tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52770303159697320032024-03-13T06:55:10.852-07:00Notes from A Cottage IndustryA little blog about the adventures of homekeeping, thrifting, creating, nesting and living a charmed life on a shoestring.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-50695280344304905512012-02-24T00:05:00.004-08:002012-02-24T08:41:14.811-08:00Moving back.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bg_eo78UCw/T0aILfHmenI/AAAAAAAAAro/v5-53DdmVtM/s1600/1234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bg_eo78UCw/T0aILfHmenI/AAAAAAAAAro/v5-53DdmVtM/s640/1234.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">So.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I guess you could say I've come full circle. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">My sweet lil' blog is moving back home, over at typepad, where it all began, way back in 2006. You'll find all of my future posts (<i><b>and</b></i> all the way back to the beginning!)</span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/" style="color: red;">here</a>.</b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></b></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please update my URL address on your blog roll if you have me listed, or grab my button from my new (Old? New? Old-new?) blog. I want to thank <i><b>everyone</b></i> that reads my blog. I appreciate you and<i><b> love</b></i> hearing from you!</span></div><img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-35689454686022766382012-02-23T09:22:00.003-08:002012-02-24T18:36:19.319-08:00Welcome to the Family Room.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB25-urrVNw/T0XlUCdHhsI/AAAAAAAAAqg/NehctC7i9LY/s1600/IMG_2248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB25-urrVNw/T0XlUCdHhsI/AAAAAAAAAqg/NehctC7i9LY/s640/IMG_2248.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">This picture totally reminds me of that old, old song from<a href="http://www.filmsite.org/myfa.html"> My Fair Lady</a>, "Wouldn't it be Loverly?" You know,"...All I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air, with one enormous chair...Aow, wouldn't it be loverly?..." Yup, makes me wanna curl up right there (right <i><b>now</b></i>) with a cuppa cocoa and my laptop....</span></div><h1><pre><i>Anyway.</i></pre></h1><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">That photo up above is to let you see a peek, a morsel, a cozy lil'corner of our home. Mmmm hmm, I am <i><b>finally</b></i>, at long last, ready to share a few Before <i><b> and </b></i>After pictures of another room in the house! (Can I get a drum roll please?) Without further adieu, I give you....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Family Room.</span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2JwQYeb8k/T0ZYc9n1k-I/AAAAAAAAArY/uTyPP_ICekg/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2JwQYeb8k/T0ZYc9n1k-I/AAAAAAAAArY/uTyPP_ICekg/s640/IMG_2259.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wait. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">(I'm getting ahead of myself.) </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's see a shot of it..<i>Before.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before I lived here, when it was Bachelor Pad Central.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9viORBD18vU/T0XpNQJejSI/AAAAAAAAArI/MoY9rcShVW0/s1600/IMG_0907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9viORBD18vU/T0XpNQJejSI/AAAAAAAAArI/MoY9rcShVW0/s640/IMG_0907.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Functional. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Organized, with no shortage of audio equipment, old <i><b>or </b></i>new.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><i><b>After</b></i>...</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">with the newly installed oh-so-<i><b>terribly</b></i>-wonderful-and-worth-every-penny slide-by shutters (in the open position)....</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlwCT0vW2W0/T0Xln4Q_j6I/AAAAAAAAAqo/5k-j2RN_0vM/s1600/IMG_2243.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlwCT0vW2W0/T0Xln4Q_j6I/AAAAAAAAAqo/5k-j2RN_0vM/s640/IMG_2243.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">...and, with the shutters <i><b>closed</b></i>....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><i><b></b></i></span><a _mce_href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr2Yaa3Hrcc/T0Xl3LiwxzI/AAAAAAAAAqw/shZY0KFfsAM/s1600/IMG_2240.JPG" _mce_style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr2Yaa3Hrcc/T0Xl3LiwxzI/AAAAAAAAAqw/shZY0KFfsAM/s1600/IMG_2240.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img _mce_src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr2Yaa3Hrcc/T0Xl3LiwxzI/AAAAAAAAAqw/shZY0KFfsAM/s320/IMG_2240.JPG" alt="" border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr2Yaa3Hrcc/T0Xl3LiwxzI/AAAAAAAAAqw/shZY0KFfsAM/s640/IMG_2240.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Oh! I cannot tell you just how much I am loving these <a href="http://www.shutterclassic.com/sgd_bipass.html">slide-by</a> (that's what I call them, anyway)wood shutters! I personally think sling glass doors are the biggest challenge in the window treatment arena, because they need to be functional, and supply privacy, and energy efficiency, and look good all at the same time, you know? Anyway, I think these babies do it <i><b>fabulously.</b></i></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Yes, the <b><i>whirlwind </i></b>remodel was<i><b> so </b></i>worth working around little inconveniences like no television or internet for a couple of weeks...(I swear I'd do it <i><b>all </b></i>again in a new York minute!)</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MO5yVECnCRk/T0XnH3ZzT3I/AAAAAAAAAq4/cAJe_Q6W5w4/s1600/IMG_1987.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MO5yVECnCRk/T0XnH3ZzT3I/AAAAAAAAAq4/cAJe_Q6W5w4/s640/IMG_1987.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Let's take one last look at the After shot one more time, shall we?....</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">(Notice please the old bi-fold shutters are re-purposed over behind the chair to cozy up the corner of the room, and the audio equipment is still intact and ready to be used at a moment's notice...)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2JwQYeb8k/T0ZYc9n1k-I/AAAAAAAAArY/uTyPP_ICekg/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2JwQYeb8k/T0ZYc9n1k-I/AAAAAAAAArY/uTyPP_ICekg/s640/IMG_2259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I hope you're enjoying the tour of our what's-old-is-new-re-born-cozy-and-warm home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Next stop? The <i><b>kitchen</b></i>!(Okay, you can all stop reading here.)</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">*Dearest Guitar Man of my dreams,</span></div><div style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I just want to say Thank you...for being <i><b>such</b></i> a Team Player and stretching yourself <i><b>ginormously</b></i> outside of your comfort zone. I know this was all <i><b>huge</b></i> for you, and I want you to know just how much I <i><b>love</b></i> that you did this for me!*</span></div><br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-6415096626318571112012-02-21T08:42:00.004-08:002012-02-21T10:22:45.682-08:00Catching up.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GdDfxZXFdI/T0NGvvO4wxI/AAAAAAAAAqY/K_giRZVFlrc/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GdDfxZXFdI/T0NGvvO4wxI/AAAAAAAAAqY/K_giRZVFlrc/s640/IMG_2138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been another long stretch without a post. I know. Try as I may, life has been <i><b>ca</b></i>-razy busy, and, well... </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's catch up, shall we?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Far</b></i> too much has been going on to cover it all in one lil' blog post, so I'll just cover a couple of the<i><b> highest</b></i> points.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's see. Where do I start?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Work has been busy, with me prepping for a project I have been working on, which included quite a few evenings at home tweaking handouts, and creating props. (And you know how I<b><i> love</i></b> a project like that!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We got the Sewing Queen all semi-settled in up here and she is in the middle of unpacking moving boxes and trying to find some of her sewing accessories as I type this. We are thrilled to have her here!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, I spent this past weekend with my two daughters, celebrating a <i><b>milestone</b></i> birthday for Carter and Coen's Mama. (How can she be 30 when I am only 42?!) We had a <i><b>fabulous </b></i>Girl's Weekend, complete with an overnight trip to the Allison Resort and Spa for some <i><b>much</b></i> appreciated foofifying and relaxing, laughing our heads off, as well as a marathon shopping expedition, and eating <i><b>way t</b></i>oo much.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FRHpWhWrMAI/T0NDjgnlhhI/AAAAAAAAAqI/XU_y-OWAuSQ/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FRHpWhWrMAI/T0NDjgnlhhI/AAAAAAAAAqI/XU_y-OWAuSQ/s640/IMG_2135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the home remodel front, our projects are getting buttoned down and things are looking <i><b>aaaaah-mazing</b></i>! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let me interupt myself here to say that my Rock n' Roll Buddy deserves a shout out here. He has been the driving force behind making this fabulous make over happen in record time, not to mention being the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_iimOnx6Qk"><i><b>ultimate</b></i> egg-McMuffin</a> of bargain shopping, swinging some of the most eye popping price deals I have<b><i> ever</i></b> seen. Now, this is <i><b>extra</b></i> hard to picture if you know him, as the house has been in the exact same state as when he first moved in, back in the 80's. (We are not talking about a guy that typically <i><b>embraces</b></i> change here, people.)It's truly been a fun time and we are both pretty thrilled with the outcome.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, back to my post...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been waiting to share pictures because the plantation shutters took three weeks to be made. Since we were having them installed in <i><b>every</b></i> room,(pinch me!!!) there was no way to really capture any room without it looking undone due to a window without <i><b>anything</b></i> on it. (Unless you count the sheet we swagged across the living room window to shield us from the sun while we watched the Superbowl.)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway.</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">The exciting installation was yesterday, and so I am gearing up to share our grand reveal. (Doesn't that sound dramatic? Trust me, the change is incredible and we both keep saying how it feels like we live in a brand new house.)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a lil' peek at the installation process in the family room. The sliding doors got "Slide-By" shutters and my-oh-my! I adore them! The look of plantation shutters with the ease of sliding them open to go in and out the door, or let cool air in in the summer time!......</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tf-ORcI0T38/T0NGkAi6QqI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/wbVdOXrQQko/s1600/IMG_2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tf-ORcI0T38/T0NGkAi6QqI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/wbVdOXrQQko/s640/IMG_2156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We're down to the accessorizing stage now, and I must say, that is my <i><b>most</b></i> favorite part of decorating. You know, adding touches that reflect our personalities really warms up a room. I can't wait to show you everything...room..by room..by room!</span></div><img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-61292033861108598532012-02-09T22:36:00.000-08:002012-02-09T22:36:42.565-08:00Men at work!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xyeadj7Dpio/TzS1FD93SFI/AAAAAAAAApQ/BbYA4LBsJ40/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xyeadj7Dpio/TzS1FD93SFI/AAAAAAAAApQ/BbYA4LBsJ40/s640/IMG_1900.JPG" width="616" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have so much to share after being without internet service for two weeks, that it's tough to figure out what to share when.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I realized after beginning my home re-no tour that I had skipped sharing one of my little Grand's Birthday party...so here it is!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The party theme was construction, so my daughter began at the front door....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuN4v37mLRE/TzS1u7Ocv9I/AAAAAAAAApY/y4XdO62uSK0/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuN4v37mLRE/TzS1u7Ocv9I/AAAAAAAAApY/y4XdO62uSK0/s640/IMG_1856.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6TzMDEXNiY/TzS131zc1iI/AAAAAAAAApg/WpYL7slBaOY/s1600/IMG_1860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6TzMDEXNiY/TzS131zc1iI/AAAAAAAAApg/WpYL7slBaOY/s640/IMG_1860.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">....and continued all through the downstairs. The treats were construction themed as well...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52TBKVaFoow/TzS3UQaOmKI/AAAAAAAAApo/04osCpwuk3A/s1600/IMG_1867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52TBKVaFoow/TzS3UQaOmKI/AAAAAAAAApo/04osCpwuk3A/s640/IMG_1867.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh7vzjStU9I/TzS3h8QgsWI/AAAAAAAAApw/D-WPHTr-hdc/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh7vzjStU9I/TzS3h8QgsWI/AAAAAAAAApw/D-WPHTr-hdc/s640/IMG_1870.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and everyone was given a tool apron and a hard hat!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5yyrw6cMb4/TzS6fyeBVHI/AAAAAAAAAqA/BCynnkSq43E/s1600/IMG_1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5yyrw6cMb4/TzS6fyeBVHI/AAAAAAAAAqA/BCynnkSq43E/s640/IMG_1914.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">More pictures from Coen's party are over on the <a href="http://therobertshouse.blogspot.com/">birthday boy's Mommy's blog</a>!</span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
On another note, I won't be posting for a couple of days, as I am flying with <a href="http://wideanglelindz.blogspot.com/">Mrs. Big Dog</a> to the Biggest Little City today and driving back up to the Pacific Northwest tomorrow...why? The Sewing Queen of Northern Nevada is relocating up here to live!</span></div><br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-11825095902513165192012-02-08T00:09:00.000-08:002012-02-08T08:02:38.219-08:00The Loo.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZIBVHWLHmc/TzH0Cf512BI/AAAAAAAAAoA/JqsexiPe5zg/s1600/IMG_2062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZIBVHWLHmc/TzH0Cf512BI/AAAAAAAAAoA/JqsexiPe5zg/s640/IMG_2062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know. It's a rather unusual spot to begin the re-no tour, but I've got to start somewhere and this guest bath is currently one of my favorite lil' places in the house.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">It went from being a generic 1980's guest bath....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QS3U4T0xHJI/TzH4b5LHXeI/AAAAAAAAApI/9FPWkrTLwLQ/s1600/IMG_1839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QS3U4T0xHJI/TzH4b5LHXeI/AAAAAAAAApI/9FPWkrTLwLQ/s640/IMG_1839.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyG-aKPwb98/TzH4L5qZdOI/AAAAAAAAApA/O2vxJC-R3eg/s1600/IMG_1845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyG-aKPwb98/TzH4L5qZdOI/AAAAAAAAApA/O2vxJC-R3eg/s640/IMG_1845.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">.....to being much more of a charming little space, don't you think?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3sh84YYugyA/TzH0UfXoC2I/AAAAAAAAAoI/n7V7udX7ot8/s1600/IMG_2071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3sh84YYugyA/TzH0UfXoC2I/AAAAAAAAAoI/n7V7udX7ot8/s640/IMG_2071.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJsbpX0Y87I/TzH0gRg8UpI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/w7KdIKQ1q9w/s1600/IMG_2058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJsbpX0Y87I/TzH0gRg8UpI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/w7KdIKQ1q9w/s640/IMG_2058.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the only room in the house that we painted a color instead of the creamy shade of off-white that we did in the rest of the house. I will readily admit that the color I chose didn't come out exactly as I imagined. I was shooting for a warm-ish putty tone, but with the bathroom being in the center of the house with no windows for natural light, it gives off a <i><b>hint </b></i>of a lavender undertone when the halogen light in the toilet-tub area is turned on, rather than the heat lamp. I think I'll live with the color for a few weeks and then decide whether it will stay or get a second coat of something else. (Aaah, the beauty of paint. So affordable to change and try out...)</span></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">The old mirror was a large sheet mirror that had seen better days, so we replaced it with a fabulous mirror that Ralph already had here at the house. It compliments the new brushed nickel light fixture we snagged on clearance at good ol' Home Depot....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few little details here and there and a spash of white with the towels and shower curtain (I just love Target for bath things, don't you?) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdI7vjQhRzA/TzH3ciIkdKI/AAAAAAAAAo4/YIf1ohxm_Jg/s1600/IMG_2063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdI7vjQhRzA/TzH3ciIkdKI/AAAAAAAAAo4/YIf1ohxm_Jg/s640/IMG_2063.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D21xlUWBupA/TzH1iFzX9CI/AAAAAAAAAog/jZEp70Uzg6k/s1600/IMG_2085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D21xlUWBupA/TzH1iFzX9CI/AAAAAAAAAog/jZEp70Uzg6k/s640/IMG_2085.jpg" width="474" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGWwzFWNQPI/TzH1ywgUOCI/AAAAAAAAAoo/rGJqPWqlLTo/s1600/IMG_2073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGWwzFWNQPI/TzH1ywgUOCI/AAAAAAAAAoo/rGJqPWqlLTo/s640/IMG_2073.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm still on the lookout for something adorable to hang above the towel bar, but for now I printed a quote I like and framed it in an old frame I had so the space wouldn't look too bare...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9B81YocEtcY/TzH21O0ThLI/AAAAAAAAAow/f5kU34CQWEM/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9B81YocEtcY/TzH21O0ThLI/AAAAAAAAAow/f5kU34CQWEM/s640/IMG_2079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1Qy6IgRHG8/TzH1NV_4b1I/AAAAAAAAAoY/lLXMkAcjShM/s1600/IMG_2076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1Qy6IgRHG8/TzH1NV_4b1I/AAAAAAAAAoY/lLXMkAcjShM/s640/IMG_2076.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I've got a few more ideas up my sleeve for this bathroom,(Brushed nickel drawer pulls and knobs, and a pom-pom rug I saw and didn't buy last trip...) but I think we're off to a pretty good start...updates will be coming as the room evolves!</span><br />
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<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-39909591791189489052012-02-07T09:26:00.000-08:002012-02-07T11:48:07.691-08:00Move over, Nate Berkus.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7U39UJG-3KU/TzFDni9YAJI/AAAAAAAAAn4/wTnDtjeN9ZI/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7U39UJG-3KU/TzFDni9YAJI/AAAAAAAAAn4/wTnDtjeN9ZI/s640/IMG_2048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Move over, Nate Berkus...'coz Ralph is in da house, and he is renovating <b><i>everything</i></b>. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wait. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me begin at the beginning.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time, way back in the late 80's my Rock n' Roll Buddy moved into the ranch style home in <strike>Stars Hollow</strike> Camas where we live today. He brought with him his uber-large blue recliner/hide-a-bed sectional sofa, his brass and glass coffee table with matching end tables, and a whole lotta band and stereo gear. Add to that, two growing sons and, over the years, <i><b>many</b></i> televisions. The end.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">(In a nutshell,I guess what I am saying here is that, in fairly typical man-style, his life was <i><b>not</b></i> about decorating and foofy-fying up his abode.) </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, me, on the other hand...I am as passionate about decorating and nesting as my Rock n' Roll Buddy is about playing one of his favorite guitars. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">So.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Can you see where I am going with this?)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had several discussions regarding individual tastes and style over the past few months, and debated the vast differences in opinions concerning the <i><b>expected </b></i>life span of a pair of pinch pleat draperies, and then..it happened.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KiTmi2p51W4/TzDlzfrD9LI/AAAAAAAAAnw/abskaypUgOM/s1600/IMG_1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KiTmi2p51W4/TzDlzfrD9LI/AAAAAAAAAnw/abskaypUgOM/s640/IMG_1831.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two and a half weeks ago, he called me at work and told me not to get <i><b>too</b></i> excited, but <i><b>he</b></i> had been thinking. Thinking that maybe we <b><i>should</i></b> look into some new paint, consider hiding the surround-sound <i><b>inside</b></i> the walls, possibly some window treatments, and yes, maybe new carpet <i><b>wasn't</b></i> such a wild and crazy thought.(How could a girl with Behr Paint running through her veins <i><b>not</b></i> get excited at this prospect?!)Let's just say I was...<i><b>ehem</b></i>...guardedly optimistic.<br />
</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After some <i><b>whirlwind</b></i> research and price shopping on flooring, and bids with contractors, we were ready to begin our adventure. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Give or take two weeks and a day, and we have a newly remodeled, redecorated, cozy haven of a home that we are both <i><b>thrilled</b></i> with. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We added new carpet, wood flooring, painted the entire interior, got the surround sound working like a charm, and ordered shutters for every window in the house, along with a lil' surprise bonus of stainless steel kitchen appliances,all in fourteen days and nights, <i><b>thankyouverymuch</b></i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The man that three weeks ago claimed he didn't see any reason to replace a "perfectly good 27 year old carpet" in the hallway selected the hand-scraped Chilean hardwood for it's weathered time-worn beauty.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> This same man</span><span style="font-size: large;"> shocked me when he announced that "brushed nickel" is his favorite finish for ceiling fans and household hardware.(<i><b>Who</b></i> knew?) </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh yeah, the Rocker's got style. (<i><b>And</b></i> the skills to negotiate the sweetest deals around.)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't be surprised if you see us someday on Nate's show in a segment of <a href="http://www.thenateshow.com/share/project/307/">house-proud</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">...Hope you enjoyed the teaser picture of the living room today. Tomorrow the <i><b>real</b></i> home tour begins! </span></div><br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-30746769433900144532012-02-06T09:57:00.000-08:002012-02-06T14:40:03.244-08:00Good news, bad news, good news, good news, bad news, good news.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTJKLIDmxuE/TzAEKvXwDCI/AAAAAAAAAng/eeOpiw2_eXk/s1600/floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTJKLIDmxuE/TzAEKvXwDCI/AAAAAAAAAng/eeOpiw2_eXk/s640/floor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last two weeks have pretty much been an ear-to-ear-grinning happy blur of home projects that domino'd into<i> more</i> home projects, (good news!) but I haven't had television, nor internet for that <i>entire</i> time, (bad news!) so I couldn't share <i>any </i>of it with you!(God only <i><b>knows</b></i> what crazy looks Steven Tyler has given folks on Idol these past couple of Wednesday and Thursday evenings that I will<i><b> never </b></i>see, and who's still around on The Bachelor?....)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, plenty of late nights and early mornings spent picking up supplies and greeting workers, all without my trusty MAC and the world wide web.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not too worry, as I have photos to document pretty much every step of the fun progress, (good news!) starting tomorrow! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">How big of an undertaking was it? Well, let's just say that in exactly two weeks we accomplished a home re-do project that would have typically taken the<i><b> average</b></i> home renovator two months. (Good news!) We literally got the kitchen back to operating order,and the furniture back in place just in the nick of time for our Superbowl party. We should have had our ehads examined, after pulling a <i><b>nearly </b></i>all-nighter (we made our way to bed at about 4:30 a.m. for a couple hours sleep before setting the last minute things up for the party....) with my Rock n' Roll Buddy tweaking the surround sound system and me hanging pictures, fluffing pillows, and removing the layer of sheet rock dust that seems to be <i><b>everywhere</b></i>.In the end, it was worth every minute of sleep we lost. (You'll see, starting next post!)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now then....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to address a comment (bad news) that I got a couple of days ago from someone that signed her name Carol but chose to post as "Anonymous" rather than link to her own blog or email address so that I could reply privately. I don't get these kinds of comments to terribly often, and when I do, I usually leave them alone. I respect all of you out here in Blogland and I honestly think (I hope) most of you realize that sometimes life gets busy and...well, things <i>happen</i>, like no internet due to a remodel project that required you to unplug all of your electronics including your wireless modem. Couple this with not enough time after work to pop over to a nearby Starbucks to write and publish a blog post, because you're back and forth fifteen times to Home Depot with your new best friend in the canned lighting department each night till they close at nine.....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is her comment in it's entirety: (or read it yourself in the comment section following <a href="http://acottageindustry.blogspot.com/2012/01/go-big-or-go-home.html">my last post here</a>. )</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hi Tracey,</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm excited to see what you're going to do with your new home. Finally. However, I've noticed that you hardly ever post anymore. How come? I've been reading your blog since before Mr. whatshisname left and you used to post every day or nearly every day. Surely, you can come up with SOMETHING for your readers....a recipe, a table presentation, a light fixture or paint color you like. I have a friend who has an acquaintance who writes a blog and she gets paid for it by how many clicks she has on her blog. I'm assuming you get paid for this blog. You are jipping your readers if you are getting paid because people are clicking to see if your posting. It's been TWELVE days since you've posted ANYTHING!!! </span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carol </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">*sigh*</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, thanks, Anonymous Carol.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I guess it's a good thing that it didn't turn out I hadn't posted due to a hideous family emergency. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Being snotty and snipey isn't pretty and frankly, it just isn't my style. (And it's not appealing on anyone else for that matter, Carol included.) I'm sharing this comment because I<i><b> do</b></i> care about all of my readers (Anonymous Carol included) and I hope you're not mad at me for being away. Please know that I was thinking of you, and that should be confirmed with the amount of photo documentation I did during our big-fat-remodel adventure..truly, you will feel like you were there with me, every exciting, dusty, messy, take-out-mealed step of the way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvG8A9XqoWQ/TzAS6hA4BVI/AAAAAAAAAno/3-3_mVk50f0/s1600/pizza+pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvG8A9XqoWQ/TzAS6hA4BVI/AAAAAAAAAno/3-3_mVk50f0/s640/pizza+pizza.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">On yet another note, I am at last announcing the winner of the Word of the Year Banner. (Still more good news!) I did the drawing on the 28th but had no way to share the news...</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">The winner is Amber, with her word being "Bloom". Thanks to all of you who entered my giveaway, and continued to check in here for blog posts!</span></div><br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-29282468222108991112012-01-23T13:19:00.000-08:002012-01-23T13:44:31.260-08:00Go big or go home.<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><img alt="image 2" height="640" src="http://images.craigslist.org/5Le5F35Md3Gc3Fb3N2c1ae8dc76df1f1114f8.jpg" width="477" /><span style="font-size: large;">....er...check that. The title should be "Go big <i><b>at</b></i> home".</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">So <i><b>many</b></i> of you have left comments and sent me emails asking <i><b>when</b></i> I am going to share some projects from my new home. I'll be honest here and tell you that I was beginning to wonder about that one myself. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Living with a man that last purchased a home <i><b>and</b></i> home decor in the late 80's, and is still enjoying it just fine, <i><b>thankyouverymuch</b></i>, has been a...um...well, a new experience, to put it mildly. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three and a half months into this sharing-your-space-and-personal-tastes living arrangement, and my Rock n' Roll Buddy has decided he is up for stepping things up to twenty-twelve (Be still my beating heart!)...and he has jumped in with both feet.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I mean by that is that we are not taking on a starter project, like changing the paint and a towel bar in a bathroom. And we are not stretching these projects out over the course of a year. No. We are changing the carpet throughout the house, adding hardwood, painting and doing some electrical work and slight remodeling to the <i><b>entire</b></i> house, with an anticipated date of completion set for two weeks. (Pinch me, somebody! I am pretty sure I died and went to decorator's heaven!)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I promise to share before and after pictures, but for starters let me share my favorite purchase for the projects to date. </span><span style="font-size: large;">First off, you need to know that my Rock n' Roll Buddy is, by a landslide, the best bargain shopper I have <i><b>ever</b></i> seen in my <i><b>entire</b></i> life, hands down.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> (My <i><b>Gawd</b></i>. He's very nearly perfect. As if playing a <i><b>wicked</b></i> guitar wasn't enough already.)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">He managed to finagle the absolute <i><b>deal</b></i> of a lifetime on hardwood flooring. I mean, it was an even bigger savings than I think <i><b>he </b></i>expected to negotiate..It's Chilean Cherry hand-scraped engineered hardwood, (ooh, I <i><b>love</b></i> how that rolls off my tongue...)and you'll be seeing it in the entryway and long hall, as well as the kitchen and dining room. It has lil' scrapes and knot-holes and looks like it came out of a historic old building. (Does that sound like me, or what?!) Instant weathered beauty and history on the floor, adding character and personality, warmth and sophisticated charm the minute you enter our home.(Here's the picture of the flooring from the craigslist ad...)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><img alt="image 1" height="640" src="http://images.craigslist.org/5G85K85Ha3Kc3I63J8c1ab706518b25141af9.jpg" width="477" /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah baby. That's what <i><b>I'm</b></i> talkin' about. Let the transformations begin.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div></div><img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-40326373512215674642012-01-20T14:33:00.000-08:002012-01-20T14:33:20.627-08:00A charmed life on a shoestring....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbJuKkLjiP0/TxngUc92SRI/AAAAAAAAAmU/T_jkoTDrXGI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbJuKkLjiP0/TxngUc92SRI/AAAAAAAAAmU/T_jkoTDrXGI/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">....that's how I like to live. I love making my home..homey. I absolutely thrive on creating a welcome space. Spending oodles and toodles of hard earned dollars to get a great look? <i><b>Notsomuch</b></i>.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find<i><b> huge</b></i> satisfaction in finding things that look great...<i><b>for less</b></i>. Finding the diamond in the rough, the needle in the haystack..you know, the Craigslist discard that's a Pottery Barn wanna-be.(with some rose-colored vision and a lil' TLC.)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was surfing Craigslist the other day, and I came across a <i><b>real </b></i>treasure. (Not that I am in the market myself for a dining set, but...a steal of a deal for the right someone out there..!) I had been looking at my two favorite inspirational<a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/cortona-rectangular-dining-table/?pkey=ccortona-dining"> corporate</a> <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1596003&categoryId=cat1653016">websites</a>, and I could see such <i><b>similarity</b></i>, such <b><i>potential</i></b>, that I just <i><b>had</b></i> to share.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Okay, let's just start with the table, shall we? I mean, with a coat of soft <a href="http://greigedesign.blogspot.com/2010/06/perfect-color.html">greige</a> paint... </span></div><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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2IefJHksC4w/Txng2jNJw7I/AAAAAAAAAmc/KAy9U2zQTas/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2IefJHksC4w/Txng2jNJw7I/AAAAAAAAAmc/KAy9U2zQTas/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://portland.craigslist.org/">Craigslist Portland Awesome table AND SIX chairs Asking Price of $225 TOTAL</a></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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZmjktTHviQ/Txng_r3Mg9I/AAAAAAAAAmk/4uudLHKOf3M/s1600/4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="625" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZmjktTHviQ/Txng_r3Mg9I/AAAAAAAAAmk/4uudLHKOf3M/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restoration Hardware Table <strong style="font-weight: normal;">SALE Price $1885 - $2795</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2IefJHksC4w/Txng2jNJw7I/AAAAAAAAAmc/KAy9U2zQTas/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">are you seeing the possibilities?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the <i><b>chairs</b></i>. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh. <i><b>My.</b></i></span></div><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c26LaIKLdPc/TxnhdtENAZI/AAAAAAAAAm0/fUSTxmn92L8/s1600/51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="477" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IO_7ArjiFQ/TxnhTIj_jYI/AAAAAAAAAms/f_T8Q_xNzjc/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://portland.craigslist.org/">craigslist </a>6 chairs to go with the table for a total of $225 asking price!</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c26LaIKLdPc/TxnhdtENAZI/AAAAAAAAAm0/fUSTxmn92L8/s1600/51.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="626" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c26LaIKLdPc/TxnhdtENAZI/AAAAAAAAAm0/fUSTxmn92L8/s640/51.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod360108&categoryId=cat500012">Restoration Hardware Chair $289-$379</a></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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld8dH5VNwUw/Txnm7fRn7HI/AAAAAAAAAnE/caTY1vtVxK0/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="623" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld8dH5VNwUw/Txnm7fRn7HI/AAAAAAAAAnE/caTY1vtVxK0/s640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod80194&categoryId=cat280006">Restoration Hardware Burlap Chair $1295 EACH Special SALE Price!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Re-invent them with the same greige paint treatment, and then leave the fabric as is... </span><span style="font-size: large;"> ...or recover it with painters drop cloth, grain sack, or even some fabulous linen (Stencil something great on the backs maybe?)</span></div><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdgrFKQ7ndA/TxnhkBkqygI/AAAAAAAAAm8/JgCCJl6ZKRw/s1600/chair.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="617" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdgrFKQ7ndA/TxnhkBkqygI/AAAAAAAAAm8/JgCCJl6ZKRw/s640/chair.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1690123&categoryId=cat1580024">Restoration Hardware Chair $259 EACH SPECIAL PRICE </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdgrFKQ7ndA/TxnhkBkqygI/AAAAAAAAAm8/JgCCJl6ZKRw/s1600/chair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">So.... go to the way-cool big corporation place and get one like a few hundred other families in America for around, oh... $3400 (or more...plus tax, depending on where you live in the good ol' U. S. of A...)or find a set on a place like Craigslist, or your local Thrift Shop for an even cooler couple of hundred bucks, and make it a complete one-of-a-kind set. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Yowza.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">That is a savings of somewhere between...well, enough to buy a decent used car. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Seriously, <i><b>somebody's</b></i> gotta jump on this. Quick!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-26007957910345697992012-01-16T18:00:00.000-08:002012-01-16T18:00:02.364-08:00On Golden Pond.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgy30-GEYVs/TxSoCwoAqwI/AAAAAAAAAmE/jC9FwOyYKN0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgy30-GEYVs/TxSoCwoAqwI/AAAAAAAAAmE/jC9FwOyYKN0/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You know I pretty much never remove my rose colored glasses. That's just who I am</span>.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I always see things in a kind of romatic-fantasy-fairy-tale kinda way. One of my best friends calls it "Tracey-ville". When I start talking about a place I love, or even the way I plan on setting up a room, or a tablescape, she will interject, "Oh, you're living in Tracey-ville again".</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm okay with that....'coz they say that, for a thing to happen, it must first be a dream.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's an example of that-</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Way back when, in 2007 to be exact, I wrote about <a href="http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/2007/05/street_of_dream.html">a wonderful. magical little town</a> up here in the Pacific Northwest. That charm filled little spot was Camas, Washington. I shared how I'd love to live there...and.. Wow! God heard me, and a couple of years later I found myself living..here. In sweet, <i><b>sweet </b></i>Camas, Washington.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since moving up here to the Pacific Northwest, I have discovered many other wonderful places and destinations near by. I'd have to say, (and in fact, <i><b>have said</b></i> it so many times to my friends that they can finish my sentences about it)far and away my <i><b>most </b></i>favorite discovery since relocating up here has to be the incredible <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/BIRKENFELD-COUNTRY-STORE-AND-CAFE/49285213302">Birkenfeld Country Store</a>, located in <a href="http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/2010/11/small-town-love.html">Birkenfeld, Oregon</a>, population 12.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">*sigh* Little teeny-tiny slice o' heaven on earth. That's what it is. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sooooo...Over the past year and a half, we've traveled the picturesque hour and forty-five minute(each way)car drive to the Birk for <i><b>many</b></i> band gigs. The fabulous people I told about in <a href="http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/2010/11/small-town-love.html">this blog post</a> have become our friends.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had tried many times to figure out just why <i><b>so many</b></i> amazing people lived <i>way out</i> there, some of them opting to drive an hour and a half each way all week into Portland for work, and then congregating at the Birk on Saturday nights for music, socializing and Wendy's world famous smokehouse burgers. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, now I know. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's <a href="http://fishhawklake.com/">Fishawk Lake</a>.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last weekend before the band gig, we were invited to stop in for a visit with some of our Birkie friends at their home on the Lake, which is just a few (Four? Five?)short miles from the Birk.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh. <i><b>My.</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We took a turn off the main two lane road, onto a smaller two lane road. It meandered down and around through beautiful trees and over a little dam. We both pretty much uttered breathy wow's at the same time as we made the turn and caught our first glimpse of the lake. It reminded me of the movie "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Golden_Pond_%281981_film%29">On Golden Pond</a>" and "<a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/12/27/funny-farm-chevy-chases-cape-cod-in-the-country/">Funny farm</a>" both at the same time.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Peaceful, quiet beauty. Homes of various styles and sizes nestled in under the trees and on the water's edge. Everyone had little boat docks and I swear I could feel the friendliness and charm just oozing out of this little community. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tTelNn-_2oU/TxSNuHVJ1oI/AAAAAAAAAls/KJLv_-OhzCM/s1600/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tTelNn-_2oU/TxSNuHVJ1oI/AAAAAAAAAls/KJLv_-OhzCM/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MkszSpfw-mo/TxSn1KL6v2I/AAAAAAAAAl8/gKbWDP7svlQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our friends have lived on Fishawk lake for fifteen years...anyway I think that is what she said.(What do<i><b> I </b></i>know? I had her name wrong when <a href="http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/2010/11/small-town-love.html">I wrote about them</a> the first time!)I hope they don't mind that I'm sharing their picture...they're just such a cute couple!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kZfQutbvfwE/TxSrtEP1S0I/AAAAAAAAAmM/1tyJWVr-H3A/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kZfQutbvfwE/TxSrtEP1S0I/AAAAAAAAAmM/1tyJWVr-H3A/s640/3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">As I was drooling all over my sweater while I looked out their living room window at the lake, she shared with us how they have a "Dock Crawl" where they do open houses at different times of the year and everyone has so much fun. (Be still my heart! It's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stars_Hollow">Stars Hollow </a>on the lake!)Summer time finds the lake filled with paddle boats and ducks out in the yard at the water's edge.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some folks live at Fishawk Lake full time and commute to work, others are retired, and still more use their sweet Fishawk Lake-home as a get away for summers, or weeks and weekends.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I can tell you that if I were to have a get-away place, it wouldn't take me two minutes to tell you where it would be. Forget Hawaii, or Mexico, or the Caribean, or the grandness of Lake Tahoe for that matter...I'd take a lil' place on Fishawk Lake, in Birkenfeld, Oregon, thankyouverymuch.<br />
</span></div><img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-46948503265723896992012-01-15T14:28:00.000-08:002012-01-15T14:28:30.512-08:00Let it snow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1DHw0k-lTM/TxNSSnRj-xI/AAAAAAAAAlk/wWz8ElN-rTE/s1600/snow+day" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1DHw0k-lTM/TxNSSnRj-xI/AAAAAAAAAlk/wWz8ElN-rTE/s640/snow+day" width="426" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">After the driest December on record, and January starting off the same way (And please, do not think for one minute that I am complaining!) We got a dusting of the white stuff last night! Such a nice lil' surprise for our new year....</span></div><br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-50712879094012786482012-01-13T09:54:00.000-08:002012-01-13T13:14:13.709-08:00Baby steppin' on into Twenty-Twelve.<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-mqmZCvjAA/TxBvoy6k2WI/AAAAAAAAAlc/1_iPdQnAKq0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-mqmZCvjAA/TxBvoy6k2WI/AAAAAAAAAlc/1_iPdQnAKq0/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I bet you thought I have been just so danged <i><b>busy</b></i> <a href="http://acottageindustry.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-word-for-my-new-yearand-giveaway-to.html">getting myself organized</a> that I haven't had a minute to write a post.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Ehem.</i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Oh, how I <i><b>wish</b></i> it were so. I have been busy, yes, but the getting organized part, <i style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>notsomuch</b></i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">....not yet anyway.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"> I am easing into my New Year's Resolution thing this year. You know, baby steps. (Think of the movie, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_About_Bob%3F">What About Bob?</a> and you'll know what I mean..) </span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway,speaking of New Year's, I came across the sweetest lil YouTube duet from Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and even though I<i><b> am </b></i>rather late for New Year's Eve 2011 (or maybe I am incredibly early for New Year's Eve Twenty-Twelve?) I just had to share, 'coz I think it will make you smile.</span></div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aSq1cez_flQ" width="420"></iframe><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">See? Pretty cute, huh?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Back to my New Year's Resolutions... just so you know, getting organized isn't my <i><b>only</b></i> resolution. I also have stuff like drink more water, get on a better budget, and the rest of the typical list most of us think of when it comes to New Year's Resolutions. Actually, I always have the exact same resolutions every year. (It makes them easy to remember, and there always seems to be room for improvement.) </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway.</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Becoming more physically fit is <i><b>always</b></i> on the list, and this year, I have actually embraced this resolution and have started working out. In the past, I always had used the price of a gym membership as my standard excuse, but all employees were given a completely <i><b>free </b></i>health club membership through my job, so I felt God was trying to tell me <i><b>something</b></i>.) </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I am not 100% into my fitness routine,(I'd say I am about 77% there though..) I can tell you that I am going to the gym at least three days a week (shooting for five, but...<b><i>aaah</i></b>.... Baby steps.)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p3JPa2mvSQ4" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and I have begun to collect some semi-cute work out clothes. (As the fabulous <span class="il">Coco</span> Chanel said "</span><span style="font-size: large;">“I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.” How can you argue with that?) </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">So, I've been (and continue to be) a busy lil' bee, between work, and working out, and band gigs, and fun with family and friends...and I am striving to get organized, but I am going easy on myself so as to improve my odds for success...time will tell, and we'll see how that goes.</span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"> </span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><i><b>Baby</b></i> steps.</span><br />
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<br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-86077742392385598152012-01-02T20:33:00.000-08:002012-01-04T08:22:59.368-08:00A new word for my new year....and a giveaway to celebrate it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1U5vAPVPL9Y/TwKE9Tq_QqI/AAAAAAAAAlU/HxqxzsgVzCc/s1600/IMG_7936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1U5vAPVPL9Y/TwKE9Tq_QqI/AAAAAAAAAlU/HxqxzsgVzCc/s640/IMG_7936.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last couple of years I decided to join the growing number of bloggers and friends that chose a word to focus on for the year. (You can find my post about <a href="http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/2010/12/a-revelation-about-new-years-eve-and-about-me-a-word-for-the-entire-year-and-a-giveaway.html#comments">my word from last year here</a>.) I'm also doing the same Banner Giveaway that I did last year as well!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>For my Giveaway:</b></i><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">To refresh your memory on what you need to do to enter for my Giveaway, here are the rules, in three easy steps:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. comment on this post before Friday, January 27th at midnight, sharing the word you've chosen, and why.<span style="color: red;">**Make sure you leave an email address if you are commenting as "Anonymous" so I can get a hold of you if you win!** </span></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Saturday, January 28th I will draw one comment and pick a winner.</b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. The winner will get a custom banner sent to them in their inbox of their word for the year.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last year, my word was BALANCE, which was the same word I used in 2010. In many ways, I think I did an admirable job of achieving that word. Okay, maybe not actually <i><b>achieving </b></i>it, but I definitely inched a little closer to it, and for me, that's no small feat. Having that word was a good reminder to me all year long of what I was trying to move towards, at any rate.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">So.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am still kind of in the same mindset these days..and so many words work towards similar things...at any rate, after thinking long and hard, I made my choice.....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My word for twenty-twelve is ORGANIZE. I think I have the Joy, Bliss, Happiness, and Trust areas in check, but I am constantly finding myself over-booked...with commitments made, work, family, chores, fun...not to mention,a gajillion ideas of <i><b>more</b></i> things I want to do. (See? It seems like a slight variation on last years word of Balance, I know...but for me it's about <i><b>time management</b></i>,and planning for things that really matter, and making time count. That, and the fact that I felt like I shouldn't pick the same word THREE years running...)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year I plan to hone in on putting more order in my life...and striving to become more organized seems the natural progression after striving for balance.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Okay, now how about you? Are you choosing a word for the year? If you are, what is it, and why?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'd love to hear from you and maybe you'll win my custom made banner!</span></span><br />
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<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-13938545135282896252011-12-31T20:20:00.000-08:002012-01-01T08:36:09.059-08:00Kiss last year goodbye.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMQxqwzOs4U/Tv-1BfIGw9I/AAAAAAAAAlI/83L4Y1IVKtI/s1600/IMG_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMQxqwzOs4U/Tv-1BfIGw9I/AAAAAAAAAlI/83L4Y1IVKtI/s640/IMG_1792.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I still can't quite believe it's New Year's Eve, 2011 <b><i>already</i></b>, can you?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You know I am a fanatical baker. This week I finished up my holiday baking by doing cookies and dipped pretzels for the neighbors and a few more friends. (I ran out of treats and time last week to include them all.) I stuck with my white theme, but changed the theme of my tags to New Year's.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of New Year's Eve..what will you be doing tonight?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We will be out of town with my Rock n' Roll Buddy's sis and her hubbs, and we'll be listening to one of the <a href="http://www.lockstockandbarrelband.com/">best local bands</a> around... Do you ring in the new and celebrate the old, or do you call it a night early? </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever you are doing, I wish you a wonderful and prosperous twenty twelve, filled with everything your heart might desire. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-56962274279547856822011-12-31T17:20:00.000-08:002011-12-31T17:20:09.439-08:00One last lil peek at Christmas....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwcVt-nz1Qw/Tv-y7LMhYEI/AAAAAAAAAk8/5zBP06KWQdQ/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwcVt-nz1Qw/Tv-y7LMhYEI/AAAAAAAAAk8/5zBP06KWQdQ/s640/IMG_1717.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yAjWVBbMNTE/Tv-vhYSDG-I/AAAAAAAAAkA/ynFkswA2BJM/s1600/IMG_1794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to share a few more pictures of Carter and Coen's home from Christmas eve...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTYRrhCSL7k/Tv-wYq72tFI/AAAAAAAAAkM/E8R6xVfjp6M/s1600/IMG_1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTYRrhCSL7k/Tv-wYq72tFI/AAAAAAAAAkM/E8R6xVfjp6M/s640/IMG_1768.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Their stockings were hung....</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxLHSwUyIWo/Tv-xN4agffI/AAAAAAAAAkY/xJhkJwD0E-A/s1600/IMG_1766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxLHSwUyIWo/Tv-xN4agffI/AAAAAAAAAkY/xJhkJwD0E-A/s640/IMG_1766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The tree was trimmed, and waiting for Santa...</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">The table was beautiful....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QtqDDNUrt40/Tv-x2AR20cI/AAAAAAAAAkk/256XkKS-Zhc/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QtqDDNUrt40/Tv-x2AR20cI/AAAAAAAAAkk/256XkKS-Zhc/s640/IMG_1717.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RunOo3ifq9o/Tv-x-NCI3kI/AAAAAAAAAkw/-3MUr631uTE/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RunOo3ifq9o/Tv-x-NCI3kI/AAAAAAAAAkw/-3MUr631uTE/s640/IMG_1714.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a wonderful Christmas...and a wonderful year, as I look back on it!</span></div><br />
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<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-5834093803607639132011-12-27T15:12:00.000-08:002012-01-06T10:33:07.535-08:00My favorite Martian.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XP8uApC1F7k/TsV6hPGAPOI/AAAAAAAAAYk/Qo__9hSI6pQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XP8uApC1F7k/TsV6hPGAPOI/AAAAAAAAAYk/Qo__9hSI6pQ/s640/1.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">(<a href="http://the60sofficialsite.com/My_Favorite_Martian.html">Photo Source</a>)</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">**We had a very Merry Christmas 'round here, and I hope yours was wonderful too, but that's so not the theme of my post-holiday-blogpost today...**</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">So, I am aware that I may have already lost some of you </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">with my title</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"> and the photo above.</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">(and by "some of you" I mean everyone under the age of 35. If you're confused, you can get up to speed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Favorite_Martian">right here</a>.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">You know how that guy wrote <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mars-Women-Venus-Communication-Relationships/dp/006016848X">that book</a> about women being from Venus and Men from Mars? Well, okay, so I never actually read it myself, but I am fairly <i><b>certain</b></i> the concept is that women are all about thinking (<i><b>over-</b></i>thinking?)..er..<i><b>feeling</b></i>...with our hearts (hence the Venus, Goddess of Love reference) and men are...well, I have no <i><b>real </b></i>idea (maybe I should have read the book?)except that I think they are much more basic, and logical,(or maybe that should be <i><b>illogical</b></i>...) although not any <b><i>less</i></b> complex to women. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">They are most definitely not as touchy-feely-heart-on-our-sleeve-ish as we girls are. (Apparently that is where the Mars reference comes in. They are Martians, for Pete's sakes. It's no small wonder we have trouble communicating with them.) </span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Anyway.</span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I have been pondering all of this lately because I am realizing that I am rather a novice level girl in the boy-girl communication department when it comes to getting my thoughts across to my Rock n' Roll Buddy. Maybe it comes from not having a long list of men on my relationships list, <i><b>and</b></i> having spent multiple decades with one man...er...<i><b>Martian</b></i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">That <b><i>other</i></b> Martian and I developed our own way of showing our feelings and communicating in a particular way that became familiar...a habit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">For. Three. <i><b>Decades</b></i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Then, I spent five years solo. I didn't realize it, but I grew fairly comfortable with making my own decisions, both the itty-bitty-little ones and the ginormous ones.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Take all that into account, and add the fact that I am..well, let's just say it, fif-fif-fifty five. We are both older, and <strike>more set in our ways</strike> wiser, and finding a way to blend our material belongings (while trying to figure out which of the other person's items hold sentimental value to them...) along with discovering ways of communicating our opinions (along with two cents on definite home-decor ideas from both parties) without injuring anyone's heart, become a rather delicate task. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">For five years,I didn't have to ask anyone if they liked the giant vintage firewood holder I ran out and bought for the living room. I just went with my gut. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">And now,....well,I get on auto pilot, like we <i><b>all</b></i> do on Venus, and assume just how my Rock n' Roll Buddy will respond, (Que in background music and pan in to Tracey-ville, USA, with Ward Clever smiling in lustful admiration at June as she shows him the fabulous wood holder, making his life oh-<i><b>so</b></i>-complete.)I <i><b>assume</b></i> he will appreciate certain things I do and say in the same manner that the other Martian did for thirty some years.(I came to this incorrect conclusion by the way, by surmising that, after all, they are <i><b>both</b></i> Martians, right?)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Only, that isn't what happens.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">His response is...different than I was accustomed to way back when. Different than I expect. (Typical Martian....)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">*sigh*</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Me, being from Venus, with<i><b> all</b></i> of my romantic notions,(mmm hmmm,very clearly a Venus girl all the way, what with serving him his heated syrup in a sweet lil' pour-cup for pancakes, and having lil' felted wool birdies in snow hats adorn our winter-time table scape...)while he, quite <i><b>obviously</b></i> has to be from Mars.(How else can you explain the <i><b>need</b></i> to keep two <i><b>working</b></i> microwave ovens in the same kitchen, and three cordless drills in the garage?) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I feel very much like I am trying to master a foreign language of some sort. There is a learning curve in blending personalities <i><b>and</b></i> belongings from two such different planets, and I am grasping little pieces of wisdom....most importantly, I can tell you that he is <i><b>definitely</b></i> my favorite Martian. </span><br />
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<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-41612663486300106732011-12-24T08:57:00.000-08:002011-12-24T08:57:47.186-08:00Christmas at Mr. and Mrs. Big Dog's home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOEkeKJuBBc/TvX-SWqP0NI/AAAAAAAAAgc/R-R6do2xiaw/s1600/IMG_1669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOEkeKJuBBc/TvX-SWqP0NI/AAAAAAAAAgc/R-R6do2xiaw/s640/IMG_1669.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I was at the newlywed's home yesterday doing some marathon gift wrapping, I remembered my camera and got a few pictures to share with you of some of their wonderful holiday decorating...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlGZFwvTcvQ/TvX-97CJmPI/AAAAAAAAAhA/0dpV8ozCnWE/s1600/IMG_1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlGZFwvTcvQ/TvX-97CJmPI/AAAAAAAAAhA/0dpV8ozCnWE/s640/IMG_1653.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you first enter through the front door, you are greeted by not one, but two beautiful, real, fresh cut trees within eye range. One in the living room, and one in the corner of the dining room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imsNrpJ3VGQ/TvX-0oVKd2I/AAAAAAAAAg0/56qgTtpQip4/s1600/IMG_1646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imsNrpJ3VGQ/TvX-0oVKd2I/AAAAAAAAAg0/56qgTtpQip4/s640/IMG_1646.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are plenty of eye candy details all around...in the living room...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihVeAJlmrKI/TvYCj01GV1I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/ZMik_Emc7dA/s1600/IMG_1645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihVeAJlmrKI/TvYCj01GV1I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/ZMik_Emc7dA/s640/IMG_1645.jpg" width="444" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lv2m9-1Rs94/TvYC6-to24I/AAAAAAAAAjc/6fFAm0cB1ew/s1600/IMG_1642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lv2m9-1Rs94/TvYC6-to24I/AAAAAAAAAjc/6fFAm0cB1ew/s640/IMG_1642.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXPLfvR_6Po/TvX_QKoNK7I/AAAAAAAAAhM/9XjFV-KHZXc/s1600/IMG_1651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXPLfvR_6Po/TvX_QKoNK7I/AAAAAAAAAhM/9XjFV-KHZXc/s640/IMG_1651.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIOcoVVSa3Q/TvX_YC_rSuI/AAAAAAAAAhY/mQKdbcUU-T0/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIOcoVVSa3Q/TvX_YC_rSuI/AAAAAAAAAhY/mQKdbcUU-T0/s640/IMG_1652.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ak4Urd7uwHo/TvYDO886X0I/AAAAAAAAAjo/q4Tlp5nt7uw/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ak4Urd7uwHo/TvYDO886X0I/AAAAAAAAAjo/q4Tlp5nt7uw/s640/IMG_1640.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REZF30YukSQ/TvX_hlFesGI/AAAAAAAAAhk/O0lBWokDmN4/s1600/IMG_1661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REZF30YukSQ/TvX_hlFesGI/AAAAAAAAAhk/O0lBWokDmN4/s640/IMG_1661.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7x7mZ7JTs8s/TvX_l1V-VtI/AAAAAAAAAhw/YbPD7cLvS8g/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7x7mZ7JTs8s/TvX_l1V-VtI/AAAAAAAAAhw/YbPD7cLvS8g/s640/IMG_1665.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">the dinging room...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dilWX7KBdGU/TvYA-aFz4TI/AAAAAAAAAis/KkAUStMiplo/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dilWX7KBdGU/TvYA-aFz4TI/AAAAAAAAAis/KkAUStMiplo/s640/IMG_1656.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ...in the kitchen too...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Tu6BiF2H6g/TvX__hz-_2I/AAAAAAAAAh8/jOh1NaByozY/s1600/IMG_1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Tu6BiF2H6g/TvX__hz-_2I/AAAAAAAAAh8/jOh1NaByozY/s640/IMG_1670.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cKRhtSKClQQ/TvYAGhlpyXI/AAAAAAAAAiI/mtO5uf-5EuY/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cKRhtSKClQQ/TvYAGhlpyXI/AAAAAAAAAiI/mtO5uf-5EuY/s640/IMG_1675.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fwHxVrhZs-c/TvYBd2sMQiI/AAAAAAAAAi4/P87ZZ9qjdgk/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fwHxVrhZs-c/TvYBd2sMQiI/AAAAAAAAAi4/P87ZZ9qjdgk/s640/IMG_1674.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HbAG4YpKqk/TvYB7i554HI/AAAAAAAAAjE/W2WHWONf-tQ/s1600/IMG_1678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HbAG4YpKqk/TvYB7i554HI/AAAAAAAAAjE/W2WHWONf-tQ/s640/IMG_1678.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">A live potted tree in the master...they plan on getting a live one each year to plant in their huge yard.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmpeq3cpC-0/TvYEIPHGw4I/AAAAAAAAAj0/i_AaTmmggsA/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmpeq3cpC-0/TvYEIPHGw4I/AAAAAAAAAj0/i_AaTmmggsA/s640/IMG_1685.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">....And even the guest room boasts a tree, and lots of lil' sweet details....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FD-48-V530k/TvYAVABHYzI/AAAAAAAAAiU/sFpNNnyyuKs/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FD-48-V530k/TvYAVABHYzI/AAAAAAAAAiU/sFpNNnyyuKs/s640/IMG_1694.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLktLgts_1c/TvYAfAsMTJI/AAAAAAAAAig/2YZdDTeJ39Y/s1600/IMG_1695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLktLgts_1c/TvYAfAsMTJI/AAAAAAAAAig/2YZdDTeJ39Y/s640/IMG_1695.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">You can't help but feel the Christmas spirit here...Merry Christmas eve, everyone! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday, shared with the people you love.</span><br />
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<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-20104955201254401602011-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:002011-12-21T08:24:25.794-08:00Sharing the holiday spirit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CjIia-zLTF8/TvFygAI78pI/AAAAAAAAAgA/FHbB9DYqy-I/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CjIia-zLTF8/TvFygAI78pI/AAAAAAAAAgA/FHbB9DYqy-I/s640/IMG_1627.JPG" width="618" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last night I wrapped up my first round of baking, and packaged up some cookies for my Rock n' Roll Buddy to take into work. Hmmm, for some reason, this basket of treats photographed small looking. It's actually a nice big tray of cookies!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x910Dxvl8i0/TvFyt7Qh10I/AAAAAAAAAgI/yra5elQFJ7g/s1600/IMG_1622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x910Dxvl8i0/TvFyt7Qh10I/AAAAAAAAAgI/yra5elQFJ7g/s640/IMG_1622.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I stopped by GoodWill on my way home to see if I might find a cute container or two to package up the baked goods, and I struck gold. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgJHW_jwtdU/TvFy6CuTzyI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/QW6wMJwddVM/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgJHW_jwtdU/TvFy6CuTzyI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/QW6wMJwddVM/s640/IMG_1625.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I found a set of six matching little buckets for $2.99...exactly enough buckets to make lil' presents for my department friends at work! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I filled each bucket with shred, and cookies, and added a sweet little tag that I created on my computer, and candy cane striped ribbon. Today we are going out for a holiday luncheon and these are going to make charming little gifties for each of them!</span><br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-39180885757917452102011-12-20T00:01:00.000-08:002011-12-20T00:01:01.858-08:00"Coz nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7c498YRjA4k/Tu7hY-UuWAI/AAAAAAAAAfY/D4f5gHBMEFI/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7c498YRjA4k/Tu7hY-UuWAI/AAAAAAAAAfY/D4f5gHBMEFI/s640/IMG_1613.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, thank you, thank you <i><b>so much</b></i> for all the comments on yesterday's post! I brought home a pitcher of roses from the party..er...the <i><b>wedding!</b></i>...and I smile each time I look at them. I don't think I will <i><b>ever</b></i> be able to be that surprised again in my life time. Such a thrilling, fun feeling!(<a href="http://www.weddingspdx.com/2011/12/18/multnomah-falls-wedding/#more-920">Click here</a> to see MORE pictures...from the photographer!)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><i><b>Any</b></i>way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I spent Sunday afternoon baking in the kitchen while my Rock n' Roll Buddy held band practice in the living room. I'll be giving out my goodies to neighbors, and friends...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Fn3MEbMuE8/Tu7jTDW444I/AAAAAAAAAf4/-P5nsN3oycw/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Fn3MEbMuE8/Tu7jTDW444I/AAAAAAAAAf4/-P5nsN3oycw/s640/IMG_1610.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I went with a white Christmas baking theme for the most part this year. I'll add ribbon wrapped milk bones for my neighbors next door that have pups.....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poN0THSOTtw/Tu7il1qKl_I/AAAAAAAAAfg/4ZldM0fR6EY/s1600/IMG_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poN0THSOTtw/Tu7il1qKl_I/AAAAAAAAAfg/4ZldM0fR6EY/s640/IMG_1598.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">.....I stuck with my old stand by, favorite recipes...<a href="http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/2007/12/no-snow-here-bu.html">snowballs</a>, and star shaped <a href="http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/2007/07/getting-ready-f.html">sugar cookies</a>......</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fg_2ipLGCm8/Tu7iz2-Ig6I/AAAAAAAAAfo/TOkWYS8tp5k/s1600/IMG_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fg_2ipLGCm8/Tu7iz2-Ig6I/AAAAAAAAAfo/TOkWYS8tp5k/s640/IMG_1608.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also dipped pretzels in white chocolate and sprinkles for more added frosty white bling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKlbK-87d9Q/Tu7i_U2h5JI/AAAAAAAAAfw/NeA8NyxGy1Y/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKlbK-87d9Q/Tu7i_U2h5JI/AAAAAAAAAfw/NeA8NyxGy1Y/s640/IMG_1605.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">So pretty and so yummy! What about you? Do you go with a theme (snowmen? Stars? Red and Green?) when baking for the holidays?</span><br />
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<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-82935149244025143752011-12-19T00:01:00.000-08:002011-12-19T15:57:50.552-08:00Oh, how I LOVE a surprise!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MflUXwvEbkU/Tu7fS-qsXaI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/VUFBjwvcEuI/s1600/IMG_1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MflUXwvEbkU/Tu7fS-qsXaI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/VUFBjwvcEuI/s640/IMG_1545.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!! I..<i><b>we</b></i>... had the most fabulous surprise this weekend!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I shared a while back that my first born <a href="http://wideanglelindz.blogspot.com/">daughter</a> had gotten engaged. Well....since then, no date for the wedding had been set, and all kinds of ideas had been tossed around; a destination wedding, a quiet trip to the courthouse with a party afterwards, a planned elopement...but no date set and no progress on the plans. Trust me, I threw out all sorts of suggestions, and themes (a Christmas wedding? New Years Eve? How about something in a barn? A fabulous dinner after watching them burst out of the courthouse?) and even began gathering pictures for ideas on my Pinterest board...(you <i><b>know</b></i> how I love a project, right?)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were invited to Multnomah Falls Lodge for a dinner to meet my daughter's future in-laws, who are visiting for the holiday's from out of town. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had seen an idea on <a href="http://pinterest.com/CottageIndustry/">Pinterest</a> for little cards for the table to use as an ice-breaker of sorts...you know, a conversation starter. I ran the idea by the happy couple and then whipped them up. I popped the cards in my purse and we headed to the falls.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n83L4DwA2E8/Tu7eZMhWO1I/AAAAAAAAAfI/ZdI75JpvQq4/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n83L4DwA2E8/Tu7eZMhWO1I/AAAAAAAAAfI/ZdI75JpvQq4/s640/IMG_1420.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCmOyrbiwg8/Tu7eVyj4B1I/AAAAAAAAAfA/17uldCo9mZY/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCmOyrbiwg8/Tu7eVyj4B1I/AAAAAAAAAfA/17uldCo9mZY/s640/IMG_1419.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Little did we know, but once inside the charming room upstairs in the Lodge, the dinner was not<i><b> just</b></i> a dinner...it was a surprise wedding! Not a detail was forgotten, with both of my girls planning and plotting and organizing....Old silver pitchers and canning jars from home filled with white roses adorned the tables in the banquet room. There were favors of mittens and scarves for everyone to wear as we were escorted outside to a spot near the falls. We were given cups of hot cider and cocoa along for the chilly walk.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">The happy couple were decked out in their wedding attire, and my daughter had the most <i><b>incredible</b></i> overcoat (from Anthropologie!) that was cut slightly higher in the front, and showed off the bottom of her vintage reproduction dress....<i><b>breathtaking!</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YqS_UtM3jNk/Tu7d4OX1cLI/AAAAAAAAAe4/vovJk96-03k/s1600/IMG_1512_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YqS_UtM3jNk/Tu7d4OX1cLI/AAAAAAAAAe4/vovJk96-03k/s640/IMG_1512_2.JPG" width="188" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We took our seats and witnessed their vows...(The little men were entertained with raisins...)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf0AP3mTBKo/Tu7c2g8laKI/AAAAAAAAAew/84NFTm-iGtU/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="596" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf0AP3mTBKo/Tu7c2g8laKI/AAAAAAAAAew/84NFTm-iGtU/s640/IMG_1514.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">...then we all returned to the upstairs room in the Lodge for a wonderful wedding dinner and cake. My pictures came out terrible due to some screw-ball adjustments I made to the shutter speed or something or other.<i><b> </b></i>(<i><b>S</b><b>heesh...</b></i>) Thank goodness the professional shots should be here within a week or so and I can share more then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I am still smiling as I remember the complete and total surprise upon realizing we'd all been tricked (some were told it was a charity event, others a dinner, and who knows what all else!) and what a <i><b>spectacular</b></i> day it was. </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">edited at 4:00 PM to add: here's a<a href="http://www.weddingspdx.com/2011/12/18/multnomah-falls-wedding/#more-920"> link </a>of just some of the pictures from the photographer!</span></b><br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-70517468366906553762011-12-17T12:06:00.000-08:002011-12-17T12:10:14.060-08:00Here comes good ol' Santa Claus....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-DeJFtYGE0/Tuzzsm6sneI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/dmwfLqUJvfg/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-DeJFtYGE0/Tuzzsm6sneI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/dmwfLqUJvfg/s640/IMG_1414.JPG" width="574" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't recall sharing anything about my co-worker friend Clarence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Clarence is 80 years young and proud of it. For most of the year, he's our sweet lil' mailroom guy, but come December things start to change. He grows his beard a bit longer and fuller, and he gets out his nice red suit.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mmm hmmm, he's our very own in-house Santa! Last Thursday and Friday he and Mrs. Claus (another good sport-co-worker friend) sat and listened to countess wish lists from kids (and Grand-kids!) of employees...(Have I mentioned that I <b><i>love</i></b> where I work?)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbXiO0oFnQg/Tuz0vUbOHcI/AAAAAAAAAeY/isyIkxDZ4Ug/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbXiO0oFnQg/Tuz0vUbOHcI/AAAAAAAAAeY/isyIkxDZ4Ug/s640/IMG_1412.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Carter was a little shy this year, but managed to sit on Santa's lap and have a lil' chit-chat, but Coen wanted no part of Old St. Nick. Now, <i>Mrs. Claus</i> was another story....(I'm telling you, this little guy is <i><b>totally </b></i>a ladies man!) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efDs9Y-vcSI/Tuz1NM3t8lI/AAAAAAAAAeg/5y-9rbilfg0/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efDs9Y-vcSI/Tuz1NM3t8lI/AAAAAAAAAeg/5y-9rbilfg0/s640/IMG_1393.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_QEOLv7Iyk/Tuz14BOwGnI/AAAAAAAAAeo/_eaSXAA9Jfk/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_QEOLv7Iyk/Tuz14BOwGnI/AAAAAAAAAeo/_eaSXAA9Jfk/s640/IMG_1401.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">...Hard to believe Christmas will be here in just one more week!</span><br />
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<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-39812712796283086382011-12-12T21:28:00.000-08:002011-12-12T21:28:57.185-08:00All in the family.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkIFcDCFeiE/TubdScGGKMI/AAAAAAAAAdI/CYd7qkrCeD8/s1600/1+4+grands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkIFcDCFeiE/TubdScGGKMI/AAAAAAAAAdI/CYd7qkrCeD8/s640/1+4+grands.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">For my birthday last week, (Good Gawd, I am "double nickels" as my friend Dona says...no denying it now. I <i><b>have</b></i> to say "<i><b>mid-</b></i>fifties"...)my kids gave me something I will treasure <i><b>always</b></i>...they had a photo shoot arranged last time my son, daughter-in-law, and other grand babies were up visiting from the biggest little city!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are some darling shots of the grands together....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6em79DrCps/TubiT3SumDI/AAAAAAAAAeI/gSLmkqTtuEg/s1600/1+grands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6em79DrCps/TubiT3SumDI/AAAAAAAAAeI/gSLmkqTtuEg/s640/1+grands.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnQyWgGkE00/Tubekt3PvVI/AAAAAAAAAdg/nTC2HGYc2Bs/s1600/1+bronson+and+carter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnQyWgGkE00/Tubekt3PvVI/AAAAAAAAAdg/nTC2HGYc2Bs/s640/1+bronson+and+carter.jpg" width="422" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WU-_SYRY5Zg/Tubey-0nKlI/AAAAAAAAAdo/DEbuBhiH1X8/s1600/2+isabelle+and+bronson+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WU-_SYRY5Zg/Tubey-0nKlI/AAAAAAAAAdo/DEbuBhiH1X8/s640/2+isabelle+and+bronson+leaves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span><span style="font-size: large;">and some alone...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gW6YiZRfOmo/TubeKns2k2I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/Tfrlx4uk6zw/s1600/1+coen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gW6YiZRfOmo/TubeKns2k2I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/Tfrlx4uk6zw/s640/1+coen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpx5Qws8xL0/TubeaXFfLUI/AAAAAAAAAdY/YfHkdMrUO6w/s1600/1+isabelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpx5Qws8xL0/TubeaXFfLUI/AAAAAAAAAdY/YfHkdMrUO6w/s640/1+isabelle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and some wonderful pictures of my entire brood as it is now...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80vf5obnICw/TubhTQRBsDI/AAAAAAAAAd4/hm81sR1YOsQ/s1600/1+everybody+yard+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80vf5obnICw/TubhTQRBsDI/AAAAAAAAAd4/hm81sR1YOsQ/s640/1+everybody+yard+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l49LYObkH_0/Tubhku1BB3I/AAAAAAAAAeA/Pi8cji2V2Mw/s1600/1+by+fence+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l49LYObkH_0/Tubhku1BB3I/AAAAAAAAAeA/Pi8cji2V2Mw/s640/1+by+fence+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I couldn't have hoped for a better present from all of them!</span><br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-53728497062926134042011-12-07T09:29:00.000-08:002011-12-07T09:29:26.874-08:00Winter Wonderland.<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay6D1DsKlPU/Tt-fsYN7bNI/AAAAAAAAAcI/gnGEIBBB-Dw/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay6D1DsKlPU/Tt-fsYN7bNI/AAAAAAAAAcI/gnGEIBBB-Dw/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing like a little snow to make things merry and bright for the holiday season....even if you <b><i>don't</i></b> live where there are real snowflakes falling outside! Mmmm hmmm, just use a few bags of fake snow, drizzled in handfuls over the twinkle-lit tree, and you're good to go.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6g5EI2Ohvg/Tt-f4at9-3I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/EadMRGiD0zw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6g5EI2Ohvg/Tt-f4at9-3I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/EadMRGiD0zw/s640/4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Little details of mittens, and faux flocked boughs, old ice skates, and my personal favorites of the season, my little winter birds, complete the winter wonderland look.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4dtaheDI1R8/Tt-hu1zhG2I/AAAAAAAAAc4/hqK70xPX38U/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4dtaheDI1R8/Tt-hu1zhG2I/AAAAAAAAAc4/hqK70xPX38U/s640/2.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The giant cardboard letters (From JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts...available in three sizes!) painted a weathered red, and be-decked with more snow were a fun touch showcasing our company initials...</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QHBNtoCm-Sw/Tt-gaoxVBuI/AAAAAAAAAcY/F8UBXSlN04E/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QHBNtoCm-Sw/Tt-gaoxVBuI/AAAAAAAAAcY/F8UBXSlN04E/s640/6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">A coworker friend provided a roaring fire for my big screen behind the counter...how fun is <i><b>that?! </b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kKwchoMRkA0/Tt-g8jLAC_I/AAAAAAAAAco/PFse7qiZ5sg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kKwchoMRkA0/Tt-g8jLAC_I/AAAAAAAAAco/PFse7qiZ5sg/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">A thrifted fake wood (plastic!) mirror, reinvented with a coat of white primer and adorned with flocked boughs anda lil' sweet snowman...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ri2BS8z7sSw/Tt-iSHflnpI/AAAAAAAAAdA/FDU_dPRpa-s/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ri2BS8z7sSw/Tt-iSHflnpI/AAAAAAAAAdA/FDU_dPRpa-s/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">...changed the alcove from all business to a warm<i><b> </b></i>and welcoming spot in the room.(Sorry for the sort of blurry-out-of-focus-odd-angled picture!) The thing going across the mirror is the Winter Wonderland Banner's reflection.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tipeaQC0FGg/Tt-hUCTO3mI/AAAAAAAAAcw/FxPykkiD9vE/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tipeaQC0FGg/Tt-hUCTO3mI/AAAAAAAAAcw/FxPykkiD9vE/s640/3.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><i><b></b></i>Oh yes, people, it's beginning to look a <i><b>lot </b></i>like Christmas!</span></div><img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-5738099831028268332011-12-05T22:42:00.000-08:002011-12-05T22:42:08.338-08:00The merriment continues...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkukZNErkwA/Tt25EQrDQ9I/AAAAAAAAAcA/YJaBzXtRtFo/s1600/IMG_1371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkukZNErkwA/Tt25EQrDQ9I/AAAAAAAAAcA/YJaBzXtRtFo/s640/IMG_1371.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Can you guess what I will be doing with these pieces today? I'll be sharing pictures in my next post!<br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277030315969732003.post-53349391135054748512011-12-02T23:14:00.000-08:002011-12-02T23:14:52.634-08:00The Christmas spirit hits the office....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAEMF_eO7LQ/TtnK-3UMFzI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/hFa11Ya_CNY/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAEMF_eO7LQ/TtnK-3UMFzI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/hFa11Ya_CNY/s640/IMG_1334.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, I showed you the Peace on Earth banner while it was a work in progress. Well, now I'll show it to you it is in it's completed state hanging in the front lobby of my office building! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEOQdWtRdLA/TtnLQglYbzI/AAAAAAAAAbY/Je4lga_8YTs/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEOQdWtRdLA/TtnLQglYbzI/AAAAAAAAAbY/Je4lga_8YTs/s640/IMG_1333.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two other gals from my work helped with the lobby decorations and we had a blast making things merry and bright...a nine foot fake tree on top of a round coffee table that was draped in a twin size sheet. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cjz9rg4ojk/TtnLc7JdTNI/AAAAAAAAAbg/RKj6x-4btGM/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cjz9rg4ojk/TtnLc7JdTNI/AAAAAAAAAbg/RKj6x-4btGM/s640/IMG_1332.JPG" width="608" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">White poinsettias and ooodles and toodles of purple glittery ornaments and silver-y snowflakes (Everything came from good ol' WalMart and the cost was surprisingly low! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite part of our decorating was the curtains we added. We used scrim (skrim?) fabric to fashion make shift drapes, hung with those awesome stik-um hooks that won't hurt your walls, and added our company initials(AG) in glitter as well...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcvUxZRV3hw/TtnLwMI5ntI/AAAAAAAAAbo/QeXYo5ptiso/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcvUxZRV3hw/TtnLwMI5ntI/AAAAAAAAAbo/QeXYo5ptiso/s640/IMG_1335.JPG" width="326" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and I then swagged the glitter-y banner.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">A little touch of glitzy adornment to the sign near the elevator and we were done. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbL303vKUF8/TtnL57xAVCI/AAAAAAAAAbw/15Odh6_C2ng/s1600/IMG_1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbL303vKUF8/TtnL57xAVCI/AAAAAAAAAbw/15Odh6_C2ng/s640/IMG_1339.JPG" width="628" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5qU8zZwLE5I/TtnMCMqKejI/AAAAAAAAAb4/0L0hx4Vzpv8/s1600/IMG_1336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5qU8zZwLE5I/TtnMCMqKejI/AAAAAAAAAb4/0L0hx4Vzpv8/s640/IMG_1336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, nearly done. After I took these pictures we did add a three foot wreath that I did up to match the tree on the far right hand wall for balance....</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">It was a lot of fun and I think the </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">office looks really festive and merry, with our signature purple making it unique.</span><br />
<img src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll2/ACottageIndustry/buxtionsig.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7