tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44620845112812250212024-03-12T16:36:21.557-07:00 Yarns From Elsewhere™A journal of my shenanigans and adventures, with sarcasm sprinkled in. * I will be moving to Wordpress under the same name in the future, keep reading for more news on this! *Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-28024810659036940342016-09-04T12:13:00.000-07:002016-09-04T12:13:13.747-07:00A Final Blogger Post.... But Wait, There's More<div style="text-align: center;">
Now hold on just minute and keep your hat on! I don't want you to have read that title and be all worried now. I know you have become attached to me and my erratic ramblings and sarcasm, and the <i>delicious </i>photos I sometimes post of the amazing food I make ( which I have been told make some people want to eat their laptops but please don't do this because then you couldn't read my blog anymore and I would miss you ), but just because the title has the words 'final post' in it, does not mean that you are never going to hear from me again!</div>
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Let's look at the <i>actual</i> wording of this so that I may calm you down ( because I don't want you to be all stressed now ). "Final Blogger Post". <i>Blogger</i> post. Do you know what that means?</div>
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<i>*drum roll please*</i></div>
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I'M MOVING TO WORDPRESS!!!!</div>
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WHOOO!!!</div>
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Isn't that just <i>exciting?!?!?!</i></div>
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Ok, so maybe it's not all <i>that</i> exciting on the surface, but let me explain to you why I'm so excited, and then maybe you will be, too.</div>
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This blog, right from the very start, has been a journal blog. I wasn't actually sure what I was doing with it, and I had no clue where I wanted to go with it ( also if you look back to the very beginning I was <i>horrid</i> at actually posting more than once a month but <i>shhh</i> maybe you shouldn't look back that far ).</div>
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This blog isn't even that <i>old</i>. I've been blogging for less than a year now, and have a meager 51 posts previous to this one because of the 873421 things that I have to do in my life ( alright that number is an exaggeration but it certainly <i>feels</i> like that many things sometimes ). But in that time, I have gotten an idea of what I want to do with my blogging, and this, my friends is the reason I am moving to Wordpress.</div>
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I have always, <i>always</i> had a deep love for books. This may sound silly, but for me, books are just about the number 1 thing in my life, right next to my beloved peanut butter, of course. I started reading on my own when I was 4. I always asked for books over toys when people wanted to get me something. Heck, <a href="https://yarnsfromelsewhere.wordpress.com/2016/05/15/bibliophile-book-sale-spree/" target="_blank">I bought 41 books in May</a> just because I loved them for being books. Do you remember that? That was crazy! But I'm so glad I did.</div>
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I love the way books look. I love the way books smell. I love the way the paper feels and sounds when you turn it. And that's to say nothing of the stories that are actually inside the books. Reading just makes me feel better. Doesn't matter how I feel. Sad? I go read. Angry? I go read. Stressed? Hey, this book looks good. Happy? Why not feel even happier by reading a book?</div>
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The point is, books are amazing and I love them. So wouldn't it make sense to have a book blog?</div>
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I think it makes sense, not only because I love books so much but because I am working to be a self-published author. I have often found myself searching for something to blog about, but now, with books being my <i>main</i> focus, I'll never run out of things to say.</div>
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So I'm moving on to Wordpress, where I may put my posts into more organized categories. Because while books and writing and all things to do with paper and words is going to be my <i>main</i> focus, I'm sure you still want a <i>tiny bit</i> of journaling, right? Because you do want to hear about my adventures and see my doodles and my ridiculous antics ( along with the photos that come with them, such as the photo of me and my sister <a href="https://yarnsfromelsewhere.wordpress.com/2016/05/19/chasing-the-sprinkler-sunset/" target="_blank">gracefully journeying through a sprinkler</a> ), and who am I to disappoint you by omitting these posts entirely?</div>
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I would hate to see you sad, so I won't do that. I will, though, hope that you hop over to my <a href="https://yarnsfromelsewhere.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">new blog here</a>, and continue to skip through life with me. So you see, there's no need to worry, despite the title of this post. I'm still here for you! And those 51 old posts of mine? They are still there on my Wordpress blog, too! So you can go back and laugh at any of my old shenanigans when ever you feel like it.</div>
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So, if you are reading this and are a current follower of mine, hop on over to my new blog and follow it! There will be no more posts on <i>this blog</i>, so after you follow my <b><a href="https://yarnsfromelsewhere.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">new blog</a></b>, don't worry about this old thing anymore.</div>
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If you are reading this and are <i>not </i>currently a beloved groupie of mine, then come on it and join the fun! I would love to have you, and over time, you can't help but love me too, I think, so really there's no downside to being with me.</div>
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Also, I have a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yarnsfromelsewhere/" target="_blank">Bookstagram</a> now. <i>How cool is that?!?!!</i> It's the <i>coolest</i>, but I don't know maybe that's just my opinion or something. I never would have even <i>thought</i> to have a Bookstagram if it hadn't been for the radical idea of moving to Wordpress. So you see, good things are already happening because of <i>"The Move"</i> and I haven't really even started yet. Good omens, if you believe in them.</div>
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<i>*just to make sure you got it, <b>this </b>is my new site* :)</i><br />
https://yarnsfromelsewhere.wordpress.com</div>
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I guess that means this it. The final sign-off on Blogger. Am I filled with emotions upon writing it? Yes. Emotions of EXCITEMENT. Alright, I'd better wrap things up now, or else it may never end ( it's already pretty long as it is (I think this may be the wordiest post I've ever written but oh well) ). On to new bookish posts, bookish photos, and other bookish things, with a little bit of life still sprinkled in ( and sarcasm, always sarcasm ).</div>
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Em :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>What?! No photos?! I know, I surprise myself too.</i></span></div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-91375562779542192762016-08-20T18:56:00.000-07:002016-08-20T18:56:55.321-07:00Saturday Brunch<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBb8ZnEHQZ4/V7kBwXabSeI/AAAAAAAAA4k/zurZKpRDXlQUPWL0dQ6jkadUxHO_HybDACK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBb8ZnEHQZ4/V7kBwXabSeI/AAAAAAAAA4k/zurZKpRDXlQUPWL0dQ6jkadUxHO_HybDACK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What happens when you sleep in till 10 in the morning after staying up till midnight playing Fallout: New Vegas and then wake up and decide, "You know what, I feel eating pancakes." ? Well turns out, you get your lazy butt up and make pancakes.</div>
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I have to confess, this is the first time I have slept in past 9 in the morning in <i>years</i>. <i>Years</i>, I tell you. Why? I'm not sure, I just don't like sleeping in all that much. It bothers me somehow, like I'm wasting my day or something. <i style="font-size: small;">( Which doesn't make a lot of sense because I'm down for taking naps in the middle of the day any time you ask but if I made sense I wouldn't be me, would I? )</i> So I was actually super surprised that I felt lazy enough to sleep in that late. But when I <i>did</i> finally get up, my tastebuds wanted pancakes.</div>
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I struggled a bit making these pancakes, not because they're hard to make or because I'm capable of burning water* ( I actually make a <i>mean</i> baked potato soup with home made rue and all the works so A+ kitchen skills for me ), but because my blood sugar was low. <i>Very</i> low. I get lightheaded very easily if I don't eat enough, so after not having eaten since dinner the evening before ( that's what, 18 hours or so without food? ) I was in need of those pancakes.</div>
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*<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>I have never actually burned water, just want to put that out there. Not that you <i>can</i>, but still.</b></span></div>
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I piled myself some of those bad boys up in a bowl with blueberries and honey and <i>boy</i>, where they good. It was about 11:30 or so by the time I finally took a bite, after mixing and cooking and cleaning up after myself ( because you do <i>not</i> want to leave a dirty kitchen for your mother to clean up <span style="font-size: x-small;">( not because she's threatened to tie a pork chop around your neck and leave you in the foothills for the coyotes to eat or anything, but because you're a nice person who wants to help your mother out** ) </span>), and also after taking a couple of pictures just for <i>you</i>, yes that's right, wonderful you, who is so special and who I appreciate so much for being here with me reading this ( I truly do ).</div>
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**<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Or both. Both is a possibility.</b></span></div>
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They tasted as good they look. Maybe even better. It was a milk free, egg free recipe ( though I did use extra butter ), so my mother could eat them without feeling bad afterward. It was good start to a great lazy day, and later in the evening, the extra pancakes had fried chicken piled on top of them for a great breakfast-y dinner. <i>Yum.</i></div>
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Now I'm off to drink even more caffeine then I did this morning, because it's going to be another late night. The Rhythmic Gymnastics All Around Individual Finals comes on here in my area at 23:30, and won't end until 0:30. Then, at 9 tomorrow morning the group finals will be on, and I don't want to miss either of them. Olympics over sleep is what I say. They only come every four years, so might as well watch all you can, right?</div>
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Let's go USA!!!!! WHOOO!!!!!</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-81623434815346562012016-08-16T10:16:00.001-07:002016-08-19T09:32:00.951-07:00Orange Tinted Smoke<div style="text-align: center;">
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There is a huge wildfire burning near the area I live, and the gray smoke coming from it is not only a reminder of the danger that comes to my area each summer with the wildfires, but is also the creator of some fairly strange looking mornings and evenings.</div>
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Unlike a cloudy day, where the thick, gray clouds will block out the sun for a muted day where colors can pop against the cool background, the voluminous smoke creates a film for the sun to filter through. This, aside from being a health hazard, gives us fire-light scattered across every object in sight.</div>
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The sun turns red, the blue morning sky is hidden behind the smoke. We wake to find our quilts and walls and floors bright orange, an orange so bright, in fact, that the camera can't pick up on it properly to show you how vivid it really is. Outside everything looks oversaturated, and you can hold your hand up in some spots to see beams of light shinning through the smoke, much like you would see the light shinning through thick clouds of dust in an old room.</div>
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It really is sort of pretty, but the destruction of the fire is not worth the nice colors it creates. Houses have been lost, roads shut down, people evacuated from their homes. The amount of smoke in the air is, as I mentioned before, a health hazard. Despite the nice summer temperatures, we can't have our windows open, least the smoke fills our house, too. It makes for summer days spent inside, instead out enjoying the sun like we might be otherwise.</div>
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The mornings are orange, and the days a pale yellow with bright gray tinted skies. But the evenings have purple in their skies. Gray tinted yellows, teals, and sometimes even greens accompany the dusty purples when the red sun sets. These sunsets will have to be left to your imagination, though, because the camera sensors fail me once again in not being able to pick up on what the colors really look like.</div>
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Despite the color show it gives us, I hope the fire is put out soon. Even after it is, the smoke may hang around for a while after it, but perhaps we might still get to spend our last few summer days outside, like we should be. More importantly, let's hope no more houses are lost before it finally burns out and leaves us.</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-42958269789293794472016-08-14T11:28:00.000-07:002016-08-14T11:28:32.423-07:00Checkmate<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kPaNnvyOMc/V7Cs07iVsgI/AAAAAAAAA2w/O42hHvHah_cGIRvwZi64odWU7SWo3B8pgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-81E9B484023E-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kPaNnvyOMc/V7Cs07iVsgI/AAAAAAAAA2w/O42hHvHah_cGIRvwZi64odWU7SWo3B8pgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-81E9B484023E-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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From my library's corner sale I acquired my very own chess set. It was only a dollar, so I thought, why not pick it up? I am now on the slow but steady path to learning how to play chess properly. On this journey with me is my little sister. We decided that we would learn to become masters of chess together.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-juNoz5K37t8/V7CuWBIoTPI/AAAAAAAAA28/LWP7izooaec6HsT3oplUembuOx5VEghMwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-81E9B484023E-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-juNoz5K37t8/V7CuWBIoTPI/AAAAAAAAA28/LWP7izooaec6HsT3oplUembuOx5VEghMwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-81E9B484023E-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My chess set is a plastic one, molded in the 'authentic Staunton design', according to the side of the box. You can tell just from looking at the box that this is an older set. The yellowed tape, the style of the type, the discoloration of the box. Upon inspection of one side of the box I found a date; 1969. It may not be as pretty as some of the chess sets in the book my sister and I are using for instruction, but it does have some sort of charm to it. I'm certainly glad I have it, and that it simply wasn't tossed into a dumpster somewhere.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onArDt7zt24/V7Cv7NzUDZI/AAAAAAAAA3E/JmQVOMGXRY4roWO6D7l67h-jS7rxzLcvQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-81E9B484023E-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onArDt7zt24/V7Cv7NzUDZI/AAAAAAAAA3E/JmQVOMGXRY4roWO6D7l67h-jS7rxzLcvQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-81E9B484023E-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The book we are reading from is "Chess move by move" by Paul Langfield. It was written in 1968, just a year before my chess set was made. I think that makes my chess set and it a pretty good pair, don't you? I was amused to see the fictional quote it has printed on it's copyright page.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'I declare it's marked out just like a large chess board!' Alice said as last . . . 'It's a great huge game of chess that's being played–all over the world . . . I wouldn't mind being a Pawn, if only I might join–though of course I should <i>like</i> to be a Queen, best.'</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THROUGH THE LOOKING–GLASS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lewis Carroll </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought it was a fitting quote to add in there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We've gotten through the first chapter, which explains to us how to properly set the game up. The two things I have learned from it are a) the bottom right-hand corner of the board must always be a while square for each player, and b) the white queen goes on a white square and the black queen goes on a black square, always. The idea that the king should always go on your right-hand side and the queen on your left is wrong. This puts the king and the queen diagonal from each other across the chess board, and doesn't create the king's side and the queen's side of the board like it should.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8xWE4DnULoM/V7Cz3DRIkfI/AAAAAAAAA3U/d-HxQy50zTMJegE_WSnov8HZ1Q6RK8DLACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-533E2654E4D1-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8xWE4DnULoM/V7Cz3DRIkfI/AAAAAAAAA3U/d-HxQy50zTMJegE_WSnov8HZ1Q6RK8DLACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-533E2654E4D1-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When the queens are set up properly, a grid is created, as shown above. This is especially important if you are recording the game in ledger or some other thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We haven't gotten to any of the actual moves yet, so we might not be able to out wit you as of this moment, but so far my sister and I can at least keep your board straight and even record the match properly if you so wanted us to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HRWcB8HxDw/V7C0itLG_6I/AAAAAAAAA3g/Eh_TBa_0gmI_cG1hkySqcjK2zHpN4bQ7ACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-81E9B484023E-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HRWcB8HxDw/V7C0itLG_6I/AAAAAAAAA3g/Eh_TBa_0gmI_cG1hkySqcjK2zHpN4bQ7ACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-81E9B484023E-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are many varied and unique chess sets pictured inside our book. It almost makes me want to go out and start collecting them, just for the looks of it. But if I started collecting anything else, I'd end up on an episode of Extreme Hoarders one day. That's what I'm told, anyways. Though, arguably, is it really hoarding if all the stuff is really cool stuff? I don't think so. Still, I am living on limited space at the moment, and limited cash, so there will be no old chess set collecting for now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">By the end of this book I will be a chess master ( probably ), and so will my sister ( maybe ). Either way, we're going to have fun with it, and that's all that will matter when the covers are closed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Em</span></div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-81395467273771055032016-08-09T10:45:00.001-07:002016-08-09T10:45:21.758-07:00A Yarny Recap: Where I Went & What I Did<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OoNmDLkUMzg/V6oMHB7yQ9I/AAAAAAAAA10/vhabn4JPcB4hmP_qSBxj9RYRfrGjd9uWgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OoNmDLkUMzg/V6oMHB7yQ9I/AAAAAAAAA10/vhabn4JPcB4hmP_qSBxj9RYRfrGjd9uWgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now where on Earth did I go for just over two weeks? Somewhere without internet connection or the ability to socialize, apparently. Ok, so that's not entirely true. I actually stayed right where I'm sitting as I type this, at my desk, in my room, drinking tea and over caffeinating ( as usual ). I may have also been consuming copious amounts of peanut butter. Can neither confirm nor deny.</div>
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But I'm back now, and here to give you the recap of the past two weeks or so. Let's a make a bullet list. Yes, I think a bullet list will do nicely.</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">I finished my Egypt mythology book!!! Yes, isn't it exciting! I even wrote an essay on it, albeit a very confused one because I was trying to cram all of the things I found interesting into a tiny little essay without turning it into a 500 page thesis or something. Here's the opening paragraph.</li>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"The waters of the Ancient Egyptian mind are murky and uncertain regions to traverse. Even in today’s world of the internet and seemingly endless knowledge where we think we know it all, much of the Ancient Egyptian world and it’s thoughts still remain shrouded behind the curtain of the Nile, lost deep within it’s dark waters and muddied banks. Plunderers, grave robbers, and even the Egyptian people themselves caused damaged that has lead to a deficit in our understanding of their ancient world. But the biggest culprit? Time. It is the age of Egypt that bars our way most strongly, that has caused much of it’s old world to be, almost literally, lost to the sands of time."</span></i></blockquote>
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Intriguing, yes? Makes you want to read the whole essay, doesn't it? Well trust me, you don't. But please, continue to think that I am a master of the essay. Some lies are ok to believe ( but <i>only</i> the little ones I give you, ok? Don't go believing everything everybody tells you, because they don't have your best interests at heart like I do. ).</div>
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Back to the bullet list.</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">My next culture to study? The Irish!!! I have to tell you that I'm super excited about this one too, possibly even more excited then I was about Egypt. Though I am a little concerned about the size of this Irish book. It's over 600 pages long. Mildly concerned that it might crush me by accident.</li>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uypVL4WUPOI/V6oQC-DSQUI/AAAAAAAAA2A/4kqP7gG9QXwGw6qbGghlB1aPaHXs1pIfwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uypVL4WUPOI/V6oQC-DSQUI/AAAAAAAAA2A/4kqP7gG9QXwGw6qbGghlB1aPaHXs1pIfwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">On the subject of books, I finished "A Gathering of Shadows" and I loved it!!!</li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Oh, and "The Bell Jar"? It was definitely one heck of a book. I can't say too much without running the story for you ( and I HATE that ), so just go read it. Like, right about now.</li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">I have a new plant. What does this mean, you wonder? Well my Johny-Jump-Up died, sadly. The one I had sitting in a little glass container on my windowsill. It was't going to last forever, and after it seeded, it was gone. <i>But</i> I have now planted some of my very own bachelor's buttons in the glass container, and they are doing great! I am questioning that decision now though, because they are a tall plant. A very tall plant. In a little container. On my windowsill. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there.</li>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ekRh0WHs5I/V6oSazlep2I/AAAAAAAAA2U/rSfVD8RBf3Ab-KF5I3lcVRV6Kt5jBrqHgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ekRh0WHs5I/V6oSazlep2I/AAAAAAAAA2U/rSfVD8RBf3Ab-KF5I3lcVRV6Kt5jBrqHgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br /><ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">I drew this little guy! How cute is he?! I just love him. My little bitty ghost, looking a bit unsure of things, probably slightly concerned with the sanity of the person who drew him ( at least I would be, if I were him, and, you know, if he were actually alive but <i>shhh</i> ).</li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-uEbjbrnIg/V6oSWC1r2QI/AAAAAAAAA2M/fY69F9qeNgMCozQ_ssu6gDHHiWlQCnBQgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-uEbjbrnIg/V6oSWC1r2QI/AAAAAAAAA2M/fY69F9qeNgMCozQ_ssu6gDHHiWlQCnBQgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-2.jpeg" width="398" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Oh and this. I drew this. I'm just gonna' leave it right there.</li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5PgnR2eYGE/V6oSsrj5aFI/AAAAAAAAA2c/RrE8SacpYdcHj2ghVK1ry5UDPRJ1j0odgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5PgnR2eYGE/V6oSsrj5aFI/AAAAAAAAA2c/RrE8SacpYdcHj2ghVK1ry5UDPRJ1j0odgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-FB16F8B37FBA-5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Yoga has become a regular ( -ish ) part of my weeks and it has done me a <i>ton</i> of good. I basically do hours of walking and lifting heavy things where I work and I have to admit that I am a small person, so this does not exactly make my little back feel good. But yoga does. It also helps me relax, because I get kind of stressed about time a lot. Turns out, I'm not actually as flexible as I thought I was! But that's getting better too. I haven't managed to rip anything important yet so I'm counting that as a win.</li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">I have also a) been continuing with my editing b) been super busy with school and work and responsibility <i>( ick )</i> which is the main reason I disappeared into the unknowable void that is my room and c) been working on starting a new book focused blog but never fear! I have plans to move to Wordpress ( <i>shhh</i>, don't tell Google ) and I <i>believe</i> I can have multiple sections, so to speak, under one blag name, which means the main part of my blog will be for books, and on the side I can still do some journal blogging just like I do here. I'll keep you posted on this. Like, literally posted. Because that's what these are, you know. Blog <i>posts</i>. Anyways.</li>
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So now I'm back ( for now ) and I will stay back ( for now ) so don't worry! You don't have to miss me anymore! I certainly missed all of you and missed writing a blog post or two here and there but <i>boy</i>, was I super busy ( also, I might have spent some time just lying on my bed stressing about how busy I was but you know ). I think I have my act together now ( at least slightly more together then it was before ) so all there is to do is continue pressing forward!</div>
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Em</div>
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Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-27686228556217426712016-07-23T09:37:00.000-07:002016-07-23T09:37:32.789-07:00Falling in Drafts Again<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AD92W85ewq8/V5OYympRhrI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/0GYullVsUOcj2I09JHFEx9BSo-Ikze6ygCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-3BC83BDE4E6E-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AD92W85ewq8/V5OYympRhrI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/0GYullVsUOcj2I09JHFEx9BSo-Ikze6ygCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-3BC83BDE4E6E-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Let's pretend that it's fall for a moment ( which I'm sure we all wish it was, to get away from the baking heat of the summer sun ). Smell the turning leaves, feel the crisp air on your skin, and look at all the fall drafts I finished.</div>
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Yes, this is the reason I want you to come frolicking through the leaves with me. I don't want pumpkin pie or a leaf pile; I want to celebrate having finished all seven of the children's short stories I have set in the fall season.</div>
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Hopefully I was able to put you in the fall mood even though it's summer. It's kind of a tricky thing to do when it's out of season, but I had my handy dandy drawer of pressed leaves and some other dried flowers and drift wood to help me set the tone.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rq7ST7yReA/V5OaDZkwyWI/AAAAAAAAA1k/_4oKquufHWkt1_4zA3EUMb8q3Dv9amAtwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-3BC83BDE4E6E-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rq7ST7yReA/V5OaDZkwyWI/AAAAAAAAA1k/_4oKquufHWkt1_4zA3EUMb8q3Dv9amAtwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-3BC83BDE4E6E-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now wether or not these photos look even remotely fall-ish to you ( if they don't please give me <i>some</i> slack and remember that it <i>is</i> actually summer right now ) isn't the point of this post. We're here to celebrate, people! Do you remember the editing slump I was in? And I mean <i>severe</i> editing slump? Well boy oh boy am I coming out of it now. I have my <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/07/after-drafts-of-summer-are-gone.html" target="_blank">summer</a> and my fall first drafts done now. Winter and spring are both half done. I'm so close now to having all 28 of my stories edited.</div>
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When I finished my summer drafts I suggested we celebrate together with ice-cream. This time, let's go with pie. Apple pie, peach pie, blueberry pie, whatever kind of pie. Just pie. It really does't matter, because honestly, if it's pie, how can it be bad? It goes so well with fall, too. Though if you want to go back to the ice-cream and sneak a scoop of vanilla on top of your slice, then that's fine with me. I won't tell anyone.</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-16017404057342648472016-07-19T11:28:00.000-07:002016-07-19T11:28:33.343-07:00Inky Tangles<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been doing quite a bit more Zentangle here lately then I ever have before ( that's not to say I'm doing <i>a lot</i> a lot of it, but just a lot for me ). This is because I have made it a part of my new schedule to do one new tangle a week. This gives me a solid reason to set time aside specifically for my doodling, which I love, and it gives me plenty of time to spread out the hours it takes to make one tangle throughout the week.</div>
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I thought I'd just show the ones I've done since my first tangle of this year that I showed you <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/06/ink-water.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_eMHJG_-sjA/V45vcDd_DOI/AAAAAAAAA0o/uTZnwb6aZdAeuLUbU-n1vrenQrRZ04yGACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-A68CF5413916-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_eMHJG_-sjA/V45vcDd_DOI/AAAAAAAAA0o/uTZnwb6aZdAeuLUbU-n1vrenQrRZ04yGACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-A68CF5413916-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wqOA096hXwE/V45veRxsWRI/AAAAAAAAA0w/zS4auVbwBQQS-hTX_IEjUR2y4uV3cQCBgCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wqOA096hXwE/V45veRxsWRI/AAAAAAAAA0w/zS4auVbwBQQS-hTX_IEjUR2y4uV3cQCBgCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea3I0hKAiI4/V45vihADwBI/AAAAAAAAA08/5t-KIz9DdHMuA8OgZfrwVmBuzl-SbhI4ACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-6C9A8D1BA7C8-3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea3I0hKAiI4/V45vihADwBI/AAAAAAAAA08/5t-KIz9DdHMuA8OgZfrwVmBuzl-SbhI4ACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-6C9A8D1BA7C8-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KB_bOpW3CO4/V45vii5n7bI/AAAAAAAAA1I/tgGBjI35VuobJjwwE-fSYNGPzPzSC6oDACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-6C9A8D1BA7C8-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KB_bOpW3CO4/V45vii5n7bI/AAAAAAAAA1I/tgGBjI35VuobJjwwE-fSYNGPzPzSC6oDACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-6C9A8D1BA7C8-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tKsT-wTPCI/V45vi3LdrQI/AAAAAAAAA1A/VzzWVu8NHBcde0BputzUBzAcw8ey0sAxgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-6C9A8D1BA7C8-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tKsT-wTPCI/V45vi3LdrQI/AAAAAAAAA1A/VzzWVu8NHBcde0BputzUBzAcw8ey0sAxgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-6C9A8D1BA7C8-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And there they all are. Like I said, it's not much, and it's not all that professional or clean looking, but I'm very happy with them myself. I really enjoy making these tangles, and I'm glad I made the decision to make it apart of my life on a regular basis, because it is something that relaxes and de-stresses me as well as makes me smile.</div>
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With practice I'm sure my hand will grow better, and my ink strokes will become more uniform and clean. I'm sure the practice holding and working with the pens will help my hands when I finish editing my 28 children's short stories and I go to start doodling little animals to decorate their pages.</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-71625397513952698762016-07-17T18:52:00.001-07:002016-07-17T18:52:26.724-07:00Hot Air Balloon Blanket Completed<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UMvhCI-e5qU/V4wyKW1DlKI/AAAAAAAAAzk/9VoCVEWKVPwfi418A9uJ44B-S3L0wdwVgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-4EA8A6B670C4-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UMvhCI-e5qU/V4wyKW1DlKI/AAAAAAAAAzk/9VoCVEWKVPwfi418A9uJ44B-S3L0wdwVgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-4EA8A6B670C4-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I would just like to shout a bit and share the fact that I have now finished my hot air balloon blanket. Which blanket might this be? Why, it's <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/07/285-rectangles.html" target="_blank">this one</a>, of course. The one that's made up of 285 individual rectangles.</div>
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<a href="data:image/gif;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MmZl8EOMIw/V4w04QuJScI/AAAAAAAAA0E/Ktumnq5i_RU2mQZqkd4sfdrfuLWS7TDZwCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MmZl8EOMIw/V4w04QuJScI/AAAAAAAAA0E/Ktumnq5i_RU2mQZqkd4sfdrfuLWS7TDZwCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B7.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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I finished it this afternoon and I am so pleased with how it turned out. Above are some photos showing how I put all those separate rectangles together. I had to crochet ( yes, crochet, this is not knit ) all the columns together first, and then go back in the other direction and close the gaps by crocheting the rows together. I could have done it the other way around, too. It doesn't matter which direction you go in first, just that you have to do all of one direction and then do all of the second direction.</div>
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Not really sure what I'm talking about here?</div>
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That's ok, you don't have to. I don't expect everyone, or even most of everyone who reads this know all the technical crochet stuff I throw in here from time to time. What you should be doing though ( or least what I hope you're doing ), is shouting along with me at the fact that I finally got here. At the very least I hope you're excitedly clapping your hands or something.</div>
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From <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/05/late-night-crochet.html" target="_blank">beginning</a> to end this project took me about two and a half months. All to make a 48" by 56" blanket. Yes, those are some slightly strange measurements, but it's what it turned out to be in order for me to get the design I wanted. This is one more blanket towards the goal of getting an online blanket shop open, so it really is a big deal for me to have finished it.</div>
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I am now going to go and eat some ice-cream to celebrate. You should too, to celebrate with me! Don't feel like celebrating all that much tonight? That's fine, don't worry about it. I still give you full permission to use this post as an excuse to eat ice-cream, though, because really, ice-cream in the summer is just a fundamental part of life.</div>
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Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-17275141191291914962016-07-16T18:28:00.001-07:002016-07-16T22:04:08.996-07:00My Favorite Book?<div style="text-align: center;">
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So I took this silly little internet quiz just the other day saying that it could guess what my favorite book is. Normally I ignore these sorts of things, but I was bored, had nothing better to do, and it was really the only thing left on my Pinterest feed that I hadn't looked at yet. So I took it.</div>
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The result I got was a book that I had never actually heard of before. "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath. I was intrigued. How was it that I had never heard of this book before, yet the quiz said it was my favorite book?</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">( Now the obvious answer to this is the fact that it is a silly little internet quiz that doesn't know me at all and has only a limited number of books to chose from based off of the choices of whoever made the quiz, and all paths are predetermined by the small number of questions there are, of which were also chosen by the person who made the quiz, who we can assume is not in fact a psychologist or a master at 20 Questions. )</span></div>
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I decided to check the book out from my library and read it for myself, to see if it really did turn out to be my Favorite book, or at least one of my favorite books. I have lots of favorites, you see, but there is only one Favorite.</div>
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Now you'll have to wait to find out if it ends up being one of my favorite books, because I haven't actually started reading it yet. I know, I know, but you can't be too mad at me. I was busy reading my first <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1690349238" target="_blank">Egypt book</a> ( which I've finished now ) for my <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/07/myths-and-legends-study.html" target="_blank">myths and legends study</a>, and I had some important catching up to do on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/974655118" target="_blank">"A Darker Shade of Magic"</a> by V. E. Schwab that I sadly had not gotten around to reading yet until this week, even though it's been out for over a year ( don't worry, I won't take so long to read the second one ).</div>
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Sylvia Plath, though, is a name that I have heard before, even if I've never read any of her work. She was a poet in the 1900's, who tragically committed suicide in 1963 at the age of 30. After divorcing her husband and moving to London with her two children, she had some issues getting this book published. But it finally was, just a few weeks before her death, under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas, though everyone in London knew she was the real author.</div>
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"The Bell Jar" is an American classic about a woman descending into a mental breakdown, and I can't wait to read it. There's something about mental health stories that I can't seem to get enough of. Sylvia's story makes me want to read it even more, because of how the plot of the story ( at first glance ) appears to be an insight as to what happened to her, in her mind. It is said that her first suicide attempt is chronicled in the summer mentioned in this book.</div>
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So now I read, and maybe you will, too. I think it's important, in a way, to try to understand what it's like for people who are hurt in this way, so that maybe one day there will be a better chance of helping them to save themselves.</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-9304606183951621802016-07-15T09:02:00.003-07:002016-07-15T09:02:52.497-07:00After the Drafts of Summer Are Gone<div style="text-align: center;">
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It is no easy, or particularly fun task to self-edit your own writing. It's that first time you look at all the sand you shoved in the sandbox and realize that now you actually have to make something with it. With this mess. A beautiful mess, for sure, but still a mess.</div>
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I may or may not have mentioned it before, but I am currently in the process of working toward self-publishing a collecting of 28 children's short stories for you and the rest of the world love and devour ( because you will, of course, finger crossed ). I have done 7 stories for each of the four seasons, and now all 28 of those rough drafts are staring at me, judgmentally, almost, waiting for me to stop procrastinating with everything else I don't really need to be doing and turn them into 1st drafts.</div>
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I got a whole boat load of writing done in March, then took a month off from writing to give my eyes a break from staring at these stories, and then I had planned to do all the rough draft editing in May. Easy peasy, right?</div>
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Well now it's July and I'm just over half way through them all. They're still staring at me, and I've begun to stare back, or just ignore them all for as long as possible. But this method isn't going to get me published by summer next year. Especially since I have do all my own illustrations, too, and I haven't even begun with that task yet ( I'm not actually good a drawing, you see ).</div>
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I am happy to say though that I am staring to get out of this editing slump and get some real work done. I have all the first drafts for the first season, Summer, done and filed away for me to work into my files on my computer once I finish the other seasons. Fall is nearly done, and all Spring really needs is some expanding. Winter is going to be the most challenging. I have found that at least 2 of my winter stories are no longer to my liking. </div>
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That's going to take me some extra time, having to come up with 2 new stories before I can even start editing them, and I'm not sure how much winter inspiration I can find in the middle of summer. Perhaps I'll just have to finish all the other drafts, then work on my drawings for a while, till winter comes back around and I can write those winter stories that I need.</div>
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I'm just going to celebrate the completed Summer first drafts for now and try not to glare at myself for all the procrastination that I did over the past two months. The drafts of summer are gone, and it's time to keep moving forward toward the end of my goal.</div>
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Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-8086188961059989302016-07-09T13:50:00.001-07:002016-07-09T13:53:46.047-07:00Myths and Legends: a Study<div style="text-align: center;">
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Ok, so I've been a bit off my game this past week. You might not have noticed this from the other two posts that I did on <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/07/summer-garden.html" target="_blank">Sunday</a> and <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/07/285-rectangles.html" target="_blank">Thursday</a>, but guess what? That's because I <i> didn't actually write them this week</i>. I know, can you believe it? I wrote them <i>last</i> Saturday, and then set them to post this week. Perhaps I should not be giving this secret out, but I tend to break all the rules anyways so oh well.</div>
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On Monday I actually woke up thinking that it was Thursday for some reason. I almost walked out of the house before 8 in the morning thinking I had to be somewhere when really I didn't because it was not in fact Thursday yet. I spent one <i>super </i>late night this week being almost overwhelmed by a somewhat threatening swarm of small children soaking me with plastic fish for three hours. Just this afternoon I randomly started drinking from a molasses bottle because I wanted to see what it tasted like instead of just maybe dipping my pinky or something in it like a normal person would ( it was super sweet and kind of sickly tasting all by itself, if you were wondering ).</div>
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So yeah, just a <i>bit</i> off my game.</div>
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But amongst all this off-ness there has been one thing that I've been enjoying <i>immensely.</i></div>
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My study of myths and legends from around the world.</div>
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I have taken it upon myself to do a nine month study of nine different cultures that I chose for myself based on how curious I am about them. They are Rome, India, Japan, Iceland, Egypt, Russia, England, the Celts, and the Vikings. How exciting does this sound?!</div>
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It's not anything professional or a collage course or something. It's just me being curious and wanting to know more about the old stories that have always fascinated me. I spent a few months collecting books from used book stores and even antique stores that contained collections of myths from the cultures and peoples I wanted to learn about. I also picked up at least one history book on each of the cultures as well, because the more I thought I about it, the more I wanted to learn about the people who actually came up with these stories as well as the stories themselves.</div>
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So now I shall read. And read, and read. I take notes, mark pages with stickies ( but <i>never</i> dog ear ), compare information, etc., and when I've finished with one culture, I'm going to take the opportunity to practice writing reports and essays ( just for me ) on the information I have found for myself.</div>
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I gotta tell you, I am so super excited for this.</div>
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You might be thinking, <i>"Ehh, what a nerd."</i>, but hey! At least I'm a happy one! Or perhaps you are reading this and are now thinking, <i>"Hey, that sounds like fun. I am suddenly inspired to learn more about something I love, too!!!"</i> If that's the case, then go you! You definitely should go do some learning, because guess what? You are actually never too old to learn something new. And who said you can't teach yourself? I mean really, the only teachers I've ever had are my parents and myself, and look how great I turned out. I have my life <i>so</i> together.</div>
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( You might wanna ignore paragraphs 1-3 and then that last statement will be much easier to believe. )</div>
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I'm studying Egypt right now, staring with the myths before the history book. One thing that I'm realizing though is that there is actually a <i>lot</i> of history you find inside the myths that people used to tell. How they thought, how they acted, what rituals were present in their day to day life because of these beliefs that they had. It's all been very fascinating to read, and I only starting doing this last week. I still have nine more months of all this wonderful learning to go. It's just, well, <i>wonderful!</i></div>
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Now I know this going to be consuming quite a good bit of my free time, but don't worry! I will not stop posting on my blog, because I know that you would just be absolutely <i>devastated</i> if I didn't post a few times a week. I will not neglect you. You don't have to miss me any more than you already do on the those few days when I don't post already.</div>
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So here is to reading, learning, and being self-taught. May these three things never be stopped!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n7ukP0_LtQo/V4FibeAq33I/AAAAAAAAAxY/ApIS5YlLZ54ZzbvL_1szgUaFaE81_E0ZgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B52C0FD340A3-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n7ukP0_LtQo/V4FibeAq33I/AAAAAAAAAxY/ApIS5YlLZ54ZzbvL_1szgUaFaE81_E0ZgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B52C0FD340A3-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>( Oh and here are the molasses cookies my mom made with the very same molasses I was drinking earlier. They taste great. )</i></div>
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 153px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 153px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 153px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 153px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-3540059611384547582016-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:002016-07-07T07:00:08.507-07:00285 Rectangles<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsgVuBgrR1U/V3bcr3cG6BI/AAAAAAAAAxA/h3CSWgN6jWMDTT5xcgD9ANgoeEiLh3fiQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-F8044EF81900-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsgVuBgrR1U/V3bcr3cG6BI/AAAAAAAAAxA/h3CSWgN6jWMDTT5xcgD9ANgoeEiLh3fiQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-F8044EF81900-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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How many rectangles does it take to make a blanket?<br />
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In this case, it's 285 of them. In 7 different colors, mind you.<br />
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I started making these rectangles back at the end of May, if you remember that <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/05/late-night-crochet.html" target="_blank">late night post</a>, and the terrible <i>( awesome )</i> joke about body parts ( you might want to go read the post just for that strange joke ).<br />
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It's no surprise it took me just over a month to make all these little rectangles. I had to experiment with the stitches first to get them to be the size I needed, and then I only had time to work on them in the evenings while watching TV a few times a week. I do enjoy working with yarn though, whether it be crochet or knitting, so all the time it took seems well worth it to me.<br />
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The inspiration for this blanket came from one of the many <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/05/travelers-of-air.html" target="_blank">hot air balloons</a> that you can see floating about in the skies during the spring and fall months. There's this one that has colored rectangles arranged in a diamond shape against a black background. They all sort of look like they're radiating out from each other as the colors stack and make diamond-shaped rings. I didn't want the black, though, so I replaced it with gray ( which I <i>love</i> ). And I upped the number of colors. The hot air balloon only has 4; I went with 6 ( aside from the gray ).<br />
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I have this issue, you see, that even though purple and mint green are my favorite colors ( in that order, just in case you ever want to buy me a gift ), I love color in general, so that when it comes to making blankets, I have a hard time deciding which colors to use.<br />
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So I end up using all of them. Or at least most.<br />
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I have never used less than 3 colors on a single blanket. And even then the number of colors was so small only because a friend of mine picked them out for me. Had I been left the task of choosing the colors all by myself, it probably would have been some mix of all the colors again.<br />
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Now comes the part where I have to stitch all 285 of these little rectangles together. Thankfully I had the sense enough to weave in all the loose ends as I made the rectangles, so I've spared myself the pain of having to weave in all 570 of them at once ( that's 2 loose ends or 'tails' per rectangle ). There's probably an easier way to make blankets that doesn't involve having to make hundreds of separate pieces and then sewing them together, but what the heck? Nothing great is ever easy, right?<br />
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-65607112888570422352016-07-03T07:00:00.000-07:002016-07-03T10:47:49.285-07:00Summer Garden<div style="text-align: center;">
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Carrots and asparagus, tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers. Herbs and onions, strawberries and rhubarb. Lots of green sprouts and ferns nestled happily in our garden beds, growing away, getting bigger, while we wait for the right time to pull them out and enjoy them.</div>
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By no means has my garden ever been big enough to actually replace the need to go to the grocery store for a certain item, but still, there is something nice about seeing it all grow, even when half of it doesn't grow right and you don't really get anything from it. The strawberries, for instance, haven't given a single berry yet. They seem far more concerned with growing runners to root more plants then they are with giving me berries. World domination is clearly more important than jam to them.</div>
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On the other hand, some plants take off. There are two giant rhubarb plants sitting at the beginning of the garden that are over 6 years old. I can get 3 harvests from them in a single year. The growing season here isn't a very long one, either, so this makes that fact even more amazing. Similarly, there is a potted chive that I just can't seem to kill. Usually I'm very good at killing plants. But this chive is stubborn. It keeps coming back in it's pot each year without any help or encouragement, and despite how many times I forget to water it, it just doesn't die.</div>
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I'm very proud of my chive.</div>
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Getting out in the dirt is something that just makes me feel good anyways, regardless of wether or not the plants end up being useful or not. Still, there is something about my small garden that does seem a bit, well.... small.</div>
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I almost think it would be better to grow an herb garden. Something that perhaps you could keep inside your house and use all year long. Or, for the outside garden, to just pick one plant you really love, and I mean really, <i>really</i> love, and just fill all the garden beds with that single plant. That way you could eliminate the need to buy that particular produce from the store. It just seems like it, the garden, would be a bit more useful that way, like there would be more of a reason to grow it, instead of planting handfuls of a ton of plants that don't really grow anyways.</div>
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It does make me a bit disappointed that my garden isn't exactly as <i>useful</i> as maybe I would like it to be. But, I must remember that it isn't really <i>my</i> garden, either. It's our garden, my family's garden, and we all have our plants we love and would like to grow. We have to share and help each other, just a family should. So really, in that respect, I can be very proud of my garden, of our little garden.</div>
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It may be little, but it certainly is very green, and varied. As much I would like to strive for a more 'useful' garden in the future, I can be happy with what we have now. There is a very summery feel to it. You can't deny that. The rhubarb and the chives continue to flourish, and so perhaps the rest of the little experiment plants don't need to be quite so fruitful as they need to be there just make the gardener smile.</div>
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Over all, I love going out water it in the summer evenings when it's cooled down a bit, checking to see if the plants have gotten any bigger, going barefoot in the dirt, and sometimes just sitting there in middle of it imagining what it would be like if we just had a little more room for things to grow. It's very good starting place, our garden. A very good little place, in the middle of it all, to sit and just be happy to look at the life that you grew.</div>
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Not everything in life really needs to be 'useful', I think. Somethings just need to be there, for no other reason than to make you smile at life. That's what our little garden is for me.</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-66200564268880550492016-06-30T05:00:00.000-07:002016-06-30T12:23:02.579-07:00Southern Belles: Recipe<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember when <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I teased you</a> about when I was going to give you this recipe? Well here it finally is!</div>
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Some of you reading this might remember when I <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/06/southern-belles.html" target="_blank">first made these cookies</a> from an old recipe I found in a magazine; well here is my modified version to share with you.</div>
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The name sounds so fancy, yet they aren't hard to make. Some precise measuring, time, and an 8 by 11 inch pan is all it takes. You don't have to be a baking guru to get these right.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6hy77iYqLA/V29nKB9NLCI/AAAAAAAAArY/U0wOESlFNCQ3xXdNZ0S7LGTO2LNUvxaDACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6hy77iYqLA/V29nKB9NLCI/AAAAAAAAArY/U0wOESlFNCQ3xXdNZ0S7LGTO2LNUvxaDACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The Ingredients:</b></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">3 Tbs. butter</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1 cup of sugar</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">2 eggs ( save one egg white for sugar topping )</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1 1/2 cups of flour</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1 tsp. baking powder</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1/2 salt</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">2 Tbs. heavy whipping cream</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1/2 tsp. lemon juice</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1/2 tsp. vanilla</li>
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<i>For the Sugar Topping:</i></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">1 egg white, beaten</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1/2 white sugar</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1/4 brown sugar</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">pinch of cream of tartar</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">2/3 cup shredded coconut</li>
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We're going to mix the cookie dough first, pre-bake it a bit, then put the topping on, well, top of it and finish baking the whole thing.</div>
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<i>( I wish to apologize in advance for the horrible lighting in my kitchen. Please bare with me, the cookies will be worth it in the end, I promise. )</i></div>
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Preheat you're oven to 325 degrees <i>( fahrenheit )</i>.</div>
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<i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhTHBOSWGGI/V29qK7AE_KI/AAAAAAAAArk/jznsT2LBKSwe09ACns66r4Cr-C8U94TowCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhTHBOSWGGI/V29qK7AE_KI/AAAAAAAAArk/jznsT2LBKSwe09ACns66r4Cr-C8U94TowCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></i></div>
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It starts out just like any other cookie recipe, by blending the butter and sugar together. It'll be a sandy looking, because of how little butter there is compared to how much sugar there is. Just make sure that there aren't any big clumps of butter hanging out in your mixer.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpDOKY4p2Ao/V29qx8nEJpI/AAAAAAAAArw/xKeWrO8Cf2YwHxx37NcOqlHGlABM4KFDgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpDOKY4p2Ao/V29qx8nEJpI/AAAAAAAAArw/xKeWrO8Cf2YwHxx37NcOqlHGlABM4KFDgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Put your eggs in next, saving one of the egg whites for later. I find the best way to do this is to crack the egg into your hand and let the white slide through your fingers. Mix till smooth.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3kurxly9GQ/V29rJlkIvtI/AAAAAAAAAr4/6OflmyCSt9EPNJQ7o0YGn2lcUjtwH4J1QCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3kurxly9GQ/V29rJlkIvtI/AAAAAAAAAr4/6OflmyCSt9EPNJQ7o0YGn2lcUjtwH4J1QCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The flour, baking soda, and salt get sifted right into your mixer bowl...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QeHZCLGkLik/V29rThHzt5I/AAAAAAAAAsE/7ZYkJKfcfdQfw62_-8G1ZT4fkD_oSvQFwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QeHZCLGkLik/V29rThHzt5I/AAAAAAAAAsE/7ZYkJKfcfdQfw62_-8G1ZT4fkD_oSvQFwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and the heavy whipping cream, lemon juice, and vanilla get splashed right on top of that airy pile when you're done sifting. All these things get mixed in at once, till it all comes together into a nice looking dough.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5gRLHdxqNI/V29sJpqHwfI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/TGWAiuoXpQAFYzP2xK3ka2NJ-_0XlhnVwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5gRLHdxqNI/V29sJpqHwfI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/TGWAiuoXpQAFYzP2xK3ka2NJ-_0XlhnVwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Time to get this dough into the pan.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtHaaFx1gKw/V29sinw6JJI/AAAAAAAAAsc/SPzJhH15JCkDaMt_gSkBR97HcbOX3mEKQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtHaaFx1gKw/V29sinw6JJI/AAAAAAAAAsc/SPzJhH15JCkDaMt_gSkBR97HcbOX3mEKQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I use an 8 by 11 inch pan to get my desired thickness. The dough will spread out to about 1/4 of an inch thick. Make sure you spray the pan so that the cookie doesn't stick! Use a spatula for the spreading, wetting the back of it every few spreads to keep the dough from sticking to it. Make it as uniform as you can. You don't want one end to be much thicker than the other, or else it'll bake a bit funny.</div>
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When you're satisfied with your spreading, pop it into the oven for 15 minutes.<br />
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While it's baking, it's time to mix up that sugar topping.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtNq1E7DulA/V29uGyL2eaI/AAAAAAAAAs0/N95rUUopt048hsJVY1-bk7u-g96b8KnWwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtNq1E7DulA/V29uGyL2eaI/AAAAAAAAAs0/N95rUUopt048hsJVY1-bk7u-g96b8KnWwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-8.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Toss the egg white, white sugar, brown sugar, and the cream of tartar into the mixing bowl and beat it on high. Please note: <i>this is not a meringue</i>. But the egg white will expand a bit to give you more topping. Continue beating it for about three minutes. You should have a nice, smooth, sugary mixture in your bowl.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrOrfItD2mc/V29u3QVtpaI/AAAAAAAAAtA/fnbc49vPco82deMJ2Ox5j-dOejYqfRMtwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrOrfItD2mc/V29u3QVtpaI/AAAAAAAAAtA/fnbc49vPco82deMJ2Ox5j-dOejYqfRMtwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-58DA42D38880-10.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Dump your coconut in and mix on high for another 2 minutes.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4r-sPC-Ajn4/V29vGpwWu4I/AAAAAAAAAtM/4AQkLmBnL9InY-ehR7bQRFtKa9qFVmwPQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B1FBD3FC070E-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4r-sPC-Ajn4/V29vGpwWu4I/AAAAAAAAAtM/4AQkLmBnL9InY-ehR7bQRFtKa9qFVmwPQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B1FBD3FC070E-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The topping should look something like this when it's done.<br />
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And now we wait for the cookie in the oven to be done baking.<br />
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When you do finally take it out of the oven, let it cool for 5 minutes before you put the topping onto it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZkV2V8k9c8/V29wbeVmqUI/AAAAAAAAAtk/VxUoXXg2Kvg5Z29fXygvEMoqehfcVo-KACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B1FBD3FC070E-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZkV2V8k9c8/V29wbeVmqUI/AAAAAAAAAtk/VxUoXXg2Kvg5Z29fXygvEMoqehfcVo-KACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B1FBD3FC070E-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The topping doesn't need to spread, and I wouldn't recommending trying to anyways because you'll end up ripping your cookie ( not that I ever did that, of course ). It's one of those nice, crumbly toppings that you can just sprinkle on the top of whatever you're baking. So sprinkle away, creating an even layer all across the top of your cookie.<br />
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Then it's back in the oven for another 15 minutes.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tnop7MCzLo/V29weSs94bI/AAAAAAAAAtw/-oQxAlAHFkEguoKg_f9NPpzqpPTqzuq5wCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B1FBD3FC070E-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tnop7MCzLo/V29weSs94bI/AAAAAAAAAtw/-oQxAlAHFkEguoKg_f9NPpzqpPTqzuq5wCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B1FBD3FC070E-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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When it's finally done baking, let it cool completely before cutting and eating. If it's still warm it'll wanna rip coming out of the pan. The best way to cut it, I think, is in squares, and small ( -ish ) ones at that. It's a very rich cookie, crunchy on the top, and chewy underneath.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ibp40EqYfxU/V29xa-G6x2I/AAAAAAAAAt8/dUYSKlCKkvgNMXjdqJSsvUF8PrxxahkNACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B1FBD3FC070E-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ibp40EqYfxU/V29xa-G6x2I/AAAAAAAAAt8/dUYSKlCKkvgNMXjdqJSsvUF8PrxxahkNACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B1FBD3FC070E-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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I bet you'll feel super fancy after making these. They've got a fancy name <i>and</i> they look like the perfect victorian tea party treat when they're all cut into neat little squares and arranged on a little plate. I mean really, how could you <i>not</i> feel fancy after all that? I, for one, feel the need to find a pretty white parasol to walk with after eating just one square.<br />
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You'll be hooked on these cookies as soon as you take you're first bite, I guaranty it. Just make sure you have people to share them with, though, because I would really hate to see you fall into a sugar coma after eating the whole pan by yourself.<br />
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Any questions? Let me know in the comments below! I would love to hear to from you, and please, do tell if you feel fancy after making them like I do!<br />
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Em :)</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-5681680654694980822016-06-29T16:09:00.000-07:002016-06-29T20:54:00.750-07:00 Fun-tastic Cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jGRjEqQS4Sw/V3RRDEH1T4I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/uircfoLtHaEJs1-itloYSQGnIl1sFpnkQCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jGRjEqQS4Sw/V3RRDEH1T4I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/uircfoLtHaEJs1-itloYSQGnIl1sFpnkQCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My little sister was talking to me about something she had read in one of her books this morning when the word 'cake' was mentioned. We couldn't get the thought of it out of our heads after that. We could just imagine how nice it wold be to have a cake to eat, or cupcakes, for that matter. Sweet, fluffy, and delicious cupcakes.</div>
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So we decided that we needed to make some.</div>
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More correctly, I found a recipe on Pinterest for made-from-scratch cupcakes and <i>she</i> made them for me. Isn't she just the sweetest?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6tKiNKTiak/V3RRhYGoQLI/AAAAAAAAAuY/KhG4EGdaewgo4OXP0uXsTtHeSOu5ApcHQCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6tKiNKTiak/V3RRhYGoQLI/AAAAAAAAAuY/KhG4EGdaewgo4OXP0uXsTtHeSOu5ApcHQCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was really fun to sit at the dinning room table ( to supervise, you know ) and watch her make these from scratch all by herself. I was very proud, I have to tell you. Reading the recipe and making the measurements with little input and advice from me.</div>
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While she was mixing and baking, I got to sit back and read. Really, I can't see how the situation could have been better. Having cupcakes made for me while I got to supervise and read, and read, and read some more to my little heart's content, knowing that I would have treats to eat at the end of it? That must be what it feels like to have servants.</div>
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( Not that my little sister is my servant or anything. At least, as far as she is concerned. But not really. Just joking. Maybe. Mostly. )</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R40Kuok7fTg/V3RS8nUC07I/AAAAAAAAAuo/Rt8_NuPeBtIF5Dyvmf-athnW1d79YqVwwCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R40Kuok7fTg/V3RS8nUC07I/AAAAAAAAAuo/Rt8_NuPeBtIF5Dyvmf-athnW1d79YqVwwCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEHyNVf1Pc8/V3RS-aI0VjI/AAAAAAAAAuw/-25TJOMIJpAWaVxtqX5a-6hFshccHbJLACK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEHyNVf1Pc8/V3RS-aI0VjI/AAAAAAAAAuw/-25TJOMIJpAWaVxtqX5a-6hFshccHbJLACK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And they weren't just any cupcakes, either. They were funfetti cupcakes with chocolate sprinkles on the top ( I pinned the recipe <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/337066353343672197/" target="_blank">here</a> to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/e6525/yummy-foods/" target="_blank">Yummy Foods</a> board, if you would like to make some yourself ). We didn't have any powdered sugar for frosting, so we tossed the chocolate sprinkles on instead ( notice how I say <i>we</i> because supervising your younger sibling is really half of the work, you know ).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFyNLIpfrNY/V3RT93YWPLI/AAAAAAAAAu8/2nflBZ_WIb8MAoJQUf1uoLY3dWhsGm4zQCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFyNLIpfrNY/V3RT93YWPLI/AAAAAAAAAu8/2nflBZ_WIb8MAoJQUf1uoLY3dWhsGm4zQCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the end they turned out great, even without the frosting. She <i>( we )</i> did a great job making them. I'm so proud of her <i>( us )</i>. This is why it's so great to have younger siblings. You'll always have someone there to <strike>boss around</strike> I mean help you out and make you cupcakes for absolutely no reason other than the fact that they love you.</div>
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Seriously though. My little sister's pretty great.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86GqQn2AWXg/V3RU-MrysbI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/vYEjczN_tNAXj5z62sp64EMUhTjDmjnvwCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86GqQn2AWXg/V3RU-MrysbI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/vYEjczN_tNAXj5z62sp64EMUhTjDmjnvwCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-31310302050157222842016-06-25T22:13:00.000-07:002016-06-25T22:13:09.219-07:00Birthday Buckets Of Fun<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week it was <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/06/skillet-birthday-cookie.html" target="_blank">my daddy's birthday</a>; this week it is my mama's birthday. I heard her get up early this morning, as is normally her custom. I slept in for a bit, letting her enjoy the quiet house to herself for while.</div>
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After a little bit, I finally wandered down the stairs to sleepily sing her happy birthday. Then it was up to the kitchen, to get busy baking once again. My original plan was to make her some <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/06/southern-belles.html" target="_blank">Southern Belles</a> for her birthday threat; but then I got to thinking about how delicious those skillet cookies I made for my daddy had tasted, and thought, "Well, why not make both?"</div>
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So I did.</div>
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These skillet cookies seem to be becoming a bit of a new tradition to make on birthday's in our house. It's tradition that I would most certainly be pleased to have.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wMKXPnMDZrM/V29dx2m1KzI/AAAAAAAAAq8/ZzhHW7iU9b4k5s6dNccBQodv8f7Cxo6bACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-F934ED3EED36-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wMKXPnMDZrM/V29dx2m1KzI/AAAAAAAAAq8/ZzhHW7iU9b4k5s6dNccBQodv8f7Cxo6bACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-F934ED3EED36-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As for the Southern Belles, I spent the rest of the morning baking them up. You will be pleased to hear that baking them was a bit of double mission. The top reason was because my mama loves them. But the second reason was so I could get pictures along the way to make you a post on how to make some Southern Belles for yourself. That recipe will be up sometime next week, but I'm not telling you when exactly. You'll just have to watch and see.</div>
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It was a quiet day, which is what my mama loves best. She got yummy baked goods, help with the garden, and plenty of time to work on the dream that she's chasing: her blanket shop. I have watched her make and create all sorts of handmade items over the years. Her love for crafting and making is what has been my inspiration to craft things of my own. It is because of her I have the cooking, baking, and HomeEc skills that I do. Some of my fondest memories are of the times when I was little, sitting next to her on the couch as she taught me to knit or embroider.</div>
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She has always been there to teach me everything that she knows, and she'll always be there to answer my questions in the future. Firm yet sweet, kind and comforting, she taught me to always care for those you love, and appreciate the simple things in life above all others. And all the while, her flowers on the fence are blooming just as brightly as the novelties coming from her own hands.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45ckArYU5Po/V29kPvMrWCI/AAAAAAAAArM/Mv1s9JZ_AswmQQELdSJDo3rkcMJZTBe6QCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-F934ED3EED36-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45ckArYU5Po/V29kPvMrWCI/AAAAAAAAArM/Mv1s9JZ_AswmQQELdSJDo3rkcMJZTBe6QCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-F934ED3EED36-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Em</div>
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Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-36306176725253766792016-06-24T09:03:00.000-07:002016-06-24T18:01:16.103-07:00Lake Hike<div style="text-align: center;">
My family and I went for a hike in the middle of the week to a lake a couple of hours away from our house. I woke everyone else up at five in the morning, and was ready to head out the door by six with backpack packed, extra clothes in the truck, cooler filled with goodies to make sandwiches, and breakfast sitting in my stomach.</div>
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We got out of the house about an hour later, though, because we didn't actually know where we were going until then. We are so good at planning ahead, you see.</div>
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The road trip there was great, but I'll just jump straight to the part where we got to where we were going. I took 85 photos that day. Well, I actually took over 200 photos but 85 was what I was left with after editing and weeding out blurry duplicates. I can't show you all of those photos ( as much as I would like to ), but I'll give you a good 15 of them to show you what our hike was like.</div>
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We came across a field just before we got to the beginning of the trail. We stopped to take a look at it because we had seen some birds flying around that we wanted to get some pictures of. Naturally, as soon we stood outside the truck, waiting for them to land somewhere, they decided they were going to be stubborn and hop around in the grasses where we couldn't see them any more.</div>
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The field was still beautiful to see though, and the flowers growing around it in random sprigs where so pretty.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-frJPoFm6vGc/V21MHsu12iI/AAAAAAAAAo0/iLbEUGb0MIcj3DebbBRcVO5xAnzkwL2nwCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-frJPoFm6vGc/V21MHsu12iI/AAAAAAAAAo0/iLbEUGb0MIcj3DebbBRcVO5xAnzkwL2nwCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Do you see the bee in the middle of this flower? I didn't even notice he was there until I edited the photo!</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2xSA8EOAJ8/V21MKc316eI/AAAAAAAAApE/PaIgoye3aO0UGWcTNhvNTq6Qb6nkk31JACK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B4%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2xSA8EOAJ8/V21MKc316eI/AAAAAAAAApE/PaIgoye3aO0UGWcTNhvNTq6Qb6nkk31JACK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B4%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We drove up the rest of the road and made it to the head of the trail. It's almost a mile hike in just to get to the lake itself, and it's a steep mile. From the top of the trail to where the lake is is about a 300 foot change in elevation. It's rocky and winding all the way down, but not so hard if you're used to hiking. If you were careful, you could hop from rock to rock on the way down and feel like a mountain goat, an expert at traversing the mountain landscape.</div>
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Speaking of the mountains, they were looking their absolute best that day. The skies were clear and wonderfully blue all day long, the trees fresh and green, the rock white and rugged. What more could you ask for?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5dYWrNGH5I/V21MYD9DWLI/AAAAAAAAApM/PoCS0ttaDg0K04dGmi342fVmjX-o5b7BgCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5dYWrNGH5I/V21MYD9DWLI/AAAAAAAAApM/PoCS0ttaDg0K04dGmi342fVmjX-o5b7BgCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B3%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was a great sense of achievement to finally see the lake nestled down in-between the mountains. We had a choice to go either left or right to start walking around it. We decided to go left to start.</div>
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It was beautiful looking across the lake, seeing how clear and clean it was, and how blue. The reflections on the water were almost perfect. If the lake had been still, it would have been like looking into a mirror.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q88AnsNLf9Q/V21Me71KN8I/AAAAAAAAApU/Z3paVfqjVDQArUPeHrt9a7siLq5dQgMTQCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B4%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q88AnsNLf9Q/V21Me71KN8I/AAAAAAAAApU/Z3paVfqjVDQArUPeHrt9a7siLq5dQgMTQCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B4%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When we got around to the south side of the lake, we found that there was still snow tucked away back there. Piles and piles of it covered the slopes, creating fun areas to slide down. Feet spread, arms out, and with a running start, we slid down them, posed like a surfer riding the waves. And then we got back up and did it again.</div>
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Once we got back to hiking though, these slippery slopes became a difficulty. You had to dig your feet into the snow to be able to walk on it without falling, and even that didn't work at times. I almost slid sideways into a creek. My sister managed to actually slide into a tree.</div>
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I fell over far too many times, pinwheeling and digging at the snow to try and stop myself from sliding too far. At one point my feet went right out from under me and I fell straight onto my back, sliding all the way down a little hill. The impact was so hard that my water bottle came out of my backpack. Instead of coming down to help me up, my mother first thought to stop and take a picture of me sprawled out on the ground where I finally came to a stop. Such love and concern, I tell you.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xrl2y4T7Luk/V21MjbX19_I/AAAAAAAAApc/iy3LVAFA5LQrT6z3NxZ3BRomm8gHwzZjwCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xrl2y4T7Luk/V21MjbX19_I/AAAAAAAAApc/iy3LVAFA5LQrT6z3NxZ3BRomm8gHwzZjwCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B3%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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When we got out of the snow and were on the west side of the lake, we found a waterfall. It was gorgeous, and it sounded even better.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6ys037gkFM/V21Mup_OYtI/AAAAAAAAApk/HDRgFoUOXNQK5x1qqzx0biLv4i-h25ajACK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6ys037gkFM/V21Mup_OYtI/AAAAAAAAApk/HDRgFoUOXNQK5x1qqzx0biLv4i-h25ajACK4B/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had to hike across it, at a part where the water spilled over some rocks and was only an inch or so deep.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELvfmXMWw5g/V21MytM7XTI/AAAAAAAAAps/InjfYaCuHnIZSQmdaZ8gJQfsLJfmHOdigCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELvfmXMWw5g/V21MytM7XTI/AAAAAAAAAps/InjfYaCuHnIZSQmdaZ8gJQfsLJfmHOdigCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then it was back up, coming around to the point where we split off and went left at first. We had gone all the way around the lake, but now it was time to tell it goodbye.</div>
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Even though we were hiking the same trail up as we had going down, the view looked at bit different seeing it from a different angle. It was wonderful to look between the trees and across the mountain we were on to see other mountain ranges hanging in the distance.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8GtaA9VS74/V21M1F8SYLI/AAAAAAAAAp0/VNJ2AFP_3ZEjZ4rrEtPIWvyikljiZnz2QCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8GtaA9VS74/V21M1F8SYLI/AAAAAAAAAp0/VNJ2AFP_3ZEjZ4rrEtPIWvyikljiZnz2QCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Going back up was obviously much harder than going down. Where as coming down the only time we had stopped was to snap tons of photos, going up we had to stop to drink some water and take a breath or two. Like I said before, the trail was rocky, steep, and not always clear.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrGZgcTHNS8/V21NBjts_wI/AAAAAAAAAqA/hXD5XcuONQgyhlbZkMV6ZN-PYugKzo_UwCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrGZgcTHNS8/V21NBjts_wI/AAAAAAAAAqA/hXD5XcuONQgyhlbZkMV6ZN-PYugKzo_UwCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was fun though, and so great to make it back to the truck and have that feeling of "I did it!". Down, around, and back up again made for a three mile hike altogether. It was great.</div>
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We made some sandwiches and ate some candy bars and graham crackers, then piled in the truck to start heading back home. As we were driving out though, we saw a little turn off to our left that we hadn't looked at before. So we decided to make a quick detour and see what it was.</div>
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I'm so very glad we did go look at it. It came to a flat area in the mountains behind one of the peaks. In the dirt there we saw groundhog tunnels, the dirt pushed up where they had been digging underground.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cECLugZ-h9c/V21NOHwxaGI/AAAAAAAAAqg/V0KQkx039Z0w16SRNs9IgOgue7-jR5J_ACK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B4%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cECLugZ-h9c/V21NOHwxaGI/AAAAAAAAAqg/V0KQkx039Z0w16SRNs9IgOgue7-jR5J_ACK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B4%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We decided to climb up over that final peak to see what there was to see. We found snow, which we used to make little snowmen. This really cracked me up for some reason. Snowmen, in the middle of June. Who would have thought?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TosYKBI_--0/V21NGmCaNKI/AAAAAAAAAqI/18xsXahV6zs4Kl9MNzkmOw_Ap7b0WqNbwCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TosYKBI_--0/V21NGmCaNKI/AAAAAAAAAqI/18xsXahV6zs4Kl9MNzkmOw_Ap7b0WqNbwCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B3%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We found lots of flowers growing on the sides of the rocks.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6Ci1crO4Ro/V21NNZxahOI/AAAAAAAAAqY/w2GTawHThvglw29Tb1Up5UHwQZQkyNj5wCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6Ci1crO4Ro/V21NNZxahOI/AAAAAAAAAqY/w2GTawHThvglw29Tb1Up5UHwQZQkyNj5wCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zctrysqx15M/V21NO_WqcII/AAAAAAAAAqo/28oaVgZHeWgBU3b83eAXgyNtdjyzRhfxwCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zctrysqx15M/V21NO_WqcII/AAAAAAAAAqo/28oaVgZHeWgBU3b83eAXgyNtdjyzRhfxwCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But the best part of all was the view. The air was so clear that you could see for miles. The whole forest was spread out before us, the nearest town little dots in the valley, and way out on the distant horizon, the tips of a named mountain range we knew for certain was an hour drive away from where we were standing.</div>
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Perfect. Just, perfect.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4J3Pe_4w7c/V21NIgo74zI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/zQyoI72WPekcf69EAMYpM3eHmi7qH8KXwCK4B/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4J3Pe_4w7c/V21NIgo74zI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/zQyoI72WPekcf69EAMYpM3eHmi7qH8KXwCK4B/s400/FullSizeRender%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I worked on editing my photos on the ride home, and had every intention of creating this post that very afternoon, but I ended up being too tired. I didn't do much else that day except lay around like a blob. I was a very happy blob, though. I don't think a day can get much better than that one was.</div>
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Em</div>
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Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-78458830252095905892016-06-21T10:47:00.000-07:002016-06-21T12:55:50.735-07:00Strawberry Moon<div style="text-align: center;">
Last night there was a full moon on the summer solstice, an event that has not happened since 1967, and will not happen again till 2062. This rare event is called a <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/strawberry-moon-lights-sky-rare-lunar-event/story?id=40012510" target="_blank">Strawberry Moon</a>, and my daddy and I went out into the backyard last night with his camera to see it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2YHk-fvHEv0/V2l9CBmtwKI/AAAAAAAAAok/HHvETu46jrUHMTgyigM0p9JutWoHw2NDACK4B/s1600/StrawberryMoon2016.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2YHk-fvHEv0/V2l9CBmtwKI/AAAAAAAAAok/HHvETu46jrUHMTgyigM0p9JutWoHw2NDACK4B/s400/StrawberryMoon2016.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>My father placed his water mark on the bottom of the moon.</i></div>
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It was well past midnight and I was tired, but seeing as this is such a rare occurrence, I wasn't about to stay in bed and miss it. So I put my damp jeans and shoes on ( I had been running through the sprinklers just hours before, you see ), which made me a bit chilly in the otherwise nice night temperatures, and went out with him wrapped in my favorite denim jacket.</div>
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It was so bright out. I really couldn't believe it. I know that it was a full moon and all, but standing in the direct moon light, I could read the notes I had written on my hand to remind myself of things I have to do today. It was almost entirely quiet, with the air conditioner coming on every now and then, and the sound of other people's sprinklers spraying. Aside from that, it was just still, bright, and the sound of my daddy's camera clicking.</div>
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I loved to be out in my backyard wandering around in the dark. My memory of the place is was kept me from tripping. It might have been bright in the light of the Strawberry Moon, but in the shadows, it was pure blackness, a striking contrast that I was not expecting to see. I was standing not ten feet away from my daddy at one point in the shadows, and he couldn't see me until I called to him. It was really quite amazing.</div>
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I looked at our garden, at the plants sitting still in the moon light, I peeked through gates at the dark street outside and saw how the world around me was suspended in slumber and the cool night air, most likely entirely unaware of the rare, potentially once in a life time lunar event that was happening right above their resting heads.</div>
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I sat on the damp paving stones and watched the moon hang in the sky. We, my daddy and I, didn't talk. There was no need to. We both love nature so much, and that's all we had come out for. Something about being outside refills our souls, and it was nice just sit out there with him and enjoy the site.</div>
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When a long strip of clouds came across the sky and got in the way of the moon, we went back in. My mother, tired and resting in bed, was counting on us to get pictures and tell her about it all in the morning. My sister, who I woke from her sleep, decided that she was too warm and comfy in her bed to move from it, and went back sleep. So we show them pictures now, just as I show you.</div>
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Were you aware of this Strawberry Moon? I, for one, had never heard of it before in my life. If not for my daddy waking me up, I would have missed the whole thing and never been any the wiser. I hope at least some of you knew better than I did, and that you were able to get outside, if only for a minuet, to see it with your very own eyes.</div>
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If, on the other hand, you were more like me and did not have someone to wake you, then I hope you enjoy one of the many pictures my daddy took ( and so kindly let me use ) as a second alternative to seeing the Strawberry Moon.</div>
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Em</div>
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P.S. If you like his photo, then you should go look at his <a href="http://www.heliograven.com/" target="_blank">photography website</a> ( this is the dream I mentioned him working toward in <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/06/skillet-birthday-cookie.html" target="_blank">my last post</a> ). As of this very moment, he is still building it, but he's very, <i>very</i> close to launching it, so keep an eye on it in the near future!</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-88207112137493540242016-06-18T21:24:00.000-07:002016-06-19T09:42:07.502-07:00Skillet Birthday Cookie<div style="text-align: center;">
I had the wonderful pleasure of waking up early this morning to make my daddy not just one, but two skillet cookies for his birthday. He has never been big on sweet cakes loaded down with lots of frosting, but skillet cookies are something that he just can't get enough of.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEVt_lJRmBU/V2YZuNJekJI/AAAAAAAAAoI/FtMCCAx-E5Q8dCe52GsYtFzdJJHaSkygACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-1C5E598FEF14-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEVt_lJRmBU/V2YZuNJekJI/AAAAAAAAAoI/FtMCCAx-E5Q8dCe52GsYtFzdJJHaSkygACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-1C5E598FEF14-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/1034356/skillet-chocolate-chip-cookie" target="_blank">Martha Stewart's chocolate chip skillet cookie recipe</a>, with extra butter smeared into the cast iron before it got put into the oven, because really, there can never be enough butter. If you're wondering why I had to make two instead of just one, well, let me just remind you that my family and I are piranhas. There's just over half of one left as I type this. I'd bet my spleen that even that will be gone by breakfast tomorrow.</div>
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All in all, it was a wonderful day spent relaxing at home, baking, tinkering with the truck, drinking iced tea, and of course, eating slices of cookie. We made him one of his favorite meals for dinner, pulled pork quesadillas with homemade guacamole. It's a bit of a tradition of ours to let the birthday person pick out what they would like to have made for them for dinner.</div>
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It made me smile to look out our kitchen window over the tops of the neighborhood houses and see the sunset lit up with my daddy's favorite color: orange. Everyone around my house is currently chasing some dream or goal of their's, determined to make it work. Call it silly, but it felt sort of special to have his favorite color in the sky to end his special day, especially with all the hard work he's been doing lately to reach his dreams.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLxo-IYxFFw/V2YciiAUXCI/AAAAAAAAAoU/sG2dD0SMHRAdLtchw_-V2GuWzAU2Q9ICwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-1C5E598FEF14-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLxo-IYxFFw/V2YciiAUXCI/AAAAAAAAAoU/sG2dD0SMHRAdLtchw_-V2GuWzAU2Q9ICwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-1C5E598FEF14-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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My daddy is just as silly as he is wise, and just as loving as he strong. He taught me to dream, and to work hard, to smile, and to look for the hidden beauty in everything in nature around me. He never complained when he had to hum to me for hours at a time at 3 in the morning just to get me to fall asleep when I was a baby, and he never failed to share his food with me even though he just got home from a 12 hour shift and was starving himself ( because as a toddler, <i>everything </i>tastes better coming from someone else's plate, right? ).</div>
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He's always been by my side, I know that we still have plenty of adventures left to go on.</div>
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:)</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-88650982753109319612016-06-17T06:30:00.000-07:002016-06-18T21:33:35.352-07:00DIY Shoelaces : Tutorial<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Om2iNvIoZLE/V2IMa8puH_I/AAAAAAAAAlY/6VMFnt5Ya_gM2BFDUya0ApajnofUz1sywCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-A9CC1139CA77-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Om2iNvIoZLE/V2IMa8puH_I/AAAAAAAAAlY/6VMFnt5Ya_gM2BFDUya0ApajnofUz1sywCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-A9CC1139CA77-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Making your own shoelaces is one of the simplest yet cutest things you can do. So easy, such a minimal amount of work, and yet such a large statement to your personality. Besides all that, they look great! You can pick out any color, any print, or pull out all your scraps and make a pair of mismatched mashup laces. Whatever the end result, they'll always look better then the ones from the store.<br />
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This is a very simple project to do, as it requires no fixed or ultra complicated pattern to puzzle over, and can be done in only five simple steps.<br />
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<li style="text-align: left;">Cut fabric</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Stitch fabric</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Iron fabric</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Cut fabric again</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Stitch fabric once more</li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Bonus step: celebrate with chocolate</li>
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And that's it folks! It's as easy as that. Perfect for beginners or the seasoned sewer who is itching for some stitching but doesn't have all the time they need to completely redo all the curtains and cushions in the house. So let's get started, shall we?</div>
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<b>Materials</b></div>
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<li>A shoelace from your shoe ( used to make new and improved shoelaces the right length )</li>
<li>Scrap fabric ( enough to cut as many 1 1/2 inch wide strips you need to get the length of your old shoelace )</li>
<li>Thread to match your fabric, or contrast it!</li>
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<b>Step 1: Cut Fabric</b></div>
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Once you have your desired fabric picked out, it's time to figure out how many strips you need to cut from it in order to get the require length for your shoelaces. This is the part where your old, store bought laces come in handy ( clearly the only part in their lifespan when they are truly useful ).</div>
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Measure your old laces to see how many inches long they are, then, find the longest side of your fabric, and measure how long it is. Do some simple math, <i>length of old lace (L) ÷ length of longest side of fabric (F) x 2 = number of strips needed (S).</i></div>
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Did that look like some not-so-simple-math? Well good, I was looking to confuse you and thus make myself seem smarter. Did that <i>not</i> look like some not-so-simple-math? Well then touché my friend, touché.</div>
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All that really says is that if your shoelace is 10 inches long, and your fabric is 5 inches long, then you are going to need 2 strips of fabric for one shoelace, and 4 strips of fabric altogether because you really do need two shoelaces in order to wear your shoes properly.</div>
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<i>( Obviously no one would have shoelaces that short unless maybe you're a brownie or something but it was just for mathematical simplicity. )</i></div>
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<i>Or</i> you could be a little rebel like me and guess-ta-mate the whole thing by laying the old shoelace next to the fabric and making random calculations <i>( see below )</i>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9fCG6xMKqI/V2INlXHeEoI/AAAAAAAAAlk/0yjDFfVrHiExTZII-K-9JcKTJz1W4chQQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9fCG6xMKqI/V2INlXHeEoI/AAAAAAAAAlk/0yjDFfVrHiExTZII-K-9JcKTJz1W4chQQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Find the straightest side of your fabric, or make a straight side if necessary, and start cutting from it. Your strips need to be 1 1/2 inches wide. Make your marks on the wrong side of the fabric so you won't see them.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OJRKYRl1fs/V2IN0Kegz9I/AAAAAAAAAls/8j0kj3MrMwkhD3lgunugjuuyVVv3UDmvQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OJRKYRl1fs/V2IN0Kegz9I/AAAAAAAAAls/8j0kj3MrMwkhD3lgunugjuuyVVv3UDmvQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-7.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Then snip away! Marvel at how nice and uniform all your strips look when you are done.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXx6LXZngOI/V2IO107TRjI/AAAAAAAAAnA/j1Zaxqu3NPk1kW5TDNXoRIoH8wDeJ1_SACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXx6LXZngOI/V2IO107TRjI/AAAAAAAAAnA/j1Zaxqu3NPk1kW5TDNXoRIoH8wDeJ1_SACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-9.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>Step 2: Stitch Fabric</b><br />
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Now those strips aren't long enough hanging out all by themselves. They need to be brought together, forcefully, if needed, before they can begin their journey to becoming the shoelaces of your dreams.<br />
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Sew all your short strips together, end to end, matching the small sides up and keeping the right sides of the fabric facing, till you have just one very long strip of fabric. Use a 1/2 inch seam allowance, a.k.a. right along the presser foot.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4rZQl1biZg/V2IOPz2z8LI/AAAAAAAAAl4/0Y-9eDrjW584cMMuGinhBGSwFi8zfGzEgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4rZQl1biZg/V2IOPz2z8LI/AAAAAAAAAl4/0Y-9eDrjW584cMMuGinhBGSwFi8zfGzEgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>Step 3: Iron Fabric</b><br />
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Ah, the longest step is now upon us. Can you believe that you're about to spend more time ironing then actually sewing? Should we really be calling this a sewing project, then? Or should we be questioning the origins of the given name?<br />
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Or, better yet, let's not be getting philosophical over shoelaces.<br />
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Pull out your music, find somewhere comfy to sit, and suck it up buttercup. Start by pressing your short seams out flat. Don't press them left or press them right. Open them up so that there is less bulk to stitch through later.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caZzNyZqNIs/V2IOx2hVPRI/AAAAAAAAAmc/LhUPBzdjfiQ9jpCAuPtySCiVmgOzJBFtACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caZzNyZqNIs/V2IOx2hVPRI/AAAAAAAAAmc/LhUPBzdjfiQ9jpCAuPtySCiVmgOzJBFtACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Then iron the whole thing in half, wrong sides facing. This seam doesn't have to be particularly crisp, but it does have to be right down the middle.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcLE1THpD20/V2IOt-ILVfI/AAAAAAAAAmU/FqG90ZxcLh4_lFU82mUUkZZUc1_BhEdTwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcLE1THpD20/V2IOt-ILVfI/AAAAAAAAAmU/FqG90ZxcLh4_lFU82mUUkZZUc1_BhEdTwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Now unfold your crease! <br />
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I can hear you complaining from here.<br />
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<i>"Well then why did I just spent the time to make the long crease?!"</i><br />
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Because it's a guide line, honey. Don't get too upset.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcyFQWbbNzg/V2IPgePIaSI/AAAAAAAAAnU/JDl0piSePaMDAd-bhBhplJx83MqH3hdyQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcyFQWbbNzg/V2IPgePIaSI/AAAAAAAAAnU/JDl0piSePaMDAd-bhBhplJx83MqH3hdyQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-5.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Pick a side, any side, and fold the edge over to meet the crease in the middle of your strip <i>( remember, keep the wrong sides facing )</i>. It does help at this point to make a crisp seam. For help in achieving this, I recommend a spray bottle filled with plain old water you can spritz your strip with to make it steam when ironed.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HG9_ojrWZcM/V2IO0DHq2tI/AAAAAAAAAms/skebsgtNiXETw2Y2yieCDcSaqJjJoyiFACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HG9_ojrWZcM/V2IO0DHq2tI/AAAAAAAAAms/skebsgtNiXETw2Y2yieCDcSaqJjJoyiFACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-6.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Then fold over the other side of the fabric, matching the edge to the middle crease just as before.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvbogfmEOn8/V2IO1b5iGCI/AAAAAAAAAm4/c9UijFRWt08Ros5yo7dgyb-qkceo_rlVwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvbogfmEOn8/V2IO1b5iGCI/AAAAAAAAAm4/c9UijFRWt08Ros5yo7dgyb-qkceo_rlVwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-8.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Now the whole thing get's ironed in half again! Remember that first middle crease you made all those years ago ( or at least it <i>feels</i> like years after all that ironing )? Well now you get to reacquaint yourself with it. No longer a mere guideline, it is now the finishing crease to your shoelace. Crispness is of the essence here, so I would really, <i>really</i> encourage you to spritz water and create steam for this crease.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xCTU9ihJP5Y/V2IO2n69SsI/AAAAAAAAAnI/pQmALrjZs4MHKvRBFL8pVJVLEMuWtGCZwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xCTU9ihJP5Y/V2IO2n69SsI/AAAAAAAAAnI/pQmALrjZs4MHKvRBFL8pVJVLEMuWtGCZwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8638EB92CEEE-10.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>Step 4: Cut Fabric Again</b><br />
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Ah, look at it. Doesn't it look like a shoelace already? It certainly is one <i>long</i> shoelace though. We need to turn it into two, more reasonably sized shoelaces.<br />
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If you measured you old shoelace and you know just how long you need your new shoelaces to be ( say we're still talking with that brownie <i>( no, not <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Chocolatebrownie.JPG" target="_blank">brownie</a>, I mean a <u><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/36/ee/f4/36eef4052fe15d458c32b82e2feaab94.jpg" target="_blank">brownie</a></u> )</i> who's laces are 10 inches long ), then measure 10 inches off of your long, very nicely ironed strip and cut. Make this measurement and cut again, because remember, we need two of these things.<br />
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<i>Or</i> rebel again ( like me ) and guess-ta-mate the whole thing <i>( see below )</i>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aya9VsY3YL0/V2IOkgpR8PI/AAAAAAAAAmE/QINFHpcdJcwwfeCo-ZnmzTEyYW9k28W4QCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-A9CC1139CA77-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aya9VsY3YL0/V2IOkgpR8PI/AAAAAAAAAmE/QINFHpcdJcwwfeCo-ZnmzTEyYW9k28W4QCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-A9CC1139CA77-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>Step 5: Stitch Fabric Once More</b><br />
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Just two more long seams and you're done! So close now that you can see the light.<br />
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All you have to do to finish your shoelace is seam it up <i>almost</i> right down the middle to keep it from unfolding. I say almost, because you do want to <i>slightly</i> favor the open side of the lace. It's a very tiny seam allowance. So tiny, I did not even measure it. Just go slow <i>( -ish )</i> and keep it as straight as you can <i>( don't forget to backstitch! )</i>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgqOcq_Of2k/V2IOqgWNvHI/AAAAAAAAAmM/1jDck2qA5HYnFn0nUSk3IrwuUuqvGYNWgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-A9CC1139CA77-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgqOcq_Of2k/V2IOqgWNvHI/AAAAAAAAAmM/1jDck2qA5HYnFn0nUSk3IrwuUuqvGYNWgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-A9CC1139CA77-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Oh, look at those shoelaces! Aren't they just <i>glorious?!</i> Of course they are! They came from your hands! Now rustle up your shoes and lace them up. Beam with pride at how neat and awesome they look. And then show them off, everywhere, and to everyone. Causally stick your feet out from under the table so that people may see them. Bop right down to Electric Avenue and <i>own</i> the street. And, most importantly, let everyone know where they can learn to make such wonderful creations themselves.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VR2u1B2EGK4/V2IOzjLux8I/AAAAAAAAAmk/_Qp0AQVCTpsfBWFTIrTbTJ71zVs-lXZpwCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-A9CC1139CA77-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VR2u1B2EGK4/V2IOzjLux8I/AAAAAAAAAmk/_Qp0AQVCTpsfBWFTIrTbTJ71zVs-lXZpwCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-A9CC1139CA77-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>BONUS STEP: Celebrate With Chocolate</b></div>
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Or cookies. Or chocolate <i>and</i> cookies. <i>Or</i> a full blown batch of <i>chocolate cookies</i>. <i>Mmm</i>, yes. I can smell them baking now.</div>
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However you decide to celebrate, you should be very proud of yourself. Your shoes now look great with your handmade laces, and reflect your own personal style in way that store bought laces just aren't able to. So to you, I say this; Well done my friend, well done.</div>
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( Just don't start singing <i>These Boots Are Made For Walkin'</i>. This might annoy those close to you. Not that I would know from experience or anything. )</div>
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Em</div>
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Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-26022855063232527322016-06-15T19:03:00.000-07:002016-06-15T20:51:14.437-07:00Ink & Water<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGS1wB9jFU0/V2H8hKbb-pI/AAAAAAAAAkM/gAAeF-U6Y4w-zuG8Vkv-x3Th9bHmRwp_ACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-9E0A5BEE657E-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGS1wB9jFU0/V2H8hKbb-pI/AAAAAAAAAkM/gAAeF-U6Y4w-zuG8Vkv-x3Th9bHmRwp_ACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-9E0A5BEE657E-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have not done much of my Zentangle work since the <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2015/12/brown-paper-packages-tied-up-with.html" target="_blank">massive wrapping paper project</a> I undertook in the winter. Today, though, after a run to the art supply store for fresh pens and paper, I sat down for a couple of hours to start getting the feel for it again.</div>
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Above is the result of my afternoon spent sitting at my desk. It is not what you might call a traditional Zentangle. I started out simply by trying a few new tangles just for the fun it, to get used to the feel of the pens again. I cared not for balancing out the patterns or creating a flow of any sort.</div>
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When I was done with my overly large tile, I did minor shading in only a few parts of my inky tangle. I began to look at it, and then over at my jar of water color pencils. Because of how I simply tangled with out reason, the patterns seemed to have lost their definition and sort of blended together, giving my tile a bit of a dizzy look. If that's what I had been going for, then it would have been mission accomplished. But I wished for it all to pop a bit more.</div>
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So I began to color, only a bit, just enough to make it easier to see the differences between the tangles and make it prettier. With a bit of water in my tiny bee tea cup I smoothed out the pencil lines and sat back, very pleased with my result. A bit rough around the edges, but a good tangle after such a long absence from the art, I think, especially considering I've only made 3 or 4 tiles altogether in my life. I certainly have much to improve on, but I try not to be too hard on myself.</div>
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Here are the supplies that I used, most of them untraditional for the trade.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4J_OPkFcJ0/V2ICihapidI/AAAAAAAAAkc/Ml_NwU779dYgzN_3_4bu9jHR7x2yKtoggCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4J_OPkFcJ0/V2ICihapidI/AAAAAAAAAkc/Ml_NwU779dYgzN_3_4bu9jHR7x2yKtoggCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My ink pens, STAEDTLER pigment liner, not the traditional MICRON archival ink, and not the traditional sizes. Most Zentangle books will tell you that you only need 2 sizes, 0.3 and 0.5. I have here sizes smaller than those for drawing finer lines, and one much larger to faster fill in large areas.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVRmBEvZA_g/V2IC5Rb_JQI/AAAAAAAAAk0/z8ibaITFWcUatNt7pu_CavvjEfyw3W8sQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVRmBEvZA_g/V2IC5Rb_JQI/AAAAAAAAAk0/z8ibaITFWcUatNt7pu_CavvjEfyw3W8sQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pencils, 2B and 2H, a softer and harder lead, respectively, for different degrees of shading. These are the only 2 things of the traditional sort that I have for my Zentangle. Next to them, a blender, to help my poor shading look a little less poor.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3sKUq8ucVA/V2IC6E_6sAI/AAAAAAAAAk8/_fR3kkGJaoYlL3coaTfHdNFx0PbYxD6iQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3sKUq8ucVA/V2IC6E_6sAI/AAAAAAAAAk8/_fR3kkGJaoYlL3coaTfHdNFx0PbYxD6iQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Water color pencils are most certainly not the normal thing to use in Zentangle. Color is added to some Zentangle, but usually with the use of colored MICRON pens. I prefer the softer look of the pencils though, and the water color pencils in particular because I can smooth out the harsh lines of the pencils to a clean, solid block of color. I had to be careful to barely use any water at all in my brush, just enough to work into the pencil markings, but not so much as to soak through the paper or warp it when it dried.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBpU3KFBYbY/V2IC6UK4qzI/AAAAAAAAAlE/4LEgxbMTF5cVVAs-PF6Yahu5RRVDyV_awCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBpU3KFBYbY/V2IC6UK4qzI/AAAAAAAAAlE/4LEgxbMTF5cVVAs-PF6Yahu5RRVDyV_awCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The paper I used is both much thinner and larger than what a tile would normally be. I preferred the larger size of the paper, and though I had to be more attentive to make sure nothing bled through to the sheet underneath it, I liked to work with it for it was smooth and took the ink of my pens well.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUJyWn-1IVM/V2IC5VkPuBI/AAAAAAAAAks/i6UWvuI4jVcU42LmJw_DL34EKxdYUNmPQCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUJyWn-1IVM/V2IC5VkPuBI/AAAAAAAAAks/i6UWvuI4jVcU42LmJw_DL34EKxdYUNmPQCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-B90510ED1A7B-5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Untraditional resources to make an untraditional tile. There is something beautiful about it though, how you don't have to always stick to the 'rules' of the normal method to make something you enjoy. Zentangle in particular seems to encourage you break out and find your own way to do it, to make your own style and mark. For this reason, and for how much I enjoy to draw abstract doodles, Zentangle had become my favorite form of drawing for myself.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyvKXSqdW8Q/V2IC36Z2IZI/AAAAAAAAAkk/3h-cZo2rfKwhepWRQRfDUCNdNl0nRLDpgCK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-9E0A5BEE657E-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyvKXSqdW8Q/V2IC36Z2IZI/AAAAAAAAAkk/3h-cZo2rfKwhepWRQRfDUCNdNl0nRLDpgCK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-9E0A5BEE657E-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-42852517914884551312016-06-13T18:17:00.000-07:002016-06-15T08:07:36.777-07:00Kimono Breeze<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel that when you make something, wether for yourself or for someone else, you either look at it and think, "Wow, I can't believe <i>that</i> came from my hands." or, "WOW! I can't believe THAT came from <i>my hands</i>!!!" I also feel that this is especially relevant when it comes to clothing articles of any kind.</div>
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Thankfully, my reaction this time was one of the latter.</div>
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I have made pullovers and hooded cowls and even a dress for myself, but these things have always been done up with yarn. The furthest I can remember getting with <i>sewn</i> articles of clothing is skirts of all manners and styles. So I was a bit apprehensive of how this sewn-kimono-jacket-thingy was going to turn out, especially since it was my first time using single fold bias tape ( I know, I'm a bit unexperienced when it come to clothes ). I wasn't all that sure if it was going to be wearable or if I was inevitably headed down the path toward making a backwards tangled pile of fabric.</div>
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These fears were silly in the end though, because I think I might have actually done pretty good with it.</div>
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I made something that's breezy and summery and so comfy that I wish I could wear it always. It looks great as part of an outfit to wear around in public or as a nice part of your lounging pajamas when you decide that human contact is something that you just can't do today and it really would be much better to sit around the house like a hermit to avoid it all together.</div>
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In other words, it fit all aspects of my life.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIsvJnTmopA/V19Sx5nC_9I/AAAAAAAAAj0/BrTfuRj2qnMQdgSQ-jBQzxeMjkdtpCHdACK4B/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-8327E1F505B0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIsvJnTmopA/V19Sx5nC_9I/AAAAAAAAAj0/BrTfuRj2qnMQdgSQ-jBQzxeMjkdtpCHdACK4B/s400/JPEG%2Bimage-8327E1F505B0-1.jpeg" width="297" /></a></div>
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Pretty fabric, and pretty feeling. Simple, yet elegant. It flows as you walk with out any effort at all. This flowing allows you to stride around your house imagining yourself to be Sherlock's partner in solving crime with your jacket billowing out behind you just as bad-assed-ly as his does. Or, if you're out in public, it makes you feel all light and summery.</div>
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It took me a while to get here to the finished state. If you remember seeing this in one of my older posts, you'll know just how long it took. The problem was the single fold bias tape. The pattern I could cut out and piece together just fine. Then I stalled when I got to the last step, which involved using the fabric tape to finish off the edges all the way around. I had never used it before, and I felt nervous. Also, I had no clue what I was doing. Instructions were unclear.</div>
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It took my wonderfully more experienced mother and some YouTube videos for me to finally understand how you're supposed to use the stuff. Once I got it, it felt so simple that I could probably do it in my sleep. The only problem was that all the edges around the outside of the jacket where I was using the tape are slightly curved. If you have ever sewn, then you know that you have to cut notches into all the curved areas of your fabric in order to make it look nice when you fold the edges over.</div>
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I spent over 45 minuets on this part alone, and I had a pile of tiny fabric triangles from all the snipping covering my desk, my floor, and myself. I vacuumed up as many as I could find, yet still, like glitter, they are magically appearing around my room after every time I think I have finally gotten them all cleaned up.</div>
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Being stalked by tiny snips of fabric for the rest of my life is worth it though. That's how much I love this kimono jacket whatever you want to call it ( once again, pattern was unclear as to what this actually supposed to be called, aside from the word, <i>kimono</i> ).</div>
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More than happy with what I was able to do, I now feel confident enough to stride further into the world of making your own clothing. Specifically, clothing that is not another skirt. So we shall see what it is I make, or mess up, in the future ( whenever life decides it's going to give me the time ).</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-84700840139502950212016-06-11T18:47:00.000-07:002016-06-12T19:11:26.090-07:00Beading, Dancing, Tea Party, Oh My!<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, so I have, admittedly, been a bit distracted this week. The reason? I'll tell you why next time. For now, let's rewind back to Wednesday.</div>
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I got up super early to bake some more <a href="http://yarnsfromelsewhere.blogspot.com/2016/06/southern-belles.html" target="_blank">Southern Belles</a> and make iced tea in anticipation of my best friends coming over to spend a good part of the day with each other. I wanted us to have something sweet to eat and good to drink. I did say, after all, that maybe the next time I had friends over, I would make the Southern Belles again to have a tea party with them. I changed the recipe a bit from the first time I made them, and I think I liked it a bit better. Give me a couple of weeks to get down off the sugar high they gave me, and I'll make them again for you, this time with the recipe and how-to pictures to go along with it.</div>
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When they got here, we sat down and started beading. That had been the plan for the day. Teaching each other new tricks, trading beads, and sharing stories. It was fun to laugh and create with them, and we made some beautiful things. Rings and bracelets and earrings flew from our finger tips, and I learned some things that I didn't know about beading before. We were quite blessed, you see, to have two beading experts sitting at the table with us.</div>
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Then we moved on to dancing. My friends have been to group dances before where it seems they teach all sorts of different dances. We started out by teaching each other a simple swing dance, which I was ecstatic for ( more correctly, my friends taught me a simple swing while I played us some jazz music ). Over the past few months I have begun to discover that I love jazz, and with it has come a strong desire to learn to swing dance. So you can imagine how much fun I had. Or maybe not, because I was pretty dam happy <span style="font-size: x-small;">( do you see the Percy Jackson reference? )</span> over something that might seem a bit odd to you ( either way, you should listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgQLBHalJ4g" target="_blank">this song</a> because it's really quite addicting ).</div>
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We needed more room than the inside of the house could provide, some we went out into the hot summer afternoon to dance barefoot in the grass. We danced the Patty Cake Polka, a country line dance that I sadly can not remember the name of, and the Celtic Cross, in which we had to drag our mothers into the ring to have enough people to do it. It made it all the more fun.</div>
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We had some confusion as we danced, partly due to the fact that half of us had never done the dances before, and partly due to the fact that we were all girls. We frequently had to stop dancing and start some parts over because we forgot who was supposed to be dancing the guy's part. A lack of young men can sometimes be a troublesome thing. We easily wore ourselves out and were back inside to eat sandwiches and guzzle iced tea.</div>
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And so our sweet summer day went. Now I can hear you yelling through your computer screen at me. "Where are the pictures, Em?! We want to see you beading and, more importantly, tripping as you tried to dance." And I do so apologize for the lack of pictures in this post, I truly do. But I was having too much fun to remember to take pictures.</div>
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I will show you the earrings I made, though. They are awful pictures taken in awful lighting, but I hope they will do to help make up for me forgetting to take any other pictures. I will try harder next time.</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-83763440193444232812016-06-05T15:36:00.000-07:002016-06-05T15:36:13.119-07:00Southern Belles <div style="text-align: center;">
Reading a back issue of the magazine "<i>Reminisce</i>" in bed late last night, I came across someone's grandmother's recipie for a type of sheet cookie called Southern Belles.<br />
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It was around midnight when I decided, <i>"I'm going to make these tomorrow."</i><br />
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Now I'm not going to lay out the recipe for you here, because it's not my recipe, it is a prized family recipe that had been passed down through the this person's family, and I don't want to take any credit for it.<br />
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But, what I will tell you is that I found the idea of making these cookies to be one of the coolest things I could spend my Sunday morning doing. There is enough sugar in here to give me a headache ( which they did ), and there is no baking time mentioned in the recipe, so I had to spend 25 minutes pacing my kitchen floor watching them bake like a hawk, but boy was it fun.<br />
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Southern Belles remind me of a type of shortbread with a brown sugar coconut meringue spread over the top. I followed the recipe to a tee, and this is the result I got.<br />
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They were delicious, I can tell you that. And yes, I did say <i>were</i>, because believe it or not, they are half gone already I don't honestly think they are going to make it through the night. My family and I are piranhas, you see, so nothing really last all that long around here.<br />
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I can think of a few ways to switch things up a bit to tailor these wondrous treats exactly to my family's liking. In fact, I believe I might be inspired to make a Southern Belle recipe for our family, to be passed down through the years and the generations.<br />
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One thing I know I might have to change is how the meringue is made. In the recipe it said to throw everything in with the egg white and beat till fluffy. I wasn't so sure, but I wanted to do it <i>exactly</i> how the recipe said, so that's what I did. I could hear Julia from <i>America's Test Kitchen</i> yelling at me from a distance. Now I think that next time I'll make the meringue like you would normally make meringue, and then fold in the coconut <i>after</i> I've gotten it to a stiff peak, so that it'll be a bit more meringue-ish. I think that'll make Julia feel better ( if you've ever watched the TV show, then you'll know how much she loves to get her meringues just right ).<br />
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Overall though, I was very impressed with myself, and I felt quite fancy, for some reason. These seemed to me like a special tea time treat from the days of old. So I made some tea, and sat down to a tea party for one. Perhaps the next time I have friends over I'll make these again, and we can all tea party together.<br />
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4462084511281225021.post-37448515948099522922016-06-03T08:41:00.000-07:002016-06-03T08:41:11.276-07:00Switching Up the Shevles<div style="text-align: center;">
How do you organize your books on your shelves?</div>
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It's a big question. A truly life altering decision. Your books are, after all, some your closest friends and companions. How should they be placed upon your shelves? By author? By title? By series? By date published or date acquired?</div>
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The decision becomes even harder to make when you have limited shelf space, <i>and</i> you have other items besides your books that need to be stored on your shelves. Sometimes, you just can't decide how you should do it. Or maybe you do, for a little while, only to decide a few weeks or a few months later that you want to take everything off and rearrange it all again.</div>
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I happen to be one of those people. If I had more shelves to keep everything on in the exact order that I want them in, I might not be so prone to changing things all the time. I mostly have to go with wherever I can get all of them to fit and be happy with that.</div>
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Every now and then I'll try something new. This time it was organize by color ( for the most part ). I even took a few of my nicknacks and placed them in front of their corresponding color, which I found very pleasing for some reason. Some of the results are shown below.</div>
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The most enjoyable part in all this was when had all the different colored stacks sitting tall on my floor. They looked so beautiful! And they still do, even after being put on the shelves. I love how it looks. Color is a very important part of my life. It comforts me, makes me happy, and can even be a source of inspiration when I write. So to have all my book colors looking so nice is wonderful.</div>
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For the most part, anyways. The trouble I have run into with this set up is that I don't have the perfect shelving system of my dreams. So when I went from having everything stacked sideways and upright and on top and however else to use up every single bit of space I could, to having all my books laying normally so that the colors would look their best, I ran out of room for a good portion of my books.</div>
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This, despite however nice most of my books look now, is making me a bit upset. Yet I don't want to get rid of my nice colors quite yet. The time I spent working on this was not total loss, though, as I actually quite enjoy rearranging my things every now and then. There are certain arrangements that I like best and that work best for me, but sometimes it's fun to switch it up for a while just for the heck of it.</div>
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So in the end, I love the sorting by color style. It is, in my opinion, one of the best looking ways to have your books done up on your shelves. I'll keep them like this for a few weeks, maybe, but then it'll all have to go back to wherever I can get it all to fit, so that the poor books I had to take off my shelves can find their way back on ( and I can put my series back together ).</div>
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There is something sort of enduring about seeing books stacked in all directions. Having to go searching through your shelves to see where a particular book you're looking for is. Filling in all the empty space till the wall behind them is no longer visible. Having so many books that you have no choice but to use this method. No matter how many other ways of shelving fail you, or how many times they update the Dewey Decimal System ( if you're crazy enough to use it at home <span style="font-size: x-small;">( which I might be ) </span>), you can always revert back to this method. It will never fail you, and honestly, it will always look good.</div>
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Though really, won't books always look good anyways? I think so.</div>
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Em</div>
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350034866572514374noreply@blogger.com5