tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67174335076275883972024-02-19T00:07:24.927-05:003MonkeysIncJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-1493649892243085402013-03-21T07:30:00.001-04:002013-03-21T07:30:46.532-04:00This yarn....So, I had a request for a custom crochet order: 3 newborn hats, a baby cocoon and 2 ear warmers. GREAT! I love custom orders and I love-LOVE doing any type of crochet...<br />
<br />
I looked and looked for a yarn for the cocoon; the picture provided was of a chunky pink knitted cocoon, beautiful - I <span style="font-size: large;"><em>assumed</em> </span><span style="font-size: small;">the request was for something similar in colour, shape, weight, size, yada-yada-yada, as the provided picture.... We-<em>ell</em>, we all know what happens when people <em><span style="font-size: large;">assume</span></em> things.... that's right, <em>I</em> look like the ass! Ok, so that's just when <em>I</em> assume things and don't clarify instructions, you'd be surprised at how often this actually happens to me - no, seriously...</span><br />
<br />
<em>Aaanyway</em>, I found this yarn...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLPNT7XZ8E36maAJ1YAO9d_yKktwopxKpPXTPUywE9xFNZSs8aNNYaO7H_rsiPym5qWZS4uW8FUtz7FaUG6ASKtCJ9AmmCvoxaBZIvJkmJFLj-LkLOBDh8lERcsCE2c595x5pegH_jck/s1600/bernat+baby+blankey+yarn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLPNT7XZ8E36maAJ1YAO9d_yKktwopxKpPXTPUywE9xFNZSs8aNNYaO7H_rsiPym5qWZS4uW8FUtz7FaUG6ASKtCJ9AmmCvoxaBZIvJkmJFLj-LkLOBDh8lERcsCE2c595x5pegH_jck/s1600/bernat+baby+blankey+yarn.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: Bernat.com</td></tr>
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in Baby Pink. It is LUSH, fluffy soft, SUPER CHUNKY, with a chenille-like quality.... <em>and</em> hand-achingly difficult to work with - for me anyway... DID NOT WORK for it's intended purpose - the cocoon... and aside from that, after I started working on the cocoon with <em>said</em> yarn, the customer contacted me and informed me that she'd like the cocoon in an oatmeal colour - neutral - for boy or girl... DUH!! Of course she would, why didn't I ask in the first place. Hindsight is 20/20 people, and I totally see that conversation clearly in my head - <em>now</em>.<br />
<br />
So here's part of the finished custom order, missing the ear warmers...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NEPvqxfIWMNfkEUu5T1UYn9u-xmtffbitt4amEpL_BR0wf8nf9oex5Dh3eyZI2_F7GctQnipHhLZC0LvP9k-pRSXQAubpZrqwWuaAKsGuFfhzUasLUSlfOod0F6y92AWNGxHCVkBUf4/s1600/photo+props.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NEPvqxfIWMNfkEUu5T1UYn9u-xmtffbitt4amEpL_BR0wf8nf9oex5Dh3eyZI2_F7GctQnipHhLZC0LvP9k-pRSXQAubpZrqwWuaAKsGuFfhzUasLUSlfOod0F6y92AWNGxHCVkBUf4/s320/photo+props.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">custom order photo props</td></tr>
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Everything turned out great... I loved the little grey hat with the poms and yarny flower, so cute! In the end, the customer raved about everything and was 100% satisfied.... Love hearing positive feedback :)<br />
<br />
So. Back to <em>'this </em>yarn', the pink stuff. Can't return it, already started using it. What do I do with it? I absolutely DISLIKE (because hate is a very strong word) working with this stuff. My hands knot up in an arthritic seizure just thinking about it... ouch!<br />
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I needed a quick project. Something that would be both satisfying for my inner crochet goddess (ok, my withered inner granny) and do the beautiful chunky fabric some justice... Of course, more baby hats! I love making baby hats. I wish I had the insight when I was pregnant with my 3 monkeys to have made each of their newborn hospital hats - bah, no sense living in the past - what's done (or not done) is done... </div>
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Here's the end result of this botched yarny purchase.... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJb6afnMDk42k2C744vi5cKGloK3MFrcNW-Grw6S5wmNGH1DvcsGbJapb-aZL4DklQOyYJt409xIIg5EIV1f3ifTkr5TlBaHr1YjRzpYx08f2beh7w6RfipdETsTyoqh3PNTmSOHEZW0/s1600/pink+hats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJb6afnMDk42k2C744vi5cKGloK3MFrcNW-Grw6S5wmNGH1DvcsGbJapb-aZL4DklQOyYJt409xIIg5EIV1f3ifTkr5TlBaHr1YjRzpYx08f2beh7w6RfipdETsTyoqh3PNTmSOHEZW0/s320/pink+hats.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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two cavity-inducing, plushy, snugly hats. I love them! These lovelies will be posted on my 3 monkeys FB page and listed FOR SALE!</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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Julie ;)</div>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-26626129840329614492013-03-20T16:18:00.000-04:002013-03-20T16:19:20.159-04:00Hmm... Should I or Shouldn't I?So after a very <span style="font-size: large;">LOOOOONNNNGGGGG</span> hiatus, I find myself back here in this little space. <br />
<br />
A TON has happened over the last little while and I certainly have lots to share... I'm at a place right now where I'm wondering, <em><span style="font-size: large;">'should I or shouldn't I'?</span></em><br />
<br />
I have missed sharing with my friends in this space, and I've never really been a quitter - maybe a postponer - but not a quitter. With that said, I <em>am</em> committing once again to connecting with my friends here.... I can't promise a daily dish, but at least a weekly spoonful....<br />
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Cheers!<br />
Julie ;)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-30235435764220668952012-07-10T09:10:00.002-04:002012-07-10T09:11:24.610-04:00Water Bugs and Dragonflies by Doris Stickney<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They
were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For many months they
were </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They
did notice that every once in awhile one of their colony seemed to lose interest
in going </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clinging to the stem of a pond lily it gradually moved out of
sight and was seen no more.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Look!" said one of the water bugs to another. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"One of our colony is climbing
up the lily stalk. Where do you think she is going?" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Up, up, up it slowly
went....Even </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight. Its
friends waited and waited but it didn't return...
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"That's funny!" said one water bug to another. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Wasn't she happy here?" asked
a second... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Where do you suppose she went?" wondered a third.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one had an answer. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were greatly puzzled. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally one of the water
bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends together. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I have an idea".
The next one </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and
tell us where he or she went and why."
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We promise", they said solemnly.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One spring day, not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan
found himself climbing up the lily stalk. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Up, up, up, he went. Before he knew
what </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was happening, he had broke through the surface of the water and fallen
onto the broad, green lily pad above.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn't believe what he
saw. A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four
silver </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wings and a long tail. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to
move his wings...The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new
body. He moved his </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water.
He had become a dragonfly!!
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt
exhilarated in the new atmosphere. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By and by the new dragonfly lighted happily
on a lily pad to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rest. Then it was that he chanced to look below to the
bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the water bugs!
There they were scurrying </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">around, just as he had been doing some time before.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dragonfly remembered the promise: "The next one of us who climbs up the
lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without
thinking, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water
and bounced away. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the
water...
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I can't return!" he said in dismay. "At least, I tried. But I can't keep my
promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my
new </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">body. I guess I'll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too.
Then they'll understand what has happened to me, and where I went."
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and
air.......
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>From: "Water Bugs and Dragonflies : Explaining Death to Young Children"</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>by
Doris Stickney</em></span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-63245534526487264172012-05-14T21:42:00.003-04:002012-05-14T21:45:37.694-04:00Life Lessons....So, it's been a while... a long while.<br />
I've taken a bit of a mental break. A much needed break.<br />
<br />
While I love this little space, it does take much effort and time to keep up. I guess I went through a sort of burnout.<br />
<br />
I LOVE CRAFTING, THRIFTING, RE-CREATING, YOU-NAME-IT... but, it all takes time. And when you have 3 littles under foot, you just need to put some things into perspective. Family first. Family FIRST.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong... I've never struggled with priorities. Anyone who knows me, knows that I put my children and husband first and everything else falls into place after that.... and me? Well, I'm usually last on that list. That is, until 2 months ago. I realized that if I didn't start putting ME a little higher on that list, then all else in my life would start to failing.<br />
<br />
My girl-babe is starting school in the fall. Oh. My. I don't even want to think about it. My whole life, I feel, was formed, shaped, guided-by-fate to be a mom. And I know I'll always be a mom to these 3 little wonders; but, in all honesty - I am the woman who could have been a mom to TEN little wonders.<br />
<br />
But, my resolve...<br />
<br />
My resolve...<br />
<br />
I know I can only have three.... and my time to be the full-on-full-time mom is coming to an end. <br />
<br />
I needed to take stock. Put ME first. <br />
<br />
<em>Holy Crap!</em> Did I just say 'Put <em>ME</em> first'?<br />
<br />
I did. And, I have.<br />
<br />
Time to reclaim this body of mine.... time to think of what I want out of this life (aside from the obvious - my family).<br />
<br />
I've joined the gym. Working with a trainer who is amply qualified to kick my A**! And - I'M LOVING IT! I. LOVE. IT.<br />
<br />
I am a consultant for an AMAZING direct sales company which I believe in WHOLEHEARTEDLY!<br />
<br />
And, when September finally comes, which I know, inevitably, it will. I will have some free time to fill with another Mom-preneurial side business.... but, until then....<br />
<br />
Drink in EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT I have left with this sweet little lady and her brothers... I cannot miss a thing. I owe it to her, I owe it to her brothers. And most of all, I deserve - DESERVE - to relish every second while I can - while they'll still let me.<br />
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I had the best compliment a mom could get yesterday on Mother's Day...<br />
<br />
'My mom is as special as LEGO.'<br />
<br />
I love my life... what else can I say?<br />
<br />
Happy Belated Mother's Day. <em>**Miss you B ((((HUGS))))**</em><br />
<br />
;)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-53086851137575176862012-02-01T09:36:00.003-05:002012-02-01T09:37:10.015-05:00GOING ON VACATION!So, I know it's been a very slow start to the year here at 3 monkeys inc blog.... I've been busy starting new business ventures, trying to get the kiddy-kats settled back into school routine, hockey-hockey-hockey, getting ready for a much needed family vacation....<br />
<br />
I'm going to say good-bye for a little while.... this isn't the end of 3 monkeys inc - not even close.... it's just a much needed rest to rejuvenate - revitalize - and quite frankly, think of some new things to talk about....<br />
<br />
I'll be back at this blogging game once holidays are over (at the end of February).... I'm POSITIVE I'll have so much to talk about that you'll be sick of listening to me ;P<br />
<br />
Thanks for understanding dear friends....<br />
Adieu -<i> for now</i> ;)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-91964685417053289492012-01-27T17:00:00.000-05:002012-01-27T17:00:02.994-05:00FRIDAY NIGHT VIDEO: worst video and song seriesI have no words.... just watch....<br />
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Oh, Hoff.... you so cheesy!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-22238591456307779932012-01-27T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-27T05:30:01.886-05:00RANDOMNESS: lifeWe never really know where life will take us. We can plan and plan all we want; but, there are things we just cannot control. <br />
<br />
Think of yourself as a writer.... you get to tell the story.... don't let the unknown hinder you.... mold it, shape it, write it. Give every bump in the road their own chapter in the book of you....<br />
<br />
My advice: Take every day as it comes. Bask in every ray of goodness. Jump the hurdles
as they arise. Learn from them and carry on. In the moment it may be
difficult to look ahead; but, don't let that stop you.... YOU are the author...Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-35120775508298714232012-01-26T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-26T05:30:02.886-05:00PINTERESTINGLY INTERESTING: colour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://recovergirl.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/recovergirl-sweater-blanket-how-to1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://recovergirl.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/recovergirl-sweater-blanket-how-to1.jpg" width="86" /></a></div>
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felted wool blanket.... LOVE! via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/281756520407121364/">pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgrQc80k2rYZRBO_T0RZX3D7MlGLYAZvuA5NyYywWzdkZK4Ig04ww4Xhq6o7m_s1a2xalp4mCJIVazqMMnGnuhcn8_y0fhjU5c5lXcaU9oIrqxGPZzsCRmoobJW23mLlcYvUC229Xpmk/s1600/babushkups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgrQc80k2rYZRBO_T0RZX3D7MlGLYAZvuA5NyYywWzdkZK4Ig04ww4Xhq6o7m_s1a2xalp4mCJIVazqMMnGnuhcn8_y0fhjU5c5lXcaU9oIrqxGPZzsCRmoobJW23mLlcYvUC229Xpmk/s320/babushkups.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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worldwide fred babushkups on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/73535406385406542/">pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://lisastorms.typepad.com/.a/6a0134882a3940970c01543226bb35970c-pi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://lisastorms.typepad.com/.a/6a0134882a3940970c01543226bb35970c-pi" width="320" /></a></div>
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pretty plates via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479294487842/">pinterest</a></div>
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eating a rainbow via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6262886951417399/">pinterest</a></div>
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crochet ripples via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/86061042848886818/">pinterest</a></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-28632773680253940422012-01-24T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-24T05:30:03.087-05:00HOW-TO-TUESDAY: sweater makeoverI've had this sweater for a few years.... it's soft and cottony and I love it.... but.... I never wear it. One of those items you hang onto in hopes of one day wearing again.... But, honestly, do those days ever come? Usually not for me....<br />
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So, I took this as a sign.... A makeover kinda sign!<br />
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Here's what went down:<br />
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I took this 100% cotton American Eagle sweater that I bought for the low-low price of $9.99 (I know!)....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMVC4PHczSPEHnbJCLapKz-Brmz_RJ4cY1xQsseB-XwRIp4cHZGoejsSNgJhbE59mq5FANFlS-rvr5u5GlVVPGXsoC0hzFxKsyxtu1wX3ckMbxAenihVQLa5ofgD9Mu7IOBXhgwLdfg8/s1600/IMG_3716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMVC4PHczSPEHnbJCLapKz-Brmz_RJ4cY1xQsseB-XwRIp4cHZGoejsSNgJhbE59mq5FANFlS-rvr5u5GlVVPGXsoC0hzFxKsyxtu1wX3ckMbxAenihVQLa5ofgD9Mu7IOBXhgwLdfg8/s320/IMG_3716.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And started by doing this....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6meemzAgQyFtbAvaOnqPB8RCh3QgqnDVBHYahrUj2wgmwwUMNo7BrvYQSw7o1baEZGmHtrkLe71ul5yBqNA43StYbKIcaVS7OHNLkmu6pRY8voRJfDs5ian4O2Cveq5n2qzjnNyxs6uc/s1600/IMG_3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6meemzAgQyFtbAvaOnqPB8RCh3QgqnDVBHYahrUj2wgmwwUMNo7BrvYQSw7o1baEZGmHtrkLe71ul5yBqNA43StYbKIcaVS7OHNLkmu6pRY8voRJfDs5ian4O2Cveq5n2qzjnNyxs6uc/s320/IMG_3717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then this....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUw2TFN-kSbFkTK1g3bDaJmqj4hHqlcKrbU6riB5zvxa7k1v_1vGl_lEiRxdbWe5807MLO2abxZ1vcgqs46_fzzXMa1oE0_srGaFoXSTwF9gBdfm4EJssQIpyElzrhXermuJ51YlBPV08/s1600/IMG_3719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUw2TFN-kSbFkTK1g3bDaJmqj4hHqlcKrbU6riB5zvxa7k1v_1vGl_lEiRxdbWe5807MLO2abxZ1vcgqs46_fzzXMa1oE0_srGaFoXSTwF9gBdfm4EJssQIpyElzrhXermuJ51YlBPV08/s320/IMG_3719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then this....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcMKezcCofyTiSztMjXccb7amr1dii6xa_s1lfbnj4g2G4Y64Sr-EDW0EM2M3hOKa-KBT5xcr69hLbZyvdvsQ4oKYS7H97L9PqD8ArsjCDMSt2P3QO6GfVVTh3hlNpzx0Swyaj5UMUFA/s1600/IMG_3721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcMKezcCofyTiSztMjXccb7amr1dii6xa_s1lfbnj4g2G4Y64Sr-EDW0EM2M3hOKa-KBT5xcr69hLbZyvdvsQ4oKYS7H97L9PqD8ArsjCDMSt2P3QO6GfVVTh3hlNpzx0Swyaj5UMUFA/s320/IMG_3721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this.... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszzJhmtzeN9-oEiC0pWNfhdT4PvqHmesVk4_PR20yEJs6ATq_FVphDvQvnd0EvCs0Ayz1yE8_VU-kv_ZYQOBDSrgHnchY5ChlTfe-eTRTb-kZUofgHsmqi65LNIsU6Fj6p825AhCutvo/s1600/IMG_3732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszzJhmtzeN9-oEiC0pWNfhdT4PvqHmesVk4_PR20yEJs6ATq_FVphDvQvnd0EvCs0Ayz1yE8_VU-kv_ZYQOBDSrgHnchY5ChlTfe-eTRTb-kZUofgHsmqi65LNIsU6Fj6p825AhCutvo/s320/IMG_3732.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this too....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0rg1SmlnLcO_7BYI1SKVlL5pUTngiVkZx51DrFucWkeweRuBZDF8W7lgSkMtdRRN-Xu1eCCEEOXgMx2Kv5Fr7OT0HmYWKgm-S82W0LFwgVfRBfH7ljpVsMiggWGSeacikcXA6ezR-EA/s1600/IMG_3731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0rg1SmlnLcO_7BYI1SKVlL5pUTngiVkZx51DrFucWkeweRuBZDF8W7lgSkMtdRRN-Xu1eCCEEOXgMx2Kv5Fr7OT0HmYWKgm-S82W0LFwgVfRBfH7ljpVsMiggWGSeacikcXA6ezR-EA/s320/IMG_3731.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And voila! A new cardi from a sweater that I loved....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUCu78vyjFmK-rPNYBrjdWW14r_gYjr3dTjw-YXVLPh5BP8kb-9FvO6znTDwYYXYRAvPBxm95LUxUWPHy8HtA9R3Q-xOGQfz638qpQXduUnlpAN0yNohBKYTUZI-UXTOs9LkmDIy_5_k/s1600/IMG_3734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUCu78vyjFmK-rPNYBrjdWW14r_gYjr3dTjw-YXVLPh5BP8kb-9FvO6znTDwYYXYRAvPBxm95LUxUWPHy8HtA9R3Q-xOGQfz638qpQXduUnlpAN0yNohBKYTUZI-UXTOs9LkmDIy_5_k/s320/IMG_3734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yay!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-30160242834389527902012-01-23T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-23T07:54:27.775-05:00THRIFTY MONDAY: sittin' prettyIt seems like forever that we've been searching for extra chairs to go with our dining room set. Our set consists of one oak table, four oak chairs and one leaf for the table. A<i>nd</i> since we're a family of five, a four seater table just doesn't cut it.... don't get me wrong, we don't have one of the kids sitting on the floor while we eat or anything like that.... we have a little old farmhouse chair (that I love) that the girl-monkey's booster seat sits upon....<br />
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So, yes, we <i>do </i>have enough chairs for our family.... But, what a pain when we have guests for dinner....<br />
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Well.... pain no more!<br />
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Last wednesday, Mr. Monkey found an ad on Kijiji.... 6 pressed back chairs with newly re-caned seats for $375. Not a ridiculous price for 6 caned chairs.... but also not truly a thrifty price either.... again, if you know me well, you know how I don't like to part with money, I'm thrifty, cheap, like that :D<br />
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<i>Aaaanyway</i>, the chairs were in a little town 15 minutes away.... we bundled the girl-monkey up and off we went. <br />
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Conclusion. They were nice looking chairs; <span style="font-size: large;">however</span>, with kids, I don't think caned seats are practical. Not to say my kids are ram-my or overly rambunctious, they're pretty gentle on our furniture (we've trained them well).... but, they <i>are </i>kids and kids drop food and spill drinks (heck, so do adults) and the thought of trying to clean food and drink out of caning - no thanks. And -<i> And!</i> They were wobbly. And loose. And not at all the solid and heavy chairs that we were after.<br />
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We thanked the lovely gentleman and were on our merry way, sans chairs....<br />
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We hopped in the family bus, and decided to head into the city to check out Bibles for Missions.... But, on the way, we stopped at our favourite Antique Shop, Brooks' House. We've purchased a number of items from this place and have found the prices very fair and reasonable. The nice lady who owns the store told us long ago when we asked why her prices were so low, that if she priced like other antique stores, she'd never move anything. Makes sense. She prices her items so she gets her money back with a little extra for profit. Pretty fair in my books.<br />
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And you can tell, if you visit her store once a week for a month, that her stock changes all the time. She chooses quality pieces and if they need some TLC, her husband fixes them up in his workshop. Perfect!<br />
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We found a beautiful table and chair set almost immediately when we walked in.... and as luck would have it, it was priced <i>NOT </i>as a set! The chairs were priced at $196 for 4 solid oak pressed back chairs and the table was $275.<br />
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The smarty-pants that Mr. Monkey is, he brought along one of our own kitchen chairs to match up to anything we found.... BRILLIANT!<br />
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The height of the pressed back was perfect! The colour was off; but, seriously, nothing in my house matches anyway and that's just the way we like it.<br />
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So, the million-dollar question, asked by the wheeler and dealer, Mr. Monkey, 'What's the best you can do on them?' And that's the great thing about buying from an independent seller, there's <i>always </i>a deal to be had.... Because they needed a little TLC upon arrival to her shop, she could only do 10% off. Good enough for us!<br />
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These beauties are now a permanent fixture in my home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lNZOm3O8LR74E_6p2CYbmYHAtmpCk7qOxfDCo3xZEqvzpwdhRF41ymdVbnyoq1S6YJ_2ruJ1QVubLJ3sgOJxZMYU-Le5z7_KQi1aMYhBTo4FswvfNKfamSgml_hUP-4Krhf2joZqpyk/s1600/IMG_3726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lNZOm3O8LR74E_6p2CYbmYHAtmpCk7qOxfDCo3xZEqvzpwdhRF41ymdVbnyoq1S6YJ_2ruJ1QVubLJ3sgOJxZMYU-Le5z7_KQi1aMYhBTo4FswvfNKfamSgml_hUP-4Krhf2joZqpyk/s320/IMG_3726.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We have extra seating for company; of course, our table <i>still </i>only comfortably seats 6, but has fed upwards of 10.... you do what you have to do, right? The table will be replaced later-later, no rush on that, just gives me time to find something I really-really love.<br />
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So all-in-all, they were a great price for something old and something solid and best of all, something with character. Less than $50 a chair.... PERFECT!<br />
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And, somehow the thrifty-ness must have filtered down to the girl-monkey, she came away with this....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l8MNjvoaT0kQexe1kS2yg4EiEzFUxVeCIGRdNM00YVk4bNJMIfgC0XapNFNAU9EcwEZG5TcaHtWVH9bEWt0zc4vEys-ClJLy4Gb5fOhFTCX0HVQPvAhOeES16jQN9-57ZKQmjUfFVAU/s1600/IMG_3729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l8MNjvoaT0kQexe1kS2yg4EiEzFUxVeCIGRdNM00YVk4bNJMIfgC0XapNFNAU9EcwEZG5TcaHtWVH9bEWt0zc4vEys-ClJLy4Gb5fOhFTCX0HVQPvAhOeES16jQN9-57ZKQmjUfFVAU/s320/IMG_3729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A vintage tin that housed a few vintage buttons for the HUGE price of 50 cents. And so her button collecting career begins.... I LOVE IT!<br />
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Have a lovely January day my dears.... ;)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-57793221332833955792012-01-21T05:30:00.001-05:002012-01-21T05:30:01.247-05:00JUST SAYIN'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEire3u1SpvVid4QzwaoFjCDMvDJfXJdL9lYyCo_zCCtANsyT-SpHoSINCI01-nYaoT-JKrCy-7HIsPCfWD9mqpONGlO6Zmigzb6P12wGrXyllawRTaETk-JleurWipqPP7Kp-ll5XDOPPI/s1600/smile+it+confuses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEire3u1SpvVid4QzwaoFjCDMvDJfXJdL9lYyCo_zCCtANsyT-SpHoSINCI01-nYaoT-JKrCy-7HIsPCfWD9mqpONGlO6Zmigzb6P12wGrXyllawRTaETk-JleurWipqPP7Kp-ll5XDOPPI/s320/smile+it+confuses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76624315/smile-it-confuses-people-5x7-print?ref=hp_tt_yt">Etsy</a></div>
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-55825211337435750852012-01-20T17:00:00.000-05:002012-01-20T17:00:01.298-05:00FRIDAY NIGHT VIDEO: worst video and song seriesWhile browsing through some articles on the internet one night, Mr. Monkey happened upon some very bad-bad videos/songs.... and from there, we were inspired to bring you this.... the Worst Video and Song Series. Totally a humourous look at music and video.... <br />
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I Don't Wanna Be A Crappy Housewife by Tonja Langeteig .... ENJOY!<br />
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Now, I know that just made your friday night! ;)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-35086813423273251432012-01-20T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-20T05:30:01.670-05:00RANDOMNESS: working momEven though I'm a stay at home mom, and have been for quite some time now, I've always thought of myself as a working mom. As much fun and as rewarding as it is to be able to be home with my kids, it <i>has </i>been work too, but a type of work that I am completely proud and happy to do.... I love being home, I wouldn't miss seeing my children grow for any amount of money.<br />
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But, the time has come to start thinking about working outside of the home again.... Scary? A little. Do I have a job to return to? Not in my field of training - I'm obsolete - DARN COMPUTERS! Do I have options? Absolutely!<br />
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I have some things in the works that I think I'll find both challenging and rewarding and MOST-<i>MOST</i> importantly, will work within my children's school schedule and around my husband's shifts. No need to acquaint my children with a sitter.... I don't like that option, and neither do they (actually, they don't even like the idea of me working, but that's another story)....<br />
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I'm excited for the prospect of working outside of the house again and to be contributing to our household income again. I'll keep you posted when I figure everything out.<br />
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Have a great day everyone ;)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-71701622535100616402012-01-19T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-19T05:30:02.792-05:00BESTIES OF ETSY: love day is coming<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hammered Heart Necklace, by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77158470/heart-valentine-gift-sterling-silver?ref=sr_gallery_21&sref=&ga_search_query=valentine&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fjewelry">Juliana W Jewelry</a></div>
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Winnie the Pooh Quote Valentine Cards, by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60910792/valentine-card-winnie-the-pooh-quote?ref=sr_gallery_3&sref=&ga_search_query=valentine&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fpaper_goods">Letter Happy</a></div>
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<a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.230812889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.230812889.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Linen Lingerie Set, by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70915622/linen-tap-set-with-boxer-and-bralette">Sandmaiden</a></div>
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Beautiful Red Valentine Wreath, by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89307478/valentines-day-wreath-heart-shaped?ref=sr_gallery_1&sref=&ga_search_query=valentine&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=8&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">Sophie Reena</a></div>
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<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.300831164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.300831164.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ties for Big and Little Guys, by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87208376/valentines-day-neckties-baby-toddler?ref=sr_gallery_35&sref=&ga_search_query=men%27s+valentine&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=5&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">Me and Matilda</a></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-68671542635511614612012-01-18T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-18T05:30:02.907-05:00REFURB-RECON-REPURPOSE: old suitcase, new doll caseI've always loved the idea of making something old, new again, and when I saw <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77800992/train-case-with-turquoise-tree?ref=sr_gallery_12&sref=&ga_search_query=upcycled+suitcase&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=6&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">these </a>on Etsy, I knew I could easily do it myself.... and then, the hunt was on for the perfect case....<br />
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And, I found one.... <i> </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gCBlbgcUfprizk3LVYFjTTA_BENhEG-JnNZA3GbJJ1MvK3fN3P0sUSi7_2pwhH6lycVcRAe6BYnMR60slg8mBH5VqpZr7NK9CPn6p0SXBx1hhy6dtZJXBmQb3ALbJ5hkhfuRIdUQ0UY/s1600/IMG_3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gCBlbgcUfprizk3LVYFjTTA_BENhEG-JnNZA3GbJJ1MvK3fN3P0sUSi7_2pwhH6lycVcRAe6BYnMR60slg8mBH5VqpZr7NK9CPn6p0SXBx1hhy6dtZJXBmQb3ALbJ5hkhfuRIdUQ0UY/s320/IMG_3667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Actually</i>, Mr. Monkey found it on his very first trip with the girl-babe and I, to our nearest Bibles for Missions thrift store. This pretty blue case was sitting on the floor with a bunch of other sad looking cases.... a diamond in the rough for sure....<br />
<br />
The price tag.... a WHOPPING $3.00! Yes, folks, this <i>was </i>the steal of the day!<br />
<br />
So here it is.... the transformation....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRAgdBWGEvqGPu5PnBuewaGbdtUko88_8hn3jglNhDusqPyT0x6fFS-E2-r0e_AsOL5z5soKjMohyphenhyphenVZ3KzqoXtobMjrfs8mDqKp-dMTWO5InI9jBIPY1R_7vJ-Um4q8mXezfDmVCLv08/s1600/IMG_3673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRAgdBWGEvqGPu5PnBuewaGbdtUko88_8hn3jglNhDusqPyT0x6fFS-E2-r0e_AsOL5z5soKjMohyphenhyphenVZ3KzqoXtobMjrfs8mDqKp-dMTWO5InI9jBIPY1R_7vJ-Um4q8mXezfDmVCLv08/s320/IMG_3673.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">original condition, ok, but, not really... and <i>still </i>has it's keys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IxB1F_aSt5eN_I6SxLAQoWyCt3jQS5Use5Bb13esvd_LGtP4Ux5LgMuGuaIClz3rr03SkCRSTvievHLpkOEyReoPLeSK59UL3G8yWoParKV_vVoCh1leVglBSAYPoY2OAnoaP5815F8/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IxB1F_aSt5eN_I6SxLAQoWyCt3jQS5Use5Bb13esvd_LGtP4Ux5LgMuGuaIClz3rr03SkCRSTvievHLpkOEyReoPLeSK59UL3G8yWoParKV_vVoCh1leVglBSAYPoY2OAnoaP5815F8/s320/IMG_3687.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">let the stripping begin - woo-hoo!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3X-4l3Q01vHYp5N9cJNMBcZXh8wnZgPkFxq9Vk_HsHC5DD4_as88DYOE1K_xkffYnZxVhgoTc6_UkZpFIHFHECILpDwJoiZgBJ8bi309qYRs82nxXf1JdE_vt0Myv61RpgcUk7LJMVU/s1600/IMG_3688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3X-4l3Q01vHYp5N9cJNMBcZXh8wnZgPkFxq9Vk_HsHC5DD4_as88DYOE1K_xkffYnZxVhgoTc6_UkZpFIHFHECILpDwJoiZgBJ8bi309qYRs82nxXf1JdE_vt0Myv61RpgcUk7LJMVU/s320/IMG_3688.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">interesting.... butter cookie packaging as backing.... repurposing, I <i>LOVE </i>IT!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJebWvxYoOLFWZEaBNVlw3yakUmYsjiA35SoDLcA9AsTKkku-KA6FIOGqoFP5-zHcHJS4I6Mun3rpnWd-zbU_0Jg0PCO-BTTb-rBVR7fWKP5CIZYbAb8nPgbbjk-8N-hymSuMgCdTtdSc/s1600/IMG_3689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJebWvxYoOLFWZEaBNVlw3yakUmYsjiA35SoDLcA9AsTKkku-KA6FIOGqoFP5-zHcHJS4I6Mun3rpnWd-zbU_0Jg0PCO-BTTb-rBVR7fWKP5CIZYbAb8nPgbbjk-8N-hymSuMgCdTtdSc/s320/IMG_3689.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">original lining stuck.... ah, no biggie</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuoaqQOMcpYIuT9FD-8brdaZE3e3m0Hrc6syC22y8hY2EwOqCiIWU1ULWJTv-emNeEH1GcY-Ejd5xvddWRL6ns3YtG89tHCvFr4HhsxQVTmrrhXX8nO-pL1N5agFeXJAoy7iZR1j0Y34/s1600/IMG_3690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuoaqQOMcpYIuT9FD-8brdaZE3e3m0Hrc6syC22y8hY2EwOqCiIWU1ULWJTv-emNeEH1GcY-Ejd5xvddWRL6ns3YtG89tHCvFr4HhsxQVTmrrhXX8nO-pL1N5agFeXJAoy7iZR1j0Y34/s320/IMG_3690.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">completely NAKED!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws-N5osF9UkQpdVmAXJt7JR1SDVQk2sFj9jFnS4-1JHPrtNT4hE93_bPTSSF14cQ8hG5ZHvwx_ylXDnRU-TuqRNltDPF8lXsRu5OmEkj8E7Z2gk7HaIvMEHOAnULsh8mnpBRo9r4n5E0/s1600/IMG_3692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws-N5osF9UkQpdVmAXJt7JR1SDVQk2sFj9jFnS4-1JHPrtNT4hE93_bPTSSF14cQ8hG5ZHvwx_ylXDnRU-TuqRNltDPF8lXsRu5OmEkj8E7Z2gk7HaIvMEHOAnULsh8mnpBRo9r4n5E0/s320/IMG_3692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vintage sheeting fabric, batting, glue gun, and many-many-many glue sticks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLQwZAoUjSIbk0FcBv2rQvufwvrUx4vH_X0py7vI3r4VLz4ZH4EeHBrGvBsgh0xFMjs-tlm9aYzZJiJP5_T53_Gr_Ry_rylBVXOZX5QruV7scM2sXkzdfYcHgeClqrh7C4GQOGM__PVo/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLQwZAoUjSIbk0FcBv2rQvufwvrUx4vH_X0py7vI3r4VLz4ZH4EeHBrGvBsgh0xFMjs-tlm9aYzZJiJP5_T53_Gr_Ry_rylBVXOZX5QruV7scM2sXkzdfYcHgeClqrh7C4GQOGM__PVo/s320/IMG_3693.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty trims, not sure what to use just yet....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4EUhHOWSPrxG3DNHsJAyTIxH_fi5WqVPlj08IC8Q0lNWYuiZAFyAJnRmt24NY_kKLHPBWfkAm-qyab60GjveShr3KvXZO3N-uH9yxlYUdGY_Q51ssLaiwImMsDhPSLg03zri5ldhTLU/s1600/IMG_3695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4EUhHOWSPrxG3DNHsJAyTIxH_fi5WqVPlj08IC8Q0lNWYuiZAFyAJnRmt24NY_kKLHPBWfkAm-qyab60GjveShr3KvXZO3N-uH9yxlYUdGY_Q51ssLaiwImMsDhPSLg03zri5ldhTLU/s320/IMG_3695.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fitting and gluing the batting, really just winging it....until....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEvxnmDnSlozrY57armiR3E9-kzqyJ2_0ygPUOeo7j-3PV7YT4t9ANV4-MS1SaqOZC1CCbY__d9E8HQ_mBNxYtpjG0rKcIWsGSmvcrhsyzYraucLjT0vHgMnPO175hy9eZX2icnMc1do/s1600/IMG_3697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEvxnmDnSlozrY57armiR3E9-kzqyJ2_0ygPUOeo7j-3PV7YT4t9ANV4-MS1SaqOZC1CCbY__d9E8HQ_mBNxYtpjG0rKcIWsGSmvcrhsyzYraucLjT0vHgMnPO175hy9eZX2icnMc1do/s320/IMG_3697.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OUCHIE! why does this <i>ALWAYS </i>happen to me?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOxGkJSuvlW7jtk_GbNcmaIIoctJ-J-s0gT6Lyx8rMm7t9QR5jiJJZcip_GUqS0Oj9BK4qMm57xT4uwmaNr5agYdsjLSc4QxfFCw7993mSW1kcHYvm5meG6iz9E_A9wwB0eMTTecfy-Y/s1600/IMG_3699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOxGkJSuvlW7jtk_GbNcmaIIoctJ-J-s0gT6Lyx8rMm7t9QR5jiJJZcip_GUqS0Oj9BK4qMm57xT4uwmaNr5agYdsjLSc4QxfFCw7993mSW1kcHYvm5meG6iz9E_A9wwB0eMTTecfy-Y/s320/IMG_3699.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">burnt fingers forgotten.... bottom lining finito!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N8alK7rn90RhIos40I_AQx-mgUGfFcOtYVZfUuXwohUTm4A7OwXUND8Y4PaDxC2crLxUAWplWeG5qqcXmnA5Dazux7-5JDFVPp-epvOnPtv5JVjLEbIs_6sIKkQrwum2WlV12vGr8vU/s1600/IMG_3700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N8alK7rn90RhIos40I_AQx-mgUGfFcOtYVZfUuXwohUTm4A7OwXUND8Y4PaDxC2crLxUAWplWeG5qqcXmnA5Dazux7-5JDFVPp-epvOnPtv5JVjLEbIs_6sIKkQrwum2WlV12vGr8vU/s320/IMG_3700.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">glue and press, glue and press.... top lining <i>also </i>finito!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O7UZIqfBnwmoencE_D8DBoBzKbOgwPQ39qkorCsRZrmWSP1T8KB4kzqcx4lxKbV0rt-fEhjOBzjlpIbHudi4MXxG54kh2HRlM8FOiww7a5WCLikl3QE4vy9R0CpltYREh9hVEflR4gM/s1600/IMG_3701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O7UZIqfBnwmoencE_D8DBoBzKbOgwPQ39qkorCsRZrmWSP1T8KB4kzqcx4lxKbV0rt-fEhjOBzjlpIbHudi4MXxG54kh2HRlM8FOiww7a5WCLikl3QE4vy9R0CpltYREh9hVEflR4gM/s320/IMG_3701.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cutting, trimming, fitting and attaching the pretty flowers</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4L4nWgWG5H5xkD_XOnmftu85zMD59zCuZzoLcYH6kTZlgd2MGnYUHodwY_sNcW9AFgH50HUD6102cvm0mtF5e42oTGiMkWtJq7hhVEezOU8D2gmm51456dH7jA1F1u2mcI13onLxosM/s1600/IMG_3704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4L4nWgWG5H5xkD_XOnmftu85zMD59zCuZzoLcYH6kTZlgd2MGnYUHodwY_sNcW9AFgH50HUD6102cvm0mtF5e42oTGiMkWtJq7hhVEezOU8D2gmm51456dH7jA1F1u2mcI13onLxosM/s320/IMG_3704.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oops, forgot to take a shot of the trim being applied, my bad, here it is finished</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3bBAETa1dzEuNv7lewDAlkyyie_xPk8-1cjoe45TNM2bbNMP6F08RqdPzRrZFI8NiJBcStCMTs_utKfIAxXHM6N8c2SoZLNaJbXydxgfDLLEdvLOwTwk7lSOC-qJD2w31saLuF1m6pg/s1600/IMG_3702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3bBAETa1dzEuNv7lewDAlkyyie_xPk8-1cjoe45TNM2bbNMP6F08RqdPzRrZFI8NiJBcStCMTs_utKfIAxXHM6N8c2SoZLNaJbXydxgfDLLEdvLOwTwk7lSOC-qJD2w31saLuF1m6pg/s320/IMG_3702.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the monkey-girl throwing in Bear's clothes <i>before </i>I could finish, love her excitement</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fxTWbBakSvoE6G1WMBj4L7WWOmS2ZxGTQMe5lOkZGAdAx0AM8YTBUxiJW3PCa7dX74w5JNsMjvjmwQ4yUTvWzpePEWYgWnJUe7nHCH1jy4fV8Q_jphUM6Jd933sFUbfAa5AigXZiqvo/s1600/IMG_3703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fxTWbBakSvoE6G1WMBj4L7WWOmS2ZxGTQMe5lOkZGAdAx0AM8YTBUxiJW3PCa7dX74w5JNsMjvjmwQ4yUTvWzpePEWYgWnJUe7nHCH1jy4fV8Q_jphUM6Jd933sFUbfAa5AigXZiqvo/s320/IMG_3703.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'take a pitcher of me, mommy!' (heart melting)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpMqPHtW2blJ6iBrzNgCuEFH8lt8YXpsbuXYMGmGgYGIMxopJuHJWj_TAOuV1wsKM90FsQIhNnbKkdPW7k6I0f8tLgHGePV2pPOOzK2icFSXLpym1vT-EkgXjjWlX0aFJBSfMCQdIUZc/s1600/IMG_3705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpMqPHtW2blJ6iBrzNgCuEFH8lt8YXpsbuXYMGmGgYGIMxopJuHJWj_TAOuV1wsKM90FsQIhNnbKkdPW7k6I0f8tLgHGePV2pPOOzK2icFSXLpym1vT-EkgXjjWlX0aFJBSfMCQdIUZc/s320/IMG_3705.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DONE! and PACKED!</td></tr>
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I had so much fun whipping up this project! In total, it took me about 4 and a half hours.... well worth my time and effort <i>just </i>to get that HUGE smile from that BEAUTIFUL girl....<br />
<br />
I think, later-<i>later</i>, I'll add some clear pockets to the top to house the socks and shoes, and maybe paint the monkey's name on the outside.... I'll be sure to add that as a REFURB-RECON-REPURPOSE post too!<br />
<br />
I hope this inspires you glue-gun toting craft-goddesses to tackle your own repurpose projects. Have a lovely day my friends ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-12875064310940586682012-01-17T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-17T09:12:39.170-05:00HOW-TO-TUESDAY: recipe makeoverWho doesn't LOVE brownies? Chocolate-y, crumbly outside, chewy-ewwie-gooey inside.... and so-so sinfully decadent.... I mean, full of calories.<br />
<br />
So, how can you have your favourite chocolate snack and NOT feel guilty after? Easy. Makeover your recipe.<br />
<br />
With a few small changes you can cut the calorie count considerably and still get the fix you were looking for.<br />
<br />
Today, I'm going to show you how I made over <a href="http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/bakers-one-bowl-brownies-86277.aspx">this </a>recipe, from BAKER'S Chocolate and Kraft Canada. The original recipe calls for a large amount of both butter and sugar. By cutting these two ingredients down and adding one other thing, you can save yourself from indiscretion.<br />
<br />
Here we go.<br />
<u><b>Julie's Skinny-<span style="font-size: large;"><i>ish </i></span>Brownies</b></u><br />
<br />
You'll need:<br />
4 squares Baker's Semi-sweet Chocolate<br />
1 tbsp Becel Salt-Free Margarine<br />
1/4-1/2 cup sugar<br />
1 ripe mashed banana (or 1 Motts snack cup unsweetened applesauce) <br />
3 whole eggs (or 1 whole and 4 egg whites if you have cholesterol issues)<br />
1tsp vanilla<br />
1 cup flour (white, whole wheat or nutri-blend)<br />
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Melt chocolate and margarine in microwave for 1-2 minutes, stir til chocolate is free from lumps. Add eggs, vanilla and banana and mix well. Add flour and stir til combined. If you're not <i>totally </i>counting every calorie, fold in a bunch of chocolate chips too, maybe about a half cup ;)<br />
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Pour into a 13x9 greased foil-lined baking dish. Bake for 25-35 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. Test the brownie to make sure they're done by inserting a knife or toothpick.... you know the drill.<br />
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They should resemble something like this....<br />
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Judging by the 'oohs and ahs' I got from the family, I'd say they were a hit. The banana adds a bit of flavour that melds well with the chocolate and gives that extra hit of sweetness. Hope you like them too!<br />
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Have a fantastically fudge-y day ;)<br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-69258327476637978262012-01-16T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-16T05:30:03.724-05:00THRIFTY MONDAY: is back!While out driving around last tuesday, my husband and I decided to head to one of our favourite Antique-y places.... <a href="http://www.southworks.ca/">Southworks</a>. He was looking for chairs for our dining set.... I was just looking at, well, everything...<br />
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The entire upper floor of this building is all antique, nostalgic and vintage treasures.... Now, being the thrifty (cheap) lady that I am, I find a great number of things here are <i>highly </i>overpriced. That doesn't mean I don't like the hunt, I do. It's a challenge to find something I like and for a reasonable price (or priced right).... but, I can do it if I'm given the time to really scrutinize what I'm after.<br />
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Of course, the prey of the day for me, was Pyrex.... just a little-teeny-tiny piece to quench my thirst, sate my hunger, tide me over til, um, next month (who we kiddin'....next <i>week</i>)....<br />
<br />
<i>Aaaanyway</i>.... While browsing, I heard the man say to the girl-babe, 'Oh, Mommy's gonna be in these booths for hours'.... My interest was piqued.... I knew exactly what he meant, and so, calmly, not too-too hurriedly (I didn't want to look like a total geek!) I headed in the direction of his voice....<br />
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Ahhhh!!!! 3.... count 'em.... 3 booths of perfectly pretty Pyrex and fabulously fun Fiesta ware! WHAT?! <i>I</i> know!<br />
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So once the excitement (that was really only going on internally.... again, the geek in me was caged) was harnessed, I got down to business.<br />
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After picking up, turning over and checking for chips on almost every. single. piece.... sadly, only a few were to my liking, which is to say, in almost 100%, A-1, perfect condition. And those that were, were so over priced, I just couldn't bring myself to drop that kind of money....<br />
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But I wasn't sad.... I know where I can find what I like at very thrifty prices.... I went on my way, happy with just browsing at all of the beautiful colours.... and then, I spotted 3 teensy-weeny-little bowls on the floor of a booth that sold almost entirely old paper materials....<br />
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I chose this beautiful brown bitty....<br />
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Isn't she sweet? I brought her home, suds-ed her up and she was on the dinner table that night full to the brim with little sweet peas....<br />
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:D That's me. Smiling cheek-to-cheek.... have a great day ;)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-82515475785204275572012-01-15T12:50:00.001-05:002012-01-15T13:03:21.249-05:00FAMILY DAYS: production lineFor Christmas, my middle monkey made me a button bracelet from the pretty buttons in my button stash. I saw the bracelet about a month before Christmas; but, had no idea it was for me. He put it together using a caramel coloured pipe cleaner and some shiny metal buttons (his favourites).<br />
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On Christmas morning, he handed me a pretty little box that he carefully wrapped himself. On top was the cutest little tag that was made from a thick piece of golden wrapping paper that he hand cut and folded.... on the inside it simply said, 'To: Mom. From: Marek' with a sweet happy face. My heart gushed and I had to hold back the tears.... I mean, really, I hadn't even opened the gift yet; but, I knew I would cherish it forever....<br />
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So, in his ultimate wisdom, and I'm sure after days of processing my tearful thank you to him, he came to me and said, 'I want to make button bracelets for our yard sale. Because if you like yours so much, so will other Mommy's.' My heart exploded, and I knew, even more than I had ever known before, that these moments were the reason I wanted to be a Mom.<br />
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And today, on this frigidly cold Sunday, we decided to start production in the button factory. I'll I just say this.... I was in my crafty glory, sitting with my three monkeys, working away, watching them sort through the ga-zillions of buttons we have.... These pretty necklaces and bracelets are the fruits of our efforts today....<br />
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For girls; pretty ribbon and button necklaces made by the hands of my two boy monkeys, with help picking colours from the girl-babe; and elastic threaded bracelets made by Mommy. My oldest monkey had the brilliant idea to make army man necklaces for boys.... so this week we'll be taking a trip to the dollar store for some army men and hemp lacing....<br />
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I love that they want to have their own sale table for our annual community yard sale. I love the initiative, and the excitement they feel over doing something for themselves; and the pride they have in their ideas and finished product....<br />
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They make me love them more and more every. single. day.<br />
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Happy family day everyone ;)<br />
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<i>p.s. stay tuned, we're back in the swing of things here on the blog.... starting tomorrow!</i>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-13790928736781920472012-01-06T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-06T05:30:04.065-05:00RANDOMNESS: enjoying my timeI know I said I would be back to the regular schedule once January hit.... I've just been having too much fun with my babes. They don't go back to school until next week, and it's been nice just spending time....<br />
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We visited the library.... we read a TON of books.... we played barbies, nerf guns, learned magic tricks, and packed Christmas away for another year.... we snacked, and snacked.... we laughed, and we chatted a lot!<br />
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Only a couple of days left and the boys will be back at school.... the Ham and I will be on our own again.... and Daddy will be with us on the days he's not working....<br />
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It's been a very lovely and relaxing start to the year....<br />
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See you soon.... promise<br />
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;)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-68461694627642726652012-01-03T08:53:00.000-05:002012-01-03T08:53:17.046-05:00HOW-TO-TUESDAY: math helpersWhen it comes to homework, I try to find the best ways to help my boys without adding to their frustrations (and mine).... and while math isn't a huge problem for them, I have found that making a set of counting grid cards has helped to make math a snap and a little more fun....<br />
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I found a great site, <a href="http://homeschoolmath.net/">HomeSchoolMath.net</a>. This is a fantastic site that allows you to generate your own grids, or to print ready-made grids.<br />
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I generated my own, without blank spaces (for math helping purposes); counting by 1's, 2's (odds and evens), and 5's. You can also print 10's and 25's and 100's, but you can also just use your counting by 5's grid for those numbers.<br />
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Here are two of ours....<br />
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As you can see, they're laminated. I can't tell you how much fun my guys have had with these being laminated. The added bonus of paying a little amount of money to do this is that it makes them dry erase. My guys love writing on white boards! And, you can pick up dry erase markers on the cheap at any dollar store.<i> </i><br />
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Our grids are double-sided. When you print your grids from <a href="http://homeschoolmath.net/">HomeSchoolMath.net</a>, you'll be able to fit one on an 8.5"x11" sheet of printer paper. To make it double-sided, run your paper back through the printer so that the next grid prints on the backside of the first. Yeah, it's that easy!<br />
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And, here's a hint: for your counting by 5's grid, use a highlighter to colour code all of the counting options on that grid: 5's, 10's, 15's, 20's, 25's, etc, etc.... This should be done before the lamination process. I only did the 10's on ours, but next time, I'll use highlighter to colour the boxes in completely, and do all of the counting combinations.<br />
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So what can your child do with the counting grids? Well, counting, for one.... And both adding and subtracting. Predicting (what number comes next). Sequencing and patterning.... I'm sure as my guys progress through math and graduate into older grades, these grids will find new uses.<br />
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Another great little math helper, to assist the emergent adders and subtracters....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2lLbPg1kBkme-jNxc-7zJ_320RLAGNk1uIcAtxJrJWFNsJ4sXyM5JTNJ2woTxdtB5Oy0E2RoEsXxu6ZHoEnpbhbmhqJ0BYcA70cXzFRvOi7EtMO92EWbjtTEUTmGAiFa3dQ8tCMLlfQ/s1600/math+adding+helper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2lLbPg1kBkme-jNxc-7zJ_320RLAGNk1uIcAtxJrJWFNsJ4sXyM5JTNJ2woTxdtB5Oy0E2RoEsXxu6ZHoEnpbhbmhqJ0BYcA70cXzFRvOi7EtMO92EWbjtTEUTmGAiFa3dQ8tCMLlfQ/s320/math+adding+helper.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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This is a blank helper that I made up, it shows the 1's, 10's and 100's columns, there's space at the top for carrying numbers, and space along the left to add your + or - signs.... All you need is a math equation and some dry erase markers. I'm taking our adding helper to be laminated today so it'll be ready for the boys when they return to school next week.<br />
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Please note: When the lamination process is done, do not cut too close to the paper as you'll create a separation in the laminate, and remember to round and cut corners as they are very, very sharp.<br />
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Hopefully these little helpers will aid in making homework time a little less stressful. Have a great day ;) <br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-68183599177909393282012-01-02T05:30:00.000-05:002012-01-02T09:43:56.398-05:00THRIFTY MONDAY: santa's gift to meSanta must have been watching me for the past few months, because look what I found.... hidden in one of my dresser drawers.... obviously, a-hem, Santa forgot to wrap it and slide it under the tree before Daddy noticed.... <i>Aaaanyway</i>, sometimes Santa slips up too....<br />
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This is THE cutest little Spring Blossom bowl, from the original launch in 1972. It features the same larger patterned flowers as one of my previous finds.<br />
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See.... if you're a <i>good </i>girl, sometimes Santa comes through with the gifts that make you smile.<br />
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;) .... that's me.... smiling .... have a lovely day....Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-70514075875743658072011-12-31T11:57:00.001-05:002011-12-31T18:39:24.711-05:002011What can I say about the last 365 days?<br />
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It was full of hope, love, growth, happiness, sadness, rallying, tears and loss....<br />
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My children grew another year older, 8, 7 and 3.... I've watched them change in some pretty amazing ways, and everyday they surprise me by what they say and do; their little personalities come shining through their every move.... Liam, the joker; he's taken on Mommy and Daddy's crazy sense of humour; he is the protector of his younger brother and sister.... and at times, the antagonist.... Marek, the creator; he is our lover of all things art; who's personal expressionism is evident in his tens of thousands of finished pictures that range in size from a regular 8.5x11 inch sheet of paper to a minuscule scrap of memo note pad <i>and </i>can be found in <i>every</i> nook and cranny of our house; he admires his older brother and loves his baby sister so much that she often feels smothered by him.... Camryn, the puzzle queen; she mastered the art of the puzzle before she was 2 and hasn't stopped, quite often every square inch of open floor space in my living room will be covered by in-progress and finished puzzles, she loves me 'more than cereal' and I have to say that I love her just as much and more.... <br />
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My husband, Craig, and I both turned 40, on the same day, one month apart.... I'm happy to say that <i>his</i> birthday is before mine, and that when <i>he </i>was 40, I was <i>still </i>in my thirties (at least for one month, it's something to hang onto, right?).... We celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary, and also saw 21 years together come and go.... We laughed a lot, we talked a lot, we held hands and stole kisses and squeezes whenever we could, which was also, a lot.... We love each other fully, and our children 'to the moon and back'....<br />
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We took our first family camping trip to Killbear Provincial Park.... and just as the name suggests, there were bears.... on our site.... every. single. night. By the last night, I was a little more comfortable with there being just a thin layer of fabric between my family and the man eaters.... I can't wait to go back! Seriously. <br />
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In September of 2010, I committed to walking the September 2011, 2-day, 60km walk to help find a cure for cancer.... I trained and trained, and walked more than 400km leading up to the weekend. My inspiration for joining this amazing movement was my dear friend Becky, who's personal battle with cancer, sparked a fire inside me and compelled me to <i>do something</i>. Myself and my teammates raised over $9,000 to support the cause; we collected bottles, we held a rummage sale, we hosted an amazing tea and silent auction and so much more.... and through it all, the amazing people we encountered were supportive and thankful of our journey.... and through it all, Becky was there, cheering us on and encouraging our efforts....<br />
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Sadly, her health took a turn for the worse, and on July 10, at home, with her husband at her side and her children nestled in their beds, she lost her 3 year battle.... Our worlds came crashing down around us, and lives were changed forever.... She was a stellar human being who's caring heart was open to everyone she knew.... She was an amazing mother and wife; a daughter to be proud of; a friend who made her friends feel like family.... Our lives will never be the same.... but we will carry her many admirable qualities with us and try to live as she did.... <br />
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We celebrated the life of our Becky at an amazing get together masterminded by my amazingly talented friend, Kim.... The celebration saw Becky everywhere.... in pictures, in family, in friends, in tears, in laughter, in hope.... in her children; little mirror images of her....<br />
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The walk itself, was an AMAZING experience.... to see the hope, the tears, the togetherness.... To walk; and challenge my mind and body in a way that I never thought I could.... To know the pride that my friend would be feeling if she could have been there at the finish line.... And seeing my family there, cheering on the route and at the end.... And seeing Peter, Becky's dad, at the finish line, and hearing him say "Becky would be proud".... and walking with my amazingly strong teammates and kindred friends, Crystal and Louise.... it made the whole year worth all of the effort, all of the work, all of the stress....<br />
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Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas have all past.... and they were spent surrounded by the love of my little family and my wonderful circle of friends....<br />
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I pushed myself to limits I didn't know I could reach; my heart was torn by the loss of an admirable soul and mended by the joy that is my family, my children, my husband.... So, while it was a challenging year, with great sadness, there were also many, many blissful moments.... I cherish them all. My view of this life has been changed.... I will never take for granted the time I have in this life.... If I learned anything from these last 365 days, it's this: live every single day with joy in your heart; tell those who are closest to you how much you love them and what they mean to you; don't sweat the small stuff because it's not worth it; and don't ever, <i>ever </i>hang onto the baggage....<br />
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So, tonight, I raise my glass to the year that passed; I raise my glass to Becky and the astounding woman she was; I raise my glass to living a life full of family, friends, love and joy.... Happy 2012 everyone.... I can't thank you enough for your friendship here in this space....<br />
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Cheers! To the prospect of a fantastic and fruitful 2012.... all the best to you....<br />
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xxoo ;)<br />
JulieJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-80159668421487394412011-12-27T07:51:00.002-05:002011-12-27T07:51:59.529-05:00Been and gone....Christmas has come and gone for another year.... I'm happy to report, that this year's was one of THE most relaxing Christmas's we've ever enjoyed.<br />
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We stayed home ALL. CHRISTMAS. DAY.<br />
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The kids opened their gifts.... and <i>love </i>all of them.... and were able to stay in their jammies and play the day away. Mommy and Daddy, and Gran and Gramps also had a lovely day just being with one another.<br />
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It's amazing how rejuvenating a day at home can be. No expectations except for turkey dinner. I'm up for this kinda Christmas every year.<br />
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I hope you all enjoyed or are still enjoying a little relaxing family time too....<br />
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We'll be getting back to our regular schedule on the blog sometime in the new year. Until then, I'll be popping by sporadically to say 'hi!'....<br />
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If I don't hear from you, have a safe and happy new year's eve!<br />
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;) xoJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-60155053364178595432011-12-24T05:30:00.000-05:002011-12-24T05:30:03.468-05:00'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFOREYes.... there <i>is </i>technically <span style="font-size: large;">this </span>last day to shop....<br />
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I'm hoping with all hopes that you've finished the day before and that today, you're mad dash will be used to do any last minute wrapping, baking, visiting or just plain old relaxing....<br />
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You deserve it.<br />
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Have a fantastically fun family-and-friends kinda day, full of hope, wonder, joy and peace.... take this time to make memories and be home with those you love the most....<br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717433507627588397.post-65740648173494446032011-12-23T19:46:00.000-05:002011-12-23T19:46:38.566-05:00Christmas Friday Night Video 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's a <i>classic </i>Canadian Christmas Song....</div>
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Bob and Doug Mackenzie's 12 Days of Christmas....</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/l2oPio60mK4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20width=%22450%22%20height=%22335%22%20src=%22http://www.youtube.com/embed/l2oPio60mK4%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E"></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20width=%22450%22%20height=%22335%22%20src=%22http://www.youtube.com/embed/l2oPio60mK4%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E"></a>Merry Christmas, EH?!<br />
Cheers! </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711093149068653767noreply@blogger.com0