tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545789335015404572024-02-20T21:03:00.411-08:00Walking in this WorldCHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-82844720916814103752017-06-20T21:29:00.000-07:002017-06-20T21:35:36.234-07:00Bib Overalls<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrETsrKGhLDWhsOY_-c-aZwZMv6uvDbj9oxyYD-2SE1CVhKhnLS0WOjQUPTa3lxv_WXdVCsYWXCzfm-AtqtWA9pWq9NFbuR99b1a6xMu3C7N6IAtJGkHsdcyRs5VE3m0E9wDl4tjwPlVX0/s1600/IMG_7477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrETsrKGhLDWhsOY_-c-aZwZMv6uvDbj9oxyYD-2SE1CVhKhnLS0WOjQUPTa3lxv_WXdVCsYWXCzfm-AtqtWA9pWq9NFbuR99b1a6xMu3C7N6IAtJGkHsdcyRs5VE3m0E9wDl4tjwPlVX0/s640/IMG_7477.JPG" width="400" /></a>This is my grandma Winnie in her bib overalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She not only has bibs on but if you look
closely you will see she also has her </div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">high heels on</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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And I’m pretty sure if you look even closer you will see she
has </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her earrings on too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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She was a classy gardener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do have to say, no matter what both of my grandma’s were doing, they
ALWAYS had some level of make-up and jewelry on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They set a pretty high standard for all of us
granddaughters that followed behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spending time with them growing up I knew what I saw on the outside was
just a mirror for what was on the inside of them. They were strong women with
kind and gentle spirits.</div>
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She passed her love of gardening down to me.</div>
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And to that I nod and say, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“thank you”!</i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I just can’t figure out how to do the high heel thing in the garden.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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When I spend hours in my garden with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my own</i></b> bib overalls on I
feel the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spirit of my grandma smiling over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<em>My friend Ruthie and I.</em><br />
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I’m sure somewhere behind that smile she’s thinking, </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“girl, get your high heels on”!<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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When I step into my garden, I step into a peace I find no
where else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The collection of birds that
make our yard their home serenade me with their morning song, the squirrels that live in our trees scamper around me chattering and
reminding me that their peanut stash is low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe I’m a one focus girl, because when I put my hands in the dirt all
the chaos and noises that fill the world outside my garden gate
are non-existent. And if you pay really close attention to nature you will find
that hour by hour she’s ever changing.</div>
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Last week a friend came by for tea under the red
umbrella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was facing up the yard and
I was facing down the yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she got
up to leave (after 4 hours of chatting) she said, as she sat there she noticed
how the sun came and went in the upper garden<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>continually changing the view she was looking at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She doesn’t know that before she arrived I
actually had a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">talk</i></b> with Mother Nature asking her if she could </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">please -<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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out do herself a little for my friend and -</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">showcase her creativity. . .<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">which of course, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she did. . .<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and of course, <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I thanked her. . .<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-wSnrU8dbNmEC9lV930AncBXu3R8r0Q701datW_LQh4p1P89ZC8-ebc0BZ4qC9T9t4zAXl7eQnrOavgvx0aU1jWAdpjJGg7ajrS3hspxAOPJWu39XdMVu9-65JUCldrnvyq6voDdpVkC/s1600/IMG_7464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-wSnrU8dbNmEC9lV930AncBXu3R8r0Q701datW_LQh4p1P89ZC8-ebc0BZ4qC9T9t4zAXl7eQnrOavgvx0aU1jWAdpjJGg7ajrS3hspxAOPJWu39XdMVu9-65JUCldrnvyq6voDdpVkC/s640/IMG_7464.JPG" width="640" /></a>Out in nature is where I like to spend my free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me a salt water beach or a country
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this girls <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">happy</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A couple of weeks ago we were invited to have dinner with our friends at
their home on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Camano</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we drove home later, in the quiet of the
night, over hill and over dale through the green lush countryside, windows
cracked, breathing in the fresh night air and stopping along side the road to
take in the big yellow moon overhead that was lighting our way, I was reminded
of the beauty that surrounds us every day if we just take time </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to notice.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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So as I take a stroll one last time through my backyard to
make sure all the new plants are in the ground, the dirt is fluffed and ready
for the 3 backyard party’s that are lined up back to back like tin soldiers, to
take place the next 3 weekends, my bibs are hung by the back door, and my
thoughts turn to party napkins, fancy drinks, is there enough seating for
everyone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Well, maybe a few could stand
while they eat. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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And of course, hoping there is enough food for everyone who
enters the garden gate.</div>
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If you’re ready to party - </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Come sit by me. . .</i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></b></div>
<em></em>CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-88614804174894938522017-02-15T13:37:00.000-08:002017-02-15T13:37:16.358-08:00Sometimes Forgotten - But Never Too Late
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">My hubby and I were
married on Dec. 18<sup>th</sup> right in the smack dab middle of preparation
for the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Christmas holidays.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Need I say more.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"> . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">So every Dec. we
have the same discussion about when should we celebrate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it falls on our friends annual Christmas
Party -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">that we for sure wouldn’t miss. . .</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Then there’s the
week before Christmas with all the busyness of shopping and decorating and
getting the guest room ready for the arrival of overnight guests -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">or</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">. . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">the week <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">after</i> when we’re really just ready to do
nothing after all the entertaining and eating and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">and company and
cleaning up - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">or.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"> . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">maybe we could just wait
until January when the world feels <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">too
quiet</i> after all the hustle and bustle.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And so here it is
January 28 and somewhere in all the excitement of the New Year and putting
things back<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">together and
thoughts of the arrival of spring -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">our anniversary was forgotten.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">I came into my
office this morning, sat down at my desk, opened a drawer and as I was moving
papers around not even sure what I was looking for -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRy_GOTNoUbhESqMDa7lbNfc5V20ViYOMPF27yHTXEf9GxLwgauZjjcrzybLobgFhJlHKmWSM3ysYbI80PBqvO5036TOoYHDFMSOwnhGopW9cRQaIWpEzkveq0Ywwi5dQrfpAcoYRWX5T/s1600/IMG_7375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRy_GOTNoUbhESqMDa7lbNfc5V20ViYOMPF27yHTXEf9GxLwgauZjjcrzybLobgFhJlHKmWSM3ysYbI80PBqvO5036TOoYHDFMSOwnhGopW9cRQaIWpEzkveq0Ywwi5dQrfpAcoYRWX5T/s400/IMG_7375.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">there in the middle
of all the drawer chaos lay this card -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">that I had totally forgotten about</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">. . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">and as I turned it
over this is what I read - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Sometimes “right back where you started from”
is right where you belong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">The anniversary card
I had bought my hubby months before Christmas was even in view, but never
signed and gave to him.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">You see, my hubby is
a romantic and things like special dates and cards and old memories and new memories
are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> important to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still makes me feel like I’m -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">on a date</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">. . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">when we go out
together.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">He does special
things -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">like opening my car door or pulling out my
chair in a restaurant.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">When we cross a
street together he always puts his hand on my lower back and I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> feel so protected by him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s his way of saying I’ve got your back.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">If I fall asleep
before him he still wakes me to -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">kiss me good-night - every time. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">You see, many years
ago there was this 19 year old boy and an 18 year old girl who met on a blind
date three thousand miles from their homes and after much dining and laughing
and getting to know each other - she went here and he went there and then 25
years later -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">fate brought them back together</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And now as we begin
our 25th year of marriage I know we need to make a special date and celebrate
the 24<sup>th</sup> year that we just left behind in 2016.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Because. . .</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">it’s never too late
to celebrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">it’s just that we remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-79623060060998397122017-02-13T16:12:00.000-08:002017-02-13T16:29:04.350-08:00"the life-changing magic of tidying up"<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnX51_x2UUdq45Ltr1KiiYqw920Gfb0tCFIGuG2vEV8PzfGMbH7_mRGS-9-U6GwhOuWTtU71yP8APaT5dEGASC5ClWo9yQi_VjfBN3JqMqGRmWr6zgimddSq0lXEsI84M_MsW5c8Qh_P8/s1600/IMG_7350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnX51_x2UUdq45Ltr1KiiYqw920Gfb0tCFIGuG2vEV8PzfGMbH7_mRGS-9-U6GwhOuWTtU71yP8APaT5dEGASC5ClWo9yQi_VjfBN3JqMqGRmWr6zgimddSq0lXEsI84M_MsW5c8Qh_P8/s640/IMG_7350.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">“The best way to get something done, is to
begin”. . .</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">As much as I love
the decorations and atmosphere that fills our home at Christmas, I equally love
the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">week after Christmas
when I help my hubby drag the tree out the front door instructing </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">my hubby</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"> -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">to please keep the
tree on the sheet that is cradling it so the falling pine needles don’t make a
home in the carpet on their way out that -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">will</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>. . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">for sure</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"> - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">randomly show up for
the remainder of the year.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And please don’t walk so fast -</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiG031vl3JdfdU3Jwb8UVjHn9setvTKrBKglNzLV9WJ2U9IaO7_GFatWWhcVp99oq5ffY7LRNk0P7LeD1n2s4U-8M1ltUlM1-M84zqby3kJnnqFUjZpQIUb6IxHGgm0t9MPKFUy2zaE3t/s1600/IMG_7309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiG031vl3JdfdU3Jwb8UVjHn9setvTKrBKglNzLV9WJ2U9IaO7_GFatWWhcVp99oq5ffY7LRNk0P7LeD1n2s4U-8M1ltUlM1-M84zqby3kJnnqFUjZpQIUb6IxHGgm0t9MPKFUy2zaE3t/s400/IMG_7309.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And who’s going to
shut the door behind us so our kitty Abby -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">doesn’t escape.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p>sigh. . .</o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">This is my week to
deep clean and freshen up our home for the coming New Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s kind of like preparing for a coming out
party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want everything to shine and
sparkle and have a place to greet this New Year and dazzle your friends when
they come to visit.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">You wait with
anticipation for their arrival when all the ooohs and aaahs will begin and
questions like</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">how did you? and say
things like where did you put? or how different it looks or I can’t believe you thought!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">But in reality we
all know that probably nobody will be -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">dazzled. . .</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">or notice the hours
and energy and thought that went into this coming out party -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">but -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">you</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">. . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And that’s ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">sigh. . .</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m also continuing on a project my friend and
I began together in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all
started with a book her friend in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place>
sent her called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both love organizing and simplifying our
lives and surroundings so it seemed only natural that we’d love doing this
project together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love organizing and am
always moving objects into the garage and then back into the house and then</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWyJt2a_q1mX_pu0aR9EZ5DTBSvKtYqYRx6TDDSOWU9MHbrnpjxjQeO2iz2bdixelvwde5kldlwPvmnx86V1w0tN6ewqb0CMX-73DePFEQi169tvagADv8IHyUq17GGXBkXPJSXDRq7BR/s1600/IMG_7362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWyJt2a_q1mX_pu0aR9EZ5DTBSvKtYqYRx6TDDSOWU9MHbrnpjxjQeO2iz2bdixelvwde5kldlwPvmnx86V1w0tN6ewqb0CMX-73DePFEQi169tvagADv8IHyUq17GGXBkXPJSXDRq7BR/s320/IMG_7362.JPG" width="274" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">of course</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"> - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">back into the garage.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Or going to my
closet and taking clothes off the hanger and then putting them back on the
hanger and then ultimately thinking I have -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">nothing to wear. . .</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">As I went from room
to room, filling box after box I noticed something begin to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shift</i> inside of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">my house became free
of objects that I no longer valued or needed and that took up space in my mind
-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">mostly on an
unconscious level - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">I felt emotionally lighter. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And I know that the
spaces that held all these objects will never again be used for a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holding space</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because -</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">I feel -</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">so much freer</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">I’ve read about
clutter and how even when it’s not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">visible
to us</i>, it’s visible in our mind and affects our -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">peace of mind</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">I was born a natural
homemaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What some women call chores,
I call puttering which in the end still </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">means <em>vacuuming and
dusting, cleaning and washing.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I
believe in daily maintenance and spending -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">as little time as
possible doing this -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCTbs-ACadmDAZV0sITwNHWFOwq96C_10uNNmJz4SLBJ5fSYUhZvhGeWBJ3mVDcJD59oqqalj9ZR6mxdYXRAcLG5wdaaocU6PopaMqo92ZYjNh1mb0KG2ymMflq6q5iE1754wjkRT12q_/s1600/IMG_7304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCTbs-ACadmDAZV0sITwNHWFOwq96C_10uNNmJz4SLBJ5fSYUhZvhGeWBJ3mVDcJD59oqqalj9ZR6mxdYXRAcLG5wdaaocU6PopaMqo92ZYjNh1mb0KG2ymMflq6q5iE1754wjkRT12q_/s640/IMG_7304.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">puttering</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">My home is my
sanctuary and I love spending time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here is where I close the door to the outside </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">noises and chaos
that often fill the spaces outside our doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Puttering is never an all day event, but is tucked in little pockets of
free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a nature girl at heart
I bring nature into our home in the form of indoor trees and plants and water
fountains that are present throughout our home and great you at our front door.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">I find serenity in
these simple objects that fill our home with peace.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">As I read and
pondered this book I learned that clutter is not only in our physical objects
that surround us, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">but also in our thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us at some time or other have been
visited by this little gremlin that sits </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">in our brain and
waits for the most opportune moments to fill our mind with negative chatter
that travels </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">throughout our body
depositing things like headaches, anxiety, stomach aches and fatigue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like de-cluttering our homes we need to
de-clutter our mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do this in the
form of audio meditation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">After 20 minutes of meditation my mind is
clear and happy -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And my body feels healthy.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">So as I enter this
New Year I’m excited about traveling lighter, bringing less in and taking more
out.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And remembering - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">to - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Not say “yes” to
everything I'm asked to do. . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">to - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Define my own road
in life. . . </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And to - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">“Bloom where I'm planted”</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">And to know I'll pretty
much always -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><em>be happy!</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><em></em></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">One more for the road.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">As I'm walking through the world this year over hill and over dale, all hither and yawn,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">and to and fro - </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">I have decided to just be me. . .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><em>It's so much easier. . .</em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-23437416495465648302017-01-17T17:40:00.002-08:002017-01-17T17:40:39.905-08:00"The Christmas Letter"
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">I came into my
office this morning to clean up my desk and there tucked in among all the
papers was our </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Christmas letter
addressed to one of our friends that got lost in the clutter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course then I had to make the decision -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">mail it or toss
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">I decided to mail it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">So in the middle of
January - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">Merry Christmas -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;">again. . .</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 12;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas 2016 </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A white Christmas - and for a moment the
world falls silent as snowflakes quietly fall to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On their way down some tuck themselves away
on tree branches while others cover the ground in a perfect sheet of flawless
white.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Inside we’re wrapped in the warmth of this
Christmas season. Grape wreaths wrapped in white lights sparkle in the windows,
the scent of the freshly cut tree fills the air, greens grace every flat
surface, and the bells on the front door keep jingling with the arrival of family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Followed by - </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Much snuggling and cuddling in front of a
warm crackling fire under fuzzy throws, much story telling and making new
memories, singing Ho Ho Ho The Mistletoe and Fa La La La La-ing, and where’s
the hot chocolate and do we have whipped cream?, and wrapping paper scattered
everywhere.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Many sweet and beautiful memories are made
sprinkled with “The Family Stone” moments.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Sigh. . .<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And then as we gather on Christmas Eve. we
remember another time <span style="color: black;">so many years ago on another
Christmas eve when a man and a woman traveled by donkey on a journey to deliver
the most precious gift of all - traveling in the most primitive of ways
over hills and through valleys - not knowing when they arrived in a town
unfamiliar to them in the middle of the night - the only place to lay their
head that night would be in a stable nestled among donkeys and sheep - filled
with the anticipation of the gift they were bringing to the world in the form
of a tiny baby boy who would spend his first night in a lowly manger - <br />
<br />
And who would one day be called our - Savior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">His name is Jesus. . .</span></em></span></span></i><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></em></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">As I turn out the lights and lay my head on my
pillow with the smell of hot chocolate still hanging in the air I know - .</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“Even when you don’t know the magic is
happening. . . it is happening”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
magic of family, of grace that covers all our imperfections and the miracles
that God tucks into our everyday lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes without us even noticing. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">With all our adult children asleep here and
there - and our Niya Lilly snuggled in with grandpa and grandma -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I am grateful. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Grateful for family because
that’s where it all begins and ends. . . </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Grateful for my hubby, our four
children, our beautiful granddaughter and most importantly -</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">All our friends who form an
invisible circle around us with their love, who become family. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Grateful for the memories of
this past year - </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">For the special moments -</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">For the ordinary moments. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And grateful of course, that I
love the smell of fresh falling rain. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Blessings, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Phil & Sandy<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-85615098007144364042016-12-19T16:27:00.000-08:002016-12-19T16:27:15.868-08:00HO HO THE MISTLETOE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCZNk-KZVp4xLvnKTOzCE8mu60cOxvSr-5vnLVD5inEWBFq6Qt0QW69O4-5Ze4EHE56c69oICRN1P6-AKoJjDkjjNEKzjgAYmSrGKeF11UeHgIdYBKt4_v7ZTUHuJPDRwsdB8-htBbEI4/s1600/IMG_7261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCZNk-KZVp4xLvnKTOzCE8mu60cOxvSr-5vnLVD5inEWBFq6Qt0QW69O4-5Ze4EHE56c69oICRN1P6-AKoJjDkjjNEKzjgAYmSrGKeF11UeHgIdYBKt4_v7ZTUHuJPDRwsdB8-htBbEI4/s400/IMG_7261.JPG" width="382" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span> </div>
<br />
There's something so <em>magical</em> about Christmas.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what it is about this Christmas, but it feels more special this year.<br />
<br />
Is it the way snowflakes silently fall to the ground and on their way down some tuck<br />
themselves away on tree branches while others cover the ground in a perfect sheet of<br />
flawless white.<br />
<br />
And the world suddenly falls silent.<br />
<br />
Is it the smell of the freshly cut tree that was cut at the local Christmas tree farm where<br />
carols play in the fields and caramel corn waits at a stand in the field, families strolling<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRTAHz5PbUTQlBL8CI1bMZhbn2EwpTJZmmNEpe8-_fHa1jYxac7VFYlhIKUXm-tTwShUeij0MFTzOWi106x9WF0p5yuURW6SQ4itEiDU8WecSKBhW_pROLNn0S-SenquSgsQ8PV4hKPB1/s1600/IMG_7276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRTAHz5PbUTQlBL8CI1bMZhbn2EwpTJZmmNEpe8-_fHa1jYxac7VFYlhIKUXm-tTwShUeij0MFTzOWi106x9WF0p5yuURW6SQ4itEiDU8WecSKBhW_pROLNn0S-SenquSgsQ8PV4hKPB1/s640/IMG_7276.JPG" width="482" /></a>here and there looking for <br />
<br />
<em>the perfect tree</em> - <br />
<br />
and then gathering around the crackling bon fire sipping hot apple cider.<br />
<br />
My hubby and I strolled the streets of this quaint little town near out home earlier this week,<br />
the air filled with the sights and sounds of Christmas,<br />
<br />
carolers singing on the street corner - <br />
<br />
and my hubby singing <em><strong>"Ho Ho The Mistletoe"</strong></em> in my ear.<br />
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As couples strolled by, listening to the laughter in their conversations as they juggled packages filled with treasures.<br />
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I come downstairs in the morning, turn on the Christmas tree lights and light the lighted grape wreaths in the windows, put a log on the fire and a pan of apple cider with cinnamon sticks on the stove to simmer all day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Zuyl_AZcCMLRD3XTXhPCSE6Gkq3wRxOU5nPdCxfDFYj-JglJ01qf1aOD9i1bbl-8CIaxiE3AQuWkHFfxk0D6ZOY9htgI72CtKYlGBYteiKcBZsc3blau_MSvStSSFyfdbM9SxiXkxPwa/s1600/IMG_7274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Zuyl_AZcCMLRD3XTXhPCSE6Gkq3wRxOU5nPdCxfDFYj-JglJ01qf1aOD9i1bbl-8CIaxiE3AQuWkHFfxk0D6ZOY9htgI72CtKYlGBYteiKcBZsc3blau_MSvStSSFyfdbM9SxiXkxPwa/s640/IMG_7274.JPG" width="640" /></a>This morning my youngest daughter called just to chat. I asked what her favorite memories of Christmas were growing up in our family. Without even blinking she said - <br />
<br />
all the cookie baking.<br />
<br />
<em>I always remember the cookies.</em><br />
<br />
It made me smile because it took me back to my childhood and my mom baking Christmas cookies right after Thanksgiving, tucking them away in the upstairs pantry just a few steps from our bedroom doors, and warning my 4 brothers and I to stay our of the cookie jars til Christmas. Which was an open invitation for us to raid them every night before we crawled into bed.<br />
<br />
<em>And we did</em>.<br />
<br />
And I'm pretty sure every year when she told us to <em>stay out of the cookies</em> - <br />
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<em>she knew</em> - <br />
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they'd be half eaten by Christmas.<br />
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<em>And she never said a word</em>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcViGGShTnGEzj9i5umZcFZObmJK39dWmXWI-vAGqI5qHnLlLdb8YKeTfvJEa3dITX6I7nOinJ7pnamOgclsobwzrAt74Gxs5apP3QhAtF7VpxDvE0lD-r-jJ9RL_RX1NYZUHY_cTshPd/s1600/IMG_7286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcViGGShTnGEzj9i5umZcFZObmJK39dWmXWI-vAGqI5qHnLlLdb8YKeTfvJEa3dITX6I7nOinJ7pnamOgclsobwzrAt74Gxs5apP3QhAtF7VpxDvE0lD-r-jJ9RL_RX1NYZUHY_cTshPd/s400/IMG_7286.JPG" width="238" /></a>She also remembers when she was 6 years old and asking Santa for a purple watch. On Christmas morning she ran down to her stocking and there it was - <br />
<br />
<em>the purple watch</em>.<br />
<br />
She stills remembers the excitement she felt thinking that Santa knew where her house was - <br />
<br />
and. . .<br />
<br />
that he brought her <em>exactly what she wanted</em>.<br />
<br />
A memory that still makes her happy to think about today.<br />
<br />
I love the traditions our family has created. And I love hearing other family's traditions.<br />
<br />
My same daughter called 2 nights ago to say - <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0eEmDnYNuYc8DNIY8X9ztb_XSQEi17SbLg3dMNIqsxyOmFdNUlAl36eoa-98BR4OdXXNtyhu8OwTlQhSpq1J6__gGbI1kWL9RY0rRUoDSPm3qk7cL6_VPDd4RYW0jOzAWnk1V7nv0m3t/s1600/IMG_7280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0eEmDnYNuYc8DNIY8X9ztb_XSQEi17SbLg3dMNIqsxyOmFdNUlAl36eoa-98BR4OdXXNtyhu8OwTlQhSpq1J6__gGbI1kWL9RY0rRUoDSPm3qk7cL6_VPDd4RYW0jOzAWnk1V7nv0m3t/s320/IMG_7280.JPG" width="319" /></a>she asked her 6 year old daughter if she'd like to make gingerbread cookies and decorate them. And she said, "No", I do that with my GaGa Sandy.<br />
<br />
So she asked her if she would like to make Christmas sugar cookies and decorate them, and her daughter replied, "No" I do that with my GaGa Sandy.<br />
<br />
Traditions + Memories -<br />
<br />
Is it because they all blend together to make us who we are today and to make this magical season even more magical for each of us for all our own reasons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5cZEOk_DdfkToaDxu_k43XLyCr7iWqxoVKHzAtCz-0YfuDBtsnl3dHYidxFsApT4gWsGeLZsDQ9DmByNuvVkSCVjJjgjWJ_c3khTfXCBp7EqkLNyVcwmJuL0XIV9BV5SI8q2933nd7wi/s1600/IMG_7278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5cZEOk_DdfkToaDxu_k43XLyCr7iWqxoVKHzAtCz-0YfuDBtsnl3dHYidxFsApT4gWsGeLZsDQ9DmByNuvVkSCVjJjgjWJ_c3khTfXCBp7EqkLNyVcwmJuL0XIV9BV5SI8q2933nd7wi/s640/IMG_7278.JPG" width="610" /></a><br />
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Or - <br />
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Maybe - <br />
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is it the story from another time so many years ago on Christmas eve when a man and a woman traveled by donkey on a journey to deliver the most precious gift of all - traveling in the most primitive of ways over hills and through valleys not knowing when they arrived in a town unfamiliar <br />
to them in the middle of the night the only place to lay their head that night would be in a stable nestled among donkeys and sheep filled with the anticipation of the gift they were bringing to the world in the form of a tiny baby boy who would spend his first night in a lowly manager - <br />
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And who would one day be called our - Savior - <br />
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<em>His name is Jesus. . .</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Happy Birthday Jesus.</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XaWhhQUOsr__HvmUi0KqmoSmuy1CW5CbMwDGI_yuClSlVH_H7-uaR-LIsFiNWVlOn2ue0sU7NS6gaXcvcGA9he__BAQau9l1ICWvI3i_52XK3OEbvj2qYTNeoc-lEb5207zrSue_Lxz7/s1600/IMG_7288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XaWhhQUOsr__HvmUi0KqmoSmuy1CW5CbMwDGI_yuClSlVH_H7-uaR-LIsFiNWVlOn2ue0sU7NS6gaXcvcGA9he__BAQau9l1ICWvI3i_52XK3OEbvj2qYTNeoc-lEb5207zrSue_Lxz7/s640/IMG_7288.JPG" width="544" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAFSwzDcHaC-LcD1pbRyuYBMqpUOFwPNcjMrgcdp_ueQpGpI1hy9zk-HpA11rpjYyOBPO7RXKEoF8qvx_GTaTycXCODGmF6d8LJ5rZ-wbMo_E7vfAWeYD2nhm-RibYP_3K1ridTvnjhMV/s1600/IMG_7283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAFSwzDcHaC-LcD1pbRyuYBMqpUOFwPNcjMrgcdp_ueQpGpI1hy9zk-HpA11rpjYyOBPO7RXKEoF8qvx_GTaTycXCODGmF6d8LJ5rZ-wbMo_E7vfAWeYD2nhm-RibYP_3K1ridTvnjhMV/s640/IMG_7283.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-26249138331228924012016-11-13T21:11:00.000-08:002016-11-15T15:25:26.840-08:00A HEART FULL OF GRATEFULNESS<br />
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A H</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWluDn6E6PqSh5RR4LPZQpcUrs_lBDVrnp-ff7EwP2jeFE3PlWmaAz6ObqevlBZ7rIiQUkuDzHFn43rFPf6xxx8cCzi8mWChTWSugXS6CsRqhzcB9bGxX9KKw3gOHvmB0Rfocs31A_wmIZ/s1600/IMG_7180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWluDn6E6PqSh5RR4LPZQpcUrs_lBDVrnp-ff7EwP2jeFE3PlWmaAz6ObqevlBZ7rIiQUkuDzHFn43rFPf6xxx8cCzi8mWChTWSugXS6CsRqhzcB9bGxX9KKw3gOHvmB0Rfocs31A_wmIZ/s640/IMG_7180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am grateful. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i><br />
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grateful to live where
I drive around a lake nestled in the country to get to the grocery store. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grateful for neighbors
who feel like family. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grateful for the phone
call from my son a couple of weeks ago when he was out to dinner with a friend
-</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just to say, </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“thank you mom for all
the canning you did while I was growing up”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He went on to say they were talking about growing up in a
family and what was special to each of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He recalled all the canning that took place in our kitchen every summer.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Especially the pickles”</i> he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can remember all the fruit from our fruit
trees being made into sauce - but I can’t for the life of me -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">remember the pickles.
. . </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mDnjr_jXF3KYqf1PTs_qJ_RUn7k8ezPZ8x9oe9Jjg07b4gdpmg5hRlRaZhQkCoHnmM1gWHCC6IXdkKAy8JmHYcve2rcs4PFJkEqIZThBcgoFN8eAl8zB8Y9XNaLF_Ze8OA_6wUqpnQ7r/s1600/IMG_7216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mDnjr_jXF3KYqf1PTs_qJ_RUn7k8ezPZ8x9oe9Jjg07b4gdpmg5hRlRaZhQkCoHnmM1gWHCC6IXdkKAy8JmHYcve2rcs4PFJkEqIZThBcgoFN8eAl8zB8Y9XNaLF_Ze8OA_6wUqpnQ7r/s640/IMG_7216.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the same son that many years ago said, <em>“thank you
mom for sacrificing your career and staying home to raise us kids".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em>He didn’t know it was far from a sacrifice,
but a special honor and privilege to be home every day, not missing any moment
of their growing into the beautiful adults they each are today.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Every day as a mom we’re busy doing all the things that feel
routine to us, <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for sure - nothing
extraordinary to us, </i><o:p> </o:p></div>
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but then some of those moments attach themselves to our
children, <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they notice</i> -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Grateful on 9/11 when my hubby called at 7am to tell me to
go turn the TV on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a terrorist
attack on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">New York City</st1:city></st1:place>.
Heading out for my morning walk, passing by a neighborhood church that already
had hung a sign out front inviting our community to stop in to pray for those
across the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place>
whose world had just been changed forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm-0j4D0veSalWy5d8LubaNTm4VMMp27E_32t9HTWfd4wyERX_dl2QhOmUWxBd33OANuC1g7O7Rih4bhh7QrNq3iiZNTi6h-pRR8m72dhwg9ep-vcLBmt_PDy6VqSDtli0M5B2t4ef3ea/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm-0j4D0veSalWy5d8LubaNTm4VMMp27E_32t9HTWfd4wyERX_dl2QhOmUWxBd33OANuC1g7O7Rih4bhh7QrNq3iiZNTi6h-pRR8m72dhwg9ep-vcLBmt_PDy6VqSDtli0M5B2t4ef3ea/s640/IMG_7220.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A place to feel peace for that moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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As I sat down in the back pew I felt connected to all those
people 3000 miles away, even though I didn’t personally know any of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s what tragedy does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It brings out the best
in each of us. And draws us close to strangers.</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
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And then coming home, getting out a bowl + flour + yeast and
kneading bread dough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picking up the
dough and holding it close to my nose to inhale the smell of yeast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell of the yeast was calming and gave
me a strong sense of normalcy. My oldest daughter calling <o:p> </o:p></div>
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to say -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you’re kneading bread,
aren’t you mom?</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She knew. . .</i></b><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Grateful for a loving heavenly
father who loves me and <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cherishes me. .</i></b> .</div>
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Who holds me in the palm of his
hand everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just because I’m His child.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqcB5zIH94erPNgws1kBFRrmiBr0d31FCfykKEZOW4qRIcc84-rMzlZjIbEtKMSvGHThVR2g-XPlUk7V39BWnDdhMUaN1iap5c-Uri3JEz7nX4dDKsXzGoE6Qzt8sk6mFY6c4lOsQ3orN/s1600/IMG_7225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqcB5zIH94erPNgws1kBFRrmiBr0d31FCfykKEZOW4qRIcc84-rMzlZjIbEtKMSvGHThVR2g-XPlUk7V39BWnDdhMUaN1iap5c-Uri3JEz7nX4dDKsXzGoE6Qzt8sk6mFY6c4lOsQ3orN/s640/IMG_7225.JPG" width="468" /></a></div>
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Grateful for this very special
friend in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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They’re one in a million -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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They’re like no other.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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If you have one, you know what I
mean and how blessed I feel.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Where there’s accepting and
forgiving, laughing at each other, hours and hours</div>
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of endless, meaningless
conversation about white dishes and even whiter pillows </div>
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and linens and -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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where there’s loving and caring
and sharing. . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
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To the two of us -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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it’s all <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">meaningful</i>.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grateful for family because that’s where it all begins and ends. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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Grateful for my hubby, our four
children, our granddaughter and most importantly all our</div>
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friends who form an invisible
circle around us with their love, who become family.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grateful for the memories of this past year -</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p>For the special moments -</o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For the ordinary moments.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And grateful of
course, that I love the smell of fresh falling rain. . .<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-23498289953857004382016-10-27T16:25:00.004-07:002016-10-27T20:43:10.220-07:00Leaf Kicking Walk<br />
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I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> the
changing seasons. That’s the <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Minnesota</st1:place></st1:state>
girl in me. Outside our front door hangs a sign that says,<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFInDC-O54KrpnHJpV-215KJC0DKXAXDRW8Wctgw6avGzqfu1HypzBKzXi9I3CyZlPNpH682VsrHfnUmR1ZrjycHtyHJaR7ncQOl616qgqjSl7bLMJKtkM6XDiNQw8aM2yJ3Vf-gUzmpIa/s1600/IMG_7214a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFInDC-O54KrpnHJpV-215KJC0DKXAXDRW8Wctgw6avGzqfu1HypzBKzXi9I3CyZlPNpH682VsrHfnUmR1ZrjycHtyHJaR7ncQOl616qgqjSl7bLMJKtkM6XDiNQw8aM2yJ3Vf-gUzmpIa/s640/IMG_7214a.JPG" width="640" /></a>“<strong>Fall</strong> <strong>is in the Air</strong>” -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon Time for a Leaf Kicking Walk. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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And yesterday my hubby and I did just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went for a leaf kicking walk as we wandered
the streets</div>
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in our neighborhood.</div>
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I love the familiar sounds of fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every year I wait to hear the sound of the
school bus clunking down our street the week after Labor Day to pick up the
neighborhood kids waiting on the corner. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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I love the sound of their laughter that floats through my
kitchen window as I stand at my stove stirring<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>oatmeal.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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The sound of the first fall rains as they dance on the roof
overhead.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I love exchanging flip
flops for boots. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">T-shirts for chunky
sweaters. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and warm, cozy
scarves. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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Raking leaves and everything looks so clean and then a few
days later the winds return to blow more leaves off the trees replacing the
ones I just raked up,</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sigh. . .<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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the last mowing and knowing gardening is behind me for the
next few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emptying the outdoor
pots of flowers that look weary from the hot summer sun and replacing them with
decorative cabbages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p>The resident squirrels that show up at our back door every morning waiting for their winter stash of peanuts. </o:p><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then.</i> . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
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One of the most <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fun</i>,
fall activities - heading to the pumpkin farm with my friend to find our white,
flat pumpkins.<o:p> Walking up and down all the aisles searching for the - </o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p><em>perfect pumpkins. . .</em></o:p></div>
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Asking each other, what do you think?<br />
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<em>Maybe - Maybe not. . .</em><br />
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And of course, every fall I‘m on the hunt for -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a new winter sweater.
. .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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When our granddaughter was born one of the first places we
took her was to the beach, put her bare toes in the sand and walked her to the
waters edge to smell the salt water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the time she was a baby I would take her to an open window during a rain storm and say to
her, Niya Lilly, just smell the rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
talked to her about the rain, <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how softly it falls -
</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how fresh it smells -</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and how quiet the
world feels when it’s raining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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She just turned six and last week she called from <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:state> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just to say -</i> </div>
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Ga Ga, I just wanted to tell you, <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I’m smelling the
rain”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Which of course, made
my heart smile. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy Fall!!!</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Take time for a leaf
kicking walk.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-45291649041693637962016-07-19T22:37:00.000-07:002016-07-21T12:06:10.339-07:00SUMMER FUN<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU7HhBObktP-4rFErIyAdB678f0tgi8YH5nx2taTOABMpsRsvmHD0HKIrZAVApAMVfz3ykFr3BZiP-uDtOffwlYVTnWYHLPoe-2emIeuL_N3CvCJnpZIOiW8E5AADRWlDMvK0hVbdk0ua/s1600/IMG_7090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU7HhBObktP-4rFErIyAdB678f0tgi8YH5nx2taTOABMpsRsvmHD0HKIrZAVApAMVfz3ykFr3BZiP-uDtOffwlYVTnWYHLPoe-2emIeuL_N3CvCJnpZIOiW8E5AADRWlDMvK0hVbdk0ua/s320/IMG_7090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWU5sf_ljTOn6ogT2ENyr6jfpb-PTdoWPjjZAHWbaLA_aygP6fXdlSDLUe375kPDjeREAGXgwSBylF6S5KD3jYwCMLbZmDxBoQXjczKdUT7I4rsFEVDmGdE3YrIiM88BKEUoqR4W1l-G2/s1600/IMG_7098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWU5sf_ljTOn6ogT2ENyr6jfpb-PTdoWPjjZAHWbaLA_aygP6fXdlSDLUe375kPDjeREAGXgwSBylF6S5KD3jYwCMLbZmDxBoQXjczKdUT7I4rsFEVDmGdE3YrIiM88BKEUoqR4W1l-G2/s320/IMG_7098.JPG" width="93" /></a>Every summer our guest room (“The Penthouse”) has an
overflow of guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love this time of
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And are excited for each one that
calls to reserve a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In April I go
up to check on what needs to be done to freshen the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Usually it’s pretty
simple. </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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This year I headed up the stairs with new linens for the bed
and by the time the first guests arrived I had repainted the wicker chairs, an ottoman
-</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_0tfaGi9fSNdhTW5M1RoqHEPgONIjrEUw1U6hvAcwd7uyGnPrkbqLF_omJGl-C4hI4jduJxSaRBcmS_TckRrwxKzpsW18z1R1yYSi_ffE5_SBcnltCWQYbI-pdBj__ZgSzwQyleSZGMB/s1600/IMG_7023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_0tfaGi9fSNdhTW5M1RoqHEPgONIjrEUw1U6hvAcwd7uyGnPrkbqLF_omJGl-C4hI4jduJxSaRBcmS_TckRrwxKzpsW18z1R1yYSi_ffE5_SBcnltCWQYbI-pdBj__ZgSzwQyleSZGMB/s320/IMG_7023.JPG" width="219" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKAfu-SoJNHl45jZx489HNCGHA-_ft7hHO08BhchGvYRopLVEjg6RPd0FR_pafgsH3qHUpRZuh-6a_LiqdxSqLggvQoSkVd4tmk42KQdf9frV2n9SuYG3CxbF-4NUyEKyAvmSdUtcqeUd/s1600/IMG_7020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKAfu-SoJNHl45jZx489HNCGHA-_ft7hHO08BhchGvYRopLVEjg6RPd0FR_pafgsH3qHUpRZuh-6a_LiqdxSqLggvQoSkVd4tmk42KQdf9frV2n9SuYG3CxbF-4NUyEKyAvmSdUtcqeUd/s320/IMG_7020.JPG" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a table and a bench,
put up curtains, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">new white towels and
wash clothes, </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a couple of rugs and
pillows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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Went into the attic -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(may I remind you, the
last time I went in I was followed out by a band of bees singing “I Wanna Sting
Ya”.), </i><o:p> </o:p></div>
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to find a net swing purchased some 20 years ago and had
never been used. Thought it would make a great towel holder. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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As I sit here writing, our first group of 4 left just a few
days ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in a few more days</div>
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new guests arrive. I love all the fluffing and preparing to
make our guests feel welcome and comfortable, <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">making a list</i> and then
checking it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">twice</i> to ensure nothing's
forgotten.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Ten years ago our 9 year old niece from <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Minnesota</st1:place></st1:state> came to visit during the
summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day down at the lake we took
this picture.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Last week we went back to the same spot and updated the
picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is now 19 and just
completed her first year of college.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I know. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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She’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">taller</i> than
me.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94dKPRqezysngQkBCDxLqV-jujlxG3vEsL07wW5HR4y1rWvKOano6hyphenhyphen4zjUWUN7qXBm3xJUmm6psRnzxAH3-Q_CtiTXFR6HZ9hAhLCO648n8wlcOWv40QwzdO9IsWHracPZ7ZXd6jFDEu/s1600/IMG_7094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94dKPRqezysngQkBCDxLqV-jujlxG3vEsL07wW5HR4y1rWvKOano6hyphenhyphen4zjUWUN7qXBm3xJUmm6psRnzxAH3-Q_CtiTXFR6HZ9hAhLCO648n8wlcOWv40QwzdO9IsWHracPZ7ZXd6jFDEu/s320/IMG_7094.JPG" width="221" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Rh_aSOCPAhtm4TItyheE3P7MnDVeL1icH2tXa2QVHi7qN2RjIfk9gCLLjTzbQsGkJU8gnBMY5nOfNCV6-M1WYcfbpjhvTu-vRoD1fanv4_PD7v4OMUdQhNFVcY5ZW4L71DWQM4T7aic5/s1600/IMG_7091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Rh_aSOCPAhtm4TItyheE3P7MnDVeL1icH2tXa2QVHi7qN2RjIfk9gCLLjTzbQsGkJU8gnBMY5nOfNCV6-M1WYcfbpjhvTu-vRoD1fanv4_PD7v4OMUdQhNFVcY5ZW4L71DWQM4T7aic5/s320/IMG_7091.JPG" width="180" /></a>When she was here 10 years ago on a rainy day she wanted to
do a creative project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something with
paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went out to the garage and
found a small white chair that had sat in my mothers’ kitchen when I was
growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with that chair I brought
in a white utility ladder. And the creativity began.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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After most of the family left for home last Monday we headed
to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seaside</st1:place></st1:city> with
our niece </div>
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(who stayed on for an extra 5 days) for days of beach
strolling, making sand art, walking barefoot on the beach trying not to step on
the jelly fish that the waves had randomly placed all over the sand. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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And eating gelato at the local gelateria made fresh daily by
the owners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just in case you’re
wondering??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marionberry with chocolate
shavings is my new fave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wasn’t even
tempted to order the chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
after sampling it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I know</i>. . . With the name “Chocolate Girl” Marionberry should not
have even been an option.</div>
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Car naps - <o:p> </o:p></div>
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and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">treasured
conversations</i> tucked in amongst all the busyness.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Conversations sharing stories, dreams, with lots of giggling
mixed in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s in these quiet
conversations that we get a glimpse into parts of each other we hadn’t seen
before.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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and then followed by the hardest part of these visits - </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">saying goodbye. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one hug. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then two. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then -</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one more</i>.</div>
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<br />CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-80649512649830288932016-04-18T20:28:00.000-07:002016-04-18T20:28:15.298-07:00HERE COMES SUMMER!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ8oElCC3kcSNNQkNPmaJMxuEU99KhX1r4L8d6SICNrcT8hy3tlMBzYBDl6C7oh6SI2UH365M9OHpyZU4QpEVKgk9X6viMaEEV5LFolGW6GIEUOn9v26DUY5EQW70kKC0GCf5eat06OEf/s1600/IMG_7004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ8oElCC3kcSNNQkNPmaJMxuEU99KhX1r4L8d6SICNrcT8hy3tlMBzYBDl6C7oh6SI2UH365M9OHpyZU4QpEVKgk9X6viMaEEV5LFolGW6GIEUOn9v26DUY5EQW70kKC0GCf5eat06OEf/s320/IMG_7004.JPG" width="308" /></a></div>
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</div>
I love this time of year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spring makes me - <o:p> </o:p><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">joyful, and my
thoughts are all stumbling and tumbling all over themselves-</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thoughts about buying
this and moving that. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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days are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">longer</i>. .
.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I pass by my gardens and see little green things poking
their heads through the </div>
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soil that I forgot were there. . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
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and then I feel an excitement stirring inside of me to get
my hands in the dirt<o:p> </o:p></div>
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and -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">let the spring
cleaning begin.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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At first it’s so much fun because every piece you clean up and
prune and fluff makes such an -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">impression on the yard.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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I’m pretty sure I see the yard shift with pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not so anyone else would notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But I’m pretty sure it
did.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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At first it feels easy and then one
day I stand up and look out over the vast yard and realize there’s so much to
hoe and dig and all that sleeping dirt to fluff so it resembles a <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRSjo-ogvIET6XtULxI2hvGedPThQVJyTR_Awecs_OES2E3sxZeewePl5xYPhLUmoAQKaVIYhZtYIlv4cb2ljZOZNXHT9E1giQAEP3h5EPVAPW1-UktxPMX0u7rVvpjH2jLi2abOVLNwB/s1600/IMG_6985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRSjo-ogvIET6XtULxI2hvGedPThQVJyTR_Awecs_OES2E3sxZeewePl5xYPhLUmoAQKaVIYhZtYIlv4cb2ljZOZNXHT9E1giQAEP3h5EPVAPW1-UktxPMX0u7rVvpjH2jLi2abOVLNwB/s320/IMG_6985.JPG" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Better Homes and
Garden picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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And then I call my friend and say “I’ll come and pick you up
and let’s go</div>
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nursery shopping for plants and yard art and <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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I’ll be there in 10 minutes and <o:p> </o:p></div>
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no, you don’t need to put makeup on.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Well, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maybe just
lipstick.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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And on the ride to the nursery we share ideas and we both
get so excited we over talk each other -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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And then in all my excitement I invite friends over for
dinner the following week and <o:p> </o:p></div>
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won’t it be fun walking them through the yard and listening
to all their sighs and ooohs and aaahs about how beautiful everything looks and
-<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who would have thought
to put that there!</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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As I dig and plant and water, my eyes wander up to the back
deck where all my summer pillows have found their way down from the attic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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I take a minute to go fluff and tuck and move this pillow
over 2 more inches which totally made a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">huge
difference</i> in how it looks with that little bit of a move and slide another
one back where it originally started.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I know</i> . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIfypGV-fbdcFoeQTff_A9N3MdA4Aj8mF09qb3HqMOf28P5qQku7fyVnAGCIJMBiD9NLEPFL9wH4AB-IQhtSEF4KSde5itCiKaljPZmPqF3jasBoKIBIX3KQ8T377ZcQxohFhC3dVWGiK/s1600/IMG_6999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIfypGV-fbdcFoeQTff_A9N3MdA4Aj8mF09qb3HqMOf28P5qQku7fyVnAGCIJMBiD9NLEPFL9wH4AB-IQhtSEF4KSde5itCiKaljPZmPqF3jasBoKIBIX3KQ8T377ZcQxohFhC3dVWGiK/s400/IMG_6999.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It’s such a process.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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And how am I going to get my favorite red and white striped
sling chair out of the attic</div>
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because as I collected my pillows a few days earlier I was
greeted with a swarm of bees that had made their home in the attic over the
winter and raced me to the bottom of the stairs. (I won!) </div>
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And will my deck look the same <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">without that chair? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">especially with
company coming.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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And then as I headed back out to my garden at 7 am this
morning (clearly I wasn’t thinking <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">clearly
</i>to have a shovel in my hand at that hour on a Sat. morning) I decided</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-doMWtPm0o7aAuk-GRP48G_Jwk29xtzyj6DvJdUnC6YYczUyv_XuSkXtx4qiG6L4AG6nbGzaY1xPgKSd9b_G6xHsTRqDnACMkuCVkvGnAv8AC5D1S1beRP2jBciXaIL6T2X7Uk9v4PzM/s1600/IMG_6982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-doMWtPm0o7aAuk-GRP48G_Jwk29xtzyj6DvJdUnC6YYczUyv_XuSkXtx4qiG6L4AG6nbGzaY1xPgKSd9b_G6xHsTRqDnACMkuCVkvGnAv8AC5D1S1beRP2jBciXaIL6T2X7Uk9v4PzM/s400/IMG_6982.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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to take a deep breath <o:p> </o:p></div>
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and. . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
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made a plan for our guests arrival.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I will only walk them through the parts of our yard that are
proudly waiting to be part of the garden tour- and no one will notice the piles
of rocks waiting to find a home in the landscape, or the bare spots that still
need attention. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvKvacIlmgKCHSHmqU0iJrIfREk_BE-nMnTVubsSpiJ6H_PGOK3dvkp3w9Pn3p6VB59sjRiNE_McMFU03Ek5jxFcXb8EbNisEpGCj-RGJqg4V0rHBe0ImFyucwAJYbh6UMvE8jo8cD9L-/s1600/IMG_6953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvKvacIlmgKCHSHmqU0iJrIfREk_BE-nMnTVubsSpiJ6H_PGOK3dvkp3w9Pn3p6VB59sjRiNE_McMFU03Ek5jxFcXb8EbNisEpGCj-RGJqg4V0rHBe0ImFyucwAJYbh6UMvE8jo8cD9L-/s400/IMG_6953.JPG" width="400" /></a>I will distract them with a fancy table setting and even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fancier</i> food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Well, I don’t know about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fancy </i>part.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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And now -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t wait for our
guests to arrive.</i></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-55185743791764424242016-03-16T20:14:00.000-07:002016-03-16T20:15:36.275-07:00Water Therapy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJpJs2fbnazboL84fwmpIUAosVPPweGwFqB97rq37vKlP1jH8BiFr8B1FWIWOwpa5YBzCDRTEhKnjPiTklmMIkaQ0s7OxD_Q9u9TCi0yM1i0l0ghBkmgv-7W-nx53_xWA3emFeg7gSmDw/s1600/IMG_6924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJpJs2fbnazboL84fwmpIUAosVPPweGwFqB97rq37vKlP1jH8BiFr8B1FWIWOwpa5YBzCDRTEhKnjPiTklmMIkaQ0s7OxD_Q9u9TCi0yM1i0l0ghBkmgv-7W-nx53_xWA3emFeg7gSmDw/s640/IMG_6924.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HO2iy8Nfv1DLOUUXPeIJJPhFplb8SGVpKVrafA_RTd6Jb258YeKs7nDvXfA_YDTcy37g3w0uFhsZJ8g69wAEOLnyGxysbG4hCJ218-Nf0DA3zqKyXQvEjRtWKQ127OnRj54VpYiJG4mW/s1600/IMG_6922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HO2iy8Nfv1DLOUUXPeIJJPhFplb8SGVpKVrafA_RTd6Jb258YeKs7nDvXfA_YDTcy37g3w0uFhsZJ8g69wAEOLnyGxysbG4hCJ218-Nf0DA3zqKyXQvEjRtWKQ127OnRj54VpYiJG4mW/s640/IMG_6922.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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On any given day when I have free time you will find me by the
water - salt water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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The first place we took our granddaughter even before she
could walk was to a salt water beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
took her shoes off, put her toes in the sand and whispered in her ear, <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8NknGE2OwUAAeeDfrz499De6spt5L2ctcy8Ujx37HR4G8ssQVk7lHMvkXUJOM5VqN0PP5p7Wg3r4cWKe4jN4-kkrSO6vsQnlkSy2yAaYjIs9k4yO6Kv2gPU-NzEC7gOHweLc3TmTeUna/s1600/NIYA+-+Toes+in+sand+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8NknGE2OwUAAeeDfrz499De6spt5L2ctcy8Ujx37HR4G8ssQVk7lHMvkXUJOM5VqN0PP5p7Wg3r4cWKe4jN4-kkrSO6vsQnlkSy2yAaYjIs9k4yO6Kv2gPU-NzEC7gOHweLc3TmTeUna/s400/NIYA+-+Toes+in+sand+-+2.jpg" width="253" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdZacMc-w0K_Z0znzBTDrZNL4nf-ny6OFAo9GUY-qWZ5oIH1bbhOOa5gzMc4KRwTHIxJ6MZW5j_IXz3Sfk6GbgAmGnGguVmqxxNwjJ1ut2rRHgmJq9Uy7YZ8T8GBnjwJ3207ezWY342zd/s1600/NIYA+-+Toes+in+sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdZacMc-w0K_Z0znzBTDrZNL4nf-ny6OFAo9GUY-qWZ5oIH1bbhOOa5gzMc4KRwTHIxJ6MZW5j_IXz3Sfk6GbgAmGnGguVmqxxNwjJ1ut2rRHgmJq9Uy7YZ8T8GBnjwJ3207ezWY342zd/s400/NIYA+-+Toes+in+sand.jpg" width="253" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Niya Lilly, “do you feel the sand in your toes”, </i></b><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
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and then I walked her to the water’s edge and said, </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iuS3NFIj4S21Fu0xrSo8Xhhi9aEqFp9i5B3NOW2Bou0igS9-E7KlaNqDAr3ZRpfgrtxNS4kHuz3mu4tjpyoVoJojnarnm3A92kvMNOEWXKsSnfB0H_9lcVj0ZmoFA3h3TXerCzQn0TzP/s1600/NIYA+-+Sandy+on+Ediz+Hook+-+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iuS3NFIj4S21Fu0xrSo8Xhhi9aEqFp9i5B3NOW2Bou0igS9-E7KlaNqDAr3ZRpfgrtxNS4kHuz3mu4tjpyoVoJojnarnm3A92kvMNOEWXKsSnfB0H_9lcVj0ZmoFA3h3TXerCzQn0TzP/s400/NIYA+-+Sandy+on+Ediz+Hook+-+A.jpg" width="400" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Niya Lilly, smell the salt water”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i></b><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And we both <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">took a deep breath</i></b>. And then we
looked at each other and - <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I knew</i></b> -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">she smelled what I smelled</i></b>.</div>
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When she looked up at me and smiled, I hoped with everything
in me that I had planted a seed in this new little spirit.</div>
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If I’m working in my office and there’s rain falling outside
my office window, you can be sure, my window will always be cracked open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just so I can -</i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">smell the rain</i></b>. . . </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I have shared my love for the smell of fresh rain and all
that comes with it with Niya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
afternoon it was raining hard and Niya and I were in our den watching a
movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took her over to the window,
opened it up wide open, snuggled up around her while she leaned on the window
sill and whispered in her ear, </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Niya Lilly, just smell the rain</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6s7Mq9qEauDp5CBh5MlEUyUc3h6GW1yocqR_UljTEyGD6bCP-sS911byF8jLFh8QfG7RqISAuhIDqwsKssSZk0GLeq-6wHg_FEfcyzDf07bV2npySC0clSgmxTb0SLjSCy3h3CcuykIL/s1600/IMG_6933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6s7Mq9qEauDp5CBh5MlEUyUc3h6GW1yocqR_UljTEyGD6bCP-sS911byF8jLFh8QfG7RqISAuhIDqwsKssSZk0GLeq-6wHg_FEfcyzDf07bV2npySC0clSgmxTb0SLjSCy3h3CcuykIL/s640/IMG_6933.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Watch the rain as it bounces off the bright shiny leaves and listen to
how -<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">quiet it is</i></b>.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I talked about nature and how beautiful and wonderful it is,
and how it relaxes our spirit.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
How when we sit by the water or walk in the woods we forget
that the rest of the world exists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
when she comes to spend the night and it’s raining, she’s the one who takes me
to the den, opens the window and says, </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“GaGa, let’s smell the rain</i></b>.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We have a fountain in our entry way and I have one in my
office and one outside our front door.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This week we added one to our bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hubby found this little fountain that
sounds like a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">quiet</i></b> babbling brook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last night as we lay in bed with the smell of fresh falling rain carried
by a cool breeze floated in thru our open bedroom window, and the sound of
water softly tumbling over rocks lifted from our new fountain as we drifted off
to sleep.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
If I ever lived another life before this one (and I’m not so
sure that I did), I’m pretty confident I was a fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s how much I love water.</i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
.</div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-18309057725440286022016-02-24T20:13:00.002-08:002016-02-24T20:20:35.907-08:00The Cookbook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JBW_tQagmi5oEudAGEOp_Efe8o2EOdef0bR0PV545uzD83KyGxxMY6wEJ-5OonAWqdst5J6jDy1A8O9P_J5WrwBKus-3T6tFcTWcp5VnOg6Rmemeq_fPgGorBUaRFsWMJvhAGBC7s-G0/s1600/IMG_6899a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JBW_tQagmi5oEudAGEOp_Efe8o2EOdef0bR0PV545uzD83KyGxxMY6wEJ-5OonAWqdst5J6jDy1A8O9P_J5WrwBKus-3T6tFcTWcp5VnOg6Rmemeq_fPgGorBUaRFsWMJvhAGBC7s-G0/s320/IMG_6899a.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In October my oldest daughter Kym came to me and said, <o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I know what I want
for Christmas”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I want you to make me a cookbook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In the last few years I made one for 2 of our nieces as
wedding shower gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were filled
with recipes and stories from aunts and cousins and friends and grandma’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With doodles showing what the recipe might look
like, well wishes for the future that lay ahead for these young girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pages filled with love and lots and lots of memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stories that made you laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then laugh <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">some more</i>. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I knew this was what
my daughter was asking for. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She wanted stories and recipes from her grandma when my 4 brothers
and I were growing up, <o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Stories and recipes from our family when she was growing
up.</div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
From the beginning I knew it was less about the recipes and
more about the stories <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">behind</i> the
recipes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted a - <o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">memory book</i>.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Soon emails were sent, notes sailed across the states, phone
calls were made -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and then</i>. . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
letters with attached recipes began filling my mailbox.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Friends dropped by to write in her book.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As we go through everyday life raising our children we don’t
know what attaches to them, the memories that become their favorites and that
define them, the ones they will take into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their</i>
homes.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Family and our family history has always been important to
our daughter Kym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with all families
we had special traditions, family gatherings for <o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything and
anything</i>. . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When my mother passed away Kym came to me and said, now that
grandma’s gone you are the matriarch in our family,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s up to you to keep
the family traditions alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She is our little event planner. After we lost Phil’s sister
Judy, Kym had a big hole in her heart and she needed to find a way to fill it.
It didn’t take her long to create a new tradition to add to the old ones that
were already solid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From her new idea
was born “Girls Week” with Phil’s sisters and their daughters and me and my
daughters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following spring we all
headed to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Palm Springs</st1:place></st1:city>
to a family vacation home to have our first “Girls Week”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of our favorite trips have been to <st1:city w:st="on">San Francisco</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San
Diego</st1:place></st1:city></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
and wine country in <st1:city w:st="on">Sonoma</st1:city>
where we rented a home from the Sabastiani family who own a winery in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Sonoma</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we find on these girls trips is when you
spend 5 days together you have these special pockets of time with each other
that never take place in family gatherings or when you stay in a hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the times when we really get to
know each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When stories are told
that we otherwise wouldn’t hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
let ourselves become vulnerable with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where we become real. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And so as I sit putting this book together I know it’s
important to leave empty pages</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
scattered among the written ones to make room for Kym’s stories
that she will add one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To add her own
stories to our family history. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JBW_tQagmi5oEudAGEOp_Efe8o2EOdef0bR0PV545uzD83KyGxxMY6wEJ-5OonAWqdst5J6jDy1A8O9P_J5WrwBKus-3T6tFcTWcp5VnOg6Rmemeq_fPgGorBUaRFsWMJvhAGBC7s-G0/s1600/IMG_6899a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<br />CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-38358764286374479732015-11-03T18:12:00.000-08:002015-11-03T18:12:12.510-08:00In the Middle of the Night<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sometimes in the middle of the night when everyone else is
sound asleep, I wake up and hear myself going -</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aaaah. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
You see, there’s this little angel laying 2 feet from me, in
the form of our little granddaughter, who earlier this year moved from a few
minutes from out home where overnighters were a weekly occurrence to a six hour drive
across the mountains -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
where we drive by clear, crisp, mountain streams and climb
mountain passes, eat our favorite homemade chocolate ice cream at the same
little restaurant perched on a hill overlooking the <st1:place w:st="on">Columbia
River</st1:place>, <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
where puffs of white clouds dot the bright blue sky -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
and there must be a symphony playing somewhere as I watch
the birds soar and twirl,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>keeping a
perfect rhythm as they float overhead.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Somewhere in the midst of all the hugging and kissing,
catching up and how was your drive, I hear words like -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kindergarten. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and counting by fives.
. .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and when she smiles
there’s two front teeth missing.</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
How is that possible?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Wasn’t she just a baby yesterday?<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So, maybe as I lay there in the middle of the night - <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maybe .</i> . . <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
all I wanted to do was -<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">listen</i> to her
sleep. .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.</div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-88823746275988383602015-09-28T13:34:00.000-07:002015-09-28T13:35:38.308-07:00Strawberry Crepes<o:p> </o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-bS1ScQBIg29ZvgpgAhf6eU10usCcH1wvBerjlwVcATYTtNTdqBlyUrPqpo_d5KlfTbPR4NatelXinlA6bPtg_zzfRqKN0NLoAIqNgy1SnKXGvgebthUxOnFPTDI1u7_S6eRC2PK-YX3/s1600/IMG_6783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-bS1ScQBIg29ZvgpgAhf6eU10usCcH1wvBerjlwVcATYTtNTdqBlyUrPqpo_d5KlfTbPR4NatelXinlA6bPtg_zzfRqKN0NLoAIqNgy1SnKXGvgebthUxOnFPTDI1u7_S6eRC2PK-YX3/s320/IMG_6783.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="color: #5133ab; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As we pulled into our driveway coming home from our trip
to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:state> the
breeze and the leaves were </span><br />
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #5133ab; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">swirling and twirling, </span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #5133ab; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">practicing their -</span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #5133ab; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">fall dance. .
. </span></i></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #008a17; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The squirrels were scampering all <i>“hither and yon”</i>
</span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #008a17; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">tucking away their last stash of peanuts for winter. .</span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #ac193d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As I stepped out of the car the air was so fresh, </span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #ac193d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">it almost took my -</span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #ac193d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">breath away</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: #ac193d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. . . </span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #2672ec; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And as if that weren’t enough, my heart burst
out singing -</span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #2672ec; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">the <i>“Hallelujah Chorus”. </i></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN" style="color: #8c0095; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">AND</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: #8c0095; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">, in the midst of all this </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #ac193d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“C</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #2672ec; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">E</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #008a17; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">L</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #8c0095; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">E</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #5133ab; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">B</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #008a17; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">R</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #ac193d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #5133ab; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">T</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #008a17; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #8c0095; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">O</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #5133ab; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">N</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #ac193d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">”. . .</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #8c0095; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN" style="color: #d24726; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’m wondering. . .</span></i></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #993300; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Are strawberry crepes meant only for
summer?</span><span style="color: #993300;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">Strawberry Crepes -</span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">If you’d like to hang out and eat
strawberry crepes - </span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">this is the place. . .</span></i><span style="color: blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">I’m your girl!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></i> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">Basic French Crepes</span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">1 cup milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">3 eggs, well beaten<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">¾ cup sifted all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">1 Tblsp. sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">¼ tsp. salt</span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">Beat milk into well-beaten
eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sift together flour, sugar and
salt into milk mixture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beat with rotary
beater </span><span style="color: blue;">until batter is smooth.</span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">Pour 1 Tblsp. batter into a lightly
buttered 8” skillet, preheated over medium heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Begin at once to rotate pan </span><span style="color: blue;">to spread the batter evenly over
the bottom. Turn once; bake until light golden brown on both sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Makes </span><span style="color: blue;">9-10 crepes.</span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">Slice and mash strawberries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add sugar to taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(optional)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I prefer not to add sugar and just enjoy the </span><span style="color: blue;">natural sweetness of the
berries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place strawberries on crepe and
roll up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Top with additional berries + </span><span style="color: blue;">whipped cream.</span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">Eat + Enjoy!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-59180182680483619382015-08-04T18:28:00.000-07:002015-08-05T16:26:55.316-07:00SUMMER 2015<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I love those lazy, hazy,
crazy days of summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the heat
keeps you from moving too fast, watermelon is eaten at every meal and chocolate
ice cream is considered a main course.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">April and May were a </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">blur, </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">June was gone in a </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">blink,</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">and as I roll into August I
see summer slowly slipping behind me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">May 9<sup>th</sup> we
returned home from a 2 ½ week vacation in southern <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state> with temps. consistently in the
90’s . I came home truly believing we had just lived summer and was surprised
when I walked in to my office, looked at my calendar and saw it was the middle
of May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can that be?</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In the midst of traveling,
and gardening, picnicing at the beach, making time for friends, more temps. in
the mid 90’s and back yard parties, I’m rereading “A Day In Tuscany” by Francis
Mayes. As I turn the pages I’m right back in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> standing at her iron gate
just out of Cortona and picking lavender from her rock wall to tuck in my
journal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She talks about neighbors
frequently gathering at their outdoor tables and bringing whatever it might be
that they’re cooking that night. For Italians it’s all about the gathering. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And layers and layers of food. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I keep dreaming of creating little <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> in our
neighborhood.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Summer fun. . .</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">One of our friends is recuperating
from neck surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave him 2 weeks
to move past the initial pain of healing until we would show up for a
visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday morning I made crepes,
cut up fresh strawberries, and whipped “real” cream, packed it in a cooler and
my hubby and I headed to our friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
sat on their patio sharing stories and eating strawberry crepes, while one of
those warm balmy summer breezes swirled around us, squirrels scampered up and
down <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trees and the resident birds performed
a symphony.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">sigh.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> . .</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Is there such a thing as a
dessert without chocolate? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Say it isn’t so. . .</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Standing in line at the
grocery store last week my eyes fell upon the latest copy of bon </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">appétit and
gracing </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">its cover was a picture of
“Blueberry-Pecan Galette”. The book was </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">added to my cart and later that week </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">as we entertained friends for
dinner it was served </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">f</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">or dessert with vanilla ice cream. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I know. . . </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Yum!</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">So easy and fun to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And dare I say, pretty close to healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, if they could </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">just put “butter” on the </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">healthy food list.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I think it’s close<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.
. .</b></span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Until then, I’m living - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as if<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b></i>
. .</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0X5OMaR6Ijl0uD82Qr6kZZZ6edX9pAcdUovt4D_mULAFEQ2WUD26KA_Czbucd5V9x_W-PdON7Eggf3ALpHZSXrfm4rrRrC02MPuBIOhlPaSO9asuwLgNybsY-YPpkRFDOUu2zsGnTRgU/s1600/IMG_6727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0X5OMaR6Ijl0uD82Qr6kZZZ6edX9pAcdUovt4D_mULAFEQ2WUD26KA_Czbucd5V9x_W-PdON7Eggf3ALpHZSXrfm4rrRrC02MPuBIOhlPaSO9asuwLgNybsY-YPpkRFDOUu2zsGnTRgU/s400/IMG_6727.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dough</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">½ c. pecans</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 cup plus 2 tblsp.
all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">2 tsp. sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">½ tsp. kosher salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">¼ tsp. ground cinnamon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">½ cup (1 stick) chilled
unsalted butter, cut into pieces</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Filling </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">12 oz. blueberries (2 cups) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 tblsp. cornstarch</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 ½ tsp. fresh lemon juice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">¼ cup sugar, plus more for
sprinkling</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">All-purpose flour (for
surface)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">2 tblsp. milk, half-and-half,
or heavy cream</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dough</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">fragrant </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and
slightly darkened, 10-15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
cool. Pulse pecans in a food processor </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">until the consistency </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">of course meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">flour, sugar, salt, and
cinnamon and pulse just </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">to combine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add
butter and </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">pulse until mixture resembles coarse </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">meal with a few pea-size
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">pieces remaining.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Transfer to a large bowl,
drizzle with a Tblsp. of ice water and mix, adding another </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Tblsp. of water </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">if
needed, just until mixture comes together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gently pat dough into a </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">6” -diameter disk. Wrap in </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">plastic and chill at
least one hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dough can be made 2 days
ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep chilled, or freeze up to 1
month.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Filling & Assembly</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Preheat oven to 375
degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toss blueberries, cornstarch,
lemon juice and ¼ c. sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">in a large bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Roll out dough on </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">a lightly floured surface to
a 12” round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carefully </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">transfer to a
parchment-lined baking sheet. ( I rolled the dough out on </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">the parchment </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much easier)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mound blueberries in center of dough, leaving
a 2” border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Fold edges over,
overlapping slightly. Brush dough with milk and sprinkle with sugar. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Bake galette until crust is
dark golden brown and filling is bubbling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>45-50 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Let cool before
serving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-4984692225603426692015-05-23T12:22:00.000-07:002015-05-23T21:32:14.623-07:00Bits 'n Pieces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFDAUYowPLGgbaGC5P3EGw3BN00EAPsH6Itb7BEW4BtXNFRKXUEqrCrxAfgTThX1HHlbamrHVF_kt5EuPWxHZ-Qr67tPRjYNY-2V20FxfRiFdPUiys2x07gkQkCeH8OrO_O8LDt_pBFcX/s1600/IMG_6669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFDAUYowPLGgbaGC5P3EGw3BN00EAPsH6Itb7BEW4BtXNFRKXUEqrCrxAfgTThX1HHlbamrHVF_kt5EuPWxHZ-Qr67tPRjYNY-2V20FxfRiFdPUiys2x07gkQkCeH8OrO_O8LDt_pBFcX/s320/IMG_6669.JPG" width="169" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ12gazpGL0uVZtjVXq3ay1zwbJW9DyTmMcf_0irWPYnk9y_CCVGJEicNVqbBCCPvH7yKBQ9tk-db5CRggkdl3xUqOkGgl7ZQhdWTHhyphenhypheniwOVkgl4s6k67Tl2VKKKqjzXFw3LKLFmKKamOk/s1600/IMG_6615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; height: 152px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 231px;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ12gazpGL0uVZtjVXq3ay1zwbJW9DyTmMcf_0irWPYnk9y_CCVGJEicNVqbBCCPvH7yKBQ9tk-db5CRggkdl3xUqOkGgl7ZQhdWTHhyphenhypheniwOVkgl4s6k67Tl2VKKKqjzXFw3LKLFmKKamOk/s320/IMG_6615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-28448026878293704902015-05-23T12:09:00.000-07:002015-05-23T12:09:15.045-07:00Fern Grotto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvq5M0sCUvEZFBWNc66FKJmMjJ3gHuLYer0KRFgkpmj34TGYwI-chJ35KekB71lI4cN4SAZzkHEU4ExK6wQYAGF06QGkgDICc0EDf04PKok_N5cuQZGKEiRQTxzBk9K9Y9UEA9ZkRcAmK/s1600/IMG_6660-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvq5M0sCUvEZFBWNc66FKJmMjJ3gHuLYer0KRFgkpmj34TGYwI-chJ35KekB71lI4cN4SAZzkHEU4ExK6wQYAGF06QGkgDICc0EDf04PKok_N5cuQZGKEiRQTxzBk9K9Y9UEA9ZkRcAmK/s640/IMG_6660-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-31119271938435385302015-05-14T15:05:00.001-07:002015-05-14T15:05:52.194-07:00Rhubarb Compote
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Once again our rhubarb is outdoing itself trying to out perform
the other backyard plants and I do have to say -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQKC_qQNvKpxjG8M4yzceje6z5bjaD5iPFM1gADf0I8JUnjR2E2ylmJv8KQyM-G1rCQz72BODb-wy1ddzqtX65FT-rXLBNpzX6i1N46GjlSLt6fWuyZQ5THZPr6-Egf31G7QOI_FwZ55C/s1600/IMG_6623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQKC_qQNvKpxjG8M4yzceje6z5bjaD5iPFM1gADf0I8JUnjR2E2ylmJv8KQyM-G1rCQz72BODb-wy1ddzqtX65FT-rXLBNpzX6i1N46GjlSLt6fWuyZQ5THZPr6-Egf31G7QOI_FwZ55C/s320/IMG_6623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is looking pretty gorgeous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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But this year I am determined to start putting it on our
table.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I’m beginning with rhubarb compote from a recipe I found
this morning on a blog that</div>
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I follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds
yummy! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gPjkfwWg2TZCd3fl5aaZ2hTyS6iKZvDPfyIVPaC9Chl2kE2H7uTIx3qhYejB1fx3C37rlvh1TOASkZIIHhhvyF9595xn_qCuPoN2Qf0OwBoU51g7ytqYYdYEmt054Cm81LBVZnQRWlIK/s1600/IMG_6648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gPjkfwWg2TZCd3fl5aaZ2hTyS6iKZvDPfyIVPaC9Chl2kE2H7uTIx3qhYejB1fx3C37rlvh1TOASkZIIHhhvyF9595xn_qCuPoN2Qf0OwBoU51g7ytqYYdYEmt054Cm81LBVZnQRWlIK/s320/IMG_6648.JPG" width="320" /></a>Here is the recipe:</div>
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1 pound (455 grams) rhubarb stalks, trimmed and sliced into
¾-inch chunks</div>
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½ to ¾ cup (100 to 150 grams) sugar</div>
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2 Tbsp. (28 grams) unsalted butter</div>
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2 Tbsp. orange liqueur, such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier or
whatever you choose<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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In a medium bowl, toss the rhubarb with the sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set it aside while you melt the butter in a
heavy medium saucepan over medium heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the butter has melted, add the rhubarb, sugar and orange liqueur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allow to cook, undisturbed, for about 2
minutes, until the rhubarb begins to release its juices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then gently stir, and continue to cook over
medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb is very juicy and those
juices begin<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to thicken. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The compote is ready when the rhubarb is
tender and beginning to fall apart and the juices look thick, about 10 - 15
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a
cook-it-until-it-looks-right-to-you situation:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>trust your judgment.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and
serve cold, cool, or warm.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y11WnKTasPML0CpGlB_Iu9elgz4kmK2vG3gM-oTC8tGI3H1Y5DWcr346DIIRftuPS_jEarlFLoqxOHub0EA_OtJMnEjSgQErjtOwrWdHaxYOrsYhdE_zCdqRb-oRbt2b6SxIpqkWYRX5/s1600/IMG_6653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y11WnKTasPML0CpGlB_Iu9elgz4kmK2vG3gM-oTC8tGI3H1Y5DWcr346DIIRftuPS_jEarlFLoqxOHub0EA_OtJMnEjSgQErjtOwrWdHaxYOrsYhdE_zCdqRb-oRbt2b6SxIpqkWYRX5/s320/IMG_6653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Footnote:</div>
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We like things less sweet so I have cut the sugar to a
little under ½ cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sugar is what
helps to thicken the rhubarb’s juices and gives the compote its body, so it
can’t be cut too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you cut back
too much the texture will be different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I substituted orange juice for the orange liqueur because that’s
what I had in my kitchen.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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See, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I told you it
would make it to my kitchen</i>. . . I know you didn’t believe me!</div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-32686549669840830392015-05-13T16:01:00.000-07:002015-05-13T16:01:14.292-07:00Here Comes Summer!!
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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And along with summer comes gardening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love gardening! <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ok83oLakIktZAYRzGd7QYle6YArAm0ft9FtZiXd_4Jsic-HP94VWYyCVEW2IfTxHJ4dyTWNxTjG9R7Xn9FaF2eRWZzNCOWvUibjiTZ2_WmY1Bdt6RcW35jbW08tOwHKTbDkZUMK8XGHW/s1600/IMG_6639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ok83oLakIktZAYRzGd7QYle6YArAm0ft9FtZiXd_4Jsic-HP94VWYyCVEW2IfTxHJ4dyTWNxTjG9R7Xn9FaF2eRWZzNCOWvUibjiTZ2_WmY1Bdt6RcW35jbW08tOwHKTbDkZUMK8XGHW/s320/IMG_6639.JPG" width="320" /></a>I love the smell of summer, the hint of green that is
popping up all over our yard, dreaming of what’s going into our garden this summer
and the pansies and primroses that sit outside the grocery store doors. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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I go to nature to be soothed and healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother Nature is my therapist.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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Our resident squirrels are becoming more present, slowly
pulling themselves out of their winter hibernation, showing up at our back door
for our peanut stash reserved just for them.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am in love with
walking in the woods, </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">strolling on the
beach, </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">digging in my
garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSI3Yn0s-np3VZHfozSNMOYAWr-65ULr6mHCrRrCkrj19QSzdwjJGM0CBZ0mhwdeaDkrjFr7s1dqZX5g4NR1WFNV6yFvZ1QzbTpoqMHq5NFYpkpnOmTeg1NRvfAfnChzxQ-oo-i3hGQVU/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSI3Yn0s-np3VZHfozSNMOYAWr-65ULr6mHCrRrCkrj19QSzdwjJGM0CBZ0mhwdeaDkrjFr7s1dqZX5g4NR1WFNV6yFvZ1QzbTpoqMHq5NFYpkpnOmTeg1NRvfAfnChzxQ-oo-i3hGQVU/s320/IMG_6542.JPG" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And picnicking with
family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s nothing like
sitting in the sun, sharing food and sharing thoughts about everything and
nothing, watching the ferries on the bay come and go. </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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Two weeks ago our family packed a picnic and headed to the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Edmonds</st1:place></st1:city> beach, a sunny
day with a chill still in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
collected shells, drew sand art, made sand castles, ran on the dock and ate ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our family, beach time is not only
reserved for warm, sunny days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will
find us there on sunny winter days or drizzly rainy days wrapped in our warm
winter gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing at the water’s
edge quickly forgetting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKQHX1fkd_kGz3d-T38W4pyNzBiISac7_OpqMu4kyb5ZIwUMFl8eceZLeOE9wB-pl0pSZTASdgNwkmG0rGXICBDkFoQmmpVXfXhwCajbVLD_KB9H-4eQpYsVp5zMNHJ6U-0f6k99qHEFK/s1600/IMG_6514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKQHX1fkd_kGz3d-T38W4pyNzBiISac7_OpqMu4kyb5ZIwUMFl8eceZLeOE9wB-pl0pSZTASdgNwkmG0rGXICBDkFoQmmpVXfXhwCajbVLD_KB9H-4eQpYsVp5zMNHJ6U-0f6k99qHEFK/s320/IMG_6514.JPG" width="232" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoo0PuR6WnpPkBtf5_ntcLifAjrleVyFsgCNGNvtvmwcMSI5lhlgqOlQttJsRiyec562LZS6n0yxn79WG9AnhBOr9E1_Y9nYrE88XP_zDxqa_kNB3Du7If22_SYN0YmzdKK1-XM-X5WES/s1600/IMG_6526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoo0PuR6WnpPkBtf5_ntcLifAjrleVyFsgCNGNvtvmwcMSI5lhlgqOlQttJsRiyec562LZS6n0yxn79WG9AnhBOr9E1_Y9nYrE88XP_zDxqa_kNB3Du7If22_SYN0YmzdKK1-XM-X5WES/s320/IMG_6526.JPG" width="266" /></a><br />
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there’s a busy, noisy world behind us.<br />
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Last week I met a friend up north at a park in a little
community called <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arlington</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We each brought food for a picnic lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We began with a walk on the Centennial Trail
and then found a picnic table in the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When my friend and I get together there is never enough time to say all
that needs to be said, which always leaves us anticipating our next rendezvous.
She brought the most amazing tuna spread made from fresh tuna she and her hubby
buy in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Westport</st1:place></st1:city>,
bring home, smoke and can. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She mixed
celery + this new yogurt (to replace mayo) she found in Stanwood called Grace
Harbor Farms Natural Yogurt that is made up by the Canadian border in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Birch</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She recommended the one with honey. Topped on
her homemade crackers there is only one word for this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YUM!<o:p> </o:p></div>
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In our back yard we have this bush or -<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maybe a tree</i> . . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1Fv_SiXmhMorDStXXuubl6ZECiKsyInIz0BfdnYQGrpRT6j7NbQbxcBsGW4amfTYrhGr1W2fO1anpKfX9RccaoKCX1Z5fmWvFvmaUtZPE5Roi91w5so04T8zx0oDLbVw77v4e0Es8raK/s1600/IMG_6640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1Fv_SiXmhMorDStXXuubl6ZECiKsyInIz0BfdnYQGrpRT6j7NbQbxcBsGW4amfTYrhGr1W2fO1anpKfX9RccaoKCX1Z5fmWvFvmaUtZPE5Roi91w5so04T8zx0oDLbVw77v4e0Es8raK/s320/IMG_6640.JPG" width="320" /></a>that started from a seed blown in from a neighbors
yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years it has grown to
about 15 feet high and equally as wide and in the spring is covered with
delicate white flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my favorite
bush in the yard, because of its free spirit, wild and wispy, like a piece of
art. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last summer one of our daughters
actually discovered that it bears fruit. And every spring my hubby threatens to
prune it back or worse yet, cut it down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And every spring I work hard to redirect his energies. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sigh. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
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As lovely as perfection is, and truly remarkable +
unattainable, and so much work, and if we were remotely close to attaining it
which would make us entirely unapproachable to our friends or family or whomever
might pass in front of us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m forever
drawn to plants that look a little unruly, Italian pots with chips in them and to
things that just look <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unusual + comfortable
+ interesting. . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Wherever perfection might appear I find myself running, <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sprinting. . .</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as fast as I can in
the opposite direction.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This morning as rain is lightly falling outside our windows you
will find my hubby and I snuggled up in our den talking about
relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More pointedly about - <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCr_ifypEooSCQVWOwj1Q-PirQ2EasESDfd6zbgDexY71vuPzaPJRng6qexT4w8Mr1OHnR9USn4b8hFejqwEmosAtzbFg5C-4VSoaLMsQlRobtCayIEAtHe-6UgjnqkvtVzGhY6Ut9eBm/s1600/IMG_6646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCr_ifypEooSCQVWOwj1Q-PirQ2EasESDfd6zbgDexY71vuPzaPJRng6qexT4w8Mr1OHnR9USn4b8hFejqwEmosAtzbFg5C-4VSoaLMsQlRobtCayIEAtHe-6UgjnqkvtVzGhY6Ut9eBm/s320/IMG_6646.JPG" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our relationship -</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
and what has made it so good all these years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we were married we said to each other -
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I never want to
change who you are”. . .</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Prune you)
A lot of couples make those promises, but they are quickly forgotten.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That we would always
give each other the freedom and space to be who we are.</i> . . (To grow
without guidelines and borders just like that bush.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This has created the safest space in the world for each of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A space where we love to hang out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reminded him that our relationship is like
the bush in the backyard that we have allowed to grow in whatever direction it
wants to and with that freedom comes changes each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hubby is still dreaming of pruning and I’m
still defending my bush and working really hard to keep the pruning shears -</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">out of sight. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After many years of marriage the lines will sometimes become
blurred and as I said earlier perfection is only an illusion and as much as we
still give each other space and the freedom we promised, we every once in a while have to remind
each other of<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That promise. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As for that bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
still has a home tucked up against the backyard fence and this spring is
outdoing itself as its white flowers have turned into green lacy leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure if you looked really close you would see it smiling, knowing
it has escaped the pruning shears or ax -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40u8za4Mp6wFm04zvWBSRQyUdJBHoHDgKmSeyRn6tyqrqMBiI9VMitSHmX5XE5-nO-sxJvmVeW9fF-jpH4jdY_N_-FRIB5DiUfRwEqHnnJCApkXpCky4M2SRpfSJ4NFvV8wCj49GqeEMm/s1600/IMG_6644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40u8za4Mp6wFm04zvWBSRQyUdJBHoHDgKmSeyRn6tyqrqMBiI9VMitSHmX5XE5-nO-sxJvmVeW9fF-jpH4jdY_N_-FRIB5DiUfRwEqHnnJCApkXpCky4M2SRpfSJ4NFvV8wCj49GqeEMm/s320/IMG_6644.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one more year</i>. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-4885355750538722572015-02-18T20:14:00.001-08:002015-02-19T09:35:08.527-08:00"CHOCOLATE GIRL"<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sometimes when you least expect it, a <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">new random chocolate.
. . </i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shows up</i> .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Yes, I do have to say, I’m obsessed with good
chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence the nick name
“Chocolate Girl”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">happy to report</i>. .
.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
that “good chocolate” is now on the FDA’s health food list <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(at least for now)</i> due to its rich,
creamy oils that are so good for our bodies.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Though I think my “love for chocolate” has <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">less </i>to do with the “health” benefits (well,
maybe a little) of it and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">more</i> to do
with the fact that, <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I just “love
chocolate!”</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What can I say?</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When I need a break from writing I wander into the kitchen
and open my “chocolate” drawer and take out a piece of Theo’s organic 70% Sea
Salt chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My all time Fave!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3291_2NyrmLlgkICMsKNZLd2smF1sSo8M1XVK8g8nZn4wvjJmhNi32AkUiKbIki6KN7gGjqUmXwEch77nE83vPTyLJI-gZ2g_RGd5x9sbn6-aLrxNrHDG6VUb-9Svl3pcglOoHGZ7Jcv5/s1600/IMG_6494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3291_2NyrmLlgkICMsKNZLd2smF1sSo8M1XVK8g8nZn4wvjJmhNi32AkUiKbIki6KN7gGjqUmXwEch77nE83vPTyLJI-gZ2g_RGd5x9sbn6-aLrxNrHDG6VUb-9Svl3pcglOoHGZ7Jcv5/s1600/IMG_6494.JPG" height="320" width="155" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I know. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I remind my hubby and kids, my habit could be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so much worse</i>!<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Every couple of weeks I get in my car and drive to Central
Market and buy several bars of Theo’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I open my drawer and see I’m on the last bar a part of me begins to
-<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hyperventilate. .</i>
.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And the thing is, <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If. .</i> .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
my husband’s niece from Minnesota, had not made plans for a
tour for all of us at the Theo Organic Chocolate Factory in Seattle during her
visit a couple of summers ago I would never have known about Theo Sea Salt
Chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or about the Theo Chocolate
Factory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I know. . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you even imagine?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-9AvP2eJiAU3d5YglgqcNfr7NHCYdILXCLoY5GdXyqk4KJ9SQ0eya2V9WMbLeaGWx15Ug6UzlSNWCrFYVsxQma1TjQOGW0d6JeSCYWL-dOVlad2iEBJbnSE8nNWD_vcsi4BrDfdOhP2-/s1600/IMG_6493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-9AvP2eJiAU3d5YglgqcNfr7NHCYdILXCLoY5GdXyqk4KJ9SQ0eya2V9WMbLeaGWx15Ug6UzlSNWCrFYVsxQma1TjQOGW0d6JeSCYWL-dOVlad2iEBJbnSE8nNWD_vcsi4BrDfdOhP2-/s1600/IMG_6493.JPG" height="320" width="271" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Seriously?<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 1000 recipes? A gift from my
sister-in-</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">law<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Denise and her daughter Meghan.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 3.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 3.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chocolate Sauce<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
¼ cup cocoa</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
¾ cup sugar</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
½ tsp. salt</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1 tblsp. cornstarch</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
½ cup milk<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Bring to a boil for 5 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add 2 tblsp. butter + 2 tsp. vanilla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cool to lukewarm.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
If there’s no chocolate ice cream in the house, this is the
next best thing, drizzled over vanilla ice cream.</div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-52535586389725858082015-02-13T18:00:00.000-08:002015-02-16T09:30:29.721-08:00VALENTINE'S DAY + LOVE + CHOCOLATE<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLAZYpDi0qjar9c3YeNDuGoKVtn2HOyRvu5FWj-5zIUZo_IK88DBYgjujye_ovJoMWKACthbYoOHdFrgi2AGfufDwkv9qyn5LPzbo3UmA7eQ9d2-ujmS8oFudGApjtfcghHAB-_SprrFy/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLAZYpDi0qjar9c3YeNDuGoKVtn2HOyRvu5FWj-5zIUZo_IK88DBYgjujye_ovJoMWKACthbYoOHdFrgi2AGfufDwkv9qyn5LPzbo3UmA7eQ9d2-ujmS8oFudGApjtfcghHAB-_SprrFy/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" height="320" width="224" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">This</span> year I decided I wanted to write my hubby</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a “love letter”. . .<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I didn’t want my card to be somebody else’s words.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wanted them to be </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My words. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wanted to tell him that in all the people in all the world</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I knew.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God had picked him -</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Just for me. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wanted to tell him I notice all the “little” things he does for me </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">every day. . . </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because in reality those are the </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“big things”.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wanted to tell him I notice he stills treats me the same way he did
when we were dating.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wanted to tell him I love it when we cross a street and he puts his
hand on my back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I know he’s silently saying,</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUWN09tfkf6PbXUtV0AAUzT4Zrkf2wD-0622uaggxKcaRteoxFlO_sr2uQIcYTRQWWKDPk0rR_5TOr6nTKaBiruPq1P_fPzBWdpndq-yVO67w6OGPGl-zQ9q6AbXwK6LMv9lAM9dsvjCa/s1600/IMG_6483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUWN09tfkf6PbXUtV0AAUzT4Zrkf2wD-0622uaggxKcaRteoxFlO_sr2uQIcYTRQWWKDPk0rR_5TOr6nTKaBiruPq1P_fPzBWdpndq-yVO67w6OGPGl-zQ9q6AbXwK6LMv9lAM9dsvjCa/s1600/IMG_6483.JPG" height="320" width="206" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve got your back</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. . .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wanted to tell him that I love his smile and the way his eyes
“twinkle” when he laughs, that he holds me when I cry, and that he makes me feel
safe and protected.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wanted him to know - </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He’s my best friend. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He’s my deepest love. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He’s the best part of me. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And I’m going to love him <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">forever.</i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I know</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. . .</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You thought I forgot about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chocolate
part</i>.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Seriously. .</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And I want him to remember that Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be Valentine’s
Day without</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Chocolate. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m pretty sure he’ll remember.
. .<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-75378913027587812332015-02-02T08:49:00.001-08:002015-02-02T08:54:40.153-08:00I Hope You Dance!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was born into a family that loved to dance, so I didn’t
have a choice - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">but to dance!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My parents loved to polka and I grew up with “The Bop” and “The
Stroll”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In junior high I did a lot of
dancing with our kitchen cupboard doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anything to practice before the Friday night Tri Hi Y dances that took
place at our local YMCA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My four
brothers would roll their eyes as they passed through the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that didn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">faze </i>my desire to dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived
with my friends and as we lined the walls of the dance area we tried with
everything we had to not look like -</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wallflowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Because that’s the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">last
thing</i> you wanted to look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One by one the boys would come across the dance floor and as
you held your breath and <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">waited.</i> . .</div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they walked right on
by. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
and you tried to look cool and to act as if you didn’t even notice
or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">care</i> because you were too busy in
conversation with your friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And then</i> -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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out of the corner of my eye I noticed one stopped directly
in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
and there he was -<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holding his hand out
to dance -</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with me. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But there was this one time when a boy asked me to dance, before
I could stop myself, the word “no” tumbled out of my mouth because somewhere in
my mind I thought he just might be <em>teasing
me </em>and his buddies might be watching from across the dance floor.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sometimes</i> opportunities
come to us and because of fear we let them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pass us by. . . </i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sometimes</i> we’re
looking so far down the road that we miss what’s right <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in front of us. . . </i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sometimes we need to make space -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for the miracles to
happen. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sometimes</i>,
we throw caution to the wind and with it ourselves<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And we just dance</i>.
. .<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
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As I give a “nod” to 2014 and tumble into 2015<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I leave you with this song -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I Hope You Dance” by
Tia Stillers</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I hope you still feel
small</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When you stand by the
ocean. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whenever one door
closes I hope one more opens</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Promise me that you’ll
give faith a fighting chance.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And when you get the
choice to sit it out or dance -</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I hope you’ll dance. .
.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I hope you’ll dance. .
.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-44217775700903064762014-12-04T20:52:00.004-08:002014-12-05T12:46:59.475-08:00CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOX192DVK7rASQwtiYznmrq0uMlA6y0Yj6ArxpDzJ_bHEBNDhatYU-tbVTCG35heb-Lp3a0IJDJoogaQjNf1B9P6Mv7Qt-H88kNBwJo20XHOtmHol99rqdbg9D9plsgkSBw15UJ1Xmqhn/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOX192DVK7rASQwtiYznmrq0uMlA6y0Yj6ArxpDzJ_bHEBNDhatYU-tbVTCG35heb-Lp3a0IJDJoogaQjNf1B9P6Mv7Qt-H88kNBwJo20XHOtmHol99rqdbg9D9plsgkSBw15UJ1Xmqhn/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" height="320" width="194" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My mom started baking Christmas cookies the day after
Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had an upstairs and
once you reached the top step if you turned to the left there was a
pantry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s where all the
Christmas cookies were tucked away <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">until Christmas</i>. .
.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
with strict orders for us 5 kids to -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not go near the
pantry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m pretty sure my mom knew every year that by Christmas
each </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
jar would be half empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But she<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Never. Said. A. Word.
. .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<br />
Each night as I crawled into bed I would wait for the house
to get quiet<o:p> -</o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and then</i>. . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I would slip out of bed, find my way to the pantry in the
dark and fill my hands with cookies.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I still wonder, was I the only one raiding the cookie jars?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I also am pretty sure </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I couldn’t eat<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that many cookies . .
.</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all by myself. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by Christmas</i>.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
With 4 brothers, I’m guessing probably not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do have to say, in all of my nighttime
trips </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
to the pantry </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we never bumped into
each other</i>. . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And if they saw me -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they -</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never. said. a. word</i>.
. .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m also guessing that that was half the fun for my mother
in filling those cookie jars with cookies that were covered in bright colored
sprinkles, Christmas tree sugar cookies covered in green frosting, surrounded by jars of Scandinavian butter cookies, knowing that
somewhere in the dark when all the lights were out and we believed her and my
dad were fast asleep, there were five little pairs of feet silently creeping
across the creaky upstairs floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m
pretty sure as she lay in the quiet of her bed she heard<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Every creak. . .<o:p></o:p></i></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-65193470978308417072014-11-17T22:50:00.003-08:002014-12-20T13:54:37.161-08:00"Amazing"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One of my favorite moments of the day is when I walk down to
my kitchen in the morning and as I’m running water into my pan for oatmeal, I
look out into our</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
living room and there it is -<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
this beautiful piece of <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">art on my wall</i>. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sigh. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Who needs expensive art on their walls when you have “sun”
and a “green plant”.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There was this story about an African lady who was visited
by an American journalist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he
arrived he found her sitting in front of her home (a piece of metal leaning
against a dirt wall).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After introducing
himself, he sat down beside her and immediately noticed the “joy” on her
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a moment to take in his
surroundings, looked back at her, and the only obvious question in his mind to
ask was, I sense “peace” in your spirit and I see “joy” on your face, and in
complete bewilderment asks, “where does that come from?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked at him, probably equally bewildered
and said, “Look at those beautiful, colorful flowers in the field across the
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get to look at them <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everyday</i>. . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I reopened my blog a few months ago and in the section “About
Me” I used the word </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“Amazing” describing my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That word keeps showing up in my mind and I
began </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
wondering, does that sound pretentious?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, for several weeks I have been thinking</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
about changing or taking that word out of my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then this morning I sat down</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
at my computer and the story of the African woman started
replaying itself in my mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Remember? The one with the tin house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started thinking about how life <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> be called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amazing</i> for all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember
the boy “Matty” who appeared on Oprah’s show so many times, sharing his short,
joy-filled life and all that he had learned, with the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all about what we focus on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My life <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> amazing
because I can wake up and dress myself every morning,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can come into my office and write all day
long if I want to (my passion), I have grown children that do the dishes when
they come home for dinner, (2 of them are boys - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I know - one even fills the ice trays</i>), when my 4 year old
granddaughter came up to me recently, wrapped her arms around me and said, GaGa,
I will love you forever, <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Double Sigh. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcaykeUzoJXSmmKEFxRmHHqdY7DPKMhNjvo7zCXXcWIlIm0BfmSvFpECRJaySnMReUIa_2cuYlHUYY8Pjo36p6yaDFBF1T2GW8I65REUkELg_p2N8Zhg9UDKVpJP02jHIxA5VeFHBUc8P/s1600/IMG_5561a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcaykeUzoJXSmmKEFxRmHHqdY7DPKMhNjvo7zCXXcWIlIm0BfmSvFpECRJaySnMReUIa_2cuYlHUYY8Pjo36p6yaDFBF1T2GW8I65REUkELg_p2N8Zhg9UDKVpJP02jHIxA5VeFHBUc8P/s1600/IMG_5561a.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>When we’re in the middle of a rain storm and she opens the
den window and says, GaGa, come and smell the rain with me, (one of the first
places we took her as a baby was to the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, she was born in the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perfect timing for what we love to do most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and I sat on a log.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, she kind of sat, propped by her
GaGa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took her shoes off and then
mine, picked her up, set her toes in the sand and whispered in her ear, Niya Lilly, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do you feel the sand in your toes?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have to say all of the above are about
the closest thing to heaven),<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">another double sigh</i>.
. .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
spotting a double rainbow while driving around the lake
after a rain, </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv4euERNAlwC4N27IosYtMpZo_ujtxltsm2YBdy47VEbA6jJEBY8kYlJkABXSYwY76SDadgPf63JSDmFzGjebeNWXurBJnAyhn5e6uhEU8BaqtNKtghdxpXgQkYoyTbtLEyb9e12v2XdZ/s1600/IMG_5530a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv4euERNAlwC4N27IosYtMpZo_ujtxltsm2YBdy47VEbA6jJEBY8kYlJkABXSYwY76SDadgPf63JSDmFzGjebeNWXurBJnAyhn5e6uhEU8BaqtNKtghdxpXgQkYoyTbtLEyb9e12v2XdZ/s1600/IMG_5530a.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>As I’m ready to crawl into bed and my hubby says, “Come look
out the back window,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the moon is so big
and bright it’s lighting up the whole sky”.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Like I always say. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s the little
things. . .</i><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">AND</i> today as I sit
writing this story there is a knock at my front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I open it there stands a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said, “I can’t stay, I just wanted to
give you this” as she hands me a gift all wrapped up, with even a bow + a card. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amazing. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See. . . Just when you
least expect it, an amazing moment shows up.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And of course, if you’ve read my blog, you know <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I love all things
chocolate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That in itself is amazing!!<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For me, I find it’s where I focus my eyes and thoughts that I
find my joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the lady in <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place> whose home was a piece of tin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She found her joy in the flowers on the other
side of the road. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So... <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just maybe. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She didn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">notice</i>
that she lived in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one room house</i>
with a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tin roof</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one dirt wall.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And now, I’m OK with the word,<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">AMAZING. . .<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-50737481128655756612014-11-11T13:58:00.000-08:002014-11-11T13:58:30.457-08:00Serendipitous Moments
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
A friend called a couple of weeks ago to ask if I’d like to
take an “Herb Infused Chocolate Truffle” cooking class with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Silly girl. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Did she even need to ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had me</i> at the
word <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chocolate.</i> . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So last Thursday night I headed off to meet her at a
mutually agreed upon restaurant (that neither of us had been to before) to have
dinner before our cooking class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat
reading the menu and finally looked at each</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
other and agreed nothing on the menu was catching our eye
and so we walked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second choice was a
favorite on the water where there was not a seat to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally landed at another close by
restaurant and the rest of the evening had a mind of its own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure that by the time we arrived
at the third restaurant the cooking class was well on its way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the evening progressed I realized there
was not going to be any chocolate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cooking,
tasting or treats</i> to take home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
what I love about these serendipitous moments is they happen without any planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they are like a <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">special gift</i> . . .<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wrapped up with a bow</i>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My friend went from living <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“just around the corner”</i> for many years to an hour and a half drive
away, so our meetings are fewer and farther between.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
4 ½ hours later she drove me to my car that I had left at
the first restaurant and as we were saying our good-byes she looked at me and
said, <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“Sorry about the cooking class, but this was <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sooo much better”</i>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had to agree!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
then she followed it with, “And I still have so much more to say”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You know. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You just know. . .</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that’s when friendship is good</i>. . .</div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154578933501540457.post-46895746171543486342014-11-02T18:05:00.000-08:002014-11-02T18:05:54.788-08:00Halloween
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Fall always brings
that </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0ADLcCL0oEigfXhz58S7fGSqKBiW1Iog9YR3tTBUtb33u3ASUJHmC6At_LY7LNH0cS6U-zP4_cEahoNjOlJSj2nQYBDEf6FbuDSuslRnf2myS_l2cY77Tl0Q8dq09MzCmM7d-_ZXBSUf/s1600/IMG_6253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0ADLcCL0oEigfXhz58S7fGSqKBiW1Iog9YR3tTBUtb33u3ASUJHmC6At_LY7LNH0cS6U-zP4_cEahoNjOlJSj2nQYBDEf6FbuDSuslRnf2myS_l2cY77Tl0Q8dq09MzCmM7d-_ZXBSUf/s1600/IMG_6253.JPG" height="200" width="193" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">back-to-school
feeling of a</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">new sweater</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">. . .</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbChWYnXmp-QxlKZ1ljdelBJQp0PJE02ukYWxf_0jV9DuAssHWr7G34lvW5TKiUCa6ATe07FfK9-Wd8Geyd-EA6KmCrdO30ffD8b0nLgzJpY0EDuO_agttD1DHuLROOp5UEJc1P47qwh8/s1600/IMG_6255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbChWYnXmp-QxlKZ1ljdelBJQp0PJE02ukYWxf_0jV9DuAssHWr7G34lvW5TKiUCa6ATe07FfK9-Wd8Geyd-EA6KmCrdO30ffD8b0nLgzJpY0EDuO_agttD1DHuLROOp5UEJc1P47qwh8/s1600/IMG_6255.JPG" height="194" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">cute boots. . .</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">and fresh
beginnings in the air. . .</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Or maybe it's the
crisp morning breeze that compels me to wake up early and go for a walk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the outdoors, but dusk is falling
sooner and sooner accompanied by nippy nights. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">AND. . .</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jy12mmYobAIi9dWWzOJtFTC7qGgCq-WSFA4tUQlLHTiNcHT_dClWxiegd5pk1msqbNMCmjMwT4ExmanALT29ZzleCXaqQF-XlJ2BASzMKClHcmFEAEerTWJwCEGA3zthK8Ax1HfRUPc4/s1600/IMG_6261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jy12mmYobAIi9dWWzOJtFTC7qGgCq-WSFA4tUQlLHTiNcHT_dClWxiegd5pk1msqbNMCmjMwT4ExmanALT29ZzleCXaqQF-XlJ2BASzMKClHcmFEAEerTWJwCEGA3zthK8Ax1HfRUPc4/s1600/IMG_6261.JPG" height="187" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nk65bywcsgq1OpuBpumzuBtWCmEORDptDafO80MENUXe-5tFPetIpZKfGEuA0GEF0by1LiP1VNM3ykizJkW8vMX6Ar-YzDFvBMQXMW84U8qSNlRGyhebRU4-cBqXH_3QPj776hGl63Tf/s1600/IMG_6265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nk65bywcsgq1OpuBpumzuBtWCmEORDptDafO80MENUXe-5tFPetIpZKfGEuA0GEF0by1LiP1VNM3ykizJkW8vMX6Ar-YzDFvBMQXMW84U8qSNlRGyhebRU4-cBqXH_3QPj776hGl63Tf/s1600/IMG_6265.JPG" height="153" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6L9yn_vRMzLLE7zVImb7QeZfEFri09sJdQblaySb3CwXCh139yyK1m8N0LXRvgnkZWXtJoZu_bAYxmC9ll1a2A_qzZhJNDc4M3Qcd0v1hyolJxg34G8xmwdXuJ9CBw6Jp6ujQwjLo3uWn/s1600/IMG_6248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6L9yn_vRMzLLE7zVImb7QeZfEFri09sJdQblaySb3CwXCh139yyK1m8N0LXRvgnkZWXtJoZu_bAYxmC9ll1a2A_qzZhJNDc4M3Qcd0v1hyolJxg34G8xmwdXuJ9CBw6Jp6ujQwjLo3uWn/s1600/IMG_6248.JPG" height="180" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"> the holidays feel
right around the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Speaking of holidays-</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve fallen in
love with buying pumpkins this Halloween season.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">We have visited 2
pumpkin farms, several stores with bins of pumpkins and I always manage to find
</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">just one more. . .</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">unique pumpkin</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">For me, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“white”</i> is the new <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“orange”</i> in pumpkins this year.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">The fall rains
have arrived accompanied by<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Thousands of falling leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Every week my
hubby mows and rakes and for about 10 minutes the yard looks pristine and
beautiful and then before <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">the mower has
cooled off you can’t see the grass for the leaves </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">that continue to fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">I love that
mother-nature has taken over my watering job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Somehow she just knows when I’m done with that for the season.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that the plants have begun there winter
nesting and I can just sit back and soak <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">up
their beauty</i>.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">And the best part,</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">I crack open my
office window, press my nose against the screen and inhale the smell of </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">fresh falling rain.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Sigh. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Seriously. . .</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Does life get any better?</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
CHOCOLATE GIRLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684459758184466691noreply@blogger.com0