tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12940284274118216532024-03-14T01:38:30.660-07:00Gypsy BandanaSteffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-64069369824896507742013-02-17T13:00:00.001-08:002013-02-17T13:08:27.207-08:00Waiting for March…<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WPH0zJPhvGk/USFEwi8cVnI/AAAAAAAACSU/bDdFGzqdtAw/s1600-h/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Feb & March decorations 003" border="0" alt="Feb & March decorations 003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sHE4I7jM1L4/USFExcTYvuI/AAAAAAAACSc/9bPacPa3aiE/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="341"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">For the past month my little holiday decoration dedicated location (say that 5 times fast!) has been decked out for Valentines day.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SRBWB7x84MY/USFEyODxSAI/AAAAAAAACSk/3OHl6At3wU8/s1600-h/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Feb & March decorations 011" border="0" alt="Feb & March decorations 011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cFrvOt2yoCs/USFEy5BCPgI/AAAAAAAACSs/czkXtnFIIxU/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="513"></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">My mom has made us all (6 kids!) a transitional seasonal wall hanging. She’s making us a new ‘month’ every year for Christmas. This was last years, cute eh? But as of yesterday (Feb. 16th) I am over Valentines… time to move on!</font></p> <p align="center"><img title="pic 1" alt="" src="http://generationqmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/pic-1.jpg" width="399" height="393"></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Up next? St. Paddy’s day! Unfortunately, I really don’t have any decorations for this holiday.. so I thought I’d whip something up! I found this DARLING shamrock block at <a href="http://generationqmagazine.com/2012/03/playdate-shamrock-block/" target="_blank">this</a> site & thought I’d give it a try!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gTjg0oyS4uE/USFEzpRdraI/AAAAAAAACS0/arTXfWRGqhk/s1600-h/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Feb & March decorations 016" border="0" alt="Feb & March decorations 016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nMuS6duFmBE/USFE0KsqTOI/AAAAAAAACS8/-yIOrRCvuRE/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I decided to play with my scraps & throw one together to see how it came out & to practice the block before making the final product. The result? YUCK! Totally not digging it. So I dug out some Celtic Fabric I’ve been hoarding for about 5 years now and…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RecinM2olGs/USFE04ClZHI/AAAAAAAACTE/6RgvOUIt-lQ/s1600-h/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Feb & March decorations 004" border="0" alt="Feb & March decorations 004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qqOLrEqjr_Q/USFE1hcLDtI/AAAAAAAACTM/3qgPQSHjO4w/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="534" height="357"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Oh yeah… much better!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KrW-juOdv7I/USFE2bA3YUI/AAAAAAAACTU/RZLNKr6yB70/s1600-h/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520005%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Feb & March decorations 005" border="0" alt="Feb & March decorations 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FE1FR8fOmwI/USFE22JV2ZI/AAAAAAAACTc/iOUZ8FQ8DGs/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520005_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="360"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Very much loving this one!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lckSxnoy7XM/USFE3o7KjqI/AAAAAAAACTk/HbdzpU2kybQ/s1600-h/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Feb & March decorations 006" border="0" alt="Feb & March decorations 006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0aw4aKHitDY/USFE4XtYPbI/AAAAAAAACTs/RA9XtQqlL6E/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="545" height="365"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And see all the pretty stitching my sewing machine has? Totally brought the table runner together, giving it a nice finished look!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zch8qX9X6bo/USFE5HCGEEI/AAAAAAAACT0/Pz8EVNZuzr4/s1600-h/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520017%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Feb & March decorations 017" border="0" alt="Feb & March decorations 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9Ds6KwHO5tE/USFE5iEvkHI/AAAAAAAACT8/DOv1Y3A1yWY/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520017_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="536" height="359"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Since the runner really is the only ‘St. Patrick’s’ Day decoration I have, I grabbed some random décor/green things from around the house. The white lotus bowl on the left is filled with dried peas (green right?), and the green lotus bowl on the right is filled with wine bottle corks! Add some random bottles (at least one of them is green!) cute tin basket, Dude’s cool driftwood angel, a small vase and a smelly melter & there you have it!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xoL1o8nrQYk/USFE6ZHtC0I/AAAAAAAACUE/PrzlXCf0Wic/s1600-h/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520013%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Feb & March decorations 013" border="0" alt="Feb & March decorations 013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8P_lp5tocYw/USFE7KbqPiI/AAAAAAAACUM/zHGFmtlXTSw/Feb%252520%252526%252520March%252520decorations%252520013_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="532"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Let’s not forget this years Christmas present from my mom! Not really St. Paddy’s, but nice and spring feeling & the right color!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So “Luck o’ the Irish” to you all, and have a happy St. Patrick’s day!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-63634454945181473332013-01-21T18:41:00.001-08:002013-01-21T18:44:28.939-08:00Fuzzy Baby Blankie!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YsivIQd4W_U/UP38OrXEUzI/AAAAAAAACQY/ENjkTQh7Fao/s1600-h/IMG_4945%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4945" border="0" alt="IMG_4945" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-smm93qVc1Bo/UP38PMBTiLI/AAAAAAAACQg/NYx02-ebUXs/IMG_4945_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="365"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I was wandering through Walmart the other day & came across these 50” x 60” fleece blankets for $2.88! I immediately thought of baby blankets… these would be a great backing! So I picked a couple up to make blankies for the pregnant women I know.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NPw5OkXFEXA/UP38P_F3iRI/AAAAAAAACQo/Hbf0VU4cUts/s1600-h/IMG_4946%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4946" border="0" alt="IMG_4946" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YuvNrzuKeAQ/UP38Qa0JNbI/AAAAAAAACQw/VxdsR0n4mhY/IMG_4946_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This morning I had the urge for a quilting fix, so I hauled out some random fabrics that matched the polka dot colors of the fleece blanket. I went with plain squares because I wanted a quick easy project I could finish in one day. I also scaled it down to 40” x 40” size.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CxfIvTbbQpc/UP38RNv5CFI/AAAAAAAACQ4/rvuo88la_OU/s1600-h/IMG_4948%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4948" border="0" alt="IMG_4948" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7w91cG6KCtc/UP38RjduHTI/AAAAAAAACRA/8bNvNYAU4pk/IMG_4948_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="368"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The colors seem to go well together! I didn’t use any batting in the quilt, just pieced the top & quilted it directly onto the fleece blanket. This makes it a lighter weight, but still warm blanket. Both pregnant women I know are having spring/summer babies, so these will be the perfect weight!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DFvp5k-6JVY/UP38SIy1A0I/AAAAAAAACRI/kQBb6DgdREo/s1600-h/IMG_4952%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4952" border="0" alt="IMG_4952" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tn_EMFYq0qs/UP38SjIkamI/AAAAAAAACRQ/lOh5I1NYgwo/IMG_4952_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="551" height="369"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I’m happy with the result, and my need for a quilting fix has been fulfilled!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5oUrdCpoAnk/UP38TI5ptrI/AAAAAAAACRY/oaWwgyhQ19s/s1600-h/IMG_4955%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4955" border="0" alt="IMG_4955" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cRrkQjMQ5S0/UP38Twk-bqI/AAAAAAAACRg/Vv4jQv3QPUc/IMG_4955_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="552" height="369"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">As a final touch I used the binding from the original blanket to tie it up with… cute!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The second baby is going to be a boy… the fleece I bought is sports themed… stay tuned for that one!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-8232142793531348552013-01-14T15:48:00.001-08:002013-01-14T15:48:15.479-08:00I CREATED AN OWL!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-liYATnr3Zjk/UPSZNAfoleI/AAAAAAAACPM/1sGj_5NdwXQ/s1600-h/Mug%252520Rug%252520%252526%252520Owl%252520014%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mug Rug & Owl 014" border="0" alt="Mug Rug & Owl 014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mh60fFEUO_E/UPSZN-sKi7I/AAAAAAAACPU/XUQt58I_b6Q/Mug%252520Rug%252520%252526%252520Owl%252520014_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="586" height="392"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">What with the holidays and my new job I haven’t had much time to be crafty lately! Today, I “gave in” to my NEED to create/craft something!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CdC2F9K5k4c/UPSZOoCsvkI/AAAAAAAACPc/d-QWI2tqNZo/s1600-h/Mug%252520Rug%252520%252526%252520Owl%252520007%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mug Rug & Owl 007" border="0" alt="Mug Rug & Owl 007" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vXUwWHDP6Zs/UPSZPpRLkrI/AAAAAAAACPk/tOwiooFcgHw/Mug%252520Rug%252520%252526%252520Owl%252520007_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="585" height="391"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Meet my felted owl! I need to come up with a name for him… any suggestions? He was inspired by <a href="http://www.buttonscreates.com/2011/05/wool-felt-pin-cushion.html" target="_blank">THIS</a> flicker photo…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">He’s made out of an old wool sweater, fabric, and wool felt. Cutie!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-59131911304917962142012-09-23T19:09:00.001-07:002012-09-23T20:06:13.012-07:00Quilt Along Star Two<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ch6mNe6fmHg/UF_OFYA45nI/AAAAAAAACOE/3G0zOJzgSuk/s1600-h/Sew%252520Stormy%252520Star%252520Along%252520002.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sew Stormy Star Along 002" border="0" alt="Sew Stormy Star Along 002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lFLLUh5wd88/UF_A5Oft3EI/AAAAAAAACOM/zWuzdyb1CdU/Sew%252520Stormy%252520Star%252520Along%252520002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="588" height="393"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I am SOOOOOO far behind on the quilt along with my sister over at <a href="http://sewstormy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">SewStormy</a>. She’s on Block 8! Ack! I actually finished this block (2) a couple of weeks ago, but life has been very hectic lately & I’m just getting it posted. Once again, I’m using the line ‘Modern Meadow’ by Joel Dewberry. Hopefully I can kick a few more blocks out soon!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-20kOmdOyvQU/UF_A6_K64kI/AAAAAAAACOQ/ooGEzAb2bso/s1600-h/Bags%252520%252526%252520Shannon%252527s%252520stars%252520004.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bags & Shannon's stars 004" border="0" alt="Bags & Shannon's stars 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DcUZtV3TeCA/UF_A7acXR3I/AAAAAAAACOU/4LIkl9XkKxs/Bags%252520%252526%252520Shannon%252527s%252520stars%252520004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="398"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Block 1 (in case you missed it). Go check out <a href="http://sewstormy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">SewStormy’s</a> site, the last couple of blocks I’ve never seen before and are very awesome!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-76509710882023563002012-09-01T20:39:00.001-07:002012-09-01T20:42:01.232-07:00End of Summer Update<p align="center"><font size="3">Drew found a Dragon in our back yard last week!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r6Ueg55E0cQ/UELURVRUUDI/AAAAAAAACEU/5zlpVmOPp2o/s1600-h/iphone%252520aug%2525202012%252520005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="iphone aug 2012 005" border="0" alt="iphone aug 2012 005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jIa_yfhXOrQ/UELUSLtJJcI/AAAAAAAACEc/DL4wy5_JwL4/iphone%252520aug%2525202012%252520005_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="460"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Luckily he and Douglas were able to kill it with their trusty PVC bows and Dowell arrows before it ate us! (Bows and arrows made by our neighbor Richard.. very cool..)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Un12sI9LV7w/UELUS3OO6jI/AAAAAAAACEk/oduvY3WrvwA/s1600-h/iphone%252520aug%2525202012%252520006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="iphone aug 2012 006" border="0" alt="iphone aug 2012 006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oep65iq0QIk/UELUTTFYyrI/AAAAAAAACEs/dlmciSfXFCw/iphone%252520aug%2525202012%252520006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="469"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">And then all of a sudden…School Started! Douglas is in 3rd Grade this year! Oh my…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7RmxPtvTLMk/UELUUGvdzlI/AAAAAAAACEw/mmR-ViDlMdM/s1600-h/iphone%252520aug%2525202012%252520012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="iphone aug 2012 012" border="0" alt="iphone aug 2012 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7NTnCvBJi2k/UELUUsr2uDI/AAAAAAAACE8/Y8G5HQQvOMY/iphone%252520aug%2525202012%252520012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="475"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Camera phone pictures.. not the best quality, but at least I got them! Douglas’ teacher this year is very fun. It’s going to be a good year for him!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N_LPP3nHRW8/UELUVfMFQfI/AAAAAAAACFE/xwPj7nADcKo/s1600-h/iphone%252520aug%2525202012%252520013-001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="iphone aug 2012 013-001" border="0" alt="iphone aug 2012 013-001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rz3kJHKudxY/UELUVwyc7VI/AAAAAAAACFM/jczz-JcBBFY/iphone%252520aug%2525202012%252520013-001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="478"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">And tonight we had one powerful rain/thunder/lightning storm come through… it was awesome! And the aftermath looked so clean and pretty, I thought I’d get some updated yard pictures taken!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qReTrRtkvkQ/UELUWVE2RAI/AAAAAAAACFU/brHh-jQOWwo/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520005%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 005" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qUT-ld2FWbA/UELUW9LEhKI/AAAAAAAACFc/RLcPooOjtcI/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520005_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="565" height="377"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Front of the house looking West (betcha couldn’t have figured that one out on your own).</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O2jnG1NAnoM/UELUXe_12OI/AAAAAAAACFk/HuDXN8pQ5Pg/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520003%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 003" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_o2u7qM0Qy8/UELUYMk4TuI/AAAAAAAACFs/nUaq7isfzIs/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520003_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="565" height="378"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Pretty pink cotton candy in the sky!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tRZj5FGSIhc/UELUYjdO8gI/AAAAAAAACF0/vjXzSlBqFQ4/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 001" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4KR0W7lBEkM/UELUZPnKXNI/AAAAAAAACF8/wjL2NMyY7I4/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="426"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G3GFIQbvStY/UELUZ24XD5I/AAAAAAAACGE/8MhPemHLvD8/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 007" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 007" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8XA9NErI4Rw/UELUabuiuCI/AAAAAAAACGM/TC8TByTBjqg/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="424"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">On the left…after storm rainbow through sunflowers! On the right, my new multi-colored rose bush planted earlier this summer. In bloom!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yE41LV7E-HQ/UELUbAFOFAI/AAAAAAAACGU/FnAK-E3he3Y/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520011%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 011" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wi5F6yPO2Vo/UELUbpLdwrI/AAAAAAAACGc/RYP-hsVGSUc/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520011_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="427"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Now the remaining shots all look like it’s nighttime, but really, they were taken seconds after the cotton candy shot! Just dusk, not night. This is my new flower bed in the front of the yard. Almost all flowers in it were donated by neighbors (except for the rose bush I scored on clearance!). They’re starting to fill out, this is going to be really pretty next year!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u_qe90KM2cg/UELUcQ1dR2I/AAAAAAAACGk/3c_wDX-Sdso/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520009%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 009" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i9t-9gin2L4/UELUdPLwkeI/AAAAAAAACGs/kqLmqg9J3kU/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520009_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="358"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The little Iron Trellis Dude made me.. it has a pink honeysuckle growing on it. He made the trellis out of an old porch support that was ripped down before we bought the house. But the remains were left behind! Good thing for us scavengers!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HVDf4vbLglE/UELUd27OYoI/AAAAAAAACG0/LWM_3HyDB50/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 013" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BIEIJbm_vxU/UELUeQAA1GI/AAAAAAAACG8/85gmlXMU8pQ/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Black-eyed Susans!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OP7qOcUywnk/UELUe9kyOzI/AAAAAAAACHE/cSBbsxIIg2E/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 012" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eFvnrIYi_SU/UELUfoSeJII/AAAAAAAACHM/t0xOCbjU7ao/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" height="362"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Dark Purple Butterfly Bush…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vRUcV6hXOZU/UELUgBIzUMI/AAAAAAAACHU/Wrcj4Jq7m1Y/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520014%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 014" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SABzFI1bEYU/UELUg6ysizI/AAAAAAAACHc/n9auIlJE2CI/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520014_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="361"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Lavender Butterfly Bush (this bloom is about 3 times as big as the dark purple)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f4h4N8s_voU/UELUhUld2YI/AAAAAAAACHk/g5PutwgZsqA/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520015%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 015" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rt3Vfc6P_4U/UELUiM9JlGI/AAAAAAAACHs/kt0z8Gf6LPw/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520015_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" height="362"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Our yearly volunteer Moonflowers. The bees LOVE these. The bloom on the right that is wound up is tomorrows bloom (they only open for one night then drop off), it unwinds slowly around dusk. The bees fight their way into the blooms and get stuck until they unwind. So what do I do almost every night? I walk around the yard pulling the blooms open and releasing trapped bees… entertaining…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P5LF2Jb-fR4/UELUjIo7UbI/AAAAAAAACH0/I8qxTfqnNBA/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520017%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 017" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f7muH5LlS5Y/UELUjgIVtuI/AAAAAAAACH8/z7lt0yLfKDw/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520017_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" height="362"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The Moonflowers are almost like Kudzu.. this one is swallowing a bike and a scooter..with a second bike looking good for dessert.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k6RwWHIMgZ4/UELUkUF2PQI/AAAAAAAACIE/yxu-GjtkCds/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520016%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 016" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-td5GnfxwCII/UELUlANtEiI/AAAAAAAACIM/FhttbSwuadI/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520016_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">And yet more volunteer Moonflowers growing out of our driveway cracks! Prettier than our old driveway, and out of the way, so I let them go. Lots of bee traps there…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3MMOycAQ-bE/UELUl8ejwoI/AAAAAAAACIU/XlPpQKsLv5g/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520018%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 018" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8qYeQFelUPU/UELUmXFRn7I/AAAAAAAACIc/ja3E22Rw3Uo/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520018_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="364"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">And this years Tomato crop. Remember how I decided to do the square foot gardening thing and plant 1 tomato plant per square foot? I created a monster! The trellis is barely holding them up, so the plants decided to cascade out of the hot tub. It’s a jungle. There are tons of red tomatoes in the interior of the jungle, so I make the kids go on a ‘treasure hunt’ and find them for me! Next year I’m planting about 1/2 as many in this space.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0inwlNlAulM/UELUnKDV9XI/AAAAAAAACIk/r7ueKvZZzkI/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520020%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 020" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dKTT4UMsi9I/UELUn-rSDmI/AAAAAAAACIs/7JtPi_b2qFA/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520020_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" height="362"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">So I’m educating myself with a few ‘let’s not do this again’ ideas this year. The one in this shot is the dark green Pole Beans growing up the right side of the trellis. Yes, they’re doing well! However, I didn’t think of them grabbing onto the Wisteria (lighter green leaves) and continuing to climb. These didn’t produce until late September last year, so no beans from them yet, but it sure is going to be fun finding them 1/2 way up the house!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The bed itself now has Cucumbers, Kohlrabi, Carrots, Bush B</font><font size="3">eans, Brussels Sprouts, and the odd volunteer Tomato plant from last year!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uvd9N_OTsGE/UELUokJqDNI/AAAAAAAACI0/5-7YR8PqG2w/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520021%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 021" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GfZ5-dJfwPw/UELUpKrYaOI/AAAAAAAACI8/ZBNf4wRfdrM/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520021_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="358"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">On the left, my new fence post garden bed! FULL of Yellow Crookneck Squash and Cabbage. This is my first year trying Cabbage, I only have one successful head.. the other four fell to aphids. But the aphids haven’t found my Brussels Sprouts yet!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9rWfLVLWo1s/UELUqDNv-bI/AAAAAAAACJE/pAvOdECZQKk/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 023" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cHQI9-rNCqo/UELUqnjD82I/AAAAAAAACJM/s82xamjmRtY/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520023_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="361"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Drew’s only Snake Gourd. We planted about 20 seeds, got about 4 plants, and only 1 gourd. And it’s not ‘snaking’ because gravity is pulling it straight. Next year no trellis!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EOLDTXm_yXo/UELUrDQ-2LI/AAAAAAAACJU/Q0vu-I4MEYc/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520028%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 028" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oYoNoMiV4ns/UELUruXAZ1I/AAAAAAAACJc/ptlDu4LRe-g/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520028_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" height="362"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">One of our MANY Acorn Squash’s! </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SuaCBlbBNL4/UELUsWVMnFI/AAAAAAAACJk/IsUwCUiWagY/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520024%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 024" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oGPb-TfH__4/UELUs7xyf6I/AAAAAAAACJs/SmivPsBk68k/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520024_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="364"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The Gazebo is full of Acorn Squash.. last time I counted we were at 14, but I’m sure I’ve missed a few!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IDkLxCyu6bg/UELUtxagavI/AAAAAAAACJ0/8xoZ81fFw34/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520030%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 030" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1kCNX2hE5zM/UELUusseJ1I/AAAAAAAACJ8/dElUunnP4gg/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520030_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="365"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">And our BASKETBALL crop! Isn’t that what they look like? We’ve got at least10 pumpkins growing along the back fence, all nice and healthy! There are also bell peppers and raspberries growing in this back bed. I pulled all the onions up earlier this week (20+ onions) to let them begin to ‘cure’. I found a blog that said you need to leave them in the sun for about 3 weeks to form the outer papery skin before storing them. I had to haul them under the carport to avoid rainstorms during the past few days, but once they’re clear, the onions will go back out into the sun again. I’ll post results when done!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O90NXdWhE3I/UELUvj_A_rI/AAAAAAAACKE/6sEDBcR0ECw/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520031%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 031" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z7_neT1pqXo/UELUwAK5JGI/AAAAAAAACKM/aw6U4jr7M1c/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="366"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Happy little pumpkin…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p7ZACT78Z0Q/UELUxBdUm_I/AAAAAAAACKU/a415cgeMJjc/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520035%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 035" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 035" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qc4NYHlLKYA/UELUxi9_dHI/AAAAAAAACKc/1bYC5zsxWTY/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520035_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="368"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Our Basil well! The old wishing well lost it’s roof this year and became an herb garden! There’s actually 4 Thyme bushes and 2 types of Basil in here, but the most common Basil is taking over! The Thyme will survive the winter and come back yearly, so I’m going to re-locate the Basil bed next year. We had a fresh homemade pesto pizza this week for dinner… soooo good!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yTAJ-vPNkSE/UELUydrV3YI/AAAAAAAACKk/iSAYaYcjNFg/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520036%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 036" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 036" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--bjqF5Y1AAs/UELUzFV520I/AAAAAAAACKs/ZPb3JuGnrYc/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520036_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="367"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Volunteer Sunflowers and Moonflowers. Way back in the corner are 2 Zucchini plants. I have to fight my way back to them every couple of days to harvest..</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jy4a-MMY8Tk/UELUzxt_RoI/AAAAAAAACK0/PAqr56Dl7Dk/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520037%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 037" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 037" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TaqunZDo2dE/UELU0dMIi7I/AAAAAAAACK8/Lwd6FVeQzgs/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520037_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="552" height="369"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The back of the house.. and Shadow’s nose.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7nf1SO5LPS0/UELU1HfoWYI/AAAAAAAACLE/7MDeMs1Gkg4/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520038%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 038" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LLAU-S1V5gc/UELU1om0kyI/AAAAAAAACLM/JY5g4ZSY-1w/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520038_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="368"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Dude’s hanging Pepper planter. Not hanging at the moment because the wind was knocking it around, but it is doing very well! We’ve had TONS of banana peppers off of it this year! I’ll be drying a bunch of them, we can’t eat them quick enough!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_3km_-TGMUQ/UELU2XzARtI/AAAAAAAACLU/p5SaPAG2PPQ/s1600-h/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520039%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 039" border="0" alt="Sept 1 Yard and Rainstorm 039" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pGcYtqRtTig/UELU26teSuI/AAAAAAAACLc/hntg5gsUjs4/Sept%2525201%252520Yard%252520and%252520Rainstorm%252520039_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="562" height="376"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">And lastly… the aforementioned curing Onions! Not the biggest, I also heard (too late) that if you push them back into the ground just as they start to grow above it, they will get bigger and fatter. Next year!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">So that’s it for today’s updates! Stay tuned….</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-54653867598970811642012-08-26T08:40:00.001-07:002012-08-26T08:40:06.731-07:00Baby Shower Gifts!<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vWbTpOgbzdc/UDpDSeLD7wI/AAAAAAAACDQ/_Y1vKGR9gf4/s1600-h/Bags%252520%252526%252520Shannon%252527s%252520stars%252520001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bags & Shannon's stars 001" border="0" alt="Bags & Shannon's stars 001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3K28sgSrzHg/UDpDTm74wkI/AAAAAAAACDY/PenCwuE4dHU/Bags%252520%252526%252520Shannon%252527s%252520stars%252520001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="589" height="394"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Two of my friends have recently given birth to their 4th and 3rd children respectively…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">As I pondered what to make/give them in congratulation, I came across a </font><a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/07/tutorial-reversible-lined-color-blocked-tote.html" target="_blank"><font size="4">reversible tote tutorial</font></a><font size="4"> and thought, what a great idea! These moms already have TONS of kid stuff, both of their babies are girls, and both have big sisters and tons of hand me downs. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">How about I make a gift for MOM to help with BABY stuff?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-72XDhxaAUDU/UDpDUQu4OEI/AAAAAAAACDg/VZxbKv5sfQw/s1600-h/Bags%252520%252526%252520Shannon%252527s%252520stars%252520002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bags & Shannon's stars 002" border="0" alt="Bags & Shannon's stars 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gs4j6amezeA/UDpDVIl59RI/AAAAAAAACDo/ugH3R66Pl9Y/Bags%252520%252526%252520Shannon%252527s%252520stars%252520002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="589" height="394"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So thanks again to Dana at <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/" target="_blank">Danamadeit.com</a> (I love her blog…she is so creative and has TONS of great ideas!) I whipped out 2 canvas reversible totes!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Both mom’s loved them, and one of them confided after opening it, that she was dreading all the ‘pink’ gifts, because she really doesn’t like pink. She received the tree/yellow stripes tote and was in love with it!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">What a fun easy project! Of course I SHOULD make a couple for myself one of these days…</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-52507703617600455112012-08-19T08:52:00.001-07:002012-08-19T08:52:29.882-07:00CRAB SPIDER!<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5Ow387FwVAo/UDELr19lU0I/AAAAAAAACB8/f8fNZIlGwbQ/s1600-h/Crab%252520Spider%252521%252520001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Crab Spider! 001" border="0" alt="Crab Spider! 001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dwGewdVy7hc/UDELsu4AQoI/AAAAAAAACCE/DAv7MrC0q2Y/Crab%252520Spider%252521%252520001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="545" height="365"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Lookee what I found in our back yard last night!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kJhGxe2pqsI/UDELtcZ37PI/AAAAAAAACCM/c6TQo35kT_c/s1600-h/Crab%252520Spider%252521%252520020%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Crab Spider! 020" border="0" alt="Crab Spider! 020" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4_NE0Y1JO5k/UDELt4JglrI/AAAAAAAACCU/sagYKANdlXI/Crab%252520Spider%252521%252520020_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="589"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Some kind of crab spider is my guess… not the smallest spider I’ve ever seen…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Nice and fuzzy.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1t0NRB-Tlvg/UDELutfN_EI/AAAAAAAACCc/uzVh5WqQMJk/s1600-h/Crab%252520Spider%252521%252520017%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Crab Spider! 017" border="0" alt="Crab Spider! 017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QpI5cKExnwg/UDELvMAgjfI/AAAAAAAACCk/AYhUyowviEY/Crab%252520Spider%252521%252520017_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="591"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">My kids are in ‘bug heaven’ of course..</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">In my 10 years of living in this house, and gardening in this yard, I have never come across anything like this. Neither have any of my avid gardening neighbors. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Very interesting….</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-19879646967663421372012-08-12T20:00:00.001-07:002012-08-12T20:00:49.680-07:00Sew Stormy Quilt Along<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4TAIneQEFeo/UCht3gv3enI/AAAAAAAACBI/4m7fbiXB-u8/s1600-h/Bags%252520%252526%252520Shannon%252527s%252520stars%252520004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bags & Shannon's stars 004" border="0" alt="Bags & Shannon's stars 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iLneF-WRl9Q/UCht4NRJPII/AAAAAAAACBQ/hqVi8JiSGbQ/Bags%252520%252526%252520Shannon%252527s%252520stars%252520004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="563" height="377"></a></p> <p><font size="3">My sister over at <a href="http://http://sewstormy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sew Stormy</a> has decided to host a Star Sampler Quilt Along. </font></p> <p><font size="3">I’m so ridiculously busy lately, that I actually laughed at her when she called to invite me to participate… but whaddaya know… the NEED to create something with fabric has overcome me this weekend, & I actually completed the first weekly block!</font></p> <p><font size="3">I’m using a favorite line of mine, Modern Meadows by Joel Dewberry. This is a line I have been HORDING, waiting for the perfect project to come along for it. I gotta say, a Star Sampler has to be one of the most perfect projects out there!</font></p> <p><font size="3">So THANK YOU Stormy for coming up with the idea! </font></p> <p><font size="3">Stay tuned for block 2!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-26867412878641544862012-08-01T15:31:00.001-07:002012-08-03T10:16:23.602-07:00Backyard Bunker Visit<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We had an opportunity to visit with a friend today at his home. He is a retired Vietnam Huey/Cobra Helicopter pilot who is very involved in emergency preparedness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">**I apologize for the picture quality… I didn’t think of taking my good camera, (duh! smack to forhead!) so I made do with my iphone camera**</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The first project he showed us is one he’s currently working on…PeePee stations!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qe7zRqAAgHg/UBmtphHMG-I/AAAAAAAAB7g/_wAjMnF-RkQ/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520060%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 060" border="0" height="542" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WIGK65DLEXw/UBmtp_osazI/AAAAAAAAB7o/qR3P7auWDaE/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520060_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 060" width="409" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">You can see a screen covering the hole, it is being used to keep unwanted bugs and critters out.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t9DeJjeSoB8/UBmtqtGgcGI/AAAAAAAAB7w/1Pm_4Pi_YOg/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520061%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 061" border="0" height="547" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k9_azZw0q6o/UBmtrBCDAFI/AAAAAAAAB74/MgrMKLvPcm8/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520061_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 061" width="411" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He’s making these out of hardware store supplies. This is a basically a funnel, large enough for a body to sit on, with a screen taped in above the hole, and foam lining the rim. </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hDYBlmPbxag/UBmtsGD24qI/AAAAAAAAB8A/OFxQMBoUIl8/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520062%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 062" border="0" height="545" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--wdfzJqPU70/UBmtsptvOtI/AAAAAAAAB8I/DYZb6xfst3s/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520062_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 062" width="410" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He then plans to dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the green tubing on the left, and a couple of feet of gravel below it. Once the tube is set, one of the green ‘sprinkler’ covers on the right will be placed on top of it to conceal it until needed. The seat can be installed when needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The urine will filter through the gravel and leech back into the soil underground.<br />I’ve found a bunch of conflicting info. about using urine to water/feed plants with, for example: </span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Urine is an excellent source of minerals including potassium, magnesium, and especially nitrogen, albeit not in the correct form right away. Diluting urine and watering plants is good. <br />The salts that are in urine will be broken down by the "microherd" residing in your gardens and compost heaps.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">And:</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Keep a watering can near the door and outside tap. Collect urine in (marked)Nalgene containers, which have screw-on tops that really do not leak, even if dropped. mix 1 jar with a watering can of water, and water selected plants. Comfrey and rhubarb, which are both nitrogen loving plants can take a very strong solution. Most other plants require a much more dilute preparation, as the acid will burn them. I do not use urine on food plants where the urine will contact the part eaten withing 2-4 weeks of picking. </i></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>It's best uses are for bushes, shrubs, and trees, the comfrey patches, ornamentals, for compost, and for off-season fertilization when sheet mulching, etc.</i></span> </div>
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Both comments were posted <a href="http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/permacult/msg050138566332.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">So basically what I’m getting out of it is; it is safe to leach urine, just don’t water food plants with it either directly or close enough for it to soak into them.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Onto the next subject….</span> </div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IuJZ76i0gG0/UBmttgZEiHI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/sIoSInLHaeQ/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520068%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 068" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kFQ7zX99qPw/UBmtuWCzohI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/MpPcfCpYXdU/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520068_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 068" width="565" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This is his garden. IT IS BEAUTIFUL! I didn’t get pictures to do it justice, but you can see it being built on his <a href="http://homepreparednessconsultants.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He uses ‘depression’ beds, which are basically 3 inch deep squares/rectangles where he plants his veggies. He floods them to water them, somewhat like rice paddies…</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UEIX4YI7fMo/UBmtvNCXrSI/AAAAAAAAB8g/aBfpsVOuw7g/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520071%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 071" border="0" height="540" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wmUNeeAebPA/UBmtv0cDG_I/AAAAAAAAB8o/cgfz7CVzvIM/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520071_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 071" width="407" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Each ‘patch’ is in a 3” depressed bed.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-knVW07s1ZME/UBmtww73RxI/AAAAAAAAB8w/ylfWa_wK5PA/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520072%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 072" border="0" height="539" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EtMI1YVgt0Q/UBmtxmJ39fI/AAAAAAAAB84/Kxs5ybefnto/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520072_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 072" width="404" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He grows his squash vertically in these wire frames he’s made out of <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/Search?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&keyword=concrete%20grid&Ns=None&Ntpr=1&Ntpc=1&selectedCatgry=SEARCH+ALL" target="_blank">concrete wire mesh</a>. He makes them 12, 10, and 8 squares wide, then they stack inside each other for winter storage.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fbEg1ks9WIY/UBmtyaiB8dI/AAAAAAAAB9A/RddswR1MmBE/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520063%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 063" border="0" height="542" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v8Uf18WlX1c/UBmtzvV2hkI/AAAAAAAAB9I/S6cH5z8lZ5k/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520063_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 063" width="407" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Beds of carrots, bush beans, and an empty bed where his peas were this spring. (volunteer beans here and there)</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f7QPygbZ1-U/UBmt0ev-qzI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/A-Kca7PYauQ/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520066%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 066" border="0" height="543" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LBHDx02zPcI/UBmt1MRbkNI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/WctZZEUvIPY/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520066_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 066" width="409" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The whole garden is elevated and surrounded by raspberry bushes. The garden itself sits on top of the bomb/earthquake shelter. You can see one of the 2 vents from his shelter in the raspberries here…(the rounded brown thing almost smack in the middle of the picture. And no, that is not his house in the backgroud)</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-olbPJVLOo80/UBmt1yBX7CI/AAAAAAAAB9g/6SBcrSQ0O8o/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520075%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 075" border="0" height="422" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J3uR03Gf5Z4/UBmt2n4vcAI/AAAAAAAAB9o/0x9naAdfCms/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520075_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 075" width="562" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Speaking of shelters… we found the hatch!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ovU5KPNCwuA/UBmt3qpmnII/AAAAAAAAB9w/q3f3moGMuF4/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520074%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 074" border="0" height="567" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EX8n8TQKK34/UBmt4FZ9nnI/AAAAAAAAB94/cZatnT4KOLQ/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520074_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 074" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The shelter is built to Nuclear Bomb ‘specs’ but is not insulated/buried deep enough to qualify as a one. The hatch slopes down into the ground at about a 60/65 degree angle, with a steel extension ladder to back down on. </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BIhV9p3JJr0/UBmt5N7vm3I/AAAAAAAAB-A/AMrfOqBr2s4/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520086%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 086" border="0" height="565" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HfYU8zL3otQ/UBmt712JRxI/AAAAAAAAB-I/wyVpxYMG3Aw/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520086_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 086" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">At the bottom of the entry tube is a 90 degree angle and a 10 (or so) foot pipe leading into the shelter. </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c18rxMCgzTA/UBmt8hsSwxI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/a5NkomhC-PU/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520076%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 076" border="0" height="566" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z3t_nVBYm4E/UBmt9OgYdHI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/B0Q_GWjDo74/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520076_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 076" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The shelter itself runs 90 degrees to the entry pipe. The entrance is actually tucked back to the right of this picture, behind the 4 white boxes stacked on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_IVxiQXIqc4/UBmt9sFFRPI/AAAAAAAAB-g/TmZzk7mT67c/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520084%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 084" border="0" height="574" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZLFgQKrWntg/UBmt-HAIwtI/AAAAAAAAB-o/Y2BrLHAj6To/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520084_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 084" width="431" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The shelter itself is a long corrugated tube about 9’ x 24’. and is made out of a <a href="http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/corrugated-metal-pipe-culvert.html" target="_blank">culvert pipe</a>. Take note of the braces for the lighting. He built them with a “single pin” in each corner to allow flexibility/compression in the shelter in an earthquake.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sDhwMpkr90o/UBmt-q1e01I/AAAAAAAAB-w/6gdfqzghyYg/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520087%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 087" border="0" height="575" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CRirBFv5fJI/UBmt_ZvRDSI/AAAAAAAAB-4/66JfsEH7A_4/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520087_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 087" width="432" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I should have made sure this shot wasn’t fuzzy. This is looking down the length of the shelter from the access point. Say Hi!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xU1pcGwEtrM/UBmt_2CteJI/AAAAAAAAB_A/Hhgir1xVmig/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520078%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 078" border="0" height="580" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z-aFrzzdFbU/UBmuAi2TZ9I/AAAAAAAAB_I/2vkyd4OJEB8/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520078_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 078" width="435" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The far end of the tube. The table converts to beds of course, and 1/2 of the supplies leading to this end can be moved into the opening of the shelter to create more bed space. He said he can sleep 12 people in this shelter.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HROSgTRWPfA/UBmuBtv-0iI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/Hc8JsZBYl-I/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520085%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 085" border="0" height="419" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gHmRPLsb-zA/UBmuCGQVxNI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/ZOzvFPkAhBg/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520085_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 085" width="557" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">That number brought up the discussion of sanitation of course. He showed us some of his PooPoo solutions down below. </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ryo8_oj-dtU/UBmuDKE0uuI/AAAAAAAAB_g/2_ioKoqn51g/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520079%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 079" border="0" height="606" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lP_a2-2858k/UBmuDv3HU9I/AAAAAAAAB_o/DfxZUT2lYFg/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520079_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 079" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This is a Sanitation kit for 50 people. You can see the contents </span><a href="http://www.michigancivildefense.com/skiv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;">. He told us he paid $15 for it at Smith and Edwards. I don’t know how long ago that was, or if they still stock them, but if you’re out and about, it’d be a good thing to keep an eye out for!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cx5qaQsWlOA/UBmuErvZncI/AAAAAAAAB_w/6jelYmyGeYk/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520080%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 080" border="0" height="608" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LUyNlZy-NBc/UBmuFYPqmwI/AAAAAAAAB_4/EmIbBBBsj8o/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520080_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 080" width="457" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Here’s another product I hadn’t seen before. The EZ Towel. These are paper/cloth towels compacted into tablets. just unwrap the tablet and add water. Very durable, he had one out that we stretched and pulled without ripping it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I found them on Amazon ranging from $3 – $8/bag of 50.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hlo_he27ofY/UBmuHfVht9I/AAAAAAAACAA/aR0t0slepEg/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520083%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 083" border="0" height="434" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RgoGHO-ygZ8/UBmuH9KC7uI/AAAAAAAACAI/n7O7FQcKHUU/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520083_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 083" width="578" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">And these are holders/reflectors for glow sticks. (See the yellow one on the right). You clip the glow sticks into these and reflect more light from them. Clever! He said he got them online (I believe?).. I’ll have to ask again because I can’t find them. May be relatively easy to make however!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iQNiL8MzaS4/UBmuIlJ4slI/AAAAAAAACAQ/Qnm9p0LFZtQ/s1600-h/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520069%25255B23%25255D.jpg"><img alt="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 069" border="0" height="442" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3SDcCF3vdJA/UBmuJKi-IkI/AAAAAAAACAY/38lkMnZTwEc/08-01-2012%252520Steff%252527s%252520Phoe%252520069_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="08-01-2012 Steff's Phoe 069" width="587" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">And last, I forgot to mention the bees he keeps. This is a home for Mason bees. Each of the females in this family is fertile. They lay their eggs in hollow reeds or mud, or any long narrow tube. They do not produce honey or beeswax, but they do pollinate for you! And they don’t sting. He drilled holes in a couple of blocks of 4x4’s (all the way through, using a 3/8” bit) and you can see how some of them have been filled with eggs for next year. The males hatch first, hang out for the females to emerge, mate with them, then die. The females then gather nectar to feed the eggs, lay an egg on a mound of nectar, close the hold with mud, then repeats until the cavity is full of eggs. Great way to get your garden pollinated!</span></div>
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<br />Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-69725937560542341572012-07-22T22:27:00.001-07:002012-07-22T22:29:17.901-07:00Adventures on the Great Salt Lake (again…)<p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FwKpT2oZnBI/UAzgq39ghII/AAAAAAAAB6w/pHWNCDEaAr0/s1600-h/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GSL Kayaking 004" border="0" alt="GSL Kayaking 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5kZwAvEhq-w/UAzgrtehLMI/AAAAAAAAB60/rm4bJWsy6Xc/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="603" height="403"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So we took Dudley’s ‘FINISHED!’ kayak out to the GSL today for her maiden voyage…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BM_Q_CK7iJE/UAzgsdOQ0jI/AAAAAAAAB64/WdN_GWy3e8c/s1600-h/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520058%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GSL Kayaking 058" border="0" alt="GSL Kayaking 058" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YjUKvEsqSIo/UAzgs1AzI1I/AAAAAAAAB68/eqcXxrel3FM/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520058_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="404"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The kids and I didn’t just stand on the dock and watch…the three of us piled into our 2-man inflatable kayak for HER maiden voyage, but seeing as how I was trying not to sink the thing (we may have been carrying slightly more weight than it was rated for), as well as being in control of our main propulsion (yes Douglas, dragging your paddle in the water as I try to maneuver the kayak IS a big help…), I didn’t manage to get the kodak moment I so desired…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J1KNbKngtso/UAzgt8ij0eI/AAAAAAAAB7A/ysrhq6xBtqs/s1600-h/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520063%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GSL Kayaking 063" border="0" alt="GSL Kayaking 063" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QkUxWEA4tuE/UAzgu-t6UCI/AAAAAAAAB7E/lqgq7Ix3GfM/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520063_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="616" height="412"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But enough about my adventures… Dude’s kayak is AWESOME! It moves very well through the water and is sooooo easy to paddle! (especially after the inflatable kayak experience!). I took my turn gliding through the marina in it, but those photo’s are on Dude’s camera. Will have to post later…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Dude spent some good time in it, and even left the marina, paddled to the 1/2 mile marker outside the mouth of the marina, and back in. It didn’t take him all that long to do it either!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vSwjdNPITpc/UAzgvlN_pQI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/hA6kbbxnTo0/s1600-h/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520022%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GSL Kayaking 022" border="0" alt="GSL Kayaking 022" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8TVICHRfePs/UAzgwCtqivI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/SazqQIqmmDM/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520022_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="620"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">In the meantime, I tried to use our time as a photo opportunity to get a couple of good shots of the boys…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YCHFT-EjiLE/UAzgw97T8aI/AAAAAAAAB5g/uUfC1WN-SvY/s1600-h/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520023%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GSL Kayaking 023" border="0" alt="GSL Kayaking 023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7LOEcTDwlRk/UAzgxkXQKYI/AAAAAAAAB5o/70U3y1f2EcY/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520023_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="620"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I think they may be ‘funky chicken’ in this one…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OBTFBRBvONU/UAzgydZ4XRI/AAAAAAAAB5w/AqtxLH9tFMk/s1600-h/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520024%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GSL Kayaking 024" border="0" alt="GSL Kayaking 024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XUu1YcWW-iU/UAzgy2ssrRI/AAAAAAAAB54/3T0icQKRac8/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520024_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="623"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Definitely Groovin’ to the Music here…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qziojZzh3pE/UAzgz3EIhGI/AAAAAAAAB6A/YFesUBQzdG4/s1600-h/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520026%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GSL Kayaking 026" border="0" alt="GSL Kayaking 026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yFZK71R5R1k/UAzg0b94uGI/AAAAAAAAB6I/_MQqW1AaCYg/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520026_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="624"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And something between a Pirate and Charley’s Angels pose here.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">(I would like you to notice the proximity of Drew’s head to Douglas’ shoulder here…and to remind you there is 5 years difference between these two, and of course the fact that Drew is still 3!.. I’m afraid I might have created a Hagrid.)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OX-hIGHdRz4/UAzg1MWhn2I/AAAAAAAAB7I/MGeEIeeUshA/s1600-h/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520031%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GSL Kayaking 031" border="0" alt="GSL Kayaking 031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-quHyD5CdpvE/UAzg1iak_CI/AAAAAAAAB7M/WU4rdTz4L4g/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="631" height="422"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">During our photo opp, we paid a visit to some of our old roommates and neighbors.. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--qqfEL0qpic/UAzg2OibAAI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/rwcQYhGdYAg/s1600-h/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520035%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GSL Kayaking 035" border="0" alt="GSL Kayaking 035" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rvG0ONaKHCQ/UAzg2kYpkXI/AAAAAAAAB7U/bJBYVlo---0/GSL%252520Kayaking%252520035_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="632" height="423"></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Douglas was SURE they were throwing a party of some kind. They did seem to be congregated in numbers, but this example is in reality a VERY SMALL sampling of the alive and thriving community of Orb Weavers that call the Great Salt Lake home. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Oh how I miss the good ol’ days…</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-70424654332913504922012-07-08T22:13:00.001-07:002012-07-08T22:16:00.713-07:00JULY Updates!<p align="center"><font size="4">Life has stayed crazy…so I’m attempting a quick catch-up post…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AGnG9O6RcY4/T_poarCHY5I/AAAAAAAAB3A/TUGxUSh31vI/s1600-h/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520048%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 048" border="0" alt="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 048" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3YKN_zoimjY/T_pobIbeivI/AAAAAAAAB3I/NGBJzPUz_m0/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520048_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="367"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Here’s a sampling of what we’ve been getting out of our garden lately…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Snow peas, purple beans, zucchini, a couple of green beans, carrots, and the last of the radishes… (note…the purple beans turned green when we steamed them….weird. But they taste WONDERFUL!)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PSNmHCX3rbo/T_pob4W4g_I/AAAAAAAAB3Q/idKkNaMjV18/s1600-h/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520051%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 051" border="0" alt="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 051" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Uz3c6ju2sQM/T_pocWPzzVI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/HG8t6wD5XBo/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520051_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="367"></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Dude and the kids climbed up on top of the Land Rover to watch fireworks on the 4th of July…I was experimenting with my camera…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4bQsmjjrbWM/T_pocntudFI/AAAAAAAAB3g/bZzh6Yji4e8/s1600-h/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520052%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 052" border="0" alt="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 052" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MaRfzjFi2Q4/T_podA8UXPI/AAAAAAAAB3o/4SJo_fUJjtA/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520052_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="370"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I took a couple of ‘no flash’ shots…I’m not setting something right, because the camera didn’t react quickly enough to catch any fireworks..</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G-VKMvPko_w/T_podlD5cII/AAAAAAAAB3w/ESobBd8voCM/s1600-h/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520064%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 064" border="0" alt="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 064" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s7UkR_MYYC8/T_poeNwKBBI/AAAAAAAAB34/zsB9O-OZk0A/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520064_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="552" height="369"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So then I tried a few ‘open’ exposure shots…I was standing on the bumper trying to hold still, but this is a bit blurry. It does show the difference in the light gathering capabilities of the two settings rather well though!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vG9d9gvt6So/T_poes-GICI/AAAAAAAAB4A/WtJpwHdh4Tg/s1600-h/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520067%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 067" border="0" alt="Fathers Day - July 8 2012 067" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-per5aDVDwlo/T_pofDGigjI/AAAAAAAAB4I/WUjNBYsA4wk/Fathers%252520Day%252520-%252520July%2525208%2525202012%252520067_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And the last cutest picture here… My Christmas present from mom this year! Cute little elf! I added the buttons to the vest and the bell to the hat tonight, she is soooo stinking cute! (she just might be hanging around for more than Christmas I have a feeling) Thanks mom!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Stay tuned for a pincushion collection post!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-81512711631001930872012-06-23T16:48:00.001-07:002012-06-23T16:48:24.738-07:00Jewelry Roll<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9JsPOEIdFJU/T-ZVwenawhI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/liroHJvtWIU/s1600-h/IMG_4675%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4675" border="0" alt="IMG_4675" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fgg8qo6D0DE/T-ZVwm4St3I/AAAAAAAAB2g/OnDVb4Mgg4k/IMG_4675_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="467"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I managed to finish a jewelry roll today! I’ve only been working on it for one and a half months…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--m1GJeL9NUk/T-ZVxYvU8dI/AAAAAAAAB2o/q3ZZfYnJGmU/s1600-h/IMG_4678%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4678" border="0" alt="IMG_4678" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tH-VVXrqcY4/T-ZVx6y7Q3I/AAAAAAAAB2w/Lw8hyTjYGA0/IMG_4678_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="353"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This one is for a friend who lent us a stroller for our Disneyland trip. The trip would have been VERY difficult without it, so thank you Shay!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-11800919766628791932012-06-19T13:02:00.001-07:002012-06-19T13:08:54.360-07:00Fathers Day!<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z2kdhGtRYEE/T-DamenRJLI/AAAAAAAAB1s/q0Lbd6T_hw0/s1600-h/2012-06-16%25252017.07.02%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-16 17.07.02" border="0" alt="2012-06-16 17.07.02" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LJtCo1R4H3M/T-DanECkV9I/AAAAAAAAB1w/bcTmMVGq4Qc/2012-06-16%25252017.07.02_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="602" height="403"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Our friend Josh took us sailing on Saturday, It was a great Fathers Day present for Dude & awesome first sailing experience for the boys!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OeuAcmgdndI/T-Danqa7pYI/AAAAAAAAB10/eOLDAEbPAkU/s1600-h/2012-06-16%25252017.07.29%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-16 17.07.29" border="0" alt="2012-06-16 17.07.29" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3wNLtR9QvCI/T-DaoHzpQgI/AAAAAAAAB14/ZKXkUXUSLwk/2012-06-16%25252017.07.29_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="404"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I’m not sure what they’re pointing at here, but it must have been good.. everyone was looking and pointing but me!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--omlQMuIV7I/T-DaolvrlSI/AAAAAAAAB0c/4i-5KI2PDgI/s1600-h/2012-06-16%25252017.08.15%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-16 17.08.15" border="0" alt="2012-06-16 17.08.15" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a27idwrWJHU/T-DapGqTzeI/AAAAAAAAB0k/pHobdjJpomI/2012-06-16%25252017.08.15_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="586"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I don’t think Drew had ANY fun…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pEJyiSocE0A/T-Dapi_O2CI/AAAAAAAAB18/6h26LlkISbE/s1600-h/2012-06-16%25252017.08.26-2%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-16 17.08.26-2" border="0" alt="2012-06-16 17.08.26-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lbPtGijGScw/T-DaqaQ2UTI/AAAAAAAAB2A/7sJSRVwagNk/2012-06-16%25252017.08.26-2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="609" height="408"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">And Douglas and Dude REALLY didn’t have any fun…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5mEjuJfwPIg/T-DarNrd74I/AAAAAAAAB2E/POQ8QGmEMlw/s1600-h/2012-06-16%25252017.49.02%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-16 17.49.02" border="0" alt="2012-06-16 17.49.02" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-phniJrPLgEU/T-DarrKkfaI/AAAAAAAAB2I/rKOMf9kkZcY/2012-06-16%25252017.49.02_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="612" height="410"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Josh was entertained by us all, and enjoyed having kids onboard again…we all reminisced about his 3 girls when they were young, they used to hop boats during cruises & sailed with us for hours at a time. One of our best memories is them playing ‘Hide and Seek’ on our boat. Hide? Where? Too funny.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fjbo01An764/T-DasdWlnwI/AAAAAAAAB2M/RDdO-txo0Nk/s1600-h/2012-06-16%25252018.23.28%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-16 18.23.28" border="0" alt="2012-06-16 18.23.28" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e7gzDXv4Ts0/T-DatPmsSZI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/HyfLVEXPjuA/2012-06-16%25252018.23.28_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="415"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Couldn’t get Drew to open his eyes for this one, but he and Douglas navigated up to the bow and back repeatedly.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2b7AV1r2gts/T-DatsyYCJI/AAAAAAAAB1c/ZhNvkLqdGEQ/s1600-h/2012-06-16%25252018.23.49%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-16 18.23.49" border="0" alt="2012-06-16 18.23.49" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VIk8WEeMHXY/T-DauSTOovI/AAAAAAAAB1k/RZU0xN4TzN8/2012-06-16%25252018.23.49_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="653"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">What a great day!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-30775523197438223052012-05-20T21:26:00.001-07:002012-05-20T21:40:35.089-07:00Solar Eclipse<p align="center"><font size="4">We were lucky enough today to observe a rare <a href="http://www.space.com/15775-solar-eclipse-ring-fire-visible-today.html" target="_blank">annular solar eclipse</a>!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TptIwUJ-Zd8/T7nDtJhzeaI/AAAAAAAABxY/dc_dbwXTgF0/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520020%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 020" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 020" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CIgC5m7GJRU/T7nDtqsxeQI/AAAAAAAABxg/pzH2ZAlE9Rs/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520020_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="352"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Dude got the family observatory set up…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EJNOpo8f_Rk/T7nDurd8UTI/AAAAAAAABxo/HDQfz1HR5uE/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520024%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 024" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sGjp2r21uOU/T7nDvNiZodI/AAAAAAAABxw/7DOQE8Aqdyc/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520024_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="350"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">and attached his telescope solar filter that was last used in the 80’s… (RedGreen would be proud)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Of5b8UpBBk/T7nDv3cmQVI/AAAAAAAABx4/nT9rhXicPQ4/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520025%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 025" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XRGV56HPiI4/T7nDxNwOPtI/AAAAAAAAByA/X225o1Vb1lU/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520025_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="350"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">and I kept the kids busy and out of the way of Dude’s calibration and acclimation processes.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s1Nrk9XIBV0/T7nDx8o9VAI/AAAAAAAAByI/ljwcTajDcaw/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520031%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 031" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7FZfmfGWGno/T7nDyv0fbzI/AAAAAAAAByQ/fQDrzY2tsD8/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="349"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">(sucker bribes do wonders!)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">As we waited for the eclipse to begin, clouds began to cover the sun. So much so that we almost gave up on seeing anything. But we did manage to see the beginning and the middle of the eclipse! </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The first photo on the left was taken at about 6:25pm. The clouds quickly moved in to obscure the sun until about 7:30pm. We were able to view the eclipse for about 30 minutes, with the last photo taken through the clouds right before the sun was again obscured.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So without further ado….</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8l-J2vKCmvU/T7nDzKsj3VI/AAAAAAAAByY/8air78q20a8/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520019%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 019" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yo0RYG4rYCc/T7nDzmdC8iI/AAAAAAAAByg/BKEPD99JWzw/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DM2Nst9OE_U/T7nD0AVYAfI/AAAAAAAAByo/EPQHTQijsdU/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520041%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 041" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 041" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kFE8vfrpTdo/T7nD0YvJFbI/AAAAAAAAByw/ZHYz2KlIlWk/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ar7PMTctRGs/T7nD06yIwEI/AAAAAAAABy4/69e8_wRm264/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520043%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 043" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 043" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Srt0fHR7hxM/T7nD1Ugme4I/AAAAAAAABzA/Q9H1aR5t50o/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q9OHzfqRdYU/T7nD107OGzI/AAAAAAAABzI/UDvBxaB6Usw/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520044%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 044" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 044" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sgtfyfVZg7c/T7nD2YPb0nI/AAAAAAAABzQ/5iwDUBohE-U/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520044_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bi6dqtGfiHo/T7nD2-1gGII/AAAAAAAABzY/396TbryJYt0/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520047%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 047" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 047" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FVteIbnf9Ww/T7nD3bJ9wTI/AAAAAAAABzg/YGGc87mXZzc/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520047_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dADgVIGDbN0/T7nD3tfGgXI/AAAAAAAABzo/Q3VDJOlM_bw/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520053%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 053" border="0" alt="May 2012 & Lunar eclipse 053" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XzvCiEATLC4/T7nD4PcqB3I/AAAAAAAABzw/Yzc_ZMb-dWE/May%2525202012%252520%252526%252520Lunar%252520eclipse%252520053_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Dude took these photos by placing his digital camera up to the telescope eyepiece. Not too bad!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">All in all, a fun way to spend the afternoon/evening!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-64296850035585595062012-05-13T20:44:00.001-07:002012-05-20T21:43:57.218-07:00Spring yard updates…<p align="center"><font size="4">Anyone interested in why I haven’t been posting to my blog very much lately? Well let me show you!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yqxjbYRQaPk/T7B_WyE04oI/AAAAAAAABtA/GsTmtsW8rAI/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 032" border="0" alt="May 2012 032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fSIHp_8Aa7s/T7B_XSSBWxI/AAAAAAAABtI/2mVgLajG0js/May%2525202012%252520032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="317"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Remember that path I put in? And that messy mound of dirt to the left of it? I finally got a garden box in! I made it out of eight $2 fence posts from Lowe’s, and sixteen $.79 twelve inch stakes. So for around $30 I have a new 8 foot long garden box! I’ve planted yellow crookneck squash along the fence and cabbage along the front. I also added some Iris’ to each side of the box, much better!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xxNzMTX84nI/T7B_YJuKyBI/AAAAAAAABtQ/8q4dDKwmbKw/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520034%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 034" border="0" alt="May 2012 034" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p7272F2HJbs/T7B_YmhE3pI/AAAAAAAABtY/anbObcp6Zk4/May%2525202012%252520034_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="317"></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next I planted some Thyme ground cover in my stone entry…will be very cool in a couple of years!</font></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-38lJlcdlFEk/T7B_ZWR9YKI/AAAAAAAABtg/_v0k2nbHZjg/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520035%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 035" border="0" alt="May 2012 035" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U3vSdNlgImQ/T7B_Z8Ke-zI/AAAAAAAABto/oudPmFfRi2s/May%2525202012%252520035_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="319"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">In my existing garden box, we added a ‘hog panel’ trellis, again using the cheap fence posts to hold it up. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Funny story about the hog paneling, I saw it at IFA last year and have been wanting a panel for this trellis ever since. The problem was that I needed a 14’ length for the box. The paneling is sold in 16’ lengths, and we have bolt cutters that we could easily use to cut it down to size, but HOW do we get the panel home?</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Turns out that if you cut it down to the 14’ length needed at IFA when purchased, you can then tie the panel to the top of your 1979 Mercedes station wagon…bend the front end of the panel down to your front bumper and attach, and allow the back of the panel to overhang the back of the car by about 3 feet. Then you drive REALLY slowly down the backest of back roads to your house (paneling bouncing in rhythm to your driving), praying you don’t pass any law enforcement along the way…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Worked for us! Hehehe…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">(And yes, we could have cut it down to 7’ sections, but how much fun would that have been to drive home?)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">By the way… the stuff is AWESOME! Very rigid and perfect for a trellis! and the 6’ x 16’ length cost only $24! Not bad!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4PpqPEg3gKc/T7B_aeukngI/AAAAAAAABtw/mGGMt6xPODo/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520041%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 041" border="0" alt="May 2012 041" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1OmDMsWPDq4/T7B_bFQ1G0I/AAAAAAAABt4/anqNUt5DzlU/May%2525202012%252520041_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="320"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So in the bed with the new trellis we have the following planted:</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Peas, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Pole Beans, Radishes, Spinach, more Beans, Brussels Sprouts, Spring Lettuce mix, and still more Beans.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I’m trying out the square foot gardening thing this year.. will keep updates and results coming!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fvpf4MVxDas/T7B_buSV4mI/AAAAAAAABuA/U1VAkcrWaH4/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520042%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 042" border="0" alt="May 2012 042" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bU_70Cs2FgA/T7B_cBP8mHI/AAAAAAAABuI/spjVe4-_Nlc/May%2525202012%252520042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="481" height="322"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This pic isn’t vegetable related, but I wanted to show off our Wisteria while in this corner of the yard. It’s growing up the house and down along the lattice fence… we had at least 20 blooms this year, the most we’ve ever had! Pic’s of those will be posted later also.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k72RtdmtJzY/T7B_c6lzl7I/AAAAAAAABuQ/92_5OToda4M/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 062" border="0" alt="May 2012 062" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xJF5o14CU9M/T7B_dQLtmAI/AAAAAAAABuY/9P3Jaqel9iQ/May%2525202012%252520062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="326"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">These pots have snake gourds, rosemary, cilantro and those red things I’m blanking the name of…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EgW4ZYSRrIw/T7B_eDyYgLI/AAAAAAAABug/9V_arC-ltJQ/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520061%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 061" border="0" alt="May 2012 061" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ozdyHwIIK0E/T7B_evTBmsI/AAAAAAAABuo/ymAqY6bB99c/May%2525202012%252520061_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="488" height="327"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">These pots have Strawberries! And another flower I don’t know the name of..</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UaU5sE24uZ4/T7B_fBvqc2I/AAAAAAAABuw/bQaPiiVd_8U/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520067%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 067" border="0" alt="May 2012 067" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xHIaGkBZNlU/T7B_gPjE6OI/AAAAAAAABu4/rxFeHmPV3Bo/May%2525202012%252520067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="329"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Our hot tub tomato bin has 24 tomato plants in it this year… again trying the square foot gardening thing, it says 1 plant per square foot… </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QaPu4lQ7LKY/T7B_guywgeI/AAAAAAAABvA/rGgZ3g_IpQo/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520045%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 045" border="0" alt="May 2012 045" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dlFQB-quzCg/T7B_hENTQ4I/AAAAAAAABvI/QkisqDVsjZs/May%2525202012%252520045_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="414"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Another new addition to our yard this year… our recycled gazebo squash trellis! We reused a garden box that has been moving around the yard since I bought it, inside the gazebo, then added a little cedar fence panel border around the outside of the gazebo corners. The box has 12 Acorn squash plants in it, and the little border has about 9 million Marigold seeds in it.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The chair is there as additional trellis material. It’s going to be really fun covered in squash!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TN8STQoyKXU/T7B_hz3c6lI/AAAAAAAABvQ/UraNTim4DyM/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520048%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 048" border="0" alt="May 2012 048" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k9tdR_NDvZg/T7B_iUE_QXI/AAAAAAAABvY/hQbiBXxF7n0/May%2525202012%252520048_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="329"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">A better pic of the little border around the squash box…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AnV-O65j3ck/T7B_jIH7SFI/AAAAAAAABvg/Gyk8X8gHQrI/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520047%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 047" border="0" alt="May 2012 047" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5qbZkuBe2Hg/T7B_jpgNdQI/AAAAAAAABvo/WqkoVutMlog/May%2525202012%252520047_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="329"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Another fun project this season is this rock wall…Dudley got the idea of ‘harvesting’ random stones off the dry canal bed this spring. We spent a couple of evenings practicing our shot-putt abilities by digging stones out of the dry bed, then THROWING them up to the access road to the best of our abilities! I won’t lie, a few of them came right back at us, causing us to run screaming, but we managed to get them all up! Then is was loading them into our wheelbarrow, unloading them in our back yard, letting them ‘age’ for a month (or until we could move again), then stacking them along our old rotting wood trellis box to create the wall. Cute ain’t it? </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And we wonder why it hurts to move in the mornings…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">There are 3 new Raspberry bushes planted in this section of the bed.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gvYhwUMav0Q/T7B_kZPsYZI/AAAAAAAABvw/ceQ5fFLx6Iw/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520051%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 051" border="0" alt="May 2012 051" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kYnkPgdmmyY/T7B_k4jWWLI/AAAAAAAABv4/_dEuxly6crY/May%2525202012%252520051_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="332"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This section has 6 Bell Pepper plants and 3 Pumpkin plants.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z3e9U12q7zc/T7B_lrAHzwI/AAAAAAAABwA/gL94-Q-6-jI/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520052%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 052" border="0" alt="May 2012 052" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ajJghAxqPd0/T7B_mHD-h_I/AAAAAAAABwI/uO6oPjO7arQ/May%2525202012%252520052_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="498" height="333"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This is our old wishing well. We took the top off of it this year, and are now using it to grow Thyme and a couple of varieties of Basil.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W3ArRHYxUXA/T7B_m-HaITI/AAAAAAAABwQ/4cAcmwzUN8M/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520053%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 053" border="0" alt="May 2012 053" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5y-XcbOP9sE/T7B_nm4_f8I/AAAAAAAABwY/7KNuS_JNjKQ/May%2525202012%252520053_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="334"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This view shows all three of the “new” beds.. plus an old rusty barrel that I’m going to use for a zucchini planter. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n620jX5u2ec/T7B_ozG59II/AAAAAAAABwg/-7WGtVwaiKU/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520105%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 105" border="0" alt="May 2012 105" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fnBzs1PJOrk/T7B_pQlR4oI/AAAAAAAABwo/osYDzQk9Vq8/May%2525202012%252520105_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="335"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">More herbs! A massive Terragon bush, and 2 varieties of Parsley.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oxuYkMh3Fzo/T7B_qJXMcfI/AAAAAAAABww/1LejEv7bmzI/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520106%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 106" border="0" alt="May 2012 106" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fYtpp-3eTWA/T7B_qtA4bTI/AAAAAAAABw4/7PtMl9vpY2k/May%2525202012%252520106_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="335"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This one is full of Chives and Garlic. It’s awesome using fresh garlic out of your garden all summer long!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pn1eh5qGq9g/T7B_rWd9gFI/AAAAAAAABxA/hbXsksmAkrI/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520107%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 107" border="0" alt="May 2012 107" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oOVZeA075Tk/T7B_r-MYOkI/AAAAAAAABxI/suXbww4xZYA/May%2525202012%252520107_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="335"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And last for today, this bed has a ginormous Oregano bush, and my </font><font size="4">Rhubarb plant I planted last year.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Ok.. that was a lot. And I didn’t even show off the flower beds and flowers yet! I’m thinking that’ll be the next post…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Enjoy!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-8049310510392740952012-05-13T18:53:00.001-07:002012-05-13T18:53:53.703-07:00Catch Up Photos!<p align="center"><font size="4">As I mentioned in my previous post, life has been incredibly hectic lately… so better late than never.. here are some Easter pictures!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-30a6RZphMC0/T7BlirBMTCI/AAAAAAAABrs/LhHOJTfKlrQ/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520009%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 009" border="0" alt="May 2012 009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X4z_Z3Yr1U8/T7BljE9yuJI/AAAAAAAABr0/8gTJJ2GWCbo/May%2525202012%252520009_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="367"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Drew doing his “scored lots of Easter candy!" jig…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9SfazKgwgrc/T7Bljpb9yYI/AAAAAAAABr8/ktXgdu-Ic60/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520030%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 030" border="0" alt="May 2012 030" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XUWuSjGuDkQ/T7BlkEg41RI/AAAAAAAABsE/u0dbhHVNWLk/May%2525202012%252520030_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="364"></a><font size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The boys target shooting with their new Easter Nerf Guns… (Zombie animal targets from the local gun shop)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I2uZ8KTWw0s/T7BlkjOO1VI/AAAAAAAABsM/73_HVgIgPs0/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520028%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 028" border="0" alt="May 2012 028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cv8KmnQMO40/T7BllEiLQmI/AAAAAAAABsU/-gqRv71t8f0/May%2525202012%252520028_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="561"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And updates on the Downstairs Hallway, I added the magnetic blackboard TC made me to the wall, the perfect place to hang kid artwork!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--Q68zS-eIEY/T7Bllgis2SI/AAAAAAAABsc/sXSHURfzu_M/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520116%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 116" border="0" alt="May 2012 116" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gjsSwxcAZJE/T7BlrFxUkKI/AAAAAAAABsk/xtCztRNSbcU/May%2525202012%252520116_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="549"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And some family photos down the other wall… Still not totally complete, but it’s getting there!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6g8K0Ne0k8I/T7Blrk1hIUI/AAAAAAAABss/fUmtjfhYKCk/s1600-h/May%2525202012%252520115%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="May 2012 115" border="0" alt="May 2012 115" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N9xguXxDE_U/T7BlsP6361I/AAAAAAAABs0/brFG7UHrU3M/May%2525202012%252520115_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="559"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next post: Updated spring and garden pictures!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-87945370180696630982012-05-11T06:14:00.001-07:002012-05-11T06:16:20.316-07:00Black Rock Boys!<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5VFyXtBhp7U/T60QwYS642I/AAAAAAAABrI/rHPpmzrxlDE/s1600-h/IMG_0685%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0685" border="0" alt="IMG_0685" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zVcKm70P62Q/T60QxOzlVsI/AAAAAAAABrQ/_L-PY4CmCj8/IMG_0685_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="621" height="467"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">We went out to Black Rock at the south end of the Great Salt Lake about three weeks ago, life has been so hectic I haven’t managed to post much lately. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I love this picture of the boys climbing on the rock.. we got nowhere near the top, there isn’t a real trail up & it was too difficult for the kids.. but we got to explore some of the lower crevasis. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wOuxi4SVMX4/T60QyVwVXuI/AAAAAAAABrY/42NlT1Z9-wk/s1600-h/Black%252520Rock%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Black Rock" border="0" alt="Black Rock" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9X0sK1-6r84/T60Qy_-ZctI/AAAAAAAABrg/c7A9NQwDDzo/Black%252520Rock_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="623" height="417"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This photo of Black Rock was taken by <a href="http://chaddutson.com/wordpress/?tag=great-salt-lake" target="_blank">Chad Duston</a> last year. The landmark was first seen by Brigham Young three days after his entrance into the Great Salt Lake Valley. If I’ve piqued your curiosity, you can <a href="http://americantalesandtrails.com/history/ghosts-of-black-rock-great-salt-lake-utah" target="_blank">read</a> more about Black Rock and it’s history, including a survey conducted by Captain Howard Stansbury (Stansbury Island) in 1850, how he used the water of the Great Salt Lake to cure beef, and about Brigham Young’s ship the ‘Timely Gull’ that was moored at Black Rock for 4 years before being destroyed in a storm, as well as many other recollections and stories.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Black Rock is currently used in free for all activities. Visitors like us go to see and touch it, hike around a bit, and take in the scenery. Many photographers use it as a unique location for scenic shots, Bridal and Groom poses, and dance troupe backdrops, among others. And yet others use it as a large canvas to practice their graffiti skills.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Whatever your purpose, if you are in the vicinity of the south end of the Great Salt Lake, close to the Kennecott smokestack, you may want to drop by for a visit or photo(s)! </font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-79443446209943762372012-04-02T15:40:00.001-07:002012-04-02T15:53:08.293-07:00Spring has Sprung!<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gy1Xv8brMuA/T3oqgYDuRAI/AAAAAAAABn0/FrSFM2dbv6Y/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520020%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 020" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WEGSVDYvDMM/T3oqg9TsTBI/AAAAAAAABn8/f6qq_kLCD9s/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520020_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="455"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">It’s the time of year to show off spring projects and blooms again! </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This is a path I laid a couple of weekends ago… we put a dog kennel in last fall, and the path to it quickly became mud. This is my remedy, plus it frames the garden well. The bed to the left is my last remaining bed that needs to be dealt with. I planted onions, chives, and iris’ there many moons ago, but it has basically been on its own since we bought the house…well that is going to change this year! Once done I’ll of course post some pics…</font></p> <p align="center">T<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RQTUXEvInYQ/T3oqhuUiZRI/AAAAAAAABoE/R3Nj_hTxly0/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 021" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WiMp5N1FxFY/T3oqiUH7l2I/AAAAAAAABoM/sZXb23Zydf8/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="333"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And the entrance to the path…(the dogs had turned this corner into a mud hole from turning and running on a 90degree angle so much). We used the Texas paver Dude bought last time we were down there (6 years ago?), and gathered random stones from around the yard and behind the garage.. imagine it with grass or ground cover growing around the stones…is going to be way cute! </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Oh, and the cement plugs we used were in the yard when we bought the house. We have dug up and re-used them all over the place. These were stacked behind the garage from a previous re-landscaping we did. The bricks were salvaged from a house down the street from us a few years ago. They were left over from a project and stacked on the side of the road with a ‘free’ sign on them. We pulled over, loaded up the back of the Land Rover with as many as it would hold, and have had them stacked behind the garage waiting for a project. Nice to have that storage space back there!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So total cost of the path? My LABOR! Not bad, eh?</font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jtmnGLo8nSo/T3oqjfNQ8cI/AAAAAAAABoU/xEquQ75kVN4/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 001" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dTUF72WvDJI/T3oqkGqPXOI/AAAAAAAABoc/lXO-3SlGT6U/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="512"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Now for our new flower containers! We bought a few pansies, daisy’s and other plants to brighten up some containers in the yard. I found the basket, macrame holder, and basket liners in the garage, remnants of a similar idea a few years ago. Put it all together and wah lah!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zumAAqJrhtQ/T3oqkjpbAGI/AAAAAAAABok/d_1DJ9ZAKcY/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 004" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dQrIqhJohYQ/T3oqlLT3cJI/AAAAAAAABos/8mzh4noQVMs/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="522"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This is a darling copper teakettle I found at Savers for $3. It really isn’t a heavy, high quality item, but I instantly thought “planter!” when I found it. Turned out way cute with purple daisies planted in it!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JUu5kL9QJGg/T3oql3p6XoI/AAAAAAAABo0/Vnbs3GBGyB4/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520005%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 005" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A3qxO9UucPA/T3oqmX5qclI/AAAAAAAABo8/99MLFE2_Fdc/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520005_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="497"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">While making one of my shopping excursions to Ikea while working on the basement hallway, I came across these cute aluminum pots. They were about $1.50 each, so I bought half a dozen. Turns out they look great hanging on our little lattice garden fence full of pansies!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jrod1kpNn7Y/T3oqnIV1tFI/AAAAAAAABpE/w5EMSGW2b78/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 008" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WaS3uxWy8sE/T3oqn16XlvI/AAAAAAAABpM/OSywAwPr9mA/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="567" height="379"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The boys each planted of the taller ones, we cant wait until they all start blooming!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UUYcN0KDke4/T3oqos1nsQI/AAAAAAAABpU/KYw9IqBKVro/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 006" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R9kEMcpeXeg/T3oqpOsSjzI/AAAAAAAABpc/MJBP774J7Xc/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520006_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="536"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Another Texas yard accent… Dude bought this at a garden store in Texarkana for his mom before she died.. when we went down for her funeral, his sister gave it back to him. We’ve been potting various flowers in it ever since.. it’s a cute yard accent!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2itpjIOtPhw/T3oqptyIv5I/AAAAAAAABpk/f6qlnm3rwv4/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520023%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 023" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WkKk75jighU/T3oqqLY5V6I/AAAAAAAABps/wVoRTFvEs7c/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520023_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="530"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This cool milk bucket was an award to my store when I was managing West Marine. It was full of cookies when we got it. Once again it has been a cute planter since then! I had it in the house until this year, but I’m loving it on my front porch!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LGFsFLhGgKs/T3oqqzQiKcI/AAAAAAAABp0/W4tsWg6rGnw/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 024" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D6qhR0PoaQY/T3oqrRJ_STI/AAAAAAAABp8/b4Y1MdmkBA0/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520024_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="534"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">All the pretty flowers from the top!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JlrGVs_Q5vk/T3oqsSUV7eI/AAAAAAAABqE/vfCoaMuHPEc/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520026%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 026" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WsHcUK73HWA/T3oqs6F4Z_I/AAAAAAAABqM/8Z6XabXo3uE/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520026_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="527"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Now for the stuff in the yard, my flowering Forsythia bush…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NJsxR23diFo/T3oqtuLOjsI/AAAAAAAABqU/i1KgyGyEdZk/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 011" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NQ9FNmhJTZc/T3oquf5A8QI/AAAAAAAABqc/MydCtxvq15E/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="577" height="386"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Some still blooming Crocus’</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o7vJy2Fppxk/T3oqu_VMliI/AAAAAAAABqk/ZYDuSwmJpQI/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 013" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4jP9Gh2E_Ms/T3oqvVAgs9I/AAAAAAAABqs/AGdPGLsSNzE/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="384"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Cute miniature Daffodils…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OQie4mMnnnk/T3oqv3LcMmI/AAAAAAAABq0/a7Ip_c4evCM/s1600-h/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520018%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Flowers & Yard 018" border="0" alt="Spring Flowers & Yard 018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nPYdMul8YWQ/T3oqwRb66_I/AAAAAAAABq8/yexB-RxKBB0/Spring%252520Flowers%252520%252526%252520Yard%252520018_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="575" height="385"></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"> <font size="4">And this plant (can’t remember the name) with the red upside down flowers that is just waiting to bloom…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-47210388118858552812012-03-15T21:13:00.001-07:002012-03-15T21:13:24.092-07:00Downstairs Hallway<p align="center"><font size="3">Okay, this is going to be a long post with many pictures so bear with me…</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I’ve been working on this project for about a month now, and although it’s still not <em>completely</em> finished (some trim work and decorating left to do), it’s time I got this post up!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I repainted the walls, ceiling, doors, floor, stairs and hand rail. I also pulled down some ugly cardboard paneling in the freezer area. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Brace yourself:</font></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D7zT67ZrnOQ/T2K9pl0_IjI/AAAAAAAABkA/dEQsV0GzBMw/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 002" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9ap46-lm8yY/T2K9qawvDlI/AAAAAAAABkI/q_QvkmJ3ZrY/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Luh8HdsN48o/T2K9q4BYDzI/AAAAAAAABkQ/TAu5GCh3fIY/s1600-h/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520002%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Downstairs Hallway 002" border="0" alt="Downstairs Hallway 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZmgAwRtpmMk/T2K9reJ4w5I/AAAAAAAABkY/3p5YaO2gzb0/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520002_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="405"></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Here we have the view from the kitchen down the stairs before and after. Notice the bare cement floor? It’s been that way for at least 4 years (probably longer)..very sad and ugly, I know. Now it’s painted with cement/garage floor paint. Much better! Closer picture below…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ve5Xv5GbZbw/T2K9r7MBXkI/AAAAAAAABkg/qwm-l4YwwLs/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520009%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 009" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J_JOLsUJbSs/T2K9sY1XwxI/AAAAAAAABko/FWSVfEWyfO8/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520009_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="409"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x50OD9allsk/T2K9szJz6bI/AAAAAAAABkw/vLq9zlpE0_o/s1600-h/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Downstairs Hallway 004" border="0" alt="Downstairs Hallway 004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GjBH-akKUn8/T2K9tb9fmHI/AAAAAAAABk4/U4KMZtvs9_Q/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="408"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Now onto the stairs. These things are old, original to the house (1965-ish), and in bad shape. I was going to replace the treads altogether, but after pricing them at $8.00 – $15.00 a piece, I decided to see what alternative I could come up with. I decided on a major ‘distressed’ look (hey, if it looked awful I’d just have to replace them anyway... might as well try!) So Drew and I took a hammer to them and beat out our frustrations (not really, we had some fun hammering the crap out of the stairs!) The flash of the camera shows a glare, they actually look a lot darker than that, but you get the idea. I painted them with a couple of coats of brown, then dry brushed a thinned black over them. I finished them off with 3 coats of polyurethane to protect the finish.. Not bad! I still have a piece of transitional trim to add up at the top, one of the few finishing trim works I have left to do…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iTnVoG_XRtc/T2K9uNR-XDI/AAAAAAAABlA/xKlsVqzkIhc/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520010%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 010" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-luBqbm8uCJs/T2K9usx1U4I/AAAAAAAABlI/LNDtr51KYoA/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520010_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZlrWdxnBB3I/T2K9vGPv2DI/AAAAAAAABlQ/_UgWcoxrjcc/s1600-h/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Downstairs Hallway 006" border="0" alt="Downstairs Hallway 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mf1MkW-PaMA/T2K9vsDxueI/AAAAAAAABlY/hwgJVXflHc4/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The picture on the left show you one of the two major cracks in the stairs. I nailed the sides and front of the stair to the riser below almost a dozen times. You can still tell there’s a crack when you walk on it, but the squeaking has stopped! On the right you see how it nicely blends with the distressed look! Yay!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z2UaEAgAwls/T2K9wHVPkMI/AAAAAAAABlg/CarRvRU6xVM/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 006" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GVy3-ylhju8/T2K9wga9spI/AAAAAAAABlo/YUl2ache-7A/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520006_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="410"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vLZpeY-jtyk/T2K9xMNTxyI/AAAAAAAABlw/lasaQzY3XDY/s1600-h/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Downstairs Hallway 007" border="0" alt="Downstairs Hallway 007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TnWrbV2M4Xw/T2K9xrbkJEI/AAAAAAAABl4/Jk1KvNbmcKs/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="410"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This is the hallway leading to Dude’s office. Before shows an old cheap bookcase I bought at Office Max when I was about 15. It’s been holding books, catfood, and misc. crap for years now. I cleaned it all off and left the bookcase on the curb. (One nice thing about living in West Valley, you don’t have to haul anything to the dump…just put in on the curb and someone will come along and take it!)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">After shows the cool new shoe cabinet I got at Ikea and one of my new rugs. The boys each have 2 bins for their shoes now, freeing up all the shoe clutter that was in a basket in my front room. I still haven’t decided what’s going on the wall above.. a mirror? Art? Photos? I’ll post it when I finish it.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I378NwhcUJo/T2K9yObgjjI/AAAAAAAABmA/GH4sKaUalDE/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520007-1%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 007-1" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 007-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lvAuh4vF7Xk/T2K9yq9wv6I/AAAAAAAABmI/poBlQ_BSqcQ/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520007-1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="411"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5CBXPMBRsdk/T2K9zJX_jUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/9IuqCHuwC7w/s1600-h/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520009%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Downstairs Hallway 009" border="0" alt="Downstairs Hallway 009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--ltlyR8Evf0/T2K9zopUhoI/AAAAAAAABmY/xt-IOirNnzM/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520009_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="410"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This is across from the shoe bin, under the upper flight of stairs. Our freezer hides out here, and before the remodel, a shelf above (full of junk of course) was as deep as the space and butted up against some UGLY old dark brown cardboard paneling that was nailed at an angle down the back of the stairs. I didn’t think to take a picture of it before ripping it down (this is mostly because I was on the phone with TC when I got the idea.. I went ahead with it before thinking about photos.)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The wall behind the freezer (bottom 1/2 of photo) is actually the door to access under the house. It’s been plain pressed plywood since I installed it a few years ago. It looks much better painted!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hqwhrHDQ5rg/T2K90O6YKqI/AAAAAAAABmg/j0LJ4MKtWGc/s1600-h/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520010%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Downstairs Hallway 010" border="0" alt="Downstairs Hallway 010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-px8xYSMlNPQ/T2K90xzx-4I/AAAAAAAABmo/98mMd8M_BTQ/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520010_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="408"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-38C8Iw_viu0/T2K91aea9kI/AAAAAAAABmw/Ckfde1mUjL0/s1600-h/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520012%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Downstairs Hallway 012" border="0" alt="Downstairs Hallway 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MbQp07D52-I/T2K91t8-ddI/AAAAAAAABm4/odtWb7O1XF0/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520012_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="408"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The left picture shows the shelves I built under each step of the upper stairway. I used leftover bamboo flooring pieces from our main floor to make the shelves. They are holding the books that used to be on the old cheap bookcase. The layout now really opens up the space and makes the whole hallway feel bigger.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">On the right is a picture of the basement bathroom door and the glass blocks I installed above it earlier in the fall. I don’t think I ever posted them, so I’ve included them here.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3uG5bn1CHnw/T2K92KOc5II/AAAAAAAABnA/FP41JrYvfpk/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520014%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 014" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--5ohCrNMEOQ/T2K92iFzL9I/AAAAAAAABnI/Y3OdxI8iI9g/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520014_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="185"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ob3xUTC1jXg/T2K93IRNu6I/AAAAAAAABnQ/oD-MtvlPCxY/s1600-h/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520003%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Downstairs Hallway 003" border="0" alt="Downstairs Hallway 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pS8M4CdE6NU/T2K93pvgFcI/AAAAAAAABnY/UKGjIvSKp9o/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520003_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="185"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">These shots show the before and after of the floor… slightly different locations, but you can see the difference! The paint system has you etch the surface, then paint two coats, and finally (if you choose to) sprinkle little multi-colored plastic pieces into the paint. The plastic pieces hide any imperfections INCREDIBLY. Both the boys room floor and this floor had some major dings, gouges, etc. You can’t even see them with the sprinkles on the floor. Way cool!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qpnG_q7r-qU/T2K94H6zMmI/AAAAAAAABng/dzPKuVTbpMo/s1600-h/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Downstairs Hallway 013" border="0" alt="Downstairs Hallway 013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yfiuyy-4k4U/T2K94m9G1vI/AAAAAAAABno/qr6mI8fUFFY/Downstairs%252520Hallway%252520013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="456"></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">And one last shot showing the wall heading up the stairs. The new coat rack for the kids stuff, with the newly repainted blackboard TC gave me a few years ago. The blackboard is going to move, I’ve made a second coat rack, intending for it to go above the shoe bin, but after making it, I found out that it’s wider than the wall above the bins! (I used the tops of two old West Marine display racks I had in the garage, already mitered and finished edges, just had to paint and add hooks). Oops.. so I’m going to hang it above this one for the extra storage. The blackboard will find a new home somewhere else.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">That’s it for now, until I get all the trim work and decorating done!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Taaaa Daaaa! Much better!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-63459915768050357492012-03-05T12:57:00.001-08:002012-03-05T13:00:13.487-08:00Kitchen Window Valance<p> </p> <p align="center">I<font size="4"> had some left over </font><a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_urban_cowgirl.pdf" target="_blank"><font size="4">Urban Cowgirl</font></a><font size="4"> from my </font><a href="http://www.gypsybandana.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-projects.html" target="_blank"><font size="4">sewing room sideboard</font></a><font size="4"> project, and have been eager to make something else pretty with it!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0K7GiH3eV7g/T1UoyiEHdNI/AAAAAAAABiw/JWLTxXS6Hww/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Window%252520Curtain%252520023%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Window Curtain 023" border="0" alt="Kitchen Window Curtain 023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sCGfP_fz7hA/T1UozNEVdZI/AAAAAAAABi4/smYeI1TA8M4/Kitchen%252520Window%252520Curtain%252520023_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="653"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I was planning on using it for pillows to compliment the Urban Cowboy star quilt (did I mention I LOVE this line?) I’m working on, but then I had this idea, and wah-la! Totally darling kitchen valance!</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q0STge7WSXM/T1UozwWmJ_I/AAAAAAAABjA/3kKiW7geU9M/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Window%252520Curtain%252520025%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Window Curtain 025" border="0" alt="Kitchen Window Curtain 025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G24q_rgsj0o/T1Uo06HeNaI/AAAAAAAABjI/UHIAyhJXhGk/Kitchen%252520Window%252520Curtain%252520025_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="519" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I used up every last scrap of the 1 1/2 yards I bought for the two projects! How perfect was that? </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Now I get to look at my pretty curtain while cooking, cleaning, doing dishes, kids homework, and on and on... Let’s just say I’ll be appreciating it A LOT!</font></p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-19999760037706054802012-02-23T07:56:00.001-08:002012-02-23T08:03:03.759-08:00The beginning of quilting…(in my world anyway)<p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">About a decade ago my Mom, Sisters, and Sister in Law started a Quilting circle. We each made 6 copies of one block each month (maybe? could have been more like every 2-3 months…) and distributed them to each of the participating members. This was to be my very first foray into the quilting obsession. Yup, this innocent little project started it all…</p> <p align="center">I pulled them out the other day for a different project (down there at the bottom of this post), and found myself admiring some of the work I’d done, and cringing in horror at some of the others I’d managed to completely mangle. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V1lgbqzu0es/T0ZhVf6WnyI/AAAAAAAABgQ/0o5PgEbmZ1E/s1600-h/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sister quilt blocks 007" border="0" alt="Sister quilt blocks 007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CyiBeumwHSc/T0ZhWFPBPEI/AAAAAAAABgY/2XAcOtwwmB4/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="536" height="359"></a></p> <p align="center">The log cabin block above was the very first block I did for the group. I may (totally) not choose the fabrics now that I used then, but notice how the block LOOKS pretty decent? Of course I chose one of the hardest blocks as my first attempt, but I actually pulled it off…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HZqIwpEwi6U/T0ZhW6wnrzI/AAAAAAAABgg/246cxmf9Qxg/s1600-h/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520001%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sister quilt blocks 001" border="0" alt="Sister quilt blocks 001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wr0RfyeEG_I/T0ZhYUYEAPI/AAAAAAAABgo/QYszZBews5A/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520001_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="366"></a></p> <p align="center">I realized that I’d started out difficult, so I switched to a simpler block for my next shot. Can’t get more simple than a 9-patch…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_Y8TaVVvV9g/T0ZhY8CsAuI/AAAAAAAABgw/HL8lHMJ2T90/s1600-h/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sister quilt blocks 002" border="0" alt="Sister quilt blocks 002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ppr6rzmiYlg/T0ZhZdKC5cI/AAAAAAAABg4/SsdWrs_OJn8/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="367"></a></p> <p align="center">Another 9-patch which may or may not be mine… I recognize the fabric, but that doesn’t mean I made it. So sorry if I’m taking credit from one of my fellow blockers… </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-slS4T4uCwt8/T0ZhafGL0sI/AAAAAAAABhA/Vd-cUF9ZH70/s1600-h/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520005%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sister quilt blocks 005" border="0" alt="Sister quilt blocks 005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ko9GvhkckAw/T0Zha6u3LcI/AAAAAAAABhI/gkDJcn8haE8/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520005_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="370"></a></p> <p align="center">Ok, back to more difficult.. This one turned out 'ok’, but the seams need some help, and the final shape is in no way ok…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u-ne-z0HjOo/T0ZhcHvylNI/AAAAAAAABhQ/kujaLC0OyzM/s1600-h/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520003%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sister quilt blocks 003" border="0" alt="Sister quilt blocks 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tJZaT1YhztY/T0ZhcluoVXI/AAAAAAAABhY/wVgyEDt88bg/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520003_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="556" height="372"></a></p> <p align="center">Another ‘ok’ one, still not perfect, but passible.. (again, I ‘think’ I made this?)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hn9c8Ihi20I/T0ZhdDRvYlI/AAAAAAAABhg/ldEcNSaaMfQ/s1600-h/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520006%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sister quilt blocks 006" border="0" alt="Sister quilt blocks 006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GeWaUSnp9ys/T0ZhdzD_PSI/AAAAAAAABho/XAZ2JQmN7sA/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520006_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="373"></a></p> <p align="center">Somewhere in there I decided I’d make a quilt for myself. I grabbed every random piece of fabric I had and just started sewing them together. Very I n t e r e s t I n g….the best description I can come up with at the moment. It’s so “interesting” that I just might turn it into a table runner as a reminder of how far I’ve come…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WuD_RqX3Lkk/T0ZhedzbOnI/AAAAAAAABhw/BQMiYKIQa1Q/s1600-h/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sister quilt blocks 004" border="0" alt="Sister quilt blocks 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XlNKlPJ7-8o/T0ZhfNdP5DI/AAAAAAAABh4/wq231x3GqH4/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center">Now, the longer the project went, the more horrible my blocks became.. isn’t that supposed to work the other way? Aren’t you supposed to IMPROVE as you go? I must not have gotten that memo. I do love rust colors, but this one is ‘cring-able’.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hcObBTgDgvc/T0ZhgtthM0I/AAAAAAAABiA/l9hTbZQO0J8/s1600-h/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sister quilt blocks 008" border="0" alt="Sister quilt blocks 008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HOUGwSxaf7Q/T0ZhhOL1UGI/AAAAAAAABiI/ubGw60M-9tE/Sister%252520quilt%252520blocks%252520008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="562" height="376"></a></p> <p align="center">Saved the best for last.. oh the horror…oh the embarrassment…did I ACTUALLY give my Mom and sisters one of these? Ack! I don’t think I could ever look at this one without gagging, so it’s never going to see the light of day again… can’t bring myself to chuck it, so it’s going to live in a dark little box, in a dark little corner…always there to remind me that my quilting COULD and HAS been worse.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RfS2FNRwfDM/T0Zhi4T3gvI/AAAAAAAABiQ/qcqqGV_hQKQ/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520035%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 035" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oat2yiYBAEs/T0ZhjqSOlYI/AAAAAAAABiY/wM6da-fNEgM/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520035_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="375"></a></p> <p align="center">The project that started this whole journey down quilting memory lane, is this one. I needed a mini quilt for my little black board, but didn’t want to spend a lot of time on it right now. (painting and re-building hallway and stairs and all…), so I dug through the blocks we’d traded to find one for a cute, fast mini-quilt. There are a few others I’m definitely going to do the same thing with, but this little pretty is the first. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yovsJuoK1U0/T0ZhlM6EpkI/AAAAAAAABig/k23JNpptryQ/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520036%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 036" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 036" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v8k9s74ys54/T0ZhmFz6hYI/AAAAAAAABio/uh9UNqcOPps/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520036_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="570" height="382"></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">I’m not sure which of us made this one, but I love it! The close up is for identifying purposes.. I’m assuming someone will recognize the fabric and fess up to making it.. My little black board thanks you! </p> <p align="center">Too bad I won’t be hanging any of MY old blocks on that board.. nope.. can’t make me…</p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-1526405056815249762012-02-22T10:53:00.001-08:002012-02-22T11:08:43.112-08:00February Projects!<p> </p> <p align="center">I haven’t posted many of my projects lately….so let’s catch up shall we?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D3HVKLRuOZQ/T0U5gZftfxI/AAAAAAAABfQ/qXxpBITeTk0/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 026" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aYm97_kLg2c/T0U5gxoPz1I/AAAAAAAABfY/4YEufvWg5QU/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="351"></a></p> <p align="center">First, an Altoid tin hack! My sister and I made these while I was up visiting her. We used scrapbook paper, ribbon, the charm, mini pom-poms (around the edge, not really visible in this picture) and Dimensional ModPodge to make this. So cute and fun I’m sure many more will be coming soon!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xCVnwKA7Shc/T0U5hc2GjUI/AAAAAAAABfg/R3j6qbRU3DI/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520019%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 019" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--aDCdHCu1RM/T0U5h-a5eNI/AAAAAAAABfo/4diqiUgViDs/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520019_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="352"></a> , </p> <p align="center">Next, my new <a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_urban_cowgirl.pdf" target="_blank">Urban Cowgirl</a> curtains for my sewing rom sideboard!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LLnHXdm4MpQ/T0U5iWN6GtI/AAAAAAAABfw/xTARPbvtRKw/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520028%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 028" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 028" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OIFj_wL3CUw/T0U5jMGkB_I/AAAAAAAABf4/l0hsWs5Y6nc/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520028_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a></p> <p align="center">Aren’t they soooo much better than the open shelves? And I LOVE THE FABRIC! From a new line by <a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/urban-chiks!OpenPage" target="_blank">Urban Chiks</a> called <a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_urban_cowgirl.pdf" target="_blank">Urban Cowgirl</a>. (I actually have a quilt almost finished using the line also, but that’s another post.) One of my favorite prints ever! And they compliment my painted hutch and shelving perfectly. I LOVE them!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5PQ3JDrcsMI/T0U5jmIEV3I/AAAAAAAABgA/reWNlTBtvTU/s1600-h/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520034%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="February 2012 projects 034" border="0" alt="February 2012 projects 034" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uyL8MLggbTQ/T0U5kYTEW9I/AAAAAAAABgI/iW-TXYwSzJY/February%2525202012%252520projects%252520034_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="356"></a></p> <p align="center">Finally, I’m in the middle of re-painting and re-purposing my downstairs hallway. Pictures of the before and after will be coming soon!</p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-71008867988334860392012-02-17T20:36:00.001-08:002012-02-17T20:36:09.690-08:00Ruffle Skirt!<p align="center"><font size="2">My sister and I went shopping today, and </font><font size="2">I found some AWESOME ruffle fabric!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">I bought 3/4 yard ($24.99 yard…ouch!) and some 4” elastic for the waistband.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O8BJ9lK08yE/Tz8qtJX_MjI/AAAAAAAABeg/OPKDj82kudY/s1600-h/Ruffle%252520Skirt%252520001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Ruffle Skirt 001" border="0" alt="Ruffle Skirt 001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C4u0Cl5WjGM/Tz8quB4c5rI/AAAAAAAABeo/fYoYMBh7Sro/Ruffle%252520Skirt%252520001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="413"></a></p> <p align="center">All you have to do is sew it up the side, and add the elastic at the top! 30min. project for an AWESOME skirt! Now all I have to do is find the right top for it…..</p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-27119835460161144102012-02-09T10:16:00.001-08:002012-02-09T10:16:52.217-08:00Valentine Mini Quilt<p> </p> <p>I needed a Valentine themed mini quilt for my mini quilt display board I made. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--uFMb4QRvfE/TzQNjD7fMII/AAAAAAAABeA/VSTGVXwwTm0/s1600-h/Mini%252520Valentine%252520quilt%252520004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mini Valentine quilt 004" border="0" alt="Mini Valentine quilt 004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f6jOOi95oRc/TzQNjnXWA2I/AAAAAAAABeI/Dhp2Ue1s_18/Mini%252520Valentine%252520quilt%252520004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="329"></a></p> <p>So I found a cute heart block on <a href="http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/01/hearts-galore.html#more/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, and this is the result!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l8YG2LtXgs0/TzQNkdSqCPI/AAAAAAAABeQ/hMICDgFUBcM/s1600-h/Mini%252520Valentine%252520quilt%252520002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mini Valentine quilt 002" border="0" alt="Mini Valentine quilt 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NozDGtYDfh8/TzQNk8OQ7LI/AAAAAAAABeY/k_cjNfk1Tvw/Mini%252520Valentine%252520quilt%252520002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="493" height="330"></a></p> <p>I’m not sure I’m in LOVE with it, but I’m liking it ok!</p> <p>I do love the fussy cut heart…</p> Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1294028427411821653.post-21939864674428733772012-01-17T11:11:00.000-08:002012-01-17T11:41:28.745-08:00Staircase Make Over<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73rQJYJgBpo/TxXJWMqbQRI/AAAAAAAABdY/xrCe_qgfVi8/s1600/Leather%2BWall%2B2%2B003.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73rQJYJgBpo/TxXJWMqbQRI/AAAAAAAABdY/xrCe_qgfVi8/s400/Leather%2BWall%2B2%2B003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698682286700708114" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nd5QAKJaK0/TxXJWcjPF2I/AAAAAAAABdo/u3uSXaJYlTQ/s1600/Leather%2BWall%2B2%2B007.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owTJMQCk5D0/TxXIO1nqjhI/AAAAAAAABco/dvqTnfzXm5I/s1600/Stairs%2B001.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owTJMQCk5D0/TxXIO1nqjhI/AAAAAAAABco/dvqTnfzXm5I/s400/Stairs%2B001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698681060744400402" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj7ADr7U8LM/TxXIO3ouZbI/AAAAAAAABc4/Jft9MFtZOhc/s1600/Stairs%2B002.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj7ADr7U8LM/TxXIO3ouZbI/AAAAAAAABc4/Jft9MFtZOhc/s400/Stairs%2B002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698681061285717426" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pik3EnQ53v0/TxXIPSALrUI/AAAAAAAABdM/ZeywYbQvqh8/s1600/Stairs%2B003.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pik3EnQ53v0/TxXIPSALrUI/AAAAAAAABdM/ZeywYbQvqh8/s400/Stairs%2B003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698681068363427138" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NnX67pfnOaI/TxXIPYnmezI/AAAAAAAABdA/2m7qkbY2pXI/s1600/Stairs%2B005.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NnX67pfnOaI/TxXIPYnmezI/AAAAAAAABdA/2m7qkbY2pXI/s400/Stairs%2B005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698681070139374386" border="0" /></a>You probably remember my <a href="http://gypsybandana.blogspot.com/2011/04/leather-wall-update.html">Leather Wall</a> post. After it was completed, the groovy staircase (far left side) didn't get along so well with the new wall color.<br /><br />I've been meaning to update it, but haven't gotten around to it until now...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So here it is!<br />My new groovy staircase.<br /><br />It looks a ton better, matches the Leather Wall, and I re-painted the entire hallway also (even the ceiling... what a pain!), covering up the old dark blue wall that was on the right side of the staircase.<br /><br />I love fresh paint, it makes everything look clean and new! Although this may not be the end of it.. I'm exploring ideas to further decorate/paint it...<br /><br />I also played around with scrapbook paper, modpodge, and my cheap lightswitch cover plate.<br /><br />It matches the staircase & hallway well, and is WAAAAYYYY cuter than the cheap plastic!<br /><br />I'm going to try it with fabric next.. probably on every plate in the house...<br /><br /><br /><br />On to the next project....Steffaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009438196454788556noreply@blogger.com1