tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47546756541122625882024-02-23T22:49:12.313-08:00Home is Where My Story BeginsAt the end of the day, it's all about home and family.Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.comBlogger877125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-19931475661850347852016-01-14T19:13:00.003-08:002016-01-14T19:13:51.071-08:00I've Moved To WordpressI finally did it! I moved to Wordpress. My new blog address is www.homeiswheremystorybegins.net. I hope you'll come find me and follow along.<br />
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<br />Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-9317856900238656342015-12-20T20:43:00.001-08:002015-12-20T20:43:52.938-08:00My New Stadium SeatHello friends! I want to share a product that I love with you. We spend a lot of time sitting in basketball tournaments for our two kids. After back surgery, my husband bought me a new seat, so I didn't have to sit on uncomfortable bleachers for hours on end. Here is my new queen chair!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=hoiswhmystbe-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00VKK3RCW&asins=B00VKK3RCW&linkId=Q4AVT57ZC2UTNZGP&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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The reason I'm sharing this with you is because I have been asked, more times than I can count, about where I bought this seat. It is super comfy, padded, and even has padded arms. It is so much better than a bleacher seat. I do get a little kick back from Amazon, as I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you are interested in a new stadium seat, this is the one!<br />
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Happy shopping!Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-15024796319920164652015-12-05T15:10:00.000-08:002015-12-05T15:10:00.178-08:00Hot Cocoa Station and Warm Quick Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The hot cocoa station has taken its place in the kitchen. I think this is one of my daughter's favorite traditions about the Holidays. She loves coming home after school and making herself a cup of cocoa. My absolute favorite cocoa is Williams Sonoma Peppermint Hot Chocolate. It's to die for, friends. It takes a little longer to make, so my kids tend to go for the Nestle Quick hot chocolate. I pour that into a cute jar and it's ready to go for an afternoon warm-me-up.</div>
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When you combine the hot cocoa station with some homemade banana bread or some warm pumpkin bread, it makes for some happy kids after school. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM29YEIDuTVNjs9C_MHh9t4UwHcTGMBMEXuTETvYDFvBap_-EOLSYcdAn2Ksdob8d08iCtjlUpsImhCJuiiODI78JX2KO4M-_Oh3fhsTgV2I9aqHGhE9C-n8DOKtie2ye0iIpFN4CgmVYa/s1600/IMG_7337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM29YEIDuTVNjs9C_MHh9t4UwHcTGMBMEXuTETvYDFvBap_-EOLSYcdAn2Ksdob8d08iCtjlUpsImhCJuiiODI78JX2KO4M-_Oh3fhsTgV2I9aqHGhE9C-n8DOKtie2ye0iIpFN4CgmVYa/s640/IMG_7337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I must confess that the pumpkin bread is from a box. I bought the Krusteaz Pumpkin Bread from Costco before my surgery because I didn't think I'd be in the mood for baking. We've all decided that we like this with butter and cinnamon sugar on top. </div>
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The banana bread is homemade. I couldn't resist baking when I saw that we had a few over-ripe bananas. As much as I love making homemade bread with yeast, I also love a good quick and easy quick bread recipe.</div>
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Here's the recipe I use for Banana Bread:</div>
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3/4 cup sugar</div>
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1/2 cup butter, softened</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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2 medium ripe bananas (mashed)</div>
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1/3 cup milk</div>
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1 tsp vanilla</div>
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2 cups flour</div>
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1 tsp baking soda</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</div>
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Grease the bottom of a bread pan.</div>
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Beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy.</div>
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Add bananas, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix.</div>
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Add the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix.</div>
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Add 2 cups of chocolate chips (optional).</div>
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Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.</div>
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Happy Baking!</div>
<br />Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-6238561312416542462015-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:002015-12-04T14:49:12.582-08:00It's National Cookie Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had no idea it was National Cookie Day until my sister gave me a heads up! I decided that, in honor of this wonderful holiday, I would write a blog post linking to all of my cookie recipes. So, I started searching old blog posts with the key word COOKIE in them and I found over 30 different cookie recipes. Wow! I guess I bake a lot! 30 blog posts about cookies... there was no way I'd have time to link to all of them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_D7sN943tkJfRx3H7Pt6XPQjlbyPs4Ir36hv02QE72-eSSKZUlhyphenhyphenvpHCtE1N8-ZpfPAN_AqYcROmrMU9EoOJVzn6QhIRiknr_FjJWrH5u5cSjtQBRo2VAtRim19XYvfGqscrxLdHJ7br/s1600/Cookies+-+Home+Is+Where+My+Story+Begins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_D7sN943tkJfRx3H7Pt6XPQjlbyPs4Ir36hv02QE72-eSSKZUlhyphenhyphenvpHCtE1N8-ZpfPAN_AqYcROmrMU9EoOJVzn6QhIRiknr_FjJWrH5u5cSjtQBRo2VAtRim19XYvfGqscrxLdHJ7br/s640/Cookies+-+Home+Is+Where+My+Story+Begins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, since I can't link to all of my recipes, I will add links to a few of my favorites.</div>
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My all time favorite recipe is my <u><a href="http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/2015/11/homemade-bread-and-chocolate-chip.html">chocolate chip cookie recipe</a></u>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoz4q7okTFNkBmebbasWFCe2TjwzFts8eD0OCdZH_wkCDDD5OyBHkrAoEpcC7GCwmAHRtBd7_EOAfq9d-7F9IMgKsBy6C_egYbg6usnOv0FpNGkxBLa6YnwlFXQtv97gKIG4INlXeTvyzG/s1600/cookie+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoz4q7okTFNkBmebbasWFCe2TjwzFts8eD0OCdZH_wkCDDD5OyBHkrAoEpcC7GCwmAHRtBd7_EOAfq9d-7F9IMgKsBy6C_egYbg6usnOv0FpNGkxBLa6YnwlFXQtv97gKIG4INlXeTvyzG/s640/cookie+9.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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My <u><a href="http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-sugar-cookies-and-home-and.html">sugar cookie recipe</a></u> can be used for any occasion or holiday. Keep scrolling down to find several different ideas for the sugar cookie dough.</div>
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4th of July</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav7omVth-YKQkmFNmrjIWxBdPywrbExUkE6k-FIbL3QBIabUBrsbVd3_KRpSJmOXb-1Tq7f7IHuUF39qARBiwsF15TNny8cPyzMC0wAYCtwixMSzP8o1Gocmvivko7k2ae7bEiefqyDx4/s1600/cookie+21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav7omVth-YKQkmFNmrjIWxBdPywrbExUkE6k-FIbL3QBIabUBrsbVd3_KRpSJmOXb-1Tq7f7IHuUF39qARBiwsF15TNny8cPyzMC0wAYCtwixMSzP8o1Gocmvivko7k2ae7bEiefqyDx4/s640/cookie+21.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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St. Patrick's Day</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Sm2bSPsB1K2QOhcoCwWNuHOwDAM90GshhTpbTlEQ_BTdAV03adhlCmcS6N7uMPHA4JCUM395-VJyoCzgSRumx4U7u9tsnaONuaM_2E1ov0VMj__Z5p9KBXDwAmpBDjagvnqibIr2V6Yy/s1600/cookie+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Sm2bSPsB1K2QOhcoCwWNuHOwDAM90GshhTpbTlEQ_BTdAV03adhlCmcS6N7uMPHA4JCUM395-VJyoCzgSRumx4U7u9tsnaONuaM_2E1ov0VMj__Z5p9KBXDwAmpBDjagvnqibIr2V6Yy/s640/cookie+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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May Day or a Special Birthday</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmfGphpJbx0K8yDNXkW6GH5W7eQncWBh9Pjar90zUTnJTvhUC-xrIC4af7uwxVGXP5ZgAclPbEKr9E6ixt8OOp1Y7k_F7_bXWAa6FVJNqfCEXfgKFDi2ebBFJ-bJLo7KcLigfpkZulbwU/s1600/cookie+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmfGphpJbx0K8yDNXkW6GH5W7eQncWBh9Pjar90zUTnJTvhUC-xrIC4af7uwxVGXP5ZgAclPbEKr9E6ixt8OOp1Y7k_F7_bXWAa6FVJNqfCEXfgKFDi2ebBFJ-bJLo7KcLigfpkZulbwU/s640/cookie+11.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Valentine's Day</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKgg6hb4ydtrfLS8Sw4jdSAtsLu2ABpKPgz_s91xpvknIgUypJWASE9Tny1TrwXObvtCpg1qofeBwQHPgqgS1543o7TWwP61a8b-lzPcgOfUFYNCRXSO-7OkrqgVaHXACChhqxNUwprTL/s1600/cookie+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKgg6hb4ydtrfLS8Sw4jdSAtsLu2ABpKPgz_s91xpvknIgUypJWASE9Tny1TrwXObvtCpg1qofeBwQHPgqgS1543o7TWwP61a8b-lzPcgOfUFYNCRXSO-7OkrqgVaHXACChhqxNUwprTL/s640/cookie+15.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Any old snowy day</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ87ZG3HAeExe4uFRngTS3uiorJp8291CYT_M8iA76Nqg_EirTnPvRewMhgTq3EI4s4yGlfDSOw-6p9pAqgI_0ka66Bp2fdpN2gU4pZ_3-i9N8_y4PS4BN8nlKWqlHZDakd5rXl3Dl8sa7/s1600/cookie+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ87ZG3HAeExe4uFRngTS3uiorJp8291CYT_M8iA76Nqg_EirTnPvRewMhgTq3EI4s4yGlfDSOw-6p9pAqgI_0ka66Bp2fdpN2gU4pZ_3-i9N8_y4PS4BN8nlKWqlHZDakd5rXl3Dl8sa7/s640/cookie+16.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love my <a href="http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/2012/01/snickerdoodle-yumminess.html">Snickerdoodle recipe</a>! It's soft and yummy. This one is my son's favorite cookie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriyGdsY-uPx5PZ4VFc2mSzKgtwZKQNv4p5LlKrooMg6nxfXt6RDFrPhHQkqS7BKuZuw4nAQjdFe7Dscptk-gsH6fMg5_47mcn5ULVWO232qbiIGU9KYnRT9BmGoQGcqPBmcdkPEE7ef0R/s1600/cookie+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriyGdsY-uPx5PZ4VFc2mSzKgtwZKQNv4p5LlKrooMg6nxfXt6RDFrPhHQkqS7BKuZuw4nAQjdFe7Dscptk-gsH6fMg5_47mcn5ULVWO232qbiIGU9KYnRT9BmGoQGcqPBmcdkPEE7ef0R/s640/cookie+17.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Ok, I think that is enough sugar for one day. Clearly, I have a problem. Maybe if I stopped baking so much, I'd lose a little weight!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA867ENlnUjuQ6RaTiR82jtYCUyNPXFu3HdcIXbWC8Mjfnrw6b3hx3ufmqA_MbFJWxBhJhqP0B2E5mRkvTCUHczqNMoozyowd9KIFLBXCnCby9sVHuMuMB_jV4-KuVrDv7nLBIONF4tP20/s1600/come+in+from+the+cold+cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA867ENlnUjuQ6RaTiR82jtYCUyNPXFu3HdcIXbWC8Mjfnrw6b3hx3ufmqA_MbFJWxBhJhqP0B2E5mRkvTCUHczqNMoozyowd9KIFLBXCnCby9sVHuMuMB_jV4-KuVrDv7nLBIONF4tP20/s640/come+in+from+the+cold+cookies.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I guess the sign on my front porch says it all! You know where to go if you need a warm cookie!</div>
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Happy National Cookie Day!</div>
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<br />Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-35057459313630727862015-12-02T13:00:00.000-08:002015-12-02T13:00:00.923-08:00Christmas Front Porch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my house! I'm still not lifting or moving too much since my back surgery, but my pointer finger works just fine. My kids and my hubby really like it when I ask them to do something and then just sit and point at what I'd like done. (Can you hear the sarcasm?) So, I can't take credit for the loveliness of the front door. My hubby did the work and I just pointed.</div>
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I have used the same garland and wreaths for many years. I'd like to bulk it up, but it's hard to splurge on decorations when I could use that money to buy gifts for people.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkrVjPOuTw4PDo1_YHEAstHTi_tj2CTLYYcyAMOqXK_n0P00us9vqH9LaXBMCJxzseIZMgjliJSuNe872SahTTzMvQjZyafsvtKPzz_Ypo_zqVcOHNCpEOcHIuslCMB0wEEZEBbUwteSZ/s1600/IMG_7339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkrVjPOuTw4PDo1_YHEAstHTi_tj2CTLYYcyAMOqXK_n0P00us9vqH9LaXBMCJxzseIZMgjliJSuNe872SahTTzMvQjZyafsvtKPzz_Ypo_zqVcOHNCpEOcHIuslCMB0wEEZEBbUwteSZ/s640/IMG_7339.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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This is my favorite sign of all time. If you live in my neighborhood, you know how true this is.</div>
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Ok, maybe this is my favorite sign.</div>
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Ok, I guess I have a problem deciding which sign is my favorite. I love this one too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWh-Ghp-Rg-ONm3meCgUvdBG3H3hR0L7x4mnctlEs1oj-4EG6xcKCrQ1cg1bWc1MXieyPrEPgsNYcPQuX9Y3mgT9GFrKOCdaCBG1wZyFSHbxBzu1IccEBVe0am84wzd3rAO9Rh4dd1_av/s1600/IMG_7343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWh-Ghp-Rg-ONm3meCgUvdBG3H3hR0L7x4mnctlEs1oj-4EG6xcKCrQ1cg1bWc1MXieyPrEPgsNYcPQuX9Y3mgT9GFrKOCdaCBG1wZyFSHbxBzu1IccEBVe0am84wzd3rAO9Rh4dd1_av/s640/IMG_7343.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I cute sign, a bucket of holly, and some birch logs from the deck are all it takes to make my chair kind of cute!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltFNIPnTRTijLs46qdjf_wMcddyQn0AJ0gn_9tJ-JHrmRgD-fAFoGtBbFf0gQoM72Z_NT2Q4MJ-1RSz-GAM8Jy0lZxLPyJUvhgBM6Chm58oRKiFW5BPPSpBL1RM8nH9I8g5Tztc9HLcI_/s1600/IMG_7344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltFNIPnTRTijLs46qdjf_wMcddyQn0AJ0gn_9tJ-JHrmRgD-fAFoGtBbFf0gQoM72Z_NT2Q4MJ-1RSz-GAM8Jy0lZxLPyJUvhgBM6Chm58oRKiFW5BPPSpBL1RM8nH9I8g5Tztc9HLcI_/s640/IMG_7344.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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This is the sled I grew up using. It's missing the middle wood piece, but I still love it. That sled has seen many miles of happy hills!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV0n6paviCnMWK6HjIc1QMTQkMmmPbMwkUpkMSCbnpyIW-ZxUMT5XLuN6cB6d1p3WrLLgIDLNyymMrv0cUGjfwYlglG7Wx33yRC5X9OChd1yVUdHdB82XkrBnMbH-5Q1SCphohrqdrV7H/s1600/IMG_7345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV0n6paviCnMWK6HjIc1QMTQkMmmPbMwkUpkMSCbnpyIW-ZxUMT5XLuN6cB6d1p3WrLLgIDLNyymMrv0cUGjfwYlglG7Wx33yRC5X9OChd1yVUdHdB82XkrBnMbH-5Q1SCphohrqdrV7H/s640/IMG_7345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm having a hard time believing that MY sled could possibly be an antique!</div>
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Happy decorating!</div>
<br />Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-33033940118155944182015-12-01T15:12:00.001-08:002015-12-01T15:12:11.355-08:00My Back Surgery<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzGJP9upDkbuB36oEUFn9IfQHE7piLZIjtgLhxH1C91FsZS9kYGwZ3FE5DyAa_8KfvnXOgXD-xK8QzUp0EH_OBaispj7rIiakPCX-s2K_jUaM5FaP32xWlNO08xmalny0kHpfNMsfZwhx/s640/blogger-image--1695980479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">I have a confession to make. I've been reworking old blog posts lately. I haven't been cooking, baking, decorating, sewing, and photographing all of those fun adventures. Instead, I've been sitting in my recliner chair, snuggling in my electric blanket, and spending time thumbing through magazines and looking at blogs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">See this picture: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGDiKl-IkcWBk4UpttZgH7Ad7N1qan_FvG6cwQuWQn9RM5NtUYPkZbC6BOmXmyvzoc8XiVzbjLDOwR8f7_vsPTLPJ-r9towlbWstJo3RS_yBLw1G3qDluJOakTJ_zpen7939BSxXRXxRd/s640/blogger-image-1365145540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGDiKl-IkcWBk4UpttZgH7Ad7N1qan_FvG6cwQuWQn9RM5NtUYPkZbC6BOmXmyvzoc8XiVzbjLDOwR8f7_vsPTLPJ-r9towlbWstJo3RS_yBLw1G3qDluJOakTJ_zpen7939BSxXRXxRd/s640/blogger-image-1365145540.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">It's a picture from my MRI. Right in the center of the picture, there is a little gray thing that looks like it's about the size of a pea. Well, that little thing is not supposed to be there. It's been causing me serious problems since last Spring. I started going to the doctor last April, telling them that I had some very intense pain that didn't feel muscular, but felt deeper. They thought I had everything from muscular pain to heart problems. After being tested for anything and everything, they finally did an MRI and decided I had a herniated disc in my neck. They wanted to do surgery at the beginning of September. I'm pretty sure I either laughed at that or stared at them blankly. Ummm. Hello... I teach kindergarten!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">So, after several months of agonizing pain combined with cheerful singing in kindergarten, I finally had surgery a few weeks ago. I didn't want to post anything because (true confession time) I have a fear of some crazy-pants-lunatic reading my blog (because I'm sure lots of crazies enjoy reading homelife blogs in their spare time) and breaking in to steal my pain meds. I had to wait to share this until I was better and out of meds so the crazies would stay away. You understand, right? Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks this way!</span></span></div>
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Surgery went well, although pain really sucks. I was supposed to rest and not do ANYTHING. As a matter of fact, rule #1 on my post op directions said, "Don't use this time at home to complete projects." So, I sat. I rested. I napped through Thanksgiving. I napped every single day, as a matter of fact. I'm two weeks out from surgery now, and I still can't wake up. The doctor says it's just a side effect of anesthesia and I just need a little more time to shake it off. I still have pain. Have I mentioned that pain sucks? </div>
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During the surgery, they shaved off part of my bone and pulled out the herniated part of the disc. This is supposed to relieve the pressure on the nerve and reduce the pain, numbness, and pressure I feel in my neck, arm, back, and chest. It's amazing that something so small can cause so much pain.</div>
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Looking on the bright side, I've thoroughly enjoyed being home with my kids. My daughter says she wishes I could break my arm or something so I would need to stay home again. Hmmm. I'm not sure I like that plan. I'm not exactly sure I remember the past two weeks because of the anesthetic and the meds, but I'm sure I enjoyed the time at home.</div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">I took this picture of my daughter because it sums up her life perfectly. Her hair is unbrushed. Her snack bag is on the chair. She has a combination of basketball uniform and jammie pants for her outfit of choice. Her soccer blanket is close by because she loves to be warm, and she's happily doing puzzles in the entry way. I wish I would have taken the picture just a few minutes earlier because the ipad was set up and she was finishing a movie, while calling a friend to see if she wanted to come do puzzles together. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife4ckI-lO20LaSXzHSWrzIgO12q6my-kMZnQHd3h3Ormp_IJoYSr5M5bk8vWvQsdg5l2648dRNM6qMuZu-ee8_87z15P5uaIfwmLct0rbWs_KvRibj-KH1t0zb-7J_NmmWv-5SVVK8B0V/s1600/IMG_7313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife4ckI-lO20LaSXzHSWrzIgO12q6my-kMZnQHd3h3Ormp_IJoYSr5M5bk8vWvQsdg5l2648dRNM6qMuZu-ee8_87z15P5uaIfwmLct0rbWs_KvRibj-KH1t0zb-7J_NmmWv-5SVVK8B0V/s640/IMG_7313.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife4ckI-lO20LaSXzHSWrzIgO12q6my-kMZnQHd3h3Ormp_IJoYSr5M5bk8vWvQsdg5l2648dRNM6qMuZu-ee8_87z15P5uaIfwmLct0rbWs_KvRibj-KH1t0zb-7J_NmmWv-5SVVK8B0V/s1600/IMG_7313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife4ckI-lO20LaSXzHSWrzIgO12q6my-kMZnQHd3h3Ormp_IJoYSr5M5bk8vWvQsdg5l2648dRNM6qMuZu-ee8_87z15P5uaIfwmLct0rbWs_KvRibj-KH1t0zb-7J_NmmWv-5SVVK8B0V/s1600/IMG_7313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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While I had my camera out, I asked my son if he would let me take a few pictures. I wanted to see if I could get the ball spinning on his finger in a blur, while he was in focus. It took me a few tries, but I got it. It was then that I really appreciated being home with my kids. It was Thanksgiving break, so I would have been home with my kids anyway, but it just felt more restful. (Possibly because I had been resting for days upon days.)</div>
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So, that's my story. I'm doing better, but I wish I could say I'm 100%. I will be back to my regular blogging and teaching soon! Until then... Happy Resting!</div>
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Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-7873316253579657972015-11-25T14:12:00.000-08:002015-11-27T15:26:45.786-08:00Quilt Binding 101<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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When I got the urge to start this quilt, the fabric had been sitting on my sewing table for quite a while and I really had no plans for it, so a quilt seemed like a good choice. I wanted something simple and mindless. I wasn't in the mood to think too hard about measurements and fabric placement. I just wanted to sew. I came up with a VERY simple quilt top, which I figured I'd try free motion quilting on. I wasn't too excited about the free motion quilting part of that idea, so when I finished, the quilt tops sat there for about half of the year. Finally, I decided it was time to get these quilts out of the craft room and into the family room. While I was at it, I took pictures of the quilt binding process.<br />
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If you've ever wanted to learn to bind a quilt, here's the step by step tutorial. If you really don't care, please don't waste your time reading this, because it's very picture heavy.<br />
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I use 2 1/2 inch strips when I make quilt bindings. I use a cutting mat, rotary cutter, and quilting ruler to make sure my strips are perfect.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UK-QbyCNbDvqO14dT3b-G_eh-TotbmxtLVtKo5qH7n9zSy9Cjescaw4rn25OaxEb28tZHlJtUwpgHOnt3ye0aaGMbyzlux31iDR1pGsWQElfRiMlhinyZ-oY2ZZ7Aza-EzLpnnWcgn54/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UK-QbyCNbDvqO14dT3b-G_eh-TotbmxtLVtKo5qH7n9zSy9Cjescaw4rn25OaxEb28tZHlJtUwpgHOnt3ye0aaGMbyzlux31iDR1pGsWQElfRiMlhinyZ-oY2ZZ7Aza-EzLpnnWcgn54/s640/IMG_0120.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Once the strips are cut, it's time to join them together. I place two pieces (right sides together) and sew from corner to corner. I overlapped a little on the ends of each piece because I knew I'd cut that part off. You can draw a line to follow if you'd like, but I just eyeball it.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQI0h08kgPjzY0Wm7aIfaLV1ji3enuy5sSBhiC4kIZtXIg1GwEEqUfiBJPkdw6nB7P96vpHmc3O3OgixjvsHb0cBuYeMYbVKok50II24Yf1Pn5RbKKlajHcvWBJfyouY4Bf2Ge69XH7sS/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQI0h08kgPjzY0Wm7aIfaLV1ji3enuy5sSBhiC4kIZtXIg1GwEEqUfiBJPkdw6nB7P96vpHmc3O3OgixjvsHb0cBuYeMYbVKok50II24Yf1Pn5RbKKlajHcvWBJfyouY4Bf2Ge69XH7sS/s640/IMG_0121.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Cut off the extra fabric.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1L3luTen1TulFAnwSBBR4ufLJeRF2ouNCvawUP-HQj79pNapq-_5SmgHYQ39CbzYtYAVpmbEgcX4VwholCv-s16GfZtmqazXvhoL2frcfHXfcAZY_OsX9PBOb5W4xAaxYzulI-npSX1X/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1L3luTen1TulFAnwSBBR4ufLJeRF2ouNCvawUP-HQj79pNapq-_5SmgHYQ39CbzYtYAVpmbEgcX4VwholCv-s16GfZtmqazXvhoL2frcfHXfcAZY_OsX9PBOb5W4xAaxYzulI-npSX1X/s640/IMG_0122.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
When you open in up, it looks like this. Press the seams to one side and then keep adding more strips in the same way.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOII8T2Fs3qs2BVy2kt-cv8xztXhJi98g842C9D-AQLQJd-a00-3ExQXGNVAEdmWJen8YvJ4N9zHR705didN8Kdlz_9G34mlhJ7ML-oDcZyVfeh_ojX7PzAZ-O5PNRUGppDYn_cNJROvp/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOII8T2Fs3qs2BVy2kt-cv8xztXhJi98g842C9D-AQLQJd-a00-3ExQXGNVAEdmWJen8YvJ4N9zHR705didN8Kdlz_9G34mlhJ7ML-oDcZyVfeh_ojX7PzAZ-O5PNRUGppDYn_cNJROvp/s640/IMG_0123.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Next, you need to iron your fabric. In the past I would fold my fabric, wrong sides together, finger press it down, and then iron it. It's not hard and it's not too time consuming, but then I spotted this cool contraption on a quilting show on PBS. (There I go again, admitting that I spend my spare time watching sewing shows on public television. Nerd alert!) This is a binding maker from Singer. It is so cool! It folds, presses, and spits out perfect quilt binding in about 2 minutes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG62jTm5-O4wGqkSgQDjOAh-tkV0MUkUHLszbUf0LWz2mRyAifd2NxApuYpZPeQxTXCBXXpmYuqAsSL33frCuDDFnEHITkhgOI9Vkne4RjKM4EyeD7qmlq0f2QkbM6WiLXL1H-uJVcobmq/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG62jTm5-O4wGqkSgQDjOAh-tkV0MUkUHLszbUf0LWz2mRyAifd2NxApuYpZPeQxTXCBXXpmYuqAsSL33frCuDDFnEHITkhgOI9Vkne4RjKM4EyeD7qmlq0f2QkbM6WiLXL1H-uJVcobmq/s640/IMG_0124.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
It comes out of the machine perfectly pressed. That little piece on the end is the iron. It has a little roller in it so everything is automatic. If you sew, you know how cool this is! It even makes piping, although I haven't tried that yet. Ok, so if you don't have this cool machine, just fold the fabric in half and iron. That's the way I have made it for the past 15 years and it works just fine. </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6mq6p68aKMmIfkCqBXsAi1j-nRI3_RfoN73roFshBS7oeMlwHWS1B8VX5c8tZen1OOeyKmh522crttb5ehD82HceYkiLms5J2VX2xuXbHVQdzpbRp7l1OwN68wTGup3evr3pAuF5q_Yr/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6mq6p68aKMmIfkCqBXsAi1j-nRI3_RfoN73roFshBS7oeMlwHWS1B8VX5c8tZen1OOeyKmh522crttb5ehD82HceYkiLms5J2VX2xuXbHVQdzpbRp7l1OwN68wTGup3evr3pAuF5q_Yr/s640/IMG_0125.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Just one more picture of my fun new toy doing its thing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHR-A_tFuQEXG2c_0L_0e1FEcxah6f7kuzFvrwFpQTlyC2utkU56Zkz2_D3n2ds_5VuP-ObenpmcCMdSdJMz5aoUiM7X_mxUWXHQmmKurx-MQ1U_lmWnfdQcsXBQzFmF7G7aqvIpOAUNA/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHR-A_tFuQEXG2c_0L_0e1FEcxah6f7kuzFvrwFpQTlyC2utkU56Zkz2_D3n2ds_5VuP-ObenpmcCMdSdJMz5aoUiM7X_mxUWXHQmmKurx-MQ1U_lmWnfdQcsXBQzFmF7G7aqvIpOAUNA/s640/IMG_0126.JPG" width="425" /></a><br />
<br />
Ok, maybe just one more. See how it fold the fabric for you before going into the iron. You can get that tip in other sizes too. It's "sew" much fun!</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUbyXkYH5ZnTcBAJBuLesqlyp5bzL2fR7GsXDrbZq6be9ZIF9deYaIkg3GjaarSAEHOR26unp_8dH4etwh_663291kxg3ULgeyfxBlucMDGYVov2qep4ztJkUH1my6RQJ0vj9PMWXjK_r/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUbyXkYH5ZnTcBAJBuLesqlyp5bzL2fR7GsXDrbZq6be9ZIF9deYaIkg3GjaarSAEHOR26unp_8dH4etwh_663291kxg3ULgeyfxBlucMDGYVov2qep4ztJkUH1my6RQJ0vj9PMWXjK_r/s640/IMG_0127.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
When you're done pressing, you'll have a pile of quilt binding. Get ready to sew.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsOtM5fCgXPVHwKlabpmIMOOySYlLbQVTw-dj2ELTEPmxVh1m-ihz_FvNHhGSfkt0xTsz7B4pLP23WY_1Zu5yzxjL6vlGCRch2GRTjySOtZsmTvnGwxEYX6683e9kjfa_Z3Qv9higgeJL/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsOtM5fCgXPVHwKlabpmIMOOySYlLbQVTw-dj2ELTEPmxVh1m-ihz_FvNHhGSfkt0xTsz7B4pLP23WY_1Zu5yzxjL6vlGCRch2GRTjySOtZsmTvnGwxEYX6683e9kjfa_Z3Qv9higgeJL/s640/IMG_0130.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The first thing I do is trim my starting edge at an angle.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPBbmoAr1i4GU0eeaxye7VbKnFrFTQHKzMKCdn7n-3LAnDuiW86iw8G1nyHdaMavwbhLU-HAvklN0J4aTKmoqjcMnhNY2wN5hyphenhyphen1Fai-iYp6a93f6sVYWyK3MNuClcxlnlKd4iSma9PsLE/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPBbmoAr1i4GU0eeaxye7VbKnFrFTQHKzMKCdn7n-3LAnDuiW86iw8G1nyHdaMavwbhLU-HAvklN0J4aTKmoqjcMnhNY2wN5hyphenhyphen1Fai-iYp6a93f6sVYWyK3MNuClcxlnlKd4iSma9PsLE/s640/IMG_0131.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Then I open it up and fold it back.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEzPiQFaRDn8guY5koWBiAFo9MTSp4nHfk_WsuG8JAt8CYmqqC8gvi3dCWkek8pXGBccDqiL60S9uhkiAtQZYksawi9p4W78K06-pMMxuQZ0K3lfdGW6QWD-8CM7AoBOslTUWy824CkR8/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEzPiQFaRDn8guY5koWBiAFo9MTSp4nHfk_WsuG8JAt8CYmqqC8gvi3dCWkek8pXGBccDqiL60S9uhkiAtQZYksawi9p4W78K06-pMMxuQZ0K3lfdGW6QWD-8CM7AoBOslTUWy824CkR8/s640/IMG_0132.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
When you close the fabric back up, it gives you a clean edge.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyu9ZKDITVsPjW1Cd8RpVnSNR7XmeLRnWIDQOW9n1O5DbxlWXVANkArlUc2STPa5WDQjyyEWQnIf2ZyUm3fEp1tb65iysfQbKhjcxE8JXvuWrBUR3mpS3simA4ZOSSZ1UPJurRVt_97Nz/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyu9ZKDITVsPjW1Cd8RpVnSNR7XmeLRnWIDQOW9n1O5DbxlWXVANkArlUc2STPa5WDQjyyEWQnIf2ZyUm3fEp1tb65iysfQbKhjcxE8JXvuWrBUR3mpS3simA4ZOSSZ1UPJurRVt_97Nz/s640/IMG_0133.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
To start binding my quilts, I usually don't start at a corner. I just pick somewhere in the middle, at the bottom, and line my binding fabric up. You'll notice that I have the raw edge of my quilt lined up with the raw edge of my binding fabric. The over hanging fabric is my quilt batting, and you can't see it but the backing fabric is there too.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHKQzuwgP9Q90qMybnT4iet7kOHVskrMiSAuBdA3giXxvIPnlfu6MDyOzyM638361hphA5jKdMYy4Bqox5dppiS2HWhWfPcKvv_vx77YzX0nKobIgqFPLcQe58FfjrvwzI-N6T2_CU7_Q/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHKQzuwgP9Q90qMybnT4iet7kOHVskrMiSAuBdA3giXxvIPnlfu6MDyOzyM638361hphA5jKdMYy4Bqox5dppiS2HWhWfPcKvv_vx77YzX0nKobIgqFPLcQe58FfjrvwzI-N6T2_CU7_Q/s640/IMG_0134.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Line the presser foot up along the edge of the fabric, backtack a few stitches and then start sewing a straight line.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X9TJP7tyl_Vui3qL-ieaeptXGZtrXl7tBHIGah8xDqdqwCLwgXnMz7rX1WcyCNazAM8NtBEf8EkJxuYiW1KCHah9j4wm1BNpymh4CzyJ7MT4xdOsiSb52ZSF9mqs-CabRjlaODuZk6y8/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X9TJP7tyl_Vui3qL-ieaeptXGZtrXl7tBHIGah8xDqdqwCLwgXnMz7rX1WcyCNazAM8NtBEf8EkJxuYiW1KCHah9j4wm1BNpymh4CzyJ7MT4xdOsiSb52ZSF9mqs-CabRjlaODuZk6y8/s640/IMG_0135.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiondI2CPcg2oxJ_bKXGr5Y7HNmJDEhMIwPgfiGtNOYTLYbvx6SGkJuRzuZO-q2id9iUc_jhio8OQHZvxsyZc3aKgLUjK5MWUtv1vi7tE3aB-kbG9BWMYRBYwr3kgNSK9p_98f0JAfVH3ra/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiondI2CPcg2oxJ_bKXGr5Y7HNmJDEhMIwPgfiGtNOYTLYbvx6SGkJuRzuZO-q2id9iUc_jhio8OQHZvxsyZc3aKgLUjK5MWUtv1vi7tE3aB-kbG9BWMYRBYwr3kgNSK9p_98f0JAfVH3ra/s640/IMG_0136.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
When you get just about to the end, maybe a quarter of an inch away, backstitch about an inch.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHD_xfRphIkImcM6UF5mqhBIQIZuxuidmzdA6qIhgf4KYXXXdLojmWPA4m6h4_9qf5qf3_R69gFWo9tGEFlbRQEjsHIwb9SgSMlsHbDYS3mswRxe2b1PCqVqeXSilQIMpG59lo34TLCPe/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHD_xfRphIkImcM6UF5mqhBIQIZuxuidmzdA6qIhgf4KYXXXdLojmWPA4m6h4_9qf5qf3_R69gFWo9tGEFlbRQEjsHIwb9SgSMlsHbDYS3mswRxe2b1PCqVqeXSilQIMpG59lo34TLCPe/s640/IMG_0137.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Pull the binding fabric back on top of itself, so it folds into a 45 degree angle.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XCmx5ZxP6Fpy2cStbxk04MmYWp9vtkgouRPWi1nAfhklxecTIp4PEUR_qn_FYdV6_UKaRHC6lOhrU2gxtG0vmqasly5jYcSv8n1JZpH5F97EYxVe0UYKhPKD56tdje8FvcsOXamrclxZ/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XCmx5ZxP6Fpy2cStbxk04MmYWp9vtkgouRPWi1nAfhklxecTIp4PEUR_qn_FYdV6_UKaRHC6lOhrU2gxtG0vmqasly5jYcSv8n1JZpH5F97EYxVe0UYKhPKD56tdje8FvcsOXamrclxZ/s640/IMG_0138.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Then, fold it back on top of itself, lining the edge up with the next side you need to sew.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkdUbpDp5mjwY9Qy0Td7ujXYlUXhwpUcuLRZf4n1zWP18ArNIK822ezkkDtjct_SlR90H0DyzWvsAzgG3IQ3sBjA89gfOUCMPrV23YL0cMUZkxoCdfgFzGOAMua53nHdIDKU5Bk7838S_/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkdUbpDp5mjwY9Qy0Td7ujXYlUXhwpUcuLRZf4n1zWP18ArNIK822ezkkDtjct_SlR90H0DyzWvsAzgG3IQ3sBjA89gfOUCMPrV23YL0cMUZkxoCdfgFzGOAMua53nHdIDKU5Bk7838S_/s640/IMG_0139.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I know that's kind of tricky. Let's try that one more time. I'm close to the edge.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSv20b_Lu9FFLiVMHCR3AtetgcsCawuSb2_ggtMORUvPmABTHydDGs40RcyuqErq9xfXDlZGMobF9BmZiIaGJz_ZsMo-AMep2OoT5jjApp4dx4trUXZ8fqfQrrHMPGUnrJb6cWg7Z9Ubb/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSv20b_Lu9FFLiVMHCR3AtetgcsCawuSb2_ggtMORUvPmABTHydDGs40RcyuqErq9xfXDlZGMobF9BmZiIaGJz_ZsMo-AMep2OoT5jjApp4dx4trUXZ8fqfQrrHMPGUnrJb6cWg7Z9Ubb/s640/IMG_0136.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Backstitch an inch.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0z3t-VBv8chvbz8sTIyfe8SmNyvCskh933vXdGouCpeu525TbsnymRuGp3wvSoNYyED6gxUT4WLVXMG9i3PEJYFaxliRR2F7yMW6yzAgOk4-vblKKH5X4ahssiDLng0-zvv7sgShbHXy-/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0z3t-VBv8chvbz8sTIyfe8SmNyvCskh933vXdGouCpeu525TbsnymRuGp3wvSoNYyED6gxUT4WLVXMG9i3PEJYFaxliRR2F7yMW6yzAgOk4-vblKKH5X4ahssiDLng0-zvv7sgShbHXy-/s640/IMG_0137.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Fold.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAE4D2AGu0mSYwVnkF-2uiCIjWhOa1-YzdWn49mUca3cfiJ22aAIHvThzGNjlaKwUZu0Rf673Qe-cR1bl5CV48sDDmX2fCVZfVk44v9y4hb8WigBeNUHTODAGkVN-UubW7gGdyT3CsflL/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAE4D2AGu0mSYwVnkF-2uiCIjWhOa1-YzdWn49mUca3cfiJ22aAIHvThzGNjlaKwUZu0Rf673Qe-cR1bl5CV48sDDmX2fCVZfVk44v9y4hb8WigBeNUHTODAGkVN-UubW7gGdyT3CsflL/s640/IMG_0138.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Fold and line up with the new side.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pYXwTfRBGxPsBL2JERgM4-ZPjXeZKyDUcxA2t-lS80TH2R0p0KrZAXHx2tIbGXqkx-qtEjBnMQtROYdMCapvamaIKfInWFYGMnLFI7WIEgLSm0JtjctdraNAIcpLVAKzGPbzSYxjDBbE/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pYXwTfRBGxPsBL2JERgM4-ZPjXeZKyDUcxA2t-lS80TH2R0p0KrZAXHx2tIbGXqkx-qtEjBnMQtROYdMCapvamaIKfInWFYGMnLFI7WIEgLSm0JtjctdraNAIcpLVAKzGPbzSYxjDBbE/s640/IMG_0139.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Then, you can lift your presser foot, turn your quilt, and get ready to sew the next side.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBuvW3MEWe1lBrO9bqUSOSUJ_d220GZsu9SeexpNrBKU0v0gcZWGih-4T1dmUHyX3vkBMcAYWMLvleqjVvcCtImP6opu7HzkQAwHkGfmCq-GFEnad86Bn2qE0y3yFGQInJ8tCAQDUVoFN/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBuvW3MEWe1lBrO9bqUSOSUJ_d220GZsu9SeexpNrBKU0v0gcZWGih-4T1dmUHyX3vkBMcAYWMLvleqjVvcCtImP6opu7HzkQAwHkGfmCq-GFEnad86Bn2qE0y3yFGQInJ8tCAQDUVoFN/s640/IMG_0140.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdotJkeEF6rqHTrWbasSMFRkuG61RsyGsAITcopEg-8pDbYbn5riX-fVSlgquPDRkJuhpAr2UhTXTSuZ-F8fpj6HsX81gvw8lessT8F-4nTTozB9rjQlC7qgQbllLl0qLiaLdOr7mUq_Pv/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdotJkeEF6rqHTrWbasSMFRkuG61RsyGsAITcopEg-8pDbYbn5riX-fVSlgquPDRkJuhpAr2UhTXTSuZ-F8fpj6HsX81gvw8lessT8F-4nTTozB9rjQlC7qgQbllLl0qLiaLdOr7mUq_Pv/s640/IMG_0141.JPG" width="425" /></a><br />
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When you get to the end, turn the fabric under again, like you did at the beginning. That gives it a nice clean edge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja17mabDByehgYQdOooedEvY0neHrqqBFSINhntRhML9fYL-2ffViH4-9sBVdS2YmRbn2bZgvlc_1WRkTmGOMk4QJR_0McppT7tQQk5QQ1j9p3n74zYGHNxAzrGyJr1-bPSEU76oKz9DHA/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja17mabDByehgYQdOooedEvY0neHrqqBFSINhntRhML9fYL-2ffViH4-9sBVdS2YmRbn2bZgvlc_1WRkTmGOMk4QJR_0McppT7tQQk5QQ1j9p3n74zYGHNxAzrGyJr1-bPSEU76oKz9DHA/s640/IMG_0142.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Finish sewing the binding down. </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTE35HBUUYKt0Qq7EoXgcyEPjUXsodxORDlHrLuDvwX-_ZxdJ16_8It_d4oIjrtIWX5zX2wfncgvAYHHUiKgXVx9Wgbbh9K1oF2Piin6RDqyVDD_hgJezS0qNPKo6StHctoJfCuS570MY/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTE35HBUUYKt0Qq7EoXgcyEPjUXsodxORDlHrLuDvwX-_ZxdJ16_8It_d4oIjrtIWX5zX2wfncgvAYHHUiKgXVx9Wgbbh9K1oF2Piin6RDqyVDD_hgJezS0qNPKo6StHctoJfCuS570MY/s640/IMG_0143.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Hey, look at that! Someone got a pretty new cutting mat! I really needed a new cutting mat and found this one in red. I've never seen a red cutting mat before, but I'm loving it!<br />
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I use my ruler and rotary cutter to remove the extra batting and backing fabric. I line the quilt ruler up along the edge of the binding fabric and cut. This still leaves that 1/4 inch seam allowance. Don't cut that off, because it's what makes the binding fluffly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjTuIeHxp2cyUy-wxJVw_FdqzIaBf_SCyb7f8hpvkOPavyatd5wjrYbGiQdbs_wuq4F6DRuuCIZXjlSruZ2rwCEPsZKmmsn7jhOutF9ah69RpviDBCoqACULrTJ4mgLTThSKpT_d68ISM/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjTuIeHxp2cyUy-wxJVw_FdqzIaBf_SCyb7f8hpvkOPavyatd5wjrYbGiQdbs_wuq4F6DRuuCIZXjlSruZ2rwCEPsZKmmsn7jhOutF9ah69RpviDBCoqACULrTJ4mgLTThSKpT_d68ISM/s640/IMG_0144.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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When you're done trimming, the quilt will look like this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyV2TRtPOzY35LujEh_DMaErj7VfEbxajVWAKRzMcCG6v9Puui09l4hDhC6O03K5mqBFhfrHVUFKd9hYaGOF7Yz9agxGsimWwG90meWluYZSjrJ4jcYdrLyC50IByJYvkyY2knYKr8u9n/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyV2TRtPOzY35LujEh_DMaErj7VfEbxajVWAKRzMcCG6v9Puui09l4hDhC6O03K5mqBFhfrHVUFKd9hYaGOF7Yz9agxGsimWwG90meWluYZSjrJ4jcYdrLyC50IByJYvkyY2knYKr8u9n/s640/IMG_0145.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Flip the quilt to the back side, roll the fabric around the edge and pin. I really hate pinning, so I only do it when I really have to. The first couple of times you bind a quilt, you'll want to pin. After that, just hold it with your fingers and go for it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCNjumz8M_ovJKP8_lebeQe-rhgeBrf9q5KFuC0CyZPImlZcY6I77kWANNQr53vIIbEl-alXie2yR7zKlVLS3mssWr_572AgGvmunktqZZ4cjEaCto9YCapzv-c7UaYs7Ad2l5gK4LGtp/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCNjumz8M_ovJKP8_lebeQe-rhgeBrf9q5KFuC0CyZPImlZcY6I77kWANNQr53vIIbEl-alXie2yR7zKlVLS3mssWr_572AgGvmunktqZZ4cjEaCto9YCapzv-c7UaYs7Ad2l5gK4LGtp/s640/IMG_0146.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
When you are sewing the binding down, you want to get REALLY close to the edge. See how my needle is right next to the edge of the binding fabric. I want to go right along that edge. It takes some practice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLji0pE3LXO3Qq-gfKC0_LXCf1MMsZhHzBhuBtdD6-BrBCgxwszdJGPooFugVHE_0LYWX3sdUiKB_DHy45mwFSLtWFrnf-QyDxvZnugvRadx5ncD8JMLklUjmGIO7nSXZqZNXIzR0EYJL/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLji0pE3LXO3Qq-gfKC0_LXCf1MMsZhHzBhuBtdD6-BrBCgxwszdJGPooFugVHE_0LYWX3sdUiKB_DHy45mwFSLtWFrnf-QyDxvZnugvRadx5ncD8JMLklUjmGIO7nSXZqZNXIzR0EYJL/s640/IMG_0147.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTQpqPxvVaEeaIkBBkH4ySYdDy5BCkLfG1HiCXmj3m6PyfTZNCkmJnSHhzoIO89YwpQ7CY4hipfKpPTcVbR8Z4dgWa-84y4ryJ8Ee2QcjnLsb36KkgJH09nJ1LLPXZMx_mR1Levq15IoM/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTQpqPxvVaEeaIkBBkH4ySYdDy5BCkLfG1HiCXmj3m6PyfTZNCkmJnSHhzoIO89YwpQ7CY4hipfKpPTcVbR8Z4dgWa-84y4ryJ8Ee2QcjnLsb36KkgJH09nJ1LLPXZMx_mR1Levq15IoM/s640/IMG_0149.JPG" width="425" /></a><br />
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When you get to a corner, you'll need to fold the fabric.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOdKqjEjHs4BaCJq2luQNikQ4Ox4IRyTzSVQE4b64EuVbcNa-oOCUmgdlzKdBs7887J3UoDQJmtu_RczbLUxtEkz1kSbyJc6jvpUEDFoR0iLAhXnc9UbO-6lcRG9YfdSaSCW2eIk8xo2w/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOdKqjEjHs4BaCJq2luQNikQ4Ox4IRyTzSVQE4b64EuVbcNa-oOCUmgdlzKdBs7887J3UoDQJmtu_RczbLUxtEkz1kSbyJc6jvpUEDFoR0iLAhXnc9UbO-6lcRG9YfdSaSCW2eIk8xo2w/s640/IMG_0150.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
It makes a nice mitered corner. When you get to the point, put the needle down into the fabric, and turn the quilt so you can keep sewing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZGPlRkJKWFjcPyvbHCUIZzGoYPyksa7ML3LsHaWLxw5KgnlV9hudZX0KUHmAwMDIous2-okuTGs3ofYjAhHgmZUxSgmQMlhqWXVJ1Nto5drm_UGy8pcG5-fdeykymlbT-JtBpQ8BRI4o/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZGPlRkJKWFjcPyvbHCUIZzGoYPyksa7ML3LsHaWLxw5KgnlV9hudZX0KUHmAwMDIous2-okuTGs3ofYjAhHgmZUxSgmQMlhqWXVJ1Nto5drm_UGy8pcG5-fdeykymlbT-JtBpQ8BRI4o/s640/IMG_0151.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Keep going all the way around the quilt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m0xbiSjRwNsfOpY_wuO4jXTo0YiI5i-lTx7uciS7JgLUxaq3OjypwkbuFGHjRYZgL61rpDuxYkTPjf43H1mt96tOXq3PRbrZQ9y6VFbF2JoXHqV_FRp4xTYM7K23JsM_9FkH0T8k3erk/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m0xbiSjRwNsfOpY_wuO4jXTo0YiI5i-lTx7uciS7JgLUxaq3OjypwkbuFGHjRYZgL61rpDuxYkTPjf43H1mt96tOXq3PRbrZQ9y6VFbF2JoXHqV_FRp4xTYM7K23JsM_9FkH0T8k3erk/s640/IMG_0152.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Here's my finished quilt. I can't say I'm in love with it. I love the fabrics, but I'm a little bored with the finished product. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUxiWeIS4KjNNDgNchZMXPS6Jh_U1k7r4mB2VpO6r1XJp9SdkQ2hWKEGwgyg66zymMQOTbJbqxdyzfABXGTaALW5gb4MdWc_CwWkQumDIKbb0qY0fPhNXsffa6zUOnRqQS68WPcIPnaKU/s1600/IMG_0153.CR2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUxiWeIS4KjNNDgNchZMXPS6Jh_U1k7r4mB2VpO6r1XJp9SdkQ2hWKEGwgyg66zymMQOTbJbqxdyzfABXGTaALW5gb4MdWc_CwWkQumDIKbb0qY0fPhNXsffa6zUOnRqQS68WPcIPnaKU/s640/IMG_0153.CR2.jpg" width="425" /></a><br />
I did get to try my hand at machine quilting. I made the swirly patterns in the big squares, which is something I've never done before.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h8dI-BjGLZYl-s0fwItjTOn_hdBxH4NRzWjhbEAUjwGJNzonEelFeI_VQ81uhgMn0KQSDWyG4uq_yodpc1FJ5N2wgA04r0JvzbSxFBLERbjoCDRHTZg9wdwsxhUELt3N44zF5XvemLFz/s1600/IMG_0155.CR2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h8dI-BjGLZYl-s0fwItjTOn_hdBxH4NRzWjhbEAUjwGJNzonEelFeI_VQ81uhgMn0KQSDWyG4uq_yodpc1FJ5N2wgA04r0JvzbSxFBLERbjoCDRHTZg9wdwsxhUELt3N44zF5XvemLFz/s640/IMG_0155.CR2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I made two of these quilts and put them over the chairs in my family room. They add a little color and I'm happy about that. If you're working on a quilt of your own, I'd love to see it. You can email me a picture at <a href="mailto:homeiswheremystorybegins@gmail.com">homeiswheremystorybegins@gmail.com</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLeeLlsx0SYPgriuh0bR1gv0qbHJYRnx5QIK-zNR7vYyBwyTiYrbdRLMIzasKoks1PvA4n-MP5MqEIw7rvB3eYlVs_Wgq2gIKCL93WylItu6NGx_5FYDCJsQtkHcqpst-w_ttpXkHirbi/s1600/IMG_0156.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLeeLlsx0SYPgriuh0bR1gv0qbHJYRnx5QIK-zNR7vYyBwyTiYrbdRLMIzasKoks1PvA4n-MP5MqEIw7rvB3eYlVs_Wgq2gIKCL93WylItu6NGx_5FYDCJsQtkHcqpst-w_ttpXkHirbi/s640/IMG_0156.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Happy quilting!</div>
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<div align="center"><a href="http://www.dolendiaries.com" title="Dolen Diaries"><img src="http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y460/dolendiaries/hit%20me%20with%20your%20best%20shot/Button-Small_zpsa34dbfe5.jpg" alt="Dolen Diaries" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://nap-timecreations.com/" title="Nap-Time Creations"><img alt="Nap-Time Creations" src="http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy168/thompsone1/button_zps578a12c4.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-50748642630102848862015-11-24T14:05:00.000-08:002015-11-24T14:05:01.700-08:00Vintage Sheet Quilt<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
A few months ago I was browsing different sewing blogs and came across several different quilts made from vintage sheets. I've never been a huge fan of the shabby chic look, and the frilly look has never been a favorite either, but I do love vintage! I started looking around for vintage sheets and didn't find anything quite vintage enough. (80's sheets aren't quite vintage in my book.) I asked my mom to keep an eye out for me, and she found the vintage sheet motherload in about 2 days flat.<br />
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Well, those vintage sheets sat in my cupboard for quite a long time. I didn't really know what I was going to do with them and it was a ton of fabric. I was a bit overwhelmed. Then, one day, I decided that doing something (anything) was better than nothing, so I started cutting them up. (More on that later. I definitely learned a few things about how to tackle the cutting phase.) I decided to cut the sheets in fat quarters and then use the fabric to make a little quilt.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fTnIER7ThASumQZH6jzjsZWata4B4BF4YTLHvbS5T1wwKn2H_6Id_y0ynKVII3-bHund-pP0Zsc85S88IrMNx7NKVB6OjNHYj-YVqGZUJBnBpH9A1scboA-_f6TK4X_85vy9Qc_EHIZP/s1600/Vintage+Sheet+Quilt+cover.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fTnIER7ThASumQZH6jzjsZWata4B4BF4YTLHvbS5T1wwKn2H_6Id_y0ynKVII3-bHund-pP0Zsc85S88IrMNx7NKVB6OjNHYj-YVqGZUJBnBpH9A1scboA-_f6TK4X_85vy9Qc_EHIZP/s640/Vintage+Sheet+Quilt+cover.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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What do you think? Not bad for a bunch of old sheets! I used a combination of 5 inch squares from sheets and 5 inch plain white fabric squares. I wanted to make a small quilt because I think it's a good example of a simple quilt that even a beginner could do. I did my own quilting on this one. I've always enjoyed taking my quilts to my quilt lady to finish up for me. I know <i>how</i> to do my own quilting, but it's my least favorite part of the whole process. I figured if I made a quilt that was small enough, I could tackle quilting it myself. Surprisingly, I didn't hate the process and I didn't even hate the finished product. (Usually, when I try to do it on my own, I end up cringing every time I look at it.) This time, I think it turned out ok! I think the quilting pattern adds to the overall look too. <br />
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My daughter's eyes lit up when she saw the finished quilt. I think she almost had a bit of panic when she asked who this was for, probably afraid I was going to give it away. I told her I was going to use it as a sample, but that she could have it when I was done taking pictures of it. In her very calm voice she sighed and said, "I really love that one." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSi-EckzGzrLDjFvDGzfEyl5Phyphenhyphen3-BnRpuXH6BJWlx80FCwU_-BXNCatX1WgD1NfghqCQpNOaTF-wTY6IMoFIA12xKGYmHJMr9uw3glLtbBuLuBRSTP2R8Oaj7n82JM4fucZYIQ7VOz6H/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSi-EckzGzrLDjFvDGzfEyl5Phyphenhyphen3-BnRpuXH6BJWlx80FCwU_-BXNCatX1WgD1NfghqCQpNOaTF-wTY6IMoFIA12xKGYmHJMr9uw3glLtbBuLuBRSTP2R8Oaj7n82JM4fucZYIQ7VOz6H/s640/IMG_1101.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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So, friends, I have several of these vintage sheet fat quarter bundles all packaged up. I have also written up the pattern for this quilt with super-easy instructions. This is a great beginner quilt. The vintage sheet bundles are available for purchase. Feel free to email me and I can hook you up. (homeiswheremystorybegins@gmail.com) The bundles will be selling for $12 per pack of 7 fat quarters. For those of you who are unfamiliar with fat quarters, it is an 18"x22" rectangle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9vx7mPfzL2Oetkiae7LkHmlSTnlJ8RNg0W2I310TCBxUTErKJZaQEPkLTbBZIGHS_o4fJGJ3zd05g8Vr2rKA5DEYqD2FHdW9UK16PiW3cmrwxYf3R7jMly4IWKgMx1U1pqHJCaHzpYFH/s1600/Vintage+Sheet+Fat+Quarter+Pack.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9vx7mPfzL2Oetkiae7LkHmlSTnlJ8RNg0W2I310TCBxUTErKJZaQEPkLTbBZIGHS_o4fJGJ3zd05g8Vr2rKA5DEYqD2FHdW9UK16PiW3cmrwxYf3R7jMly4IWKgMx1U1pqHJCaHzpYFH/s640/Vintage+Sheet+Fat+Quarter+Pack.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
I'm kind of in love with vintage sheets now.<br />
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Happy quilting!</div>
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Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-63308385369293777232015-11-22T12:26:00.001-08:002015-11-22T12:26:08.633-08:00Copper Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFrNvsEfH5UWYUOfyrZ4saLC-m_RY0_t3_923NmJvaaW4GmP4F0guSUbSmOjDzzhKMYvfCp1j92WOoNb1H4S595cmSNKcyFBlqHRf-u9D9797nDGx2WwKg1GqpHr-euVsCB2GUhESFHdo/s640/blogger-image-2081504105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFrNvsEfH5UWYUOfyrZ4saLC-m_RY0_t3_923NmJvaaW4GmP4F0guSUbSmOjDzzhKMYvfCp1j92WOoNb1H4S595cmSNKcyFBlqHRf-u9D9797nDGx2WwKg1GqpHr-euVsCB2GUhESFHdo/s640/blogger-image-2081504105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm91O3_L3WsuzYVNpIS93XRs2Jf79McJNnwT01bmy7tjDOu6hyphenhyphenPW2tsE6TNbI6AIWds_I3mb-OaYma8AAG-fvrRVrTU3cilFEX06g4kcJH-P2wEudIVh_uGSHL8vd0RfeShOkZ-o4yMbil/s640/blogger-image-317741311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmAfOveqlKzus_e3W4QmJrpiijzSxqEEhJzwoVdRb50iJ8CAdogPh43wZrTVG5F7j8YWfXHTW4dybh4zadBMdEq1DiqAyCshPwsm1NXl2cR_ShFi0iFVVspM0sidBNPh4aD3l53BVtLfl/s640/blogger-image-703448961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't know what it is about copper, but I'm loving it lately. I've been trying to find ways to incorporate copper into my decorating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I bought this bowl for $2 at a garage sale a few years ago. I put it on my bookshelf with a few old books and it adds the perfect amount of brightness.</div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmAfOveqlKzus_e3W4QmJrpiijzSxqEEhJzwoVdRb50iJ8CAdogPh43wZrTVG5F7j8YWfXHTW4dybh4zadBMdEq1DiqAyCshPwsm1NXl2cR_ShFi0iFVVspM0sidBNPh4aD3l53BVtLfl/s640/blogger-image-703448961.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is my favorite copper bowl. It's a big antique bowl that I bought on eBay a few years back. I only paid about $20 for it and I LOVE it. It was hanging on my pot rack for a long time and I've decided to let it shine on my bookshelf.</div><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm91O3_L3WsuzYVNpIS93XRs2Jf79McJNnwT01bmy7tjDOu6hyphenhyphenPW2tsE6TNbI6AIWds_I3mb-OaYma8AAG-fvrRVrTU3cilFEX06g4kcJH-P2wEudIVh_uGSHL8vd0RfeShOkZ-o4yMbil/s640/blogger-image-317741311.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I added a few fall elements to my bookshelves too and they blend in so well with the copper bowls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFrNvsEfH5UWYUOfyrZ4saLC-m_RY0_t3_923NmJvaaW4GmP4F0guSUbSmOjDzzhKMYvfCp1j92WOoNb1H4S595cmSNKcyFBlqHRf-u9D9797nDGx2WwKg1GqpHr-euVsCB2GUhESFHdo/s640/blogger-image-2081504105.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm not sure what I will do when it's time to change things out for Christmas. Does copper look good with traditional Christmas decor? Well, I will find out soon enough because the Christmas decorations are coming out on Friday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqMeKLPNqJ_htbWf_z8cjyioYu1JIDx-PdasrqZ9PXwMEEwN4jAV9BrTE-ty9u7Yaub_ldjTeR7jB5NlIb1W9OLKjvkqk6CofJfcxpu-ManJG79aP5lRGucTPAS2hddRRXT9USizPVrYV/s640/blogger-image-1673308276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqMeKLPNqJ_htbWf_z8cjyioYu1JIDx-PdasrqZ9PXwMEEwN4jAV9BrTE-ty9u7Yaub_ldjTeR7jB5NlIb1W9OLKjvkqk6CofJfcxpu-ManJG79aP5lRGucTPAS2hddRRXT9USizPVrYV/s640/blogger-image-1673308276.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy decorating!</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-55696656973498593202015-11-14T16:08:00.000-08:002015-11-27T15:27:09.242-08:00It's Almost Baking Time - My Favorite Easy Spritz Cookie Recipe<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
Here they are... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY6lBxpclH3WAnAd1jfV44H3vVKj9BVhIZHoyWVhKhNl5E76BGLoosCUHoFdStfILfkaxXDpfGlEJXvfZnS3S-TT4P1UjCQJ2VO_ywDIIdNH53SMWv5xPOnlGezk2J63fnsV_3LmwlU9m/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY6lBxpclH3WAnAd1jfV44H3vVKj9BVhIZHoyWVhKhNl5E76BGLoosCUHoFdStfILfkaxXDpfGlEJXvfZnS3S-TT4P1UjCQJ2VO_ywDIIdNH53SMWv5xPOnlGezk2J63fnsV_3LmwlU9m/s640/IMG_0005.jpg" width="497" /></a><br />
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the first Christmas cookies of the season at our house!<br />
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Recipe for Spritz Cookies<br />
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1 cup butter (room temperature)<br />
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar<br />
2 egg yolks<br />
1 1/2 tsp vanilla<br />
2 1/2 cups flour<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
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Mix butter and powdered sugar. Add egg yolks and vanilla. Mix in flour and salt.<br />
Use a cookie press to shape cookie dough on a lined baking sheet. (I use a Silpat liner.)<br />
Bake at 400 degrees for 6 minutes.<br />
Frost with a powdered sugar and milk glaze.<br />
Add sprinkles.<br />
Let the Christmas baking begin!!!<br />
This is my favorite cookie press. I've owned several cookie presses over the years and the Cuisinart Electric is the one I've had the best luck with.
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=hoiswhmystb0b-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B002X7F35A&asins=B002X7F35A&linkId=Y2VYQ6BSNOGUDUYY&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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I also highly suggest using a Silpat baking mat when you bake cookies. It makes the cookies just slide ride off the pan and have the perfect golden brown tint on the bottom.
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=hoiswhmystb0b-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00008T960&asins=B00008T960&linkId=HIXYTFGVHWOYRJXG&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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Happy baking, Friends!</div>
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<div align="center"><a href="http://www.dolendiaries.com" title="Dolen Diaries"><img src="http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y460/dolendiaries/hit%20me%20with%20your%20best%20shot/Button-Small_zpsa34dbfe5.jpg" alt="Dolen Diaries" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://nap-timecreations.com/" title="Nap-Time Creations"><img alt="Nap-Time Creations" src="http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy168/thompsone1/button_zps578a12c4.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-13961432605098370612015-11-12T19:30:00.000-08:002015-11-12T19:30:06.198-08:00Homemade Bread and Chocolate Chip Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday was Veteran's Day and the kids and I were given the gift of time. It was a day off in the middle of the week that we all needed. My daughter's Veteran's Day concert was the night before and it was a great concert. She didn't seem like her perky self, but I didn't really think much of it... until the fever set in. I guess if you have to get sick, it's best to do it on a day off from school. So, my daughter was down and out, my son wanted to hang out with friends, and I'm just trying to take it easy and ride out my back pain. In the midst of resting and relaxing, I decided that it was a good day for baking bread and cookies. Ok, when is it NOT a good day for baking bread and cookies??</div>
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I started with the bread because it's the easiest. Friends, I know you may think this sounds crazy, but homemade bread is the easiest treat ever! I use the same recipe that my mom always did when I was growing up. Sometimes I will use whole wheat flower instead of white, but it's always the same basic recipe. I make the dough in my bread machine, on the dough cycle, because it makes the process SO much easier. Once the dough is ready I put it into bread pans to rise again. I don't like the way my bread machine cooks the bread, so that's why I just use the dough cycle.</div>
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If you don't own a bread machine, you can buy one for CHEAP at Goodwill. I use mine on a regular basis and I actually have two because it makes the double batches of <u><a href="http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/2010/10/sunday-cinnamon-rolls.html">cinnamon rolls</a></u> so much easier.</div>
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If you're ready to try some easy homemade bread, here's my recipe:</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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1 package yeast</div>
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1/4 cup warm water</div>
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2 cups scalded milk</div>
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1 Tbsp shortening</div>
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6 cups flour</div>
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(white, whole wheat, or a combination)</div>
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2 Tbsp sugar</div>
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2tsp salt</div>
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Combine yeast and warm water. Let it rest for about 10 minutes. Scald the milk and add the shortening so that it melts. Put the milk mixture into the bread machine first. Add the rest of the dry ingredients on top of the milk. Then, pour the yeast mixture on the very top. Set your bread machine to the dough cycle and wait for it to beep at you! Once it has risen in the machine, form into loaves and let rise again until it has doubled in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. </div>
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Tips:</div>
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DON'T BE AFRAID OF YEAST!</div>
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Yeast is very easy to work with and shouldn't be intimidating. When I dissolve the yeast in the warm water, I make sure the water feels slightly warmer than bathtub water. If it is super hot, it will kill the yeast. If you use cold water, it won't activate. I also make sure the milk is about that same temperature. Finally, when I let the bread rise in the pans, I usually turn on my oven to preheat and just set the pans on the stove. It gives the pans just enough warmth to help them rise.<br />
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In addition to homemade bread, it was also a chocolate chip cookie kind of day. Luckily, one kiddo was napping and the other was at a friends house, so I just ate all of the cookies myself and hid the evidence. Ok, just kidding on that one. Actually, after baking the cookies, I put them all into individual baggies and into a freezer container. That way, as the kids are making their lunches, they can pull out a bag of 2 cookies and put it into their lunches. By the time lunch rolls around, the cookies have thawed and are ready to eat. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsK0opXkc2GVtd_xF-mM2HSrGw5P4sAOY-tIrDS06l0y3mtubmwvytISyjlCaw0mURL6FkC3pyb8Kd84zzNgyVY0UtPk5UQeBHGNrfZv9pFjCHFjIg9CWoIenNerv7Ys6qHLbVvED7lh0/s640/blogger-image-1742411489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsK0opXkc2GVtd_xF-mM2HSrGw5P4sAOY-tIrDS06l0y3mtubmwvytISyjlCaw0mURL6FkC3pyb8Kd84zzNgyVY0UtPk5UQeBHGNrfZv9pFjCHFjIg9CWoIenNerv7Ys6qHLbVvED7lh0/s640/blogger-image-1742411489.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here's the recipe:<br />
1 Cup Crisco shortening (original, not butter flavor)<br />
3/4 Cup brown sugar<br />
3/4 Cup white sugar<br />
Mix until soft and fluffy.<br />
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Add:<br />
2 Eggs<br />
1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla<br />
Mix just until blended.<br />
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Dry ingredients:<br />
2 and 1/2 cups flour<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
Mix it up and add 8-12 oz of chocolate chips.<br />
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Bake for 10 minutes (or less) at 350 degrees. My oven is a standard oven, not convection, and this is what I do.<br />
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I didn't check a bunch of items off of my To Do list on Veteran's Day, but I did get to spend time with my kids, rest, and do a little baking. All in all, I'd say that's a productive day.<br />
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Happy baking!</div>
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Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-52672879055792494552015-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:002015-11-10T12:05:02.518-08:00Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
One of the moms, at the school I teach at, recently asked me for the frosting recipe and directions for the gingerbread houses we make in the classroom. I love hosting a Gingerbread Party for my students and siblings, and I also host a party for my kids and their friends too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADyXXQyHAm8ESd88ulYzcnV3T_5BtaNcwCf5w3hgM4CtBKofQcszlsK9Kog31_zJ3wKbp8fX_mwh2LcX1B03yNUMnr8BmVcyTl3RH0JwiKu0c4AXWolfwkzDRCup6lKO339qmZ2QJjzY3/s1600/gingerbread+houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADyXXQyHAm8ESd88ulYzcnV3T_5BtaNcwCf5w3hgM4CtBKofQcszlsK9Kog31_zJ3wKbp8fX_mwh2LcX1B03yNUMnr8BmVcyTl3RH0JwiKu0c4AXWolfwkzDRCup6lKO339qmZ2QJjzY3/s640/gingerbread+houses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the past 10 years, we've hosted friends and family and created the most adorable graham cracker houses. Lining the table with butcher paper or wrapping paper is a MUST! It makes clean up super easy. You just fold all of the garbage right into to paper that is on the table and clean up is done!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpqA6OjPM60qQZ3pWTKFP1SkYXifdGoZ9OlDI5n1n8_CbofvfU89Fx37Ij-lC_ixAa2AYwpyBtwxN7Yg0MffaGnAxVwJqapQuN4rUtIoJM8hhF8lXC9-3OcxlYiDIJIjOFDDUjWl3exk/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpqA6OjPM60qQZ3pWTKFP1SkYXifdGoZ9OlDI5n1n8_CbofvfU89Fx37Ij-lC_ixAa2AYwpyBtwxN7Yg0MffaGnAxVwJqapQuN4rUtIoJM8hhF8lXC9-3OcxlYiDIJIjOFDDUjWl3exk/s640/IMG_0024.JPG" width="425" /></a><br />
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The kids have gotten better and better every year and patiently working on their houses.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V657vEqB16kLc50Wpnxw35u5TtG0Xiz0gvZqO3V5yQ5OYYtBcKH-aOc0uXMuax9oiMdiyzVyOxa-x4WMekp6MePzCGRaFeL2QVBMve0Z2CJBLQcDfVAg_zjdJqEGBdsnxfRGse0rGQE/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V657vEqB16kLc50Wpnxw35u5TtG0Xiz0gvZqO3V5yQ5OYYtBcKH-aOc0uXMuax9oiMdiyzVyOxa-x4WMekp6MePzCGRaFeL2QVBMve0Z2CJBLQcDfVAg_zjdJqEGBdsnxfRGse0rGQE/s640/IMG_0132.JPG" width="425" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvOO-cRTnPj1sLgbzCPrcGy_RGG2xsaiLMFsU5lkz-POdSbt3ZxqYSQRR-lLvW-PtsqLFVYFM0eNiNP2rj7BnYAY0pBGqt5Hn85yaqy2ozUjuoDcoFQM5Jo68PdDD48coDV9EMOKdHUg/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvOO-cRTnPj1sLgbzCPrcGy_RGG2xsaiLMFsU5lkz-POdSbt3ZxqYSQRR-lLvW-PtsqLFVYFM0eNiNP2rj7BnYAY0pBGqt5Hn85yaqy2ozUjuoDcoFQM5Jo68PdDD48coDV9EMOKdHUg/s640/IMG_0153.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
I had a lot of fun with my bokeh pictures too. (Bokeh is the blurry background that produces the pretty lights from the tree.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3r6Sxc4xS1PmXHFGb09Xd6mRtSQYAsgIVhq2C-8P1-fDlMc9aJDuC1FceEa3fGeOIcGL6ak1cPM-6dEAAbril3gSkDj4N-oxouxs_Bv5zyaSVVo4_bPhuCB0ApW38N3hnD3MzQXEMUs/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3r6Sxc4xS1PmXHFGb09Xd6mRtSQYAsgIVhq2C-8P1-fDlMc9aJDuC1FceEa3fGeOIcGL6ak1cPM-6dEAAbril3gSkDj4N-oxouxs_Bv5zyaSVVo4_bPhuCB0ApW38N3hnD3MzQXEMUs/s640/IMG_0156.JPG" width="425" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6o-PO1iWdcdEcOzMhe09KAZbj3udSti9rVeWWuynLiquqChnntCVa739iUshe-Jh2CnmRZBqGCWBzmisuaYWrqnghd_8zIK6EwN5hFUT8ciX68Ei7YJ6iY6qjWkjfxP_Nr7SzqpjUE0/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6o-PO1iWdcdEcOzMhe09KAZbj3udSti9rVeWWuynLiquqChnntCVa739iUshe-Jh2CnmRZBqGCWBzmisuaYWrqnghd_8zIK6EwN5hFUT8ciX68Ei7YJ6iY6qjWkjfxP_Nr7SzqpjUE0/s640/IMG_0159.JPG" width="425" /></a><br />
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I ask every family to bring a candy item to share. My favorite candies for gingerbread house decorating are Lifesavers, Neccos, small candy canes, red hots, red and green M&M's, Twizzlers Pull Apart licorice, gumdrops, and pretzel twists. (Pretzel twists make great fences.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdlexqVyWm_fHGXc4jk7wol1cIrpz-KihUPBgfwqY5sBdpNNr3k1FwKRD4PuE-v5C8ZnraosghqjL3NbkmblA_Gs-5x2vpGa0nDaVVs_w0mmOy52JoCUE3iD34NRPvoM7u6aLr86M7fW4/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdlexqVyWm_fHGXc4jk7wol1cIrpz-KihUPBgfwqY5sBdpNNr3k1FwKRD4PuE-v5C8ZnraosghqjL3NbkmblA_Gs-5x2vpGa0nDaVVs_w0mmOy52JoCUE3iD34NRPvoM7u6aLr86M7fW4/s640/IMG_0133.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9sqSoXo1HFTCdv6DkEmDPWjq2KwDCKc3108Vl7sfrlQX5qdMBuiYeDsnEVkMBCBcbZuwFcQCC3gT8uhFbpmTFvZGVKilx9MfxhTWY7NfvVyq26RjgeeQm0oIgl4aK94JgEh39T-g-pPn/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9sqSoXo1HFTCdv6DkEmDPWjq2KwDCKc3108Vl7sfrlQX5qdMBuiYeDsnEVkMBCBcbZuwFcQCC3gT8uhFbpmTFvZGVKilx9MfxhTWY7NfvVyq26RjgeeQm0oIgl4aK94JgEh39T-g-pPn/s640/IMG_0135.JPG" width="425" /></a> </div>
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When the kids were little, I prepared the house bases ahead of time, so all they had to do was add the roof and candy. I still prepare the houses ahead of time for Kindergarten. (Actually, my parent volunteers prepare them.) Since my kids at home are bigger, we just build and create! Sometimes the candy houses turn into candy fortresses. <br />
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Here's how I build the bases when young kids (first grade and under) are decorating with us. The only reason I do the base for the kids is that it is very frustrating when you are 4 years old and your house falls apart every time you try to add candy. Royal icing needs time to dry and harden. Patience is hard when you're 4. Building the house bases is really easy. I start with foil covered cardboard. They make simple platforms for the kids to create their "yard". I cut the graham crackers with a bread knife and assemble the house base with royal icing. I always use the royal icing to "glue" the house base to the platform. This is what an assembled house base looks like when it is ready for the party to start.. I make one for each child and a few extras in case we have an accident. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JWkXf-Vtl5CBxhHvpRSvWUmc-i1t42UxEV7Tqph6fvOpl49du8BOKgsJkaxGQxfeyph0XYuwoi2MBZ3NM_XntmTjRn58NAiQeyKr0CZTQWtWStzUWmqiQMti0F93uqDBp9O-dTpitbE/s1600/gingerbread+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JWkXf-Vtl5CBxhHvpRSvWUmc-i1t42UxEV7Tqph6fvOpl49du8BOKgsJkaxGQxfeyph0XYuwoi2MBZ3NM_XntmTjRn58NAiQeyKr0CZTQWtWStzUWmqiQMti0F93uqDBp9O-dTpitbE/s640/gingerbread+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
I let the kids add the two pieces for the roof and all of the decorations. Royal icing is best for assembling houses and decorating. I usually make several batches of Royal icing and put it into individual quart sized freezer bags. (Don't use sandwich bags because they pop.) When it's time for decorating, I just snip off a small corner of the bag.<br />
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The recipe for Royal Icing is included in the package of Wilton Meringue Powder. I buy my meringue powder at Michael's. If you can't find meringue powder, I'm sure you can google a recipe for a similar icing that calls for egg whites. I've always used the meringue powder recipe because raw eggs freak me out. (Unless, of course, I'm eating cookie dough.)<br />
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3 Tbsp Wilton Meringue Powder<br />
4 cups sifted powdered sugar<br />
5 or 6 Tbsp warm water<br />
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Beat all ingredients, with heavy duty mixer, until icing forms peaks. (7-10 minutes)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLS4WXXPeIcc-fEQTguIyycE4yF5ti8OCVCA1oMoQ4cAKI2MaIdK2-rXltWAneQ1Msf7yJc38WFX06FV1DwiRjbsThAgdpTGCZLkxF6RP7Oe_OPIV79sB9O5kbTkM3nutlqCiWlMOM8Q/s1600/gingerbread+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLS4WXXPeIcc-fEQTguIyycE4yF5ti8OCVCA1oMoQ4cAKI2MaIdK2-rXltWAneQ1Msf7yJc38WFX06FV1DwiRjbsThAgdpTGCZLkxF6RP7Oe_OPIV79sB9O5kbTkM3nutlqCiWlMOM8Q/s640/gingerbread+3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoelvvmXIPR2GfqwIQZB41kIup8AuEGCGivA-rFkbSBb00mZibGsoAS_jAKwVjLd8l6QbxhRUK3lq5KgA9hhX4us15LuzeFIuflTdnCdEcFJL41xnYxd4-k_aBsppIJ0GwhNmo2a1AXkk/s1600/gingerbread+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoelvvmXIPR2GfqwIQZB41kIup8AuEGCGivA-rFkbSBb00mZibGsoAS_jAKwVjLd8l6QbxhRUK3lq5KgA9hhX4us15LuzeFIuflTdnCdEcFJL41xnYxd4-k_aBsppIJ0GwhNmo2a1AXkk/s640/gingerbread+5.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here are a few examples from our gingerbread party last year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-TZ0YA_PrUwrcdPtrM41QDVuYApokoJAa5RhZwMse5Z80isJXoyH177HVsrqknYdN9-k3SExltB3o3KRZqHREEFAoSMPk9eUNtxj9Hnl8y2ppS7pa9gs1aMMkz1dkyzu3zfsfEteZF4/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-TZ0YA_PrUwrcdPtrM41QDVuYApokoJAa5RhZwMse5Z80isJXoyH177HVsrqknYdN9-k3SExltB3o3KRZqHREEFAoSMPk9eUNtxj9Hnl8y2ppS7pa9gs1aMMkz1dkyzu3zfsfEteZF4/s640/IMG_0154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This one was Rudolph's barn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicI5JCOjltBkAF5PzNvB_XiXwJ4s7qX3WIHIyLEQtFjC6EdO0IgRAbrHQBrGgWsNLUFdMdZpOsBG5lzcJSODwlJNw9w_mMxvDOQapgxHdDLepQt2HgP51_sW3uOH76X0CJ31xmf09_vfs/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicI5JCOjltBkAF5PzNvB_XiXwJ4s7qX3WIHIyLEQtFjC6EdO0IgRAbrHQBrGgWsNLUFdMdZpOsBG5lzcJSODwlJNw9w_mMxvDOQapgxHdDLepQt2HgP51_sW3uOH76X0CJ31xmf09_vfs/s640/IMG_0156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a gingerbread manger.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpKMq4989J47Ob8Q2KcoHPi8jGmuWBV_QAxJTY4XMwdxCBncB43g1ZEp-MT3uI_n-ShWNE5qko2nEVbLuOHH-uXG5NmYvCD1bEymt_p2dqcs2xuYW1bqrTOXEa0C8HNQBTW3CyZJa-FQ/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpKMq4989J47Ob8Q2KcoHPi8jGmuWBV_QAxJTY4XMwdxCBncB43g1ZEp-MT3uI_n-ShWNE5qko2nEVbLuOHH-uXG5NmYvCD1bEymt_p2dqcs2xuYW1bqrTOXEa0C8HNQBTW3CyZJa-FQ/s640/IMG_0157.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you've never done this before, this is the year to give it a try. My kids always look forward to this day. I'll admit, I've toned it down over the years. The first few years we invited about 30 kids and their parents, served lunch, and hosted all-out party. Now, we just have family. There are 10 kids and one crazy mom who just loves being the Gingerbread Queen.</div>
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Happy Decorating!</div>
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Happy Holidays!<br />
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Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-71945478766190813752015-11-09T20:50:00.000-08:002015-11-09T20:50:07.849-08:00Pantry Organization - Back In Business<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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We are back in business! The pantry collapsed and we lived with the contents all over the dining room for two weeks. Things felt like chaos and I couldn't find the spices I needed to save my life. Well, to be honest, before the collapse my pantry was lacking in the organization department. I really just needed to spend some time throwing out old items.</div>
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All of my cake platters shattered in the pantry collapse, so that made more room on the top shelf. My flour containers now live on the top shelf. (Yes, I really do use 6 different types of flour in my baking!)</div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X2q-pTuxK5j9lLd58haBuk6Ccv4Jmf7G2qGsRXMQ07Duw7m8HHGQs8r-wstPne7smodRl-_7l3rBPFLkvKya3G_ONA1X0MeUHqXMwW2awOt2UEKnmPjS1ZH4FHtEcQP3Nj1y2kMtfruG/s640/blogger-image-1508793363.jpg" /><br />
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These bins are set aside for lunch making items.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zjikUSOeVtlzYSEMSdpIP_EeeQEPYKUy9Q80h5LsxpBzA0ILaBBwOzKvbsrHlMWkAPdtGL2xTyrEk4VJfEoqAtnrOjMr43s1OYgFeQHbpWJ7-EaoC1J6a3ML2wW5u8DG5CRuKPr_J4KG/s640/blogger-image-283245371.jpg" /><br />
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This picture is horribly dark, but I'm thrilled to have my spices all alphabetized again.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebZeGnkB4nZmnL2iDtfQNQm2-MqI0PEYS0VJSUWO3s3Pkxhz5-BCd5QRodA86o9Y3-gIeaZlEVs32gyzoMwjb29KRCuY7OupKdFSal0oUdwveUtDsDKr6-Z_0QxWissXn7uJJX7XwJOCB/s640/blogger-image-1371605291.jpg" /><br />
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I'm discovering that I may have a problem with the amount of sprinkles and cookie cutters I have.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWI5hUUVwSl67po39FtDfwk1E7SCm2MVNDA_-v7v089L60LEe_lkXV5UEnA_swC91pZdTmueIvP21Y76UVKxX7uxXX09XJh04rTedNv2T6j82xfrgxUsn8QoOsCZvbPeI4JpzGrGq8ODU/s640/blogger-image--1181307739.jpg" /><br />
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All of my appliances are back in their places and ready for the next cooking/baking project.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6KSRp4oOb2dvlMqO9dCWcRpNIK3wr7yiIfCRgFAcdu99ohdv9AFozh3b3lAtC8jr0ORCnqeVn39wW4pa-d-nPuY2P1c9mEVLi5fwgluyoS6wDaUvgCAUgXJ8hy1JTosOGkYGzZXW6Tt7/s640/blogger-image--1671474934.jpg" /><br />
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One thing I can't stand is the water bottle mess that we always have. I now have two bins that store all of the water bottles in the house. Now, hopefully, the water bottles won't be falling out of the cupboard onto our heads.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v43XQKlZmC_nVPvyGs9Dgwb1yBDb-O7E-2VXhodQRU-Wx6OqNw7cPuj1XMfbAEY4mAZEV-_TJS5Gn3aBF67yHiNSJW-BkKouzd7Jgh7cRbRxJA5m71czU_5IE7onoGydOfoc1bC-Rygu/s640/blogger-image--1390735659.jpg" /><br />
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Hopefully we can keep up the organization now! I think I shall spend the next few weeks baking, to celebrate the fact that I can find everything again!Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-43928410762457483342015-11-02T19:02:00.001-08:002015-11-02T19:02:12.324-08:00Antiques That Tell Your Family StoryI love filling my home with things that have history. I don't spend a lot of time shopping antique and thrift stores. (Although I wish I had the time and money to browse antique stores.) Most of my treasures come from family members, so I really appreciate the history behind these pieces.<br />
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The pocket watches belonged to my step-dad and grandpa. I love holding something in my hand that they held onto for so many years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaWMu84eIhwQ7X3lMkWPKh5nk0glWMbrQDLYF4uo9dh9E9L1rUEu3GwEFuW9fHkDRbI9NVE_t8G8kn2xTb9BQHEneSZN3Olu46E9kzuuMQlkRd85YY-OLkZzjFv59hJppkM89ZsWTGnZN/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaWMu84eIhwQ7X3lMkWPKh5nk0glWMbrQDLYF4uo9dh9E9L1rUEu3GwEFuW9fHkDRbI9NVE_t8G8kn2xTb9BQHEneSZN3Olu46E9kzuuMQlkRd85YY-OLkZzjFv59hJppkM89ZsWTGnZN/s400/IMG_0050.JPG" /></a> </div>
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This sewing machine was in a corner of my parents' garage for years, before it found a home in my craft room.<br />
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There is nothing more meaningful than holding your great-grandmother's Bible. There are even handwritten notes inside from church services and Bible studies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPCKw-_aK_M7NcbSt5FNgSozyl5UyiDbuNT9hH9H9duIT6PPZ9OIIkZZDGSvjxmXUK14z8ZEubTKdD5oacnY_YsItBRoDHnLSED6m0EJoPI7ZN3_EaNl88wqbRSQNsenPHncFi98Iiabc/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538153960885018898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPCKw-_aK_M7NcbSt5FNgSozyl5UyiDbuNT9hH9H9duIT6PPZ9OIIkZZDGSvjxmXUK14z8ZEubTKdD5oacnY_YsItBRoDHnLSED6m0EJoPI7ZN3_EaNl88wqbRSQNsenPHncFi98Iiabc/s400/IMG_0017.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 266px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
When we were going through my grandma's old suitcases, we opened one and found her wedding dress and my grandpa's WWII army uniform. Many years before, she told us she had thrown them away because they were tattered. It was amazing to find them in perfect condition inside a suitcase in her garage.<br />
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The flower garden quilt is from my husband's side of the family. His grandma sent it home with me after a visit to her house. It is very tattered, but I just have the good part of the quilt poking out of the basket. The star quilt was made my great grandmother and the picnic basket belonged to my grandma and grandpa.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVmK4z_r9tpX3mYVCsQBUsrEyb_YozCnvEOw3UZZ9ExpBZ8oGXEKnUqadWgr5ClIAOr2hGsuCU1pQTTnnqYmFMKoQKuVQGDhNw14o0t3lowwcI16yjo2VcvIj-oCPOe25pONPpHxx_eW5/s1600/antique+quilts.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478385366770239442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVmK4z_r9tpX3mYVCsQBUsrEyb_YozCnvEOw3UZZ9ExpBZ8oGXEKnUqadWgr5ClIAOr2hGsuCU1pQTTnnqYmFMKoQKuVQGDhNw14o0t3lowwcI16yjo2VcvIj-oCPOe25pONPpHxx_eW5/s400/antique+quilts.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a><br />
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This one was made my great grandmother and my great, great grandmother as a wedding gift for my grandparents. The patterned fabric was made from old shirts and dresses. They didn't have a lot of money and they used the scraps they had available.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMRrn5bhLNWPCt6ZB8BGQ7onywqmYv0-Pu0zUno3LIOfcaw0BVJNE4PPs9v8YUCVyHIeWpYu_N-PrL_1rPR1qYF3VXABYYrqAx1-V9nRzf0Db3RRB0x7GbLadVuMLAV9Ela2yXxXW65KM/s1600/old++quilt.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478385357871122802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMRrn5bhLNWPCt6ZB8BGQ7onywqmYv0-Pu0zUno3LIOfcaw0BVJNE4PPs9v8YUCVyHIeWpYu_N-PrL_1rPR1qYF3VXABYYrqAx1-V9nRzf0Db3RRB0x7GbLadVuMLAV9Ela2yXxXW65KM/s400/old++quilt.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a><br />
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I can't say I purposefully fill my home with antiques. I don't seek them out, scour thrift shops, or shop ebay for a great deal. I fill my home with these treasures because each piece has a story. <br />
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What story does your home tell?Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-88226305121482243142015-10-31T09:44:00.000-07:002015-10-31T09:44:55.071-07:00Decorating With Old Books - Loving Family HistoryMy husband calls it old junk, but I love home decor that has some sort of history. I think he may be coming around a bit. Recently, when we went away for the weekend, I convinced him to wander the antique mall for a few minutes. He actually said that it wasn't the worst part of the weekend. That's improvement! <br />
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I love treasures that tell a story. Even more special is a treasure that tells part of my own story, and reveals a little bit about where I'm from. I love the look of old books in home decor, but I really love that my old books came from my grandparents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZFYqBPCTWg2ude7O0az2xY5O0a1qdAJevMfqy0nx1VpNoxxyn5_P9zWxLM3VTHTYcS3AK9NFWsxrwbfTbmyzT4zxeyF6XoBUeA4xL3f7Ckvt35XBt336miwFJUf4SIz22_LdKXSUKXbE/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461671764442776850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZFYqBPCTWg2ude7O0az2xY5O0a1qdAJevMfqy0nx1VpNoxxyn5_P9zWxLM3VTHTYcS3AK9NFWsxrwbfTbmyzT4zxeyF6XoBUeA4xL3f7Ckvt35XBt336miwFJUf4SIz22_LdKXSUKXbE/s400/IMG_0042.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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They have the neatest old covers.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLn9GwsuMsPLTqCU-qftW0AtXEe41lN2Yp_Fyk2VhgmmRvchHF7WZSTyf4vcJ_ugTkBMx0toEKBgRMB2N8TgySWEUS1-cXYzdku7Ypyxh9rgQz8y7HRN6Pcg1V2_FIWZ3UeEfwdivAptm/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461672204585536050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLn9GwsuMsPLTqCU-qftW0AtXEe41lN2Yp_Fyk2VhgmmRvchHF7WZSTyf4vcJ_ugTkBMx0toEKBgRMB2N8TgySWEUS1-cXYzdku7Ypyxh9rgQz8y7HRN6Pcg1V2_FIWZ3UeEfwdivAptm/s400/IMG_0052.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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The inside of the cover is beautiful too! They just don't make books like this anymore.<br />
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Here's my favorite. This is a bible that was on my grandma's bookshelf. Inside, it says, "For Our Dear Mother. From, Edith and Chester. August, 1927." Edith and Chester were my grandmother's parents. So, this bible belonged to Edith or Chester's mother, my great-great-grandmother. How cool is that... just to know that I'm holding the same bible that my great-great-grandmother held. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqhfAKYS6SoMoouk0FYy-t9ffm66PGmJx7i4kZ5SkFNHlnKEFjDQrH0oPDW3rV8wMlR4kKub81__ZEaYX00YtwlPiVlPodvNlIffdWkQcD5ZYAyX_6nUfi0UR6UVhHJXO2QV4hJNcqL-L/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461674424176774882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqhfAKYS6SoMoouk0FYy-t9ffm66PGmJx7i4kZ5SkFNHlnKEFjDQrH0oPDW3rV8wMlR4kKub81__ZEaYX00YtwlPiVlPodvNlIffdWkQcD5ZYAyX_6nUfi0UR6UVhHJXO2QV4hJNcqL-L/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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There are even hand written notes inside the margins that were written during church services or bible studies.<br />
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I also have an old hymnal from Seattle Pacific College (now Seattle Pacific University). Both of my grandparents, both parents, several aunts, uncles, cousins, and I also went there.<br />
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If you look around my house, you'll see that I decorate with lots of old books. To most people, that's all they are... just old books. To me, they're part of my history and it's amazing to hold a little piece of history in my hands.<br />
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Happy decorating!Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-79450568670698717942015-10-30T06:00:00.000-07:002015-10-30T06:00:08.679-07:00Starting A Blog - Where to Begin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the past few weeks I've been feeling consumed with clutter. The contents of my pantry are still covering my dining room floor and table, I have piles of toys ready to go to my sister's toy drive, and I still haven't finished clearing the clutter from the makeover we did on my daughter's room. Well, to make things worse, I decided to start going through some old magazines that I have been <strike>hoarding</strike> saving for those days when I want to revisit beautiful photos. I have a pile of Artful Blogging magazine that I decided I needed to take to a friend who is considering starting a blog.</div>
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Running across these magazines reminded me of the great inspiration they provide, especially when you are first beginning a blog. Many of the articles, written by bloggers, describe the process of blogging, photography, writing, and managing it all. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n3oHtJWFzbH5OOZVJNUSOpL1eoljvZ_bfq31HR6IsDumSkyh9bU62KW1vmPR6wyFaAuC-kux0ME-0l33kkivfHMtkdjM4o8qS1XPuEpBCVepItgto7eO-cjnvvRHVmrDVbC-3KsakqSl/s1600/IMG_7093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n3oHtJWFzbH5OOZVJNUSOpL1eoljvZ_bfq31HR6IsDumSkyh9bU62KW1vmPR6wyFaAuC-kux0ME-0l33kkivfHMtkdjM4o8qS1XPuEpBCVepItgto7eO-cjnvvRHVmrDVbC-3KsakqSl/s640/IMG_7093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's always the photos that draw me in. I absolutely strive to become a photographer like these ladies, but I know that I am no where near close. I've saved these because I really enjoy looking back at the photography, but in reality it just doesn't happen. I spend a week reading the articles and drooling over pictures and then set it aside. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkRhGZX-9ZQAA_mOV472V4MSVe7W0pqPK7hJ5CgJfEDagT7bf_CZsEeH69ejEMzVCjiB4QTiFjHNbAOiFbwz9W1bNzp8dE9N-Pn1mOX4wfRu-htcck-yEXt1Ls0Es_juqPOpXrJn0rpO-/s1600/IMG_7094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkRhGZX-9ZQAA_mOV472V4MSVe7W0pqPK7hJ5CgJfEDagT7bf_CZsEeH69ejEMzVCjiB4QTiFjHNbAOiFbwz9W1bNzp8dE9N-Pn1mOX4wfRu-htcck-yEXt1Ls0Es_juqPOpXrJn0rpO-/s640/IMG_7094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPDjSO6zdAQbu2Bh9slgwFmQxWRDJehbrcs0r-9fUKbVdn2tz6qb3T5xe5Gq39iDaO97nh-ky9bN1vd7jGzrJcqbxnw66i3vL5uNtzWvbKn7xQHSyOj67FxTwcQ6VRwHbYm7tBPoHXYT9/s1600/IMG_7095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPDjSO6zdAQbu2Bh9slgwFmQxWRDJehbrcs0r-9fUKbVdn2tz6qb3T5xe5Gq39iDaO97nh-ky9bN1vd7jGzrJcqbxnw66i3vL5uNtzWvbKn7xQHSyOj67FxTwcQ6VRwHbYm7tBPoHXYT9/s640/IMG_7095.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Blogging for Bliss by Tara Frey was the book I bought when I was first considering a blog. It's a few years old now, but still has a lot of good information and plenty of blog suggestions to check out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeBsgg8X94GI49_10TVFukoP5_kWc_wx10pjd2-fUoVc2b1c7UBX-ojMQ7sYhAriATkfYfWu2UvktmxMZ6DIn_t-HyKvnW9nEIfAosKMIp5gXmbQCgs4fd3cFv-A2Ep-R0mKiKoRUeOkW/s1600/IMG_7097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeBsgg8X94GI49_10TVFukoP5_kWc_wx10pjd2-fUoVc2b1c7UBX-ojMQ7sYhAriATkfYfWu2UvktmxMZ6DIn_t-HyKvnW9nEIfAosKMIp5gXmbQCgs4fd3cFv-A2Ep-R0mKiKoRUeOkW/s640/IMG_7097.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If I were going to buy a book today, I would probably buy<u><a href="http://justagirlandherblog.com/framework"> Building a Framework: The Ultimate Blogging Handbook</a></u>. I haven't read the book, but I think it would be worth looking into if I were starting from scratch. I think these are all good resources, friends! How about it? Any of you considering starting a blog?</div>
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Happy blogging!</div>
<br />Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-23454972242941077632015-10-29T18:29:00.000-07:002015-10-29T18:29:44.680-07:00Farm Girl Vintage Baking Day and Canning SeasonMy Farm Girl Vintage quilt project is just in the beginning days, but I have two blocks finished! I started with my two favorites.<br />
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The Baking Day block was the one that caught my eye on Instagram and I just couldn't resist! Throw in a vintage rolling pin and sifter, and it makes a pretty cute photo too (except for the lack of daylight, making an exceptionally dark photo).<br />
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The Canning Season block was just too cute to pass up. </div>
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The blocks were very simple to make. I wouldn't call it a beginning quilt, but it's a good project for an intermediate quilter.</div>
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There are so many blocks to choose from. I can't decide which one to do next! I think it will either be the chicken or the barn block.</div>
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I may need a few more vintage fabrics in the the red color family, but these were a pretty good start.</div>
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I'm in love with this quilt and can't wait until I get a few free minutes to sew. How could you NOT get sucked in? The combination of vintage fabrics and country farm girl vintage quilt blocks is just too much to resist!</div>
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Happy sewing!</div>
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Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-25987626474150487952015-10-27T16:00:00.000-07:002015-10-29T18:06:57.603-07:00Super Fast White Chicken Chili<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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I'm not sure why, but I'm noticing that I haven't been cooking as much lately. It's not that I haven't been feeding my family, because I have. Our meals have been very rushed and crazy lately. I've been throwing French Dips together or making a Panini out of the leftover lunch meat. I haven't actually been cooking over the stove or chopping vegetables for a new dish I'm trying out. It could have something to do with the fact that <u><a href="http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/2015/10/pantry-fail.html">my entire pantry collapsed</a></u> and the contents are now sitting on my dining room table. But, I'm chalking it up to just being really busy right now.<br />
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Last night I decided that I needed to make something really yummy. My mom had made a bunch of chicken in the crock pot for me, while she was staying with my kids this weekend. I used the chicken for tacos and had a lot of left over, so I decided that I'd make the white chicken chili that my family loves so much. I wrote a blog post last year about the SUPER fast way to make this dish, so I thought I should repost the recipe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEegim1xniuQW-WyNA8XBmWXtRvg2_nfHePFa-tOq1DSoGUXMCLMRJRg2Fjq9huqmx2m8OH2K43zlD-PuSfVNmiH20OnBC5hzw_O8rTM57fF4Rb8j-EwXtBkDPbITtF1N3Eoe732jzJZ6/s1600/white+chicken+chili.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEegim1xniuQW-WyNA8XBmWXtRvg2_nfHePFa-tOq1DSoGUXMCLMRJRg2Fjq9huqmx2m8OH2K43zlD-PuSfVNmiH20OnBC5hzw_O8rTM57fF4Rb8j-EwXtBkDPbITtF1N3Eoe732jzJZ6/s640/white+chicken+chili.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here's what I did:<br />
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I started by cooking a pound of chicken breast in the crockpot.<br />
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In a pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.<br />
Add 1/2 small diced onion, cook for 3 minutes<br />
Add 1 clove of minced garlic, cook for 1 more minute<br />
Add 1/2 cup flour and mix<br />
Slowly add 1 cup of half and half and 1 cup of milk<br />
Add 8 oz of light cream cheese<br />
Add 1 1/2 cups of Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded<br />
This mixture makes kind of a mac and cheese type sauce.<br />
Slowly pour in 3-6 cups of chicken stock (depending on how thick you like your chili)<br />
Add 1 can of diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed<br />
(or chop your own)<br />
2 cups of frozen corn<br />
1 can of white beans, drained and rinsed<br />
1/4 tsp chili powder or a little bit of taco seasoning<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
dash of pepper<br />
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It made a thick, yummy, cheesy, chicken chili that everyone loved.<br />
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My hubby says this recipe needs to go in our regular rotation. The kids both loved it too! My son had a second bowl after we got home from the Young Life corn maze at 9:45pm. This morning I found him heating another bowl and putting it into a thermos to take for lunch. I guess that kid really loves this chili!!<br />
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By the way, those little tortilla strips on top were just cut and tossed with olive oil and a bit of taco seasoning. Then I baked them for about 5 minutes to crisp them up. They were a perfect little topping for the chili.<br />
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Happy cooking!<br />
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Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-75535697313525058272015-10-17T17:29:00.001-07:002015-10-21T12:35:18.174-07:00Coloring for Big Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
My youngest child has lots of hobbies but none of them involve being inside. Every year, at about this time, I have to remind her that watching Netflicks on the iPad is not a hobby and not a good use of time. </div>
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I made a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/beccaross/hobbies-for-tween-girls/">Pinterest board of Tween Hobby Idea</a>s and she said she liked a few of them. Right about that same time, I was browsing a linky party and found some <a href="http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/category/printables/coloring-pages/">cool coloring pages</a> I thought she would like. (By the way, when you are blogging from your iPhone, <i style="font-weight: bold;">linky party </i>is not recognized and will be changed to <i style="font-weight: bold;">kinky party.</i> Glad I caught that before posting this!) Anyway... I went to the blog that had linked up these cool looking coloring pages and printed several.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikE2rPhiDcdF_CFlrRUXwAEl9osDFNTQ4hPerpb7VUeZSPzbiWrSv1VXgfmjv6abvcIc3uCFgahuzHv-lGUdddxBqd6io9eGUlu95IqQmBcbu4aa4vkaRA-qm0T2y297WD0_QARY4OixkW/s640/blogger-image-826343297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikE2rPhiDcdF_CFlrRUXwAEl9osDFNTQ4hPerpb7VUeZSPzbiWrSv1VXgfmjv6abvcIc3uCFgahuzHv-lGUdddxBqd6io9eGUlu95IqQmBcbu4aa4vkaRA-qm0T2y297WD0_QARY4OixkW/s640/blogger-image-826343297.jpg" /></a></div>
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My 11 year old loves them! They are from <a href="http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/category/printables/coloring-pages/">Easy Peasy and Fun</a> . We have some new Sharpies that have tips like a paint brush and she has been happily coloring her evening away.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cceTkYh7TXNXW_OKwtgGI5aFPBWLpsvwObKlsibel5wU-JySL7IcJLdHZDhXmqrEePXlOfVQcLkp46fwXTY0J3un20ehRIuiOMbxvlyF06MdWiaOUkhbY888QoT875xu-T1jLS0qQ8ys/s640/blogger-image--2139723949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cceTkYh7TXNXW_OKwtgGI5aFPBWLpsvwObKlsibel5wU-JySL7IcJLdHZDhXmqrEePXlOfVQcLkp46fwXTY0J3un20ehRIuiOMbxvlyF06MdWiaOUkhbY888QoT875xu-T1jLS0qQ8ys/s640/blogger-image--2139723949.jpg" /></a></div>
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Don't you love finding great resources? </div>
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Thank you, Andreja! We are loving these and enjoy your blog!</div>
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Happy coloring!</div>
<br />Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-56527121912572179722015-10-13T18:23:00.000-07:002015-10-13T18:23:15.004-07:00Farm Girl Vintage Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The other day I ran across a photo on Instagram of a quilt block that made my heart go pitter patter. It was a quilt block that looked like bowls and a wooden spoon. I absolutely had to know where this came from. I tracked it down to a book called Farm Girl Vintage and now I have a new quilting project in the works.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYjzSPdmcaO4UkvaClIWiunDlxfcMAB38BkqGLy3aTLKUp5rE6oAFxptT_2yoFZ1ZuKF-ZRivdYDa84smjcP33U_yi9c65vcg2Z5Sy2Bd3O64GJY1ico5UBq8b2iV7bxzKWD15YFYbAYD/s1600/IMG_7076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYjzSPdmcaO4UkvaClIWiunDlxfcMAB38BkqGLy3aTLKUp5rE6oAFxptT_2yoFZ1ZuKF-ZRivdYDa84smjcP33U_yi9c65vcg2Z5Sy2Bd3O64GJY1ico5UBq8b2iV7bxzKWD15YFYbAYD/s640/IMG_7076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Farm Girl Vintage quilt is made of a variety of different blocks and I think it will be so much fun to make these. There are several styles that I don't have any experience with, so this will be a good challenge for me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJiVplDPmxrV-VCWFA2mlp6GSaeUFt8IvUkaT1nrRFiqRQa1XuLQsWYe_wvIvNy1wJJ9Tk4rr3G1XfzzOw0WZbKjktRjP4KDZrxtSTDqFoRhZtHcomCYNp5hDq-UlKfkdOd_WBMk2Oj7R/s1600/IMG_7072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJiVplDPmxrV-VCWFA2mlp6GSaeUFt8IvUkaT1nrRFiqRQa1XuLQsWYe_wvIvNy1wJJ9Tk4rr3G1XfzzOw0WZbKjktRjP4KDZrxtSTDqFoRhZtHcomCYNp5hDq-UlKfkdOd_WBMk2Oj7R/s640/IMG_7072.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I have a few vintage fabrics, but also picked up a couple of new fat quarters at my local quilt shop. When I told the ladies at the quilt shop which quilt I was making, one of them said, "Oh, you got sucked in too, huh?"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkxOBp-g9YwXoAQWQE502WhPFpfP0v2jHJJ4AvhK-45w446TGiJg1itHbCoMPUiz7V1HMpTa16DOG1OMVViZCFybt5R97SRVJulve8U6KJls_Wdoph5_ryq2gdmSFFn3D1aUAqkVGQxdb/s1600/IMG_7073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkxOBp-g9YwXoAQWQE502WhPFpfP0v2jHJJ4AvhK-45w446TGiJg1itHbCoMPUiz7V1HMpTa16DOG1OMVViZCFybt5R97SRVJulve8U6KJls_Wdoph5_ryq2gdmSFFn3D1aUAqkVGQxdb/s640/IMG_7073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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How could you NOT get sucked in? The combination of vintage fabrics and country farm girl vintage quilt blocks is just too much to resist!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Uyu3Ez6OZWlrxKMeqh1RV-1t9_8fR7te4WHP7hWleHlSp8RFQerkO8Y6bwdLmhyLoCHI-4qcgJgPsLmlJQgECjtMlCnGtVZHhlr_28pBcLwRk_qkIvb0T_67HLgUDhYMIg9V-BmbJ8kM/s1600/IMG_7075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Uyu3Ez6OZWlrxKMeqh1RV-1t9_8fR7te4WHP7hWleHlSp8RFQerkO8Y6bwdLmhyLoCHI-4qcgJgPsLmlJQgECjtMlCnGtVZHhlr_28pBcLwRk_qkIvb0T_67HLgUDhYMIg9V-BmbJ8kM/s640/IMG_7075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can't wait to get started! I think I'll make that cute bowls and wooden spoon block first.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTD175zX3VaJdd4J2YeAU4XTzErzwyG5uWM9IlBfOJu9CBkEZz8fwuQU3QW7ULqbd9G4TrnbaPB1df8jTAAd1kj0bdBK9Burwn3ASANV6AuypoeZQgjuWUHjA65pwXo1Lee27VTr3Letz/s1600/IMG_7074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTD175zX3VaJdd4J2YeAU4XTzErzwyG5uWM9IlBfOJu9CBkEZz8fwuQU3QW7ULqbd9G4TrnbaPB1df8jTAAd1kj0bdBK9Burwn3ASANV6AuypoeZQgjuWUHjA65pwXo1Lee27VTr3Letz/s640/IMG_7074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy sewing!</div>
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<br />Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-17407688557749768422015-10-12T20:03:00.001-07:002015-10-13T18:59:30.002-07:00The Tween Bedroom Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just when we had my daughter's bedroom all organized, the bedroom furniture in place, and the new quilt made, we were given Great Grandma's bedroom set. It's good problem because the bedroom set is beautiful and my daughter loves having a bigger bed. </div>
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Today we moved the picture wall to the opposite side of the room. Last week I bought a new comforter for the bed. I didn't even let me daughter go shopping with me. I knew it had to match her quilt and look good with her bedding because I wasn't even going to consider repainting. The gray in the comforter is the same gray that is in the quilt. It's the softest comforter you could ever imagine, so she wasn't too sad that I didn't let her pick her own bedding.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf8pEwPOp3OGms8sQJeGNwqOOo2Fg3vfhuKBOkkE7FxnYW8QqIU-9gyTM4NN0bVfKMkcds9-SJnW-b88hyZb6FC6Ww3raDArWBRigXuJqjJvRduW8gaee7Gp32BYt07No1uhkrqwT00HA/s1600/IMG_7049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf8pEwPOp3OGms8sQJeGNwqOOo2Fg3vfhuKBOkkE7FxnYW8QqIU-9gyTM4NN0bVfKMkcds9-SJnW-b88hyZb6FC6Ww3raDArWBRigXuJqjJvRduW8gaee7Gp32BYt07No1uhkrqwT00HA/s320/IMG_7049.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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While decorating her room, it's hard for me to keep in mind that she's still eleven years old. Even though the picture frames and bulletin board don't really look the best with a beautiful bedroom set like this one, they still get to stay. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinPPwNFhGykf8IaI-fUB_m_8WJQq0VLZgi5Ey2qO3pMsHv-QXFR6nZ5J9kyxz4xirelZCMhPwKigPc2hP9xz0aPyVgtxaPaU7LpKhFtfke-AqbxKZ_o8JmS__PAZNdjdWI_fxT-rKjXH8/s1600/IMG_7050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinPPwNFhGykf8IaI-fUB_m_8WJQq0VLZgi5Ey2qO3pMsHv-QXFR6nZ5J9kyxz4xirelZCMhPwKigPc2hP9xz0aPyVgtxaPaU7LpKhFtfke-AqbxKZ_o8JmS__PAZNdjdWI_fxT-rKjXH8/s320/IMG_7050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Will you just look at this beautiful sleigh bed?</div>
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The bookshelves above this dresser will need to move eventually, to make room for the mirror that goes along with the set. Plus, she can't actually reach the books. The poster of the puppy dog, thumb-tacked to the wall, gets to stay too... against my better judgement.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHh5Fip336Q84by9a9FzTovAwLic71oFVhNeHpLLRtUh35h7aYrbCwPZLdsBRrwhsPIYEDmugVkXUsO4M0Od_v6xppNkN3f1-XQ-ScWOIeDjvndk_qsEDxLtJLayUbTYd63zZL9ynhyphenhyphenqi/s1600/IMG_7054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHh5Fip336Q84by9a9FzTovAwLic71oFVhNeHpLLRtUh35h7aYrbCwPZLdsBRrwhsPIYEDmugVkXUsO4M0Od_v6xppNkN3f1-XQ-ScWOIeDjvndk_qsEDxLtJLayUbTYd63zZL9ynhyphenhyphenqi/s320/IMG_7054.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Here's the second dresser in the set. It's so pretty. All of the special treasures on top of the dresser got to stay too. Everyone needs a magic 8 ball, a lava lamp, and a piggy bank colored with Sharpie markers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeqx5tmkkOF4q16Lq8SjxGueNksgjeeKgitYO9dQJgM9JTM5oRF2oXgvskfojXeC9eeIi4huI4l9-F62Q6JaIn-zbyGcH2QlR0GfJvxpNIsTafRtdhO7ldKejPamB2erzYmpcYso4Zzfg/s1600/IMG_7059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeqx5tmkkOF4q16Lq8SjxGueNksgjeeKgitYO9dQJgM9JTM5oRF2oXgvskfojXeC9eeIi4huI4l9-F62Q6JaIn-zbyGcH2QlR0GfJvxpNIsTafRtdhO7ldKejPamB2erzYmpcYso4Zzfg/s320/IMG_7059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The quilt doesn't actually fit on the bed anymore, but it makes a nice throw.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JALDgqVHHcStQOoMIejDteAr5zguG5MiFC5D41fBwWFxV0WG2RgWIk5LDhyphenhyphenuYHFhT9KViTiHR60PQkEGf0f2BJ29R0W5_I5dL86-y9_4s3gCXiCD1qQZUFWgnvrZUuBkw1LZQrvXu9vl/s1600/IMG_7060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JALDgqVHHcStQOoMIejDteAr5zguG5MiFC5D41fBwWFxV0WG2RgWIk5LDhyphenhyphenuYHFhT9KViTiHR60PQkEGf0f2BJ29R0W5_I5dL86-y9_4s3gCXiCD1qQZUFWgnvrZUuBkw1LZQrvXu9vl/s320/IMG_7060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, and I'd like you to meet Paul. He is the largest stuffed animal I've ever seen in my life and he lives at my house. Paul gets to stay too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWJUG-DKOJ3Imom_Gu7192sANp5vcbowK95YQNhyphenhyphenqXBL4gJRwPsOhs7_RmCT9EmKE2vW8Kh4W_7NcuZKuNAN_V1gj5Oi-gjsrN5VPXGbmDATgL_uSVYmBSX1Wqkpk06rmNH3Nh-_ebcSx/s1600/IMG_7061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWJUG-DKOJ3Imom_Gu7192sANp5vcbowK95YQNhyphenhyphenqXBL4gJRwPsOhs7_RmCT9EmKE2vW8Kh4W_7NcuZKuNAN_V1gj5Oi-gjsrN5VPXGbmDATgL_uSVYmBSX1Wqkpk06rmNH3Nh-_ebcSx/s320/IMG_7061.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Happy redecorating!</div>
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<div align="center"><a href="http://nap-timecreations.com" title="Nap-Time Creations"><img src="http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy168/thompsone1/button_zps578a12c4.png" alt="Nap-Time Creations" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.dolendiaries.com" title="Dolen Diaries"><img src="http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y460/dolendiaries/hit%20me%20with%20your%20best%20shot/Button-Small_zpsa34dbfe5.jpg" alt="Dolen Diaries" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-58124395127550355282015-10-09T16:50:00.001-07:002015-10-09T16:54:52.564-07:00Pantry FailMy beautiful pantry!!!!!!!! It's gone!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nW307JU_QVgLLHKRgKq5mGMR_2UeR8UAKrBwB4eb2g8RKQU8eZIbiRk5SXQY0BQ3nR82gAuz2zGtratkeVNiitdH5y6WJGvDQoR_u4TgjganRMXiTg7mWeScvA1Mk-o_ZH4Vfa91ZG7p/s640/blogger-image--186128854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nW307JU_QVgLLHKRgKq5mGMR_2UeR8UAKrBwB4eb2g8RKQU8eZIbiRk5SXQY0BQ3nR82gAuz2zGtratkeVNiitdH5y6WJGvDQoR_u4TgjganRMXiTg7mWeScvA1Mk-o_ZH4Vfa91ZG7p/s640/blogger-image--186128854.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I came home from work on this lovely Friday afternoon to find my entire pantry system in shambles. No, no one was climbing on it. It just collapsed. Apparently, there was a lot of glass on the ground and many jars, vases, bowls, and platters didn't make it out alive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My pantry is now on my dining room table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBQUvvByFKyK8v15NjHSf_BPbVIsT8wzWvgWmsZ92woGIQ6lf3FFxvnr9ysmn_K_G0TW5j3syNn65HZh5YoZcRgAGH6xdstEPaSsVmUs1SS2levv784zFidbPcA2TorShHYDtJhznO3Pi/s640/blogger-image-2105808326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBQUvvByFKyK8v15NjHSf_BPbVIsT8wzWvgWmsZ92woGIQ6lf3FFxvnr9ysmn_K_G0TW5j3syNn65HZh5YoZcRgAGH6xdstEPaSsVmUs1SS2levv784zFidbPcA2TorShHYDtJhznO3Pi/s640/blogger-image-2105808326.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Does anyone know where my taco seasoning is?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Can we just take a moment to remember how pretty it was at one time?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIsa-8gBbTB-Zfb76DhIYq3wyM1WfteZ3oo9cR7FmPayB3h2Gvte1VC1XWiSYcF6odRiEl-g1uW_STEZHe6bYnhjn5cVMM43oW461m9AkMrBW1sHktxP8wssQsGksKoDs6qnWQQEthX66/s640/blogger-image--1643298848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIsa-8gBbTB-Zfb76DhIYq3wyM1WfteZ3oo9cR7FmPayB3h2Gvte1VC1XWiSYcF6odRiEl-g1uW_STEZHe6bYnhjn5cVMM43oW461m9AkMrBW1sHktxP8wssQsGksKoDs6qnWQQEthX66/s640/blogger-image--1643298848.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At least the gigantic mess was cleaned up by the time I got home! Sigh. Now, it's time to rebuild and reorganize. My husband says it's a sign that I need to get rid of a few things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy organizing!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-69229129481061921932015-10-06T07:09:00.001-07:002015-10-06T07:09:15.731-07:0020 Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHQFD5SLx-AMzrQr4aY4ydUcmbJ54H6B5OTv5JOD61SCWx-SxUWzNnUgLRcSYCjTRxE_m9AAAlyHIjwijoz6JmhNuRyJhFEQYktGdj__XplNSWzRKVnOZRNG7sgtEguC9p4H7o06D4B8P/s640/blogger-image-1705029676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHQFD5SLx-AMzrQr4aY4ydUcmbJ54H6B5OTv5JOD61SCWx-SxUWzNnUgLRcSYCjTRxE_m9AAAlyHIjwijoz6JmhNuRyJhFEQYktGdj__XplNSWzRKVnOZRNG7sgtEguC9p4H7o06D4B8P/s640/blogger-image-1705029676.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's been 20 wonderful years since this day. It was kind of fitting that my son went to homecoming over the weekend, because my first homecoming was with the guy in those pictures above. It's hard to imagine that I met my husband at 15. We have such a wonderful life together. I feel so blessed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy anniversary to my hubby!</div>Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-85920318109178434852015-10-01T16:00:00.000-07:002015-10-01T16:00:03.028-07:00October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, hello October! Can someone tell me where September went? As much as I love Summer, I really-really-really love Fall. September and October are kind of a toss up on which is my favorite. September is my birthday month and back to school time, but October is when I really break out the Fall decor, it's my wedding anniversary (20 years on October 6th), and I LOVE being the hot apple cider lady for the trick or treaters. </div>
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I've been adding a few Fall touches here and there to the house. I usually bring them out all at once, but it's been feeling a bit rushed this year and the little-by-little approach was all I could handle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNOOP2AW7pxcY2KpPVgFwg1qubqEuLx25K8kZYJOJRgGxapJI6z_IzdZiEdiObZH27x8molztTSNZKTC7hWXnonFxrRcctgzAg22DaRrGEuIsBE_D6FB-85HTQD993goKlgvgw5M_5FPB/s1600/Fall+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNOOP2AW7pxcY2KpPVgFwg1qubqEuLx25K8kZYJOJRgGxapJI6z_IzdZiEdiObZH27x8molztTSNZKTC7hWXnonFxrRcctgzAg22DaRrGEuIsBE_D6FB-85HTQD993goKlgvgw5M_5FPB/s640/Fall+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The front porch was the first area to be decked out. Every year I say that I'm going to do something different, and every year the same decorations go up. But I do still think they're pretty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPrSwo_V0-BgOxd0ThNpFuNyFDgz2_GXmP4ne8NQX5yX3mCQtdVktEnkK4EcsQkUFksHFx0AYX_FNF5Yz5pma7JZOS0Dln0lozkB1Z0cEJ_z3tHnDxFzghZuz5mvuKE5b7ZJQW12IdQhL/s1600/IMG_6723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPrSwo_V0-BgOxd0ThNpFuNyFDgz2_GXmP4ne8NQX5yX3mCQtdVktEnkK4EcsQkUFksHFx0AYX_FNF5Yz5pma7JZOS0Dln0lozkB1Z0cEJ_z3tHnDxFzghZuz5mvuKE5b7ZJQW12IdQhL/s640/IMG_6723.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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The pumpkins were the deal of the season! If you have ever shopped for pumpkins, you know that the big pumpkins are pretty pricey. We were at a funeral, in a small town in Eastern Washington, and noticed that the church was selling pumpkins as a fund raiser for $4 each. I didn't have any cash on me, but my mother in law came to the rescue and the kids bought 5 pumpkins! (That just reminded me that I need to pay back the money I borrowed!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEA3ES2IHl0q9BHW9kCS4lynie2-s64AxMk9_b8EaAiFTFuCQZcdiuH4fE1Aib6n7Kau1BKM0OhxSO2uxEv0By2JJJwX-tHc-uEWZ896sWVHzAQhydSrekCz05gDSzS99en2L8zDXrRra/s1600/IMG_6724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEA3ES2IHl0q9BHW9kCS4lynie2-s64AxMk9_b8EaAiFTFuCQZcdiuH4fE1Aib6n7Kau1BKM0OhxSO2uxEv0By2JJJwX-tHc-uEWZ896sWVHzAQhydSrekCz05gDSzS99en2L8zDXrRra/s640/IMG_6724.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Fall quilts have made their way out. When I graduated with my Master's Degree in 2000, my friend Christy (a teacher I used to work with) gave me some beautiful Fall fabrics. I love, love, love these fabrics. I didn't know what to do with them so I took them to the fabric shop that she bought them from and asked the quilt shop owner for suggestions. In about 10 seconds flat she had lined up my fabric and written out a quick and easy pattern for me to follow. To this day, this is one of my go-to quilt patterns when I need a quick and simple quilt to give as a gift.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF0wcYPg3jMg26ZMFYL-sbBmMizHpqtl8U3Df77t6oLqPTeS2lp3gcKDTgnJTQ0d0xPrA9qTDhUkPZgrSSKqg7PJgMIeUZ7pkjwlEosb7j73Z11RMgmvocgfYxHr9hvf52OGi3GIdLDsa/s1600/IMG_6763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF0wcYPg3jMg26ZMFYL-sbBmMizHpqtl8U3Df77t6oLqPTeS2lp3gcKDTgnJTQ0d0xPrA9qTDhUkPZgrSSKqg7PJgMIeUZ7pkjwlEosb7j73Z11RMgmvocgfYxHr9hvf52OGi3GIdLDsa/s640/IMG_6763.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Oh, mini pumpkins, how I love you! I'm a bit addicted to those little guys but they just brighten up any tablescape.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF9jHm4nR0y0TvhaL0CJ9bCr392L34tqqqFZWJkxItXssKUjTeimv_IMhhx8K9mkae8I270P1hVvtg0uV3vaJ-jYgoE0o6Hctl9DgE9YISfoEpvX3BKE5sdZ3pYLduM_SE5CB-u0t8GPe/s1600/IMG_6765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF9jHm4nR0y0TvhaL0CJ9bCr392L34tqqqFZWJkxItXssKUjTeimv_IMhhx8K9mkae8I270P1hVvtg0uV3vaJ-jYgoE0o6Hctl9DgE9YISfoEpvX3BKE5sdZ3pYLduM_SE5CB-u0t8GPe/s640/IMG_6765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And any burlap pumpkin can join the party too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUMdIKPzJWFdtdhWo2UgpUm48brehvMgQszx03-cm_UNn9uDgjrtHz8rYng3ROa40OYO-Nx1Q01tz6wn7su78ihnpR0e3H1n-kscBFD-KvpV0QMfXisARNsV2f3JRj5VTvZd2SIvRMqQD/s1600/IMG_6766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUMdIKPzJWFdtdhWo2UgpUm48brehvMgQszx03-cm_UNn9uDgjrtHz8rYng3ROa40OYO-Nx1Q01tz6wn7su78ihnpR0e3H1n-kscBFD-KvpV0QMfXisARNsV2f3JRj5VTvZd2SIvRMqQD/s640/IMG_6766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love all of the jars will with leaves, wheat, and pumpkins on the dining room table.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOzaDPlS5rqYfylbGS3hl4uToeh6g4RSPl7SlqfCrDz6Nc4NUHLyt8u_I_pReOFc2rbDojAf5zNdEYXsLmGldeUX8EJ5pFjff_-zgePpTo8CGZLQafL0_uOzbcaIhmwRMcQW3WfK8Oex_/s1600/IMG_6768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOzaDPlS5rqYfylbGS3hl4uToeh6g4RSPl7SlqfCrDz6Nc4NUHLyt8u_I_pReOFc2rbDojAf5zNdEYXsLmGldeUX8EJ5pFjff_-zgePpTo8CGZLQafL0_uOzbcaIhmwRMcQW3WfK8Oex_/s640/IMG_6768.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And finally, we have a little quilty happiness. <a href="http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/">Camille Roskelley</a> always has a basket filled with rolled quilts in her house. Since I want to be just like her, I shall roll my quilts in a basket too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4ydcO8aO6ZvXGfr_-lJkl458QXrZXtXfCGnX8h1AIhxB6zDxfZpYSqiFUvnb8DFlZjQZwl5dfdxC12kaf2dTzVlrx7S75Gbrd3Yfwu7SAN7Z11Yk_3AI1zCRstNnI-wL0a1gMVapzloD/s1600/IMG_6778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4ydcO8aO6ZvXGfr_-lJkl458QXrZXtXfCGnX8h1AIhxB6zDxfZpYSqiFUvnb8DFlZjQZwl5dfdxC12kaf2dTzVlrx7S75Gbrd3Yfwu7SAN7Z11Yk_3AI1zCRstNnI-wL0a1gMVapzloD/s640/IMG_6778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy October Friends! Thanks for stopping by!</div>
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<br />Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754675654112262588.post-35483159633082995492015-09-28T14:00:00.000-07:002015-09-28T14:00:00.735-07:00Time To Make Pesto!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
My garden is overflowing with basil this year. We have had a warm and dry summer, with very little rain, and my basil plants were VERY happy with those conditions. Last year I waited too long to use the last of my basil and the frost got to it first. This year, I made better choices. I chopped that basil down and brought it inside for some pesto-yumminess. This is from just one plant.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyojO0Tw3XxbvEZdfmC3K9yLRLMVs4AEMrHUS1XO6YAhgQVVG1NEFLRUez5xHT0HeCY9LPRZM0n6C_FPHIOpWqRzMHdnh17nmmpQum28P-UlVQ9XROKCHJXkLWeuwWWNm0ChyphenhyphenYhICZ8cxb/s640/blogger-image-1971652913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyojO0Tw3XxbvEZdfmC3K9yLRLMVs4AEMrHUS1XO6YAhgQVVG1NEFLRUez5xHT0HeCY9LPRZM0n6C_FPHIOpWqRzMHdnh17nmmpQum28P-UlVQ9XROKCHJXkLWeuwWWNm0ChyphenhyphenYhICZ8cxb/s640/blogger-image-1971652913.jpg" /></a></div>
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Oh, the smell! I made all of the teenage boys, who were at my house watching football, smell the basil and appreciate the home grown goodness. (They are good kids and happily smelled the basil and pretended to care that I was going to make pesto.)</div>
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Sometimes, when I make pesto, I just throw in a little of this and a little of that. This time, I actually measured. Here's what I did.</div>
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I put the following ingredients into the food processor:</div>
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2 cups packed basil</div>
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4 small cloves of garlic</div>
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3/4 cup of pine nuts</div>
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3/4 cup olive oil</div>
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1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese</div>
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3/4 teaspoon natural sea salt</div>
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After a few second in the food processor, it's all done!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLUEcxYy4rfFdXh8PvONeSiHnxZgW01_XVx5u6iMvkY0Mo9GHcFtgBwHdrRGq1obKuDGTt-5CsVzrQcMy-j3GPy4t4Vjt3m7EZPbMpxZtVADHKLVKYRx3ys-qHFsQs8ZcVHye-Ot7UsFh/s640/blogger-image--640295504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLUEcxYy4rfFdXh8PvONeSiHnxZgW01_XVx5u6iMvkY0Mo9GHcFtgBwHdrRGq1obKuDGTt-5CsVzrQcMy-j3GPy4t4Vjt3m7EZPbMpxZtVADHKLVKYRx3ys-qHFsQs8ZcVHye-Ot7UsFh/s640/blogger-image--640295504.jpg" /></a></div>
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I was able to make several batches with the basil from my garden, so I put some in mini jars and put them in the freezer. I was really wishing that I had ice cube trays because I think that would have worked out better for freezing. Oh well, maybe next year. </div>
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***Here's a little tip. Pine nuts are not cheap. If you are making lots of pesto, buy the big bag from Costco.***</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZRPCMc7TtsbxxqasvrD66Y8jT04VZuGbikt2fSXoxz2bNcqnhacNimJu68GD7vI74yDhFZrW1g_a44eBJx4tgi0iGwdFzB5qB3xfG0jBOlqcBPzrvLepDVjzad_ABgWpcqCV_aXcVms0/s640/blogger-image-2018247921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZRPCMc7TtsbxxqasvrD66Y8jT04VZuGbikt2fSXoxz2bNcqnhacNimJu68GD7vI74yDhFZrW1g_a44eBJx4tgi0iGwdFzB5qB3xfG0jBOlqcBPzrvLepDVjzad_ABgWpcqCV_aXcVms0/s640/blogger-image-2018247921.jpg" /></a></div>
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I made those teenage boys some sandwiches with my (borrowed) panani press (thank you Leslie). The sandwiches had sourdough bread, homemade pesto, turkey, provolone cheese, and sundried tomatoes. They enjoyed the sandwiches and told me the pesto was really good... I told you they were good kids!</div>
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Happy pesto making!</div>
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<br />Becca Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848398486925857953noreply@blogger.com1