tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353030179270101212024-03-14T03:22:34.000-07:00BeccaMarie DesignsCKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734405080911039533noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-78898740758854345172014-11-13T13:17:00.000-08:002014-11-13T17:46:16.248-08:00A 6th Birthday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My daughter turned 6 last week. We don't really do birthday parties with friends much around here. But I think number 6 warrants one. She is in love with fairies. Fairy dolls, fairy books, stories. She asked me once to check her back and see if wings were growing. So we went with a fairy theme. Most of the decorations were scrounged from around the house or the craft cupboard. The paintings, flowers, sheet, and pumpkins were all things we had on hand. So this left little for me to stress about. And really, the party was simple. They each had a fairy coloring picture to crayon in at first, then we had a fairy dance, and played until it was time for cake. </div>
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Did I say there was little to prepare? Okay, wait, maybe I lied. I did put together the flower crowns and wands. But really, I love a good craft project, and this way it was fun for my daughter <i>and</i> myself. </div>
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I am so thankful for the little girls my daughter calls friends. They are delightful and sweet.</div>
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I found the tutorial for ribbon wands <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-ribbon-wands/">here</a>.</div>
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Flower crowns <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/421368108859040716/">here</a>.</div>
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Cake decor idea <a href="http://thealisonshow.com/2014/03/beautiful-butterfly-birthday-cake.html">here</a>. (But for the life of me I could find no cute butterflies anywhere.)</div>
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And the walnut box <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/171066485821991284/">here</a>. The blue tied walnuts had chains on the charms so they were able to put them around their necks right away. No lost fairies here.</div>
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<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-37166626671375892832014-07-10T15:20:00.001-07:002014-07-10T15:20:47.753-07:00At this moment...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>bunny ear all the things!</i></div>
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Making: A list by copying the prompts from my <a href="http://raspberriesandsugar.blogspot.com/2014/07/island-life.html">sister's blog</a>.<br />
Eating: Oreos<br />
Drinking: Milk<br />
Reading: I just quit reading three books. I just can't pick them up anymore, I ignore my life when I do.<br />
Wanting: Patience<br />
Watching: Granite Flats<br />
Playing: Word Moleā¦ I'm usually outspoken about my hatred for video games, but word games can snag me.<br />
Wasting: My bathroom rugs! I washed them with the dreaded red rug of hyper-dye syndrome. <br />
Wishing: That I knew how to love myself.<br />
Enjoying: The park in the early morning when I force myself to get the kids out for the day and the weather is<i> amazing</i>.<br />
Liking: That I finally got past the forces of the universe and was able to get myself an instagram by the skin of my teeth. Yes, it is <a href="http://instagram.com/beccamariedesigns/">here</a>. No, I still don't know how to work it.<br />
Excited: For my sister to visit me! Oxygen to by brain!<br />
Loving: My sisters. Seriously, the same blood runs through our veins, that is the only way to explain it.<br />
Needing: To work/edit photos<br />
Smelling: polyurethane from the projects we have going on in the basement.<br />
Wearing: One blue fingernail. Color test that never made it off.<br />
Following: Too many things. I need to learn to meditate.<br />
Noticing: That my baby has a birth mark. And her teeth are so far apart it is insanely adorable.<br />
Anticipating: This next week; basement finished, son's birthday, new carpet!<br />
Knowing: That I need to practice what I preach.<br />
Thinking: That I shouldn't look left, right, or behind me because the kids have been in here and I'd like to remain blissfully unaware of the terrible mess behind me. On second thought, here's a picture:<br />
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Bookmarking: Beautiful blog and website design ideas.<br />
Opening: My mouth to beg the kids to whisper so that baby doesn't wake up.<br />
Feeling: That feeling that comes before baby-hungry. Like, the-prospect-of-being-baby-hungry-doesn't-seem-so-weird.<br />
Missing: <a href="http://www.blessthismessplease.com/">Melissa</a>.BeccaMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03203089491501064055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-9230150640553315652014-03-15T22:36:00.000-07:002014-03-15T22:36:42.772-07:00Stuff happening around here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey peoples!<br />
We're in the midst of pre-Spring. That time where March lasts forever and there is so much to look forward to in Spring, if only we can just get there. The classes I've been taking for the past year are winding up. We've been in the midst of finishing our basement all winter (and when I say 'we' I mean my husband). Boxes and clutter that will soon be dispersed when things can all have their own place (cue basement being finished) are making our eyes water. Life is building up at a non-stop rate. But there's that May. That clear sky up ahead. I am so looking forward to that.<br />
So anyway, as life continues on in a hectic tsunami, here are a few things for you to look at that have been going on during our weeks :)<br />
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1. First, that sweet little thing that wormed her way to the side of the crib and held onto the bars until I came and found her. She won't cry out for me, bless her. She is such a wonder. So much more even-tempered than the other two. I am in constant awe at how nice it is to have a baby in the house.<br />
2. A little boy asking for just one more cracker.<br />
3. Sleeping hard.<br />
4. I love baby baths. I feel like I give them a little more often than necessary simply so that I can smell clean baby hair.<br />
5. Bedtime puppet story.<br />
6. Going through my college artwork portfolio.<br />
7. Harry Potter dinner.<br />
8. An example of the reaction this little plate monster has when he is scared.BeccaMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03203089491501064055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-78378981733435937442014-02-24T14:35:00.000-08:002014-02-24T14:35:13.943-08:00THE-ONE-WEEK-PURGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love the thrift store. I wouldn't call myself a shopaholic, I rarely go shopping, but stopping in on the thrift store is something I really love to do. I like walking through the sections, looking through the books, the children's games, the home decorations. I try really hard to come home with very little. I often don't purchase a thing. But sometimes I find something that just speaks what I want my home to feel like. An old but carefully taken care of toy that I know is something my kids will appreciate. And then I'll bring it home. But then bring on the guilt. It's not so much the money (unless I'm spending it on junk), it's the <i>stuff</i>. THE STUFF people. My home is filled with <b>stuff</b>.<br />
I love how descriptive that word is. Stuffing; filling; a filler; a filler of space. Since the day we were married and were kindly given house decorations that someone else thought was pretty, we've been hoarding things that don't really reflect us and our family. And it's building UP. Up to the sky, our brains are filled with this clutter. So it comes down to some sort of equation that looks like this:<br />
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<b>Bring home more things + keeping things we don't want/need = Major Guilt and House Clutter</b></div>
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The purpose of this post is to change our math to this:<br />
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<b>Get rid of more things + bring home less (what we really want here) = Yay! I get to go shopping AND I love my home!</b></div>
See?<br />
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Of course I can't do it all at once. We, as a consumer society, are in a state of constantly acquiring. It will always be coming in. So for the math to work up there, it stands to reason that something (or more) has to be going out. This feels like more of a lifestyle change than a one year resolution. <br />
Recently I was reading a post <a href="http://wholelarderlove.com/its-high-time-you-quit-your-low-down-ways/">here</a>. What a dandy way to view things. Less is more. <i>Simplicity</i>. Rohan thrives on providing for himself. He love to hunt, and gather. Yet he is ridding himself of his beloved little boat, simply because he does not get enough use out of it. <br />
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I'm not nearly as cool or hardcore, but I sure want to do better. So here's my proposal. Each week tackle a new subject of the house. This week: toys. Go through our toys, go through them again. Gather them from upstairs, the main floor, and in the closets of the basement. Rid our home of those we do not need. By the end of the week begin placing into bags the ones that I though we needed to keep earlier in the week. I have to break my barriers down like that. My idea is that something should have something or all of the following:<br />
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Is something useful/needed?<br />
It is of high quality?<br />
It is of great sentimental value?<br />
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So the toys that are of poor quality, are never played with, or are just toys I hate to look at go in a big box aimed at the thrift store. <br />
Next week is kitchen cupboards. The next will be dressers of clothes. Next will be the laundry room. The next can be books. And it never stops, take out more, each week. This is also a fabulous way to organize the house on a continual basis. <br />
So, I'm starting today. I'll let you know how it goes. Do it with me?BeccaMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03203089491501064055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-34648918820621929892014-02-04T14:02:00.000-08:002014-02-04T14:02:01.500-08:00Baby Foal Baby Shower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kekvrBKillI/UvFbif-z_4I/AAAAAAAAAmo/cOmpklbu4ds/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+2.24.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kekvrBKillI/UvFbif-z_4I/AAAAAAAAAmo/cOmpklbu4ds/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+2.24.37+PM.png" height="410" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hate being the center of attention. At least when I'm in the room I dislike it. All eyes and ears on me. Hosting a party is just so difficult. But I think what helped with this baby shower was that I began preparing for it about two months in advance. Albeit a small and simple shower, I began gathering ideas and making lists as I washed the dishes, folded laundry, etc. So all of it sort of came together perfectly in the end. I've decided that is how I am throwing every party from now on. They may take a few months of work, but in the end the less stress the better.<br />
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So my lovely friend was having a baby boy, and I asked what her favorite animal was so I could come up with a theme. Her answer was, "Elk, wolves, and horses." I don't really know how to cutesy up elk or wolves, so we went with horses. Baby horses <3<br />
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It really was a simple shower, but I decided to post some pictures along with links to where I gathered my ideas. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X-dlPg_qsGA/UvFbrwZZTPI/AAAAAAAAAm4/5A6bEUf_LMI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.42.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X-dlPg_qsGA/UvFbrwZZTPI/AAAAAAAAAm4/5A6bEUf_LMI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.42.49+PM.png" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tissue Paper Banner tutorial can be found <a href="http://www.linenlaceandlove.com/2012/06/diy-confetti-system-inspired-tissue.html">here</a>.</div>
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I went with balloons because I wanted a lot of color but minimal effort.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-xlTj0sHWA/UvFbr68GDcI/AAAAAAAAAm0/BEHexbcMK3E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.44.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-xlTj0sHWA/UvFbr68GDcI/AAAAAAAAAm0/BEHexbcMK3E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.44.51+PM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Truffle recipe can be found at Bakerella <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-truffles/">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMnTeox4_6I/UvFbslcLIcI/AAAAAAAAAnE/uvB_yB0iaAk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.49.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMnTeox4_6I/UvFbslcLIcI/AAAAAAAAAnE/uvB_yB0iaAk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.49.30+PM.png" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
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Party animal idea found <a href="http://bleubirdblog.com/?s=party+animal">here</a>. This is a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=schleich+foal&sprefix=schl%2Caps%2C273&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aschleich+foal">Schleich foal</a> found on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Schleich-13292-Hafling-Lying-Foal/dp/B0009S3PNM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1391550610&sr=8-7&keywords=schleich+foal">here</a>. Oh Schleich figurines, how I adore thee.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EkosTM28kIU/UvFbtGGk80I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/N4CPp6ZP0Ws/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.52.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EkosTM28kIU/UvFbtGGk80I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/N4CPp6ZP0Ws/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.52.39+PM.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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This rocking horse must be attributed to my husband. He spent many hours helping me design and put it together and then paint it. All I did was cut out the wood. The basic design is a collaboration of different rocking horses we found online.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1AOzWqN1ws/UvFbuEdwiwI/AAAAAAAAAnY/p2QswgeiTpI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.54.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1AOzWqN1ws/UvFbuEdwiwI/AAAAAAAAAnY/p2QswgeiTpI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.54.34+PM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOHYK2vR9D8/UvFbvNZ3rcI/AAAAAAAAAng/lAytBvPUwZc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.59.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOHYK2vR9D8/UvFbvNZ3rcI/AAAAAAAAAng/lAytBvPUwZc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+1.59.13+PM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Can you tell I just loved that foal? He was adorable.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpYN9Zd8ahI/UvFbwRZNQvI/AAAAAAAAAno/jkiwZWNIv_o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+2.01.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpYN9Zd8ahI/UvFbwRZNQvI/AAAAAAAAAno/jkiwZWNIv_o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+2.01.49+PM.png" height="434" width="640" /></a></div>
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"Once upon a time..." quote idea found <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/85920305361627442/">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rIL6AIiniDc/UvFbwo7KDtI/AAAAAAAAAns/3Lmstk4KVxY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+2.14.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rIL6AIiniDc/UvFbwo7KDtI/AAAAAAAAAns/3Lmstk4KVxY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-04+at+2.14.41+PM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I really loved keeping this party simple. If I could have branched out more I think I would have purchased <a href="http://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/products/1302_2110_2231-30183-miniature_wood_rocking_horses_12pcs.html">these</a> as part of the party favors, and made a few of <a href="http://lilluna.com/inside-out-peanut-butter-blossoms/">these</a> to go along with the other snacks that were served. I also thought it would be cute to have a caramel apple bar to go along with the horse theme, but it didn't happen. Oh well, there's always another time right?</div>
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BeccaMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03203089491501064055noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-10375457481391653352014-01-30T11:25:00.001-08:002014-01-30T11:25:09.495-08:00A few things lately...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QG1pWigl5lA/UuqiXZWwowI/AAAAAAAAG-A/4JTeEMEkLYQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-30+at+11.50.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QG1pWigl5lA/UuqiXZWwowI/AAAAAAAAG-A/4JTeEMEkLYQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-30+at+11.50.45+AM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cut my hair. As in, I took scissors to my own head. As you can see in the photo below, it was getting sort of long. But, as you can see in the photo below, I have a four month old. And as every mother of a newly born babe can attest, hair starts to fall out in the few short months after giving birth. I was really hoping to get it super long, I was all for it. Until the hair just started to shed everywhere. In the shower, webbing our carpets, filling up the clean load of laundry. I was driving myself insane trying to gather it up all of the time and rid our house of it. Finally I snapped and called the only two hair dressers in town that I know and neither would answer the phone. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gzgfaw9Glg/UuqiZb0ztLI/AAAAAAAAG-I/GPYi_Vpp0WY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-30+at+11.51.57+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gzgfaw9Glg/UuqiZb0ztLI/AAAAAAAAG-I/GPYi_Vpp0WY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-30+at+11.51.57+AM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I watched a YouTube video. And I cut it myself.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JDsKgXmwB4/UuqiayJk12I/AAAAAAAAG-Q/7RGb-4fASg8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-30+at+11.48.52+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JDsKgXmwB4/UuqiayJk12I/AAAAAAAAG-Q/7RGb-4fASg8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-30+at+11.48.52+AM.png" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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^^^ Just out of the shower and blow drying my hair, sans-real-shirt.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X-Mm2MKvra4/UuqicOousFI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/UIrCp1Ir_8A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-30+at+11.51.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X-Mm2MKvra4/UuqicOousFI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/UIrCp1Ir_8A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-30+at+11.51.23+AM.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this is how it is now. Only I wish it were shorter. But really I had no idea what I was doing so I gave myself an inch or two of leeway. </div>
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You know, I know a lot of new mothers cut their hair short. I've always sort of seen it as a way for them to start fresh, with their new fun body. I did it with my first two babies as well. But really, I think I understand now. When your hair falls out in fistfuls, sometimes you <i>have</i> to cut it short. Sometimes that is healthier than keeping it tangly and long.</div>
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And on to the rambling:</div>
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That black and white photo above of me and a bunch of beautiful ladies? That is the 'Marie' photo. My grandmother's middle name is Marie. She is the second daughter. When I was born my parents decided to name me Rebecca Marie. When they told a family member they responded by saying, "Oh! So you're keeping up the tradition!" What tradition? Every second daughter's middle name is Marie. Only somehow no one had told my parents that, it just happened :) So the picture above is full of second daughters with the middle name of Marie. Only there are more than that, they weren't all present for the picture.</div>
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My husband built a violin! This deserves a whole other post for another time.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yQcAHPeSgV0/UuqlkR37BWI/AAAAAAAAG-g/hqlcsQp_Bdo/s1600/IMG_2700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yQcAHPeSgV0/UuqlkR37BWI/AAAAAAAAG-g/hqlcsQp_Bdo/s1600/IMG_2700.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And the following are a few overly edited pictures of our foggy snowy drive to see a different grandmother in Idaho. Oh how I love fog.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V59kGf4AWJ0/UsCiL8Tok2I/AAAAAAAAG5I/SNaHevzBsoo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+3.12.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V59kGf4AWJ0/UsCiL8Tok2I/AAAAAAAAG5I/SNaHevzBsoo/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+3.12.13+PM.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg-304TbjiQ/UsCiNBA_SnI/AAAAAAAAG5Q/8hYLqnMuipQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+3.17.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg-304TbjiQ/UsCiNBA_SnI/AAAAAAAAG5Q/8hYLqnMuipQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+3.17.28+PM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Anp2ZhOfY5Y/UsCiXOT2e2I/AAAAAAAAG5Y/kJBAHhG4Dxs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+3.16.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Anp2ZhOfY5Y/UsCiXOT2e2I/AAAAAAAAG5Y/kJBAHhG4Dxs/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+3.16.45+PM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://raspberriesandsugar.blogspot.com/">My sister</a> married a skater boy. It's adorable when they go out long boarding together. I never pictured her as a skater, but hey, they are the <a href="http://raspberriesandsugar.blogspot.com/2014/01/christmas-photo-shoot.html">cutest couple ever</a>. And my oldest two stole their boards.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AcMBxMPmKdI/UsCilWTwMBI/AAAAAAAAG5o/wvD6uDW-x6Y/s1600/IMG_2346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AcMBxMPmKdI/UsCilWTwMBI/AAAAAAAAG5o/wvD6uDW-x6Y/s640/IMG_2346.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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And this is my beautiful littlest sister. Her passion for horses evident. She found that these two horses live nearby my parent's house and she regularly visits them with carrots in hand.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCrqP39SP30/UsCiuqs3yLI/AAAAAAAAG54/XBuknnEHYjA/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCrqP39SP30/UsCiuqs3yLI/AAAAAAAAG54/XBuknnEHYjA/s640/IMG_2383.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for bringing us along Millie :)<br />
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<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-84019703334383618162014-01-30T11:04:00.000-08:002014-01-30T11:04:23.338-08:00Gingerbread Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEoVVta6QEo/UsCjGCNFNkI/AAAAAAAAG6g/Y2Xl5IfGgak/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-15+at+2.59.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEoVVta6QEo/UsCjGCNFNkI/AAAAAAAAG6g/Y2Xl5IfGgak/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-15+at+2.59.16+PM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh! Lookit here. It's almost February and I am <i>finally</i> posting a picture of my gingerbread church. My mother has a tradition that has been going on for over 30 years. She creates a new gingerbread house every year. Every year she makes a new pattern, builds the house, and then throws away the pattern so she can start fresh the next year. <a href="http://beccamariedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/12/ombre-roofed-gingerbread-home.html">Last year</a> was my first year, and here we are the tradition going strong. I've yet to understand this form of art like my mother though. She knows how to ice a house like nobody's business. My pattern was a little off, and by the time I am decorating it I seriously question why I'm doing it at all. It stresses me out, it's all blotchy, and the red window's dyed the icing on top. Ah well, I guess I have about 50 years to get it right :)My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-42772455540070313442014-01-02T19:16:00.005-08:002014-01-02T19:16:47.552-08:00Thoughts.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTupbZ-d458/UsCYHcbCucI/AAAAAAAAG44/EVHBDSxCZB0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+2.31.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTupbZ-d458/UsCYHcbCucI/AAAAAAAAG44/EVHBDSxCZB0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+2.31.40+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My sister asked why I never have photos of myself on my blog. I suppose it sort of depends on what kind of blog you run if you have many photos of yourself or not. I love reading lifestyle blogs. I think it has to do with the age old fascination of people watching. Come on, it's a hobby most of us enjoy. We are naturally curious about the lives of others, because everyone is so different. Lifestyle and fashion bloggers post quite a few photos of themselves on blogs. It's the nature of the work. When I fist started blogging I read a lot of craft blogs. Unless modeling something they've made themselves, crafter's rarely post photos of themselves. So I guess that's why there aren't many of me on here, I had always considered myself a craft blogger. But through the years I think my blog has evolved. While I still love crafting and posting tutorials, I don't do it that often anymore, and I really enjoy just speaking my mind and working on my design work. So where does that put me? I don't know. But I suppose I can post more photos of myself, if anything but solely for the pleasure of my sister. Even though it makes me totally self conscious :)<br />
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I took this picture of myself while I was talking with my sister, the very conversation where she asked me to post more pictures of me. Here I am! <br />
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And other thoughts on my mind -<br />
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I have eaten way too much ham lately.<br />
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I have a buffalo trinket. For someone who is deliriously in love with buffalos, it is sort of sad that this is the first 'buffalo' thing I've ever owned. I'm still on the look out for a buffalo stuffed animal.<br />
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I'm going to have to start saving my one tasty treat as hot chocolate in the evening. It's all or nothing over here. If I have any sort of dessert early in the day I'm a lost cause.<br />
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I love letting my baby work her own napping schedule. I was so strict with the other kids and this is the first time one of them simply trained herself to sleep through the night. Whatever she's doing it's working and I refuse to meddle.<br />
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I definitely need to clean the bathrooms tomorrow.<br />
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I wish my sewing machine were working.<br />
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I love not having classes for a few weeks :)<br />
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And HONY is just so crazy amazing. What a beautiful concept.My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-46472804042153309232013-11-20T08:54:00.000-08:002013-11-20T08:54:08.278-08:00Fun Fall Decor (because it takes me until the end of the season to finally get around to decorating)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_-euJ1POg3U/UovzvSe8IjI/AAAAAAAAG3I/TZ_tI1XhY8c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+4.23.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_-euJ1POg3U/UovzvSe8IjI/AAAAAAAAG3I/TZ_tI1XhY8c/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+4.23.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is our first home where I am <i>really</i> trying to decorate. We've been married for six years and we just keep moving around, so I usually just set what we own on shelves and call it good. Therefore I have never loved what our home looks like inside. Now that we own a place and will be here a few years I'm working on making this place beautiful for my family. A place we want to be. Something that reflects my style and my families interests.</div>
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I made these garlands last year and was so excited to use them now that it is fall. They were so easy to make, not too flashy, and I have a feeling I won't grow tired of pulling them out every year. You can find the tutorial for them over <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/09/fall-leaves-garland-diy-project-.html">here</a> at <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/">A Beautiful Mess</a>. Other than the garland I just have a few ceramic pumpkins acquired from the dollar store and some decorative squashes piled around in various places. I'm not huge on decorating for seasons. It's kind of sad really, since I consider myself a crafty person. You can see the ceramic pumpkins just slightly on the shelf in the above picture.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqiay5SKdJ4/Uovzvz4SveI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/Cu4fbpxAA8w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+4.25.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqiay5SKdJ4/Uovzvz4SveI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/Cu4fbpxAA8w/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+4.25.13+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SIIdzYSPFLw/UovzweP1XSI/AAAAAAAAG3c/n32_6LE7vAA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+4.26.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SIIdzYSPFLw/UovzweP1XSI/AAAAAAAAG3c/n32_6LE7vAA/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+4.26.01+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And because I enjoy looking around Pinterest for fun Fall decorating ideas, here are a few that I loved:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e4LsEdWuQAU/Uov5_qsBYiI/AAAAAAAAG3o/fiXYxTJdgpw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+4.52.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e4LsEdWuQAU/Uov5_qsBYiI/AAAAAAAAG3o/fiXYxTJdgpw/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+4.52.59+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2013/11/give-thanks-banner-thanksgiving-craft.html#_a5y_p=1055652">1</a> <a href="http://creamaricrea.blogspot.nl/2013/10/fall-garden.html">2</a> <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2012/06/13/diy-fabric-covered-jars/">3</a> <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2013/04/30/i-like-wood-crates/">4</a></div>
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Are you a big seasonal decorator? I'd love to see what you've been up to! Leave a link in the comments.<br />
Thanks for coming!My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-63190547541529234152013-11-15T15:30:00.001-08:002013-11-15T15:30:56.683-08:00Lemon Berry Castle Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwcRsMGhzrw/UoK-iNF53QI/AAAAAAAAG2s/oAT6sCCjxNU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.49.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwcRsMGhzrw/UoK-iNF53QI/AAAAAAAAG2s/oAT6sCCjxNU/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.49.32+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Recently my daughter had a birthday. Can you guess how old she is?<br />
At about the 4 1/2 year mark she had a strong connection with jam. Jam on toast. Jam on celery. Jam on anything. I didn't always comply, but when I saw this gorgeous cake at <a href="http://melissaesplin.com/">I Still Love You</a>, I knew, I <i>knew</i> that I would be making it for her fifth birthday. I am currently in the throws of chocolate abstinence, so this came at the best of times. You can find the recipe <a href="http://melissaesplin.com/2013/04/lemon-berry-birthday-cake/">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eU0ICJymer0/UoK9Q_9OpeI/AAAAAAAAG2c/2eE-d_WpXxc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.08.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eU0ICJymer0/UoK9Q_9OpeI/AAAAAAAAG2c/2eE-d_WpXxc/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.08.48+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This cake is something else. It's made with a coffee cake batter, so it's a bit more dense than most birthday cakes. Jam was slathered in the center, and then there was a lemon frosting. </div>
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<i>Oh the frosting</i>.</div>
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It was flavored with real lemons. And the perfect consistency. I am usually horrible at frostings, but this stuff was divine!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwsdYWgB_nk/UoK9GbJXvZI/AAAAAAAAG2U/AjCa9sMAeRs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.21.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwsdYWgB_nk/UoK9GbJXvZI/AAAAAAAAG2U/AjCa9sMAeRs/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.21.04+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And then I had to add some girliness to it because somehow I got stuck in the rut of making <strike>exhausting</strike> 'really fun' birthday cakes for each kid and when they remember what so-and-so got last time... it's hard not to keep it up. Besides, birthdays only come once a year, and they're my kid. So I figure I get to try all of those fancy cakes you see in magazines and if it slowly melts, who cares! I only have to make them every few months!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZluYth5umb0/UoK-qCkinrI/AAAAAAAAG20/yeB43smcQIU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.48.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZluYth5umb0/UoK-qCkinrI/AAAAAAAAG20/yeB43smcQIU/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.48.37+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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At about midnight the night before her birthday I all of a sudden had the urge to decorate her room for when she woke up. So I taped together the fancy paper up there and quickly painted it, then taped it to her door. I blew up a few balloons and threw them around her room for good measure. If she had any other real birthday decorations experience to compare them to, she may have been let down. But hey! She's only five, so a messy poster and balloons are awesome right? I could hear her gasp from my room when she woke up. It was pretty adorable. Then she must have woken her brother because he ran into my room with arms loaded with balloons and yelled, "It's a party!"</div>
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Yeah! Sure bud! It will be a party all day!</div>
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Everywhere we went that day he announced to everyone he met that we were currently having a party at our house. So we came home and turned on some music and did just that.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpvJY63b1c4/UoK8tyQvftI/AAAAAAAAG1s/comNXRmHxNQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.26.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpvJY63b1c4/UoK8tyQvftI/AAAAAAAAG1s/comNXRmHxNQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.26.57+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this girl. She can't help but pose for every picture I take. Every single one! I happen to be okay with that.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BN5n5yNcNrA/UoK88-DsB5I/AAAAAAAAG2E/W61RE_lxhZU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.24.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BN5n5yNcNrA/UoK88-DsB5I/AAAAAAAAG2E/W61RE_lxhZU/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.24.31+PM.png" width="424" /></a></div>
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In case you were wondering, I made the castle... um, walls? I guess those would be castle walls, I made them from the tube from clear plastic wrap that ran out. No toilet paper rolls on my cake please. I cut the tube into different sizes and frosted them. Then I frosted some mini ice cream cones as well. I just stuck them on the lemon frosting when ready and topped them with waffle cones. For the smaller towers I cut the cones down a bit so they would fit better. It is WAY easier than it looks. I used a plastic baggie with a tip cut off to squeeze out all the vines and flowers. And they're vines, so they can be squiggly right? If you look close it's a pretty messy cake, it's just all the detail that makes it look fancy. You can do it!</div>
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I'll be honest. I love coffee cake, but I think I will use a fluffy vanilla cake next time. And maybe instead of jam in the center I'll use the lemon frosting for that too. It was just so good.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNZc9S5V8Bo/UoK8_4vjluI/AAAAAAAAG2M/QlbJONad1LU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.18.53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNZc9S5V8Bo/UoK8_4vjluI/AAAAAAAAG2M/QlbJONad1LU/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-12+at+4.18.53+PM.png" width="424" /></a></div>
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All right! My baby is screaming, the kids are downstairs yelling to neighbor kids from out our window, and half of my upstairs is in the midst of being organized (so let's face it, it's just one giant mess). See what happens when you try to blog? When will I ever learn...</div>
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But thanks for stopping by! Wish I could visit with you more :)</div>
My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-30279523123551073322013-11-05T22:57:00.000-08:002013-11-05T22:57:38.641-08:00all about food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmgeQKns9ZA/Unnn53XomnI/AAAAAAAAG0s/UmYne55wqkE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-05+at+11.50.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmgeQKns9ZA/Unnn53XomnI/AAAAAAAAG0s/UmYne55wqkE/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-05+at+11.50.12+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've noticed there are a few things I can't eat.<br />
A banana with twins inside. I found one of these once when it was really late at night and I must have been starving before bed and the <i>only</i> thing to eat in the house must have been the banana. When I opened it and found two bananas insideā¦ I threw it away. I was really groggy, and it just confused/grossed-me-out me too much.<br />
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Along these same lines I found a grape a few weeks ago that was about four grapes molded into oneā¦ I didn't eat that one either.<br />
I like it when I eat an egg and the yolk is just not quite all the way cooked. But I just barely ate an egg and the last bite had some of the white part not all the way cooked. It was the worst way to finish the last bite of an egg.<br />
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I hate oatmeal and I always will. I love oatmeal in cookies and as an ingredient. But oatmeal oatmeal, like a bowl of oatmeal. I won't eat that.<br />
I used to love love love spicy food. My brother and I used to try and eat jalapeƱos out of the can. I still like spicy food, until it comes out. So I don't eat it as much anymore. But my husband recently bought a brick of pepper jack cheese and it's pretty awesome.<br />
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I think Twix should be king of the world. I've thought that for several years. One birthday in my younger years my parents gave me a bag of <strike>fun</strike> bite size Twix and I remember going up to my room that night and eating one after another until most of the bag was gone. I totally still love them.<br />
In fact whenever I have a baby I ask for a Twix bar from my husband. Sort of like, "I give you a baby you give me a Twix." Only with the last baby it was a Twix and a Toblerone. Inflation.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb599eoiM0E/Unnn8D_bsFI/AAAAAAAAG1U/MampUoQQ3go/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-05+at+11.52.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb599eoiM0E/Unnn8D_bsFI/AAAAAAAAG1U/MampUoQQ3go/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-05+at+11.52.15+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've learned to love whole wheat. It is really hard for me to eat white pasta at a restaurant because I feel like I am just eating servings of sugar.<br />
I've just learned that I like broccoli. Who knew? It is something I generally avoided, but this month was the month!<br />
I believe that as we grow older our taste buds mature and we go from only liking sweets to enjoying things like avocados and hummus.<br />
Sometimes I like avocados sometimes I don't.<br />
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I don't like cinnamon. It all started with baby # one. My book-binding teacher brought a bag of chocolate covered cinnamon bears to class and I nearly threw mine up.<br />
But I love cinnamon rolls!<br />
I love maple bars.<br />
I love radish sandwiches.<br />
I love carrots and peanut butter, but don't tell my sister I finally tried it.<br />
And I love my grandma's German meal. I miss that.<br />
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What about you? Favorite foods? Any dislikes? You can leave a link in the comments!My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-21582027202878203162013-11-01T09:51:00.001-07:002013-11-01T09:58:31.451-07:00Wood Burning Tools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello!</div>
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Today I'm going to talk about my wood burning tool. I've had a few questions about what I use when I make my baby teethers and I thought I'd clear up a few of them :)</div>
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This here is my current wood burner. I found it at a craft store (I believe it was AC Moore, but I'm sure you can find them at Joanns). It is a <a href="http://www.walnuthollow.com/store/wood-burning/">Walnut Hollow</a>, and I love it! Lookie at all the little attachments: </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KqV1fDS0zR8/UnPUl1S6HjI/AAAAAAAAGzI/GUMQBOb3gC0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.10.03+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KqV1fDS0zR8/UnPUl1S6HjI/AAAAAAAAGzI/GUMQBOb3gC0/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.10.03+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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It can be found for under $10 on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walnut-Hollow-Creative-Woodburner-Value/dp/B000VRTG8Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383323993&sr=8-3&keywords=walnut+hollow">here</a>. But if you do a basic search for wood burning tools on Amazon you can come up with several options, a few of which have even more attachments. I find that I don't really need more than what I have here though. The Walnut Hollow also has an 'On' and 'Off' switch, which can come in handy.</div>
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This is the tool I began with:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAXo9_eaVkA/UnPaKuxv8EI/AAAAAAAAG0M/WiwoTcUDkPQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.23.19+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAXo9_eaVkA/UnPaKuxv8EI/AAAAAAAAG0M/WiwoTcUDkPQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.23.19+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was purchased at Home Depot, and while it certainly does work, it only had the one tip and I found I quickly grew out of it. It does not have an 'On' and 'Off' switch. <a href="http://beccamariedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/can-i-give-you-idea.html">Here</a> is a project that I created with my Weller:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjWWnqmO4QI/UnPabkw7RDI/AAAAAAAAG0U/gN4kkskP1QM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.24.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjWWnqmO4QI/UnPabkw7RDI/AAAAAAAAG0U/gN4kkskP1QM/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.24.39+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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See? Not so bad, but it would have been easier with more tip options.</div>
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And here is my most recent baby teether made with the Walnut Hollow wood burner:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2taHVihpN7s/UnPUmMMZ6fI/AAAAAAAAGzU/PRJWl60_V0Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.10.53+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2taHVihpN7s/UnPUmMMZ6fI/AAAAAAAAGzU/PRJWl60_V0Y/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.10.53+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlKLpr-Hufc/UnPUnIK420I/AAAAAAAAGzc/W9mRC3deDLE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.11.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlKLpr-Hufc/UnPUnIK420I/AAAAAAAAGzc/W9mRC3deDLE/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.11.37+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fPZmNtq06g/UnPUnhbHW6I/AAAAAAAAGzg/OAma2iIyqSo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.12.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fPZmNtq06g/UnPUnhbHW6I/AAAAAAAAGzg/OAma2iIyqSo/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.12.33+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And if you are interested in my tutorial for an all natural baby-safe (olive oil and bees wax) finish, you can find it <a href="http://beccamariedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/09/safe-and-natural-wood-finish-for-babies.html">here</a>!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqjohdR5I3M/UnPVH9lQGxI/AAAAAAAAGzw/ZoVlndB6e5Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.21.03+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqjohdR5I3M/UnPVH9lQGxI/AAAAAAAAGzw/ZoVlndB6e5Y/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-01+at+10.21.03+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope that clears things up! I truly love this hobby :) I'd love to post more about it!</div>
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As always, let me know if you have any more questions and I'll do my best to answer them!</div>
My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-84209859466345689232013-10-25T19:48:00.001-07:002013-10-25T19:53:00.984-07:00A giant block of melted cheese.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Do you guys ever freeze your cheese? I do sometimes. When I find a really really good sale on blocks of cheese, I buy eight and stick them in the freezer so we can go a few months without having to worry about buying more. (Just so you know, if you do this the cheese will change consistency and be a bit more on the crumbly side. Still good! But a tad harder to slice and much better for sprinkling over lasagna.) Anyway, I always forget to pull out a new package when the old one is getting low, and defrosting cheese in the fridge can take foreeeever. Like a day. So yeah, when you need cheese for dinner in twenty minutes, you don't have 24 hours to wait for it to un-freeze.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">So. Just to get things rolling, I thought I'd stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds and then I could grate a bit off the end. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">So I put it in the microwave.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The whole block.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">And it seems that 30 seconds wasn't long enough for it to even budge on the grater so I put it in for a minute. Still no luck. So I put it in for longer.</span></div>
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And then I forgot about it.</div>
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Minutes later (what happened to pushing the 30 second button?), I remembered my cheese... And I still used it. But I was oh so grateful that I could hide it from my neighbors and friends and everyone who is sane. You know how sometimes you do something that's totally unconventional but it's not a bad thing, it's just weird, so you feel like a weirdo for a day, and you're just glad no one is watching? Yes, that happened. But somehow talking about it after the fact makes me feel more normal. Plus I wanted to show the picture :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-9a52KHsLo/UmXqDJySLLI/AAAAAAAAGyo/55HA24a-QSE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-18+at+2.01.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-9a52KHsLo/UmXqDJySLLI/AAAAAAAAGyo/55HA24a-QSE/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-10-18+at+2.01.35+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-1600716449174307092013-10-22T17:01:00.000-07:002013-10-23T14:34:23.108-07:00the One Day Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The One Day Challenge is to focus on today. Be who you want to be today. Don't let yesterday hold you back, or worry about tomorrow. Just focus on the now.</div>
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It seems in life there there are always things I'm trying to improve upon. I want to be a better daughter, a better sister, a better friend, a better wife, and a better mother. The one theme that blows through it all is that I want to be better. I sort of have an imaginary me in my head. The perfect me. And instead of hate her, I look up to her. I want to be more like her. Some days I wish I spent less time checking Facebook on my phone and more time (maybe even just 10 minutes) sitting at the table and painting. Painting is so much more substantial. Sometimes I wish I had a cleaner house. Sometimes I wish I never lost my gentleness with my children, or yelled in our home. The perfect lady/me in my head does these things, and for some reason I don't even try. It's like I've just consigned myself to just being 'okay'. I sway between feelings of thinking I should just accept who I am and wishing I would try harder. It seems I spend my days wishing.</div>
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I find it tiring to berate myself at night before bed for not being perfect. Really a lot of the things the 'perfect me' is doing in my head aren't impossible. I wish I made exercising a priority, so why don't I? I wish I were the type of person who had an organized schedule for her day, so why not? I wish I would speak in kinder tones to my children <i>no matter what they do, </i>and that's not impossible. I realized <span style="font-size: large;">it's the guidelines for my goals that need to change to make the difference</span>. I think deciding to make all of these changes all at once and doing them well for the rest of my life would be a mountain to swallow, and it's probably not quite possible. No wonder it's daunting. So let's just work on today. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today."</i></span></div>
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-Lorenzo Snow</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(pssst, you can find a neat printable of this quote <a href="http://deseretdesigns.blogspot.com/2013/03/be-better-today-than-you-were-yesterday.html">here</a>!)</span></div>
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So this is where the challenge comes in. I want to be perfect just for one day. And if I mess up, <i>I will just keep trying</i>. I want to be perfect for a moment. And then the next moment and the next. And I will just keep trying. My goal is to stop wishing and to start moving. My goal tomorrow is to wake up and make a list of all of the things I really really want to do, and accomplish what I really want to accomplish. My goal is to be the woman I really want to be.</div>
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I want to make music a big part of our home. So I will. I want to read that book that has been sitting on my shelf for ages. So I'll do it. I want to stop feeling guilty about everything and try to be more confidant. So let's start.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEqtX6YBaeo/UmXpqo0E1DI/AAAAAAAAGyY/95Npz83KHos/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-18+at+2.07.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEqtX6YBaeo/UmXpqo0E1DI/AAAAAAAAGyY/95Npz83KHos/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-10-18+at+2.07.31+PM.png" /></a></div>
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<i>This post is dedicated to Matilda, who loved some seeds and flowers grew.</i></div>
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My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-1348021440553104852013-10-10T17:16:00.001-07:002013-10-10T17:16:23.841-07:00Color Block Necklace Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFuC1XXyUFQ/UgRql11g6BI/AAAAAAAAGtI/xhTkemXNfQ8/s1600/ok.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFuC1XXyUFQ/UgRql11g6BI/AAAAAAAAGtI/xhTkemXNfQ8/s640/ok.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hey Everyone!!!<br />
I know I've been invisible from the blog for the past while. My homework isn't invisible though, nor is the newborn :)<br />
I took the photos for this tutorial a few months ago while my adorable 16 year old sister was visiting. It was so fun to make jewelry with a friend! Anyway, I thought this would be a great tutorial because I'll be honest, I'm not a super jewelry wearer. Silly, I know, because I used to make and sell jewelry... but it's just not something I've felt comfortable wearing myself! However, I do wear these necklaces. I just love making them out of different colors and almost always having something that will match my outfit of the day! And talk about easiest necklaces ever! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXAXZt3yr-Q/UldA9r0UEZI/AAAAAAAAAkA/pqX67mzhbx4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-10+at+6.05.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXAXZt3yr-Q/UldA9r0UEZI/AAAAAAAAAkA/pqX67mzhbx4/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-10-10+at+6.05.32+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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So here we go:<br />
Supplies include - string & beads (that's it!)<br />
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I purchased string at a local jewelry supply story while I was picking up the beads. This string is stiff so it holds up to beading well without fraying, although I don't believe it is wax layered. I measure out about 26 inches of string. You'll want to hold up the string and sort of try it on. We are adding on a few extra inches so we have some length to work with at the end as we make the knots. There will probably be a few inches you'll end up cutting off when finished.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk2gk1fLQNo/UgRq2uvLPWI/AAAAAAAAGtw/-sb6GU-W60Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-08+at+9.55.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk2gk1fLQNo/UgRq2uvLPWI/AAAAAAAAGtw/-sb6GU-W60Y/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-08-08+at+9.55.32+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Determine your design. Typically for a Color Block necklace I choose a larger set of beads for the center of the necklace, frame them with a fun contrasting color, and finish up with tiny seed beads up the sides. You can check out some of my other designs in the picture at the top of this post.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ryTDYff6FY/UgRq5ArzeTI/AAAAAAAAGt4/X4QB5ePqXJ4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-08+at+9.59.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ryTDYff6FY/UgRq5ArzeTI/AAAAAAAAGt4/X4QB5ePqXJ4/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-08-08+at+9.59.26+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once you have chosen your bead layout begin stringing on those seed beads! As you near the center add on the heavier beads. Finish up with another layer of seeds. Once you are close to finishing hold up the necklace and make sure that the sides are even, you may have to add some seed beads to one side so they match up. Leave a few inches un-beaded at the ends so you can make your knots.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swnN8dubhw8/UgRq6eQUCLI/AAAAAAAAGuA/YdGAO8ofQuc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-08+at+9.59.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swnN8dubhw8/UgRq6eQUCLI/AAAAAAAAGuA/YdGAO8ofQuc/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-08-08+at+9.59.54+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now for the finishing knots. I love this necklace because once it's knotted I don't worry about it coming undone! <br />
hold both ends of the necklace string so they are hanging in the same direction<br />
pinch both at the same time<br />
make a loop and pull them through tight up against the beads<br />
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Now for the fun part. Add on another one or two beads! I like to think of these as my secret color beads because they could be completely random and just hide behind your neck. Once you've added these on, make your knot again.<br />
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See? Knotted twice, nice and strong.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vaV9_aN8CU/UgRq7gefUAI/AAAAAAAAGuI/L4-MQQRVCgg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-08+at+10.01.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vaV9_aN8CU/UgRq7gefUAI/AAAAAAAAGuI/L4-MQQRVCgg/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-08-08+at+10.01.21+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tada! So easy!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmIJ_WtqDJM/UgRq8sjcJGI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/qHBh6pNq2jk/s1600/Picture+19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmIJ_WtqDJM/UgRq8sjcJGI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/qHBh6pNq2jk/s640/Picture+19.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now go use up those outrageous colors!!!</div>
My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-12079234878740469682013-08-08T23:00:00.003-07:002013-08-08T23:03:49.874-07:00Over-stimulation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HTh1JgQHhc/UdOn1hjXSOI/AAAAAAAAGig/o2jjdk0cAsE/s786/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.18.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HTh1JgQHhc/UdOn1hjXSOI/AAAAAAAAGig/o2jjdk0cAsE/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.18.09+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Too much! Too much! Too much! Too much!</div>
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Is that from a movie? I swear I've heard it before. It runs through my head like a quote from a movie, I just wish I knew which one. Today I'm posting about something that has been on my mind a lot lately. I think a lot of it began with a post I read <a href="http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2012/09/14/why-i-took-all-my-kids-toys-away-why-they-wont-get-them-back/">here</a> about a lovely lady and how her children's lives were vastly affected by the fateful day she took all of their toys from them. She stripped their room actually, pretty bed comforter and all. It was all just too much, they didn't respond well, they were overwhelmed, and they were refusing to clean their room. So she just took it all away. And you know what? She said it's made things so much better. I recommend you read the post.</div>
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I read this post several months ago and it has resounded through my head ever since. It actually came at a time when I was in desperate need to purge our basement and it's clutter. We had moved in months before and there were still boxes littering the floor. Unopened tubs, bags of fabric, buckets of toys mismatched and spilling everywhere. It was the 'play room', but my kids hated it, and I knew it. We all avoided going down there. It is so easy to keep our normal living spaces clean and in order, but the basement? It was like someone had taken everything down there, turned it over and thrown it across the room. You could hardly walk, and I knew I had to get in there and fix it. It was daunting. I'm not kidding, I felt so overwhelmed that I'd just go down there and cry. It is hard for me to get rid of things I think we will 'need' sometime in our future lives. It's hard for me to see the large organized picture and see where things need to go. It is also hard for me to concentrate on more than one thing at once, so when I was elbow-deep in a box, trying to keep my piles organized and my children would climb all over me and ask "Why? Why? Why?" about 300 times... I hated it. But I stuck with it for about two weeks. The night I finished I skipped out on family movie night so I could run down and throw the last few papers away, vacuum, and then lead my family into the newly wide open space of our large basement. I set up my sewing table in the corner under the window, the large bean-bag chair sat fluffed against a wall, and the children's toys were no where in sight. We loved it. It was clean, empty, and the kids had <i>so</i> much fun running back and forth trying not to get caught by daddy. This is the first time I saw for myself how much less is more. </div>
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Children crave simplicity.<br />
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Adults do too for that matter.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i><b>I've noticed that the simpler our lives are, the more time and care we can spend on things we fancy.</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DArRf5pSuZA/UdOn2vTTHZI/AAAAAAAAGio/gMNGe4sThB0/s786/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.16.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DArRf5pSuZA/UdOn2vTTHZI/AAAAAAAAGio/gMNGe4sThB0/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.16.19+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I took my children's toys from them. Their rooms have never really held anything but their beds and clothes, so it was mostly a matter of hiding everything in the basement under the stairs. Over several months I collected plastic tubs from Walmart, trying to get the right size for each set of toys. Each toy has its place, and there were many that were simply thrown out. I still feel like they have way too many toys, but I went through everything several times and I only kept what I felt was a good healthy toy for them to play with. They actually <i>want</i> to play with their toys now. The forbidden is always so enticing isn't it? They come to me and ask for a certain tub to play with, and we have to make sure the last bucket has been cleaned up and put away before I'll pull out a new one. It's exciting when I bring out something they've forgotten about. Their toys are valued.<br />
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But it's not just about toys. And it's not just about cluttered basements (although I've found the more I purge my paper stacks and boxes of knick-knacks around the house the happier momma is), it leads into so many other areas of our lives.<br />
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I used to listen to music about 50% of the time my husband was away at work. Pandora strummed from our computer constantly. I don't know when it happened, but I haven't turned on the radio for a very long time now.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-935WNHj18WM/UdOorN-9xYI/AAAAAAAAGjQ/Ucv4ffhsBY4/s786/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.29.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-935WNHj18WM/UdOorN-9xYI/AAAAAAAAGjQ/Ucv4ffhsBY4/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.29.07+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And the biggest area of our lives where I've seen 'simplicity' turn everything for the better is in our diets. I have a confession to make. I used to judge people and their picky-eater kids. 'You have a picky eater?' I'd think, 'Well force it on their plate, keep them at the table until they've learned who's boss.' </div>
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I believe anyone with a toddler can agree that it's actually not really possible to force a kid to eat. You can be very very persuasive at times, but making a kid eat something they'd rather not is not only very un-fun for all those involved, but in my opinion (now, my opinion now, see? I've changed my mind) probably not very healthy for their views on food, power, and family in general. </div>
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As my children were growing from their milk to baby food to toddler food stages I believe I had a slightly incorrect feeding policy running through my brain. I was so afraid they would starve or become dehydrated, I began letting them eat lots of unhealthy snacks and drink lots of juice. I've slowly begun realigning the cogs in my brain and tried to teach myself that not only will my children eat and drink when their bodies need it, but it's also about quality and timing.</div>
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My children were so used to sugary drinks and flavorful snacks, cutting back to simply water and milk and simple foods has been a process a year or two in the making. I slowly began cutting the juice out of their diet, and now that I don't buy it anymore, gone are the acidic diaper rashes and gone is the money wasted on a sugary drink. We still buy gummies, but they are actually a 'treat' now and get pulled out very sparingly.</div>
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We also work on timing. Letting my children raid cupboards was getting us nowhere in the healthy eating department. Why would my son want to eat carrot sticks when he had just snacked on some goldfish he found on the counter? We've now established the simple rule that mom and dad decide when it is time to eat and what is offered. Children decide if they want to eat it. Although we try to get them to try a bite of everything on their plate before they get out of it.</div>
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Now to the simplicity of the foods we eat. It has taken a long time, and a lot of plates left untouched before I've gotten my kids to learn to eat things like sugar-snap peas and carrots for a snack. They are learning to enjoy blueberries, plain greek yogurt, and a nice slice of whole wheat toast. They are actually becoming picky eaters, but only because they eat the same natural foods every day. I feel like it brings a whole new definition to the term 'picky eater'. Of course it is easy for a child to reject what is not present in their daily diet. My son will still not touch french fries or chicken nuggets. Oh boo hoo. It is so much easier for me to keep a mental checklist of the grains, dairy, fruit, and veggies they get if they eat very simple foods. And although my kids still appreciate a nice glass of chocolate milk with their lunch every once in a while, I think their bodies crave for simplicity as well. </div>
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And as an added bonus, it has brought down the stress of our grocery shopping trips. We hit up a few routine isles through the store and then head straight to the produce section. I no longer even bother to waste the energy of walking down the isles filled with chips, candies, and puddings.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq23Y0DcN28/UdOn5G0pFII/AAAAAAAAGi0/iy67s9nsjEE/s785/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.14.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq23Y0DcN28/UdOn5G0pFII/AAAAAAAAGi0/iy67s9nsjEE/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.14.21+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Too much food, too much sugar, too many processed foods... it is all just too much. </div>
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I want to provide my kids with the healthy nutrients they need to be able to explore, have energy, and focus through the day. And I think it is the same for adults.</div>
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For a really great lead on eating 'clean' check out <a href="http://www.blessthismessplease.com/2013/07/eating-clean-meal-plan.html">this post here</a>. Melissa has some wonderful ideas on how to keep your meals yummy and exciting while eating things that contribute to a clean and healthy lifestyle.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwndWsP8gjs/UdOn6ul58PI/AAAAAAAAGi4/5AVgk9bBf8w/s788/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.10.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwndWsP8gjs/UdOn6ul58PI/AAAAAAAAGi4/5AVgk9bBf8w/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-07-02+at+10.10.44+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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So anyways, those are my thoughts. I've noticed that the simpler our lives are, the more time and energy we can spend on work and play. What do you think?</div>
<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-12966464428134763942013-06-17T09:18:00.000-07:002013-06-17T09:18:31.604-07:00Turn an XXL t-shirt into a ruched maternity top!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFXoXjINICk/UblNHctxcNI/AAAAAAAAGhI/CuwgjBwQENA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.27.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFXoXjINICk/UblNHctxcNI/AAAAAAAAGhI/CuwgjBwQENA/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.27.43+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello!</div>
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My name is Becca, and I'm a cheapskate when it comes to buying clothes. My favorite place to acquire new clothing is DI (a Utah based thrift store), free clothes swaps, or the $1 and $3 dollar sections of walmart. I'll admit it's at places like these where the selection of clothes that fit are horrible. But I've found that the more I branch out with my sewing, the more these clothes that 'don't fit' have lots of potential. I've been able to transform quite a few pieces into skirts, shirts, and nightgowns for my four year old. It's sort of like really cheap fabric. Regular fabric can cost quite a bit, but if you find a really cute print on an unsold XL Uber-sale item, why not buy it and use it for the fabric?</div>
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You know that point during the year where you have so many months left during the season and you're so tired of going through the same shirt rotation, you just wish you had something different to wear? That's where I'm at with this pregnancy right now. I don't have much longer to go, but I'm not looking forward to the same old shirts. They're the ones I used during my last pregnancy, and the one before that. Don't get me wrong, I love them all and they're cute, it's just that sometimes it's exciting to wear something new.</div>
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So anyway, last week I was visiting family and I found myself at the Target they had in town. Ahh Target, it's probably good I don't live closer to you. I really think Target is a great store, and it's easy to find a lot of nice quality items there. But the prices astounded me. Maternity shirts are so short term, why would I want to spend over $20 on <i>each one</i>?! The more something costs, the less you can buy. So I found myself straying from the maternity section to the 50-70% off racks. Here I found three t-shirts for $5 each. Not so bad. I bought three new XL t-shirts for five dollars less than one fancy one in the maternity section. A shirt is a shirt is a shirt. If I can make one fit, why pay more? </div>
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While looking through the maternity clothes I notices quite a few tops that were ruched along the side. Sort of like <a href="http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=94350Z10012&MasterCategory_Id=MC2">this</a>. Cute huh? I figured I'd give this a try. I'm sure I'm not the first person to take a clearance item and alter it this way to fit a pregnant lady, but I figured since I'd be trying it out anyway, I'd show you how I did it. It's super easy!</div>
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So here's the before:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6YV0zt1DZM/UblMxg0ndXI/AAAAAAAAGf4/fxC0A_-mEH8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.08.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="633" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6YV0zt1DZM/UblMxg0ndXI/AAAAAAAAGf4/fxC0A_-mEH8/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.08.12+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nice and loose. It doesn't flatter the pregnant belly, was too baggy along the sides and in the sleeves, and the collar was just too large. Before I ruched the sides I wanted to make it fit more around the top, so I made the following alterations. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PirwmyI7VO8/UblM06fB_GI/AAAAAAAAGgA/hXq6UDzPoA4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.37.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="609" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PirwmyI7VO8/UblM06fB_GI/AAAAAAAAGgA/hXq6UDzPoA4/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.37.03+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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When sewing with knits, try to use a ball point needle. This will help it slip through the knit fabric without catching and cutting the threads. These needles can be found at most fabric stores. I found mine at Joanns for pretty cheap. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNJufDDvsAM/Ub8uA-kh1RI/AAAAAAAAGiI/6tUkF7pf89Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+9.51.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNJufDDvsAM/Ub8uA-kh1RI/AAAAAAAAGiI/6tUkF7pf89Q/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+9.51.44+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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You also need to keep in mind that knit fabric is so great because it stretches so easily. Because of this you want to avoid a regular straight stitch, as they do not support elasticity. Ideally I would have used a serger, but since I don't foresee myself owning one of those anywhere in the near future, I used a plain old zig-zag stitch with my plain old sewing machine. A zig-zag stitch is more forgiving than a straight stitch. The one thing I wish I had done differently was use a tighter zig-zag. I didn't notice this while sewing, but using too large of a stitch resulted in it being a bit more visible from the outside, as seen below.</div>
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Anyway, I turned the shirt inside out and sewed up the sides and right through the sleeves about 1 1/2" in on both sides. I also made the collar smaller by stitching at an angle along the shoulders. Once I had taken in the sides and the shoulders, the results made such a difference in how the shirt fit. It still wasn't hugging my tummy as much as I wanted, so I went ahead and added elastic to the sides.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--6FV1xwihGk/UblM2dH7sGI/AAAAAAAAGgI/91pzNQ5ZSoo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+9.50.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--6FV1xwihGk/UblM2dH7sGI/AAAAAAAAGgI/91pzNQ5ZSoo/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+9.50.39+PM.png" width="430" /></a></div>
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First you want to measure how high you want your shirt to ruch along the sides. How high do you want the sides to sit? I put the shirt on and looked in a mirror as I sort of pulled the fabric up to where I wanted it to sit when finished, then measured how much elastic I thought I'd need. It turned out to be about 4". I also marked on the shirt where the elastic would need to start.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6KR9_Xz8Cc/UblM4aTZvQI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/mNgAbbd47tc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.09.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6KR9_Xz8Cc/UblM4aTZvQI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/mNgAbbd47tc/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.09.46+PM.png" width="456" /></a></div>
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The above picture sort of gives you the idea of how much the elastic can take in. It all gets ruched down to the four inches, hugging your tummy nicely.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwY_JcT-XBg/UblNqo-svCI/AAAAAAAAGhU/I08_-sAmZLk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.42.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwY_JcT-XBg/UblNqo-svCI/AAAAAAAAGhU/I08_-sAmZLk/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+10.42.01+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Begin by securing with a few tiny stitches at the top of the elastic to where you marked your shirt. Once the elastic is secured, make sure your needle is in the down position and stretch your elastic to the hem of your shirt and pin. This helps you to sort of keep in mind how far you're going to need your elastic to go. Then increase your stitch size (still using a zig-zag stitch) and sew about an inch at a time, stretching the elastic as you go. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AZIzJP8vz1s/Ub8lseDxImI/AAAAAAAAGh4/h_OPaC_M4Ho/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-17+at+9.04.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AZIzJP8vz1s/Ub8lseDxImI/AAAAAAAAGh4/h_OPaC_M4Ho/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-17+at+9.04.18+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that's it! Finish by securing with a few tiny backward stitches at the end and snip your threads. This is what it should look like when you're done.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLPN1gga0Tw/UblNDhZaHvI/AAAAAAAAGg4/4EFiU1OV_xc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+9.58.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLPN1gga0Tw/UblNDhZaHvI/AAAAAAAAGg4/4EFiU1OV_xc/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+9.58.18+PM.png" width="432" /></a></div>
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And this is what it looks like from the outside! It only takes a few minutes to sew elastic up the sides. It would even be cute on a non-maternity shirt. Another perk with working with a shirt that was once too large, is that it actually has length in the sleeves. I have a thing against capped sleeves, or sleeves that are so short they curve up around the arm. It automatically makes your arm look rounder.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nHNFLb6s-0/UblNF-2CUpI/AAAAAAAAGhA/a-gIt4vpcwo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+9.59.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nHNFLb6s-0/UblNF-2CUpI/AAAAAAAAGhA/a-gIt4vpcwo/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-12+at+9.59.58+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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So what about you? Any tips for making shirts fit the preggo belly? I'm all ears! I'd like more options!</div>
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<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-49753251916283387832013-06-04T16:12:00.000-07:002013-06-04T21:24:11.979-07:00Fighting Sugar Addiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsgPzp9GBZw/Ua5w3f-vciI/AAAAAAAAGfk/Bwg8w8aiihY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+4.57.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsgPzp9GBZw/Ua5w3f-vciI/AAAAAAAAGfk/Bwg8w8aiihY/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+4.57.11+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mmmm, sugar. Well, it's more like 'Mmmm, chocolate' in my mind. You know that time of day that's just past morning and right before you have to hit the rest of the afternoon? The time where you wish you could lay down for just 20 minutes and maybe eat an entire <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Toblerone-Milk-1-76-Ounce-Pack-10/dp/B004SKVD2C/ref=sr_1_5?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1370386732&sr=1-5&keywords=toblerone">Toblerone?</a> I actually hit a mountain about an hour after lunch time. When we've been rushing through errands and play groups and routines, finally eaten lunch, and my body just begs me to stop. I get cranky. I get tired. And I get <i><b>cravings</b></i>.</div>
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I remember one afternoon I was having a rough and cranky day (I know I'm not alone here). Pull together a healthy lunch for the kids while they bicker over a book in the other room. Eat a small handful of chocolate chips. Try to answer the phone and hear my own conversation as the kids spill their milk at the table and begin crying loudly. Eat a small spoonful of nutella. Twenty million questions begin bombarding my ears as two small hooligans begin climbing up my body. As soon as they are distracted I reach for the jar of nutella. My eyes grow blurry with tears as I look at my 'to do' list and see that the full sink of dirty dishes, crumbs all over the floor, and two loads of laundry aren't even on that already super long list. Grab the jar of nutella, a spoon, and hide myself in the bathroom while I try to regain composure. I think I should let you know I was very tired this day. Tired means emotional in my world.</div>
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I remember at this time I truly realized I had a problem. I was depending on that sugar to get me through the day. I hated to admit it because I don't like knowing my body has to depend on anything other than healthy foods, air, and exercise. I don't ever want to feel my body telling me to give it something that it really shouldn't need, and feeling myself helpless but to obey.</div>
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I know this sounds trivial, but I am addicted to sugar. I can feel it. And I hate it. </div>
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<i>I'm not talking about natural sugars found in whole foods and fruits. I'm talking about straight up sweets.</i></div>
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Addiction isn't something I've had to deal much with in my life, and quite frankly I don't really know how to handle it. I've never smoked, drank, or used any other addictive substances, so I've never had to fight much to feel like I was in control of my body. I'm sure my dependance and love for sugar has been with me for most of my life. I mean, I love eating, especially yummy foods. I've never held myself back much. But at that moment, just as I tried to imagine my life without treats and goodies throughout the day, I truly feared that I wouldn't be able to control myself. That really bugged me. It still drives me crazy.</div>
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Something I do know about myself, I am an 'all or nothing' type of person when it comes to refraining from sweets. I know that I can start my day off great, but if I let myself even lick the chocolate off a spoon, it's just going to keep coming in. So I decided to take some drastic measures. A few things have worked, a few things haven't, and I thought I'd share the good points with you today.</div>
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<i>Let me just say first that I don't think desserts are absolutely terrible. A treat now and then is actually a good thing in my mind. But living on the edge is something terribly hard for me to do, so some of these tips may seem a bit drastic.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">5 Tips for Fighting Sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Have a buddy and hold each other to it</b>.</span> I've done stints with my sisters where we get all fired up and make a pact to not eat any sort of dessert, only to reveal a week later that we each only lasted one day. I didn't want to allow myself any room to give in and slip up. I knew to do this that there would have to be some sort of consequence that would keep me strong. Something that I desperately wanted to avoid. In our case we chose a care package. We decided that whoever breaks the rules first has to send the other a really nice package in the mail. Something really nice and fun. Sounds like it'd be great to be the receiver, but I just don't have the money to send something like that! So I remind myself of this every time I feel the need to grab a caramel throughout the day.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Keep desserts out of the house.</b></span> It's a fact that it's easier to refrain from dessert if it isn't available than if it were hidden in every cupboard of your house. We try to buy mostly healthy and whole foods at our house. It's just easier for us all to eat healthier if those are our only options. Sundays are an exception :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Have something to look forward to at the end of the day.</b></span> This one might sound a little odd, but it's the way my mind works. I've heard of people going on drastic diets and rewarding themselves with an entire chocolate cake at the end of the month. This is not what I'm talking about. I don't mean 'save all of your desserts until midnight'. I mean go and find something that isn't terribly unhealthy that you can look forward to at the end of the day. In my case it is hot chocolate. And I share my 'healthier' version with you at the end of this post.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Decide your rules for yourself, then follow them.</b></span> In my case, I decided that my rules would include absolutely no treats except one small thing to look forward to at the end of the day. I also allow myself a day off, because it's easy to refrain from making desserts throughout the week, but on Sundays we all get a break :) I can say yes if I am offered a dessert at a party, but more often than not I just don't let myself head to the dessert table. My sister has a bit of a different goal in mind, and that's fine with me. The point is, we know deep down inside what our goals are, and if we aren't meeting those goals, a package goes in the mail!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you mess up, try again.</b></span> Because we all stumble. Because none of us is perfect. But that doesn't mean we can't try again and again and again. Because you're worth it.</div>
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It's not easy. I feel a gigantic urge to break down every day for about a week. It is really hard. But I've found that after a week or so, saying 'no' isn't that bad, it's just a fact. I let myself have something to look forward to at the end of the day because it's easier to say no to everything else that way. I really look forward to my sweet drink before bedtime, when the kids are asleep and I can enjoy it in peace with my husband. That thought keeps me going strong. This is just my own thinking. My goal isn't to completely abstain from all sugar in life. <span style="font-size: large;"><i>My goal is to be in control of the sweets I consume</i></span>.</div>
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Now on to that hot chocolate recipe! It includes chocolate chips. The only chocolate I eat the entire day.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Cocoa and Honey Hot Chocolate</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9BO8567W04/Ua5dSBCpg3I/AAAAAAAAGek/Lh_EVzNk_aw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.23.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9BO8567W04/Ua5dSBCpg3I/AAAAAAAAGek/Lh_EVzNk_aw/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.23.44+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ingredients :</div>
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1 tsp baking cocoa</div>
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1 tsp honey</div>
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1 handful of chocolate chips (semi-sweet, you could use dark chips if you have them! That would be even healthier!)</div>
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1 cup of hot water</div>
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Tiny bit of milk</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KCMaJYJD83Q/Ua5dUVnBVoI/AAAAAAAAGes/yKWqdDSv8NM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.16.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KCMaJYJD83Q/Ua5dUVnBVoI/AAAAAAAAGes/yKWqdDSv8NM/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.16.17+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now the quantity of each of these ingredients can be changed to your own liking. My mom loves straight up baking cocoa and hot water. To each her own. But I don't like an overpowering taste of cocoa or honey, so I only add in a teaspoon of each.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlT2epR_BDU/Ua5dV9oi58I/AAAAAAAAGe0/4-r10jdfaHQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.18.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlT2epR_BDU/Ua5dV9oi58I/AAAAAAAAGe0/4-r10jdfaHQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.18.12+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Add the cocoa, honey, and chocolate chips to the bottom of your mug.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X228WDDiIHU/Ua5dXXdPlzI/AAAAAAAAGe8/BAORTUU_FO0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.29.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X228WDDiIHU/Ua5dXXdPlzI/AAAAAAAAGe8/BAORTUU_FO0/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.29.15+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This picture makes me sad ^^^ I usually use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but all we have on hand right now is white chocolate. The darker chips have a better consistency when they melt, and aren't as sweet. But white chocolate works when you're in a pinch.</div>
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Fill up your mug with boiling water until about 3/4" from the rim and top it off with a bit of cold milk. That's it! Stir it up and let the chocolate chips melt at the bottom.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H_xoVS2ixzk/Ua5dZD_KpUI/AAAAAAAAGfE/4-g7HzZWovU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.30.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H_xoVS2ixzk/Ua5dZD_KpUI/AAAAAAAAGfE/4-g7HzZWovU/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.30.19+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My favorite part of this recipe is the melted chocolate at the bottom of the mug. It's amazing. It's what I look forward to at the end of the day :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9BO8567W04/Ua5dSBCpg3I/AAAAAAAAGek/Lh_EVzNk_aw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.23.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9BO8567W04/Ua5dSBCpg3I/AAAAAAAAGek/Lh_EVzNk_aw/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-04+at+3.23.44+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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So how about you? Is there anything that you're learning to take control over in your life? Any tips for keeping sweets at bay?</div>
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<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-56154934502087847512013-05-30T00:18:00.001-07:002013-06-02T15:47:17.081-07:00Over the weekend - bridal shower and puppies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIGX7pf6niE/Uab4rUNvuSI/AAAAAAAAGYw/2gqEYZL2O6U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.53.01+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIGX7pf6niE/Uab4rUNvuSI/AAAAAAAAGYw/2gqEYZL2O6U/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.53.01+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This weekend I had the privilege of heading to my Grandmother's home to help host a bridal shower in honor of <a href="http://raspberriesandsugar.blogspot.com/">my little sister</a>. Oh d-d-d-dear! When was this girl allowed to grow up and fall in love?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QTfNoeMnHJM/Uab5zMZTIGI/AAAAAAAAGZY/2YP3DVXJgTQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+1.03.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QTfNoeMnHJM/Uab5zMZTIGI/AAAAAAAAGZY/2YP3DVXJgTQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+1.03.08+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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She reminds me of Ariel the mermaid in this picture. She's still my baby. The little fire-ball. The one who still loves to eat chocolate cake and watch old Disney channel reruns and talk about Harry Potter.</div>
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He's one lucky guy.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70kvQcZbl9c/Uab4rUqsEoI/AAAAAAAAGYs/-SaPpv2pFQQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.52.16+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70kvQcZbl9c/Uab4rUqsEoI/AAAAAAAAGYs/-SaPpv2pFQQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.52.16+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My <a href="http://andreamichelledoria.blogspot.com/">cousin</a> and I pulled together some flowers and treats and held a Tea Party themed shower. I learned to make paper flowers <a href="http://www.cbugstudio.com/blog/mothers-day-paper-craft/">here</a>. I made <a href="http://natashaskitchen.com/2011/04/12/raspberry-pretzel-jello/">this dish</a>. And devoured <a href="http://www.blessthismessplease.com/2012/03/pink-lemonade-cupcakes.html">these pink lemonade cupcakes</a>.</div>
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Can I just say how thankful I am to have the funnest group of cousins and aunts ever? <i>Everyone</i> had a hat. Everyone dressed up. Some even wore dresses of lace and matching jewelry. Thank you for playing the parts of tea party goers! It's so much fun when everyone gets involved!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igd0nYiyZ7g/Uab4rQN3mgI/AAAAAAAAGY0/8jKtDxTw0KQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.53.48+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igd0nYiyZ7g/Uab4rQN3mgI/AAAAAAAAGY0/8jKtDxTw0KQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.53.48+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now on to more urgent matters. Like why don't I live in a house?</div>
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If we owned a house with a yard I'd be able to take one of these sweet angels home with me. As it is we were only able to enjoy their sweet little spirits for a couple of days while staying with the in-laws. I'm not really a dog-in-the-house type of person, but puppies? Puppies-in-the-house is a totally different thing right?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53N0O_R3ekI/Uab4tOulECI/AAAAAAAAGZE/-Wfxe5JJ1TI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.54.19+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53N0O_R3ekI/Uab4tOulECI/AAAAAAAAGZE/-Wfxe5JJ1TI/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.54.19+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm so grateful for every moment I get to visit my Grandmother. This weekend was amazing. I love this lady with all my heart.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HB0I-WgUFP4/Uab4tGAOmXI/AAAAAAAAGZI/iTKvD2Rjan4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.55.02+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HB0I-WgUFP4/Uab4tGAOmXI/AAAAAAAAGZI/iTKvD2Rjan4/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-30+at+12.55.02+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-48258186725691136032013-05-11T14:14:00.002-07:002013-05-11T14:14:33.237-07:00Please be patient with us!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The blog is currently in the middle of a construction zone.</div>
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In the meantime, here is a coupon to go eat that treat that is in your cupboard that you keep telling yourself is for later...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOQ5YAwvrnU/UY60KY5M52I/AAAAAAAAGKc/PNmqI70GERA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-11+at+3.11.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOQ5YAwvrnU/UY60KY5M52I/AAAAAAAAGKc/PNmqI70GERA/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-11+at+3.11.28+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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go ahead, it will make you happy.</div>
<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-69572607744061994162013-04-04T14:17:00.000-07:002013-04-04T14:17:01.189-07:00Dreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It seems like when I am pregnant I have really odd dreams. And a lot of them. Of course it could just be that I wake up so often from deep sleep to run to the restroom that I remember them better than happily sleeping normal people... But really they are weird and I don't care much for them. Every so often we come across a good one, you know, me and my husband dating or something. So today I'll share a few of them with you. The first one is really short. I can't remember what the whole dream was about, but there were cherry-dipped ice creams involved. I'm not much of a cordial cherry fan, but they were stuck all over to the shell, and I woke up with a very specific craving. </div>
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Well guess what the ONLY other dipping flavor our Arctic Circle has rather than chocolate? </div>
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Cordial Cherry :)</div>
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On to the next dream. </div>
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I was stuck in an elevator. I had to get to the the 5th floor and the elevator wasn't working. I was on like, floor 10, and there was one other person in there. Said person was sort of fuzzy and faceless (you know, an extra) and they kept trying to open the doors to floor 10. Now there was a horrible feeling about floor 10. I don't know what was out there, but I knew it was not good, and I knew we should be actively trying to get away from there. I began shutting all the windows (since dream elevators have windows only when you are trying desperately to stay hidden), and locking the doors. I could see shadows walking buy and people trying to peek in. Things started getting really nerve wracking when I tried pushing the 'close' door button, only to find it wasn't there. So I began jamming the floor '5' button over and over to get the elevator going again. Of course it wasn't working for me. But dumbnut faceless person was clueless to our dangers and began trying to push floor '10' button and 'open'. I think I kicked him in the shins once or twice. </div>
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Then, faceless person pushes the 'Troll' button.</div>
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A 'Troll' button.</div>
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Why? Why of all the helpful buttons that could possibly be in an elevator in times of crisis is there a gigantic button that summons trolls?</div>
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I panicked. I was so angry at faceless. I think the doors finally opened and I shoved him out. Then finally I pushed number 5 and the elevator actually dropped to the fifth floor where I stumbled out and promptly woke up.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyGMue3PdDw/UV3k1buIyFI/AAAAAAAAGIU/FxjpUpog-E4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-04+at+2.37.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyGMue3PdDw/UV3k1buIyFI/AAAAAAAAGIU/FxjpUpog-E4/s640/Screen+shot+2013-04-04+at+2.37.42+PM.png" width="428" /></a></div>
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Ugh.</div>
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I argued with my brain on the logistics of that dream. Really?</div>
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On to the last dream, and this one is from my daughter.</div>
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Yesterday I woke up before my kids and was suddenly filled with motherly love and decided to go get some pancakes started instead of covering my head with the blanket and wait for them to come and find me. I could hear some shuffling around upstairs for a while and finally my four year old bounded down the stairs. She ran into the kitchen with such purpose, then asked if she could cook with me and tell me about her dream. As soon as she was on the counter she dove into her story. This was such a sweet moment for me because it's the first time I've seen her recognize a dream for what it was and get excited to tell someone about it. </div>
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She told me that there was a castle. There was a cage in the castle for the witch. The witch was not there.</div>
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She and I were making ham-rolls to give to the witch so that she wouldn't give us a poison apple.</div>
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The end.</div>
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Cool! So simple, yet so much that involved our daily lives... I mean, her and me cooking ham-rolls together and stories about witches and castles and dungeons and poisoned apples, not actual cages or poisoned apples.</div>
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It was just so simple, and so sweet. Afterward she told me that she had been laying in bed for a while piecing it together and thinking about it before she ran down to tell me. I hope I never forget that :)</div>
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<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-30962708858290649062013-03-13T08:28:00.000-07:002013-03-13T08:28:57.796-07:00Day to day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZxtVhgRZNk/UUCYOyyDNkI/AAAAAAAAGHs/T32lJwck9A4/s1600/Picture+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZxtVhgRZNk/UUCYOyyDNkI/AAAAAAAAGHs/T32lJwck9A4/s640/Picture+6.png" width="422" /></a></div>
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I can't believe that's the only picture I have to share. I haven't picked up my camera in forever. In fact, it's tucked away in my closet. Upstairs. With pictures still not downloaded onto the computer. And it's been that way for almost two months. Wow. </div>
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But you know what? Other things are happening around here. Things like babies being sick, and struggling to keep up with the day-to-day-keeping-the-house-looking-decent thing. And looking around to buy a new house. And school.</div>
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<i>schoooooooooooool</i></div>
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It looms over everything. At least in my personal world. I remember watching an episode of Winnie the Pooh when I was little, and poor Tigger had a baby thundercloud that followed him everywhere. He couldn't get rid of that black thundercloud, it just bobbed above his head and rained and rained and poured... This is sort of how I view online classes. Big. And neverending. And just as I think I've run fast enough to pass them up, there they are, zooming to catch up and keep me under their shadow.</div>
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Well, I mean, the assignments are like that. Really I love what I am learning. I am just such an easily overwhelmed and stressed out lady. I know this won't last forever (only one year!), and at the end of it are so many promising things to look forward to. It's just now. At the moment. When I have to choose between sitting at the computer for 8 hours and ignoring my kids for a good part of that time so that I can concentrate with all my might to understand what I am learning, or reading with my kids, painting with my kids, and cleaning and cooking... it's at moments like that where I just begin counting down the days.</div>
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So that's where I've been.</div>
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Lovely readers, I'm sorry, but I have to slow down posting sometimes and this is one of those moments.</div>
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But we're still here :)</div>
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And I'll post every once in a while :)</div>
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How about you? How are you doing?</div>
<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-90540763634670169722013-03-06T10:54:00.002-08:002013-03-06T10:54:52.026-08:00Bunny Paper Dolls Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey friends! Today I'm having a little giveaway for the <a href="http://beccamariedesigns.blogspot.com/2013/02/printable-rabbit-family-paper-dolls.html">Rabbit Family Paper Dolls</a> over at <a href="http://www.blessthismessplease.com/2013/03/rabbit-paper-dolls-giveaway.html">Bless This Mess</a>!</div>
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Head on over and check it out!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CSXHwVDgWr0/UTeQ3yzzZDI/AAAAAAAAGHc/05ktvgdJ938/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-06+at+11.51.12+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CSXHwVDgWr0/UTeQ3yzzZDI/AAAAAAAAGHc/05ktvgdJ938/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-03-06+at+11.51.12+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-23278724882291545752013-02-25T08:21:00.002-08:002013-02-25T08:21:40.564-08:00A little help can go a long way.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L98oAhP0mzU/USuNTElSbfI/AAAAAAAAAiI/PHuuyPM7Pyc/s1600/Picture+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L98oAhP0mzU/USuNTElSbfI/AAAAAAAAAiI/PHuuyPM7Pyc/s640/Picture+8.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like this picture. I was walking down the road from my grandmother's house and spotted some giant dandelions, a bit smaller than my fist. I had no idea those even existed! So of course I picked a few to spread the giant dandelion seed love and had to blow extra hard to get the seeds to let go. And look at that one, he's rising above.</div>
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My friend recently posted about something that is <a href="http://www.blessthismessplease.com/2013/02/i-am-not-my-body.html">very special</a> to her. I'm really not good at paraphrasing or rewording things, and I think it'd be best if you just went over to her post and read it from her own words. Sometimes we need to see what others are capable of going through, and rising above, to give us a boost to look outside of ourselves and see with clearer eyes.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07cBGZOrz14/USuNV1_xJdI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/TD2yiyGbAiE/s1600/Picture+18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07cBGZOrz14/USuNV1_xJdI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/TD2yiyGbAiE/s640/Picture+18.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blessthismessplease.com/2013/02/i-am-not-my-body.html">Click on over and check it out</a> :) </div>
<br />BeccaMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03203089491501064055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235303017927010121.post-68095723991147806222013-02-04T11:32:00.000-08:002013-02-06T08:38:21.446-08:00Printable Rabbit Family Paper Dolls!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rp9pGqlYx_U/URAJf2Ij3iI/AAAAAAAAGC8/rvU2AA0z4Vs/s1600/Picture+37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rp9pGqlYx_U/URAJf2Ij3iI/AAAAAAAAGC8/rvU2AA0z4Vs/s640/Picture+37.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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You know something I've noticed while I spend hours on the computer working on my classes, blogging, or editing photos? My face is slack, my eyes tire, and although I grow weary of it, it is so tough to turn away. We let our kids each pick one 20 min kid's show to watch each day. But they still sneak in screen time with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKC-lRhvdNY">family friendly youtube music videos</a>, the drawing program on my kindle, and the very fact that our computer is in the front room. When I start to see that slack-jawed frozen eyed look... oh it bothers me. I don't want my kids to be addicted to the constant need for entertainment. Ideally we would be outside in the beautiful mountains in out backyard. Unfortunately it is still winter and I just ain't going there. </div>
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So here's where <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/122649340/rabbit-paper-dolls-dress-up-doll">these paper dolls</a> come in. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ClYdeLQ_V6o/URAJgzzl-8I/AAAAAAAAGDE/Kq-cJ3D6rIY/s1600/Picture+35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ClYdeLQ_V6o/URAJgzzl-8I/AAAAAAAAGDE/Kq-cJ3D6rIY/s640/Picture+35.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My daughter loves little paper things. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_70_J4pgHk/URAJmN6QC0I/AAAAAAAAGDM/t1RW_iQYTY8/s1600/Picture+39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_70_J4pgHk/URAJmN6QC0I/AAAAAAAAGDM/t1RW_iQYTY8/s640/Picture+39.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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She will sit for hours with tiny scissors, crayons, paper, and tape. She creates everything. From paper rings, little paper house scenes, and she practices making up words with the letters she knows.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-27vN7DpyfhY/URAJnbRGGWI/AAAAAAAAGDU/KI9G3lNE05M/s1600/Picture+41.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-27vN7DpyfhY/URAJnbRGGWI/AAAAAAAAGDU/KI9G3lNE05M/s640/Picture+41.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And you know what?</div>
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It's so healthy for her.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JOAafMVhM0/URAJsPJqT7I/AAAAAAAAGDc/40dlH9wtRS4/s1600/Picture+43.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JOAafMVhM0/URAJsPJqT7I/AAAAAAAAGDc/40dlH9wtRS4/s640/Picture+43.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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After days of planning, sketching, editing, and printing out drafts, these little paper dolls are ready for play.</div>
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And she loves them.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_q8o6Qxo5U/URAJuWq3OiI/AAAAAAAAGDs/-S9Qu8eXYhE/s1600/Picture+49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_q8o6Qxo5U/URAJuWq3OiI/AAAAAAAAGDs/-S9Qu8eXYhE/s640/Picture+49.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can find <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/122649340/rabbit-paper-dolls-dress-up-doll">these printable paper dolls</a> in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeccaMarieDesigns?ref=si_shop">BeccaMarie Designs shop</a>. For now they are only $2.00 each. Simply print on card-stock or thicker paper, cut out, and you're on your way.</div>
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Hope they help your kids in these long winter months.</div>
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love you! Thanks for stopping by!</div>
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Just entered Polkadots on Parade, Check her out :)</div>
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<a href="http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/2013/02/wow-me-wednesday-86.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc405/laderalady/JaimeButtonWOW.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<br />My name is Beckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02293908090708250074noreply@blogger.com3