tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617192356466122362024-03-18T22:09:10.884-07:00Vicki's Bit-o-earthVicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-52073089258323453182012-02-02T18:20:00.000-08:002012-02-02T19:23:10.329-08:00Lots to do, New ideas...Wow, time flies. I know, I know... I've been so terrible at posting! I wish I were better at it. I wish I had more time, but for some reason I just don't have enough of it each day.<br /><br />Christmas was spent with our kids and the littlies! If you have grandbabies, you know how I love those times!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sophie's note to Santa<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_3LDizh002DtXQINXFsZQ5DaKlnL7zOktE1paP2vkwMuUwyOKbFvOrnVlkVIPNL2fYuk-1kycrALhCZbKZoQUSyC2YvE4ZcQCJWD60iFWYhS3HzgOqde6dWQiVkHQMpGeXHYJDN9w3w/s1600/IMG_9998.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_3LDizh002DtXQINXFsZQ5DaKlnL7zOktE1paP2vkwMuUwyOKbFvOrnVlkVIPNL2fYuk-1kycrALhCZbKZoQUSyC2YvE4ZcQCJWD60iFWYhS3HzgOqde6dWQiVkHQMpGeXHYJDN9w3w/s400/IMG_9998.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704733244346578626" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFu5fYmWtWLCnn5fF6G-4diMaf-UZhyphenhyphen5bjx20fFKjz80vS4Cd2Hl-O9BPMqRb6B8Yjty9PSXdqStu4H1hpKi74GRlEEOihpPEECXT6BIS6gjJbrZxo4yIakcI7vB9SrL-CEV5-B0j3UFM/s1600/IMG_9986.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFu5fYmWtWLCnn5fF6G-4diMaf-UZhyphenhyphen5bjx20fFKjz80vS4Cd2Hl-O9BPMqRb6B8Yjty9PSXdqStu4H1hpKi74GRlEEOihpPEECXT6BIS6gjJbrZxo4yIakcI7vB9SrL-CEV5-B0j3UFM/s400/IMG_9986.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704733179870627778" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of her favorite gifts... an Indian doll from Great-Nana<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnWTmTndf8rUmsC63FETqb7O6BqQdAAv5fgoTaGv9IgexGFXCJka6dDt5YaeFjj8uIis6M4kLqFwhDXFypVgGgKQzypzQBeSiFUHYpWq58fLHISX2dTd68-MIzJl-91uB0-g3A8yhIOY/s1600/IMG_0095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnWTmTndf8rUmsC63FETqb7O6BqQdAAv5fgoTaGv9IgexGFXCJka6dDt5YaeFjj8uIis6M4kLqFwhDXFypVgGgKQzypzQBeSiFUHYpWq58fLHISX2dTd68-MIzJl-91uB0-g3A8yhIOY/s400/IMG_0095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704732914701409938" border="0" /></a><br />Another favorite gift... a tea set that her Daddy used to play tea with when he<br />was about her age (yes, boys like to have tea too!)<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoPze9BBXhE0dFvbTWcINHB9DO_B2_wc_K5rm5Ri1dWJXt0bjbeVlN8w75lsyuM7vqieANwat26JJr8UDYsyADhOTrCVmKrw9l5jfE8gwRsL0G4TDJxdHSGp_fngLEhjeQWnAM6PU7yk/s1600/IMG_0113.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoPze9BBXhE0dFvbTWcINHB9DO_B2_wc_K5rm5Ri1dWJXt0bjbeVlN8w75lsyuM7vqieANwat26JJr8UDYsyADhOTrCVmKrw9l5jfE8gwRsL0G4TDJxdHSGp_fngLEhjeQWnAM6PU7yk/s400/IMG_0113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704732987946976738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A boy (Max) and his dog keep watch for Santa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbV2ZsEfeOPP6tveQE2b28xZlz1IAhn1Hp_c2a5aiGEQQNt6AsPMRn-5G2CMPyoh2zyqvNnCjJ_v1MyyOfP_aKDTnp9LkRDT2PDDG3z0YVpoGUYW-1LRhvMi04qEP9EGkUqCemnW7nkBg/s1600/IMG_9925.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbV2ZsEfeOPP6tveQE2b28xZlz1IAhn1Hp_c2a5aiGEQQNt6AsPMRn-5G2CMPyoh2zyqvNnCjJ_v1MyyOfP_aKDTnp9LkRDT2PDDG3z0YVpoGUYW-1LRhvMi04qEP9EGkUqCemnW7nkBg/s400/IMG_9925.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704733057757456674" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />So Christmas has long come and gone, and its already the first of February. We've had a very mild winter here on the California coast. Very little rain, and the reservoirs are looking quite dry.<br /><br />The up-side of a mild winter is that I can work in the garden all winter long. The down-side is that when summer gets here and there isn't enough water... it won't be a happy time!<br /><br />So I'm planning ahead and doing every thing possible to save water, deliver water directly only at the roots through a drip system, and mulching heavily to keep moisture in.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></div><br />After Christmas my sister's two DIL's talked to me about an idea... (my DIL doesn't live near us, but my sister's do, so we see them alot).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Would it be possible for me to grow enough produce to feed their families too?<br />They'd be happy to pay me...<br /></div><br />I've never thought of doing it for anything but own joy of gardening, and to supply my own family with produce... but what a fun idea this was!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So I've been thinking... ALOT!<br /><br />And I've been planning... ALOT more!<br /></div><br />Oh, and they want me to get more chickens because they whenever they're here, they love eating my eggs... and they want true free range eggs too. (:<br /><br />What would we have to do to supply eggs for 3 or 4 families? ALOT! That's what! But I think I'm game for it! Now I just have to convince hubs to make a second coop and wire run... yep, he's excited about that one! You can imagine...<br /><br />Soooo, I've been clearing and leveling the spot where it will go... hoping he's convinced by how hard I've worked... and kick in! (;<br /><br />Since we live on the California coast, where we get alot of fog in the summer, I need a greenhouse in order to grow tomatoes, peppers and aubergine... all the heat loving plants.<br /><br />I've scrounged most of the materials needed to build it. See those lovely arched windows leaning against the old greenhouse below? Aren't they beautiful?! I got them for FREE at the local landfill. Someone was throwing them out! They will make a wonderfully designed greenhouse!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz440FnbP7PgCJC3ee9Q1FwWk0MGvT1-hWEvfBOam15n3g2KbpOP9g1X617ZoIi7E5HeXVFjXj_LBiCNj0k-Tjow92_YAbybxSpL0VF5-LIWX2CghLaWXa5OMnW7fGCoQ7tDWoXO99isA/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz440FnbP7PgCJC3ee9Q1FwWk0MGvT1-hWEvfBOam15n3g2KbpOP9g1X617ZoIi7E5HeXVFjXj_LBiCNj0k-Tjow92_YAbybxSpL0VF5-LIWX2CghLaWXa5OMnW7fGCoQ7tDWoXO99isA/s400/IMG_0040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704734668606091938" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU2BlwiRrnYAzrn3_LBnsujCDhE0lYrIbdZmhch56dQSlFoahxM8KgINm5tjsGSqessCk0tHdSFsqQxrGM05hkWRyZcQPN7N4_W4MZsm56MLBu5YSufzZP8RQxWrpu54fm5LVW0xypgY/s1600/IMG_0045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU2BlwiRrnYAzrn3_LBnsujCDhE0lYrIbdZmhch56dQSlFoahxM8KgINm5tjsGSqessCk0tHdSFsqQxrGM05hkWRyZcQPN7N4_W4MZsm56MLBu5YSufzZP8RQxWrpu54fm5LVW0xypgY/s400/IMG_0045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704734296042228178" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We finally got enough rain a few weeks ago, that fires are now allowed to burn garden slash.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNjrHkgYk70IqzO6KwSyhYW3UoW0k4-A987G1ARF1GIjNOBgppGlnK9W4fhQCxtxKl8k1uS49ZPSHVrOKFziRzLFYj6qGPQoa1DssYqK9JHBgTy5rflWC7UNlWiTQleUUV5Xidtj_ba0/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNjrHkgYk70IqzO6KwSyhYW3UoW0k4-A987G1ARF1GIjNOBgppGlnK9W4fhQCxtxKl8k1uS49ZPSHVrOKFziRzLFYj6qGPQoa1DssYqK9JHBgTy5rflWC7UNlWiTQleUUV5Xidtj_ba0/s400/IMG_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704733941432113154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I went hunting online for ideas about how to set up a plan to provide produce for several family.<a href="http://www.localharvest.org/"> I found the CSA plan</a>... Community Supported Agriculture.<br /></div><br />A farmer (me) produces the crops and sells shares of produce for a price, available each week. Each family can decide how many shares they'll need for their family and place their order. I'll probably adjust a few things, but I like this idea!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I haven't been so excited for a long time!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I know it will be alot of work, but I love this kind of work...<br />AND I won't need a gym membership, since my gym is out in the garden. (:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So this is the beginning of my year<br /><br />And my New Year's resolution?<br /><br />Post my progress at least weekly...<br /><br />We'll see how well I keep that resolution!<br /><br />~ That's it for now~<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWc652p-wp1awYWYZMk179UkAYPd37gCrIhBaIl8RDoyIaQ1NpzfcT3zvMuxtDH8CEnBVoobhc02WZ2Mr3T8HHZTeq20XG357edqa-STyRwBHK9RbKnuWRsof3M3EgJjGIj6NzYNy-U0/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWc652p-wp1awYWYZMk179UkAYPd37gCrIhBaIl8RDoyIaQ1NpzfcT3zvMuxtDH8CEnBVoobhc02WZ2Mr3T8HHZTeq20XG357edqa-STyRwBHK9RbKnuWRsof3M3EgJjGIj6NzYNy-U0/s400/IMG_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704733645577988914" border="0" /></a>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-90838988827590664262011-10-31T17:27:00.001-07:002011-10-31T18:56:26.333-07:00From Dear Down Under!<div style="text-align: center;">~Look what was in my mailbox today~<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you <a href="http://dzintrastitcheries.blogspot.com/">Dear Dzintra</a>!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBy1_Tw7MWxSwMnfQ4LI2-noeLxIDZ3vRF9Hf1woMlkv9plZirh6doa_-Y3Fvrkvity9AHzgiWPoAjFuOG7qPScRpA9DEaUOACg7yfKKr-XdOyi1hfIZ-ADKvfrfP4L63RhyIMFWrWM4/s1600/IMG_0082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBy1_Tw7MWxSwMnfQ4LI2-noeLxIDZ3vRF9Hf1woMlkv9plZirh6doa_-Y3Fvrkvity9AHzgiWPoAjFuOG7qPScRpA9DEaUOACg7yfKKr-XdOyi1hfIZ-ADKvfrfP4L63RhyIMFWrWM4/s400/IMG_0082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669817623750033442" border="0" /></a>How did you know I love bugs!?<br />(:<br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-52882474118608812532011-09-22T18:14:00.001-07:002011-09-22T19:18:38.208-07:00It all started...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It all started...</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />at the flea market!<br /><br />...with an ORANGE HAT!<br />(made by a Mom who had a cute little red haired baby)<br /><br /><br />How could I resist?<br /><br />It would look so great<br />on the head of a cute little red haired girl I happen to know!<br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEzzl8BfYx6tncFduqk-JeWTiG5xIxRGBwNfC2cpbC3EhR-_qgxP6AShMXl0JWp4AvqLNpsO4T2_GLSyLI1LAfPDxDg-QP-5C0y_4u480BBbwIQyDBLnmyaotSf3HciQMD5uRG62mVPg/s1600/261404_10150217144425264_500950263_7640809_2781939_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEzzl8BfYx6tncFduqk-JeWTiG5xIxRGBwNfC2cpbC3EhR-_qgxP6AShMXl0JWp4AvqLNpsO4T2_GLSyLI1LAfPDxDg-QP-5C0y_4u480BBbwIQyDBLnmyaotSf3HciQMD5uRG62mVPg/s400/261404_10150217144425264_500950263_7640809_2781939_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655361676086602098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />...then I thought to myself...<br /><br />I've gotta have something to go with that orange hat,<br /><br />that looks so great<br /><br />on the head of a cute little red haired girl!<br /><br /><br />So, off to the fabric store<br />... just to browse...<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />But then something went all crazy at the fabric store...<br /><br /><br />Besides finding </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">this perfect fabric<br />(with little orange flowers)</span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJapGtz1Hc84_5sk83Gf9m2ldY5G1nDIlIYRBk5UYqI1Bif8KbZbv02Y6C7kav9YNLLAlnV3a2IDvxRO4KDwrZ3jAiItmDA-QL0FLZxYZ_S7LahaDyoEOusT-vTHT2m_joHYQzbOcdKU/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJapGtz1Hc84_5sk83Gf9m2ldY5G1nDIlIYRBk5UYqI1Bif8KbZbv02Y6C7kav9YNLLAlnV3a2IDvxRO4KDwrZ3jAiItmDA-QL0FLZxYZ_S7LahaDyoEOusT-vTHT2m_joHYQzbOcdKU/s400/IMG_0053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655357489751015106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Which I made into this dress<br /><br />that goes so well with the orange hat<br /><br />that looks so great<br /><br />on the head of a cute little red haired girl!<br /></span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZjYeFhs9YZ-EeDkNbIiQg_zaOabTzMGdsJs27qqdXjEIVOjWDmhdLb_6qe_T0hwzddUK8xeRJLtkJv0iGu5TuM4ZLQVeW4rUN9xgNZPHTDy-CWhLt44bcT2Sj9ZdhzZ9G2GDoZlKkDQ/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZjYeFhs9YZ-EeDkNbIiQg_zaOabTzMGdsJs27qqdXjEIVOjWDmhdLb_6qe_T0hwzddUK8xeRJLtkJv0iGu5TuM4ZLQVeW4rUN9xgNZPHTDy-CWhLt44bcT2Sj9ZdhzZ9G2GDoZlKkDQ/s400/IMG_0052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655357427104657666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />I found these!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJapGtz1Hc84_5sk83Gf9m2ldY5G1nDIlIYRBk5UYqI1Bif8KbZbv02Y6C7kav9YNLLAlnV3a2IDvxRO4KDwrZ3jAiItmDA-QL0FLZxYZ_S7LahaDyoEOusT-vTHT2m_joHYQzbOcdKU/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPju65R1zRrITKpQW8CBP2Oub5mSGg7mnbS5O6LKW33h5eF0K9bwVIbS8Ksk1sJ6W8gkVLU__CxcAOTyKoTS7kZLJUX-coXzAId2_5G5_i8or_C0TKRTfbgrKboSvt_lX5ko8DRfmOBs/s1600/IMG_0051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPju65R1zRrITKpQW8CBP2Oub5mSGg7mnbS5O6LKW33h5eF0K9bwVIbS8Ksk1sJ6W8gkVLU__CxcAOTyKoTS7kZLJUX-coXzAId2_5G5_i8or_C0TKRTfbgrKboSvt_lX5ko8DRfmOBs/s400/IMG_0051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655357362342418194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">More lovely fabrics<br />(with orange flowers, stripes and solids)<br /><br />that look so great with the dress<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />made out of the perfect fabric<br />(with little orange flowers)</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />that goes with the orange hat<br /><br />that looks great on the head of a cute little red haired girl!<br /><br />Named Sophia!<br /><br /><br /><br />Why oh why,<br /><br />do I make ALL THIS EXTRA WORK FOR MYSELF?<br /><br />ONE REASON<br /></span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5gpGdvA9yBc39mGbBoEWY3UU2mnZtiszSXmJFnKYjFk4z6j89RFjAL_3hnNvIq3dFoa4zFJYdsz2grnR9Wnlts5itPL3270sNC1pJhyphenhyphenUsqdg1cWE8eCZDCyBItN4GNy7jMMWi8I8mf8/s1600/262279_10150217143935264_500950263_7640794_7553845_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5gpGdvA9yBc39mGbBoEWY3UU2mnZtiszSXmJFnKYjFk4z6j89RFjAL_3hnNvIq3dFoa4zFJYdsz2grnR9Wnlts5itPL3270sNC1pJhyphenhyphenUsqdg1cWE8eCZDCyBItN4GNy7jMMWi8I8mf8/s400/262279_10150217143935264_500950263_7640794_7553845_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655368193067714674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">A cute little red haired girl<br /><br />...named Sophia!<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />(;</span></span><br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-10386565555505495592011-08-28T08:04:00.000-07:002011-08-28T10:28:48.146-07:00Tipi Summer<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d_sPpIxsU3kpakGPKoXyXvOfqqN4xiNMoG3L1XUDO11z5Wk5AMiA3BY7e0Ywpdjs1HqYRFKQYi7PLaLFN2ckmo-DHcSOBWhqYAZIaqnUKKU_0GBr8P-RLa5FYz1aeyGULXMRPSxDaZs/s1600/IMG_0185.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d_sPpIxsU3kpakGPKoXyXvOfqqN4xiNMoG3L1XUDO11z5Wk5AMiA3BY7e0Ywpdjs1HqYRFKQYi7PLaLFN2ckmo-DHcSOBWhqYAZIaqnUKKU_0GBr8P-RLa5FYz1aeyGULXMRPSxDaZs/s400/IMG_0185.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924428690025506" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >This summer has, quite frankly, been a busy and stressful one.
<br />I haven't had time or energy to keep up with this blog,
<br />so for now I'm going to show the highlight of the summer.
<br />
<br />Without going into too great a depth,
<br />let's just say that the economy has taken its toll
<br />on a number of my family members.
<br />When livelihoods are lost and threatened,
<br />it also takes a toll on health and peace of mind.
<br />
<br />We are a close family,
<br />and we support each other as much as possible.
<br />The burdens are shared as much as possible.
<br />
<br />The main summer event for us
<br />was when we gathered to celebrate our Mother's Birthday.
<br />
<br />To recap a little bit,
<br />in past posts I've touched on my mother's heritage.
<br />Her family has a rich </span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >American Indian </span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >heritage.
<br />Some of our forebears came from the Shawnee Indian Tribe
<br />located in the mid-west states of Ohio and West Virginia.
<br />
<br />My Mother takes great pride in her heritage.
<br />She has attempted to teach her children and grandchildren
<br />the "old ways" of knowledge.
<br />She is an amazing storehouse of knowledge in
<br />old ways and lifestyles of her heritage.
<br />
<br />7 years ago my father bought her a Tipi
<br />The family spent a summer vacation painting it and putting it up for her.
<br />But over the years, the weather took its toll
<br />and the Tipi began to disintegrate,
<br />so this summer he bought her a new one.
<br />
<br />Our summer vacation was again spent
<br />painting and putting up the new Tipi.
<br />
<br />First, the artwork/design must be decided on,
<br />and drawn onto the canvas
<br />Its a very involved process...
<br />Its drawn on the half circle Tipi canvas.
<br />It must be carefully measured and planned out.
<br />
<br />Fortunately, we have very creative and experienced people in the family.
<br />
<br />The artwork was drawn by my youngest son,
<br />who, I'm proud to say, is an amazing artist!
<br />Actually all my sons are very artistic (:
<br />
<br />My Mother has given each family member a name.
<br />The names are based on personality traits
<br />and meanings that she has carefully chosen.
<br />And each name is also depicted by a particular
<br />character or icon image that coincides with it.
<br />
<br />The painting process...
<br />
<br />This part of the process took us 3 days
<br />of working from early morning until there was no light at the end of the day.
<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >We used exterior latex paints,
<br />since it weathers well and is bright and sharp when applied to the canvas.
<br />
<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >One of my nephews and a brother,
<br />(one who is an engineer and the other a building contractor)
<br />did all the measuring and figuring as to where each drawing
<br />was to sit on the canvas so that when the Tipi is erected,
<br />all the paintings will sit perfectly around its sides.
<br />
<br />The hard work begins with EVERYONE taking part
<br />We had 26 family members,
<br />and each person had a part to play.
<br />Almost everyone, except the small children, did some painting.</span></span></span>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-LvFpza0ebzxuHC4tkwVotcOUb6NqB08kP8Xs_TpsCzdkDwrk5xQV1IFQA1RsdsL6NNHXr6inHWAqyKR8aNHrVt1K4WjkYzx6ozRhUrMkfDvgTlZ7-VlPcfKDyTJbD3Zdq99RKqQUjo/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-LvFpza0ebzxuHC4tkwVotcOUb6NqB08kP8Xs_TpsCzdkDwrk5xQV1IFQA1RsdsL6NNHXr6inHWAqyKR8aNHrVt1K4WjkYzx6ozRhUrMkfDvgTlZ7-VlPcfKDyTJbD3Zdq99RKqQUjo/s400/IMG_0033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923317456392946" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbN25G-e9JJaFao3bl_f1bKoBdML08Z4jEIvFq7NKVgx1S4D4sMdDb6GPrZlcXwVRDAEjsgxf5miNyXJmNgTocmzqMvowOSVIHl15TsaP8x3DbZhQZGWYe0gnVuxti5cjYMc7avs0O7M/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbN25G-e9JJaFao3bl_f1bKoBdML08Z4jEIvFq7NKVgx1S4D4sMdDb6GPrZlcXwVRDAEjsgxf5miNyXJmNgTocmzqMvowOSVIHl15TsaP8x3DbZhQZGWYe0gnVuxti5cjYMc7avs0O7M/s400/IMG_0058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923530894262466" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6SpUdVt8T8VwM2kb1RsvC_zGv5KqrnNkqg9lqrsTDhPameSILwW3O8NdRU-JkAPCAyULmuccv2T67aAchHMhnJ6wO_Ufe6X_kPwAAOqsAQpbzZwLHiEX8Aje6R17dHSwnhesPWdvsFk/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6SpUdVt8T8VwM2kb1RsvC_zGv5KqrnNkqg9lqrsTDhPameSILwW3O8NdRU-JkAPCAyULmuccv2T67aAchHMhnJ6wO_Ufe6X_kPwAAOqsAQpbzZwLHiEX8Aje6R17dHSwnhesPWdvsFk/s400/IMG_0039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923379804842338" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsECDMR7uSJERlQiSqVOqEbHB2aWXTV_1X0KBjbOJYRZXnxMj7BI4Fjy1KfPQObFJnvpdfH5wK6nJV79RynBDkxp0XnWyw2l7UWvmremi0qskLhjg7QFWkCdsbAf-iiyo1MyPytFu5Cc/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsECDMR7uSJERlQiSqVOqEbHB2aWXTV_1X0KBjbOJYRZXnxMj7BI4Fjy1KfPQObFJnvpdfH5wK6nJV79RynBDkxp0XnWyw2l7UWvmremi0qskLhjg7QFWkCdsbAf-iiyo1MyPytFu5Cc/s400/IMG_0052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923482479675538" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wmOPND9fpJUTizabeB6BmCRMOO4BSPBUZ0Xc_WwxHVEQ_RE-fg_no3rpsNpGaiIKCSGk5mSr9cFMP3As3sRfK9Ja1BJIRI2z4jXN4RcCzDas063u8cDkMXPB8Nx10nV5de09tg9tUjk/s1600/IMG_0095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wmOPND9fpJUTizabeB6BmCRMOO4BSPBUZ0Xc_WwxHVEQ_RE-fg_no3rpsNpGaiIKCSGk5mSr9cFMP3As3sRfK9Ja1BJIRI2z4jXN4RcCzDas063u8cDkMXPB8Nx10nV5de09tg9tUjk/s400/IMG_0095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923858779117858" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >The paintings tell stories
<br />
<br />Such as...
<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >"She who gathers and keeps the Tribe"
<br />wraps her protective arms around the tribe</span></span></span>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgwSlunL0J8fhwVimBhapbWMHCNxu_QK3mES3lXYqbVvwAWh05ajILHBddG2e5mkaIwCgKwVrU5PiHoxgvvItSMn_hJOBWOvs9Fmc63T7FONB_7fGdMLWui_lMzrrUuTZiw5dybcrLmA/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgwSlunL0J8fhwVimBhapbWMHCNxu_QK3mES3lXYqbVvwAWh05ajILHBddG2e5mkaIwCgKwVrU5PiHoxgvvItSMn_hJOBWOvs9Fmc63T7FONB_7fGdMLWui_lMzrrUuTZiw5dybcrLmA/s400/IMG_0159.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924184094180962" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >"Man who keeps watch," "Warrior with big heart," and even
<br />"Little Woman of great courage"
<br />ride on the canvas.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE9gj1LAMY9kjLUFG4qEWmN1r7XrvvAlJj3sw_UK8AOa9vdWLhzFIvztbjFybCTKkzvgEFuB88QktWEhOTEdhkk2si2wbRSHWFL_XEi_Olg6UPm8Gr4FHyMAn2KxT6cflFTeUgXqg6qg/s1600/IMG_0155.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE9gj1LAMY9kjLUFG4qEWmN1r7XrvvAlJj3sw_UK8AOa9vdWLhzFIvztbjFybCTKkzvgEFuB88QktWEhOTEdhkk2si2wbRSHWFL_XEi_Olg6UPm8Gr4FHyMAn2KxT6cflFTeUgXqg6qg/s400/IMG_0155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924110937406370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >"Woman who teaches to change lives"
<br />"Seed Sow-er," "Rain," "Dark Eyed Junco,
<br />"Morning Dove" and many many others gather here</span></span></span>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdeNTI_3C4m_8LDaXjr5VdBuzDaEBxaP8RrAyW1Qx00sslHNHccmmIB5R3QDnBgQZRnHZsY9Xz0wSEqth-rYHHoqymazdNDnQ822qxBnIHV69a748nQTVy6w93XwkgqF5yJHOd8Q3IJI/s1600/IMG_0196.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdeNTI_3C4m_8LDaXjr5VdBuzDaEBxaP8RrAyW1Qx00sslHNHccmmIB5R3QDnBgQZRnHZsY9Xz0wSEqth-rYHHoqymazdNDnQ822qxBnIHV69a748nQTVy6w93XwkgqF5yJHOd8Q3IJI/s400/IMG_0196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924480754364610" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >Faceless Guardians stand watch on each side of the entrance</span></span></span>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDTUSc4Wss-N8rQxiZKQkzPPbFYDsV8Y1zt4FZ7pOhCdweXYA_Iw6t6AGoRiI5AF8zUfQgB3tJ0n5tXVRWxuqBHA5iXUhb29oTmc5XLfu1Al02FVCQ4Q4jg43_hbo1Zw-PcOXfq9zcuw/s1600/IMG_0079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDTUSc4Wss-N8rQxiZKQkzPPbFYDsV8Y1zt4FZ7pOhCdweXYA_Iw6t6AGoRiI5AF8zUfQgB3tJ0n5tXVRWxuqBHA5iXUhb29oTmc5XLfu1Al02FVCQ4Q4jg43_hbo1Zw-PcOXfq9zcuw/s400/IMG_0079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923725687855570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >
<br />Mom and Dad are each depicted at the top on each side of the entrance
<br />as American Eagles </span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96-zxmbBcncR4CtwY8Rm17UWx80nmWVo_DCcUOvbU2aIO8zV1etGhruSft9i2cQaByHubtQpC6D3QcbDO1bvuF2GP9RW4y6F0byX9W1ez3l85Q35GmV3SfqlNU0BpqPc-MmF59FRqxZI/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96-zxmbBcncR4CtwY8Rm17UWx80nmWVo_DCcUOvbU2aIO8zV1etGhruSft9i2cQaByHubtQpC6D3QcbDO1bvuF2GP9RW4y6F0byX9W1ez3l85Q35GmV3SfqlNU0BpqPc-MmF59FRqxZI/s400/IMG_0120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924053972467666" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >While the painting was being done,
<br />the place where the Tipi was to be erected
<br />had to be slightly raised,
<br />then leveled and graveled.
<br />This is probably the most important part,
<br />because it must be perfectly level,
<br />with the edges having perfect drainage.
<br />
<br />Then the poles are set into place.
<br />
<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >It starts with the 3 main tripod poles
<br />These must be perfectly balanced,
<br />because they will literally hold the entire weight of the Tipi.
<br />The entrance faces east.
<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm6fz52KTmvObG6wkfELcDLuzNNkjs-cXZsSkIpBik2PqwSUji-3y2QoYaTO-jasD-y7O_R-Dh0wMx64eBMG81PXKaXL4WxnXzD8hDsGU34IwQqILoLI3jqgGDQ8mJdvt_ryfcXjYYhg/s1600/IMG_0160.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm6fz52KTmvObG6wkfELcDLuzNNkjs-cXZsSkIpBik2PqwSUji-3y2QoYaTO-jasD-y7O_R-Dh0wMx64eBMG81PXKaXL4WxnXzD8hDsGU34IwQqILoLI3jqgGDQ8mJdvt_ryfcXjYYhg/s400/IMG_0160.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924244179411794" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTYzr2bR5MBlD8uKSUR-SIPqoA0iZgXNUY6cEuik2uJ1O4NeCG-Svf4A7WjAopy94-TJwX4OkOuTN8Nhtgjwl0FCc6xvelHOD2ul8cxx0h4FbhsQx8W4kX8PlChCOhiSaeQ1l3lCXbXM/s1600/IMG_0164.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTYzr2bR5MBlD8uKSUR-SIPqoA0iZgXNUY6cEuik2uJ1O4NeCG-Svf4A7WjAopy94-TJwX4OkOuTN8Nhtgjwl0FCc6xvelHOD2ul8cxx0h4FbhsQx8W4kX8PlChCOhiSaeQ1l3lCXbXM/s400/IMG_0164.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924303726452466" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >After the 3 are in place,
<br />the remaining poles are placed at exact intervals
<br />to form a perfect circle.
<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaph502giI7ICqDqn_QBBfsfPV13aTFjC2maaqY9gIi9khaWObkJPkbFWFUsbsDC_zgMoUjCXLsXwCRzNR5z69DPZZAw3AXFd3uwqJoy_mcs9C7OcxPjO2FSx2yYXcdm0FX2U-m-Lets/s1600/IMG_0181.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaph502giI7ICqDqn_QBBfsfPV13aTFjC2maaqY9gIi9khaWObkJPkbFWFUsbsDC_zgMoUjCXLsXwCRzNR5z69DPZZAw3AXFd3uwqJoy_mcs9C7OcxPjO2FSx2yYXcdm0FX2U-m-Lets/s400/IMG_0181.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924361602435826" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d_sPpIxsU3kpakGPKoXyXvOfqqN4xiNMoG3L1XUDO11z5Wk5AMiA3BY7e0Ywpdjs1HqYRFKQYi7PLaLFN2ckmo-DHcSOBWhqYAZIaqnUKKU_0GBr8P-RLa5FYz1aeyGULXMRPSxDaZs/s1600/IMG_0185.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d_sPpIxsU3kpakGPKoXyXvOfqqN4xiNMoG3L1XUDO11z5Wk5AMiA3BY7e0Ywpdjs1HqYRFKQYi7PLaLFN2ckmo-DHcSOBWhqYAZIaqnUKKU_0GBr8P-RLa5FYz1aeyGULXMRPSxDaZs/s400/IMG_0185.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924428690025506" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >The Tipi is very heavy.
<br />It took all the men to carry and erect it</span></span></span>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUObudnm564bqpUh8stjoIX7WErNtB0uX8oUuQJRTxWwxtrmKHrS99XY26qTTY2I0kbwtiITnOQc711o3IJN57NV7wi0IW3UNtduoumU1yhwOg6LdFB-3uuKpAF02fm0amKmJIxhb55Y/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUObudnm564bqpUh8stjoIX7WErNtB0uX8oUuQJRTxWwxtrmKHrS99XY26qTTY2I0kbwtiITnOQc711o3IJN57NV7wi0IW3UNtduoumU1yhwOg6LdFB-3uuKpAF02fm0amKmJIxhb55Y/s400/IMG_0016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923213993424402" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >The painted Tipi canvas,
<br />is attached to a type of kingpin pole
<br />which is put into place on the cone of poles
<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfI_alIE8Ah0QINRXD7f0HcX1KRFN7qnBGXI2hnVS83-D3Vj0B1sVXtsV-tqf3EmZtdA-_h-LOSp1t-r8h8WFli2ZbSgn1uafqWvnkToY3R_Guq726Vi1B5o4SlBQ7KD_24LU-oXP55g/s1600/IMG_0024.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfI_alIE8Ah0QINRXD7f0HcX1KRFN7qnBGXI2hnVS83-D3Vj0B1sVXtsV-tqf3EmZtdA-_h-LOSp1t-r8h8WFli2ZbSgn1uafqWvnkToY3R_Guq726Vi1B5o4SlBQ7KD_24LU-oXP55g/s400/IMG_0024.2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923266801165426" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >Once in place, the canvas in unrolled around the poles
<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOEqTbIEHa_2p9d0jX2GnInC8lp0nOcG9wUJHanha4qVfGfmNzTIvIg9bKEX3JZCVCZnuhyJ7E-_SdWroANEelrsJbaF9Ip6_qYmMg1T7rz7FpzOaS1CTOTMtkDiyk0sumikw6NtjDwQ/s1600/IMG_0030.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOEqTbIEHa_2p9d0jX2GnInC8lp0nOcG9wUJHanha4qVfGfmNzTIvIg9bKEX3JZCVCZnuhyJ7E-_SdWroANEelrsJbaF9Ip6_qYmMg1T7rz7FpzOaS1CTOTMtkDiyk0sumikw6NtjDwQ/s400/IMG_0030.2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645943654315895394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >
<br />The front is pinned together with special wooden dowel-like needles
<br />that are threaded through stitched slits in the front seam of the Tipi.
<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq8M5WI0-ocTdUpRzsqSmQOc3kmGaVjNmbw-ldvrWabBCWro2lNUttgg6RIiqObtnURXkg7SjGRw53q4hhYFy0KZ8wePSTvbqkOqzvA3e8bmeKB3uiA1UfQZVCz6WV9XGFY0iFp__0Z4/s1600/IMG_0041.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq8M5WI0-ocTdUpRzsqSmQOc3kmGaVjNmbw-ldvrWabBCWro2lNUttgg6RIiqObtnURXkg7SjGRw53q4hhYFy0KZ8wePSTvbqkOqzvA3e8bmeKB3uiA1UfQZVCz6WV9XGFY0iFp__0Z4/s400/IMG_0041.2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923427797449186" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ-EJUfftWzeMFknaWKTthIAhyphenhyphenDEBwLfVk-x9u69Ji6rtRLkAZoLYLr7zcEC2KjumEeGBFrORQhO0B_nGl5U5cflb1Z18itG1UOCql_Lv5sk6Ju5Yj2ZtD8xECKh0I8HWRKVDobFZa1g/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ-EJUfftWzeMFknaWKTthIAhyphenhyphenDEBwLfVk-x9u69Ji6rtRLkAZoLYLr7zcEC2KjumEeGBFrORQhO0B_nGl5U5cflb1Z18itG1UOCql_Lv5sk6Ju5Yj2ZtD8xECKh0I8HWRKVDobFZa1g/s400/IMG_0061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645943712298539250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >
<br />The whole process took the entire week of our stay,
<br />
<br />As the sun was setting on the last evening of the last day,
<br />we finally got it up...
<br />
<br />not permanently stretched and anchored into place...
<br />that part will be done by my Dad and brother after the rest of us have left.
<br />
<br />But it was completed enough so that we could all gather inside,
<br />as my Mother performed the ceremony of </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >"</span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">we-wos-sa-kie</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">"</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >Or (Eng) "Peace" on this place.
<br />
<br />It is her place of peace.
<br />She goes there every morning and evening.
<br />
<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >A bundle of sage and other wild plants with particular meanings
<br />are tied together, lit and touched to the four corners... north, south, east and west. </span></span></span>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO2nTBKkXW8fJswT6aBrLZayntE0_XrRMrn-X_qAVmd5s9gsLx-U5lc9zvWGqAGEZR3MIkg-Y3SChDwER0OMNi2v8tZx3RdQgff851MbIPaIBUN1AAx5fbguNAi_wsKtrAycgzu4bynk/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO2nTBKkXW8fJswT6aBrLZayntE0_XrRMrn-X_qAVmd5s9gsLx-U5lc9zvWGqAGEZR3MIkg-Y3SChDwER0OMNi2v8tZx3RdQgff851MbIPaIBUN1AAx5fbguNAi_wsKtrAycgzu4bynk/s400/IMG_0112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645924004067078690" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoTjrwAzEJVLb-yR_vBcq_nq2cxi2JQeHX4Ujw8O3RSrdMLG5Igew0BrRHonKcvZxOcI2sl5BjQgBs4BK3SFoksS9O09usbokde5jdqajLSXi8JSbjN2uqiuI6OPqYmz0G68Hl8-H7ig/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoTjrwAzEJVLb-yR_vBcq_nq2cxi2JQeHX4Ujw8O3RSrdMLG5Igew0BrRHonKcvZxOcI2sl5BjQgBs4BK3SFoksS9O09usbokde5jdqajLSXi8JSbjN2uqiuI6OPqYmz0G68Hl8-H7ig/s400/IMG_0110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923949207066098" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >As you can see,
<br />the eagles (the icons for Mom and Dad)
<br />are at the top in a protective stance over the family.
<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpi2XHMx4kYc9wkJGI2eU3_omh57CkB3XZ16ms-kjDWGuz8UQAM3oXEDdCcssHoMKXiBiJ7a0HJfwhO7GUCZ1rvtMOiTdn-YW_vwafHb2cFfsGqG4EzHnyoZlw2KM8y9BkqBoKQkIq_k/s1600/IMG_0083.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpi2XHMx4kYc9wkJGI2eU3_omh57CkB3XZ16ms-kjDWGuz8UQAM3oXEDdCcssHoMKXiBiJ7a0HJfwhO7GUCZ1rvtMOiTdn-YW_vwafHb2cFfsGqG4EzHnyoZlw2KM8y9BkqBoKQkIq_k/s400/IMG_0083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923792918954578" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >T</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >he rest are positioned around the base</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUh7RlPf_hMU30QaKgBX_BCRfyAQUnizT_9LQbTVLp7XwJaiCzwXrKKMUZ_m1drXhJJB5Qq9its9mTa9zCVPjkbtvg8wvTeXSysOlG76YWocx-Cc080tn85Wu0Pw5chyXvQ_3CtzUhp8/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUh7RlPf_hMU30QaKgBX_BCRfyAQUnizT_9LQbTVLp7XwJaiCzwXrKKMUZ_m1drXhJJB5Qq9its9mTa9zCVPjkbtvg8wvTeXSysOlG76YWocx-Cc080tn85Wu0Pw5chyXvQ_3CtzUhp8/s400/IMG_0071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923634956897042" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfED1wOOn8iz9pHG4x3HroIrJSaPhgQF20I8XnmX5_fTJydxu4pHnZS3sdb8xgsZEhO0F6aVOh0f6AZe-mxmdb2PRFcRMtPI_x4P0AGaWEu1YTFbksAj8eGz_PDZ23s4XetDD8mrKAJE/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfED1wOOn8iz9pHG4x3HroIrJSaPhgQF20I8XnmX5_fTJydxu4pHnZS3sdb8xgsZEhO0F6aVOh0f6AZe-mxmdb2PRFcRMtPI_x4P0AGaWEu1YTFbksAj8eGz_PDZ23s4XetDD8mrKAJE/s400/IMG_0066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923576071457874" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">
<br />As we sat inside that evening,</span>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">it was an amazing feeling of unity for all of us.
<br />
<br />After a most stressful year,
<br />here we are,
<br />a united family. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Come what may...</span>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">We will always have each other</span>.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq5lBwpxdM8JYHOOj06XED5sJck90oh0F_amZf-AtZYvaLc7fx9CUKzNtUME6kVuw0NHQZAv9oM3T3KPOktYaYhtttPBhmxcXsHlCvB5vZZafRGLE7mup1QCmZ3snrtSKB2EQbVI2LgY/s1600/IMG_0104.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq5lBwpxdM8JYHOOj06XED5sJck90oh0F_amZf-AtZYvaLc7fx9CUKzNtUME6kVuw0NHQZAv9oM3T3KPOktYaYhtttPBhmxcXsHlCvB5vZZafRGLE7mup1QCmZ3snrtSKB2EQbVI2LgY/s400/IMG_0104.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645923906896529474" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO2nTBKkXW8fJswT6aBrLZayntE0_XrRMrn-X_qAVmd5s9gsLx-U5lc9zvWGqAGEZR3MIkg-Y3SChDwER0OMNi2v8tZx3RdQgff851MbIPaIBUN1AAx5fbguNAi_wsKtrAycgzu4bynk/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg">
<br /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoTjrwAzEJVLb-yR_vBcq_nq2cxi2JQeHX4Ujw8O3RSrdMLG5Igew0BrRHonKcvZxOcI2sl5BjQgBs4BK3SFoksS9O09usbokde5jdqajLSXi8JSbjN2uqiuI6OPqYmz0G68Hl8-H7ig/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg">
<br /></a>
<br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-80527612172596981132011-03-26T12:20:00.001-07:002011-03-26T12:35:10.564-07:00Nuff said<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here are my littlies...<br /><br />Amazing! The outfits fit!<br />Almost too perfectly...<br />they'll only get a few months use of out them<br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIdF0FrL43kQKhhi6LPoVpzzGj54DVpxsTPCi4sHjt3YUjzUWhvxloHK39w0xHTeKbD4XrnPziPVJr7pBOyjemHaZaLASW7RrgPllRhZ-mIHYwSPIiUnDIM30uyBmDadCU2fEr_gnvZaR/s1600/IMG_9278_cropped.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIdF0FrL43kQKhhi6LPoVpzzGj54DVpxsTPCi4sHjt3YUjzUWhvxloHK39w0xHTeKbD4XrnPziPVJr7pBOyjemHaZaLASW7RrgPllRhZ-mIHYwSPIiUnDIM30uyBmDadCU2fEr_gnvZaR/s400/IMG_9278_cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588472582961490802" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhwGVM8mXU20AV7cxia5s4ZuWrCk4S6sKzztbbhyphenhyphenqDkyMub-pBftU85kTbBn0GuM3WjL1UhNKTfVtOsnrgTVZ5JPRObi50OVDV1oslNloHiA9kHlx9LKHCLgujGFzJDNRT4FE8A9LMhW8/s1600/IMG_9373.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhwGVM8mXU20AV7cxia5s4ZuWrCk4S6sKzztbbhyphenhyphenqDkyMub-pBftU85kTbBn0GuM3WjL1UhNKTfVtOsnrgTVZ5JPRObi50OVDV1oslNloHiA9kHlx9LKHCLgujGFzJDNRT4FE8A9LMhW8/s400/IMG_9373.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588472767180603538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Oh well...<br />back to the sewing machine!<br /><br />Truth be told,<br />as you can see<br /><br />Miss Sophia is a ham for the camera!<br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvKBLy8tA1WbaAfUYDUmqxF1tlaAjSiZVKvEvlBuelpQVs6DxTzkP3GhfksQSDmRO0lpF_uCfy-SQRr0eh64SBze4vn-VA4MwN8EqW8MgIYfVoKrZO3wDp2u6EnOBHntuLfpQUBDyHARE/s1600/IMG_9287.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvKBLy8tA1WbaAfUYDUmqxF1tlaAjSiZVKvEvlBuelpQVs6DxTzkP3GhfksQSDmRO0lpF_uCfy-SQRr0eh64SBze4vn-VA4MwN8EqW8MgIYfVoKrZO3wDp2u6EnOBHntuLfpQUBDyHARE/s400/IMG_9287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588472717912383618" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2RkONgNdpyCrg8vk79hyphenhyphenemVgpdkFkOwoHH4dk-_pjFps266aN5K-PCFZ25dgVWo9nVzLYQ9bFmKQMY20n4sIpXAo1wMv8Gd3u8v0jEPE5lwdr2uiyE71Nat1PR43bDLfTeMukONtMgfM/s1600/IMG_9282.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2RkONgNdpyCrg8vk79hyphenhyphenemVgpdkFkOwoHH4dk-_pjFps266aN5K-PCFZ25dgVWo9nVzLYQ9bFmKQMY20n4sIpXAo1wMv8Gd3u8v0jEPE5lwdr2uiyE71Nat1PR43bDLfTeMukONtMgfM/s400/IMG_9282.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588472652218527522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">just like her grandpa and daddy<br />Thus ... more pics of her!<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(does it count that she's just so dang cute as well?)</span><br /><br />Max is a wiggle worm<br />and hates to sit for more than 2 seconds<br /><br />The bottom line is<br />I hated to leave them<br />can't wait to get back to see them again!<br /><br />Its redundant to say,<br />but they grow up too fast<br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnw8PpkuKdrd_1qHH63OiJEGHtb2Pgb-IyHpVyzrCuoZwHUcVwygtXiLX9yhPL07HAbYJJpZF05Q42pzZ82P0_2NFLg5k52waLeZRTuaIxWNfAKQLpuFo_ZII2pwJUgWRbdbGnqC7jKEy/s1600/IMG_9223.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnw8PpkuKdrd_1qHH63OiJEGHtb2Pgb-IyHpVyzrCuoZwHUcVwygtXiLX9yhPL07HAbYJJpZF05Q42pzZ82P0_2NFLg5k52waLeZRTuaIxWNfAKQLpuFo_ZII2pwJUgWRbdbGnqC7jKEy/s400/IMG_9223.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588472501466292834" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-33878948570843239372011-03-18T22:10:00.000-07:002011-03-18T22:27:01.523-07:00Ta Da!<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Please bear with me just this once ...<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:180%;">while I toot my horn a little?<br /><br />Let me just say...<br />My sister was born to sew!<br />I was not<br /><br />Our Grandma came from Ohio<br />one summer to teach us both to sew...<br /><br />My sister learned<br />I did not<br /><br />She went on to make Tailoring her major in college<br />Not me<br /><br />She made all our clothes,<br />both hers and mine,<br />from the age of 12 (15 for me since I'm the oldest)<br />Not me<br /><br />I was way too busy,<br />out riding my horse<br />or motorcycles with my boyfriend<br />Not her!<br /><br />She was in sewing<br />And thanks to my dear sister,<br />I always had the latest style<br />because she made them for me<br /><br />Oh, I knew hooooowwww to sew,<br />but I really disliked sitting that long<br />And I always had to rip seams<br />She never did<br /><br />Sigh...<br /><br />So perhaps you can allow me this one gloating time<br />to say<br /><br />I DIDN'T HAVE TO RIP A SINGLE SEAM<br />ON THESE OUTFITS!<br />"Knock on wood!"<br /><br />So here is the fabric from my last post<br />all sewn up into a dress for Sophia's 3rd Birthday<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR30bslV-uXCmM2rrIZj217mPxshyyk0CPYQBNsQw605JkWT1WztWSmSqPYnMBr5kTyMhUP5tLOl0SRcevF76CIADmy5SGQzANSxUgq0k_0nTQX_vjnsDu7kcqQf0hPiyW9M3IXtwdk119/s1600/IMG_9148.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR30bslV-uXCmM2rrIZj217mPxshyyk0CPYQBNsQw605JkWT1WztWSmSqPYnMBr5kTyMhUP5tLOl0SRcevF76CIADmy5SGQzANSxUgq0k_0nTQX_vjnsDu7kcqQf0hPiyW9M3IXtwdk119/s400/IMG_9148.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585656781373432866" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJIgYzmz6DsPAmzU6kqBKr6tUJOF4o5y2qqt09dRuAdlJJ0STPvVZp7DRk9rIfE74SN7HGirrEHwEqIHffqDgWGgS2a3rTPukI2LQZ-6mZg42oYVDb_8qqrUdbnODEsX2g_Roj9lLFKuf/s1600/IMG_9147.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJIgYzmz6DsPAmzU6kqBKr6tUJOF4o5y2qqt09dRuAdlJJ0STPvVZp7DRk9rIfE74SN7HGirrEHwEqIHffqDgWGgS2a3rTPukI2LQZ-6mZg42oYVDb_8qqrUdbnODEsX2g_Roj9lLFKuf/s400/IMG_9147.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585654889765261762" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />And these two matching outfits<br />for Sophia and Max<br /><br />Its his first birthday!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZO4tanD57LeECnsKNT_SWSFu2eBheoNAAD3fg_ogYm1ruVH1eq3Eoo8tIXwSYHcz4D35UYBQyundP6vJdEeKRruj1OcZYk5H7iqmdJx1VVUshSZyhzAQJg5cL3fKpsMkI8FltHUnXqZM/s1600/IMG_9146.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZO4tanD57LeECnsKNT_SWSFu2eBheoNAAD3fg_ogYm1ruVH1eq3Eoo8tIXwSYHcz4D35UYBQyundP6vJdEeKRruj1OcZYk5H7iqmdJx1VVUshSZyhzAQJg5cL3fKpsMkI8FltHUnXqZM/s400/IMG_9146.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585654838077001442" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprsCVvD1x6a26JmMeYpaByet8HpfUNJNjqNhv7ej7PcbQHPXMNezcPcdAjcC90xoeDr8qEZ5n7ElXpcMljID7dtppcGM-iVVXQ0xt3dZerPFrwJ4f0oC7pkpgICDaD0E0ETcRBAE0IKPI/s1600/IMG_9145.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprsCVvD1x6a26JmMeYpaByet8HpfUNJNjqNhv7ej7PcbQHPXMNezcPcdAjcC90xoeDr8qEZ5n7ElXpcMljID7dtppcGM-iVVXQ0xt3dZerPFrwJ4f0oC7pkpgICDaD0E0ETcRBAE0IKPI/s400/IMG_9145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585654723980019794" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />Yippee! They're done!<br />...and I fly out to see them for 3 days!<br />I'm one happy Nami today!<br /><br />(:<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:180%;" ><br /></span>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-55958245969192798402011-03-14T09:53:00.000-07:002011-03-14T18:30:02.660-07:00Its Been Awhile...<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >I've been absent from my blog for quite a few months. I'm hoping I can keep up on it now ... not sure, but here's to giving it a good try!<br /><br />Suffice it to say that its been a long winter... full of time consuming events. Some good, some trying, and if I were to list them all here, I'm sure some of you would tell me I'm not alone in the scurry of trying to keep up.<br /><br />The economy of our state is not good (to put it mildly). I won't bore you with all that, but there seems to be a great groaning present here. Semi-silent so far, but California, the country and dare I say - the world - seems to be straining. Does it seem that way to you too?<br /><br />When it all gets heavy, I'm out to the garden... as often as possible. Its peaceful out there. The animals and plants don't seem to notice what the humans are doing, so I think I think I'd rather be with them.<br /><br />I remember how both my grandparents lived. They went through the great depression and WWII... raising a family when times were tough. They saved everything... I remember finding gum wrappers in a drawer once ... all folded neatly in a little box. I also remember root cellars packed full of lines of canned foods from their bountiful gardens. The freezer was always full. I used to wonder how they could eat all that food... just the two of them. Well, they didn't. They shared it with family, friends and neighbors. And who knows, maybe we will be doing the same. With numerous friends and family going through tough economic times right now, its time to help and share.<br /><br />I've always gardened. Its in the genes. My grandparents were farmers, as were a whole line of great-grandparents as far back as 5 generations... They came from the Amish... so I believe that when I can test the richness of my garden soil by its scent, and don't need at test kit to tell me whether or not its good ... I can thank my long line of ancestors.<br /><br />I've always canned and put-up for the winter from my garden (at least, ever since I was first married)... although I must admit that it was my husband-to-be who was the first one to have a big garden and a room full of plants (when we were dating). But since our wedding, we've made it our hobby together... to garden. I'm not sure he's always happy about it though! I always have an on-going list of things I need him to build or do for my garden! (:<br /><br />This winter brought SNOW to our Bit-o-earth! Yes, right here on the California coast. Can you believe it? Almost unheard of...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4tEy8h-KuD408aMOt3jjWRj3rP1SI60D4hEZ69BD0JKq-0Am8bFmODtYk1t7K-HI707ZzgJORmrBWLHzMp9jHJXe5Q3B3gVIUtniA-VWM5b1-9NzbwTy6qfzFDiNbvHZb2mS2H-gbHJa/s1600/IMG_9123.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4tEy8h-KuD408aMOt3jjWRj3rP1SI60D4hEZ69BD0JKq-0Am8bFmODtYk1t7K-HI707ZzgJORmrBWLHzMp9jHJXe5Q3B3gVIUtniA-VWM5b1-9NzbwTy6qfzFDiNbvHZb2mS2H-gbHJa/s400/IMG_9123.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583981015707071410" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl94TVxIj7UrS9Q7e-cG0l4asbtazXR_eLmRpe8PpsmlIc4lb3vHWE3g0I3kWlsOjh5pZygBJUbvSdC1-yAndwD01JvClokrtlqfs1_p0CeUK2Q5q17HW1HvU7oi_YIsslTA8ZsbTazvJ/s1600/IMG_9114.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl94TVxIj7UrS9Q7e-cG0l4asbtazXR_eLmRpe8PpsmlIc4lb3vHWE3g0I3kWlsOjh5pZygBJUbvSdC1-yAndwD01JvClokrtlqfs1_p0CeUK2Q5q17HW1HvU7oi_YIsslTA8ZsbTazvJ/s400/IMG_9114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583980956656279954" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XHGGxKBbPexKyRDzX1Lsf_NuR_oXiVHHrFajaG1IYr6c-C_5tIH_F3uwEabv3pNP8gUh-CQ0_upd-DqYTIeeVl5IfIdrODppCLwLDJaS1lLQbWlKx8FuwO7vgCEw6zt7iSJSZcvlBuYY/s1600/IMG_9110.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XHGGxKBbPexKyRDzX1Lsf_NuR_oXiVHHrFajaG1IYr6c-C_5tIH_F3uwEabv3pNP8gUh-CQ0_upd-DqYTIeeVl5IfIdrODppCLwLDJaS1lLQbWlKx8FuwO7vgCEw6zt7iSJSZcvlBuYY/s400/IMG_9110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583980892450852162" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >It only stayed on the ground for a few hours, then melted off as soon as the sun came out, but still, what a novelty!<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >And here is the garden today, only partly planted with spring crops... broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic, potatoes, spinach, peas and tomatoes in the greenhouse. The soil is ready and waiting for corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, beans... and the list goes on and on!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaWSFwQ6jkobjPIFS1FyxJElxhWhCLLI1LTLB8LW-B_ecCb1CBXHvEJsry_-c6h_0S9I5xddatfeQ65g8NVP95Lqa1s6zs_up5IlTS0h3SiLNRQ55McmhYhiLza-0tfNRnBN4DdnuPH28/s1600/IMG_9141.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaWSFwQ6jkobjPIFS1FyxJElxhWhCLLI1LTLB8LW-B_ecCb1CBXHvEJsry_-c6h_0S9I5xddatfeQ65g8NVP95Lqa1s6zs_up5IlTS0h3SiLNRQ55McmhYhiLza-0tfNRnBN4DdnuPH28/s400/IMG_9141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584088415262845042" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />Another favorite hobby is the local flea market. Hubby and I happened to drive by one Saturday, saw the array of "stuff for sale" and decided to stop in. I was instantly hooked...<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My best find, of late?<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />A whole box of "Virginia Rose, by Homer Laughlin"... my grandmother's wedding china...<br /><br />She had divided what was left of this wedding set between my sister and I a number of years before her death. There wasn't much... 11 dinner plates, 12 salad plates, 2 cups and 2 saucers. She had used the set for everyday ... she had 6 children, so you can imagine how difficult it was to avoid breakage.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f89foeLs1xLnXDEeu2_4xxjGV0zEr6wIs-aalytbOGIQ2toqw5XqXmDs1XUNtvLV1tzrLSyvquj9RFy1THzG0zgMZX4OW4AlFPGh7xoSvP5hQEBGHWbdGcNXqQUK1CHaV2MZVAfp2xDF/s1600/IMG_9039.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f89foeLs1xLnXDEeu2_4xxjGV0zEr6wIs-aalytbOGIQ2toqw5XqXmDs1XUNtvLV1tzrLSyvquj9RFy1THzG0zgMZX4OW4AlFPGh7xoSvP5hQEBGHWbdGcNXqQUK1CHaV2MZVAfp2xDF/s400/IMG_9039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583980681151641890" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />So... my sister, my hubby, and I were at the flea market a few weeks ago when we spied "the box!" FILLED with more than a whole set of Grandma's china! We were so elated that when the seller said she was asking (only) $20 for the whole thing, we didn't blink... WE BOUGHT IT! ... and divided it evenly between us! Now we each have service for 6 of almost every piece! We figured that box, if bought on ebay would have been worth at least $500!)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsdmAnLqLG4u7YsWlQypJXn_uCqToYjbNacJUaTFcJ5J-qmKDPSWitVcE1LAMGszX0Q1RT3PQpS6G7wtEWtmNVptZBAi2chDnXzkXonZFj-BrOwkhaOwKwUR_8uLDNoWZjl0IZtZ-auNN/s1600/IMG_9085.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsdmAnLqLG4u7YsWlQypJXn_uCqToYjbNacJUaTFcJ5J-qmKDPSWitVcE1LAMGszX0Q1RT3PQpS6G7wtEWtmNVptZBAi2chDnXzkXonZFj-BrOwkhaOwKwUR_8uLDNoWZjl0IZtZ-auNN/s400/IMG_9085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583980748488640594" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />And see how big my little Sophia and Max<br />have grown!?<br /><br />It happens TOO FAST, doesn't it?<br />I wish I could slow time down a bit...<br /><br />Of course I'm a bit biased,<br />but they're so dang cute!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxxQrpvfJM9teAHj08OypxfoVxfPuMYaYrTmApZxkCf4c2vLOXrjm-3A5QUCADGRlP_IJjuhAIYiqpcQMvGM-nzX6OcVtkqtaIrgO1cjzzo2nKXufj6um5Pl9s26T8GU7h6ZVzJP18LeB/s1600/Sophie+and+Max.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxxQrpvfJM9teAHj08OypxfoVxfPuMYaYrTmApZxkCf4c2vLOXrjm-3A5QUCADGRlP_IJjuhAIYiqpcQMvGM-nzX6OcVtkqtaIrgO1cjzzo2nKXufj6um5Pl9s26T8GU7h6ZVzJP18LeB/s400/Sophie+and+Max.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584100595512301730" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BmWQP6kQXL_sP3kq8xmuRxszUXeI6el-ZZoH73-Dj1D2-H-dMf18JG4FQSxSWi6tWSrRfxb1XVOjYjbAckL2krHaJixvbSyHT1f6fJDFF9IEFOk2c2yfnYutACT-YshpNocIJ8kNILaI/s1600/75748_454062615263_500950263_5996194_3263852_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BmWQP6kQXL_sP3kq8xmuRxszUXeI6el-ZZoH73-Dj1D2-H-dMf18JG4FQSxSWi6tWSrRfxb1XVOjYjbAckL2krHaJixvbSyHT1f6fJDFF9IEFOk2c2yfnYutACT-YshpNocIJ8kNILaI/s400/75748_454062615263_500950263_5996194_3263852_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584100535868452610" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />And here are "<a href="http://vickisbitoearth.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html">the girls</a>" ...<br /><br /><a href="http://vickisbitoearth.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html"></a>... all grown up too... Big chickens, and giving us eggs every day<br /><br />I have to admit... they're probably the most spoiled chickens on earth...<br /><br />but I can't resist them.<br />They're just too dang cute (yes, chickens can be cute) to resist!<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOjQ2owD9Y5Hv0m-Gn7BZvG7pRKj1a0EHSG6fhtgSj5R8bHU4PsjsR74S-mFAXAAy0R7U5cL8GjJEDgJ3mKP8uy2xxW4R3yY8gfHJtDR_KZTRSSP6mfxM782VTFHntbn_VV9ne6hQWlYn/s1600/IMG_9039.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOjQ2owD9Y5Hv0m-Gn7BZvG7pRKj1a0EHSG6fhtgSj5R8bHU4PsjsR74S-mFAXAAy0R7U5cL8GjJEDgJ3mKP8uy2xxW4R3yY8gfHJtDR_KZTRSSP6mfxM782VTFHntbn_VV9ne6hQWlYn/s400/IMG_9039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583981113910816866" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb4VgnlciFhGjDjS-i5v2FD6XEPZgqMPLNBXElO6oFITIbAkWVzjiy-xrtuYcU8JdYItb13Q57jPpH0ZKFfTsdqgsKUyMmWhwt2pn60oLmVH2sr4b4v9gaJZXE3vYmOS58oyLk9eSKKkh/s1600/IMG_9035.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb4VgnlciFhGjDjS-i5v2FD6XEPZgqMPLNBXElO6oFITIbAkWVzjiy-xrtuYcU8JdYItb13Q57jPpH0ZKFfTsdqgsKUyMmWhwt2pn60oLmVH2sr4b4v9gaJZXE3vYmOS58oyLk9eSKKkh/s400/IMG_9035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584088051634864162" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Sophie turns 3 </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >and Max turns 1 </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >in April... </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >so a matching set of Nami-made(that's me) Sailor outfits<br />is in order!</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1BebIAE9yrzbSnxy0sipE_317iz-LFJlp0IxFeWQQyMxxBUIbpSqw-ScflSxIjhCnqU3BZcTQmynxy1l_GEDtlWinRpzVKBbkNLirUSsmfvc8-mMm_JcJxrQ2IAsEtqHwEEhPbbNTyyx/s1600/IMG_9135.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1BebIAE9yrzbSnxy0sipE_317iz-LFJlp0IxFeWQQyMxxBUIbpSqw-ScflSxIjhCnqU3BZcTQmynxy1l_GEDtlWinRpzVKBbkNLirUSsmfvc8-mMm_JcJxrQ2IAsEtqHwEEhPbbNTyyx/s400/IMG_9135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584088199363429906" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">~And something extra that I couldn't resist for Sophie~<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirrFblykPqH_EdbLepW0TZDJdUL5p8OJ3btIeocHBEynoKANY5oxjCqQ1ZEfiKivrtIcJESnEQpiMcCuBlVIm1AvPmKCvzH-NMXt2C50pqEwmf70w3vEV81SznIZhnA2P0XJb45DWV9Hz/s1600/IMG_9136.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirrFblykPqH_EdbLepW0TZDJdUL5p8OJ3btIeocHBEynoKANY5oxjCqQ1ZEfiKivrtIcJESnEQpiMcCuBlVIm1AvPmKCvzH-NMXt2C50pqEwmf70w3vEV81SznIZhnA2P0XJb45DWV9Hz/s400/IMG_9136.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584088262249851794" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Isnt' this little stripped fabric irresistible?!<br />Yes...<br />and I was a sucker!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehJaFHQB3OYcYB6tn8mpe0_ybCaCXGWxp-FvCnYJHqAFd5iuZO6wWKp6FbuF6wxuB5u_VXHLx27jieWIU3HzoVV7Ifeckkr0j3KkFW7hX74k1sMPv12cAriNtAYX6z6BhK6S6WcZsNhyx/s1600/IMG_9140.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehJaFHQB3OYcYB6tn8mpe0_ybCaCXGWxp-FvCnYJHqAFd5iuZO6wWKp6FbuF6wxuB5u_VXHLx27jieWIU3HzoVV7Ifeckkr0j3KkFW7hX74k1sMPv12cAriNtAYX6z6BhK6S6WcZsNhyx/s400/IMG_9140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584088317995222658" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I hope you all are well...<br />and happy,<br />and making every second count!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">... and haven't forgotten me yet! (;</span><br /><br /><br />~See you soon~<br /><br /></span></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-77962007477147382172010-06-30T16:22:00.000-07:002010-06-30T17:13:32.909-07:00Not Lazy, maybe a little Hazy, but definitely super Crazy Days of Summer at the Bit-o-Earth!<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: lucida grande; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I don't know where I ever got the idea that<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: lucida grande; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">summer should be<br /><a href="http://www.ilike.com/artist/Nat+King+Cole/track/Those+Lazy-Hazy-Crazy+Days+Of+Summer?src=onebox">Lazy or Hazy...<br />but mine certainly is Crazy</a> so far<br /><br />This past week my sister-in-law, niece<br />and their best friends have been at our house.<br /><br />What did we do?<br /><br />EAT<br />TALK<br />EAT<br />TALK<br />CAN APRICOTS<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp1H40eZAT0vzZ-WOJhzxJ6sOG3Xt2_jpUiJPm60J78leqSuvn-pn5pXuo-JNzRCbUaai458pLDEr1U-BtR25LyK03rNpzQlo_F6D7qU5p2Koel7oqwkY4SCEv64GaEStxxdOKix17Rxt/s1600/IMG_6947.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp1H40eZAT0vzZ-WOJhzxJ6sOG3Xt2_jpUiJPm60J78leqSuvn-pn5pXuo-JNzRCbUaai458pLDEr1U-BtR25LyK03rNpzQlo_F6D7qU5p2Koel7oqwkY4SCEv64GaEStxxdOKix17Rxt/s400/IMG_6947.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711555886333970" border="0" /></a><br />EAT<br />TALK<br />And </span><span style="font-size:130%;">a little SLEEP<br /><br />They have never learned to can fruit,<br />and asked me to teach them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ5pJDlFnA-cX__Ka2TUk3vHR-E0Sptw22CDT01x-2l9f13FG-DkJvp28lt9RAKGgYI0NAB-6d5VjKGcRbTZpdDxcojnroGg9e9TuXawb6ppIGmh9hKVvEldUeUazb5I03_wTPRzK1VTI/s1600/IMG_6944.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ5pJDlFnA-cX__Ka2TUk3vHR-E0Sptw22CDT01x-2l9f13FG-DkJvp28lt9RAKGgYI0NAB-6d5VjKGcRbTZpdDxcojnroGg9e9TuXawb6ppIGmh9hKVvEldUeUazb5I03_wTPRzK1VTI/s400/IMG_6944.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711491413059474" border="0" /></a><br />I have done it most of my life,<br />so it was an easy "yes"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XiSVxed7x5pQGSPe-IpURE5J88q46JlepRVJleGdySVR5R4_eW65Hj9Abks9AF6ZQz4Vk7XR8DqXGG1j7QgvpwPZpuhoqddchurf70pdhpXMAbkaoyf2I5fuxzVS-oVJB_vjY470O9J5/s1600/IMG_6951.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XiSVxed7x5pQGSPe-IpURE5J88q46JlepRVJleGdySVR5R4_eW65Hj9Abks9AF6ZQz4Vk7XR8DqXGG1j7QgvpwPZpuhoqddchurf70pdhpXMAbkaoyf2I5fuxzVS-oVJB_vjY470O9J5/s400/IMG_6951.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711604919834978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have a blast<br /><br />It was a ton of work<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSlYG7Mlc7oDqcGoZyfjFtofBO4aSJv2oqEFtAhSNVCDM7pocWMhgB2szBNgnuuYvE4sZxxwg9ZICLZ28_PAkRrVWGxWRvmJUqCDJO2VR2DboPUXZcmaoD5UYn5O6BHqTSdAgU9ppY3y9/s1600/IMG_6954.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSlYG7Mlc7oDqcGoZyfjFtofBO4aSJv2oqEFtAhSNVCDM7pocWMhgB2szBNgnuuYvE4sZxxwg9ZICLZ28_PAkRrVWGxWRvmJUqCDJO2VR2DboPUXZcmaoD5UYn5O6BHqTSdAgU9ppY3y9/s400/IMG_6954.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711655020078418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvdunjKtFqskgKi9vt30coqOPt1KbGJKgRYk5-_e3G-DBpovo2kY04in2isyzFO3NbxXyr5VewBaYSbgVAojBhfTbVjA-FMXo4MTUgk8L-3LETU8dpUEImg81RrBhXtI02NaYhWx2g1Fk/s1600/IMG_6956.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvdunjKtFqskgKi9vt30coqOPt1KbGJKgRYk5-_e3G-DBpovo2kY04in2isyzFO3NbxXyr5VewBaYSbgVAojBhfTbVjA-FMXo4MTUgk8L-3LETU8dpUEImg81RrBhXtI02NaYhWx2g1Fk/s400/IMG_6956.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711703026942162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />but mostly it was girl time,<br />and I loved that~<br /><br />My sister-in-law (Stefany) is going through her first<br />"empty nest" experience,<br />as my niece just graduated from high school<br />and is headed off to college this fall.<br /><br />Stef's best friend (Carol),<br />just married off her eldest son,<br />and<br />is sending her youngest (Haley) off to college<br />this fall<br />and will have a truly empty nest<br />for the first time in her life.<br /><br />Both are suffering the beginning effects of "that time of life"<br /><br />ME?<br /><br />I've been there with all of the above,<br />so my job was to assure them<br />that all turns out well.<br /><br />The heart breaks<br />and is sad<br /><br />but then life moves along<br />grandbabies join the nest<br />and life is good again!<br /><br />(:<br /><br />I like my job<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3pxtNKpfnqcU0Ik93k3vbfwb74H0ale8dTQaO5Di4WofbdCsreIA0F5j58Y4v9Rpf2C5CxDd1ltFsBHK_NgX-KVur7LHEFkcuw9BhKNtEVQyOZk5CSBhShL8uuyQFBiDPSkI2O62AouS/s1600/IMG_1550.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3pxtNKpfnqcU0Ik93k3vbfwb74H0ale8dTQaO5Di4WofbdCsreIA0F5j58Y4v9Rpf2C5CxDd1ltFsBHK_NgX-KVur7LHEFkcuw9BhKNtEVQyOZk5CSBhShL8uuyQFBiDPSkI2O62AouS/s400/IMG_1550.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488712051845581442" border="0" /></a><br />So this week,<br />we head up to "the ranch."<br /><br />A lovely place with tall pine trees,<br />warm summer days,<br />mountain weather,<br />and best of all,<br />my parents~<br /><br />Its our annual Family Reunion<br /><br />Each year my parents,<br />siblings<br />all the grandchildren,<br />and now the great-grandchildren<br /><br />join together to celebrate being "FAMILY"<br /><br />My mother is the hub of the wheel of family<br />We are the spokes,<br />and we all revolve around her capable hands and heart.<br /><br />She has American Indian blood that runs deep in her veins,<br />and has raised us kids learning their ways.<br /><br />She's deeply spiritual<br /><br />She has given each of us an Indian name<br />and a symbol that goes with that name<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOZNsK_tKrO5G6A2VK4ns-dnMHq72fOLGW3GdKOsyYxlOyodEQl7Zjbhhyg-qzr45rDm0FRrLwUE7xvQBCj0kCU9jhpjmwiL_9g5sw0dd5E2G4zfwEZEAtPgzSS9399ru1y9omCe9Hezq/s1600/IMG_1575.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOZNsK_tKrO5G6A2VK4ns-dnMHq72fOLGW3GdKOsyYxlOyodEQl7Zjbhhyg-qzr45rDm0FRrLwUE7xvQBCj0kCU9jhpjmwiL_9g5sw0dd5E2G4zfwEZEAtPgzSS9399ru1y9omCe9Hezq/s400/IMG_1575.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488712163099825794" border="0" /></a><br />My father bought her a huge tepee,<br />which we have painted with all those symbols,<br />and our hand prints beside each.<br />Last summer<br />Aiden and Ashton were added<br />OH HOW they LOVED that!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7u9aUKgUR5Vh8CTwsqhBzXrvu11LjN_NxPDI-zj2DzxGCLApRG4DAAjl8QNKu3-qCVjAxr62BBm3uOlcoaylRS2HHBZNzzK97NjHHd429OdbI2eZGLI_kWuB_nEkQiLkNZtqvTBsOeZx/s1600/IMG_1566.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7u9aUKgUR5Vh8CTwsqhBzXrvu11LjN_NxPDI-zj2DzxGCLApRG4DAAjl8QNKu3-qCVjAxr62BBm3uOlcoaylRS2HHBZNzzK97NjHHd429OdbI2eZGLI_kWuB_nEkQiLkNZtqvTBsOeZx/s400/IMG_1566.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488712107875533058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfM-_WOztk1maBLuS2GzJAqJZtehRpRd4jIW7fYKPY0AD4d8j6ETwG_-cxG_o74NBJ2WQlNBKyfq-vopCD5Oh09Yv-qekkRQ5CazkF7bYHtrG1eLFUXoJsAqsuiRC7n7doJs9Gko9Jqos/s1600/IMG_1499.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfM-_WOztk1maBLuS2GzJAqJZtehRpRd4jIW7fYKPY0AD4d8j6ETwG_-cxG_o74NBJ2WQlNBKyfq-vopCD5Oh09Yv-qekkRQ5CazkF7bYHtrG1eLFUXoJsAqsuiRC7n7doJs9Gko9Jqos/s400/IMG_1499.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711825197589154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1iH20poqspPnmAo3aczBmribBpx6D7FBsqhB_CphdboeFQzPlXrdzPURjkapGPUYf5RFfIGBPymZ3_EjFFv-pJ4356dDDYR8kRqd-Qyhqsk31soTETatwYtjfm6_usFa2UzdEo2t0ed/s1600/IMG_1496.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1iH20poqspPnmAo3aczBmribBpx6D7FBsqhB_CphdboeFQzPlXrdzPURjkapGPUYf5RFfIGBPymZ3_EjFFv-pJ4356dDDYR8kRqd-Qyhqsk31soTETatwYtjfm6_usFa2UzdEo2t0ed/s400/IMG_1496.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711770907016018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R_mxabmUYKol_kp7NpVUr3-v4MHvhjp2K_CEKVc7q-OwgU5Dg2hg1XeQoScYq4eZJaLLi3bWTLm9Dv_5sUoXQWFryEK_K-TEU3Ive6IenXIybFBb3cwsxI8mtl-C4x0tx43dDszL2h-b/s1600/IMG_1509.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R_mxabmUYKol_kp7NpVUr3-v4MHvhjp2K_CEKVc7q-OwgU5Dg2hg1XeQoScYq4eZJaLLi3bWTLm9Dv_5sUoXQWFryEK_K-TEU3Ive6IenXIybFBb3cwsxI8mtl-C4x0tx43dDszL2h-b/s400/IMG_1509.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711890691312482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVJoO39CwyAkEwDognv7uxFP4bo2N3CgGCDXCfp3zbyGZhSNpo97h8ejqIIxSlw81yLzsJJn75ASVxWwSackcjj8yQqcn8y6bcR8H4P66TQhdc-8xkLV031P5fndlsueFNVx6aaogcIqx/s1600/IMG_1514.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVJoO39CwyAkEwDognv7uxFP4bo2N3CgGCDXCfp3zbyGZhSNpo97h8ejqIIxSlw81yLzsJJn75ASVxWwSackcjj8yQqcn8y6bcR8H4P66TQhdc-8xkLV031P5fndlsueFNVx6aaogcIqx/s400/IMG_1514.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711942234874034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />At the top of the front of the tepee<br />fly two beautiful American Bald Eagles<br />that represent my parents<br /><br />but they've never been given Indian Names<br />so this year my siblings and I have chosen names for them<br />and will present them in a special ceremony.<br />I don't want to share them here,<br />in case she peeks at my blog (:<br /><br />(We always document it with video, photos and writings,<br />so maybe I can post about it later)<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawnee">Shawnee</a> is her tribe<br />Their names will be given in English<br />as well as the native Algonquain language<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Dr5h3gGQPdNRQbzWRTS0OPvWWuPvQmb7zOUZYVj2eob5QgpYcUbvqW8cMOtsmak1aVAtVobdJoNOP5E6izzJfwdAH2jXvQvyXAYXfhsIEVolTFLsfbDyXUY7tYyU6qu20b4T-GlAiHF9/s1600/IMG_1537.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Dr5h3gGQPdNRQbzWRTS0OPvWWuPvQmb7zOUZYVj2eob5QgpYcUbvqW8cMOtsmak1aVAtVobdJoNOP5E6izzJfwdAH2jXvQvyXAYXfhsIEVolTFLsfbDyXUY7tYyU6qu20b4T-GlAiHF9/s400/IMG_1537.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488711992660110066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I hope you're all having a wonderful summer<br />dear Blog Friends!<br />I'll be gone for a little while,<br />but back soon to catch up with all of you~<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: lucida grande; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-77153598992354611722010-06-20T08:49:00.001-07:002010-06-20T10:43:05.488-07:00Happy Father's Day to my Men!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqIONRxYfyoxy2udrgBsV_VvmIF3iMe8XW5lyhZIsdI-kUqJgg4gYUHCd48yNfHFmo169nLE0LzHK30dX5tUXy0XN4iXTHid3Nn1JIDhlKzUg-pYXRPJGnACPPB-C7WlxqnQzNs6sCE2U/s400/free-vintage-fathers-day-cards-to-my-dear-father-flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484883606816370194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Father's Day~<br /><br />There are many men in my life<br />Ones who I love and admire very much<br /><br />There are uncles, brothers and brothers-in-law<br /><br />But the men I'll focus on here<br /><br />are<br /><br />My Father<br />Happy Father's Day Dad!<br />I love you<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMm8mQMfYfH6e6b_JSeBYnEo2mH_WRHsNle0_c-sVkK-GMmY2wtXtodYHZtt20P2Wb5Ts9aJfgexa_1RTZJPX9pnxc8zfCUz-ecuHRqxwAAFnpD76wIvXlf1c95Nbfo85y6QXBT8qqYlD/s1600/Fathers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMm8mQMfYfH6e6b_JSeBYnEo2mH_WRHsNle0_c-sVkK-GMmY2wtXtodYHZtt20P2Wb5Ts9aJfgexa_1RTZJPX9pnxc8zfCUz-ecuHRqxwAAFnpD76wIvXlf1c95Nbfo85y6QXBT8qqYlD/s400/Fathers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906488376060194" border="0" /></a>My sissy and I<br />with our Grandpa and Daddy<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxaGUbC5Kb4ANK5bs4r6iRlSukljXbdFX-ipnETzRGgjXcoJlIJ23RxYTTVKt2tlNkKhIuc54Ny_kTynayEVoi2FGrKIpug8WvJlTmQdqeVZ1Ho8MOL8xrmLZtqysjmcV3UWTaq1dMXIg/s1600/Dad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxaGUbC5Kb4ANK5bs4r6iRlSukljXbdFX-ipnETzRGgjXcoJlIJ23RxYTTVKt2tlNkKhIuc54Ny_kTynayEVoi2FGrKIpug8WvJlTmQdqeVZ1Ho8MOL8xrmLZtqysjmcV3UWTaq1dMXIg/s400/Dad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906352189176418" border="0" /></a>Me and my Dad & Mom<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_970-rFQRqHKiHXTPmme2wCs91G8VPPQTR7srnqQL9VHSmqwEgcvz8XwkYn9m-L7nSx_J3bUI0UB-ZKtXa2LvPpfRj_Wke-U43yR4vejKUN8IXY_gZBzNMP4x_-DYb8txdNdnxtO4F1c/s1600/IMG_6241.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_970-rFQRqHKiHXTPmme2wCs91G8VPPQTR7srnqQL9VHSmqwEgcvz8XwkYn9m-L7nSx_J3bUI0UB-ZKtXa2LvPpfRj_Wke-U43yR4vejKUN8IXY_gZBzNMP4x_-DYb8txdNdnxtO4F1c/s400/IMG_6241.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906771465239410" border="0" /></a>My parents with Baby Max,<br />the newest addition to a fast growing family<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To my Dear Sweet Husband<br />Happy Father's Day Honey<br />I love you!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClMfZ6ZSW232qWLnbX88PVOFwTnNEECziYNVvvk43vWF_kkmLs_xfNrw1LzMFVwVKAQTUEVGuGPL0G4hb9RLJdwkILyvGLn-z7eleOveDrtYZH6_XE9jWf3IjlBFOnEChet9FGSaP8SL4/s1600/Hon+w+kids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClMfZ6ZSW232qWLnbX88PVOFwTnNEECziYNVvvk43vWF_kkmLs_xfNrw1LzMFVwVKAQTUEVGuGPL0G4hb9RLJdwkILyvGLn-z7eleOveDrtYZH6_XE9jWf3IjlBFOnEChet9FGSaP8SL4/s400/Hon+w+kids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906561863154322" border="0" /></a>This is my favorite picture of Hubby and his boys!<br /><br />It says it all...<br /><br />A loving, totally involving, funny, happy Father<br />He changed as many diapers as I did<br />He cooks and does dishes<br />He was there every day in every little way<br />as the boys were growing up,<br />in their adult lives now,<br />and now with his grandchildren!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />To my oldest Son<br />Happy Father's Day Son<br />I love you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwLps4wz7dxucIr941OctFFeSgi6-vbZ7X83SVTLyKvKCODAQFx7lUX7BapCc3Q0NL3wsRMGUo2zx34mxffN4GvBMtd2XI5cpDiZ16MxOy-41vcSIB-HerlyUIA1FfScdflRVFOBmEurM/s1600/IMG_6115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwLps4wz7dxucIr941OctFFeSgi6-vbZ7X83SVTLyKvKCODAQFx7lUX7BapCc3Q0NL3wsRMGUo2zx34mxffN4GvBMtd2XI5cpDiZ16MxOy-41vcSIB-HerlyUIA1FfScdflRVFOBmEurM/s400/IMG_6115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906671378128290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YC8FaYWd_jO-4QREWgjMWRqulHCP0qjnvDsnhKnEdZQKCoG1TaL0EDF0uvI62CB3n3au4V4xmOVgfgxQTehZPRviR_M4CnvKmN5ZooI-iMP4OG80OYYkg8jNQwd0yGJ25KwX1mNw_UfV/s1600/IMG_6113.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YC8FaYWd_jO-4QREWgjMWRqulHCP0qjnvDsnhKnEdZQKCoG1TaL0EDF0uvI62CB3n3au4V4xmOVgfgxQTehZPRviR_M4CnvKmN5ZooI-iMP4OG80OYYkg8jNQwd0yGJ25KwX1mNw_UfV/s400/IMG_6113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906614173802290" border="0" /></a>With Miss Sophia<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApowP9qZ1eoG5RA_HRzik1g9RbyG6gdbxGclOpWGq-OGqsx_XvmCIGxeZs7F5ETPTGNTh9rAthO1TiuULB38Zvg_0xswzLW6I6i5C64uX2c0eqYAvogpFttPahxYspdPGQZ5E-U5JPxoH/s1600/IMG_6368.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApowP9qZ1eoG5RA_HRzik1g9RbyG6gdbxGclOpWGq-OGqsx_XvmCIGxeZs7F5ETPTGNTh9rAthO1TiuULB38Zvg_0xswzLW6I6i5C64uX2c0eqYAvogpFttPahxYspdPGQZ5E-U5JPxoH/s400/IMG_6368.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906820234403986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MooHCsHQLxVkByfCAPnRUhf0Wct2TQYPDlyCmFoy7bvdMHp7nzcYb0gGNzMaTjzWVLzyEqS5lygiCGxxGYpu0NhBQmnatq4kGTXZlKdfHDtwurvg0_AK02s1SQ6chXTMUIIY9O5JWEcM/s1600/IMG_6369.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MooHCsHQLxVkByfCAPnRUhf0Wct2TQYPDlyCmFoy7bvdMHp7nzcYb0gGNzMaTjzWVLzyEqS5lygiCGxxGYpu0NhBQmnatq4kGTXZlKdfHDtwurvg0_AK02s1SQ6chXTMUIIY9O5JWEcM/s400/IMG_6369.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906876972398322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDcbuVqdr3KY3AEyC7qwviXDq2AV_hSdHVkaawZFNize_DjLqkAyEY5F_aY10SaOnSFkymrxmGDmtDKVR2Yh0lEZ3WckfQQnFPFTDd6pulnbyxuWxop7b2RQulnCE1LZiOr8J3mOh47Gb/s1600/IMG_6370.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDcbuVqdr3KY3AEyC7qwviXDq2AV_hSdHVkaawZFNize_DjLqkAyEY5F_aY10SaOnSFkymrxmGDmtDKVR2Yh0lEZ3WckfQQnFPFTDd6pulnbyxuWxop7b2RQulnCE1LZiOr8J3mOh47Gb/s400/IMG_6370.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906934452450290" border="0" /></a><br />and now with Baby Matz<br />(Sophie's pronounciation)<br />He LOOOOOOOVES his Daddy!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13ztDZJaa_sHvL0OKoSgur_wtJFVGRA-lQeyDTgJNaCP5BIYjtPRHWBqsF43VYL3f5w-iIM2OeuqpAotxGIF3CuTdBUxR_0kAw8egWGG6k6QbyfMCRIkd31fcE1KHpxY8XheZwYTm5oik/s1600/cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13ztDZJaa_sHvL0OKoSgur_wtJFVGRA-lQeyDTgJNaCP5BIYjtPRHWBqsF43VYL3f5w-iIM2OeuqpAotxGIF3CuTdBUxR_0kAw8egWGG6k6QbyfMCRIkd31fcE1KHpxY8XheZwYTm5oik/s400/cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484906439248607282" border="0" /></a>Our little Sophia<br />She LOOOOOOOOVES her Daddy too!<br /><br />Our oldest son...<br />All I can say is,<br /><br />~Like Father - Like Son~<br /><br />What I wrote above about his Daddy,<br />our son is all the same things<br /><br />And I'm so proud!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7V7fj6DV8VuswhXgEMAim0NcMp2jcO_Jd_7r3C-7_pUTRqHxO9AZbuyoiKdVhQJwE3HyABq88v059LxhjCrwfR8oBL7Y0LW_IgPGZj0entq_Fd7M8b2EWpJWJgjAazDj44kygqZvhHty/s1600/goingcoming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7V7fj6DV8VuswhXgEMAim0NcMp2jcO_Jd_7r3C-7_pUTRqHxO9AZbuyoiKdVhQJwE3HyABq88v059LxhjCrwfR8oBL7Y0LW_IgPGZj0entq_Fd7M8b2EWpJWJgjAazDj44kygqZvhHty/s400/goingcoming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484883664473614594" border="0" /></a>This image reminds me of our family on almost every trip we took!<br />The expressions just about perfectly matched ours<br />LOL!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqSOJoX_LK6tB9nRI7ipnm4-L67mWoIYtD9qnzRaWHV4ettoNWhawX5zukKJ2fOTpG5Q95G7DvKiBZDig4vbEMTDLicqphqrSHW1WVESUUZf3toZNbF9Z6LJqyyS5NkP0WUx8ihI8bDiP/s1600/vintage-dads-day.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqSOJoX_LK6tB9nRI7ipnm4-L67mWoIYtD9qnzRaWHV4ettoNWhawX5zukKJ2fOTpG5Q95G7DvKiBZDig4vbEMTDLicqphqrSHW1WVESUUZf3toZNbF9Z6LJqyyS5NkP0WUx8ihI8bDiP/s400/vintage-dads-day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484883782605604226" border="0" /></a>I love this image of a Dad and his girl<br /><br />I found these images at<br />http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Also, I want to give credit where it's due,<br />and forgot to when I put up the last post...<br />The title of my post, "Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots"<br />came from a book by the same title<br />by Sharon Lovejoy<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWwi5jSv8k0EYRudU_2T_AsPjLBTm_xD4FFX7eHF6LgXlKoUUELhpt1kw30r0R7JOWvqwgY9mq-OJtXq1x0mYZ_uumDwGVyeNwHVR84Ant5Ir4Om33bqyb5UD89VAO7OecDbxpBH49qQc/s1600/IMG_6938.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWwi5jSv8k0EYRudU_2T_AsPjLBTm_xD4FFX7eHF6LgXlKoUUELhpt1kw30r0R7JOWvqwgY9mq-OJtXq1x0mYZ_uumDwGVyeNwHVR84Ant5Ir4Om33bqyb5UD89VAO7OecDbxpBH49qQc/s400/IMG_6938.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484911488501062338" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-12355524426568795652010-06-18T19:25:00.001-07:002010-06-19T00:35:51.518-07:00Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots<span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KVH2zEfEN4e0i9IN8q-IhvXDefJZZlFzLu201JWrqUT_pzSaVQLEwkjBlQYj0V9twPEDmSR48IvMQllQNi8R2WMs5W2o8DbAmgdifqlEqEK8bBxTGBeXQ-xCjH8xoCqD8XflgtW5QmVc/s1600/IMG_6598.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KVH2zEfEN4e0i9IN8q-IhvXDefJZZlFzLu201JWrqUT_pzSaVQLEwkjBlQYj0V9twPEDmSR48IvMQllQNi8R2WMs5W2o8DbAmgdifqlEqEK8bBxTGBeXQ-xCjH8xoCqD8XflgtW5QmVc/s400/IMG_6598.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484370109445133474" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" ><div> </div> </span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><div>Its a busy time at my bit of earth. </div></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><div>Its the time of year I relish. </div></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><div>I know I say this at the beginning of every season,<br />but really,<br />this IS my favorite time of year! </div></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> <div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I can honestly say that I just loooooove dragging out<br />all the recipes, canning jars, kettles and pots...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDPvSHtmMskmQwgulC1jRTxe8ZmpZYMWFTjUQP5dFn_TQe9lZh1-_zpwuqL1QSe74azBI-IfFKWGD5L5pb6Ea5PftqRqaL8fe4zeUjOVorMvNgKML1KE2cySJBxAhN1t1ePpOj2v0ntQu/s1600/IMG_6929.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDPvSHtmMskmQwgulC1jRTxe8ZmpZYMWFTjUQP5dFn_TQe9lZh1-_zpwuqL1QSe74azBI-IfFKWGD5L5pb6Ea5PftqRqaL8fe4zeUjOVorMvNgKML1KE2cySJBxAhN1t1ePpOj2v0ntQu/s400/IMG_6929.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484306586340648658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX90OZxX_FZZCsWBIY3ZWuu23P5Is4ikG18UfQWC1L3Lj8b5aJBJ0ERwGzlYjRZ9hCyAXbkXK1cK77lmXzsB2iXZw_6CYgpf4ShbScaiAX9u8xdPRK1G9rSM-TbpzBI0BRjh5oj4aIB3fZ/s1600/IMG_6923.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX90OZxX_FZZCsWBIY3ZWuu23P5Is4ikG18UfQWC1L3Lj8b5aJBJ0ERwGzlYjRZ9hCyAXbkXK1cK77lmXzsB2iXZw_6CYgpf4ShbScaiAX9u8xdPRK1G9rSM-TbpzBI0BRjh5oj4aIB3fZ/s400/IMG_6923.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484305912007824194" border="0" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8nUolthdbmNXjfd9DBgJVMKyr73SRFMcPGUdp1qedQo-DLO5B7AAl7Db8U3Pe3yaNK6R-A_MFavn5Kf650AY1i-1kX6LYkB_We8sRndz1Wwv_UCbkHORUBIhvqG6gFfl0I99LHP-wHPq/s1600/IMG_6924.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8nUolthdbmNXjfd9DBgJVMKyr73SRFMcPGUdp1qedQo-DLO5B7AAl7Db8U3Pe3yaNK6R-A_MFavn5Kf650AY1i-1kX6LYkB_We8sRndz1Wwv_UCbkHORUBIhvqG6gFfl0I99LHP-wHPq/s400/IMG_6924.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484306025471748018" border="0" /></a></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and that I just LOOOOOVE<br />how my shelves look after its all done<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5yBw3MHo67qDNQJVAW5C_z2_f-ABFU0SaM8RB7J6wGQxhRKrD9ewz3Qiwj4DVFtvoLpSIw5MFVTq19BebIA3dPLoxLeaml7f3m4s445zzTE3z3mqmuC0zWHNYJkfUUxg8uuPHDBmzUYv/s1600/IMG_6933.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5yBw3MHo67qDNQJVAW5C_z2_f-ABFU0SaM8RB7J6wGQxhRKrD9ewz3Qiwj4DVFtvoLpSIw5MFVTq19BebIA3dPLoxLeaml7f3m4s445zzTE3z3mqmuC0zWHNYJkfUUxg8uuPHDBmzUYv/s400/IMG_6933.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484360284962740402" border="0" /></a><span><span id="role_document" style="color:#000000;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6nCL-tTUey4mLqhcd7crDh0v1K-DW4hmJit0vFMmrhpJfxW2TJbe7RvPF8bMh933YmGUC6cOV3xfQKyvBGrH6MXDWCdJOM2tGNVFL8oghFMBGHEirfj2YQhZjDo9dwBB7ODAqCwAzF25/s1600/IMG_6936.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6nCL-tTUey4mLqhcd7crDh0v1K-DW4hmJit0vFMmrhpJfxW2TJbe7RvPF8bMh933YmGUC6cOV3xfQKyvBGrH6MXDWCdJOM2tGNVFL8oghFMBGHEirfj2YQhZjDo9dwBB7ODAqCwAzF25/s400/IMG_6936.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484360352928643474" border="0" /></a></span></span><br />...when the rose buds have been dried for winter pot pourri<br /></div></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> <div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHr40_5yHn_z0x3cNjenyB_HQ2wfcpUHbRzQqcK_wPTmzkOX2fQevgMwpOyZZ6pwDIl6qX0ZTeBAz_qGhyphenhyphenxp6trmd_MESh72_X2FVNd_SSNZbIMKhTd0ktNfJrNucozfP3ejo5bP2Xkrs/s1600/IMG_6928.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHr40_5yHn_z0x3cNjenyB_HQ2wfcpUHbRzQqcK_wPTmzkOX2fQevgMwpOyZZ6pwDIl6qX0ZTeBAz_qGhyphenhyphenxp6trmd_MESh72_X2FVNd_SSNZbIMKhTd0ktNfJrNucozfP3ejo5bP2Xkrs/s400/IMG_6928.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484306195154631858" border="0" /></a><br />the peas, corn and so much more are in the freezer<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbeNzpcDoy79j_QDzcj3BaxwXcn_AondniBSz4lB1ODJ4xGzywcxF8blGki5qjjMYbfnSag9-rzNxlppUCJb3Tqq-9FQmsvcK_VwP_9Jrljt48AuvvlDtODHH4GtAhVeUfr2eBuDudFs8/s1600/IMG_6926.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbeNzpcDoy79j_QDzcj3BaxwXcn_AondniBSz4lB1ODJ4xGzywcxF8blGki5qjjMYbfnSag9-rzNxlppUCJb3Tqq-9FQmsvcK_VwP_9Jrljt48AuvvlDtODHH4GtAhVeUfr2eBuDudFs8/s400/IMG_6926.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484306142078191522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNGlmCOxVypHabgcQmHmr4u6gj7AXNAm8KvnQc7iBLoRJVsGtrBPX19LR8_sCwGWZIxGZtsHFgIKeD64IY1u_-idzxC3fyhWBK2zGXFYurxGJb4UyoUKNTaz1KbXSjFa9VMmJYu0Oo5RH/s1600/IMG_6921.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNGlmCOxVypHabgcQmHmr4u6gj7AXNAm8KvnQc7iBLoRJVsGtrBPX19LR8_sCwGWZIxGZtsHFgIKeD64IY1u_-idzxC3fyhWBK2zGXFYurxGJb4UyoUKNTaz1KbXSjFa9VMmJYu0Oo5RH/s400/IMG_6921.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484305486390077234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBoYek0GNpu8lZDu82NJbMgIEeJtoJRYB72HbznRpLjAJ7w0s18Az7aw5WlXp8Q7zH3Cy3-xCQdrQBDJdEF5ZIC6GbykOkcGHwVWCc4ycQ8hzVhXpvG_zt1iWe-aTbDWy0M1zHxDcxdta/s1600/IMG_6920.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBoYek0GNpu8lZDu82NJbMgIEeJtoJRYB72HbznRpLjAJ7w0s18Az7aw5WlXp8Q7zH3Cy3-xCQdrQBDJdEF5ZIC6GbykOkcGHwVWCc4ycQ8hzVhXpvG_zt1iWe-aTbDWy0M1zHxDcxdta/s400/IMG_6920.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484305426679965218" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It takes an entire season (100 - 120 days)<br />jammed packed full<br />of bending, digging, shoveling,<br />raking, dry hands, dirty knees,<br />cricks and crinks in the joints...<br /></div><br /><br /></div> <div> </div> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" ><div><div style="text-align: center;">...and It takes time to make sure the plants have<br />everything they need to grow healthy and strong<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzWEvO2pXcmDtIUAqonCiIF6iJGkcOvBKNnofyilDB2PEYeKvrSy1rfP2IOSYoHKQL8FAgMmRyEzNHtpICRLs3m6MZlLtlwzQVRrOu_k-zhQ9AkObeSl1K3bJEEOkB9iYoVj3GTmqYxaT/s1600/IMG_6943.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzWEvO2pXcmDtIUAqonCiIF6iJGkcOvBKNnofyilDB2PEYeKvrSy1rfP2IOSYoHKQL8FAgMmRyEzNHtpICRLs3m6MZlLtlwzQVRrOu_k-zhQ9AkObeSl1K3bJEEOkB9iYoVj3GTmqYxaT/s400/IMG_6943.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484360607353628914" border="0" /></a><br /></div> </span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><div>But I love it.<br />It keeps me moving<br />It makes be feel stronger<br /></div> <div> </div> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span id="role_document" style="color:#000000;">I'd keep a garden<br /><br /></span></span><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> <div> </div> </span></div><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><div>...just to be able to look at it each day</div></span><span style="font-size:130%;">...just to spend the days out in the sun and fresh air </span><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> <div>...just to watch the small creatures it attracts<br />(even the ones I have to shoo away) </div> <div>...just for the physical exercise it forces me to exert </div> <div>...just for the satisfaction of seeing my shelves<br />all neatly lined with pretty jars filled with food </div> <div>...just for the satisfaction of sipping the chamomile tea<br />I had coddled from from seed to flower</div></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> <div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'll keep a garden until the day I can't move</div></div></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">...and then I'll dream about growing a garden<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> <div><span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fcqUWvrlE2IynvsDD36V6XiX5lH7NFeU7zxBA_CSqwoCuWT2F-l4sQ_tvpo8NtZQ9m9_w09RuZ9sTxMzrTZXJSB_Ln89FhyrvzeugblvYNbie7zhF9plNlY5ZnZkAVZ_WTLjRIdWO8VV/s1600/IMG_6593.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fcqUWvrlE2IynvsDD36V6XiX5lH7NFeU7zxBA_CSqwoCuWT2F-l4sQ_tvpo8NtZQ9m9_w09RuZ9sTxMzrTZXJSB_Ln89FhyrvzeugblvYNbie7zhF9plNlY5ZnZkAVZ_WTLjRIdWO8VV/s400/IMG_6593.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484369925462004754" border="0" /></a></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">My garden is my little bit of heaven on earth.<br />Its the best place to calm my stressed-out brain and body.<br />Out there is where I meditate<br />...and sometimes not on purpose at all. </div></div></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"> </div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">It just happens. </span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> <div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It may sound strange,<br />but out there is where I feel I "belong"<br /><br /></div></div></span><div style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">...to something bigger than myself</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">...to some ancient part of what it is to be human</span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">...to something we've lost<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">...and to something I need to find again</span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> <div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love the feel of roots<br /><br /></div></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" ><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8Nj5lXnOKkxLDz3r40QYfJlO78TdzFQr10GPxk7dLNst4gZYqAKaO3w8dLT5RL0taKEY9-n7lFz7qUWGWFSqVLwgC72_0FgGeiIBjGCZGYLSaKQ2ySp2BF8YZQBXD0Nu1vZUKZr3U189/s1600/IMG_6913.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8Nj5lXnOKkxLDz3r40QYfJlO78TdzFQr10GPxk7dLNst4gZYqAKaO3w8dLT5RL0taKEY9-n7lFz7qUWGWFSqVLwgC72_0FgGeiIBjGCZGYLSaKQ2ySp2BF8YZQBXD0Nu1vZUKZr3U189/s400/IMG_6913.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484305366988446626" border="0" /></a><br />the look of shoots<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_jda13RqrKF-EmqFyKhWoSGr7iTEKMF13L6QEmmh_iH0-CkG0DgQOeqVaOzxA2ewS6WpLl1Ifs_HTvw92nmJ-a_OJccljqERIROBd7FQ5pF5Tipib3TyCJy_nFZ_U__llfN8_YZt3ooK/s1600/IMG_6566.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_jda13RqrKF-EmqFyKhWoSGr7iTEKMF13L6QEmmh_iH0-CkG0DgQOeqVaOzxA2ewS6WpLl1Ifs_HTvw92nmJ-a_OJccljqERIROBd7FQ5pF5Tipib3TyCJy_nFZ_U__llfN8_YZt3ooK/s400/IMG_6566.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484369983815408818" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The necessity of buckets<br /><br /></div></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6WOf6KH7Z0gAom_7iGQUllCCjvBSVP3RNkjR6wotkcIyiiWSMWIWYc-jNZFLwJczsJqHuObKCfIZTzA6kAnONh3SVSvwnT8WkQt7IMYjJu5WvFMGtGJgAuWTPKYwbBxOmPQW_5QzOG7q/s1600/IMG_6942.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6WOf6KH7Z0gAom_7iGQUllCCjvBSVP3RNkjR6wotkcIyiiWSMWIWYc-jNZFLwJczsJqHuObKCfIZTzA6kAnONh3SVSvwnT8WkQt7IMYjJu5WvFMGtGJgAuWTPKYwbBxOmPQW_5QzOG7q/s400/IMG_6942.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484384939167773090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and the comfort of my OLD Wellie boots<br /><br /></div></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> <div><span><span id="role_document" style="color:#000000;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojz3STvrD7o-DQ9h10kMdj2Xl_ApbT0waPc2oORRzDlTLHIWByu5JqGdCs_K_6RiU0oocIXB3gRVLozkPX-s3GeoHLaweQ0pbvf4td_N5zUi6bJ0KKIfoNDmzPAT7pFM3Dgzmux5t_L9v/s1600/IMG_6941.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojz3STvrD7o-DQ9h10kMdj2Xl_ApbT0waPc2oORRzDlTLHIWByu5JqGdCs_K_6RiU0oocIXB3gRVLozkPX-s3GeoHLaweQ0pbvf4td_N5zUi6bJ0KKIfoNDmzPAT7pFM3Dgzmux5t_L9v/s400/IMG_6941.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484360494457478402" border="0" /></a></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And one day I hope I can pass this love on to someone else<br /><br /></div></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" ><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Will it be Sophia?</div></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqppts9zygNI_WVYQtuLjyIzcfGEecWSr78kMF6mIAFvh8iorXyagRE7CRiDHifJM4zfEDBta3XRFyChzI-_kiL7DAqae1Jw9E5BelO7Z2QWXkgopWZmGHg7nXARlfgTNJWoTYVtwXvZAw/s1600/P5021477.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqppts9zygNI_WVYQtuLjyIzcfGEecWSr78kMF6mIAFvh8iorXyagRE7CRiDHifJM4zfEDBta3XRFyChzI-_kiL7DAqae1Jw9E5BelO7Z2QWXkgopWZmGHg7nXARlfgTNJWoTYVtwXvZAw/s400/P5021477.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484376033475715858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">or little Max?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqUeY_Tib8TkIrCx9_KUDpjQY3sG9Bvdp5eGSR8pP5fdY8UCLY86JZq2huxj8n_d3Kc7v_vj6geaxnRTgHb6MHz5zH8PFjefxLPXCIv9Vd-OzWQpHp0hS7AS_BEUEmi5wZwUG2t0oaJCc/s1600/IMG_5860.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqUeY_Tib8TkIrCx9_KUDpjQY3sG9Bvdp5eGSR8pP5fdY8UCLY86JZq2huxj8n_d3Kc7v_vj6geaxnRTgHb6MHz5zH8PFjefxLPXCIv9Vd-OzWQpHp0hS7AS_BEUEmi5wZwUG2t0oaJCc/s400/IMG_5860.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484378282714948034" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > </span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><div>or someone I've yet to meet?<br /><br />or even one of my boys?<br /><br /></div></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" > <div> </div> </span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><span id="role_document" style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><div>I don't know yet...<br />but I can't wait to find out!</div></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#000000;" id="role_document" ><div><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" > </span>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-8466646611918969272010-06-16T17:15:00.000-07:002010-06-16T18:45:38.617-07:00Big Hearts, Helping Hands<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Today started as a normal day, but ended up being quite extraordinary...</span><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" id="id_4keys"><br />We headed down the road to the beach for a walk. When we walked onto the beach we noticed a family with two dogs standing near a small black figure (Dad with the two dogs are just out of picture).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyNjWrDUMmtYKbT-N7IgSWWxeIfosc9TLtNdeygcjkwOOfJMlivLqW1hs5bn5s_d57dI3FHMWNlak6SKN6I5vzBpMJJ43kQLH8KMemk1Cqn0rzeDHO-h6hS6CKW-ZyIfF2Gda1oIfQtrR/s1600/DSCF2049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyNjWrDUMmtYKbT-N7IgSWWxeIfosc9TLtNdeygcjkwOOfJMlivLqW1hs5bn5s_d57dI3FHMWNlak6SKN6I5vzBpMJJ43kQLH8KMemk1Cqn0rzeDHO-h6hS6CKW-ZyIfF2Gda1oIfQtrR/s400/DSCF2049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483541971456549938" border="0" /></a><br />It turned out to be a sea bird who was obviously in trouble. He couldn't walk or fly and was trying to escape the waves as they came in.<br /><br /><br />The family was concerned for the small bird, as were we. They called 911 to get help for the little guy. Though the operator told them who to call, there was no answer at the number they were given. Some people might have shrugged their shoulders and given up trying to help... but not this family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6psL_-1RtSt2abgVFmvcv4JIO1POCXla1s-BQ6ehoQ8bfu8OZtTgQ0QJfTHa1ZL8dWiK-Dpg5ps8edAPEe-20QT3d0WeOwZDtBK2Hcl1RSG9ng2psLnepFxa76PUctmrf7r8H3_PmHHY/s1600/DSCF2047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6psL_-1RtSt2abgVFmvcv4JIO1POCXla1s-BQ6ehoQ8bfu8OZtTgQ0QJfTHa1ZL8dWiK-Dpg5ps8edAPEe-20QT3d0WeOwZDtBK2Hcl1RSG9ng2psLnepFxa76PUctmrf7r8H3_PmHHY/s400/DSCF2047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483541913614431106" border="0" /></a><br />We offered to go get our car and find the number for the local animal rescue, while they stayed with the bird.<br /><br />We met one of our neighbors who offered for me to come into her house and call, while hubby went for the car. She knew who to call... Native Animal Rescue (NAR) in Santa Cruz, CA.<br /><br />When we arrived back at the beach, true to their word, the whole family and two dogs were waiting patiently with the bird.<br /><br />Thank goodness for big hearts and helping hands! It was great to meet some fellow animal lovers!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zOM3rzX07ib0yk2MDZANU4KC0ajbrT0Z4XljzpMLzKEZ-iFn_Z07wkYlfHC2jxKp6wptJNzlO9T6ZzkLggyAgUqffZlCQrJMiT4lAmcbEqdhKlbi0trUdkGC1CHHtoSnOAVuIeO_zKjg/s1600/DSCF2051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zOM3rzX07ib0yk2MDZANU4KC0ajbrT0Z4XljzpMLzKEZ-iFn_Z07wkYlfHC2jxKp6wptJNzlO9T6ZzkLggyAgUqffZlCQrJMiT4lAmcbEqdhKlbi0trUdkGC1CHHtoSnOAVuIeO_zKjg/s400/DSCF2051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483542101644836306" border="0" /></a>Hubby inspects his underside to check for any obvious injuries, but none could be seen. He didn't like the idea too well, as you can see.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIghY-kAVYVq30J3C2ta8NhL5xRX5OESjfws2E6Fba97tOm4CDX8NIrsuER8AIQHcuZD3GuAgkP6CsqXn4sFQA6pETFDkMqtX9kLWHc34eKBNendoUsiaxwXwbgx80lve55wIkj8mEeJJ/s1600/DSCF2052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIghY-kAVYVq30J3C2ta8NhL5xRX5OESjfws2E6Fba97tOm4CDX8NIrsuER8AIQHcuZD3GuAgkP6CsqXn4sFQA6pETFDkMqtX9kLWHc34eKBNendoUsiaxwXwbgx80lve55wIkj8mEeJJ/s400/DSCF2052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483542158016234898" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't he handsome?!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ8dR4yfVPrSPwNMA8bIM6BWerjuIdI3oc8bCi0HLnJmcXV2hOfEhSnUsR_BRKfUkOrS4RWlZ6PkDFsG6VPj9XnenkeZ3S8rb8CvWH3RpW6LxloOCAjHOleAtQTgMjrAuM1agyTuMcf5p/s1600/DSCF2053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ8dR4yfVPrSPwNMA8bIM6BWerjuIdI3oc8bCi0HLnJmcXV2hOfEhSnUsR_BRKfUkOrS4RWlZ6PkDFsG6VPj9XnenkeZ3S8rb8CvWH3RpW6LxloOCAjHOleAtQTgMjrAuM1agyTuMcf5p/s400/DSCF2053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483542212428305090" border="0" /></a><br />We loaded the little guy into a box and were off to the Animal Rescue. Our neighbor is an Anthropologist and college instructor who thought he was a Surf Scoter, which is in essence a type of sea duck... as it turns out, she was right.<br /><br />On the way to the Rescue, Hubby dubbed him "Scooter."<br /><br />Scooter did fine on the ride (though he added a lovely odor to the car), and now he will be well taken care of.<br /><br />When he arrived at NAR he did a little hissing at first, but settled down once he was transferred to a new box.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I think he knew he was in good hands!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLFe95wrFG-ceRtE2vqjYwIbSluceq4fS-GJ4SZUnSZNVHrfH2pKtxCVK4HsdytMB1rPHr4rdYdX8EU7rP0PtXx2xqDZKZLxw8YhPHbVF3KpaiZ_oMBdxzmtlPkYhauc157XdfpNsN7HD/s1600/DSCF2054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLFe95wrFG-ceRtE2vqjYwIbSluceq4fS-GJ4SZUnSZNVHrfH2pKtxCVK4HsdytMB1rPHr4rdYdX8EU7rP0PtXx2xqDZKZLxw8YhPHbVF3KpaiZ_oMBdxzmtlPkYhauc157XdfpNsN7HD/s400/DSCF2054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483542266986938802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGliPubfquYKAvK-9x-DO3lDsDjN0UZxjifyZREXxZOOSqmU_vVqAlBCb6itpIOtz7450s6CmoUU8FxwV1t-v-O0-1uKohwfunAbj3WqoZo9oCN0BODvU9aOQW-NwPh9oyOpZvi-0rGJUk/s1600/DSCF2055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGliPubfquYKAvK-9x-DO3lDsDjN0UZxjifyZREXxZOOSqmU_vVqAlBCb6itpIOtz7450s6CmoUU8FxwV1t-v-O0-1uKohwfunAbj3WqoZo9oCN0BODvU9aOQW-NwPh9oyOpZvi-0rGJUk/s400/DSCF2055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483542320095219026" border="0" /></a><br />Supper perhaps?<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtCEDUD0R1OX5gqpHHw-2RHY0xmG0y2UprB9MZq2yT5YFSL01zfohgf36Bn4h0Nko-mmTmFkShzbudjRfxX4_uQtEinqjP6Y9cHUJhyphenhyphen7wLe0eqvy_fnFN1uRlw6tKBIrJORZwkWcMi4i2/s1600/DSCF2056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtCEDUD0R1OX5gqpHHw-2RHY0xmG0y2UprB9MZq2yT5YFSL01zfohgf36Bn4h0Nko-mmTmFkShzbudjRfxX4_uQtEinqjP6Y9cHUJhyphenhyphen7wLe0eqvy_fnFN1uRlw6tKBIrJORZwkWcMi4i2/s400/DSCF2056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483542371351657986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I want to thank <a href="http://www.nativeanimalrescue.org/">Native Animal Rescue (NAR)</a> in Santa Cruz, CA,<br />and give them a little notice!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nativeanimalrescue.org/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvYvwOyyGrRaSDG5GIEvIHRpYwGYQoy3bW-zmpDwk4e3NKMbhYHy69DjV7xV4JWjq2Z0GBmlRYZ-cM5ajItcn6IQA4kEBJGAzkW4Rnl1iFZOxx9sUm2PPmZ2m491W4u4Tfg4E0Hwlm9hG/s400/lupin+_nathan+_rescuing_pelican.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483536451799335714" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">NAR is a non-profit organization whose motto is:<br /><br />"Animals first! Because no life is too small to save!"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">And if you go to <a href="http://nativeanimalrescue.org/">their website</a> you can see the many little critters they've saved, rehabilitated and returned to their wild homes<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...as well as read a few stories of survival and success.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There are so many unsung heros at NAR!<br /><br />They depend almost solely on donations,<br />and true to their motto, they save many many tiny lives!<br /></div></div><br />Donations can be made online or by mail:<br /><br />You can donate online, using PayPal<br /><br /><a href="http://nativeanimalrescue.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=18">HERE</a><br /><br />Or mail to:<br /><br />Native Animal Rescue<br />P.O. Box 1001<br />Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1001<br /><br />Email: eveandfrank@baymoon.com<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">Scooter is a Surf Scoter</h2><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surf_Scoter"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnteFKI5hmDjuT4CLQAfgOPvupjuepH8Xnk6LB0phfhp4iW9-GQVKidln9c3wGU1wrTqhYvRYGnPXRZV9ukHw1bOOuM-1eD6whtxhkbLTWgUXle5nNjWhGDuLC7OUhG4cRw14vOYuazPvP/s400/800px-Melanitta_perspicillata.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483543525034677570" border="0" /></a><div id="id_keys"><div style="text-align: center;" id="pan_OldSppDesc"><br /> <div> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;" id="oldAdultDesc"><h3>General Adult Description</h3><ul><li>Stocky diving duck. </li><li>Black. </li><li>No white in wings. </li><li>Male all black with swollen yellow or orange knob at base of bill. </li><li>Female blackish with large whitish face patch.</li></ul><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />I'm such a bleeding heart for animals!<br /><br />We need eachother,<br /><br />but its we humans who<br />can and should take the initiative<br />to care for our furred, feathered and scaled friends.<br /><br />~Thanks to all the animals lovers who are<br />currently helping to save many sea animals<br />at the oil spill area in the Gulf of Mexico~<br /><br /><br /></div></div> </div> </div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-85222883304439019262010-06-07T22:21:00.000-07:002010-06-07T22:50:26.967-07:00A Sweet Surprise and a few Random Things<div style="text-align: center;">Just as I was thinking I need to get a new photo album<br />for my new grandbaby's photos,<br />Dzintra and Joanna read my mind<br />and sent me this!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgq6oFK0ol4FIZP2l7TZya0wysO6gEI4fRspCgInVmSocDM0Kuycg2Z4lmx887F8u57xV7hi3_Dfk2s2MIf-qvkfZczzVJW6UigpS_yMRUhBQFbQ32rfS7UK-NDnbr3aLd2HRVdblP7kU/s1600/IMG_6909.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgq6oFK0ol4FIZP2l7TZya0wysO6gEI4fRspCgInVmSocDM0Kuycg2Z4lmx887F8u57xV7hi3_Dfk2s2MIf-qvkfZczzVJW6UigpS_yMRUhBQFbQ32rfS7UK-NDnbr3aLd2HRVdblP7kU/s400/IMG_6909.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480269230269925138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Aren't those little pudgy hands on the card just darling?<br />(I love cards)<br /><br />And now I have a pink photobook for Sophie<br />and a blue one for Max!<br />~Thank you Dear Dzintra and Joanna~<br /><br />Random Thing #1<br /><br />I love the scent of air-dried sheets,<br />so I hang them out when the weather cooperates<br />They looked so lovely... flapping lazily in the sea breeze.<br />They remind me of my dear sweet Grandmother<br />I miss her so much~<br />She's been gone for a year and half now,<br />but these little things remind me of her almost daily.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5Wj1bfDcHsE6N5bP5BD2bt08Cw-vZ0a58UraUNTFfw2RvAiVXp8muzaBf4I0gPy-0R2MoH68BlP4tvO8AC3-Q63D04HNUDE-VfLMWPb41AQwEHErNzxsGp7gJKLjwVQY7NPIpGPhBXMA/s1600/IMG_6856.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5Wj1bfDcHsE6N5bP5BD2bt08Cw-vZ0a58UraUNTFfw2RvAiVXp8muzaBf4I0gPy-0R2MoH68BlP4tvO8AC3-Q63D04HNUDE-VfLMWPb41AQwEHErNzxsGp7gJKLjwVQY7NPIpGPhBXMA/s400/IMG_6856.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480269018749888818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiRv_0e8NAKlxkrufxGTUqznmip6LLxMI9ERO6N-ExUeQxso2VcRI7V9tWOHZT4X1w5U9r6PFHuPtU5IPBMV_R68vYn0p7k18FJo2C7uEyFEOx9z0TTsExfvSN2-5UvU07WoSCtBOugsA/s1600/IMG_6864.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiRv_0e8NAKlxkrufxGTUqznmip6LLxMI9ERO6N-ExUeQxso2VcRI7V9tWOHZT4X1w5U9r6PFHuPtU5IPBMV_R68vYn0p7k18FJo2C7uEyFEOx9z0TTsExfvSN2-5UvU07WoSCtBOugsA/s400/IMG_6864.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480269072709162146" border="0" /></a><br />Random Thing #2<br /><br />Chickens again...<br />they are so hilarious!<br />You wouldn't believe how each of them<br />has a personality all their own!<br /><br />Hana...<br />taking a flying opportunity to get between<br />hubby's legs, into the house!<br /><br />What a sneaky bird<br />...especially when she never gets very far!<br /><br />She knows she's not allowed to come in...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmXLLDCARSUeTsIzJfvH-l8sX1C9WQPDSraFT275Sa6JnExpTTSHb35fSoHXCFLj23EHFB70cEhYX-xk6HN6xvjtD_5KxCIZnT1mZGzd9dfykQy3zIavk8lsffIn2-p213ClYdVpsBi15/s1600/IMG_6886.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmXLLDCARSUeTsIzJfvH-l8sX1C9WQPDSraFT275Sa6JnExpTTSHb35fSoHXCFLj23EHFB70cEhYX-xk6HN6xvjtD_5KxCIZnT1mZGzd9dfykQy3zIavk8lsffIn2-p213ClYdVpsBi15/s400/IMG_6886.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480269130010618002" border="0" /></a>~Have a great week~<br /><br /><br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-2461493225105683452010-05-31T16:33:00.001-07:002010-05-31T17:48:46.217-07:00Memorial Day & Cook- up with Dzintra<div style="text-align: center;"><br />Memorial Day<br />May 31, 2010<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm2_dxb7ju_Xmvpc1Ka9KyI6LFM53C2O77EZ4Cj80qYQKyC351lTzNJmxFFWtfT_bmi5AptuccCxVftS6vsaAVQ59tzx0bNwte5e5Zn4eLQogbTHBomdT6YzbXyJuTXLTHfiC69XNc6Jg/s1600/american-half-staff-flag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm2_dxb7ju_Xmvpc1Ka9KyI6LFM53C2O77EZ4Cj80qYQKyC351lTzNJmxFFWtfT_bmi5AptuccCxVftS6vsaAVQ59tzx0bNwte5e5Zn4eLQogbTHBomdT6YzbXyJuTXLTHfiC69XNc6Jg/s400/american-half-staff-flag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477596253700527842" border="0" /></a><br />To all of those who have served in the past,<br />and those who are serving now<br /><br /><br />We thank you for your selfless service to our country<br />We love you<br />and<br />We honor you today<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Its been awhile since I've done a cook-up with <a href="http://dzintrastitcheries.blogspot.com/">Dzintra</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">but finally here it is<br /><br />Short but sweet!<br /><br />A few posts ago I (well ok, maybe more than a few)...<br />I think I was chatting about my broccoli being ready to harvest<br />when <a href="http://missmaddies.blogspot.com/">Susan, over at Miss Maddie's </a>suggested that<br />it would make a great cook up with Dzintra.<br />I couldn't agree more!<br /><br />Dzintra is from the Great Down Under,<br />and I from the Big Up Over<br />(don't you love those country titles? (:<br /><br />We've so enjoyed sharing food ideas,<br />Dzintra's recent graduation from <em>TAFE (Technical and Further Education)<br /></em>and so many scrumptious recipes from a mutually loved<br />magazine by <a href="http://www.donnahay.com.au/index.php">Donna Hay</a><br />What a blast we've had!<br /><br /><br />My subscription to the magazine ran out<br />and I've had a doozie of a time getting a new one<br />(a story which I won't bore you with!)<br />Anyway, long story short...<br />its now reinstated and I hope it gets here soon!<br />Dzintra informs me that the current issue<br />focuses on Maple Syrup from the Big Up Over state of Vermont!<br />Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?<br /><br />Back to today's cook-up<br /><br />On this Memorial Day in the USA,<br />we usually have a big BBQ with all the trimmings,<br />but for circumstances beyond our control,<br />I'm on my own.<br /><br />So I thought that today was a great time to do a cook-up with Dzintra!<br /><br />Cream of Broccoli soup<br /><br />Yep,<br />simple<br />but<br />DELICIOUS!<br /><br />Since my new magazine isn't here yet,<br />I went hunting for a Donna Hay recipe that would fit the bill,<br />Here it is~<br /><br /><h4><a href="http://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/2041-lemon-and-broccoli-soup/">Lemon and Broccoli Soup</a></h4> <p class="p5"> </p><ul class="recipe-ingredients"><li>50g unsalted butter</li><li>1 leek, rinsed and sliced</li><li>2 cloves garlic, crushed</li><li>1 broccoli, chopped</li><li>4 cups (1 litre) vegetable stock</li><li>100g baby spinach leaves</li><li>1 cup (250ml) single (pouring) cream</li><li>1 tablespoon lemon juice</li><li> sea salt and cracked black pepper</li><li>80g fresh ricotta cheese</li></ul> <p class="p5">Heat a deep, medium saucepan over high heat. Add the butter, leek and garlic and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the leek is tender. Add the broccoli and stock, bring to the boil and cook for 8–10 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Add the spinach and cook for a further 1–2 minutes. Use a hand-held blender to blend the soup until smooth. Stir in the cream, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with ricotta to serve. Serves 4.</p><br />I wandered out to the garden,<br />clippers in hand<br />and found this perfect broccoli head<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7MilaIHWYWLthxWS8Zrkv_nD8c3hUg6rPBCkCtA9pwWjKBtRqaeR4WWTmJysrhMa8Eykmjzxs-68OSSVal-xSPoTXi0ja9uJ3az_TC1DGWGdU7yx4TVV2mTni_IWL42qgSn8gH8N3RmU/s1600/IMG_6834.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7MilaIHWYWLthxWS8Zrkv_nD8c3hUg6rPBCkCtA9pwWjKBtRqaeR4WWTmJysrhMa8Eykmjzxs-68OSSVal-xSPoTXi0ja9uJ3az_TC1DGWGdU7yx4TVV2mTni_IWL42qgSn8gH8N3RmU/s400/IMG_6834.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477581501263060658" border="0" /></a><br />and these perfect lemons<br />(grown just for me by our lovely Lemon tree outside our window)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkyM3aiiURyZnlE1pe9OHrsNnkNCX-IKKWLxKeBx1DIYledVlKqos5Y3rRTffYpYv7CBx5d8ba7ZPbpmLl8AeAyEz5pguTkKhurSvOV_HIDsu6nXEy9d-W9DUVTXFOLupo0Xnj8eAZ86j/s1600/IMG_6839.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkyM3aiiURyZnlE1pe9OHrsNnkNCX-IKKWLxKeBx1DIYledVlKqos5Y3rRTffYpYv7CBx5d8ba7ZPbpmLl8AeAyEz5pguTkKhurSvOV_HIDsu6nXEy9d-W9DUVTXFOLupo0Xnj8eAZ86j/s400/IMG_6839.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477581554455915474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrOexLeGGl_aKJQ1VOXYKEKLAlMclye_ikaZHp9ToZfiwny27CIxmovnCfv41gZTcxe8FMUzfD_YMjq2bj-9-h1xYHNKm7AWbqzVKdJGSAKDc6oPIKvQz0e10wAuw62oKBA4uTjIakTW2/s1600/IMG_6841.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrOexLeGGl_aKJQ1VOXYKEKLAlMclye_ikaZHp9ToZfiwny27CIxmovnCfv41gZTcxe8FMUzfD_YMjq2bj-9-h1xYHNKm7AWbqzVKdJGSAKDc6oPIKvQz0e10wAuw62oKBA4uTjIakTW2/s400/IMG_6841.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477581619896592722" border="0" /></a><br />And these tender sweet spinach leaves<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSI_dc5qvQaKJ4iC93QJibh5tIsp3ZK-H1HPWSl1StmW_7ABzvAr-UHbZW9_caXbQeAQiFUn3IUkU5I5ngpdNUMnQNp7TA8FLAsShxG66LaM7Mw5buTbM8Y3Sji7lOprCuI3j3GC5mb-9/s1600/IMG_6843.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSI_dc5qvQaKJ4iC93QJibh5tIsp3ZK-H1HPWSl1StmW_7ABzvAr-UHbZW9_caXbQeAQiFUn3IUkU5I5ngpdNUMnQNp7TA8FLAsShxG66LaM7Mw5buTbM8Y3Sji7lOprCuI3j3GC5mb-9/s400/IMG_6843.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477588144734341442" border="0" /></a><br />Put them all together in the pot<br />along with one of my own additions to the recipe:<br /><br />1 tsp of cayenne pepper (for a little zing)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J_-gzLKy3e-LyzkTLGwLWqUFfFsKoaZX8vgpBmBqxq8TlrtW84RRn8v6FaMaRNiA98oBbmNuHO65aPbzEU_ReTlVBjCojrqK2hqDxWKJ26IwmkvtCVpG0sUA1emRiatDqEU6gs6t4uu8/s1600/IMG_6847.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J_-gzLKy3e-LyzkTLGwLWqUFfFsKoaZX8vgpBmBqxq8TlrtW84RRn8v6FaMaRNiA98oBbmNuHO65aPbzEU_ReTlVBjCojrqK2hqDxWKJ26IwmkvtCVpG0sUA1emRiatDqEU6gs6t4uu8/s400/IMG_6847.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477581679896248914" border="0" /></a><br />And the indispensable glass of wine<br /><br />...and voila...<br /><br />Dinner alfresco!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qYk7h6YO-1ry3xgV2cqcT8pxiKTiBZaY3EKtZLlrCy1hExXaQkds8jrFOLENMweB-V3HJdAWBCsQfI7gYJF5P4ARAg6ebdkLxm_BV3WuzWVuXAVFWMt_8VTEFN9jqmel8EIhUVJCB5Q9/s1600/IMG_6854.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qYk7h6YO-1ry3xgV2cqcT8pxiKTiBZaY3EKtZLlrCy1hExXaQkds8jrFOLENMweB-V3HJdAWBCsQfI7gYJF5P4ARAg6ebdkLxm_BV3WuzWVuXAVFWMt_8VTEFN9jqmel8EIhUVJCB5Q9/s400/IMG_6854.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477581835156260578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9eTo1qGHOYW-0AaTXMkP3HPi8vR3cLnN2qvBiDUxQPDOjzGS7YaILrekBJ3nnqhx5tiP5jJtBijLQuOyqDqoDCfTEKMUH9d4W48slbWyIr4z911IP4gHCk4j7q5H6dlwnVgurTxsWkdc/s1600/IMG_6850.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9eTo1qGHOYW-0AaTXMkP3HPi8vR3cLnN2qvBiDUxQPDOjzGS7YaILrekBJ3nnqhx5tiP5jJtBijLQuOyqDqoDCfTEKMUH9d4W48slbWyIr4z911IP4gHCk4j7q5H6dlwnVgurTxsWkdc/s400/IMG_6850.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477591831697086162" border="0" /></a>Have a great week<br /><br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-70312942309030854772010-05-30T11:37:00.000-07:002010-05-30T13:41:25.467-07:00Reminders...<div style="text-align: center;"><br />I have been feeling a bit sorry for myself lately<br />As winter slid into spring<br />the weather warmed,<br />though its been a rainier cooler year all round<br /><br />...I had dreams of a leisurely spring<br />of planning out my garden,<br />days in the sun...<br /><br />You know that dream?<br /><br />Unfortunately this has remained just a dream.<br />The reality is that there's never enough time in the day<br />to accomplish the things I love to do,<br />let alone the things that have to be done.<br /><br />The mad dash starts early each morning<br />and goes until late in the evening.<br /><br />...the current job keeps money coming in,<br />but is demanding and time consuming<br /><br />...the comings and goings of the household,<br /><br />...the never-ending household up-keep,<br />laundry, cleaning, meals, dishes<br /><br />...family health and losses<br /><br /><br />I know I'm not alone here,<br />and really, this is not meant to be a grumble session in any way!<br /><br />But its easy, when life's demands get hectic<br />to lose sight of what's real,<br />and of what brings happiness.<br /><br />We have to look for those things in every moment of every day<br /><br />I haven't had time to read my emails and peruse your blogs,<br />a thing I love doing!<br /><br />I find myself wonder if anyone will actually remember me<br />when I do show up.<br /><br />Then last evening afforded me a precious few moments<br />to reconnect, read emails and blogs...<br /><br />I found an email from my friend <a href="http://cotyfarquhar.blogspot.com/">Coty at Styling by Coty Farquar</a><br />She said she there was an award for me at her blog,<br />so I went to check it out, and here is what it said...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7qfPRbp0rc9o9HgpgG5H_V8DdACnqvLjmAN3YYT9Nz5XJnpKdt6pztQY-JzlBnkQV4FuZjfvTlIwFNbNGNLU_M2uglfvFMqWruyV2xUypfflLh1qcqKdkLyg6ikfhQY0thf8oBE-fYCk/s1600/The+Real+Award.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7qfPRbp0rc9o9HgpgG5H_V8DdACnqvLjmAN3YYT9Nz5XJnpKdt6pztQY-JzlBnkQV4FuZjfvTlIwFNbNGNLU_M2uglfvFMqWruyV2xUypfflLh1qcqKdkLyg6ikfhQY0thf8oBE-fYCk/s400/The+Real+Award.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477134427531111250" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">'This is an award is for those who are brave enough to expose</span></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">just enough to reach, touch, and possibly help someone </span></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">else to see something differently.</span> </span></p> <p align="center"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"></span></p> <p align="center"><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">and I pass this award on to</span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Vicki at Vicki's bit of Earth<br /></span></em></p><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><em>for being true to herself!</em></span><br /><br />And just at a time when I was thinking to myself<br />that I was anything but "true to myself" right now.<br /><br />Thank you Coty~<br />Suddenly I was reminded that every day<br />I must consciously remind myself to enjoy every breathing moment.<br /><br />The job will end, having given me money to spend on my grandbabies!<br /><br />The house will still need attention every day, <br />so take joy in the fact that I have the health to do it!<br /><br />Be thankful for friends,<br />that encourage me to stay true to myself!<br /><br />So today I've been fortunate enough to have a little time to myself<br />and here is what I've with the time...<br /><br />And now I'm passing this lovely award on to<br /><br /><a href="http://dzintrastitcheries.blogspot.com/">Dzintra at Queen of the Armchair</a><br />for her real and tireless devotion to her family<br />and to her blogging friends!<br /><br /><a href="http://missmaddies.blogspot.com/">To Susan at Miss Maddie's</a><br />for her words of encouragement<br />and always showing the real beauty in all of life<br /><br /><a href="http://rhayne73.blogspot.com/">Jaime at Rayne</a><br />for her amazing photos and thoughtful words about real life<br /><a href="http://laughingwithangels.blogspot.com/"><br />June at Laughing With Angels</a><br />for touching us with her words and images of her beautiful life<br /><br /><a href="http://grandmasredneedle.blogspot.com/">Astrid at Grandma's Red Stitches</a><br />for sharing her beautiful work with fabric and thread<br /><br /><a href="http://skclock.blogspot.com/">Shannon at Our World</a><br />for making me laugh and for being a loyal friend to those she loves<br /><br /><a href="http://thepurplecaravan.blogspot.com/">Alina at The Purple Caravan</a><br />for her honest and thoughtful words that never fail to lift my spirits<br />and provoke thoughts about life<br /><br />There are so many more I could add to this list<br />of people I appreciate for being "Real"<br />Wish I could list you all!<br /><br />Thank you all<br /> for coming into my life~<br /><br /><br />~Today~<br /><br /><br />The local small Flea Market<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wR1NCDYJLGBm22xCIDWMGt0y43KWKbJYBouKocu9kjkJoIgVC9Q9zl_i4hfZjCeG8Cu9UeGdbT_W-R62xgLq7zpapKP-fZbKEKnXxiTYTFKSber2pFmeBKzEbDgtRMxQo9Yyx8PmIuNQ/s1600/IMG_6726.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wR1NCDYJLGBm22xCIDWMGt0y43KWKbJYBouKocu9kjkJoIgVC9Q9zl_i4hfZjCeG8Cu9UeGdbT_W-R62xgLq7zpapKP-fZbKEKnXxiTYTFKSber2pFmeBKzEbDgtRMxQo9Yyx8PmIuNQ/s400/IMG_6726.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477134615555391762" border="0" /></a>This little beauty is a covered vegetable bowl<br />by Homer Laughlin - Virginia Fluffy Rose design<br />Years ago my grandmother divided what was left of her<br />wedding china between me and my sister.<br />We each got 6 dinner plates, 6 salad plates and 2 cups<br /><br />I've looked up replacement pieces, and all are fairly expensive,<br />so I've not really bought any...<br />until now!<br />This little lovely was only $3.00!<br />Don't you just love it when you find things like that?<br /><br /><br />Crock Pot & two screens<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBTIk9oboPZecAfOG1MiLnvn68wW_BcviR-V7F4u38tfMSzedeU9zoaEFbAtEkQtc45yLsAFXFZFzCpCNJbqIVfQzL_hq6J8AKOUp9MRhaFWj-igZV2pke7Bn94XDDs9u79IUu5cimWfj/s1600/IMG_6735.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBTIk9oboPZecAfOG1MiLnvn68wW_BcviR-V7F4u38tfMSzedeU9zoaEFbAtEkQtc45yLsAFXFZFzCpCNJbqIVfQzL_hq6J8AKOUp9MRhaFWj-igZV2pke7Bn94XDDs9u79IUu5cimWfj/s400/IMG_6735.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477134754791107154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GuHkuKrlRGQG1ippVlu_iNxAQOd7OU_vJrb_4YdwELfVtRO62HxprU6A28YU8VhVexn0xUMH1I2eLbzBjpTLgViOkixSdfsG6-gZdm08J90URI8KsDM-TuIAj-ULccnKmtam-LcWBkvl/s1600/IMG_6731.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GuHkuKrlRGQG1ippVlu_iNxAQOd7OU_vJrb_4YdwELfVtRO62HxprU6A28YU8VhVexn0xUMH1I2eLbzBjpTLgViOkixSdfsG6-gZdm08J90URI8KsDM-TuIAj-ULccnKmtam-LcWBkvl/s400/IMG_6731.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477134682920153650" border="0" /></a>I've never made my own sauerkraut before,<br />and the cabbages are ready<br />so when I saw this lovely 5 gallon crock,<br />I nabbed it for $10.00!<br /><br />And the screens...<br />I'm not even sure what they're called,<br />but I have an experiment going in the garden...<br />CUMIN!<br />I'm experimenting with growing my own,<br />and according to the how-to's,<br />I will have to thresh the tiny seeds out of the seed heads...<br />I think these screens will do the job just fine!<br />And can't beat $3.00 each, right?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzgT9ypoWEB3go7GdnMN8h-gma6CxVyx6xG5R3CqV3NiANGo6eOXPwu_oTZLubAb6PfiSM6QLWaoy_bMIGbU6Rf66W0pY-AX56C18agFjQWBuTzXJL36sYeykRFzkCDwfuQKZJgqJJqtA/s1600/IMG_6744.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzgT9ypoWEB3go7GdnMN8h-gma6CxVyx6xG5R3CqV3NiANGo6eOXPwu_oTZLubAb6PfiSM6QLWaoy_bMIGbU6Rf66W0pY-AX56C18agFjQWBuTzXJL36sYeykRFzkCDwfuQKZJgqJJqtA/s400/IMG_6744.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477134837629426914" border="0" /></a>Here are the baby Cumin plants...<br />We'll see how they grown!<br /><br />This morning the sun was sparkling on my garden<br />I just had to take a pic of it<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfvhl-GD6jXmrnmc5hS-y_qC2agJJrE2i7xLLrnf_mO8pr13ePzHrrriSCvvwFNlAkctcxdibaBAO9jiDEoY2jmDRN1VUIauQZi8pDLitb7KGkfSbrwh3ISv5_FNR0PUIIUjgUx5IsFOg/s1600/IMG_6721.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfvhl-GD6jXmrnmc5hS-y_qC2agJJrE2i7xLLrnf_mO8pr13ePzHrrriSCvvwFNlAkctcxdibaBAO9jiDEoY2jmDRN1VUIauQZi8pDLitb7KGkfSbrwh3ISv5_FNR0PUIIUjgUx5IsFOg/s400/IMG_6721.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477134567460776258" border="0" /></a><br />I hung Chamomile up to dry...<br />I'm thinking tea for next winter!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ReeyICDb3t6Uxt8i6KFMml4r4FpcHrH76dLYry9EwjOG38a1_mOeMm-cFLhWuCqqEqrURvRfVzSlf-IXGjebQiqAQwegDlpS5_4Lwq_PnFvY6aJdNV8NpLAO88wESa5oklNQkUIQGjh8/s1600/IMG_6745.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ReeyICDb3t6Uxt8i6KFMml4r4FpcHrH76dLYry9EwjOG38a1_mOeMm-cFLhWuCqqEqrURvRfVzSlf-IXGjebQiqAQwegDlpS5_4Lwq_PnFvY6aJdNV8NpLAO88wESa5oklNQkUIQGjh8/s400/IMG_6745.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477134903094018018" border="0" /></a>Here its growing...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0Zi7VuLEijxoWfDoT3lhMyuJg8PkA56hA1LGLoWXqHiHzeEVbuQbA3nJHXv0aGqvJ54K3zsTWVg88-u9mYX25e0uGp7BtxiDQu3lbDz2g6v3LfFiqCOlUrM-kvgVei6JL9ugjTDQVbKu/s1600/IMG_6774.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0Zi7VuLEijxoWfDoT3lhMyuJg8PkA56hA1LGLoWXqHiHzeEVbuQbA3nJHXv0aGqvJ54K3zsTWVg88-u9mYX25e0uGp7BtxiDQu3lbDz2g6v3LfFiqCOlUrM-kvgVei6JL9ugjTDQVbKu/s400/IMG_6774.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477138364902768402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidt5X4astvSYd4JOhyVBdwWR2x6IFVXKZQFxmvOZc3vReR0D3Fg3IOqBp58dGdr3Ta7L8QEVN25sVvNJvf2_nC61zSPnc57WhXCOZEam128B4cQfMojCthvMOasOCj4sYgzpmeSDuPAjD/s1600/IMG_6778.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidt5X4astvSYd4JOhyVBdwWR2x6IFVXKZQFxmvOZc3vReR0D3Fg3IOqBp58dGdr3Ta7L8QEVN25sVvNJvf2_nC61zSPnc57WhXCOZEam128B4cQfMojCthvMOasOCj4sYgzpmeSDuPAjD/s400/IMG_6778.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477138417579375138" border="0" /></a>and here it hangs to dry<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUtMMHEfUkEp9tOigp8XCUpbI461jLdhTysFl8oOBbC1v6nB3B-GQwiZBVSBnZ5Gvcikr9PGziF0UmAJI4uUZWBHFMGknMTnWaDt0P0bTHqa5MB5fPE-QeBhDGwhm1MgSUAY35omIfrHM/s1600/IMG_6760.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUtMMHEfUkEp9tOigp8XCUpbI461jLdhTysFl8oOBbC1v6nB3B-GQwiZBVSBnZ5Gvcikr9PGziF0UmAJI4uUZWBHFMGknMTnWaDt0P0bTHqa5MB5fPE-QeBhDGwhm1MgSUAY35omIfrHM/s400/IMG_6760.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477137105178823202" border="0" /></a>Raspberries are coming on!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtG6YNypk5gJsqcF3z10hL668ST2Xdr7Qdgv1W6j_k-XTt_YliGrkiFQxt76frDe12h5v-0uPpQy1M9-ZoKpZgy-hV8xJ2RcvM2qWm6U8MGV8X7YqmSLyNx56E1mUODkE-aSxo28VKWyR/s1600/IMG_6757.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtG6YNypk5gJsqcF3z10hL668ST2Xdr7Qdgv1W6j_k-XTt_YliGrkiFQxt76frDe12h5v-0uPpQy1M9-ZoKpZgy-hV8xJ2RcvM2qWm6U8MGV8X7YqmSLyNx56E1mUODkE-aSxo28VKWyR/s400/IMG_6757.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477135444921155090" border="0" /></a>Basil and Italian Flat leaf Parsley<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNXhYP-dFTXRJ2kgow7VOj7UHSZV-1hMQmvz2GjmE_pFqwW2b02LqNb0VtmqjQPmD_IlfsReRpPLw1TdC9Cn9o-mmTFr_u997rhY8LiWMHmeA6l9NriPFytaNnrzikKaPQeJuaZM7ndVk/s1600/IMG_6756.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNXhYP-dFTXRJ2kgow7VOj7UHSZV-1hMQmvz2GjmE_pFqwW2b02LqNb0VtmqjQPmD_IlfsReRpPLw1TdC9Cn9o-mmTFr_u997rhY8LiWMHmeA6l9NriPFytaNnrzikKaPQeJuaZM7ndVk/s400/IMG_6756.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477135154847869378" border="0" /></a>The first tomatoes will be ready for harvest soon...<br />we're all watching intently,<br />and imagining that wonderful flavor!<br />There's nothing so good as home grown tomatoes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lwPdRxdenVl0gBZwBF3BV0EBOBHrDRoHKwbyfg-gLln0pbkD3byNmYFEf2zUabLzkR1T6NSAOdoNHi7fY9xuyzEyZkmpwqX0Lr1G9mHpwmbWKieT3mbcbUFvze_hv3dyKhA829sYxghA/s1600/IMG_6751.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lwPdRxdenVl0gBZwBF3BV0EBOBHrDRoHKwbyfg-gLln0pbkD3byNmYFEf2zUabLzkR1T6NSAOdoNHi7fY9xuyzEyZkmpwqX0Lr1G9mHpwmbWKieT3mbcbUFvze_hv3dyKhA829sYxghA/s400/IMG_6751.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477135023044097458" border="0" /></a>The Topsy Turvey Tomatoes are doing great!<br />I love this little experiment so far...<br />in fact I may go get a few more of them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWvr3389aYncO_t4KbOdRf75W05XIJfD5RZF8NzqxfKdLyqszPLw_diA-2_r6ECx7fCog9BDcNx79IxkYjyMlDfsphrbgTbr4CA9YgSyb1cWSrMmJ8mWOkw4XJFxhzL_lDK264lJm1kp5/s1600/IMG_6755.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWvr3389aYncO_t4KbOdRf75W05XIJfD5RZF8NzqxfKdLyqszPLw_diA-2_r6ECx7fCog9BDcNx79IxkYjyMlDfsphrbgTbr4CA9YgSyb1cWSrMmJ8mWOkw4XJFxhzL_lDK264lJm1kp5/s400/IMG_6755.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477135087649939810" border="0" /></a>Pickling Cucumbers and lettuce will be ready to plant out this week<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuqXyOjmA9novl3H5Fr1g2hmSLOyUoQ3TlfwoCclM6jAJpPIA2hEvZ1BGiHQ5SDm1FafNFSOlACiXpWIz08Y26Ra3SbukhvDE2t01OUHztVo_isiQWtH3hB6lgbkwPMyAI5r2QFbEwQtX/s1600/IMG_6749.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuqXyOjmA9novl3H5Fr1g2hmSLOyUoQ3TlfwoCclM6jAJpPIA2hEvZ1BGiHQ5SDm1FafNFSOlACiXpWIz08Y26Ra3SbukhvDE2t01OUHztVo_isiQWtH3hB6lgbkwPMyAI5r2QFbEwQtX/s400/IMG_6749.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477134962715095522" border="0" /></a>Flowers will be ready to plant out soon too<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3DVkMd-CVn2w6y4d8aiG99EBllrRXbO1tb71xO7-EBcaIQ_z3_fRMVkQ6rko-6HiFusssAJh3hhmICM1EWCtr2V52arppMk9cGjk2DG6vfwmqaKd0eVAVggXfKB13j8jOEEvfOCxa9Zx/s1600/IMG_6762.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3DVkMd-CVn2w6y4d8aiG99EBllrRXbO1tb71xO7-EBcaIQ_z3_fRMVkQ6rko-6HiFusssAJh3hhmICM1EWCtr2V52arppMk9cGjk2DG6vfwmqaKd0eVAVggXfKB13j8jOEEvfOCxa9Zx/s400/IMG_6762.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477137728843488898" border="0" /></a>And the flowers in front of the greenhouse are in full swing<br /><br />Last, but not least.... bear with me here!<br /><br />The girls are just too cute!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciuF18RokTgv6rFHHY1d5sQA4oujjCrFxsG78DsSpoZFia4Ang42aYOCII1CQgkBpiRQpdinjSXduadoG7iqOLfUAExtWMYaRYWJbT_yuuZVOLIUHrzEiWyBj5hG0Odr8V5Gf5Bf2_emS/s1600/IMG_6770.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciuF18RokTgv6rFHHY1d5sQA4oujjCrFxsG78DsSpoZFia4Ang42aYOCII1CQgkBpiRQpdinjSXduadoG7iqOLfUAExtWMYaRYWJbT_yuuZVOLIUHrzEiWyBj5hG0Odr8V5Gf5Bf2_emS/s400/IMG_6770.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477137779756942514" border="0" /></a>Hana and Putt-Putt are full grown,<br />and should be laying eggs soon...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPIBdRzbbvbZKyJ5NkuWpA07MTjaU6meoj4ffq8Vd4qXwL_iCWfCgB9IyPdoHIvSs3AungcJyim_jGCnXT0S7GGnl4-I7_vVO_EbaTkriVLrvSNxSBcdCGHcwJ582cPxSMzZWlIqCycA-/s1600/IMG_6797.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPIBdRzbbvbZKyJ5NkuWpA07MTjaU6meoj4ffq8Vd4qXwL_iCWfCgB9IyPdoHIvSs3AungcJyim_jGCnXT0S7GGnl4-I7_vVO_EbaTkriVLrvSNxSBcdCGHcwJ582cPxSMzZWlIqCycA-/s400/IMG_6797.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477138469919936450" border="0" /></a>They still think they are people (:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Xoji_3ZLUypnoLzz59oEcwmRjcuSUl5iZy3y5RGBpBuinDU9eYFFZJNXghr0UZElZxQg8bi33yUfLvUg6VoH6OUD8vVfft98RSDKVHUWkrBfUCyY1c3Q4vWY7FQxJHJN8q0TN_8wJRUS/s1600/IMG_6810.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Xoji_3ZLUypnoLzz59oEcwmRjcuSUl5iZy3y5RGBpBuinDU9eYFFZJNXghr0UZElZxQg8bi33yUfLvUg6VoH6OUD8vVfft98RSDKVHUWkrBfUCyY1c3Q4vWY7FQxJHJN8q0TN_8wJRUS/s400/IMG_6810.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477138524225278466" border="0" /></a>The little girls are about half grown<br /><br />Funny thing...<br />I thought I'd be the only one who loves them,<br />but it appears that hubby loves them too.<br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-36137060303306757512010-05-21T21:09:00.000-07:002010-05-21T21:32:01.208-07:00Scenes of a busy life<div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjqq4_W6v9Q5JN4DH8Wg3NEzv8s4p7GFN8L9lmueybSzwIe3BWmfv-NE15sxoxNFDSMM3zXzOmEFP095Khb7G49_f2y7ycQ_8crVD22HxwFiLKeHA6MAOaxHaywxJIq36WbXS2KNkkkiw/s1600/IMG_6555.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjqq4_W6v9Q5JN4DH8Wg3NEzv8s4p7GFN8L9lmueybSzwIe3BWmfv-NE15sxoxNFDSMM3zXzOmEFP095Khb7G49_f2y7ycQ_8crVD22HxwFiLKeHA6MAOaxHaywxJIq36WbXS2KNkkkiw/s400/IMG_6555.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473941914881616434" border="0" /></a>The older I get,<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">the faster life goes.<br /><br /><br />Right now I'm dreaming of the day when I can<br /><br />...putter in the garden allll day, every day<br /><br />...sit and read a whole book in the sun<br /><br />...walk down to the beach every single day<br /><br />...go see my grandbabies any ol time I want<br /><br />...sit for a whole half hour in a hot tub of water<br />and get all pruney.<br /><br /><br />but alas,<br />it seems these will remain a dream<br />at least for now.<br /><br />I'll race off to work in the morning<br />back in the evening to make supper,<br />then grab a few minutes here and there<br />to complete mini-harvests from my garden...<br /><br />~Life~<br /><br />I remain grateful for it all<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEHhf1vUOOFZXTisUcTqfMGDotXvB4sHN50l_CLjwFAahhHgyJ06nqssFuJ2WNmEcZzfi43K_Gly0-2cFo-HUdUqeatYCQx9voKY7QHWWrUQGZHKmzWwF_1Eg41dQXUP6s5DUXDLGnsjK/s1600/IMG_6611.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEHhf1vUOOFZXTisUcTqfMGDotXvB4sHN50l_CLjwFAahhHgyJ06nqssFuJ2WNmEcZzfi43K_Gly0-2cFo-HUdUqeatYCQx9voKY7QHWWrUQGZHKmzWwF_1Eg41dQXUP6s5DUXDLGnsjK/s400/IMG_6611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942499454947522" border="0" /></a><br />Scenes from my Bit-o-Earth<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHBOz3pygi4zOtS5jxY7zcDjZ9Jp7CBN2nxXcgm-1N_-45CaEE43PgZ60hajY0LqRkfoAvJ2O2ihbIx__TPmuRACIVvTOmFdBURRFt9woX47suGzdS4AqaSi10frJAixkl5xBuDW2gOfZ/s1600/IMG_6607.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHBOz3pygi4zOtS5jxY7zcDjZ9Jp7CBN2nxXcgm-1N_-45CaEE43PgZ60hajY0LqRkfoAvJ2O2ihbIx__TPmuRACIVvTOmFdBURRFt9woX47suGzdS4AqaSi10frJAixkl5xBuDW2gOfZ/s400/IMG_6607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942437374134706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9urxKmLcQigS1VzH3wv-6dTeQ4FDy-Cuv-rIEheH-rs2J3Qviz9We_kk_ksOPug-dyQdpYBif82R03jtGHeVS_XwpftraDMos_cx2pc9ucrPhSx3q8kKC_qVRw_jugprm2BuUcOqzFfo/s1600/IMG_6559.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9urxKmLcQigS1VzH3wv-6dTeQ4FDy-Cuv-rIEheH-rs2J3Qviz9We_kk_ksOPug-dyQdpYBif82R03jtGHeVS_XwpftraDMos_cx2pc9ucrPhSx3q8kKC_qVRw_jugprm2BuUcOqzFfo/s400/IMG_6559.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942057340331794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbZbWh8Dm_xfZCx2Sj16LckzN2bsId3hYc0KjAF7K-pPzH0eymrWjc_bsmzLnbWq9j_5D9LStajpsllXAQ1bim1NmsbbrgFF7BSXZNF8fJ0rV3KDjHyKdog90Wc5iTqHLrLQyBcVc0LoZ/s1600/IMG_6605.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbZbWh8Dm_xfZCx2Sj16LckzN2bsId3hYc0KjAF7K-pPzH0eymrWjc_bsmzLnbWq9j_5D9LStajpsllXAQ1bim1NmsbbrgFF7BSXZNF8fJ0rV3KDjHyKdog90Wc5iTqHLrLQyBcVc0LoZ/s400/IMG_6605.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942292089470706" border="0" /></a></span></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23SWl-Wo4Z6wDAn8fi1TJ4z8h3xnoSeQPFCgjySb4KBJMlBf48s29NEY9A-10gWgbIc5X_Wb8r1V2MRX0ksk48Yg9Hnb4iEd7tlTvlt8UP_G8vcmE0qMHFLqT4durKgQIvRMYoohAlAsB/s1600/IMG_6583.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23SWl-Wo4Z6wDAn8fi1TJ4z8h3xnoSeQPFCgjySb4KBJMlBf48s29NEY9A-10gWgbIc5X_Wb8r1V2MRX0ksk48Yg9Hnb4iEd7tlTvlt8UP_G8vcmE0qMHFLqT4durKgQIvRMYoohAlAsB/s400/IMG_6583.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942134839428370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAldRAyLVYX-rUWqDJb0U_2Gkx1QKhhT2fVE7pXx4YXFjxAzt92VVxxPRcmVyTUNCPL5PqrwrCUD7hqRyV7ATXoTGmiw6fkjOhGA7mG1WMphv8oAB6VUTnXJF_SUBxJ1KOMpbGWr5Qjyv/s1600/IMG_6592.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAldRAyLVYX-rUWqDJb0U_2Gkx1QKhhT2fVE7pXx4YXFjxAzt92VVxxPRcmVyTUNCPL5PqrwrCUD7hqRyV7ATXoTGmiw6fkjOhGA7mG1WMphv8oAB6VUTnXJF_SUBxJ1KOMpbGWr5Qjyv/s400/IMG_6592.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942185319642530" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">~Today's Harvest~<br /><br />Broccoli<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq2k5DkwGyEz5tmiX22-5xnVfCJ8SMZhh79Qel7Oh2mLCYD8KD4eiBd3eXWNUr_Ui2y7-NNO-ZMXCxBssOAl5ml2l_sXMrPAPM7KERIsqKpZklNx_chbj_jbeKmLd6VAyWUldnSh8g8jC/s1600/IMG_6626.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq2k5DkwGyEz5tmiX22-5xnVfCJ8SMZhh79Qel7Oh2mLCYD8KD4eiBd3eXWNUr_Ui2y7-NNO-ZMXCxBssOAl5ml2l_sXMrPAPM7KERIsqKpZklNx_chbj_jbeKmLd6VAyWUldnSh8g8jC/s400/IMG_6626.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942675929356482" border="0" /></a><br />Cabbage<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOs5kRtbbxtOlzyR6Qo936dOG8lGXrRJbOmUNthZTz9ajf6QShapnNbJSkD0R9mAVCrROH1-Su19A8pi1ey4Y0xypTuvintY-FDsDp8SzyehymveBxFKc3aH0prXw98WMimxU2TB0BbA8/s1600/IMG_6621.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOs5kRtbbxtOlzyR6Qo936dOG8lGXrRJbOmUNthZTz9ajf6QShapnNbJSkD0R9mAVCrROH1-Su19A8pi1ey4Y0xypTuvintY-FDsDp8SzyehymveBxFKc3aH0prXw98WMimxU2TB0BbA8/s400/IMG_6621.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942552085192578" border="0" /></a><br />And Oregano<br /><br />This year's supply will be hung to dry<br />and stored is a glass jar<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4WFStUOPh26nDQuOk2is8iOzuRTFGWpSfC2e6Po-Xo7NRFKVXGHvb_DKTn6HIZ3ha1RUXIsOQu9rYww5UEWDkWH68KrnbknCxlCeSXJ-2vxTqC08MsPc_Vsk0ObynYGLnw4NWof8E6BO/s1600/IMG_6651.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4WFStUOPh26nDQuOk2is8iOzuRTFGWpSfC2e6Po-Xo7NRFKVXGHvb_DKTn6HIZ3ha1RUXIsOQu9rYww5UEWDkWH68KrnbknCxlCeSXJ-2vxTqC08MsPc_Vsk0ObynYGLnw4NWof8E6BO/s400/IMG_6651.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942730942639474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoUCxtesIYkHrGlM1gWtKG6mLOL5EchxK18ajuK0zyap6fLfQg7Ahj7Myq7l08wMPTas_br2eDKDeg-sP9SsmtYyTW5FsB6Eqzhe3t19cXlOTEEbTDOyl_EDyKmVhQFPDAIO5oZbd-kAd/s1600/IMG_6656.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoUCxtesIYkHrGlM1gWtKG6mLOL5EchxK18ajuK0zyap6fLfQg7Ahj7Myq7l08wMPTas_br2eDKDeg-sP9SsmtYyTW5FsB6Eqzhe3t19cXlOTEEbTDOyl_EDyKmVhQFPDAIO5oZbd-kAd/s400/IMG_6656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942788329207746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL95hC-MMD2YGMl4uQOSjgOC1ECp4kGXDzafol0cbuR1NqtiGZDBka28xOkE48Drai43gbYutwEHFOW0ni2fJ9MtQA1Mjn-4NO5eLkg4MgGah2ZYWeo2HBrBP2A1LvP-ZhsKOICyl1jvU/s1600/IMG_6665.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL95hC-MMD2YGMl4uQOSjgOC1ECp4kGXDzafol0cbuR1NqtiGZDBka28xOkE48Drai43gbYutwEHFOW0ni2fJ9MtQA1Mjn-4NO5eLkg4MgGah2ZYWeo2HBrBP2A1LvP-ZhsKOICyl1jvU/s400/IMG_6665.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942965314574322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8gn8quNNwpsE4VZ4-y8Q6jJaHg3mlLubNYEfJgiiEAsa4nVyHQJeKmmxE5FyANOSmC4bIT5CQxL3ANrFRyYqzbJjIt8L3_My2dq0TKYtWgtb4gltKCrprlSqUuP-g-rljsbStiq03OTP/s1600/IMG_6661.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8gn8quNNwpsE4VZ4-y8Q6jJaHg3mlLubNYEfJgiiEAsa4nVyHQJeKmmxE5FyANOSmC4bIT5CQxL3ANrFRyYqzbJjIt8L3_My2dq0TKYtWgtb4gltKCrprlSqUuP-g-rljsbStiq03OTP/s400/IMG_6661.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473942891879653314" border="0" /></a>How about you?<br />Do you have time for all you wish to do?<br /><br />Have a great weekend dear friends!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-22776237293133745722010-05-10T21:12:00.000-07:002010-05-10T21:49:33.822-07:00Busy Bit-O-Earth<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebYOwf6Mzyk0Vi4XmtwRbk2bfJrOZRAGxwRPd_fhAox9VKgb64VDDcGn3y2HLDbIsHess42Ed_UdQQ0wNBJYUU80RjuKQ2CSsraP1jviSfZbGw515TCkk7BnkP4noy5flOVAnYDRqHjWN/s1600/IMG_6530.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebYOwf6Mzyk0Vi4XmtwRbk2bfJrOZRAGxwRPd_fhAox9VKgb64VDDcGn3y2HLDbIsHess42Ed_UdQQ0wNBJYUU80RjuKQ2CSsraP1jviSfZbGw515TCkk7BnkP4noy5flOVAnYDRqHjWN/s400/IMG_6530.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469863131730426626" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Have you ever been so busy<br />that you don't know which end is up?<br /><br />That's what its doing here at my bit-o-earth!<br /><br /><br />The chicken coop is finally done!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh-7j49i1q_bZ2fOTw8TQ2QJN_OuEbia9IcCQvxePn1hxMedyT2MbIsYDCM3hIxkWy1LunGKXKlTz0Ou7mThBHYgG3-56E3rA6uqMQTCrpPhqcPLA5YnnJAuZMTfjO6gP49N68jMPD_19/s1600/IMG_6464.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh-7j49i1q_bZ2fOTw8TQ2QJN_OuEbia9IcCQvxePn1hxMedyT2MbIsYDCM3hIxkWy1LunGKXKlTz0Ou7mThBHYgG3-56E3rA6uqMQTCrpPhqcPLA5YnnJAuZMTfjO6gP49N68jMPD_19/s400/IMG_6464.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469860875817497186" border="0" /></a>and the younger girls seem to like it<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGOGkhYhafp6Np2wQ3Lq7RkHqI9mwuM-BzLPEHuLtgTDXgB3KT-786Bqf0zNmuf0o25CzGpvUOpaW7qu4Fj5VikdkzcmDQAECkvRvpnO1OwCghlD-kODk6ocDPEuJ7HqQzn4HFmjUd5zw/s1600/IMG_6475.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGOGkhYhafp6Np2wQ3Lq7RkHqI9mwuM-BzLPEHuLtgTDXgB3KT-786Bqf0zNmuf0o25CzGpvUOpaW7qu4Fj5VikdkzcmDQAECkvRvpnO1OwCghlD-kODk6ocDPEuJ7HqQzn4HFmjUd5zw/s400/IMG_6475.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469861254286113730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HC-SiXSHnBhD92SLQpF_Qix7EtRKKEicrPnOr5vnTdc8SAV_uXfNyEtENVQRkElKpga9Sh-hO7GPC-gBegiFyQESi48KiyQPHeZZ4ZV_3Ha-p2_wfSHIDE__8kYtpf-VaZCdi1VoqNhF/s1600/IMG_6465.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HC-SiXSHnBhD92SLQpF_Qix7EtRKKEicrPnOr5vnTdc8SAV_uXfNyEtENVQRkElKpga9Sh-hO7GPC-gBegiFyQESi48KiyQPHeZZ4ZV_3Ha-p2_wfSHIDE__8kYtpf-VaZCdi1VoqNhF/s400/IMG_6465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469860957821426114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM4T_I5yoNoNzP1qlfBi2ED5Eeeuy_QLMMWBfx3YbDRRUWsEtWlUb87VZtM5vG_bfuDZg_ZhpaeEZTUTffrZ447xEPRquFu3Wa0QLk_VZIJ9FoAnOOFdjZX-WHYZvgjYrHwcrdYZ8sdPF/s1600/IMG_6472.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM4T_I5yoNoNzP1qlfBi2ED5Eeeuy_QLMMWBfx3YbDRRUWsEtWlUb87VZtM5vG_bfuDZg_ZhpaeEZTUTffrZ447xEPRquFu3Wa0QLk_VZIJ9FoAnOOFdjZX-WHYZvgjYrHwcrdYZ8sdPF/s400/IMG_6472.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469861083363255874" border="0" /></a><br />But the two older girls, (Hana and Putt-Putt)<br />get to wander around the yard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJw_zNhnKfnrlpEavA08BctTtJSl2HYjCJgQIiQRvTnBDo0e5tiFGS94l47kUwL797pqCxknmbNBJa8xF_EarJdd5D7Z9l-BnOc1dAk9IZEY7GuZkPfyled5QHXoGnBpRzyukDJ3AyOBTX/s1600/IMG_6515.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJw_zNhnKfnrlpEavA08BctTtJSl2HYjCJgQIiQRvTnBDo0e5tiFGS94l47kUwL797pqCxknmbNBJa8xF_EarJdd5D7Z9l-BnOc1dAk9IZEY7GuZkPfyled5QHXoGnBpRzyukDJ3AyOBTX/s400/IMG_6515.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862709714556450" border="0" /></a><br />I have to admit I'm pretty much of a softie with these two.<br />Since they were the only survivors of the dog attack,<br />they've enjoyed special treatment.<br /><br />Everyone in the family is attached to them,<br />and their antics never fail to bring a smile,<br />or an all-out laugh!<br /><br />Sometimes we have to race them to the back door<br />to get inside and shut the door before they get there...<br /><br />I guess they haven't forgotten where they were raised,<br />or maybe they think their human!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby51Sanc7eLNpUgTZpu14YGZucaMJLSmZJtyWuq84kzvgXbxNmUnGhHY35SMC8OnMUho2REtamqqCYrqYRfG-3MQL5imdRwnAXt861WMe_cj6nm2E0DfOHxiNM2p1WrIfstsIND5PeJYi/s1600/IMG_6477.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby51Sanc7eLNpUgTZpu14YGZucaMJLSmZJtyWuq84kzvgXbxNmUnGhHY35SMC8OnMUho2REtamqqCYrqYRfG-3MQL5imdRwnAXt861WMe_cj6nm2E0DfOHxiNM2p1WrIfstsIND5PeJYi/s400/IMG_6477.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469865487162329218" border="0" /></a>(Hana does have a full leg here... she's just resting on it)<br /><br /><br />The garden is in full swing...<br /><br />Peas for stir-fry<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdljA9qky5Ifu2M-VVcmc3gcz-uIf2K-KydoFvacvR9oCIIV9JeA_di8HaBlpwo_K1sKc2lE_JdZhynwb-1i2KzkkT-DrrRLwRGK1bdNZaNY_fG0pjr8zJH8D018msXdd5xApbfY2TVz0/s1600/IMG_6486.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdljA9qky5Ifu2M-VVcmc3gcz-uIf2K-KydoFvacvR9oCIIV9JeA_di8HaBlpwo_K1sKc2lE_JdZhynwb-1i2KzkkT-DrrRLwRGK1bdNZaNY_fG0pjr8zJH8D018msXdd5xApbfY2TVz0/s400/IMG_6486.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469861543204710850" border="0" /></a><br />Baby Leeks<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM-0oqPNnJZDlLIMKDAlBfzpIKWc3viQgZIHI3bDu7QEDycspNUif59FWF95C9uP_AtFTB7TglLAbryFK7lZkDk_NCCXE85We7cQOxVTWR8EwA0Pf5y0ip9CRaqu9U10GVemoUnDKiTKc/s1600/IMG_6489.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM-0oqPNnJZDlLIMKDAlBfzpIKWc3viQgZIHI3bDu7QEDycspNUif59FWF95C9uP_AtFTB7TglLAbryFK7lZkDk_NCCXE85We7cQOxVTWR8EwA0Pf5y0ip9CRaqu9U10GVemoUnDKiTKc/s400/IMG_6489.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469861626537890162" border="0" /></a><br />Corn<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqJnr02CRvNd_OquyX6z4HupLi53k9IimVkGrNMfkRZiOfiKF0EwTZBcb0sxtGWvq_RXAJNK-GyVVcc9PQqC3n6Q_Be1AhYtuTCNO0apM7dhcqbQEoRMwpfEOIv77mgAm6fycwsE1H4lo/s1600/IMG_6504.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqJnr02CRvNd_OquyX6z4HupLi53k9IimVkGrNMfkRZiOfiKF0EwTZBcb0sxtGWvq_RXAJNK-GyVVcc9PQqC3n6Q_Be1AhYtuTCNO0apM7dhcqbQEoRMwpfEOIv77mgAm6fycwsE1H4lo/s400/IMG_6504.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862213277203778" border="0" /></a>My Grandpa used to say that corn should be<br />"knee high by the 4th of July."<br />I think we're right on track here!<br /><br /><br />The tomato plants have reached the rafters of the greenhouse<br />where the garden chandelier hangs,<br />and we should have ripe tomatoes within a month<br />Yipeeee!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4ssP05k-QAfIFn0KXw0Dgyx8-CRB9s4gDudcouabSjJAATbFGQTMvQ30MTcPLXtLRXXkPCwcwhMqZ7YOk0GC0jQzLQmeO-BUnPelCFJ3mXu1puGJOSXoh71HFERGFpNmzcqyFbRR-lnA/s1600/IMG_6498.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4ssP05k-QAfIFn0KXw0Dgyx8-CRB9s4gDudcouabSjJAATbFGQTMvQ30MTcPLXtLRXXkPCwcwhMqZ7YOk0GC0jQzLQmeO-BUnPelCFJ3mXu1puGJOSXoh71HFERGFpNmzcqyFbRR-lnA/s400/IMG_6498.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862078860932978" border="0" /></a>And my newest experiment,<br />the Topsy Turvy Tomato grower is doing great!<br />I may even get a few more of them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUyea35MFNpkqgVnppcVsanpEjNzlIr-YAREmOZnKUraDM5NB8UNcq9zlZHEk-vaAoWfjeJ4vnJj-jzx6ApSJcmVrrW8BcUwBGp-XpqchdreBcSJn3pQmhCM1_91DHLmwRumz2k824EQU/s1600/IMG_6493.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUyea35MFNpkqgVnppcVsanpEjNzlIr-YAREmOZnKUraDM5NB8UNcq9zlZHEk-vaAoWfjeJ4vnJj-jzx6ApSJcmVrrW8BcUwBGp-XpqchdreBcSJn3pQmhCM1_91DHLmwRumz2k824EQU/s400/IMG_6493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469861977025437554" border="0" /></a><br />The Bean Tipi has baby beans sprouting around the bottom.<br />In a few months the walls will grow<br />and hopefully fill the tipi with all colors of hanging beans!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcm6CrjVtNg-TkFp004qx_Wt6jlOnJsT7MdUkP7ZcCX3Ya9dF30cFBBDY91HtsS0AkurqJtJDKz51LMUKHPb4LfhW5lQ5kbF8Vd-pxlXdAqIUfNtzM5qwtadEV1Zsz8gAaK4br4T9l0Fz/s1600/IMG_6506.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcm6CrjVtNg-TkFp004qx_Wt6jlOnJsT7MdUkP7ZcCX3Ya9dF30cFBBDY91HtsS0AkurqJtJDKz51LMUKHPb4LfhW5lQ5kbF8Vd-pxlXdAqIUfNtzM5qwtadEV1Zsz8gAaK4br4T9l0Fz/s400/IMG_6506.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862426301495682" border="0" /></a><br />Chamomile is ready to pick and dry for winter tea<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbfCe7tx0cDhpE3uzcBZCfq4VKJZX_xtOovqLkXwhCaQxl_aQg75c9CcacV0NBX2utABePjP_wqIcqX6jryKU39P_OUriEF2OVcao8NRrTLjJs6ZTxX8PuwEvsrWKsEZRh3XegUhB27yr/s1600/IMG_6491.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbfCe7tx0cDhpE3uzcBZCfq4VKJZX_xtOovqLkXwhCaQxl_aQg75c9CcacV0NBX2utABePjP_wqIcqX6jryKU39P_OUriEF2OVcao8NRrTLjJs6ZTxX8PuwEvsrWKsEZRh3XegUhB27yr/s400/IMG_6491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469861743147176354" border="0" /></a><br />California Poppies<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bBFklbDv-CEhkhAQnPEqEzE22Qjqfcc-lOVuEwoyJNhSFXQJJQZwmhIUyh0Q3wG0ksPR7QEZ3540Sanpy-tcNo8wRoskvwrsBJ6QGWXZgiPsvxm_HOCOZrd7HPJPwSAWoSp-HZH2rF_V/s1600/IMG_6492.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bBFklbDv-CEhkhAQnPEqEzE22Qjqfcc-lOVuEwoyJNhSFXQJJQZwmhIUyh0Q3wG0ksPR7QEZ3540Sanpy-tcNo8wRoskvwrsBJ6QGWXZgiPsvxm_HOCOZrd7HPJPwSAWoSp-HZH2rF_V/s400/IMG_6492.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469861864206369090" border="0" /></a>and purple Flags<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4faqIFv1-GNnRqUWgDtMtPcnUUssMTIKMSy8PrLywSao0_zg-oKIvdbQQDUU-_dDatDDImPnhB8Icym0L6e_DLRGvgbAxLAhraB0SuwmenUqfBbkZfW72ys-Oi7ZuRN2AFSz-eTdMCmi/s1600/IMG_6482.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4faqIFv1-GNnRqUWgDtMtPcnUUssMTIKMSy8PrLywSao0_zg-oKIvdbQQDUU-_dDatDDImPnhB8Icym0L6e_DLRGvgbAxLAhraB0SuwmenUqfBbkZfW72ys-Oi7ZuRN2AFSz-eTdMCmi/s400/IMG_6482.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469861355607619186" border="0" /></a><br />My favorite flower...<br />the Roses are in full bloom<br />I can't resist bringing in vases full of them!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhpB6EjcRjrIWoJCVis0o06yiencLKs7wV2K-9TXsVc58ACbsgyXrPQ0r9c5S8owDVKFIGfEWEhqXLwpegMzrktzfMVMmHsv4wFoer53nq8g0Rym4E89XWH8iaBJdAkXQIpWeFQ01G3Y7/s1600/IMG_6517.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhpB6EjcRjrIWoJCVis0o06yiencLKs7wV2K-9TXsVc58ACbsgyXrPQ0r9c5S8owDVKFIGfEWEhqXLwpegMzrktzfMVMmHsv4wFoer53nq8g0Rym4E89XWH8iaBJdAkXQIpWeFQ01G3Y7/s400/IMG_6517.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862860543136178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprf1r-VYPkY0-G-ect7_SePQpBVEFQeSoflEhdid8GpcubiPfIcfgFfvaAK2EW8Eq9ggFQKJ2nT7IujKLwiVZUOihrFZQ22Gj6udF4sWFtRiy4sdhdDGL1rPrXZFJfaWav_zbxl04xYL3/s1600/IMG_6549.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprf1r-VYPkY0-G-ect7_SePQpBVEFQeSoflEhdid8GpcubiPfIcfgFfvaAK2EW8Eq9ggFQKJ2nT7IujKLwiVZUOihrFZQ22Gj6udF4sWFtRiy4sdhdDGL1rPrXZFJfaWav_zbxl04xYL3/s400/IMG_6549.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469863215478795490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlNAXoe_Ns2gIIv_I48wAcwmOkGqw6-fcnvK-3tTGvvUr4qQHdJNxMMP-tHGCdVQKl761S_XVFjfGHUZSDPg5pEIep2n8doSxypvGy0dI_CiY9Jk4Dm5siz0kGu8R8n6zX5TGs011gk8N/s1600/IMG_6518.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlNAXoe_Ns2gIIv_I48wAcwmOkGqw6-fcnvK-3tTGvvUr4qQHdJNxMMP-tHGCdVQKl761S_XVFjfGHUZSDPg5pEIep2n8doSxypvGy0dI_CiY9Jk4Dm5siz0kGu8R8n6zX5TGs011gk8N/s400/IMG_6518.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862960319909010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n6clvOq08Tzdqiw7StE_TyOo4kszbR85oZgMBhrcEfwU2UEsa1XLO1r5avdyv7X_7Yy0GDZz0YGG5CDTTXIvqlS8M7LDf_pRp7IHN_IY7f3hwZkr4xAgLiSbbDvZBnS0yWy4yaG2Qim1/s1600/IMG_6526.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n6clvOq08Tzdqiw7StE_TyOo4kszbR85oZgMBhrcEfwU2UEsa1XLO1r5avdyv7X_7Yy0GDZz0YGG5CDTTXIvqlS8M7LDf_pRp7IHN_IY7f3hwZkr4xAgLiSbbDvZBnS0yWy4yaG2Qim1/s400/IMG_6526.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469863049037385154" border="0" /></a>So that's my spring so far...<br /><br />How's yours?<br /><br /></span></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-84327954815530466822010-05-09T08:40:00.000-07:002010-05-09T08:47:55.464-07:00Mother's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoN6E5_w113P7MRqhPohBg-tKGW6DFvKd8Tzoj8oBgciju1UaShYEaYrmf5wFCyGwi12RNyC_9LhseX04_tqjSrruQuloclFRf47tBApQoDfsQrHnMmR_LgUkjEaGiFOI_jVbViSZSIfh/s1600/Mday+1959.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoN6E5_w113P7MRqhPohBg-tKGW6DFvKd8Tzoj8oBgciju1UaShYEaYrmf5wFCyGwi12RNyC_9LhseX04_tqjSrruQuloclFRf47tBApQoDfsQrHnMmR_LgUkjEaGiFOI_jVbViSZSIfh/s400/Mday+1959.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469295800107637858" border="0" /></a><br />~Thank you Mom~<br /><br />Thank you for your tireless devotion to three generations;<br />to me<br />to my sons<br />and to my grandchildren~<br /><br />Thank you for your cheerfulness,<br />even though I now know you were more often exhausted<br /><br />Thank you for being a stay-at-home Mom,<br />even though I know the budget was always tight,<br />because raising 4 children with only one parent working<br />was a strain (to say the least)<br />It meant the world to me and the others,<br />though we didn't realize it until years later<br />when we had our own families.<br /><br />Thank you for teaching us<br />to be kind<br />to share<br />to help others<br />to be responsible<br />to be accountable<br />and to be thankful<br /><br />Thank you for always being there<br />when life hurt<br />from the innocent little hurts<br />to the big and heart-breaking ones.<br /><br />Thank you for giving, and giving, and giving...<br />to this very day~<br /><br />Happy Mother's Day<br />~I love you Mom~<br /><br /><br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-74579551942619360912010-04-28T06:58:00.001-07:002010-04-28T07:19:01.634-07:00When life hands you lemons...<div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Make lemonade!<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJKq-hewrDquBeYALsOMxjoGEVUUaw1xY3fAQahgkSyDpWBdb3bU-mLk85q3wo0J6f7nwT6qfieLGe7AGqe86TnZ1X-h-f0uTYVUNROLvG2q5Utcc7hj9nev4DpFW0Z6aC2-gWhKUGnd8/s1600/IMG_6445.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJKq-hewrDquBeYALsOMxjoGEVUUaw1xY3fAQahgkSyDpWBdb3bU-mLk85q3wo0J6f7nwT6qfieLGe7AGqe86TnZ1X-h-f0uTYVUNROLvG2q5Utcc7hj9nev4DpFW0Z6aC2-gWhKUGnd8/s400/IMG_6445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465187769425078114" border="0" /></a></span><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My two not-so-little buddies,<br />Aiden and Ashton came to visit on Sunday<br /><br />I always look forward to visits from my grand-nephews<br /><br />They came ready to be farmers!<br />All dressed up in their overalls,<br />Aiden immediately said,<br />"Aunt Dittie, we have our farmer clothes on<br />so we can work in the garden!"<br /><br />How cute is that!?<br /><br />So I put them to work with shovels,<br />and they did a pretty gosh-darned good job<br />digging the weeds along the edge of the garden.<br /><br />After that, the treat!<br /><br />LEMONADE!<br /><br />They filled every available pocket the the golden jewels<br />from our Lemon trees<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnK0NVAJn0wjfX_E5FjqH2Is3JJDkGKsdl34VH03oxyrUavn9xW4VAF57E43mWwQV-ayAd5K65az-fXelYZuqWOg96t9tWiqWXLoOq_AXeE8nri4mcnH-6RNmgKpZI5N69UL-i6pqqxGz/s1600/IMG_6438.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnK0NVAJn0wjfX_E5FjqH2Is3JJDkGKsdl34VH03oxyrUavn9xW4VAF57E43mWwQV-ayAd5K65az-fXelYZuqWOg96t9tWiqWXLoOq_AXeE8nri4mcnH-6RNmgKpZI5N69UL-i6pqqxGz/s400/IMG_6438.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465187716267352418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJrw5BB5rFzH4t363Y63eY2yvDL_J9BDTTsd90tmq065CAj3RggVnd0UzR_X4GCYH0t_LwIHJ5tZaRtjPMg7nfNwzA3FqBvSdDBDrV6k15YP-tt7r_ctPUYuhdiZ7hp4BgKqD6t4a53rC/s1600/IMG_6449.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJrw5BB5rFzH4t363Y63eY2yvDL_J9BDTTsd90tmq065CAj3RggVnd0UzR_X4GCYH0t_LwIHJ5tZaRtjPMg7nfNwzA3FqBvSdDBDrV6k15YP-tt7r_ctPUYuhdiZ7hp4BgKqD6t4a53rC/s400/IMG_6449.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465187819626624466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdXVwQsbzTvQtrezAGrmGcjbCAV2LLIsD56KdCYPk0a2vI6ToKuRoeSj5rVd78GZi_X_XAvfchIZ73_wNgUN-DMwuslkfh9VGD53qnP5Sz7huQIneDM78tafiSm36YTFOomrhVfNBkmvZ/s1600/IMG_6451.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdXVwQsbzTvQtrezAGrmGcjbCAV2LLIsD56KdCYPk0a2vI6ToKuRoeSj5rVd78GZi_X_XAvfchIZ73_wNgUN-DMwuslkfh9VGD53qnP5Sz7huQIneDM78tafiSm36YTFOomrhVfNBkmvZ/s400/IMG_6451.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465187868484764690" border="0" /></a><br />They squeezed them all<br />and had a refreshing drink after all that hard work!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AO0KQJQyIURfnupx4hetJkqfWEYvtboNakIyja_83MJ8cYimS7T9Su13dqj-Rr8-GWsEBC-qFpBnS0vGKcmjC4lkTNagJyfO2JeQ3LnNIWWK3p1jl_Ux2r0FgFOrCc08ezt5o8IdM3YS/s1600/IMG_6457.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AO0KQJQyIURfnupx4hetJkqfWEYvtboNakIyja_83MJ8cYimS7T9Su13dqj-Rr8-GWsEBC-qFpBnS0vGKcmjC4lkTNagJyfO2JeQ3LnNIWWK3p1jl_Ux2r0FgFOrCc08ezt5o8IdM3YS/s400/IMG_6457.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465187911752344130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmB63GdYKx3nqqM4y8lbibmccGMCWc21ATH64jaKoz6aO1HoUra7al0qfoXyU4MVB87lQVQ5pPhY1oKPMnSS6GUHkj_tRDqfL3OlOFL8Y8T2Ui2ahcq88_qfiCr7XMzoEakwDA_GOhewF/s1600/IMG_6460.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmB63GdYKx3nqqM4y8lbibmccGMCWc21ATH64jaKoz6aO1HoUra7al0qfoXyU4MVB87lQVQ5pPhY1oKPMnSS6GUHkj_tRDqfL3OlOFL8Y8T2Ui2ahcq88_qfiCr7XMzoEakwDA_GOhewF/s400/IMG_6460.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465187962917362626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaGRKPlvE023wqJfvBrW1MWLBPezBlAOGQ6PL2Vgt8MqucjKJRTNOe6M2oyGu67CmiQyrjp8Na5t6Dtp2j9pAhySZzHRUBhHVzUMfZi7ojn8a-QXdouaQgb64g__Xktpql4-76EViijEM/s1600/IMG_6462.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaGRKPlvE023wqJfvBrW1MWLBPezBlAOGQ6PL2Vgt8MqucjKJRTNOe6M2oyGu67CmiQyrjp8Na5t6Dtp2j9pAhySZzHRUBhHVzUMfZi7ojn8a-QXdouaQgb64g__Xktpql4-76EViijEM/s400/IMG_6462.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465188016805653202" border="0" /></a><br />Ahhh.... the life of a farmer!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Then there were my big boys!<br />Nothing warms my heart so much as watching<br />the comradery of the group of best buds<br />that my boys went to high school with!<br />A handsome group of great young men,<br />I'm very proud of them all.<br />The friends are all like our own kids,<br />so when they all come home to visit<br />I'm in heaven!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedmCAZWSoSF7dsPLqx03lSZAJ2-BXeM8jKaThTenceOY56z0w7LSw04ndRjJw9U9lcLWUHN3Ljy2iN_XqnFVR95glH_U_OOLau5tsLTfZS8P92aGdPfa3Iy3leOBCu4kb7YoYeb2I2WUz/s1600/IMG_6435.2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedmCAZWSoSF7dsPLqx03lSZAJ2-BXeM8jKaThTenceOY56z0w7LSw04ndRjJw9U9lcLWUHN3Ljy2iN_XqnFVR95glH_U_OOLau5tsLTfZS8P92aGdPfa3Iy3leOBCu4kb7YoYeb2I2WUz/s400/IMG_6435.2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465187654062536642" border="0" /></a>They are all out of college and into their careers now,<br />but when they're home, they become boys again,<br />and all we do is eat, gab and laugh!<br />There are 12 of them in all,<br />(only half of them here...)<br />They still get together for each of their<br />birthdays, graduations, and any other big event.<br />I suspect this will continue until brides and babies come along! LOL<br />But even after that, I know the boys will be friends for life.<br /><br />Love you boys!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Spring is in full swing for me,<br />and I'm swamped with it all<br />so if I haven't gotten around to all your blogs<br />quite as often...<br />you'll know why for now,<br />but as soon as the season turns into<br />the lazy hazy days of summer,<br />things will slow down a bit and I'll visit more often.<br /><br />Until then,<br />make every moment of life count,<br />and have a great day~<br /><br /></span></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-46172567325191528182010-04-21T14:54:00.000-07:002010-04-21T15:25:02.166-07:00New Baby & a Surprise<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjV6RZ2rBzv4RYo2ff5kaFxklspp-zLbVZGzjCS1sQBTJpcjhkIPc-7_qnkEWBSzmqXpMFmKgQ-ON_CesSZheEB2Yeo-PCk2BTJEh1iKFXYS0qv0EbM3Vm1GPgeONJLUUcc7G-UU4Tp1F/s1600/IMG_5932.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjV6RZ2rBzv4RYo2ff5kaFxklspp-zLbVZGzjCS1sQBTJpcjhkIPc-7_qnkEWBSzmqXpMFmKgQ-ON_CesSZheEB2Yeo-PCk2BTJEh1iKFXYS0qv0EbM3Vm1GPgeONJLUUcc7G-UU4Tp1F/s400/IMG_5932.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462712845356765602" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We're back from our new baby's birth<br />He's such a sweet little doll<br />(what else could a grandmother say?)<br /><br />I don't know how our son and DIL got so lucky,<br />but they now have a second very good baby...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMt4lP5yn0PGnUpRX__rAbZRBnOXrOQypX2qX7k2wuHdwGB3Qhj-l0FXkpM859t4URbWlM0TukaZrqLUiR-wT8KBCM6HHvNYWSoVc88HVx018Jm7RsnwXxJHzAsWVr9YCmFxi7ze9NC5se/s1600/IMG_5866.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMt4lP5yn0PGnUpRX__rAbZRBnOXrOQypX2qX7k2wuHdwGB3Qhj-l0FXkpM859t4URbWlM0TukaZrqLUiR-wT8KBCM6HHvNYWSoVc88HVx018Jm7RsnwXxJHzAsWVr9YCmFxi7ze9NC5se/s400/IMG_5866.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462712584641936242" border="0" /></a><br />He sleeps well<br />...has no tummy aches<br />is so calm and observant,<br />He just looks around,<br />checking out his new world.<br />He's a sweetie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb4ORKdXdIjKV6Vs0W-w1ER_D_W39CyAWN1nRDaQzLhN9ipKWKk-WaS6-XzDc9pJ49ubJ9YKgv7pSh3U2WUPRDrg97RpdSkZYmP7kCde-eACQyxAcFmDaS-mRihcAOciB49_z1brYYv48/s1600/IMG_5951.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb4ORKdXdIjKV6Vs0W-w1ER_D_W39CyAWN1nRDaQzLhN9ipKWKk-WaS6-XzDc9pJ49ubJ9YKgv7pSh3U2WUPRDrg97RpdSkZYmP7kCde-eACQyxAcFmDaS-mRihcAOciB49_z1brYYv48/s400/IMG_5951.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462712884656959522" border="0" /></a><br /><br />His big sister looooves her new baby brother!<br />I think Max is a lucky little guy<br />to have such a loving sister.<br /><br />She brings diapers to momma<br /><br />...and listens to his heartbeat!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaLR4XJYDX8G01krT5bzkTCY0LPj5_jN_eCi7Nm32Xpoe9gv1twDgVNjjyUQ2a2vSnGjl0Q60IUFBrITgzkkj4mtme4jZ9njTZNFxXvdcq5v0fqS-EmC42mKJM4HqiVhTW0ZbytSWvyp0/s1600/IMG_6111.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaLR4XJYDX8G01krT5bzkTCY0LPj5_jN_eCi7Nm32Xpoe9gv1twDgVNjjyUQ2a2vSnGjl0Q60IUFBrITgzkkj4mtme4jZ9njTZNFxXvdcq5v0fqS-EmC42mKJM4HqiVhTW0ZbytSWvyp0/s400/IMG_6111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462713039008278914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6fDQSxOCTcl_Pf4NObTWv1OwK_ROt32MTp2xZeRibFNBkUA53xJCFUO2k-jAqXOIBKuGItzRmf5IDuKoKdK2y2PNgrRfqnA6tuDuwhhHU-DOLfz7p7Z_R__J02tMt4aP4bseJwjrUt8u/s1600/IMG_6105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6fDQSxOCTcl_Pf4NObTWv1OwK_ROt32MTp2xZeRibFNBkUA53xJCFUO2k-jAqXOIBKuGItzRmf5IDuKoKdK2y2PNgrRfqnA6tuDuwhhHU-DOLfz7p7Z_R__J02tMt4aP4bseJwjrUt8u/s400/IMG_6105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462712936086472690" border="0" /></a>Notice the dirty mouth?<br />Every now and then she gets to have M&M's<br />mmmm!<br /><br /><br />She teaches Nami how to listen too! (:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5hvE1KLWHqGVJtsbrcXeb760_ZKhIbTkLr37bzfE17m-INauLMxqdRpbkAd8h8xk23cBiYUrzF9NwNSnUIDuqzGgJUVKmu_OjOcq_bvrrDO7YaHK4zWWTvGxa7CoKB1ms9rHYjp_yfL4/s1600/IMG_6107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5hvE1KLWHqGVJtsbrcXeb760_ZKhIbTkLr37bzfE17m-INauLMxqdRpbkAd8h8xk23cBiYUrzF9NwNSnUIDuqzGgJUVKmu_OjOcq_bvrrDO7YaHK4zWWTvGxa7CoKB1ms9rHYjp_yfL4/s400/IMG_6107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462712984546812370" border="0" /></a>What fun!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />And a most lovely surprise came in the mail today!<br />all the way from my dear friend Dzintra<br />over at <a href="http://dzintrastitcheries.blogspot.com/">Queen of the Armchair</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCAPE05NMLCvYxHTmRWwWinr6ort9tDYN5Dv_xFNlUgccqsXD5p5toGhyphenhyphenaPuulXT9kNnK_d-vOZMSG7yCQ7x0SlJwUVeaFn6UjYO2SULCNACQfl0ScCU294pdHRLPsNbSHshz2DKYLggY/s1600/IMG_6422.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCAPE05NMLCvYxHTmRWwWinr6ort9tDYN5Dv_xFNlUgccqsXD5p5toGhyphenhyphenaPuulXT9kNnK_d-vOZMSG7yCQ7x0SlJwUVeaFn6UjYO2SULCNACQfl0ScCU294pdHRLPsNbSHshz2DKYLggY/s400/IMG_6422.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462713083297988882" border="0" /></a><br />I love the Koala on the envelope!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXVrPA2lMQjXS3wj5a0b90Ac-M3abgnqPEsXSaMzoYZvfogn8Ro9GDXrMaov00ovVdYlM4cgvc7Ew-D2uOhUimdn2w_SdogEuifEX2Vrg7sWCbLkP0h9O7ZJgzuSevoJtGsE9cATK3H7K/s1600/IMG_6423.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXVrPA2lMQjXS3wj5a0b90Ac-M3abgnqPEsXSaMzoYZvfogn8Ro9GDXrMaov00ovVdYlM4cgvc7Ew-D2uOhUimdn2w_SdogEuifEX2Vrg7sWCbLkP0h9O7ZJgzuSevoJtGsE9cATK3H7K/s400/IMG_6423.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462713132406676850" border="0" /></a>...and inside...<br />these gorgeous Handmade-by-Anna gifts!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOT8h9ngs8AErARKDmutFTPeAmUVPXjJGUfYZoS-ONoOEiI7TT2MNUFVKIKRUIG_Cxe3mxBOvDwlNCv4uvwvJFh4t9PBF-bM4TMNZD3hLGF7MR6-DNv7VfecVPpB2xUf8cvZ6_hoLMHmW/s1600/IMG_6424.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOT8h9ngs8AErARKDmutFTPeAmUVPXjJGUfYZoS-ONoOEiI7TT2MNUFVKIKRUIG_Cxe3mxBOvDwlNCv4uvwvJFh4t9PBF-bM4TMNZD3hLGF7MR6-DNv7VfecVPpB2xUf8cvZ6_hoLMHmW/s400/IMG_6424.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462713174974726594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qD-3qYYDsfCoOwpQFe5-RMey69kUzwKy-PnNgEZmc57tCjIsclfjlq5ebcEFiMy7EtuhlU6e-VUvjK2WFe5xDpKz6cc9_1CHAM8LcGRMsQqcu53_pRT8RCTchIhXTwzjvZBSR7gplofU/s1600/IMG_6426.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qD-3qYYDsfCoOwpQFe5-RMey69kUzwKy-PnNgEZmc57tCjIsclfjlq5ebcEFiMy7EtuhlU6e-VUvjK2WFe5xDpKz6cc9_1CHAM8LcGRMsQqcu53_pRT8RCTchIhXTwzjvZBSR7gplofU/s400/IMG_6426.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462713228857667410" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you Dzintra!<br />~You have the perfect touch~<br />I love them!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />And next up...<br />planting in the garden,<br />care-taking of 8 new baby chicks<br />(who will join Hana and Putt-Putt<br />when they get big enough!)<br /><br />The first two are big girls now,<br />and stay out in their new chicken coop.<br /><br />Wishing all of you a lovely spring<br />or fall (Australia) day~<br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-62717216284377535202010-04-12T18:48:00.000-07:002010-04-12T21:23:40.166-07:00Rain Rain Sew Sew<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqIUcdaf2XBcIAWf0DFJIIW0BZ47W_bC16g5LQetoPDAxoYlgq7ckPKy0je8EUU7xRvP7-HF0eCrgEcs3Ro50IUSByNTYYMbeIR-DqAcGOswlEg1LRO9MSmbdqqAs3w9t9Me3URTy10Cw/s1600/IMG_5761.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqIUcdaf2XBcIAWf0DFJIIW0BZ47W_bC16g5LQetoPDAxoYlgq7ckPKy0je8EUU7xRvP7-HF0eCrgEcs3Ro50IUSByNTYYMbeIR-DqAcGOswlEg1LRO9MSmbdqqAs3w9t9Me3URTy10Cw/s400/IMG_5761.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459433341721800034" border="0" /></a><br />Its been a rainy 2 days<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMIeE2u8_NlrFBrWhzZUE2gqDbfaj2O61eKuO4RGSxw1TDI7cVoL-w0xW5i2H6Rk85rGNd2Kibv43Tv9KQb-3SmJVljA-0ZmiSLatV-B_eHqD6vloTPSlcRO6QeLGvxLJe8NAgk4MfoVL/s1600/IMG_5758.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMIeE2u8_NlrFBrWhzZUE2gqDbfaj2O61eKuO4RGSxw1TDI7cVoL-w0xW5i2H6Rk85rGNd2Kibv43Tv9KQb-3SmJVljA-0ZmiSLatV-B_eHqD6vloTPSlcRO6QeLGvxLJe8NAgk4MfoVL/s400/IMG_5758.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459433242924229330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know what got into me ...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">But, since its been rainy for two days...<br />I've been SO restless.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And everyone in the family knows<br />that I have a strange sort of "lack-of-sun-disease"<br />in spring and summer<br /><br />If the sun is gone for more than ...<br />oh say...<br /><br />24 hours...<br /><br />I start to get a little neurotic<br /><br /></div><br />Anyway, I have soooo many things that need "doing" out in the garden. Way too many to be waiting for the rain to stop!<br /><br />For one thing - hubby had to leave on a business trip this week ... <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">before</span></span> getting the ramp done for the chickens to get in and out of their new coop. I have to leave them this week to go for the birth of our second grandchild ... and I immediately realized that this leaves an extra job for me to do ... <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">before </span></span>I leave too.<br /><br />I've done plenty of fix-it jobs around the house, and I'm not afraid of most machinery (in general) ... but running a chop saw is just one of the things I don't feel super confident about... but something about that large loud saw makes me a bit nervous.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm pondering the issue.<br />Maybe a handsaw...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So it was raining raining...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and I have lots to do...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">but still,<br />as I'm putting some things away in the closet,<br />I got the wild hair-brained desire to sew!<br /><br />and voila!<br />...there on the shelf<br />sits all my unfinished sewing projects...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />The one that caught my eye was<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">all cut out</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">waiting</span> to be sewn up<br /><br />It had been cut out for...<br /><br />...hold onto your chair now...<br /><br />8 years!<br /><br />Does it get any worse than that?<br />(and that's not the longest waiting project I have...<br />but we won't go there)!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So there it sits... a garden dress!<br />Its a pattern that I drew up for myself years ago...<br />(because nothing I bought was just right for working in the garden)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...back then I had pulled out my garden journal,<br />and put my creativity cap on<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bWaMZ8hikoQ9Qo_J-D6GlkudCXwFYW8NrgGnsdNgx4RMlZ_5dI4tFzZtN9VKWzQiBkN8tJdCmUJeLsL4gakzORrxvFDea1ofs7ao_OYW_krCXb9kLqsi0z4yKmqj9g2ynDx8k1ce3PX9/s1600/IMG_5777.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bWaMZ8hikoQ9Qo_J-D6GlkudCXwFYW8NrgGnsdNgx4RMlZ_5dI4tFzZtN9VKWzQiBkN8tJdCmUJeLsL4gakzORrxvFDea1ofs7ao_OYW_krCXb9kLqsi0z4yKmqj9g2ynDx8k1ce3PX9/s400/IMG_5777.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459452091319577810" border="0" /></a><br />...and doodled<br />until I drew out something I thought would work better in the garden.<br /><br />You know...<br />something with BIG pockets<br />(to hold all sorts of doo-dads I need while working)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDZ4AlgRHfwYvHWgGjHKwuXS8-9KZPnCP9U1sPMQHFIOpLOPPdrNjPuyKfmYgw42V8sDB0GHa3mRvlebcUp2TqI2-uKN1p0nm9eKnPm_lTRqDogZMvpmd_H40mO6MrYQFzVNAYHcWJVPD/s1600/IMG_5778.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDZ4AlgRHfwYvHWgGjHKwuXS8-9KZPnCP9U1sPMQHFIOpLOPPdrNjPuyKfmYgw42V8sDB0GHa3mRvlebcUp2TqI2-uKN1p0nm9eKnPm_lTRqDogZMvpmd_H40mO6MrYQFzVNAYHcWJVPD/s400/IMG_5778.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459452137164557666" border="0" /></a><br />...something sleeveless<br />so I could wear my choice of long-sleeved,<br />short-sleeved,<br />or even tank-top blouse underneath,<br />(depending on the weather)<br /><br />...something plain-ish<br />because I get dirty in the garden,<br />(and don't want to worry about messing it up)<br /><br />...but kinda cute-ish too<br /><br />...something that looks great<br />in either plain or patterned fabric.<br /><br />I used butcher paper to draw out the pattern.<br />I fudged a little by using a McCalls pattern for the full skirt part.<br />(to make sure I got the measurements right)<br />but the rest was a free-for-all, and then<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Lm86HTCtPOqeY26EsA5Bas6ubb_6gTHF6-cKfEIFfEFrABa2DnHPeFgARDIkgyTrpgiPqeRfS_FQ8P7wNk9X-SepaOS4ddIs9k3dgLkfOzVJ772Ov4v9KGb0tqmywgLP1ZEBkf-mEJO2/s1600/IMG_5776.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Lm86HTCtPOqeY26EsA5Bas6ubb_6gTHF6-cKfEIFfEFrABa2DnHPeFgARDIkgyTrpgiPqeRfS_FQ8P7wNk9X-SepaOS4ddIs9k3dgLkfOzVJ772Ov4v9KGb0tqmywgLP1ZEBkf-mEJO2/s400/IMG_5776.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459434737992071426" border="0" /></a>Ta Da!<br />A garden dress pattern was born!<br /><br />I sewed one up with muslin,<br />just to get all the kinks out of the pattern,<br />and finally came up with a dress I loved.<br /><br />Over the years I've sewn up numerous dresses<br />that I've worked in,<br />used up,<br />and tossed into the rag pile.<br /><br />But I needed a new one for this year...<br /><br />so there it sat...<br />...waiting for ME!<br /><br />and besides that...<br />a few weeks ago I had found<br />a lovely little embroidered table runner<br />at the flea market.<br /><br />I thought of it immediately...<br />and realized that the colors go well together<br />(I'll show you in a minute, but first I sewed up the dress)<br /><br />It took all of about an hour<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_OgmlvACRloFYvuZybnPSFFsUZnF-Xq-PV_4b40v2A9_d_0buiwTetnbuiwOVFnjBSAS97ng0SPVrGWyCor11phiuQQyVVMWGp0g0LupxGBxFKE2lczG3YTBG3PvD78JNEeB4PqpbzaV/s1600/IMG_5769.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_OgmlvACRloFYvuZybnPSFFsUZnF-Xq-PV_4b40v2A9_d_0buiwTetnbuiwOVFnjBSAS97ng0SPVrGWyCor11phiuQQyVVMWGp0g0LupxGBxFKE2lczG3YTBG3PvD78JNEeB4PqpbzaV/s400/IMG_5769.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459433709008223890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_0QJq6I__iZNRyKCgkuQW89fbzB3dscLAfWKOnHEjvEhRi_zvLKm9HKl2lkyd3MwWCRAqF-qJEIl8i43QYM3FbgU7hERyfQrQ224ojTHQqB3kRU17uY7eUoADxLFOllzn3NRaEBYQoOd/s1600/IMG_5766.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_0QJq6I__iZNRyKCgkuQW89fbzB3dscLAfWKOnHEjvEhRi_zvLKm9HKl2lkyd3MwWCRAqF-qJEIl8i43QYM3FbgU7hERyfQrQ224ojTHQqB3kRU17uY7eUoADxLFOllzn3NRaEBYQoOd/s400/IMG_5766.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459433659563592642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVuSi-Yxrmpl5F3FXOWlnTQZtDnTN06wCqxuFTEkb9VkVvQ3ZyxCzp_sC-_0McEmx9lxcIxpymii68sjLWE0zC0BNcJYqbSMyhyphenhyphenHS1yIlkHpFzSykGF_G-SrUT8LyTzLjiIH1_PpgUuNE/s1600/IMG_5765.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVuSi-Yxrmpl5F3FXOWlnTQZtDnTN06wCqxuFTEkb9VkVvQ3ZyxCzp_sC-_0McEmx9lxcIxpymii68sjLWE0zC0BNcJYqbSMyhyphenhyphenHS1yIlkHpFzSykGF_G-SrUT8LyTzLjiIH1_PpgUuNE/s400/IMG_5765.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459433573829799458" border="0" /></a><br />But now I have a dilemma<br />and a few questions...<br /><br />to throw out there into the wild open spaces of blogland.<br /><br />The ends of this table runner have lovely<br />hand embroidered hearts, butterflies and ribbons<br /><br />...which would go great on the big wide pockets of the dress!<br /><br />~BUT~<br /><br />Would it be practical?<br /><br />AND/OR<br /><br />Would it be TOO CUTESY<br />for (<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >shall we say</span>) an "older" woman?<br /><br />I mean,<br />it would look great on <a href="http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/">Dottie Angel</a><br />or<br />the cute Miss Merrick over at <a href="http://emersonmerrick.blogspot.com/">Apple A Day</a><br /><br />...but<br />...you know what I mean?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheO92auvNUMhy5jhzIzvVckfw8vJZB5zOjliefSoB4KFW0vw7bI9YAM4okWxTJgJu1PYSyZ2k7Zcn1LDqZRqP-ZMa9OwIOb5j6FrupI24wBgx1LN6yf-fPWrJXGZ907cvl2e02rrWaTWL/s1600/IMG_5763.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheO92auvNUMhy5jhzIzvVckfw8vJZB5zOjliefSoB4KFW0vw7bI9YAM4okWxTJgJu1PYSyZ2k7Zcn1LDqZRqP-ZMa9OwIOb5j6FrupI24wBgx1LN6yf-fPWrJXGZ907cvl2e02rrWaTWL/s400/IMG_5763.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459433521581914434" border="0" /></a><br />The completed dress<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOTsTb8umgAoS172GDhrWUpw-vJxIetmQTX_Z7cGBW2IOeJj9m8pTnktYcSP6C5fL42Jpup-vdc2tjkcdcN7QYmMAfGv-x-Ih63sRUhUN60rRHaijNrqXmy4yUsXbzckjkRTnxs1u8HHz/s1600/IMG_5770.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOTsTb8umgAoS172GDhrWUpw-vJxIetmQTX_Z7cGBW2IOeJj9m8pTnktYcSP6C5fL42Jpup-vdc2tjkcdcN7QYmMAfGv-x-Ih63sRUhUN60rRHaijNrqXmy4yUsXbzckjkRTnxs1u8HHz/s400/IMG_5770.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459433748403443778" border="0" /></a>The dress with the table running hanging above<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoVjY0kHoFONqxtz-WVrZzI4-b0hhLO70SY7l2slFGc_a5_ifVB_5kuLCw0k1VqKd5fpoOQtgVrihAuNGk8q4FCoibxRmH8ipPY4QMY8VwT5Yhg9xJd3wxGA2VLmjQkbEU3CNs2v_gBsH/s1600/IMG_5774.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoVjY0kHoFONqxtz-WVrZzI4-b0hhLO70SY7l2slFGc_a5_ifVB_5kuLCw0k1VqKd5fpoOQtgVrihAuNGk8q4FCoibxRmH8ipPY4QMY8VwT5Yhg9xJd3wxGA2VLmjQkbEU3CNs2v_gBsH/s400/IMG_5774.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459433799244458274" border="0" /></a>and with the table runner hanging from a pocket<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-6FRB_95SB9ku3XsTjIe30V5OcmJm6TvqDUf2kTx3nR9Vmof7yTxrqIs9ovz-1GCr_Jlq0yTC9tYS8l8GwkXY88LhaU_9Bz5e5hqoGiSj7a-EwCNKEurMigDByPqxlhgoAq9JofvuC-q/s1600/IMG_5781.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-6FRB_95SB9ku3XsTjIe30V5OcmJm6TvqDUf2kTx3nR9Vmof7yTxrqIs9ovz-1GCr_Jlq0yTC9tYS8l8GwkXY88LhaU_9Bz5e5hqoGiSj7a-EwCNKEurMigDByPqxlhgoAq9JofvuC-q/s400/IMG_5781.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459468817610605602" border="0" /></a><br />So tell me what you think?<br />Be honest...<br /><br />and thanks for stopping by!<br /><br />(:<br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-86862371074914398972010-04-08T20:21:00.001-07:002010-04-08T21:28:24.150-07:00Precious<div style="text-align: center;">Its been a totally crazy couple of weeks around here!<br /><br />How's it been for you?<br />I've missed reading around my favorite blogs,<br />and haven't had a moment to myself<br /><br />On Easter Sunday my nephew brought his precious<br />family over to hunt for any surprises the Easter Bunny<br />might have left, have dinner and spent a little family time.<br /><br />I love when they come over,<br />because that means my two favorite little buddies,<br />Aiden and Ashton come to play!<br />They are just the cat's meow to their Aunt Dittie!<br />(that's me... Aiden named me that<br />when he couldn't pronounce my name)<br /><br />Here's Aiden<br />He's turning into such a big boy...<br />I'm kinda sad about that<br />He's 4 years old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yvx9fuDCq9W3vxcCDaCJ_gRpGwhzuGXhoZlAHRO0nk1PE-txsLP6LCbIgcksxjVduOVmjVxA0gUQaSlTFo-b5nhfWeJpdmpHEkpE2gIPK40rwwSnPx5LKVSUYBtnqV4OibSEi4g0Veai/s1600/IMG_5477.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yvx9fuDCq9W3vxcCDaCJ_gRpGwhzuGXhoZlAHRO0nk1PE-txsLP6LCbIgcksxjVduOVmjVxA0gUQaSlTFo-b5nhfWeJpdmpHEkpE2gIPK40rwwSnPx5LKVSUYBtnqV4OibSEi4g0Veai/s400/IMG_5477.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457972883004812610" border="0" /></a>And here's Ashton<br />Isn't he a doll?<br />And his little personality is just like his face!<br />Joyful and always smiling<br />He's 2 years old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUle0Yc-EEfut2tKHtjdkWBElQiTZA-_oMPdvioTezSKhji8roIkd8drRKrEZmaOWstVR7m6bcUGO_jiENZK2YO4fbJUD2EYCQB3yRGQM6w4ZHO8VOAKVlZNGWBvNBrfR_NZ6ylMdPshYJ/s1600/IMG_5480.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUle0Yc-EEfut2tKHtjdkWBElQiTZA-_oMPdvioTezSKhji8roIkd8drRKrEZmaOWstVR7m6bcUGO_jiENZK2YO4fbJUD2EYCQB3yRGQM6w4ZHO8VOAKVlZNGWBvNBrfR_NZ6ylMdPshYJ/s400/IMG_5480.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457972939550173106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa6MTkMbwOwS9076tW68GyqXFDEFeoYoJldCH94fQvYgkqC_IhFPwtpLAAFUi1WZQsBjxkt4xtnbR8t89sIBeA67WJf5v4YF-bjIPK98hwKr7BAzjbN9eI_AXeu4XUL6uNChXqHEtRDZx/s1600/IMG_5549.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa6MTkMbwOwS9076tW68GyqXFDEFeoYoJldCH94fQvYgkqC_IhFPwtpLAAFUi1WZQsBjxkt4xtnbR8t89sIBeA67WJf5v4YF-bjIPK98hwKr7BAzjbN9eI_AXeu4XUL6uNChXqHEtRDZx/s400/IMG_5549.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973177544092322" border="0" /></a><br />We always have a great time,<br />and now they are joined by a baby sister,<br />Autumn Dawn.<br />She's just as precious as the boys!<br /><br />Isn't she just a Cutie Patootie!?<br />Those chubby cheeks are irresistible<br />As you can see!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U7cRwfG9PU6jkTGAyPTIYj8ySkh5x-A_NWj6xz8ezYlk2EIMrVn3ERtGcYprKCJQgKBPLEWg-7TI3J72FVCzzLoZPCG-PliNN7Mc3lklFl4AEurX_q9VauzORigirTOwO6BZEGr-6yzL/s1600/IMG_5567.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U7cRwfG9PU6jkTGAyPTIYj8ySkh5x-A_NWj6xz8ezYlk2EIMrVn3ERtGcYprKCJQgKBPLEWg-7TI3J72FVCzzLoZPCG-PliNN7Mc3lklFl4AEurX_q9VauzORigirTOwO6BZEGr-6yzL/s400/IMG_5567.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973265177176578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBaEcLPiM19pJ2kYbCv9xYJy48scZsXl9yhSwpJiiOQLM-UNtrA0Lo5kX11UbB8IdJbF8sX0e01WYWfP0JuNeISlWpfQjjVQ6tbayiTs_4k1ZQbVjP_Pwm36jsAiDpQWlJyywDKnH_w0V/s1600/IMG_5429_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBaEcLPiM19pJ2kYbCv9xYJy48scZsXl9yhSwpJiiOQLM-UNtrA0Lo5kX11UbB8IdJbF8sX0e01WYWfP0JuNeISlWpfQjjVQ6tbayiTs_4k1ZQbVjP_Pwm36jsAiDpQWlJyywDKnH_w0V/s400/IMG_5429_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457972761304396386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAV588SdoJ7oTBY_ATTSwk7ErGZ8F6lNIAFOrCN2MhE6qoH0rf_8sPmVTtwrahSvJSa0E3dSiZOo_mr5Xep54omCluFPVe5OCpWix5oCS6Bmp-K-fcdV8cBZMMBAk0x4NfQU6peN8fjt4/s1600/IMG_5442.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAV588SdoJ7oTBY_ATTSwk7ErGZ8F6lNIAFOrCN2MhE6qoH0rf_8sPmVTtwrahSvJSa0E3dSiZOo_mr5Xep54omCluFPVe5OCpWix5oCS6Bmp-K-fcdV8cBZMMBAk0x4NfQU6peN8fjt4/s400/IMG_5442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457972819258027698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7qDbz25GjprtId3VwG-gjiLVVzj-D5sdcsioX-wKi-Fe-oW3_cNbOaWxNwkDE09W03MyWUycfKCD4p4z_eiRzVYy3z9YN650kF50Oq3GdeXCFYb3d8D5J9GnyqWcD2Jf2-OVujsFI_WA/s1600/IMG_5599.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7qDbz25GjprtId3VwG-gjiLVVzj-D5sdcsioX-wKi-Fe-oW3_cNbOaWxNwkDE09W03MyWUycfKCD4p4z_eiRzVYy3z9YN650kF50Oq3GdeXCFYb3d8D5J9GnyqWcD2Jf2-OVujsFI_WA/s400/IMG_5599.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973397361225666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUdf4bTYYDKRjFgfCYNyx063Sgjhb5USxnXlvGDCac609KYSNH2bk1m2BmMMBXdFeS1mVJSvECyn9Gb7v_BlSK_0xd_9duXNVIOOH_HLzYAxoz8En6CLenRFxbCRrhv9hp2jvIL3pMD37/s1600/IMG_5503.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUdf4bTYYDKRjFgfCYNyx063Sgjhb5USxnXlvGDCac609KYSNH2bk1m2BmMMBXdFeS1mVJSvECyn9Gb7v_BlSK_0xd_9duXNVIOOH_HLzYAxoz8En6CLenRFxbCRrhv9hp2jvIL3pMD37/s400/IMG_5503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973052963606434" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">She gets lots of kisses...<br />and she deserves them too!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfziMlxL1WHtnRIt5V4OFy71FtIgpMAepWOciXEwUOQ2iVhywtsjRuawNQKcvI196xdCzAiLFcTUM0y9p3O1hJyA0GMMhRZal6TmjGzgdXxBX-G0wBYSjc5v1MMTolXkvjGl49Nrt1n2S/s1600/IMG_5613.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfziMlxL1WHtnRIt5V4OFy71FtIgpMAepWOciXEwUOQ2iVhywtsjRuawNQKcvI196xdCzAiLFcTUM0y9p3O1hJyA0GMMhRZal6TmjGzgdXxBX-G0wBYSjc5v1MMTolXkvjGl49Nrt1n2S/s400/IMG_5613.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973459352119154" border="0" /></a>How could anyone resist those chubby little cheeks!?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxWNrAPR6lNiC0kASZ0oplDwINrzeP1ZJp3lxdbsMI8dz3xUJ2WNmpblxuZWYxAVoITbMoMuiyXR6mEupVuOG4fiD-HkU7kCCE8kGS5KJZrQBJR5eCa_KO5pW9rsjnwi1tqYvomsCoZrM/s1600/IMG_5629.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxWNrAPR6lNiC0kASZ0oplDwINrzeP1ZJp3lxdbsMI8dz3xUJ2WNmpblxuZWYxAVoITbMoMuiyXR6mEupVuOG4fiD-HkU7kCCE8kGS5KJZrQBJR5eCa_KO5pW9rsjnwi1tqYvomsCoZrM/s400/IMG_5629.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973590110694146" border="0" /></a><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />And in the chicken world<br />Hana and Putt-putt are turning into big chickies<br />Hubby has been racing to get their coop finished...<br />we leave soon for the birth of our second grandchild,<br />and the girls must be safe while we're gone...<br />(<span style="font-size:85%;">or I'll worry myself silly... which wouldn't be a good thing</span>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClT-G7Ul2vAn_LpbHSd79ldguqkSx0tWEqa0mQdO0iqNd-v0mECJ2DXqZcx25NH8WJERkp2f9SP9IuOgjdw7Uiz9jM7vYghTzeN2ATpGJfBT-X4FXN_tjHibyqb8w1EcSW9JWQk3BfvNP/s1600/IMG_5700.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClT-G7Ul2vAn_LpbHSd79ldguqkSx0tWEqa0mQdO0iqNd-v0mECJ2DXqZcx25NH8WJERkp2f9SP9IuOgjdw7Uiz9jM7vYghTzeN2ATpGJfBT-X4FXN_tjHibyqb8w1EcSW9JWQk3BfvNP/s400/IMG_5700.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457974430678139090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTInXAszBnqbkQGIfi0RTCllfvBnu06LhRNE_E5xsRZct7knj8_Ml6xLV-dzYQGM61pewguWjnlpl2RwXg_Fd6bEDcBw9IGZY25yQwwKuxpfhBByHa1gtKWcm7ypkwvCEEuMphtJUdnC55/s1600/IMG_5683.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTInXAszBnqbkQGIfi0RTCllfvBnu06LhRNE_E5xsRZct7knj8_Ml6xLV-dzYQGM61pewguWjnlpl2RwXg_Fd6bEDcBw9IGZY25yQwwKuxpfhBByHa1gtKWcm7ypkwvCEEuMphtJUdnC55/s400/IMG_5683.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457974381625080850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI-SbzqJCAdwC9_J0SmNAGiAPqvvUeOzFCopOhvqWCrcTZkMDSrZQRMcKWZyIEI7IoLBKNW3Rd80z8Cnawd7SkjRKR1rjSKUETfxLnZtiUiI260VRqpX8I-m_3K0vaVgiERRmG2rWqQqW/s1600/IMG_5394.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI-SbzqJCAdwC9_J0SmNAGiAPqvvUeOzFCopOhvqWCrcTZkMDSrZQRMcKWZyIEI7IoLBKNW3Rd80z8Cnawd7SkjRKR1rjSKUETfxLnZtiUiI260VRqpX8I-m_3K0vaVgiERRmG2rWqQqW/s400/IMG_5394.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457974336679194722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJvLYsKGhuf14i_gSvPqGhT2TZcPmJRbL8lh6_Es4fUCp9qB-ffgHvALQrb82sRtazqiCO8-63x5A8RQLtUUKAAWE4l0TmY50Mou_veG4dsVpYGBsUsM7p0Fmr6IgRh8Ii6F00hBY_DKj/s1600/IMG_5696.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJvLYsKGhuf14i_gSvPqGhT2TZcPmJRbL8lh6_Es4fUCp9qB-ffgHvALQrb82sRtazqiCO8-63x5A8RQLtUUKAAWE4l0TmY50Mou_veG4dsVpYGBsUsM7p0Fmr6IgRh8Ii6F00hBY_DKj/s400/IMG_5696.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973652161756194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Out in the garden...<br />things are growing beautifully,<br />but more slowly this year.<br />We've had a very cool and wet late winter/early spring.<br />It has slowed things down a bit<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~The apple trees are in full bloom</span>~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzSP-kiTYkfBjvH8Iam3LYSwWYYW0BtcDG7R6Ej2vj9b7wodh3lhyphenhyphenALn_U29VMhSKz8-iiK9HEPSEjlQQgDiO3NPkWMQhGZM6RDJ10WDZiJcUEL0MFq_vCn_yJsHOS6WugAdlOEm2sYPs/s1600/IMG_5750.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzSP-kiTYkfBjvH8Iam3LYSwWYYW0BtcDG7R6Ej2vj9b7wodh3lhyphenhyphenALn_U29VMhSKz8-iiK9HEPSEjlQQgDiO3NPkWMQhGZM6RDJ10WDZiJcUEL0MFq_vCn_yJsHOS6WugAdlOEm2sYPs/s400/IMG_5750.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457974237884813730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~I can't wait to put the onions into food</span>~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFcz2j4x-WWTz-FVk3TdRayUArEnlauJL9q0MEY40tn_rsxUSxibuJKE2-SQfBhgM-fzdSinZUJboDg2GHpJIWRL4kqB8M4-7a1-2sutrM4D7ZicVQ85jqyfMe1BD5Q2fP4nKxegIc77x/s1600/IMG_5743.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFcz2j4x-WWTz-FVk3TdRayUArEnlauJL9q0MEY40tn_rsxUSxibuJKE2-SQfBhgM-fzdSinZUJboDg2GHpJIWRL4kqB8M4-7a1-2sutrM4D7ZicVQ85jqyfMe1BD5Q2fP4nKxegIc77x/s400/IMG_5743.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457974188980663666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />~Potatoes</span>~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-oMDZVZr4YPGZF2x2kVh5Wrg2MIkerw5jAokk9Z5ap1B-hZjGOKrTG6-PQNGV5fukyn4w2G7U5Pil4gEa28Rr0j9Sdu6V-he6RdNSuWb4o2cgToLVBqlsb3GxGtOHYrmmoW6Uz0mk6LK/s1600/IMG_5736.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-oMDZVZr4YPGZF2x2kVh5Wrg2MIkerw5jAokk9Z5ap1B-hZjGOKrTG6-PQNGV5fukyn4w2G7U5Pil4gEa28Rr0j9Sdu6V-he6RdNSuWb4o2cgToLVBqlsb3GxGtOHYrmmoW6Uz0mk6LK/s400/IMG_5736.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457974082928450658" border="0" /></a>~<span style="font-style: italic;">Sugar Pod Peas</span>~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4Bm-HXdd9grg-zkZkF2I87Pg2lRW7JkA12P0_SRWbkVuN_egbXcFYOLXm9r5Rpol73Z9vmBoM8Gr_WCna0sMOogiAo3UOXwJlweVC6neSwduw3czF-DZGGEPcQ7QH_tKL3oXjoPWD-tH/s1600/IMG_5730.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4Bm-HXdd9grg-zkZkF2I87Pg2lRW7JkA12P0_SRWbkVuN_egbXcFYOLXm9r5Rpol73Z9vmBoM8Gr_WCna0sMOogiAo3UOXwJlweVC6neSwduw3czF-DZGGEPcQ7QH_tKL3oXjoPWD-tH/s400/IMG_5730.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973962791120738" border="0" /></a>~<span style="font-style: italic;">Tomatoes will be ripe for eating by May</span>~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzcIPWmK6m6WU7lFpe7cdBzfuEAx5NfcJP-ho4-zh7BNxnewXApjo5TqFRRPF0ObW3csLlQNOK4XoFqo6Jd_PTDQQkLHL1FqbD3zpqrv2omSlb0LzJ20AIyX9hiAB4yRy0QeU83HjdZoM/s1600/IMG_5717.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzcIPWmK6m6WU7lFpe7cdBzfuEAx5NfcJP-ho4-zh7BNxnewXApjo5TqFRRPF0ObW3csLlQNOK4XoFqo6Jd_PTDQQkLHL1FqbD3zpqrv2omSlb0LzJ20AIyX9hiAB4yRy0QeU83HjdZoM/s400/IMG_5717.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973856651970978" border="0" /></a>And this is my latest experiment<br />I saw these hanging tomato pots a the garden nursery<br />They intrigued me, and I just had to get one.<br />You plant the tomato down at the bottom of the hanging pot,<br />and water it from the top.<br />Its called the Topsy Turvy Tomato grower<br />We'll see if I get tomatoes that look like the ones in the pictures!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkW5C-yiuPTLBEedoudq6baeTa3qSF3mKT3D2N-nTZNvoGc6qHaTbt6L3uktOhzwRlTUnyOiQz_Q_Yb3D8T5TrhPhkv52evWg7t0GebY3hfAtUA82D6uWfqawkq8O1rlWk4HFkaSb0i_R/s1600/IMG_5712.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkW5C-yiuPTLBEedoudq6baeTa3qSF3mKT3D2N-nTZNvoGc6qHaTbt6L3uktOhzwRlTUnyOiQz_Q_Yb3D8T5TrhPhkv52evWg7t0GebY3hfAtUA82D6uWfqawkq8O1rlWk4HFkaSb0i_R/s400/IMG_5712.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973800075130866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZpAVRDAjRVSrZqD2Pd1ME2eoZWPzLU4OKXxdOLE-SQm9qZ5fMeljbLeB4omGfGE-j9Jp00wlp04q9rbwFhGD2Oen0NURdQAs-YKewX1aFdyxQ8P0qPj6p9HALymoMgC4k7dcqP-J-bCf/s1600/IMG_5711.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZpAVRDAjRVSrZqD2Pd1ME2eoZWPzLU4OKXxdOLE-SQm9qZ5fMeljbLeB4omGfGE-j9Jp00wlp04q9rbwFhGD2Oen0NURdQAs-YKewX1aFdyxQ8P0qPj6p9HALymoMgC4k7dcqP-J-bCf/s400/IMG_5711.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973752747391426" border="0" /></a><br />Next to go into the ground will be,<br /><br />Aubergine (Eggplant)<br />Cucumbers<br />Zucchini Squash<br />Green Beans<br />Pumpkins<br />... and much more<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iOqhDolaVwH6l2z-CV354tkkmcKpN3WDnZayQBC8bYralvNz_jazlEc-_mlkYpo4Laa8pVt_ZgxYLJtIXcIPc8K99OY7EdGDfutCQoJYrUmis5XgXUXi9mVuLiBskbQFBVp1c5Qg-tRs/s1600/IMG_5707.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iOqhDolaVwH6l2z-CV354tkkmcKpN3WDnZayQBC8bYralvNz_jazlEc-_mlkYpo4Laa8pVt_ZgxYLJtIXcIPc8K99OY7EdGDfutCQoJYrUmis5XgXUXi9mVuLiBskbQFBVp1c5Qg-tRs/s400/IMG_5707.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457973699322913522" border="0" /></a><br />Our gorgeous California State Flower,<br />the California Poppy<br /><br />This time of year there are fields of them<br />I love their cheery faces,<br />and mow around them on the property<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGJsoLkQlYx40OzHLVI0jgKrFYqFT4Jro46X79ywtGx8WGp57a791MUj-fNtFeje5-SlC_mhx1a5tHS7JlEl3TltYGUbM_IVwTiD8x4YjrZ2Ke-ZmHGDCFM1DDBsTTiDReZIld0C0IDLg/s1600/IMG_5735.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGJsoLkQlYx40OzHLVI0jgKrFYqFT4Jro46X79ywtGx8WGp57a791MUj-fNtFeje5-SlC_mhx1a5tHS7JlEl3TltYGUbM_IVwTiD8x4YjrZ2Ke-ZmHGDCFM1DDBsTTiDReZIld0C0IDLg/s400/IMG_5735.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457974030455029074" border="0" /></a><br />Its evening now,<br />and as the sun sets over the Monterey Bay<br />I think of everything that's precious in my life...<br /><br /> family<br />pets<br />garden<br />health<br /><br />A roof over our heads<br />food on the table<br /><br />...and being lucky enough to sit in front of the Big Blue<br />out there on the western horizon each day.<br /><br />During the hectic days,<br />its important to take time<br />to count the blessings in life;<br />to live in the moment<br />and to not take anything for granted.<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXYshVf0zEobZhSisMEkL4bc_4B6anb6fWPGup7nCKU3mNYj405c1ED_SKiZwUL0CkUUr2qGxdXz-K46WQT0DiGKaM7Oyi7zzhRvPW8_zZWTanfdp9YPbT3nfQ_NXAetxfHXNxviOteT0/s1600/IMG_5756.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXYshVf0zEobZhSisMEkL4bc_4B6anb6fWPGup7nCKU3mNYj405c1ED_SKiZwUL0CkUUr2qGxdXz-K46WQT0DiGKaM7Oyi7zzhRvPW8_zZWTanfdp9YPbT3nfQ_NXAetxfHXNxviOteT0/s400/IMG_5756.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457974278913675346" border="0" /></a><br />~<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Thanks for stopping by dear friends</span>~<br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-10163131236956954102010-03-26T20:14:00.001-07:002010-03-26T20:30:07.670-07:00Angels come with red hair~<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvJujQ6GS6xr1rys8z2FD5QTX3AaNBfUklTAWcTlzS4m78HgkXnp2jWumoRtY8YolsidaugZoIOed8imdW5FOgmAd-Z4YRtnqqfJSFIywM-UOBaWg5UDPJN0VWrXkcAYyqhqW71M8Ppsk/s1600/IMG_5259.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvJujQ6GS6xr1rys8z2FD5QTX3AaNBfUklTAWcTlzS4m78HgkXnp2jWumoRtY8YolsidaugZoIOed8imdW5FOgmAd-Z4YRtnqqfJSFIywM-UOBaWg5UDPJN0VWrXkcAYyqhqW71M8Ppsk/s400/IMG_5259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147423230243090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I hope I don't bore you too much...<br /><br />but...<br /><br />We just spent a wonderful week in Oregon<br />with our Son, DIL and grandbaby,<br />and I just have to put a few pics of Sophia up.<br /><br />I don't think I have a single photo without her in it! (:<br /><br />Sophie turns 2 years old on April 1,<br />but we celebrated early<br />since baby brother will be born near that date.<br /><br />Here she is in <a href="http://vickisbitoearth.blogspot.com/2010/03/woo-hoo.html">her new dress</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UoMCUByvixGN_Iq4gZAnMV_KnmAetNcLegdIlpSi2XoeLRqFlO7WPhtSidFDTEAORb3HAHNhgu0nLAzceBjuWKVoS3mmoCQAaZcd_GjI4NqeJ94hleVCPPJayt1G6RYmqctSpcVc0Nhx/s1600/IMG_4887.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UoMCUByvixGN_Iq4gZAnMV_KnmAetNcLegdIlpSi2XoeLRqFlO7WPhtSidFDTEAORb3HAHNhgu0nLAzceBjuWKVoS3mmoCQAaZcd_GjI4NqeJ94hleVCPPJayt1G6RYmqctSpcVc0Nhx/s400/IMG_4887.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147048384810098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWSAZNi9o6EEi3PfHU0l1CcCrDXLkeBBGnmCTB6_etTR1VFTfN59ojdEJ1myBQionjid9I6U950_EzuLKP4sSTEraRkx6Q7tIH0mPmeC9UloMM8FdhvhfyxyNHrC8kcsqxe3U2JmX_IVm/s1600/IMG_5167.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWSAZNi9o6EEi3PfHU0l1CcCrDXLkeBBGnmCTB6_etTR1VFTfN59ojdEJ1myBQionjid9I6U950_EzuLKP4sSTEraRkx6Q7tIH0mPmeC9UloMM8FdhvhfyxyNHrC8kcsqxe3U2JmX_IVm/s400/IMG_5167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147375793712178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGX0Yv4vXtXGJzoblYnwbXaraDmw3zARhDTFryNGGAQYUAQ3SMjK2BGXp2y8g1jpCpttywLJmLTYunoUJPzPnppIGkux9dOj613TAaisheIU2QHtXgKbQLMiFTSNMrNynbvQVteUW9DjHS/s1600/IMG_5155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGX0Yv4vXtXGJzoblYnwbXaraDmw3zARhDTFryNGGAQYUAQ3SMjK2BGXp2y8g1jpCpttywLJmLTYunoUJPzPnppIGkux9dOj613TAaisheIU2QHtXgKbQLMiFTSNMrNynbvQVteUW9DjHS/s400/IMG_5155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147317111560738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She is now calling me Mee-Mee...<br />I have no clue why,<br />but I'll take it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSYHwWzNum4MyVjY4nxUJXV_jS-RaPYBPzzW_98Ll2OtfSqNKR68SWD1ZvKyBujlIYbZ_m5X4QuYl87aKOYA3qwk9kreUcY-hnjBFNYg4_VBk2t78HhtQEoTfbc82TZPqDvy2muC8hNXv/s1600/IMG_5333.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSYHwWzNum4MyVjY4nxUJXV_jS-RaPYBPzzW_98Ll2OtfSqNKR68SWD1ZvKyBujlIYbZ_m5X4QuYl87aKOYA3qwk9kreUcY-hnjBFNYg4_VBk2t78HhtQEoTfbc82TZPqDvy2muC8hNXv/s400/IMG_5333.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147489310567970" border="0" /></a><br />Playing with Popi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8VrzSJQKe7mlZ2Z0pyhwDhfYakutDoPe1fyKvKPfDlb-0S6g1a_ONeMsfCOJDgC_KT5RBQehqJa0095oVBN15sRy0YPXWWIRxj3SKUbPz0gY9mhLoFfrBvsC0l4jULuBS1lnwE-1qCxG/s1600/IMG_4897.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8VrzSJQKe7mlZ2Z0pyhwDhfYakutDoPe1fyKvKPfDlb-0S6g1a_ONeMsfCOJDgC_KT5RBQehqJa0095oVBN15sRy0YPXWWIRxj3SKUbPz0gY9mhLoFfrBvsC0l4jULuBS1lnwE-1qCxG/s400/IMG_4897.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147100316633378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Every child, grandchild, and now great-grandchild<br />is introduced to Papa's (my dad) pride and joy,<br />the John Deere<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7BnRdaKfvLRyHCHhVW-5A837PY-tx1i0Y20SRbmRB9j8EsXjO6ZePTSgFG4xdE-OARZZZjsjg9wzvo3cnOkmh-pB7YgOh18baEWmZNL5FmMSZEPv6OqJmwqBShjsFLDg4JiEdT6zIqNO/s1600/IMG_5023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7BnRdaKfvLRyHCHhVW-5A837PY-tx1i0Y20SRbmRB9j8EsXjO6ZePTSgFG4xdE-OARZZZjsjg9wzvo3cnOkmh-pB7YgOh18baEWmZNL5FmMSZEPv6OqJmwqBShjsFLDg4JiEdT6zIqNO/s400/IMG_5023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147211730897394" border="0" /></a><br />Momma removes a sliver<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI33T1Y0AZLv8XGFC8y0xDv3NEtkB728dyqX3OEpoDVcRR8fZq9JPBxmwWntgWhng0jZDHrGzqnswDEH-Eeb74upWDhfVUc8nzOE21oyMELwUq4j2koy1e6s16QTjHiU3jGIVOX3zTcWL/s1600/IMG_5102.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI33T1Y0AZLv8XGFC8y0xDv3NEtkB728dyqX3OEpoDVcRR8fZq9JPBxmwWntgWhng0jZDHrGzqnswDEH-Eeb74upWDhfVUc8nzOE21oyMELwUq4j2koy1e6s16QTjHiU3jGIVOX3zTcWL/s400/IMG_5102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147263863243554" border="0" /></a><br />and saves her from the scary Daddy monster (o;<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pJ_Cj08Us0NxaIc0S3L9au6O609Q3OOaH4eMqlGvxQfHCc6DJTPKwdic7c5txYtKzHF0ucP2qySs7yql3H4YW5S6kqmltTfJV1Ojt5pdwpZ2ymh9EPTK-OFeowH0TUlvCkQI0Wr-h8hj/s1600/IMG_5018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pJ_Cj08Us0NxaIc0S3L9au6O609Q3OOaH4eMqlGvxQfHCc6DJTPKwdic7c5txYtKzHF0ucP2qySs7yql3H4YW5S6kqmltTfJV1Ojt5pdwpZ2ymh9EPTK-OFeowH0TUlvCkQI0Wr-h8hj/s400/IMG_5018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147150863653682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cE9Btio2vvOguaLWamAG0GycvEMBFNQnonn75Ov9458pzN9JCdslY_HY8HiudVOYr-QNtSJtnY296YM6snaNfgCyVA2xl_i0bVpzO-t8PNzvk4N_bXIObUYaL9IYj9vC2vDSDi2lPQDB/s1600/IMG_5367.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cE9Btio2vvOguaLWamAG0GycvEMBFNQnonn75Ov9458pzN9JCdslY_HY8HiudVOYr-QNtSJtnY296YM6snaNfgCyVA2xl_i0bVpzO-t8PNzvk4N_bXIObUYaL9IYj9vC2vDSDi2lPQDB/s400/IMG_5367.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453147540253217410" border="0" /></a>~Have a great weekend~<br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-8245253925054060722010-03-20T20:44:00.000-07:002010-03-20T21:25:10.872-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">Endless To Do List items were the order of the day<br /><br />I'm heading off to spend a couple days with my sweet Sophia!<br /><br />She's a girl after her Nami's own heart (that's me)<br />See the rake in her hands?<br />She and her daddy started a garden this week<br />I'm sure she'll tell me all about it...<br />the trick will be understanding Sophia language! (:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IXRwd0qlJSj850txWC-k5IzYDlxwo1sd_FYwDS_aTJp6u9mQT06AW65ZLyFE1NHGTbJWGfIMVDxZ-BBhgqpwquXbZ6d_KvGqLWyF0X3I1v0N_dqj7ImlTw4C8y2T9lcF0zfP0K-eEvnu/s1600-h/P3141328.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IXRwd0qlJSj850txWC-k5IzYDlxwo1sd_FYwDS_aTJp6u9mQT06AW65ZLyFE1NHGTbJWGfIMVDxZ-BBhgqpwquXbZ6d_KvGqLWyF0X3I1v0N_dqj7ImlTw4C8y2T9lcF0zfP0K-eEvnu/s400/P3141328.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450935320251154690" border="0" /></a><br />She loves flowers<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxU6Bb29qJWFYgYTCwLhEznY5DdN5Yw-GpSItyjKcQEQLLuztBGK8GPLG__2Yea3VGUQVv_zAmR3NGxJ4AxvXiG_usMPVoTDFqWACkKNiBJrrxKn9AKDmvX6ORiGYeO7VXWXKWes0IHOy/s1600-h/P3061335.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxU6Bb29qJWFYgYTCwLhEznY5DdN5Yw-GpSItyjKcQEQLLuztBGK8GPLG__2Yea3VGUQVv_zAmR3NGxJ4AxvXiG_usMPVoTDFqWACkKNiBJrrxKn9AKDmvX6ORiGYeO7VXWXKWes0IHOy/s400/P3061335.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450935269771892178" border="0" /></a><br />She'll be 2 on April 1,<br />but we're celebrating early<br />because baby brother is due to arrive<br />about the same time as her birthday.<br /><br />I spent today getting last minute things done<br />and packing to go<br /><br />The baby chicks are turning into teenagers...<br />all raggedy and gangily...<br /><br />Putt-Putt shows off her height and new feathers!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDpjIQnXpv4geli__2rlyCw4vj62k8sKR_iUfcas-1pvkLjAbEj5k7-fhp0R-FyhhhnAuFpvzlWdPMfJ7lahmdFEt5xg28tEXgrwXW8WBIXwfrlh-EYlGRHZ8pJHIsuLPdTju7TCZMSW1/s1600-h/IMG_4850.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDpjIQnXpv4geli__2rlyCw4vj62k8sKR_iUfcas-1pvkLjAbEj5k7-fhp0R-FyhhhnAuFpvzlWdPMfJ7lahmdFEt5xg28tEXgrwXW8WBIXwfrlh-EYlGRHZ8pJHIsuLPdTju7TCZMSW1/s400/IMG_4850.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928116289947474" border="0" /></a><br />They talk to eachother constantly...<br /><br />"Something moved...<br />we're sure its a yummy bug!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy1J6eMXIg-eO7CEHziEnjg0gdfnWkupvAWOYOIZoJbSg1qtT981QlZLxHbEYtZDy6mMwAC3l3SHOxCA3mDh5pmroNGYfygBS10V-LSDustexlXBg2RNP48tSIJC8FJN9WHOO0LJUGS2W/s1600-h/IMG_4859.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy1J6eMXIg-eO7CEHziEnjg0gdfnWkupvAWOYOIZoJbSg1qtT981QlZLxHbEYtZDy6mMwAC3l3SHOxCA3mDh5pmroNGYfygBS10V-LSDustexlXBg2RNP48tSIJC8FJN9WHOO0LJUGS2W/s400/IMG_4859.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928168761812370" border="0" /></a><br />"Hey! That was my bug!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnMG6Dh9fsUaF_PCuqDuP0KviCNxdwFtMJAlFLP8buVZkOfIcUWMw8fjPKW19CBbmcHSvZTFLZmEgTDAjij0NixreNKn1zRTZbswV837-OmhAOTzLKi2LTXAbNU5nx0oN5KHFu-aN5SsK/s1600-h/IMG_4861.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnMG6Dh9fsUaF_PCuqDuP0KviCNxdwFtMJAlFLP8buVZkOfIcUWMw8fjPKW19CBbmcHSvZTFLZmEgTDAjij0NixreNKn1zRTZbswV837-OmhAOTzLKi2LTXAbNU5nx0oN5KHFu-aN5SsK/s400/IMG_4861.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928230420420978" border="0" /></a><br />They're a real pair!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsgZIwmOA94MhoFNsPSbml0GAleBB4ulRvg1F7uYxP57xBl8GZhT6QXX-e8n_TWhGJpAmhiNhhuojwE4dUt_aHzhGL4ImfBYKAJrKwGKs8-172_O7MMVHEffW4BcRXI8zv_HyWe3QIAJy/s1600-h/IMG_4864.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsgZIwmOA94MhoFNsPSbml0GAleBB4ulRvg1F7uYxP57xBl8GZhT6QXX-e8n_TWhGJpAmhiNhhuojwE4dUt_aHzhGL4ImfBYKAJrKwGKs8-172_O7MMVHEffW4BcRXI8zv_HyWe3QIAJy/s400/IMG_4864.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928282785547058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Cecil Brunner rose is starting to bloom<br /><br />I can't wait for it to be a froth of pink over the garden gate<br />The blossoms are intoxicating<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkM96-DpqzVFcysGm_AW4owrcanQhmkbLh948Ld3HmJVnp0hPWubQx6z2kEmuu4jCbNPc-SWWBt6JZz-IrJBJoZhmU4sa4oAkplee13yokvGt3aXnwVhyphenhyphenRrR37aBdX-QRgG_1EwUDiqxC/s1600-h/IMG_4880.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkM96-DpqzVFcysGm_AW4owrcanQhmkbLh948Ld3HmJVnp0hPWubQx6z2kEmuu4jCbNPc-SWWBt6JZz-IrJBJoZhmU4sa4oAkplee13yokvGt3aXnwVhyphenhyphenRrR37aBdX-QRgG_1EwUDiqxC/s400/IMG_4880.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928907596293426" border="0" /></a><br />The greenhouse is busy these days too<br />The tomatoes are putting out flowers in good numbers<br />We should have tomatoes by the end of May<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqseAoSi3-Zs2VLz1ld-LCM1-3VfV8oQQweo3zMlaW8RaIxpQ7FgCz8UgR5nUri9kBdPuqsvjO1nOdvJQmAsNozWwvT7LQQgRpIXKYPlRRrGtTej97RN63Y-5tFXe1pCj1WYbz9975DRwX/s1600-h/IMG_4871.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqseAoSi3-Zs2VLz1ld-LCM1-3VfV8oQQweo3zMlaW8RaIxpQ7FgCz8UgR5nUri9kBdPuqsvjO1nOdvJQmAsNozWwvT7LQQgRpIXKYPlRRrGtTej97RN63Y-5tFXe1pCj1WYbz9975DRwX/s400/IMG_4871.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928596034862482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwzP4Y5xeie_HQg1ylHXlodn8eGL2mo1tOkVtad_x1Vml3je7v13C8xN0cS1NlIkcBGo_-uJSCBgXR1GvaMYJf1dGno97HJ-CdDnHKdR0EIJWpNfOM0pWV4fwcLS7b8OzB_yuaD54A5dF/s1600-h/IMG_4870.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwzP4Y5xeie_HQg1ylHXlodn8eGL2mo1tOkVtad_x1Vml3je7v13C8xN0cS1NlIkcBGo_-uJSCBgXR1GvaMYJf1dGno97HJ-CdDnHKdR0EIJWpNfOM0pWV4fwcLS7b8OzB_yuaD54A5dF/s400/IMG_4870.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928544031394258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_xT1-_wjUnakQ3jhRs9I9bWQcTcOIWN99EQIBXEC8NuCXRigdnwuoE05oWOmE_iBfPSzX_jdEi9Jv2pWtYkiuxk7Q4MpDazpuK9Uua4-n0XLLgXrRxJJtnU-sW-sSxe57NqlRvwWAf6_/s1600-h/IMG_4875.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_xT1-_wjUnakQ3jhRs9I9bWQcTcOIWN99EQIBXEC8NuCXRigdnwuoE05oWOmE_iBfPSzX_jdEi9Jv2pWtYkiuxk7Q4MpDazpuK9Uua4-n0XLLgXrRxJJtnU-sW-sSxe57NqlRvwWAf6_/s400/IMG_4875.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928747900933922" border="0" /></a><br />Fusia and Geraniums in hanging baskets<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUah9jN__9P2oyDh01urI6u_ewrEizQbAAAan-vCxhZmz4BEIyMueGrZxMtnSEYm424r5P5Yn9vQ9-xEVvVPTnDJDbwVwqwCWKHAZ2AKjNnj90XfLRgRWPuOiXcIUJ08Y84nHKDjvc067/s1600-h/IMG_4873.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUah9jN__9P2oyDh01urI6u_ewrEizQbAAAan-vCxhZmz4BEIyMueGrZxMtnSEYm424r5P5Yn9vQ9-xEVvVPTnDJDbwVwqwCWKHAZ2AKjNnj90XfLRgRWPuOiXcIUJ08Y84nHKDjvc067/s400/IMG_4873.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928696806445730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu8YLGRUns3iUlEll9NuoW5B0sD8xfy-zoCrtLuuWGCPDsKruemhgWhc144mU_Te9eiRNlBqKossfB3xebFWJl3qSsXSrRc466PI62x_lbUDaRwc6BBbTD2ssovxnt4OBfYHlsaqJ4zf4/s1600-h/IMG_4869.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu8YLGRUns3iUlEll9NuoW5B0sD8xfy-zoCrtLuuWGCPDsKruemhgWhc144mU_Te9eiRNlBqKossfB3xebFWJl3qSsXSrRc466PI62x_lbUDaRwc6BBbTD2ssovxnt4OBfYHlsaqJ4zf4/s400/IMG_4869.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928446118330850" border="0" /></a><br />In the outside garden area,<br />DH has made me these rather unsightly,<br />but very effective garden bed covers.<br /><br />They serve to keep bugs off,<br />and the heat in during the early spring days.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRUseZJO70INGZwwZqG1J9mQwMM_nNuOmqbPTqzBKbKNtzwCqIwRaLmMwrAtJvRSFdZN_6xS2TUxheJG10AZQhsgDUnwxDLfAdmXa49UnhqobDTRPKsUpLC1FzNC528cf57PZf_ozh55G/s1600-h/IMG_4868.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRUseZJO70INGZwwZqG1J9mQwMM_nNuOmqbPTqzBKbKNtzwCqIwRaLmMwrAtJvRSFdZN_6xS2TUxheJG10AZQhsgDUnwxDLfAdmXa49UnhqobDTRPKsUpLC1FzNC528cf57PZf_ozh55G/s400/IMG_4868.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928403012614210" border="0" /></a><br />My favorite buddy, and trusty work horse<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJghYh2gbZNyxBQ5d8_OYV08-tnHsbY1oPkCBE-geUKoSoavtzswyVm1je7ovUXDUN5Op2OugWfw3xcR0mVYvRjP2qUWQa9iENyNJz3jlJ4ch0G8avlDs43Sn93tgj1TFPJY3gWQU-ELe/s1600-h/IMG_4867.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJghYh2gbZNyxBQ5d8_OYV08-tnHsbY1oPkCBE-geUKoSoavtzswyVm1je7ovUXDUN5Op2OugWfw3xcR0mVYvRjP2qUWQa9iENyNJz3jlJ4ch0G8avlDs43Sn93tgj1TFPJY3gWQU-ELe/s400/IMG_4867.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450928346237740498" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">Earth is here so kind, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"> that just tickle her with a hoe </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"> and she laughs with a harvest.</span><br /> </strong><em><br /> by Douglas William Jerrold,<br />about Australia, A Land of Plenty</em><br /><br /><br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-37006685256523892922010-03-16T18:38:00.001-07:002010-03-16T18:52:59.884-07:00Happy St Patrick's Day<div style="text-align: center;">In honor of the few Irish genes I inherited from my mother's side,<br />I'm seeing green collections around my house<br /><br />Beads<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanxkPngfldzpSNJv6ZBPv9FD3udmGk3_itDMmTW_-k191Swtlc4CuHZXXfRZ-l5iMXWT28fecyca3YQLnwtb6my0Z6SYWOwUVtCrmAl-2aJKAd5KLqRpN5TABw9TZS7f0lJmjMJcJF1Uf/s1600-h/Beads+w+shamrocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanxkPngfldzpSNJv6ZBPv9FD3udmGk3_itDMmTW_-k191Swtlc4CuHZXXfRZ-l5iMXWT28fecyca3YQLnwtb6my0Z6SYWOwUVtCrmAl-2aJKAd5KLqRpN5TABw9TZS7f0lJmjMJcJF1Uf/s400/Beads+w+shamrocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411211106381666" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A vintage green photo album<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZDt0IEU20UoYVttoUgNKRdj7asPs-OcX-ol2SezY0bgPKdsmiV7q6d5oYmEPvJr3CWFc_ZCe8SlBn11dzwzz6KxjZPPiVWbCuZ7z1dZCrFRaPS2BfqCDMaYc9XXoJwNCOWl5TfnT_ESe/s1600-h/Bells+w+shamrocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZDt0IEU20UoYVttoUgNKRdj7asPs-OcX-ol2SezY0bgPKdsmiV7q6d5oYmEPvJr3CWFc_ZCe8SlBn11dzwzz6KxjZPPiVWbCuZ7z1dZCrFRaPS2BfqCDMaYc9XXoJwNCOWl5TfnT_ESe/s400/Bells+w+shamrocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449414604902887442" border="0" /></a><br />Green colored books<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNiaFKuuOLM87u18gc6VLiQCAdvH84BM9wgSPldOz870NPD9yr1ET2NJQMt1koVXlvP5q6Yd75hkzlMgORXGYfbglTAHMEZxIZzr1n7ErQjwiHQHmOR8vNyYOnSoysiKMNsmttop-2huD/s1600-h/Books+w+shamrocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNiaFKuuOLM87u18gc6VLiQCAdvH84BM9wgSPldOz870NPD9yr1ET2NJQMt1koVXlvP5q6Yd75hkzlMgORXGYfbglTAHMEZxIZzr1n7ErQjwiHQHmOR8vNyYOnSoysiKMNsmttop-2huD/s400/Books+w+shamrocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411324987010930" border="0" /></a><br />A collection of green vintage kitchen implements<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JwxRt-p5wFtftIa7caMMoobcLE2WQPhW3zzuqUJJl_HsC38ytEaUrJbsScudhGDKYTHokwi8sCtcpa9S1COCk60TPiDOSB-vDQLTwXdkEqlQasqUvgie3Gn7Wnxr8FmNq17Y6VMdsAvK/s1600-h/Kitchen+w+shamrocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JwxRt-p5wFtftIa7caMMoobcLE2WQPhW3zzuqUJJl_HsC38ytEaUrJbsScudhGDKYTHokwi8sCtcpa9S1COCk60TPiDOSB-vDQLTwXdkEqlQasqUvgie3Gn7Wnxr8FmNq17Y6VMdsAvK/s400/Kitchen+w+shamrocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411439709416386" border="0" /></a><br />Green vintage bottles<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1uClt5Fnj0NDrauRagQngHV46__SwayHX6RmJde4YpgMQ_nf6kUGTndZDi48Ja9K0zNjSVMTEBr-zUbRzc58Resm3h7MN0wjxYdhWgV4TtCpLc9T3Ld0CRZYsl2YBjqVqDJmcoa2rypV/s1600-h/Bottles+w+shamrocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1uClt5Fnj0NDrauRagQngHV46__SwayHX6RmJde4YpgMQ_nf6kUGTndZDi48Ja9K0zNjSVMTEBr-zUbRzc58Resm3h7MN0wjxYdhWgV4TtCpLc9T3Ld0CRZYsl2YBjqVqDJmcoa2rypV/s400/Bottles+w+shamrocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411386962336098" border="0" /></a><br />Kitty on the green rug?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqYcArUbDapnez7VzCXVVBvOtyx2L8CPyOLyspdc8XPmeoI5acu3x7JFBSlZCKXg-7ZjHWOSDUPC0PtE5RIMO9XM74hQLdOhgxnRBTB58Vt_RNWlncuMBk-wPuqCUEZFhvC0T8alddiRk/s1600-h/Kitty+w+shamrocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqYcArUbDapnez7VzCXVVBvOtyx2L8CPyOLyspdc8XPmeoI5acu3x7JFBSlZCKXg-7ZjHWOSDUPC0PtE5RIMO9XM74hQLdOhgxnRBTB58Vt_RNWlncuMBk-wPuqCUEZFhvC0T8alddiRk/s400/Kitty+w+shamrocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411493337516610" border="0" /></a>Ok, maybe that's a stretch...<br />but couldn't resist our cute kitty<br />all snuggled up on the floor!<br /><br /><br />~And an Old Irish Blessing for you~<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Wishing you a rainbow<br /> For sunlight after showers—<br /> Miles and miles of Irish smiles<br /> For golden happy hours—<br /> Shamrocks at your doorway<br /> For luck and laughter too,<br /> And a host of friends that never ends<br /> Each day your whole life through!</span><br /><br />Don't forget to wear <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Green</span>,<br />and avoid a pinch<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Happy St. Patty's Day!</span></span><br /><br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661719235646612236.post-53105853117561465862010-03-15T21:31:00.000-07:002010-03-15T23:10:50.064-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloBdVKZvFDYWub_0diX_8QiutiMb8jhV7HdC-BXHo1cifRooZxhr_seg76BpIOwmjwz2vpoENHTT1230Ci9jUHVihebJ4d0yhsd8SmSElufMKTKQUbBtfGna33UnspRGJ_lCcBuHT7T8I/s1600-h/IMG_4826.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloBdVKZvFDYWub_0diX_8QiutiMb8jhV7HdC-BXHo1cifRooZxhr_seg76BpIOwmjwz2vpoENHTT1230Ci9jUHVihebJ4d0yhsd8SmSElufMKTKQUbBtfGna33UnspRGJ_lCcBuHT7T8I/s400/IMG_4826.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085256326529554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVl55Aa_ggdl1Yvk4RtWaJryoktxeZQTGe-HVh-tP8UoCel36dUHD2Z-_GUQLyBWlA1nlpVnU02GsiwqnGE1qANelSJftlthTofzWCskLHDqC2C97fACh4Igqqn0EFiTTR_tPFxorbend/s1600-h/IMG_4822.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVl55Aa_ggdl1Yvk4RtWaJryoktxeZQTGe-HVh-tP8UoCel36dUHD2Z-_GUQLyBWlA1nlpVnU02GsiwqnGE1qANelSJftlthTofzWCskLHDqC2C97fACh4Igqqn0EFiTTR_tPFxorbend/s400/IMG_4822.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449084900137229186" border="0" /></a><br />The ancient Greeks wore wreaths of these little jewels,<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and the Romans made them into wine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLEnx3vddHLrSUuL37FIS2DMF6Ls7gD04ktmbPwHpEFmygnRYaMmfDDQ_f0NP8Hm-COkEyfxY_ypatUJF2CiwGiyH6NUSb9t_SK1Ymokhd1SsB6Es0odUEdWTidL6I7tIFaCDdvkvbE_J/s1600-h/Zeus+white+heifer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLEnx3vddHLrSUuL37FIS2DMF6Ls7gD04ktmbPwHpEFmygnRYaMmfDDQ_f0NP8Hm-COkEyfxY_ypatUJF2CiwGiyH6NUSb9t_SK1Ymokhd1SsB6Es0odUEdWTidL6I7tIFaCDdvkvbE_J/s400/Zeus+white+heifer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449110135780477474" border="0" /></a><br />According to Greek mythology,<br />the violet was created from the tears of a nymph<br />who was loved by Zeus.<br />In order to hide her from his wife,<br />Zeus turned her into a white heifer.<br />She was forced to eat grass.<br />It was so bitter that she cried.<br />Her tears were turned into violets by Zeus<br />to provide delicate fodder.<br /><br />This time of year my viola odorata is in full bloom<br />I can't walk by the patch without stopping short<br />and taking taking a deep breath<br />... and another..<br />...and another...<br /><br />It started with two small plants,<br />and now have a 20ft long patch of violets along my garden fence.<br />They love rich loamy soil<br />and a little protection from hot afternoon sun<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzJV3GrEiJdWByGgcjX0WNj-3ZLLurtrbwawK9ZvEnXV3UJacY2r_GADCJiPtHbwzpksKFeuvkAcfcOIYJCZERMG-VsqZHtFeMjI1jvxgkOmnnOrsthEUwlEhb2we0Pa6R7EW00aF5aAr/s1600-h/IMG_4818.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzJV3GrEiJdWByGgcjX0WNj-3ZLLurtrbwawK9ZvEnXV3UJacY2r_GADCJiPtHbwzpksKFeuvkAcfcOIYJCZERMG-VsqZHtFeMjI1jvxgkOmnnOrsthEUwlEhb2we0Pa6R7EW00aF5aAr/s400/IMG_4818.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449084820223484802" border="0" /></a><br />Viola Odorata is a perennial plant with soft<br />heart-shaped leaves and intoxicatingly<br />heavily scented flower.<br /><br />Probably the most common know use is<br />crystallised for use on cakes or in desserts,<br />but did you know that a decoction can be made<br />to use as a remedy for chest colds?<br /><br />... and a syrup of violets serves effectively<br />for bronchitis, coughs and chesty colds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHEo5DGfqFOl5S4slQBy8Ox4LK8f4LXfmbEPFkz_mhyWdF3LtVUoPyHO_TRoXbovuUunSn84Mk3lRG4Bq-EUqbZ4n3vq7tbiWTQF4_86f5ieHhLtfj69-miuQhLgi0BGgCVW8fIpMsad1/s1600-h/IMG_4833.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHEo5DGfqFOl5S4slQBy8Ox4LK8f4LXfmbEPFkz_mhyWdF3LtVUoPyHO_TRoXbovuUunSn84Mk3lRG4Bq-EUqbZ4n3vq7tbiWTQF4_86f5ieHhLtfj69-miuQhLgi0BGgCVW8fIpMsad1/s400/IMG_4833.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085337515353346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >~Violet Syrup</span></span>~<br />Put 3 large handfuls of flowers into a bowl<br />and add 1/2 cup of boiling water.<br />Cover and let sit for a whole day.<br />Strain through a piece of cheesecloth or muslin<br />and be sure to squeeze all the water out of the flowers.<br />In an enamel pan, add 4 Tbls. of honey with the Violet water<br />Heat slowly to dissolve honey and bring to a boil.<br />Immediately remove from heat, and cool.<br />Put the violet syrup into a screw top jar and store in a cool place<br />for the next time you have a cold.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5i7mLoHQCUa2P2NsPGcGRZqkXvVgaOn6KJvjUFVEiGEsgyx534WEW8vYD3lQqpSvC7qYowDUb9E17u0ZJUVpt2IVpednfEcqh5iIbF6Bvlx76h4XwSr2YkZkIj-yQJRIOtq-snHRL8ix/s1600-h/IMG_4824.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5i7mLoHQCUa2P2NsPGcGRZqkXvVgaOn6KJvjUFVEiGEsgyx534WEW8vYD3lQqpSvC7qYowDUb9E17u0ZJUVpt2IVpednfEcqh5iIbF6Bvlx76h4XwSr2YkZkIj-yQJRIOtq-snHRL8ix/s400/IMG_4824.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085131189879074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">~Violet Ointment</span></span>~<br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Violet ointment is made with fresh violet leaves<br />and can be used to soothe and reduce swelling,<br />or to soften dry lips,<br />or for soothing haemorrhids.<br />Melt 2 heaping Tbls. of pure lard or<br />vegetable shortening in an enamel pan<br />and add a handful of chopped leaves.<br />Cover and cook on very low heat for 30 minutes.<br />Strain immediately through a piece of muslin or cheesecloth<br />Pour into small pots<br />Cover when cool<br />and store in a cool place.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_KMj6Y3r_e68oNOPBMsryKaV235DUiO2BGkObPY6ekmZBQZiUiupyabPDC1PFabCbhKOwEpof90V0BQ55jhi90R4K0ZZ96PyBQDUsmmD-qEURFl829a-_hfqrwcSdzWfAOsXCHCFbJLA/s1600-h/IMG_4825.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_KMj6Y3r_e68oNOPBMsryKaV235DUiO2BGkObPY6ekmZBQZiUiupyabPDC1PFabCbhKOwEpof90V0BQ55jhi90R4K0ZZ96PyBQDUsmmD-qEURFl829a-_hfqrwcSdzWfAOsXCHCFbJLA/s400/IMG_4825.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085200564136770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >~</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Aromatic Bath</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >~</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">After a tiring day, draw a nice warm bath<br />to which is added a strong infusion of violet water<br />Pour 2 cupfuls of boiling water<br />over 3 handfuls of violet flowers.<br />Leave to infuse for 10-15 mintues<br />then add to your bath water.<br />Climb in and relax!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifReOvJn5PPtHOMFL6-Wv1Fo40u16iFj2imKb2Wvrs6gDEmpQhfztsgm8WiHHFbHWghWCcjs6bsI8TZhs89OPBC6DV1y8d02mXBSeqsBiGkMEbxUSPJnrlh2CvDOy27eWvXVUumb5GNUol/s1600-h/IMG_4845.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifReOvJn5PPtHOMFL6-Wv1Fo40u16iFj2imKb2Wvrs6gDEmpQhfztsgm8WiHHFbHWghWCcjs6bsI8TZhs89OPBC6DV1y8d02mXBSeqsBiGkMEbxUSPJnrlh2CvDOy27eWvXVUumb5GNUol/s400/IMG_4845.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085672496218242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />I want to thank all of you for leaving kind words yesterday<br />It was a tough day<br />It amazes me that I have been so fortunate to have found all of you<br />and I count you as friends<br />Thank you for your words of encouragement.<br />I'm probably a bit silly about my animals,<br />but I get so attached to them.<br />When something bad happens to any of my pets,<br />I almost can't bear it<br />They are dependent on me,<br />and I take that seriously -<br />and love them.<br /><br />My favorite little Tweetie Pie didn't survive<br />the dog attack on Sunday.<br />She was the most loving of the 7 chicks,<br />and liked to sit on my foot,<br />even when I walked around.<br /><br />But since losing their sisters,<br />these two little ones and I<br />have become very attached to eachother.<br /><br />They hate being left alone in their box,<br />so in order to be able to move around,<br />I put them in the big floppy pockets of my garden dress<br />and there they sleep while I work<br /><br />This is Put-Put<br />(Funny name, I know... but its hubby's choice!)<br />She's very active and bold...<br />always first to chase a bug or find a tasty morsel<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDuNLzXgWklChlV1piKkEi1iLwF-20Sj_OwlLydaiyonCyFXsx1mXno-Kj2RekT8tqZeqSdBn32y6xZlHitcvvr_wQHrRZ-jIgaLlpsin1UjCgG_JeWNwAHwjH5tNpYiTGtl6XKe9WftQ/s1600-h/IMG_4837.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDuNLzXgWklChlV1piKkEi1iLwF-20Sj_OwlLydaiyonCyFXsx1mXno-Kj2RekT8tqZeqSdBn32y6xZlHitcvvr_wQHrRZ-jIgaLlpsin1UjCgG_JeWNwAHwjH5tNpYiTGtl6XKe9WftQ/s400/IMG_4837.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085450707549666" border="0" /></a><br />and this is Hanna<br />(no reason for the name. It just seems to fit her)<br />Hanna is very quiet and gentle<br />and loves to cuddle<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IXV0hfmlMv0gwGxvvxuKH1yHg__HRIKfG6efS1pKUj87Qu_H0ePBT6Y0AgHhfPK7-jMrkM_2eU-RpPVTNqeF8u4ZWw4eaDFGRV7VIiEJmsZZx5JqICPsFX99sv-nETFyn2YUG8jK4iF8/s1600-h/IMG_4836.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IXV0hfmlMv0gwGxvvxuKH1yHg__HRIKfG6efS1pKUj87Qu_H0ePBT6Y0AgHhfPK7-jMrkM_2eU-RpPVTNqeF8u4ZWw4eaDFGRV7VIiEJmsZZx5JqICPsFX99sv-nETFyn2YUG8jK4iF8/s400/IMG_4836.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085396619596418" border="0" /></a><br />Hubby is working feverishly<br />to get a strong coop made for the girls.<br />We've been planning to take a trip to Oregon<br />to see our Sophia (grand-daughter) next week<br />I'm nervous about leaving the chicks...<br />We'll see how they like their new coop<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW59BaKOVWdLGjQVRvtIEHWKWBJYP9pSF_4oDxeQisARXIzHga8QAGMgrMPg7lT3csNbzgKORsrriVjhECd9hdnw2P1oKlGXCMsDXxLig_tcPZGTPIJ_WeKKJwMReg-pqwu_AoUcgua4y7/s1600-h/IMG_4840.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW59BaKOVWdLGjQVRvtIEHWKWBJYP9pSF_4oDxeQisARXIzHga8QAGMgrMPg7lT3csNbzgKORsrriVjhECd9hdnw2P1oKlGXCMsDXxLig_tcPZGTPIJ_WeKKJwMReg-pqwu_AoUcgua4y7/s400/IMG_4840.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085507176955810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAR5r17W6X08wIeln-NvroFD2kRrkMnf3aFGrwyd5H0mZhcw245PHefyeE9TRaue76MthPKvZesaGndIykuF9BFkQg6gs79Ow1rRfx7n_aE-vwOksSQn4WUM7N3N7nG0Tiw-WdvTBtZpB2/s1600-h/IMG_4842.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAR5r17W6X08wIeln-NvroFD2kRrkMnf3aFGrwyd5H0mZhcw245PHefyeE9TRaue76MthPKvZesaGndIykuF9BFkQg6gs79Ow1rRfx7n_aE-vwOksSQn4WUM7N3N7nG0Tiw-WdvTBtZpB2/s400/IMG_4842.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085617073554722" border="0" /></a><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />~Happy Spring to you~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9-90KWb5VN0-qhncJ7MRg0mZbJckQNUUNRk9pdwELMtdtJdCE8lTEVubyH-6JcZwrCzCsaml2OZxXJAdnJ2igTGcznaW2OjKbJ1AAAbM8DbC1wIJh7N1wLdhFKyFvOVaZPhmzOc0MfMf/s1600-h/IMG_4823.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9-90KWb5VN0-qhncJ7MRg0mZbJckQNUUNRk9pdwELMtdtJdCE8lTEVubyH-6JcZwrCzCsaml2OZxXJAdnJ2igTGcznaW2OjKbJ1AAAbM8DbC1wIJh7N1wLdhFKyFvOVaZPhmzOc0MfMf/s400/IMG_4823.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085043063648258" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Vicki's Bit-o-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651153957467185492noreply@blogger.com7