06:002012-09-27T08:57:01.477-06:00something pretty<br />
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We'd waited all spring and even all this long summer. We meant to save it until we were desperate for some cheering up in the middle of our first Iowan winter. Alas, we only made it three-quarters into a very sunny September. My sweetheart and I gave in and finally started watching Downton Abbey.</div>
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It's perhaps sad but true what a happy difference it's made this last week - each day having the anticipation of watching another episode in the evening. I can't say that it has even so much to do with the story - though it's growing on me - ...it's just so <i>pretty.</i> With a cup of peppermint tea in hand, I just sit back and enjoy forty minutes of beautiful decor, clothes and scenery. <br />
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It's a lovely way to end a long day. <br />
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Have you seen it yet? If by some extraordinary chance you have not heard of Downton Abbey yet or have put off watching it, I urge you not to deprive yourself any longer. Though we didn't hold out as we'd planned, I'm thinking we can do reruns in February. ; )<br />
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love,<br />
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cailan<br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-65241343243123748752012-09-24T22:39:00.000-06:002012-09-25T07:12:37.568-06:00it's growing on me...I've been living with this old, harvest gold, Frigidaire <i>Deluxe</i> double oven and electric range for about three months now. I can't say it was the reason we bought the house, but it definitely has a certain charm. And I have no complaints about it's performance. It works quite well, and I really love using the smaller upper oven - heating it up somehow doesn't feel like the same level of commitment as heating the bottom larger oven - it's perfect for<i> just a half</i> batch of cookies. <br />
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I really do hope to have pictures of the whole kitchen soon...finally put the cabinet doors back on (on the bottom cabinets and pantry area) only to realize we somehow managed to paint a cabinet green that was supposed to be white. Sigh. So time to get the paint brushes out again! Finding it hard to wrap up these projects...especially with fall in the air, cozy books to ready, and apple orchards to visit, and maybe this <a href="http://www.anediblemosaic.com/?p=7181">pumpkin bread</a> to bake....in my Frigidaire <i>Deluxe.</i><br />
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love,<br />
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cailan<br />
<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-12908564215952734812012-09-19T22:09:00.000-06:002012-09-20T08:11:03.195-06:00a garden delivered to my door<br />
We subscribed to our local CSA. It was our first time to do anything of the kind, so I did not know what do expect and was certainly not prepared for the vegetable bounty that was delivered to our doorstep this week. It was all so Beautiful. <br />
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I admit I am mostly smitten by the romance of it - <i>bags of vegetables just picked from the garden, sitting on the front porch of my house in a small town in the Midwest</i>. Everything was so fresh, and natural, slightly dirty and dewy. Really, who could not be charmed by these fingerling potatoes?<br />
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And these little carrots are right out of my provincial dreams. <br />
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There was also arugula, red, yellow and purple tomatoes, sweet potato, garlic, red onion, squash, peppers, and the most amazing Grecian mixed greens.<br />
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This evening I roasted the fingerlings, carrots, and red onion and used<span style="color: #45818e;"> <a href="http://spoonforkbacon.com/2011/07/aromatic-roasted-rood-vegetables/">this recipe</a></span> I found on <a href="http://pinterest.com/cailanmatthews/">Pinterest</a>. Fresh herbs always feel like a splurge to me, but if you can find a "poultry pack" at the store it includes thyme and rosemary - so you kind of get two for one. It is completely worth it. Our house smelled <i>so good</i>, and it tasted even better. I left my carrots and potatoes whole, because they looked so lovely and rustic that way, and served it with my favorite roast and gravy...I'll have to post that sometime. Planning on trying <span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://picnicsinthepark.blogspot.com/2012/02/lemon-arugula-pesto.html">this recipe</a> to use the</span> arugula tomorrow - can't wait. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ9zIHyDiD4/UFqNv616RRI/AAAAAAAAF10/1e6zm9n51hs/s1600/257971884876512767_X1JeLoYx_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ9zIHyDiD4/UFqNv616RRI/AAAAAAAAF10/1e6zm9n51hs/s640/257971884876512767_X1JeLoYx_f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I most certainly hope that a garden of my own will fit into life one day, but for now this is quite nearly just as good.<br />
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<i>For those of you who may not know, CSA stands for <span id="listingbody">Community Supported Agriculture. It's a lovely way to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.
Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the
public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables or fruit. Interested households purchase a share (aka a
"membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of
seasonal produce weekly or semi-weekly throughout the farming season. And it is delightful!</span></i><br />
<span id="listingbody"><br /></span>
<span id="listingbody">with love,</span><br />
<span id="listingbody"><br /></span>
<span id="listingbody">cailan</span><br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-69195622021404824732012-09-16T21:58:00.005-06:002012-09-19T22:09:19.641-06:00in print for the first timeThe email came just a month or so ago. Nothing could have been more unexpected I sat in the middle of the dust and debris of our new home than a request from Cottages and Bungalows magazine to include my fall mantel in their November issue.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDbOeeUMPeI/UFaUdi8EziI/AAAAAAAAFyI/JQPY9lN6xho/s1600/DSC_0395p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDbOeeUMPeI/UFaUdi8EziI/AAAAAAAAFyI/JQPY9lN6xho/s640/DSC_0395p.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Oh, happy squeals of joy. <br />
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This was the<span style="color: #45818e;"> <span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://everyday-lovely.blogspot.com/2011/09/blog-post_26.html">fall framed mantel</a></span> </span>I did almost exactly a year ago in our old home. The ironic thing is how little time and attention I took with the photos. I remember taking them in a hurry, early one morning when the light was terrible. I didn't dust or clean the glass or fix the light fixture, or clean off the frig reflected in the mirror. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GOEw7E9AKzE/UFaWRH9quUI/AAAAAAAAFyo/8X1i2MVg0r0/s1600/DSC_0386p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GOEw7E9AKzE/UFaWRH9quUI/AAAAAAAAFyo/8X1i2MVg0r0/s640/DSC_0386p.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And yet here the pictures are, printed in a magazine. Dust and all. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOtWZfXY2eI/UFaWMBiHPcI/AAAAAAAAFyg/SF4ulnO0blY/s1600/DSC_0385p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOtWZfXY2eI/UFaWMBiHPcI/AAAAAAAAFyg/SF4ulnO0blY/s640/DSC_0385p.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It felt pretty special to receive a couple complementary preview issues via fedex a week ago. I believe the November issue is now for sale, and though I admit I'm not a Cottages and Bungalows regular, I did really love looking through this issue.<br />
<i>(update: I'm thinking that actually the Nov. issue isn't for sale till Oct?) </i><br />
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No, <i>not</i> just because I was in it. Didn't hurt, though. ; )<br />
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love,<br />
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cailanCailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-6248730222935680862012-09-14T07:04:00.000-06:002012-09-14T08:14:39.505-06:00Pretty and All in a Row<div style="text-align: center;">
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As I mentioned, finding homes for all the odds in ends that managed to make it from Colorado to Iowa was quite the job. Somethings adjusted more easily than others. Somethings sat about homeless for days...poor vacuum. Somethings were just plain fun to put away. </div>
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In our old house this cabinet housed china-type items. But as it couldn't fit in the dining room it was around the corner in the library/living room, and so also kept books and miscellany fragile items. In the end it looked too busy. Now in the new house, the cabinet is at home in the dining room, and it was time to simplify. </div>
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I seriously was channeling my inner Martha Stewart as I thought these shelves through - what <i>would</i> Martha do? </div>
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I decided that Martha would group like items together - whites with whites, glass with glass, pattern with pattern. </div>
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She would probably find another home for the odd blue and white pieces and the figurines.</div>
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She would try for some easy symmetry and balance. </div>
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And she would surely keep it as simple and clean-looking as possible. </div>
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I really love how it turned out, and like that the top is kept uncluttered too with the simple clock and pitchers. It's a pleasant place to rest your eye. Everything feels happily at home and even easy to get out and actually<i> use. </i>What a lovely idea.</div>
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Martha would probably also have the glass doors clear and clean and the walls painted by now. </div>
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Never mind that. </div>
<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-24469388852054163232012-09-10T20:37:00.003-06:002012-09-10T20:37:21.561-06:00Unpacked and Trying for Settled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So that little two-week vacation from blogging wasn't quite planned. But perhaps it was inevitable. My dear mother just left after an almost two week stay - bless her heart. I had thought when she came we would wrap up some house projects, but when she got here, she said, "Let's just unpack these boxes already!" So smart. <br />
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So that's what we did, we unpacked and unpacked and tried our darnedest to find homes for everything. (Though I did start a get-rid-of box pretty quick) It was hard work but goodness, we did have fun. <br />
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This picture is a good representation of our house as a whole as it stands now. Some order has been achieved, all the packing boxes have vacated the building ...but plaster is in a crumbling state and paint color swatches adorn the walls. And there seems to be a fair amount of dust, everywhere. </div>
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Nevertheless, we are feeling much more settled, so my plan is to do Nothing for a least one month. No house projects that is. For one month I <i>will</i> simply focus on keeping things clean, finding a steady rhythm for the day, enjoying our home as it is, and see if we can't remember how to have fun together. We haven't <i>completely</i> forgotten how, but almost. I also hope to catch up a little bit here! I've so missed blogging and hope to be more steady in the coming weeks. <br />
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with love,<br />
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cailan<br />
<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-32983724993373108062012-08-22T11:04:00.000-06:002012-08-22T21:26:45.489-06:00keeping things in perspectiveSo blessed by your kind, encouraging comments. I am sorry the posting has been so thin and far between, but it means so much knowing that there are still such sympathetic, caring souls checking in on me as we settle into this small, new town, and this large, messy house. Thank you for taking a moment to encourage me a bit in my really not-so-dire circumstances.<br />
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It is the best comfort to know we're not alone, and
I'm trying to keep things in proper perspective, realizing that we are <i>
not </i>facing any Real hardship here.....It is <i>amazing</i> to be in this house and have strength and
resources to
make it into a home. It is not as if we've been given any tremendous obstacles to overcome, or great difficulties to choose joy in spite of.<br />
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No, choosing joy has
simply been the
business of smiling at my spouse over a breakfast that smells more of polyurethane than bacon, and
squelching unpleasant utterances after getting another bruise on the maze of furniture, and not snapping at
the children when they topple a pile of boxes, and not fretting {too
much} about temporarily sleeping in the basement with the spiders. Funny {and sad} how this business has kept my soul plenty busy. <br />
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This is our eighth week in the house and perhaps the most trying as we are turned upside down again in order to get the floors refinished. But the floors are almost done, the painting is progress and we are on the brink of finally unpacking.<br />
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And this is the hope that now greets me when I open the front door.<br />
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{Please note <i>absence </i>of unwanted door in the wall, crumbling plaster and worn-out floors.}</div>
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with every good intention of resuming more regular programming soon,<br />
and with love,<br />
cailanCailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-26972983968199385592012-08-12T23:31:00.000-06:002012-08-12T23:31:20.175-06:00progress, of a sort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://inmyblessednest.blogspot.com/2011/11/thankful.html"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> {via}</span></a></span></div>
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It's been pretty quiet here of late. On the home front the work is slow, and I admit it's been challenge to maintain a vision, and stay motivated, and not get discouraged. <br />
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Living out of a suitcase is sort of feeling old hat. Simply properly
caring for three little people each day feels like a substantial enough
accomplishment, thank you. And I am sometimes answering my sweetheart "no, it's <i>not </i>time to hire a cleaning lady...not yet."<br />
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Nonetheless, Progress <i>is</i> happening here. Perhaps not measurably about the house, but we are getting lots of good lessons. Lessons on joy regardless and in spite of circumstances - specifically the circumstance of a very messy, new house and all the unsettling feelings that go with it. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"Happiness that depends on circumstances </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> is a very poor article indeed."</span> <br />
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So today, I am believing that this will not <i>always</i> be the sight that greets you when you walk through our front door,<br />
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That this will not <i>always</i> be the state of my living room {and my old clock will not remain atop a box},<br />
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And this will not <i>always</i> be the circumstances in which I write a bit to you. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLJPejYpPXs/UCh5SQulUAI/AAAAAAAAFh0/NpaAz8yUvBw/s1600/august+2012+029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLJPejYpPXs/UCh5SQulUAI/AAAAAAAAFh0/NpaAz8yUvBw/s640/august+2012+029.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0VRkPWOnWw/UCh8T2A_18I/AAAAAAAAFi4/G950FfqY1gM/s1600/271693789990229095_RrLCSCD7_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0VRkPWOnWw/UCh8T2A_18I/AAAAAAAAFi4/G950FfqY1gM/s320/271693789990229095_RrLCSCD7_c.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://lifemadelovely-blog.com/tagged/faith">{via}</a></span></div>
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And great changes <i>are </i>just around the corner. The walls are almost fixed and the floor refinishers are coming this week! <i> </i> We are all finally well again and there are still lovely summer days to be enjoyed outside together. Yes, much to be hopeful and happy about. Hope you are making progress of a sort, too. : )<br />
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love,<br />
cailan<br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-33106626828013929252012-08-02T23:31:00.000-06:002012-08-02T23:31:27.552-06:00a summer ice cream party<br />
Revisiting the end of June today and a little party we managed to squeeze in just before we drove away to Iowa. You see, we have this funny, somewhat awkward tradition of celebrating the twin's birthday in mid-summer since their real birthday is just four days after Christmas. We call it their "half" birthday. Don't know if the tradition will stick, but since we didn't celebrate last December I couldn't stand the thought of not celebrating their third birthday properly, so we celebrated...the day before we moved away. I'm so glad we did.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuFGvAufOGY/UBtWHKbO17I/AAAAAAAAFb4/nNMm-xZdQG0/s1600/DSC_0812ptext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuFGvAufOGY/UBtWHKbO17I/AAAAAAAAFb4/nNMm-xZdQG0/s640/DSC_0812ptext.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The tradition seems to also be an ice-cream party {<a href="http://everyday-lovely.blogspot.com/2011/08/ice-cream-party-for-2-12-year-olds.html" style="color: #76a5af;">we had 2 1/2 party last year, too</a>}.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iAzRs1ZB7I/UBtaZxBJRGI/AAAAAAAAFdo/EJ-9zqy_foo/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iAzRs1ZB7I/UBtaZxBJRGI/AAAAAAAAFdo/EJ-9zqy_foo/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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At this point all our earthly goods were on their way in the moving van, so had to keep it simple. Nevertheless, we still managed the predictable but irresistibly festive party decor. Enter, the bunting.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6RR-F5r_-I/UBtbp1-QuyI/AAAAAAAAFd4/awSkbW2Vcx4/s1600/DSC_0821p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6RR-F5r_-I/UBtbp1-QuyI/AAAAAAAAFd4/awSkbW2Vcx4/s640/DSC_0821p.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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and really, is it even possible to have a party without stripey straws?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd7VUnTxOHU/UBtbTAwk1mI/AAAAAAAAFdw/hguh23lgXUA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd7VUnTxOHU/UBtbTAwk1mI/AAAAAAAAFdw/hguh23lgXUA/s640/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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the "birthday" pair. Couldn't love these two more.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSYVIzP_IXE/UBtWi1vzX7I/AAAAAAAAFco/FlcMmIsPDvU/s1600/DSC_0953p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSYVIzP_IXE/UBtWi1vzX7I/AAAAAAAAFco/FlcMmIsPDvU/s640/DSC_0953p.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr4an0AgZ-0/UBtWeGIJ9-I/AAAAAAAAFcg/M_1BIVA1ucU/s1600/DSC_0947p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr4an0AgZ-0/UBtWeGIJ9-I/AAAAAAAAFcg/M_1BIVA1ucU/s640/DSC_0947p.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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And all the dear cousins. Goodness, we miss them.<br />
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Now then, it's certainly not too late to have a little ice cream party of your own! <br />
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sources:<br />
orange stripey straws: <a href="http://www.retrosally.com/Paper-Straws-Orange-Stripe-Retro/dp/B007Y9RVDE?field_availability=-1&field_browse=5227572011&field_keywords=orange+striped&field_product_site_launch_date_utc=-1y&id=Paper+Straws+Orange+Stripe+Retro&ie=UTF8&refinementHistory=brandtextbin%2Csubjectbin%2Ccolor_map%2Cprice%2Csize_name&searchKeywords=orange+striped&searchNodeID=5227572011&searchPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12" style="color: #76a5af;">retro sally</a><br />
bunting paper, sprinkles, plastic bowls, napkins: hobby lobby<br />
wooden spoons: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loew-Cornell-Woodsies-8-Inch-75-Count/dp/B00380E8QG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343971151&sr=8-1&keywords=wooden+spoons+for+crafts" style="color: #76a5af;">amazon</a><br />
cousins: colorado<br />
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love,<br />
cailan<br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-5976501818373472292012-07-30T21:41:00.000-06:002012-08-01T20:04:32.592-06:00time for an outing<div style="text-align: center;">
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My mum ended up not coming last week as she came down with a very bad cold-flu. We apparently did not want to be left out and came down with little colds of our own. <br />
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So what does one do when you are missing your mum and out with a cold and the house is an Epic mess? You go out antiquing, of course. </div>
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Now, I can take no responsibility for the notion - it was entirely my sweetheart's idea. But I do believe it was a very good idea indeed. Here's the collection of treasures I brought home. Also featured in these pictures, our exceedingly chippy front porch. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Sne8WFYC3k/UBdAUoRadSI/AAAAAAAAFZk/2xnX8W5RCRg/s1600/DSC_0163p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Sne8WFYC3k/UBdAUoRadSI/AAAAAAAAFZk/2xnX8W5RCRg/s640/DSC_0163p.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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So glad for this extra-tall turquoise jar - it will be just the thing for big bouquets. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCZTt0TOn_Q/UBdAecZstGI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/h1OYGPwEjwQ/s1600/DSC_0172p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCZTt0TOn_Q/UBdAecZstGI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/h1OYGPwEjwQ/s640/DSC_0172p.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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I adore this little box. It was just three dollars and I can think of at least four places I want to use it.<br />
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Nice little stack of jadeite saucers. Yes, they are saucers, but I think they will make perfect cookie plates. And just look at those shades of green.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRvUDe7NuOs/UBdAljGivyI/AAAAAAAAFaE/oi48ZRh5EZY/s1600/DSC_0177p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRvUDe7NuOs/UBdAljGivyI/AAAAAAAAFaE/oi48ZRh5EZY/s640/DSC_0177p.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Final find are these two cola crates. I've been wanting some of these for a good bit, esp to use for setting up outdoor parties, but kept finding them at least $25-$30 on Craigslist and antique stores. So glad I held out as these were just $10 a piece. hoo-ray.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3y2m9KE3oQ/UBdAqxDQ-nI/AAAAAAAAFaM/XYgCx76RRuQ/s1600/DSC_0186p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3y2m9KE3oQ/UBdAqxDQ-nI/AAAAAAAAFaM/XYgCx76RRuQ/s640/DSC_0186p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So that's the nonsense we've been up to. How about you?<br />
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resolved to be <i>very</i> industrious from now on,<br />
and with love,<br />
cailan<br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-26173726200084864762012-07-27T07:15:00.003-06:002012-07-30T20:29:45.215-06:00bathtime<div style="text-align: center;">
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I finally took a bath in this little claw foot. I've never been much of a bather, are you?<br />
I never took one in our old home - but I think I've been converted. </div>
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It was <i>quite</i> lovely. </div>
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Sweetly accompanied by this decadent body cream just sent by a </div>
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dear friend with instructions to pamper myself. </div>
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I closed my eyes and (almost) successfully blocked out the fact that the bathroom -</div>
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still looks like this. </div>
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I think I'll be <strike>desperate</strike> ready to tackle this space in the next week or so. As with the <a href="http://everyday-lovely.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-peak-at-paint-and-progress.html" style="color: #76a5af;">kitchen</a>, we hope to redo the whole thing someday...but in the meantime the challenge is to make what's already here work to it's best advantage. Including the ivory linoleum, coffee colored sinks,</div>
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and these shutters.</div>
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At least these knobs are cute.</div>
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Here's a few of my favorite bathrooms that I hope to use for inspiration now...and for that someday bathroom redo.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T9Y6bHWqLpg/UBKQnu6p7BI/AAAAAAAAFYI/pPQ7DzgJp80/s1600/1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T9Y6bHWqLpg/UBKQnu6p7BI/AAAAAAAAFYI/pPQ7DzgJp80/s640/1a.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ruemag.com/gallery/bathrooms/"> {via}</a></div>
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<a href="http://blissfulb.blogspot.com/"> {via}</a></div>
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source unknown</div>
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<a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/makeovers/budget-friendly-bathroom-makeover-tips#intro">{via}</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.vintageandchicblog.com/2011/09/hoy-me-gusta-today-im-loving.html">{via}</a></div>
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Alright, enough daydreaming - time to get back to work!</div>
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At least there's a bath to look forward to at the end of the day. ; ) Perhaps you'll pamper yourself a little this weekend, too? I do hope so. </div>
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love, cailan</div>
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<br /></div>Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-16978127145056235902012-07-22T22:57:00.001-06:002012-07-24T20:50:15.892-06:00a peek at paint and progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week was monumental. I decided on kitchen paint colors! </div>
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Benjamin Moore Snowfall White on the top cabinets and Forest Moss on the bottom. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UB-ASi3E3TE/UAx0hoiheWI/AAAAAAAAFUo/d8X2aCjVW7I/s1600/DSC_0094-001p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UB-ASi3E3TE/UAx0hoiheWI/AAAAAAAAFUo/d8X2aCjVW7I/s400/DSC_0094-001p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I know, you might wonder at me for not going all white. But while I LOVE the look of an all-white kitchen, I realized that with mustard counter tops, a mustard stove and a black dishwasher I simply wasn't going to achieve that fresh all-white look. </div>
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{the Before} </div>
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So I went for the green and white mix I'd kinda always had in my head, and really do love the result.....such as it is at this point. ; ) Bravely letting you peak in on the progress and hoping that you can look past the crazy mess and see the potential in progress. (Got my light fixture hung :)</div>
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I can't even believe how much work this kitchen has been, but never in a ba<i>zillion</i> years could I have accomplished this much without<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1892489035" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Sister.</a><a href="http://megandandymade.blogspot.com/" style="color: #a2c4c9;"> </a> We started Monday night and worked until she left Thurs afternoon and from morning till night did absolutely nothing but remove wallpaper, caulk, putty and paint, paint, paint in that kitchen.</div>
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Okay, we also ate chocolate. <i>And</i> took one break to have a 30 minute cake date in all our sweaty, paint be-speckled glory. But seriously that was the only thirty minutes of technical "fun" we had. Thankfully, <i>any time</i> with Sister is the best good times and we got pretty much every single Very Important Topic talked about and sorted out as we worked away. </div>
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It was so, so great having her here. I can't believe how blessed I am to have such a Sister. </div>
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Her positive attitude is absolutely unshakeable. We were messy, tired and achey but the happy note in her voice never gave out. She's just pretty darn amazing that way.</div>
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We were much sad to see her go, but I'm <i>so thankful</i> we both have iphones. : ) Happy news is that my mum in coming in this week!! so I hope to finish up the kitchen and share many-many pics and tips on that soon. Also on the "to-do" list, paint that Master Bedroom already! And seriously considering painting some floors, am I nuts?</div>
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love,<br />
cailan<br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-20272146536273343362012-07-15T21:15:00.002-06:002012-07-30T20:29:59.946-06:00inside the house<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been exactly two weeks now since we opened the door to our new home and our new lives in Northwest Iowa. Twelve days since this moving truck arrived. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_rvv-OE68aA/UAMfdJCtUJI/AAAAAAAAFR0/RQ9bmh-X5EQ/s1600/5newhome-truck.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_rvv-OE68aA/UAMfdJCtUJI/AAAAAAAAFR0/RQ9bmh-X5EQ/s640/5newhome-truck.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Last week I showed you the serene-like exterior of our new abode. Now to lift the veil.</div>
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Be forewarned, my friends: this is that last pretty picture you will see!</div>
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We had two days between closing and when the moving truck was to arrive so we tried like mad to make the most of that time without all our goods in the way. The priority was to get the messy work done in the upstairs bedrooms, and in two days we did get all the popcorn ceiling off, wallpaper off, and carpets out of the three bedrooms upstairs as well as flooring out of the Entry. It was crazy.</div>
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First the Master Bedroom.</div>
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Peeled off a little wallpaper and revealed some very crumbly plaster beneath. </div>
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Who would have thought purple?</div>
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The first focus was getting the popcorn ceiling off. I only attempted this project because the popcorn was unpainted and thus much easier to scrap off, but nevertheless BE WARNED. This is the most gigantic mess ever. We used a garden pump sprayer to wet it (but not too much as to soak the drywall) and then scraped it off with a wide flat edge putty knife. The stuff scrapes off pretty well but then you have clumps of messy gooey and then dusty white EVERYWHERE. </div>
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This is the kiddos room: Wallpaper came off somewhat easily here, with a few trouble spots. My dear mother-in-law let me borrow her steamer and that helped so much - would never try wallpaper removal again without one. Also took up the carpet...floors are in tough shape.</div>
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Surprise! Underneath the curtain, the window pane is a little worse for wear. </div>
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Took up carpet and linoleum in the Entry. Here's the fun residue the linoleum left. </div>
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Within the first few hours I developed severe CWRD - Compulsive Wallpaper Removal Disorder. </div>
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There is wallpaper in EVERY room of this home, and it was impossible resist picking at it here and there and see what would come off without a fight. But there is nothing like strips of wallpaper hanging off <i>every</i> wall to make a house feel like a dilapidated crazy zone. oops.</div>
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Underneath the wallpaper in the entry we found this unbelievable fake wood paneling - how could this ever be a good idea right next to real oak??</div>
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Now, I wish we had left it up and filled the paneling lines and just painted it. But I didn't think of that. Instead I tore it down and found out why someone thought the paneling was a "good" idea - they were covering a Door In The Wall. We found this the morning the movers arrived so we just put the bookcase in front of it like so, and are presently <strike>trying to pretend it isn't there</strike> figuring out what to do next. </div>
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Insert lots of sweat and stress.</div>
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Growing up, my family moved a lot and went thru a number of home reno projects, doing about all the work ourselves. That's to say I'm somewhat used to this kind of chaos. So pair me with my sweetheart Professor man who lived in the same house that his mother grew up in and loves,loves, LOVES cleanliness and order. Yeah, not the best combo. </div>
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Praise God, my in-laws came and took care of the children mon-thurs, so they were spared most of the trauma. Don't know how we would have managed otherwise. </div>
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Now, for some pictures of where we are today. </div>
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Here are where our offspring sleep. Gotta say it feels a little ghetto in here with the plaster falling off the walls and the patchy paint. </div>
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But you get the vision with the three yellow beds, right? right??</div>
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The hardwoods under the carpet are a mess. Waterspots and paint everywhere. </div>
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My oldest said, "It's a MESS in here. You need to clean this up, Mama." </div>
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I'll get right on that cutie-pie. </div>
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The Master Bedroom has been quite the saga. Here she is today. Because of the plaster chinking off we had to have someone come in and trowel the walls. Cha-ching$$ </div>
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After the nice guy skimmed and sanded I swept and mopped my heart out, trying to get that blasted drywall dust cleaned out of there. I also caulked the seams and sanded again and swept again. </div>
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But even after doing a lot of touch up work myself, when I went to paint I was still finding so many trouble spots like this. So I finally called the nice guy up and asked him to come take a look. So he did and said it did need to be gone over again...which meant more sanding and drywall dust clean-up. <br />
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Remembering the "BEFORE". </div>
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And my "IN PROGRESS AFTER" </div>
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Look at that wondrous popcorn-free ceiling - so worth it. </div>
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In the meantime....my darling and I are sleeping here in the third room. Yikers.</div>
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I have to climb over my darling to get to my side of the bed. Pretty sure that's his favorite part of the arrangement.</div>
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So it's a mess. And here's further proof of my CWRD. </div>
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I did this most of this while "brushing" my teeth. It's irresistible, I tell you.</div>
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And here in the hallway. Oh little stencils, how I long to paint over thee.</div>
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So everything in our home is still in the works...not one box has been unpacked except the Professor's books in his basement lair. But though every project is in a way Current, my main focus right now is the Kitchen as we're starting to feel desperate to have that space functional. Here she is with her first coat of primer. Already feels so much better, fresher, all together more promising. I'll post details on the project when it is (hopefully) finished. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeyfRr-gB68/UAMsBZG-EiI/AAAAAAAAFUA/NkUH5yI6c0U/s1600/9newhome.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeyfRr-gB68/UAMsBZG-EiI/AAAAAAAAFUA/NkUH5yI6c0U/s640/9newhome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whew! How's that for an update. I do so hope to get to post some nice, under-control "After" pictures<i> soon</i>. It's felt so <i>not </i>nice or under-control for a good bit now.<br />
BUT Best News Ever is<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span><a href="http://megandandymade.blogspot.com/" style="color: #45818e;">Sister's</a><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span>flying in to lend her helpful hands tomorrow!!! <br />
So yes, there is hope for us after all. </div>
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Thank you much for sticking with me, friends.</div>
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love,<br />
cailan<br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-68755724866426712792012-07-10T21:24:00.002-06:002012-07-10T21:24:47.849-06:00We've LandedNo, we haven't fallen off the face of the earth, though it feels a bit like it in some ways. It's been a week now since we landed in this quiet little town. Given all that has happened in the last seven days, that's hard to believe. <br /><br />
It has been a whirlwind - a whirlwind of popcorn ceiling crud, wallpaper strips, crumbling plaster, shaggy carpet and linoleum. Not at all in that order, but rather in every combination of disorder we could manage.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-81aCNWO2TnE/T_zsqEq4CkI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/RCj4s2ReqnY/s1600/DSC_0018p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-81aCNWO2TnE/T_zsqEq4CkI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/RCj4s2ReqnY/s640/DSC_0018p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Do not be deceived, my friends, all may look serene in the picture below, but inside is something quite akin to chaos.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijYZdWUHIN8/T_zs26GkelI/AAAAAAAAFRA/O4vOOvRIPoU/s1600/DSC_0014p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijYZdWUHIN8/T_zs26GkelI/AAAAAAAAFRA/O4vOOvRIPoU/s640/DSC_0014p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But it is <i>our</i> chaos, our home. And we are whole, and healthy. And albeit a little unsettled-feeling and a bit harried, we are managing some happiness, too.<br />
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I'll share about what's been going on inside of the house later this week, but just wanted to check in quick-quick like and let you know we're still kicking. ; )<br />
<br />
with love,<br />
<br />
cailan<br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-45427963793482500982012-06-25T08:16:00.002-06:002012-06-25T08:16:47.195-06:00Time to Go<div style="text-align: center;">
I packed my clock today. </div>
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Somehow it makes the fact the moving truck is coming in three days seem very...official. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36LRQPcVNjw/T-hqTAnoFhI/AAAAAAAAFPU/GhLpBbUQD1M/s1600/1time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36LRQPcVNjw/T-hqTAnoFhI/AAAAAAAAFPU/GhLpBbUQD1M/s640/1time.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's the clock that sat on my mantel. Here's she was <a href="http://everyday-lovely.blogspot.com/2011/05/fresh-mantel-for-summertime.html" style="color: #45818e;">last summer</a><span style="color: #45818e;">.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3klMKayVrrI/T-hqTyqfGSI/AAAAAAAAFPc/LTE1rQwzYw4/s1600/5.25.11+174P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3klMKayVrrI/T-hqTyqfGSI/AAAAAAAAFPc/LTE1rQwzYw4/s640/5.25.11+174P.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was my first time to really try to put together a mantel arrangement I loved. </div>
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I had so much fun with it. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZnxJSbfdqU/T-hqUVRRAbI/AAAAAAAAFPk/f9omG5kkvtk/s1600/5.25.11+190P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZnxJSbfdqU/T-hqUVRRAbI/AAAAAAAAFPk/f9omG5kkvtk/s640/5.25.11+190P.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We won't have a mantel in our <a href="http://everyday-lovely.blogspot.com/2012/04/tour-of-new-house.html" style="color: #76a5af;">new home</a>, </div>
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but I'm confident the clock will still find a happy place to sit. </div>
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Things are starting to feel pretty harried around here. It's the typical moving scene - </div>
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boxes everywhere,</div>
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filing project finishing up today, </div>
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laundry piled high, </div>
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children a little frazzled by the confusion and anticipation of something new.</div>
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Sister and I didn't get to go paint the kitchen like we hoped as the current homeowners got delayed on their moving out. So this is not what it looks like...but I did decide<a href="http://everyday-lovely.blogspot.com/2012/05/of-painting-kitchen-cabinets.html" style="color: #76a5af;"> to go all white</a><span style="color: #76a5af;">. </span> </div>
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Love this whole look.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yucRFgq1Pio/T-hwxxpDBiI/AAAAAAAAFP4/vvIHh78SDME/s1600/257971884874803873_MTTPaxhs_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yucRFgq1Pio/T-hwxxpDBiI/AAAAAAAAFP4/vvIHh78SDME/s640/257971884874803873_MTTPaxhs_f.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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So yes, these cabinets are still waiting for me.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3t-fv50scM/T-hwyfcYX2I/AAAAAAAAFQA/KeW3F9xDpuM/s1600/DSC_1418-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3t-fv50scM/T-hwyfcYX2I/AAAAAAAAFQA/KeW3F9xDpuM/s640/DSC_1418-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Make that a whole house waiting for me. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agbm4U0733A/T-hxkJt96aI/AAAAAAAAFQI/S-Wu0u6kK3I/s1600/1DSC_1474-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agbm4U0733A/T-hxkJt96aI/AAAAAAAAFQI/S-Wu0u6kK3I/s640/1DSC_1474-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Make that a whole new life waiting for us. </div>
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ready or not - here we come!</div>
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-38854352190159249522012-06-18T06:54:00.003-06:002012-06-19T06:30:26.294-06:00Dreaming of Order<div style="text-align: center;">
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Dreaming of the absolute soothing wonderfulness of pretty, orderly spaces....</div>
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Spaces like this... </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNAdk0PdA8s/T961MnNZyYI/AAAAAAAAFMs/EBIsExi_GEE/s1600/122230577356124448_gS9fj7KI_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNAdk0PdA8s/T961MnNZyYI/AAAAAAAAFMs/EBIsExi_GEE/s640/122230577356124448_gS9fj7KI_c.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22581420@N04/5512070677/">via</a></span></div>
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And this...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VVZACEOHEQ/T961OIeARcI/AAAAAAAAFNM/w_1yaHJNohk/s1600/21603273182027129_mmAPszaR_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VVZACEOHEQ/T961OIeARcI/AAAAAAAAFNM/w_1yaHJNohk/s640/21603273182027129_mmAPszaR_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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and this...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-sm1jb0qwI/T961NIakoyI/AAAAAAAAFM0/nc6Q9HJ7Pso/s1600/122793527309505288_hgYCI9Oo_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-sm1jb0qwI/T961NIakoyI/AAAAAAAAFM0/nc6Q9HJ7Pso/s640/122793527309505288_hgYCI9Oo_c.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/gardening/garage-turned-garden-shed?click=img_sr#slide-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via</span></a></div>
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and this...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCZjCfQQDjU/T961MVj97SI/AAAAAAAAFMk/wWYRRg4flIg/s1600/10625749090868116_dQVheRgP_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCZjCfQQDjU/T961MVj97SI/AAAAAAAAFMk/wWYRRg4flIg/s640/10625749090868116_dQVheRgP_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ruemag.com/gallery/work-spaces/"> via</a></span></div>
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and especially this...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKeqWlD0kcY/T961Owy3rUI/AAAAAAAAFNc/G5H4umB46eg/s1600/250794272968675634_eP3xEvEP_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKeqWlD0kcY/T961Owy3rUI/AAAAAAAAFNc/G5H4umB46eg/s640/250794272968675634_eP3xEvEP_f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/how-to-get-the-look/ultimate-guide-kitchens-1008#slide-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> via</span></a></div>
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ooooo, and this too.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7AxwGal8mQ8/T961PFLpHzI/AAAAAAAAFNk/67OKFPzL0Fk/s1600/257971884875555106_ORL4cp7R_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7AxwGal8mQ8/T961PFLpHzI/AAAAAAAAFNk/67OKFPzL0Fk/s640/257971884875555106_ORL4cp7R_f.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.livecreatingyourself.com/2011/03/girls-best-friend.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via </span></a></div>
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and this....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ8fX1z_6oQ/T961PbtaXkI/AAAAAAAAFNs/RfDPyR1-Wu4/s1600/257971884875555111_LLgOpGJ6_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ8fX1z_6oQ/T961PbtaXkI/AAAAAAAAFNs/RfDPyR1-Wu4/s640/257971884875555111_LLgOpGJ6_f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/savvy-ways-to-stay-organized/?page=20"> via</a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
and very much all of this... </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5W9TunbHeY/T961PyfjuyI/AAAAAAAAFN0/2rI_mYlmgzA/s1600/37084396901160242_KJYWzcSB_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5W9TunbHeY/T961PyfjuyI/AAAAAAAAFN0/2rI_mYlmgzA/s640/37084396901160242_KJYWzcSB_c.jpg" width="558" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/37084396901160242/"> via</a></div>
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Because right now, my friends, it is a messy Monday here at our home. </div>
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Everything feels undone and in complete disarray...we have ten days till the moving trucks come.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo5NXS2_1FM/T98jbsYs2bI/AAAAAAAAFO8/m84uYOGHQUg/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo5NXS2_1FM/T98jbsYs2bI/AAAAAAAAFO8/m84uYOGHQUg/s640/PicMonkey+Collagep.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
And just to keep things interesting, we decided now would be the <i>best </i>time to overhaul my filing system for the bookkeeping work I do. These tables and papers have been permanent fixtures in the living room for two weeks. I'm pretty over them.</div>
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{My professional organizing friend actually staged an intervention - bless her heart}</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hd51OWbFqtw/T961-FDXHEI/AAAAAAAAFOU/P1uEh8WRWYI/s1600/1desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hd51OWbFqtw/T961-FDXHEI/AAAAAAAAFOU/P1uEh8WRWYI/s640/1desk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also, last week the twins decided now would be the perfect time to start potty training. </div>
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That would be <i>two</i> little people trying to learn to control their bowels at the same time. </div>
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How can you say "no" when they suddenly decide that they are a "big girl/boy" and are determined to wear underwear and use the toilet? You have to go with it.<br />
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So we clean up accidents, we clean up accidents much.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sjhpKY-oovg/T9644ts8jvI/AAAAAAAAFOo/980XtXul0uA/s1600/pottycollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sjhpKY-oovg/T9644ts8jvI/AAAAAAAAFOo/980XtXul0uA/s640/pottycollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nevertheless,</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIkm8XlI5nk/T961RLLlg3I/AAAAAAAAFOM/_RJ0LSt4yBQ/s1600/Everything_Is_Going_to_Be_OK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIkm8XlI5nk/T961RLLlg3I/AAAAAAAAFOM/_RJ0LSt4yBQ/s400/Everything_Is_Going_to_Be_OK.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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right?</div>
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<br /></div>Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-43617368674678777672012-06-14T05:12:00.003-06:002012-06-14T05:12:58.982-06:00A Little Cowboy Campfire<br />
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<a href="http://megandandymade.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #76a5af;">Sister</a> is really good at impromptu fun. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Yp0XV5GFpA/T9iXb0dphCI/AAAAAAAAFKU/cCVPXdCPKkM/s1600/DSC_0048-001p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Yp0XV5GFpA/T9iXb0dphCI/AAAAAAAAFKU/cCVPXdCPKkM/s640/DSC_0048-001p.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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The other day the cousins delivered this invitation for a Cowboy Campfire.</div>
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Much excitement ensued.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E8qucmB480A/T9iX5kK0WCI/AAAAAAAAFKc/OX9uy91-hWI/s1600/DSC_0041-001p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E8qucmB480A/T9iX5kK0WCI/AAAAAAAAFKc/OX9uy91-hWI/s640/DSC_0041-001p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy9Kegavs38/T9nF4tgbFjI/AAAAAAAAFME/wEiEq7WcEA0/s1600/DSC_0013-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy9Kegavs38/T9nF4tgbFjI/AAAAAAAAFME/wEiEq7WcEA0/s640/DSC_0013-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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That evening we headed around the corner and found this sign welcoming us into the backyard.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Yp0XV5GFpA/T9iXb0dphCI/AAAAAAAAFKU/cCVPXdCPKkM/s1600/DSC_0048-001p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Yp0XV5GFpA/T9iXb0dphCI/AAAAAAAAFKU/cCVPXdCPKkM/s640/DSC_0048-001p.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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She had a table set up with all the necessaries for s'mores<br />
(and wet washcloths for sticky fingers : )</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ve8N5LlM_d0/T9iX6vttZOI/AAAAAAAAFKk/Dz4YpB64CDI/s1600/DSC_0054-001p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ve8N5LlM_d0/T9iX6vttZOI/AAAAAAAAFKk/Dz4YpB64CDI/s640/DSC_0054-001p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not having had a lot of s'more experience,<br />
we needed a little help from our Aunt and Uncle campfire experts.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHNMDPjdxL8/T9iX7uAPnyI/AAAAAAAAFKs/BxPpG3rJmg0/s1600/DSC_0057-001p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHNMDPjdxL8/T9iX7uAPnyI/AAAAAAAAFKs/BxPpG3rJmg0/s640/DSC_0057-001p.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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S'more-making is quite the art.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1CQwmodFy4/T9iX9_aFEHI/AAAAAAAAFK8/r_0xA0bk7NM/s1600/DSC_0120-001p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1CQwmodFy4/T9iX9_aFEHI/AAAAAAAAFK8/r_0xA0bk7NM/s640/DSC_0120-001p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Requires much skill and concentration.</div>
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But, of course, completely worth the effort in the end.</div>
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Savoring these last around-the-corner-days,</div>
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remembering there will more sweet days together....just not around-the-corner days.<br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-65107450492534017262012-06-11T05:43:00.001-06:002012-06-13T07:15:33.440-06:00Closet Analysis Party!<br />
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What to wear. It seems to be most every girl's daily conundrum, and Sister, my mum and I are no different. Lately we'd been contemplating how helpful a closet overhaul would be, especially with some outside help - it's so hard to be objective in the closet! So Sister and I decided last Mother's Day we would give give our mum the gift of our time and spend an afternoon/evening going through her closet, putting together outfits, and even taking pictures of approved combos for future reference. Of course, it was <i>loads</i> of fun.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3waRIWeYfw8/T9U3KNLYPUI/AAAAAAAAFHI/g5yNEJsQFl8/s1600/DSC_0086p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3waRIWeYfw8/T9U3KNLYPUI/AAAAAAAAFHI/g5yNEJsQFl8/s640/DSC_0086p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's the adorable invite <a href="http://megandandymade.blogspot.com/" style="color: #76a5af;">Sister</a> made. </div>
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Sister took the official photos for a little photo-flip book for Mum to keep in her closet. I think we took shots of about 25 outfits - pretty much every spring/summer item in her closet in every combo possible. I just snapped a few of them on my iphone.</div>
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The creative energy in the room was tangible, I tell you. </div>
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So fun to figure out ways to wear these shoes, and lament I don't have littler feet. ; )<br />
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Cute-Cute.</div>
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And part of the fun was the food, naturally. We started with dessert: brownie-cookies from Whole Foods. </div>
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Then later had simple, yummy girl food: salad, smoked salmon, crackers, cream cheese, and capers. Yum.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtiMzFENd6c/T9U3PiZHntI/AAAAAAAAFHg/syO2Hf8q-wE/s1600/dress-up9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtiMzFENd6c/T9U3PiZHntI/AAAAAAAAFHg/syO2Hf8q-wE/s400/dress-up9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then back to work! And it <i>was</i> work, keeping all those creative juices flowing and trying to consider so many factors - the fit, color, wearability, shoes, accessories. It was a <i>serious </i>brain work-out.</div>
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Mum just got <a href="http://www.dansko.com/Womens/Footwear/Collections/Mirabel/Tasha/Natural%20Veg/" style="color: #76a5af;">these Dankos</a> this season and we were impressed with how much they went with. Dankos are the best for comfortable footware, though they can be a little on the clunky side. These however felt very feminine, and the nude is so versatile and great for making your legs look longer. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUBE4MHeDOQ/T9XQuxseutI/AAAAAAAAFJI/eW-RhNyMB20/s1600/large_3604160600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUBE4MHeDOQ/T9XQuxseutI/AAAAAAAAFJI/eW-RhNyMB20/s320/large_3604160600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Loved these skirt outfits. </div>
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Oh, it was such good times! I highly recommend you have your own closet analysis party quick-quick, or give one as a gift. Mum was positively thrilled with hers. We got rid of a whole pile of clothes, and now when she gets dressed, she pretty much knows just what to wear. And yes, Sister and I are hoping for our own parties soon. : )</div>
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{Linking to <a href="http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2012/06/what-i-wore-wednesday-71/">What a Wore Wednesday at the Pleated Poppy</a>}</div>
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</div>Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-73350078139984525212012-06-10T03:32:00.001-06:002012-06-10T08:55:09.669-06:00Swinging & Singing<br />
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...all together,<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBnKTKc9Vpc/T9Rnm0jFMAI/AAAAAAAAFF4/8TnMuzKvE7E/s1600/DSC_0282p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBnKTKc9Vpc/T9Rnm0jFMAI/AAAAAAAAFF4/8TnMuzKvE7E/s640/DSC_0282p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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at the top of our lungs...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PbGdFFAsEzY/T9RnpHM2i8I/AAAAAAAAFGI/DCmsCPPpuOk/s1600/DSC_0312p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PbGdFFAsEzY/T9RnpHM2i8I/AAAAAAAAFGI/DCmsCPPpuOk/s640/DSC_0312p.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLm0D2QAqY4/T9RnqPningI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/x3sFdIQJWJw/s1600/DSC_0318p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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...on Sister's porch swing.<br />
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and wondering if it could get any better than this....<br />
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wishing you a swinging, singing Sunday. <br />
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xo,<br />
cailan<br />
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712837914446733479.post-26723224927019338732012-06-06T07:40:00.003-06:002012-06-06T07:59:44.365-06:00Pink Toes, Happy Feet<div style="text-align: center;">
I've only gotten a pedicure a few times in my life - a couple times at a salon and a sweet number of times by <a href="http://megandandymade.blogspot.com/" style="color: #76a5af;">Sister</a>, who never failed to give me a couple during my pregnancies. To be frank, it feels a little pointless as I'm a died-in-the-wool barefoot gal. All seasons of the year will find me about the house barefoot and in summer I rarely find I need shoes outside. Consequently, my feet have taken on a bit of a....hmmmm, prehistoric feel - full of callousy bumps and rough sides and unpleasant nail beds. So yes, foot care has never been real high on the priority list. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYkuieXKCS8/T8vxwqeWXTI/AAAAAAAAFCg/iMeypaAfDIg/s1600/DSC_0427p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYkuieXKCS8/T8vxwqeWXTI/AAAAAAAAFCg/iMeypaAfDIg/s640/DSC_0427p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nevertheless, whenever I <i>do</i> get have pretty toenails, something wonderful happens. I instantly feel uber feminine, full of grace, obviously attractive. It's like magic.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--nbDSkwxjL8/T8vxvxQd7SI/AAAAAAAAFCY/Xhjbjur4quk/s1600/DSC_0411p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--nbDSkwxjL8/T8vxvxQd7SI/AAAAAAAAFCY/Xhjbjur4quk/s640/DSC_0411p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Elizabeth's wedding I got a pedicure. She was having hers done the morning of the wedding, so I brought us some breakfast fruit and we did it together - just me and her. It was a really sweet time. </div>
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Here's my feet after the gal had grated off a nice little pile of yuck, dead skin off and made the nails look manageable. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBEbGfkx-K4/T8vx0OeOKrI/AAAAAAAAFCo/Ijrn6VGSef4/s1600/1pinktoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBEbGfkx-K4/T8vx0OeOKrI/AAAAAAAAFCo/Ijrn6VGSef4/s640/1pinktoes.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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And an after picture. Normally, hot pink wouldn't be my color of choice, but for the sake of the dress, I did it. </div>
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Since then, I am <i>actually</i> trying to use this little pumice stone/brush I got from Target. Once your feet look pretty, one is a little motivated to try to keep them that way. </div>
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Not that I've given up my barefoot ways, but despite numerous barefoot runs around the corner to Sister's, I can report that my feet still look rather fine - maybe a little worse for wear - but the magic certainly hasn't worn off. </div>
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Yikes. Promise no more pictures of my feet for a nice, long while. ; )</div>
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Linking up with adorable Alicia's <a href="http://www.aliciahutchinson.com/2012/06/my-summer-plan-to-be-healthy-and-happy.html" style="color: #76a5af;">Happy Day Project. </a></div>
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<br />Cailanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069186490965981342noreply@blogger.com6