tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41367043419023224632024-02-19T00:18:52.710-05:00Modern RanchModern Ranch, DIY, home decor, home building, kitchen, espresso, baby, cloth diaper, cloth diapering, paint, textiles, curtains, fabric, design, stay at home mom, photography, DIY, faith, Christianity, JesusAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-91918287196926261072011-10-05T06:42:00.001-04:002011-10-05T06:44:14.517-04:00Fall Garland<div style="text-align: center;">
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Thanks to the knowledge of my friend Tahliah, I now know that these are
magnolia "cones". They fall off of this magnolia tree and land on the
drive in front of our garage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DLrfqjcpU64ZG10DHax_sB12kqFJPvr_bBpb5KHbqbh3mMIOHkoM3738B2wB2OVCcavHoGyUyBqRA6TDyNoQg7eVbN94LAIGvruWpv7g62_vGBcLvZpeNCiVOLvDeGIT4UluWbpBLXo/s1600/DSC08479.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DLrfqjcpU64ZG10DHax_sB12kqFJPvr_bBpb5KHbqbh3mMIOHkoM3738B2wB2OVCcavHoGyUyBqRA6TDyNoQg7eVbN94LAIGvruWpv7g62_vGBcLvZpeNCiVOLvDeGIT4UluWbpBLXo/s1600/DSC08479.jpg" /></a> </div>
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And since they're so pretty, I collected a few (in the same manner that I collect pine cones) and brought them inside for a little DIY fall decor project.<br />
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I originally thought they'd get spray-painted and go in <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/10/painted-pine-cones.html">these candle sconces</a> (and one did), but another idea prevailed; garland for the fireplace!<br />
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All I needed was ribbon and scissors.<br />
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I started by cutting one long piece of ribbon and tying a cone to each end.</div>
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I hung them by the already existing hooks on our fireplace mantel (thanks, previous renters!).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci_I6HQQuAx131Rebdhvf_Z-vSbw7SZD0w00QeYrooryOCODgu2EHDmcYhBZ5SOxu9Bu57OvzFZNm_9OvOSHQlUQ4paDWMJA5YOB2uI9PDaFlYOnclpyhNpbNhyphenhyphenXOFYYwM5xWpXPYc7g/s1600/2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci_I6HQQuAx131Rebdhvf_Z-vSbw7SZD0w00QeYrooryOCODgu2EHDmcYhBZ5SOxu9Bu57OvzFZNm_9OvOSHQlUQ4paDWMJA5YOB2uI9PDaFlYOnclpyhNpbNhyphenhyphenXOFYYwM5xWpXPYc7g/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
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And just like that- a quick and easy fall decorating project! Since I already had the ribbon (from <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/create-custom-nursery-on-budget.html">Asher's nursery</a> project) and the magnolia cones came straight off of the ground, it was totally free. Can't beat zero-dollar decor!<br />
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<i>P.S. </i>Thanking Jesus for the beautiful fall weather that's starting to roll into Georgia...the days are still in the 80s, but the mornings and evenings are cool and crisp.<br />
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Howdy friends. How's everyone liking the season so far? Thanks to ninety degree temps, we haven't had much of a fall in Georgia. But as you can see, I'm determined to get in the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/09/pining-on-pinterest-falling-into-fall.html">seasonal mood</a> anyway.<br />
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Since there aren't any pine cones on the ground yet this year (why buy them when you can get them for free?), I borrowed these from <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/create-custom-nursery-on-budget.html">Asher's nursery</a>. <br />
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And took them out to the garage for a little up-do with some Krylon spray paint. (The green shade is called "Ivy Leaf", and I can't remember what the orange shade is called.)<br />
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This had to be the fastest, easiest project I've done yet. All it took was about five minutes and two cans of spray paint to get green and orange tipped pine cones.<br />
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Then I arranged them in these decorative candle holders (which, by the way, were $1 each at the post-wide yard sale);<br />
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And just like that- a cheap, easy, fast, and fun way to not only bring the outdoors <i>in</i>, but the fall season as well.<br />
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This is where they are for the time being- the side table in our dining room, next to the golden orange leaf <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/tea-anyone.html">tea set</a> that is also quite reminiscent of fall.</div>
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Happy fall decorating!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhaJWV9KK3hrW7ZAyjwclS3YvfzCY4lWiGXTP7pooAjw6ScFck8zkUK7Pp-ihIeYxw0EHPyghMzy1lkEhCcR4seqy3qzSgjzNwML7ZTnkOrTfjoAdlX-mwPmcH42MhUs0kgktcP-nHVM/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhaJWV9KK3hrW7ZAyjwclS3YvfzCY4lWiGXTP7pooAjw6ScFck8zkUK7Pp-ihIeYxw0EHPyghMzy1lkEhCcR4seqy3qzSgjzNwML7ZTnkOrTfjoAdlX-mwPmcH42MhUs0kgktcP-nHVM/s1600/01.jpg" /> </a></div>
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My favorite spot in the fabric store; the clearance rack. Specifically, the clearance rack at Hancock Fabrics. In my opinion, it's the best one in town. There are many times when it's a bust, but sometimes (like this time) you find a real gem. </div>
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In this case, the gem was about three yards of high quality upholstery fabric for $3.99 a yard;</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtSAE57EF4JyYQ1usIGT3GPTxbO-n1nTWDTB2oeQDkrD9WxJX-OiOWMVDQ_T4s-_FIpexYd6Gvm34LrDnkM9udTwUwj_uwU-8gvlvKtaf_mImpZLn7SldqQSQxEyKQtjGwnQMHE_2SXY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtSAE57EF4JyYQ1usIGT3GPTxbO-n1nTWDTB2oeQDkrD9WxJX-OiOWMVDQ_T4s-_FIpexYd6Gvm34LrDnkM9udTwUwj_uwU-8gvlvKtaf_mImpZLn7SldqQSQxEyKQtjGwnQMHE_2SXY/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Not only is it a beautiful, modern print in a really nice neutral gray and ivory color combination, but let me repeat the price- <i>$3.99 a yard!</i> Every other upholstery fabric that I've <i>ever</i> seen (and liked) is priced upwards of $15-20 per yard. So, this was a no brainer. </div>
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It was originally going to be used as a backdrop for our <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/stylin-shelves.html">built-in book shelves</a> (since Thane won't let me paint. For, admittedly, good reasons). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBg7DQplJI5sQ0Ww4pDmy3_CzqkGE8q4FfTkel6sJxHCsmApgUbg6RgijO7iVaDAxHDXsTOtdTWhVy_GkcSLw-M1Akml1deeUKhi30tpjJJR2-t18R2N44tRX6PyXOkFoX01hVnq3HJA/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBg7DQplJI5sQ0Ww4pDmy3_CzqkGE8q4FfTkel6sJxHCsmApgUbg6RgijO7iVaDAxHDXsTOtdTWhVy_GkcSLw-M1Akml1deeUKhi30tpjJJR2-t18R2N44tRX6PyXOkFoX01hVnq3HJA/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room built-ins.</td></tr>
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But after testing it there and seeing that it didn't create the dramatic
pop of color or texture I wanted, it went into what I'll call "craft
supply storage"; the top of my heap of random fabrics, frames, ribbon,
and other yet-to-be-utilized goodies up in the attic. And there it sat, brimming with potential. And it continued to sit...for months... Until, <i>finally</i>, I figured out what to do with it; make more curtains! And my new odd-end of gray and ivory fabric seemed like a nice compliment to our blue-tiled <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/light-airy-blue.html">guest bathroom</a>.</div>
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Let's get this show on the road. Since it was one long piece, I folded it in half, ironed down the center (which made no crease), and cut the whole thing in half (lengthwise, of course).</div>
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If you thought my <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/kitschy-curtains-shoddy-sewing.html">kitchen curtain project</a> was a tad unprofessional, check this out; sewing without ironing or pinning. I only wish I could do it this way every time. </div>
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Since the fabric is so thick, I found out pretty quickly that pinning and ironing didn't make any difference. So, I just folded my hem as I went. I can't find the picture to show you, darn! Oh well, we'll just have to skip right to the finished process.</div>
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Ta-da! Ever heard of "new-sew" curtains? Well, these are what I like to call "no<i>-skill</i>" curtains.</div>
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What do you know? They actually reach the floor. That's a first, in this house at least. By the way, the hem is about half an inch around the bottom and sides, and then the rod tab at the top is about three inches.<br />
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What motivated me to finally put this great clearance fabric to use? The fact that I was tempted to go out and buy <i>more</i> things with which to start <i>other</i> projects when I have lots of things (like this fabric) sitting at home already. <b>This is my new rule; carry out plans with things I've <i>already</i> bought/<i>already</i> have rather than buying even more. </b>When I've completely run out of projects with what I currently own, <i>then</i> I can start thinking about what moderate purchase I'd like to make next.</div>
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Speaking of another project...back to the built-ins for a minute. Since Thane is (smartly) against painting a rental that we'll only be living in for a matter of months, I've been brainstorming ideas for adding a pop of color to these shelves with something we can take with us when we go. In that case, it'll pretty much have to be fabric, and only if I find another great deal on something that would work.</div>
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Hmmmmmm... :) <br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-45048934894474324582011-09-23T08:13:00.003-04:002011-09-23T08:13:58.885-04:00Musical Chairs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ5C8yT036MncTcPxPz_cSBEz61RPEGSN-QjZxsHbu4HBr0BtP7MNmNc0HxcZ7_rrJMgWaDBp_MZTYrIzIvkuDc_1LXXWP6YodD-jYIBf-tm8X1msrZqH89DvpHRWLfG_pXpkZqhWBWI/s1600/DSC03787_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ5C8yT036MncTcPxPz_cSBEz61RPEGSN-QjZxsHbu4HBr0BtP7MNmNc0HxcZ7_rrJMgWaDBp_MZTYrIzIvkuDc_1LXXWP6YodD-jYIBf-tm8X1msrZqH89DvpHRWLfG_pXpkZqhWBWI/s1600/DSC03787_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Finally, something that <i>moves</i> more than we do; our set of breakfast table chairs. Why are they not with the breakfast table, you might be wondering?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33qezHMTaX0BHxFl6oMHqNAwjTWCBjXzihqxUs9NGS3UG-VzIpwokeDzrb82y9YuFkLIkoD5Q55dbzsdXS8MmAB5vYiJ7zDiqUB8NHT9CHgNWUMYdfoDxX-uaGB_-HxOuiL_Nex2f-PE/s1600/DSC03833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33qezHMTaX0BHxFl6oMHqNAwjTWCBjXzihqxUs9NGS3UG-VzIpwokeDzrb82y9YuFkLIkoD5Q55dbzsdXS8MmAB5vYiJ7zDiqUB8NHT9CHgNWUMYdfoDxX-uaGB_-HxOuiL_Nex2f-PE/s1600/DSC03833.jpg" /></a></div>
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Because it's been out of commission since moving here last October. The one thing we lost in the PCS from Hawaii to Georgia was the hardware to attach the legs. So, it's been sitting in our attic for a year now, just waiting for us to <i>finally</i> get to Lowes and pick up some extra bolts. But despite having a very underutilized table, we've found many ways to utilize the matching chairs. <i>Too many</i> ways, in fact, which is why they're constantly moving. Here are just a few "arrangements" these chairs have seen in the last months;<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJpwbq2_OoUA1VKwkxUm_hbq-EMrXGoaxMKCVUvqjJ7CnY_2KMdihkKRWY5-YASR42JzRL198T_FdwEJ48OE6hV22ThlKRATalTuzDRW_GwV7f1vqLaggfk0S7zLTlIvGMIJ2rUPLxm4/s1600/DSC03787_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJpwbq2_OoUA1VKwkxUm_hbq-EMrXGoaxMKCVUvqjJ7CnY_2KMdihkKRWY5-YASR42JzRL198T_FdwEJ48OE6hV22ThlKRATalTuzDRW_GwV7f1vqLaggfk0S7zLTlIvGMIJ2rUPLxm4/s1600/DSC03787_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Putting this in <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/04/nursery-reveal.html">Asher's nursery</a> was an upgrade from what was previously there- the black office chair that I used to nurse him in the middle of the night when he was first born. This nursery has never been big enough for a full sized rocker or glider. But I have to say, bulky and un-cute as it is, it did the job quite well. <br />
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But now I either bring the little buddy into the bed with me or nurse
him on my new <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/09/line-of-sight.html">reading nook sofa</a> in the next room over;</div>
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So, this chair holds the spot for now. It's small enough to fit in the space, and works really nicely for the occasional need to pop a squat in this room. (I borrowed some items from <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/hooray-we-ordered-our-crib-set.html">Asher's crib</a> to dress it up a little.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bqBN4Ghfcja3xYSaREUmwHEHL-UcFCl9nUHiYgSHZ9uSQ6ubQfkpKmVmxCrfRrl3DyL5nkoE9hVhgkdRIQwn-CQG8xI8Q2tPAmRj4RDkcfeHbdY_38AKRM-7-_qDwjFldZPlUmorSzo/s1600/DSC03789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bqBN4Ghfcja3xYSaREUmwHEHL-UcFCl9nUHiYgSHZ9uSQ6ubQfkpKmVmxCrfRrl3DyL5nkoE9hVhgkdRIQwn-CQG8xI8Q2tPAmRj4RDkcfeHbdY_38AKRM-7-_qDwjFldZPlUmorSzo/s1600/DSC03789.JPG" /></a></div>
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And this is where chair #2 sat for a little while- in our office/guest/reading nook room, right next to the computer so that I could sit down with Thane. <br />
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But this became unnecessary when the sofa moved in, so it went on a little journey to a different spot of the house- our top landing;<br />
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Remember that espresso bowl that I found at a <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-mans-trash.html">Goodwill</a> for $2?<br />
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Now it's the perfect container for Thane's keys and wallet. And (sometimes) he even tucks his army boots under the chair! Maybe I'm the only one who finds a little delight in something like that. I guess I just like order in the <strike>court</strike> house.</div>
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<b>As always, I love finding good uses for things we already own. What about you guys? Re-purpose any household items lately? Find any new or interesting uses for something you had laying around?</b></div>
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-63553701912382819762011-09-22T12:08:00.000-04:002011-09-22T12:17:04.992-04:00Hard-Grass Flooring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8ADzcqsMS8Xkg2K20b86FvBjqvMwQVTQvIXJ5T-8vAvBVdfNU6fI1r751-k4nN_XZBwQFwobZ4-KYndM0d-oQRO6S4hwSanOUVhjezAUVolciEgma_AHfSUedOft5nG_uoJI40lNSBM/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8ADzcqsMS8Xkg2K20b86FvBjqvMwQVTQvIXJ5T-8vAvBVdfNU6fI1r751-k4nN_XZBwQFwobZ4-KYndM0d-oQRO6S4hwSanOUVhjezAUVolciEgma_AHfSUedOft5nG_uoJI40lNSBM/s1600/12.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Flooring.</b> The word that stumped us for months.<br />
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The ranch house had <i>many many</i> square feet of sub-floor to cover, and we had <i>many many</i> options. But there are two problems with lots of options; first, not being able to decide what we wanted. Second, making a decision (based on those many lovely, luxurious options) and then unsuccessfully attempting to cram the cost into a budget that's just not quite big enough.<br />
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And by "cram the cost into a budget that's just not quite big enough" I mean this; we knew we wanted solid hardwood floors. We knew we wanted something dark. This lead us to one conclusion; Brazilian Ebony. Ha! In our dreams. At $8 per square foot, that wasn't happening. <br />
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And so, we sort of, somewhat indecisively, settled for Walnut- only to realize that we couldn't afford it unless we downgraded to a thinner, engineered plank. The thin planks aren't as sturdy, so we were worried about quality. We don't ever plan on replacing our flooring, so this was a one time shot- in other words, we knew we'd better get it right the first time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-JegHuu6V_8cue5_IQVF3k4ZBU6N-dB1b2BO5tQ9yJpIYzLWPqlRZbZ7y9AADK-qqYuK5hMwtjL4jXrtj9RUlp3EzRSsvpI6Ij3KwQy-_Z5ULRUKTF_JjVdpeJ0dLiEn42cLZxkeaJ4/s1600/husbw2s516v_sw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-JegHuu6V_8cue5_IQVF3k4ZBU6N-dB1b2BO5tQ9yJpIYzLWPqlRZbZ7y9AADK-qqYuK5hMwtjL4jXrtj9RUlp3EzRSsvpI6Ij3KwQy-_Z5ULRUKTF_JjVdpeJ0dLiEn42cLZxkeaJ4/s1600/husbw2s516v_sw1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brazilian Walnut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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And to be totally honest, we weren't all that crazy about the green tones in Walnut. (Weird, right? Walnut has a lot of green in it. You can't see it in the photo above, but it's obvious when you see the large sample in the store.) But it was the darkest colored flooring that we could (maybe) afford. So, finally, after months of debating, we finally made a decision; <b>we'd let God take care of it</b>.<br />
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Okay, I know, that's not (technically) a decision. But non-the-less, we committed it to Him in faith, and He never disappoints. Even in trivial little matters like the flooring for our house. It must give Him joy to tend to the needs of his kids, regardless of how small or inconsequential they may be. Or maybe it was just to give us a chance to brag on <b>how great He is</b> to us. Either way, praise the Lord!<br />
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Here's how it went down; One night, a couple of months after giving the problem to Him, I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep. This never happens. But there I was, wide awake. So I moseyed on over to the computer and checked <a href="http://www.lumberliquidators.com/">Lumber Liquidators</a>. Well, by golly, there just happened to be a terrific deal on <a href="http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1916&categoryId=495&sectionId=472&subCategoryId=502">carbonized bamboo flooring</a>. By terrific, I mean too-good-to-be-true compared to every other option and price we'd seen. And better yet, it was in a color we <i>knew</i> we liked, because we'd seen the same kind in a friend's house. Not only did we know we liked the look of it (which was always uncertain with other options, since we only had small samples to go by), but get this- it was <i>solid!</i> Not exactly solid hard<i>wood</i>, since bamboo is, in fact, grass. (Yet, interestingly not green, like walnut.) But the point is that these were wide, thick planks, not the thin, small planks of the cheap versions of walnut flooring that we were about to settle for before this <strike>little</strike> big discovery in the middle of the night.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75SduBuqt0-9wfTWxV217O5UOgdZPuRtlo-bLSkYNlqqDzOJkFzG-q6V5MgAy1InF7zgyqdCuFrNdkbM8wi4C1g1_3221Alkdn3QqBJLX2cNIuZr0a1kuB5JaTxJ-p1tT66kdzFWx9ZY/s1600/prbamhc_sw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75SduBuqt0-9wfTWxV217O5UOgdZPuRtlo-bLSkYNlqqDzOJkFzG-q6V5MgAy1InF7zgyqdCuFrNdkbM8wi4C1g1_3221Alkdn3QqBJLX2cNIuZr0a1kuB5JaTxJ-p1tT66kdzFWx9ZY/s1600/prbamhc_sw.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carbonized (Horizontal) Bamboo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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And even though this variety is more of a mid-toned color, there are a lot of beautiful <b>variations</b> in it (excuse the dust);<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dKKYt-tLGIvp6GObT1e7WK__2JUgDQxnCugrr2G7Ay1RyVmU5PFJRI1wHHtQpxChQHlv7q0K6nT0FMWwHPtgbQmr-6kDhvFalHhR4BBi9U_58xUqoJqBIl3gROHM1B0jJYF0cp0Ao_E/s1600/DSC07109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dKKYt-tLGIvp6GObT1e7WK__2JUgDQxnCugrr2G7Ay1RyVmU5PFJRI1wHHtQpxChQHlv7q0K6nT0FMWwHPtgbQmr-6kDhvFalHhR4BBi9U_58xUqoJqBIl3gROHM1B0jJYF0cp0Ao_E/s1600/DSC07109.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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And it's a nice <b>contrast</b> to our very dark <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/we-have-cabinets.html">espresso kitchen cabinetry</a> and <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-dream-stairs-before-after.html">stair</a> trim;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq28e6wNzkcChSCXYKexOxOJZRtVsi_znH9fa7uUfCRIhXfiV9bYN_880c-uRwFcxXAte0AtyHNtUQaZQTffguGMPtgTyaIdLfFAF3Yt1Z5xOlV2gkj3C669FHVlUaSgxEsZnyLfcKdvo/s1600/DSC07067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq28e6wNzkcChSCXYKexOxOJZRtVsi_znH9fa7uUfCRIhXfiV9bYN_880c-uRwFcxXAte0AtyHNtUQaZQTffguGMPtgTyaIdLfFAF3Yt1Z5xOlV2gkj3C669FHVlUaSgxEsZnyLfcKdvo/s1600/DSC07067.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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So, in the end, we think it works <i>better</i> than having really dark flooring. <b>Balance</b> and <b>contrast</b> is good!<br />
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So, waking up in the middle of the night and stumbling upon this great deal was a <i>huge</i> blessing. We placed an order that same day, before the sale ended or stock ran out, and voila; floor problem solved.<br />
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<b>Praise Jesus. Has He done anything surprising like this for you guys lately? </b><br />
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<i>P.S.</i> Lumber Liquidators is a <i>great</i> company to purchase floors from! We definitely recommend them if you're in the market for flooring. See the exact bamboo we ordered <a href="http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1916&categoryId=495&sectionId=472&subCategoryId=502">here</a> (not necessarily on sale though).<br />
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<i>P.S.S.</i> Did I mention that bamboo is eco-friendly, just like another one of my <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/04/cloth-diapering-im-in-love.html">favorite things</a>? (Hint; first word- "cloth". Second word- "diapers".)<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-50499600168019681352011-09-21T07:59:00.001-04:002011-09-21T08:03:29.762-04:00Tending the Back Door<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihltB-7y_nrQOlsw_sHmWbDTwAqjbNVT2F3HeyRvDtDiCk23Ryc4iSUSA7bIVp2Iz1HuJKm7WjaY-nQdqdJyilzZjlINYHmdt0SasqvZs-rHw8p_iWHzjrQPCVqt4I3gfloISdxhqVv18/s1600/DSC05228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihltB-7y_nrQOlsw_sHmWbDTwAqjbNVT2F3HeyRvDtDiCk23Ryc4iSUSA7bIVp2Iz1HuJKm7WjaY-nQdqdJyilzZjlINYHmdt0SasqvZs-rHw8p_iWHzjrQPCVqt4I3gfloISdxhqVv18/s1600/DSC05228.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After almost a year of gently nudging the man of the house, <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/honey-do-list-featuring-boot-of-doom.html">honey-do list item #2</a> can get a big fat <b><i>check</i></b>! Our back door has officially been moved and we now have an open walkway between our kitchen and attic rooms. <b>(Note: if you're not interested in how to move a door, skip down to the bottom where the real meat of the post is!)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is where the door was <i>before</i> the move;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-zOKZwEqqBIRVnxz4eE-Cpg-8c5j_vKdVt3J__BtymKuwTRoRmurxRDxZVMLYvXsSxnNtHI9YDwGM-PwFLJS_lqBSIwoWfXdQ4CLMysguTSfO_rhV3wrkLTNEsmGJ1fA_snj0i_yHNM/s1600/DSC05150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-zOKZwEqqBIRVnxz4eE-Cpg-8c5j_vKdVt3J__BtymKuwTRoRmurxRDxZVMLYvXsSxnNtHI9YDwGM-PwFLJS_lqBSIwoWfXdQ4CLMysguTSfO_rhV3wrkLTNEsmGJ1fA_snj0i_yHNM/s1600/DSC05150.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />
And this is the hallway space between the kitchen and the stairwell that leads up to the attic;</div><div align="left"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDyHuH7eNH9y2Xvq-HTomKcxRRUwoLcaTJRkf_EDdxVSHNb0S4p84aigUlVgchobUYHAFPlbzMNuloiXFSvDYKFBmlwQouxmGd1BcXtOCpRWPdnTb19QmPfaNLxBs1y2MJaEMeTP5vhA/s1600/DSC05158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDyHuH7eNH9y2Xvq-HTomKcxRRUwoLcaTJRkf_EDdxVSHNb0S4p84aigUlVgchobUYHAFPlbzMNuloiXFSvDYKFBmlwQouxmGd1BcXtOCpRWPdnTb19QmPfaNLxBs1y2MJaEMeTP5vhA/s1600/DSC05158.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I've been wanting this door moved so that I could use the extra hallway space as a kitchen extension to hang our pots and pans. It would also allow us to walk straight upstairs to our two attic rooms without going through a locked door. Let me explain; this door acts as our back door- on the other side of it is the stairwell that goes not only up to our attic, but down to the first floor (which leads outside) and then to the basement. The door that actually leads outside is down on the first floor, and we share that with our neighbor. <br />
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So, Thane moved our locking back door to the top of the stairwell instead, directly to the right of the opening you see in the first pic. So, we still have a secure, functioning "back door", but it's no longer blocking our direct access to our two attic rooms. And if that wasn't complicated enough, just watch me try to show how incredibly <i>easy</i> (yet hard via photos) moving a door really is. <br />
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Here's the all too-unwilling man of the house, getting ready to knock this baby out without so much as a power drill or- by the grace of God- a single curse word.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjjmi4TI_t_FS81urm-6N2jRMj9oprIpqaO-UvCvfAoDgnNiWQfjPD4y8MU05enxwzpt5vGpSQnpJva17HVMrqsw2Ej9T9hHeixDwNvgg1FAhguoH9G2vfk_U6ZQLG9NrpV5-1bTrABU/s1600/DSC05167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjjmi4TI_t_FS81urm-6N2jRMj9oprIpqaO-UvCvfAoDgnNiWQfjPD4y8MU05enxwzpt5vGpSQnpJva17HVMrqsw2Ej9T9hHeixDwNvgg1FAhguoH9G2vfk_U6ZQLG9NrpV5-1bTrABU/s1600/DSC05167.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See the little pin at the top of this hinge? It has to be lifted up and out, which can be done using a hammer and flat head screwdriver. Just wedge the flat head in the seam, and give it a few taps with the hammer to get it moving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRAjcpkzzkMthpRjeT3AQIS5X6pM8hGF24iEp5HD28ktC2h1Z49nw_IfSdRwGTv_jPCDqpR2JurnTAPKneWAkRZ-RQpLOu3ej-Z4BsLtbL4ximP8bAmemHmqBhJc-3ryynb1HvRUAa-c/s1600/DSC05168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRAjcpkzzkMthpRjeT3AQIS5X6pM8hGF24iEp5HD28ktC2h1Z49nw_IfSdRwGTv_jPCDqpR2JurnTAPKneWAkRZ-RQpLOu3ej-Z4BsLtbL4ximP8bAmemHmqBhJc-3ryynb1HvRUAa-c/s1600/DSC05168.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And out comes the pin!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldLH8_MdwNV-lTmLSK83NFhEqFTkzT1slZGh8wYIa-juwgc_rBiPqS5g_OYuVKzbS9sbCy7-xzlGBef20Uz0XeBONrR_602YugrATkQsr0jFgE5t246wAnL3iI2jd7S7nv-lJiCpD3Mk/s1600/DSC05174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldLH8_MdwNV-lTmLSK83NFhEqFTkzT1slZGh8wYIa-juwgc_rBiPqS5g_OYuVKzbS9sbCy7-xzlGBef20Uz0XeBONrR_602YugrATkQsr0jFgE5t246wAnL3iI2jd7S7nv-lJiCpD3Mk/s1600/DSC05174.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Give that treatment to both hinges, and it's <i>off </i>with the door!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ogi74vHUdx4uFoO3GA4-2Inn8jjXsSn9ev_TPK4wH8HPGuuzdNztElGJEddHY7CcZEiKoORs1FbFmWPzsMDjDtYVZJksAMVzXgV-IhnY1uHpVAV-PZfg-vE4MWKvQn5hinKEEQaMWlw/s1600/DSC05179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ogi74vHUdx4uFoO3GA4-2Inn8jjXsSn9ev_TPK4wH8HPGuuzdNztElGJEddHY7CcZEiKoORs1FbFmWPzsMDjDtYVZJksAMVzXgV-IhnY1uHpVAV-PZfg-vE4MWKvQn5hinKEEQaMWlw/s1600/DSC05179.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Now it's as simple as removing the existing hardware;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3027v2wIZ7DJIsK-eJQJEUviW_x-n6stJlVbvWAQqZjWIdx0WIRpTDw9OboiyIzFMh61AR9aT5_JiYVpY2EbqyDdjJ1gyx_jtigtJEUQx2wxy2QZIqhuVh-NjRFc1ia6hmfo_3f5G-U/s1600/DSC05182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3027v2wIZ7DJIsK-eJQJEUviW_x-n6stJlVbvWAQqZjWIdx0WIRpTDw9OboiyIzFMh61AR9aT5_JiYVpY2EbqyDdjJ1gyx_jtigtJEUQx2wxy2QZIqhuVh-NjRFc1ia6hmfo_3f5G-U/s1600/DSC05182.JPG" /></a></div><br />
As well as re-moving the hinge plates;<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZYw_HAYlysGbjjBw7xkylBKVMpT82G8eS3zFvZGJn4J6poo8BFy2j4sluLRIxtymgTRAm9zvDxg4s00ejeM888FxJGQ2hfYLFKGhpv-JKkMsAuRyxyqFvwZuZ6bZ_RXjhOIOIdxqpLg/s1600/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZYw_HAYlysGbjjBw7xkylBKVMpT82G8eS3zFvZGJn4J6poo8BFy2j4sluLRIxtymgTRAm9zvDxg4s00ejeM888FxJGQ2hfYLFKGhpv-JKkMsAuRyxyqFvwZuZ6bZ_RXjhOIOIdxqpLg/s1600/4.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And then re-installing<i> all of it </i>in the threshold of the new spot (if you plan on putting the door back up in another location).<br />
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This is the dead-bolt. We were fortunate that somebody else had already done this exact door-spot-switcheroo before, so hollowing out the hole for the dead-bolt was very easy (it was filled with caulk). Otherwise, we would have needed a drill to hollow it out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g_yh2pdJJHNOk-OxQFKo8qyLZfCbfZOtd9CCSyGIAUefg3jLL0t95_c-jP2GFJOm9p90lBhQGYMslzPJycHJyumnOQhWdCqUfqxze9_LwhIufQX1HYtcbd8u00UiT-5CY17C_4g7534/s1600/DSC05192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g_yh2pdJJHNOk-OxQFKo8qyLZfCbfZOtd9CCSyGIAUefg3jLL0t95_c-jP2GFJOm9p90lBhQGYMslzPJycHJyumnOQhWdCqUfqxze9_LwhIufQX1HYtcbd8u00UiT-5CY17C_4g7534/s1600/DSC05192.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHxPfqmIJVEP4APopHAxBvNTevGIzYDwS6meMqbzyYPuoQroSxUgjZP_zmOJ4Rromwj2pfwCP8QyK35OYc4j-UHGMISn5j8A6XUDOHwyhQoEQ8fAShdBUJ5epwNds5nBFVfykAKHsZuw/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHxPfqmIJVEP4APopHAxBvNTevGIzYDwS6meMqbzyYPuoQroSxUgjZP_zmOJ4Rromwj2pfwCP8QyK35OYc4j-UHGMISn5j8A6XUDOHwyhQoEQ8fAShdBUJ5epwNds5nBFVfykAKHsZuw/s1600/1.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiItZNbTY8CZnesY31SW2OEsvWf_3VY_WnJNOgeIfcj0__fFV4l73RRcrscJ1ZyC3SxIrZyWGyBMwaZISCu40_G18A0NyWDJVSGFgveNrr0ud3Ig6ZW0msCfml3BBRQ-6sdmE09C-Mcs/s1600/5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiItZNbTY8CZnesY31SW2OEsvWf_3VY_WnJNOgeIfcj0__fFV4l73RRcrscJ1ZyC3SxIrZyWGyBMwaZISCu40_G18A0NyWDJVSGFgveNrr0ud3Ig6ZW0msCfml3BBRQ-6sdmE09C-Mcs/s1600/5.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Re-installing the hinge plates; <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiItZNbTY8CZnesY31SW2OEsvWf_3VY_WnJNOgeIfcj0__fFV4l73RRcrscJ1ZyC3SxIrZyWGyBMwaZISCu40_G18A0NyWDJVSGFgveNrr0ud3Ig6ZW0msCfml3BBRQ-6sdmE09C-Mcs/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfo3GDLzOqBDQqeu1rOx_PcWnSqxtqTd5AWG8OIDdAyZ6Yb3bgiVxLA2V0ezInzF5MetDSCKdBE4ek6XraYSxO2VpsQIN42epMSgL6y4zMz52zlKBOZMai3wFsAJbV1gfatq5nBZaZIo/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfo3GDLzOqBDQqeu1rOx_PcWnSqxtqTd5AWG8OIDdAyZ6Yb3bgiVxLA2V0ezInzF5MetDSCKdBE4ek6XraYSxO2VpsQIN42epMSgL6y4zMz52zlKBOZMai3wFsAJbV1gfatq5nBZaZIo/s1600/6.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Then came the trickiest part, for which there is no photo; lining the door back up with the hinge plates so that the big hinge-nail can slide back in to secure the door. This took both of us (hence no photo). But once we were all lined up, it was as easy as just sliding the hinge-nails back in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYJ8Mw9hkXpTdc4FDf1hN8YS4C9tsGsdnvZcqCQcfV_geFNEmvrcKYydbH0lKnOcTONM0OxYoRKUUTCffKcimSCgFtCBdSvPD-SCmOLuP-parXUqqzvFVUcymS1QfxSldHEfoWylRxyw/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYJ8Mw9hkXpTdc4FDf1hN8YS4C9tsGsdnvZcqCQcfV_geFNEmvrcKYydbH0lKnOcTONM0OxYoRKUUTCffKcimSCgFtCBdSvPD-SCmOLuP-parXUqqzvFVUcymS1QfxSldHEfoWylRxyw/s1600/7.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And now we have a full, unencumbered view of our not-so-fancy (army house) kitchen and then dining room. Notice the new-ish <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/kitchen-cart.html">microwave cart</a> to the right- my latest attempt at better kitchen organization.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3g08rYdAmhOokMdqiZ6m5Jdk6udgspFa8SuM5VLpaKLnW3mzjUmyx7ghvazf4brR-cJ6oYvFputX78QY0LC0JVj9-l4e0b6n7SASICMBkJQ9yCqLYr4KYuvvEQ_JGS8NuaSr1modDOU/s1600/DSC05223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3g08rYdAmhOokMdqiZ6m5Jdk6udgspFa8SuM5VLpaKLnW3mzjUmyx7ghvazf4brR-cJ6oYvFputX78QY0LC0JVj9-l4e0b6n7SASICMBkJQ9yCqLYr4KYuvvEQ_JGS8NuaSr1modDOU/s640/DSC05223.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>And now for the meat.</b> Right around the time I was coercing Thane to complete this <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/honey-do-list-featuring-boot-of-doom.html">honey-do task</a> for me, I came to a <a href="http://marshill.com/media/luke/jesus-and-demons">sermon preached out of the gospel of Luke</a> titled <a href="http://marshill.com/media/luke/jesus-and-demons">"Jesus and Demons"</a> (I'm going through the entire <a href="http://marshill.com/media/luke">series</a>, and it's <i>excellent</i>). And this particular sermon on "doors" came in a timely fashion- just as we were moving our back door. Here's a quick synopsis; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sin is the opening of a "door". We either belong to God or Satan. If we are Christians, Satan does not own us, but we are still able to "open our doors" and invite demonic influence into our lives. And this is a checklist of common ways that we do this;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><b>Doors of Demonic Influence</b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>-Sexual sin</b> (1 Corinthians 7:5)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>-Marriage between Christians and non-Christians</b> (2 Corinthians 6:15)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>-False religion, false teaching, false Jesus</b> (1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>-Bitterness</b> (Ephesians 4:17-5:2)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>-Foolishness and drunkenness</b> (Ephesians 5:18-21)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>-I</b><b>dle gossip and busybodying</b> (1 Timothy 5:11-15)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>-Lies</b> (John 8:44)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>-Idolatry</b> (1 John 5:18-21)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm guilty of a good number of these things, and by the grace of God I have to constantly strive for obedience so that I'm tending my own doors. Not only for the sake of living within God's will (the most important thing), but for the sake of my family. They're affected by what I do every single day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I hope this list is just as helpful to you guys as it is to me. I need these constant reminders and warnings from the Word, to continually strive to put off the things of the world and be conformed to the image of Christ. Praise Jesus for His amazing provision- for His Spirit that allows us to live the lives He meant for us all along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-28061472364920217612011-09-19T15:29:00.001-04:002011-09-20T09:11:39.145-04:00Six (No, Make it Seven) Months of Sweet Pea Weekly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2XKfTOZZbqiyl1ui4CmQcWJV4tDTO24WPj17POtLN4aSCfD49APYc4hJUql1IPtThiypLnaP-oiHpFDnokQQWadzvGjP8AwmqlXqWWHMyxcnvm3Z2a7ztQ75eoYU8OYLR8lyeRYNrHw/s1600/Sweet-Pea_green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2XKfTOZZbqiyl1ui4CmQcWJV4tDTO24WPj17POtLN4aSCfD49APYc4hJUql1IPtThiypLnaP-oiHpFDnokQQWadzvGjP8AwmqlXqWWHMyxcnvm3Z2a7ztQ75eoYU8OYLR8lyeRYNrHw/s1600/Sweet-Pea_green.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Here we are, seven months into <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/sweet-pea-weekly.html">Asher's weekly photo project</a>. (I started this post right about the time he turned six months, so the fact that I'm finally getting around to finish it goes to show it's been a busy few weeks...) I lovingly dubbed this project "Sweet Pea Weekly" as a cute pun on the sweet pea rattle prop we use as a growth gauge in each photo. If we'd had a little girl, I would have been tempted to make it "Sweet <i>Peach</i> Weekly", being in Georgia and all (tee-hee).<br />
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Anyway, SWP has been quite the endeavor! So far, these photos have been taken in<i><b> six</b></i> <i><b>different states</b></i>. That's what we get for not only traveling way too much, but for having a baby on a Saturday- if we're traveling, you can bet we're almost always gone over the weekend, which means SWP props get packed and a photo (or 100) gets taken no matter how inconvenient. <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of <b>Georgia</b>, this is the lovely state of Asher's birth, and the scene for the first six weeks of SWP. Here's week one;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTXkmVqgSU8kuehNl_UG2FZ9QGbLdN2ZSTaafgxNNe9aI_eHMNu9hqu5IPxEdC2zryXJ5yFyxrIq5_B5GZtc2RxRjIfgDvFzJzBYYVNgoapelQ1UXJq0pKIlE2-sv8tSfbdeRKQaTB3Q/s1600/Georgia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTXkmVqgSU8kuehNl_UG2FZ9QGbLdN2ZSTaafgxNNe9aI_eHMNu9hqu5IPxEdC2zryXJ5yFyxrIq5_B5GZtc2RxRjIfgDvFzJzBYYVNgoapelQ1UXJq0pKIlE2-sv8tSfbdeRKQaTB3Q/s1600/Georgia.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then, things took a turn for the crazy, and we moved to <b>Kentucky</b> for four months. Many a photo were taken there, and this is my favorite from the horse state;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX0hWe4QWE6u6Hzxg0WyOGtWVCYj7NaXzrdrAUDX8yLTfNdgLH4RdA4UNNmeDpthyzIsbjn0_XdrZax9KJE2r1k-lveriKT5snqOErI-qxVOj898DVBEbKqqjj56uloy5dKZBck8gRs8/s1600/Kentucky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX0hWe4QWE6u6Hzxg0WyOGtWVCYj7NaXzrdrAUDX8yLTfNdgLH4RdA4UNNmeDpthyzIsbjn0_XdrZax9KJE2r1k-lveriKT5snqOErI-qxVOj898DVBEbKqqjj56uloy5dKZBck8gRs8/s1600/Kentucky.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Within that four months, little buddy had his first visit to <b>Virginia</b> to see the family. And yes, his weekly b-day rolled around while we were there; </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWV1bkeOEJYv5WU8VjtbFte5S3XW6SSG6gpvtDnRhytSI0LAhP4sR3HX_YCjVnn20xzFe8UpDBaTJcwtjOc0fgUtRspDkdbmMeKRlNRM16xMFr1Q_p0VSJak_n2Qg7mytJTvg8OOv_zE/s1600/Virginia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWV1bkeOEJYv5WU8VjtbFte5S3XW6SSG6gpvtDnRhytSI0LAhP4sR3HX_YCjVnn20xzFe8UpDBaTJcwtjOc0fgUtRspDkdbmMeKRlNRM16xMFr1Q_p0VSJak_n2Qg7mytJTvg8OOv_zE/s1600/Virginia.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, after finishing out a couple more months in <b>Kentucky</b>, it was back to <b>Georgia</b>. But not for long! A trip to <b>New York</b> for a family wedding followed shortly. Weekly photo? You'd better believe it;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTlvFVopKOCkwtYlpP7guhPCJ5fnyKc76E_ZGvNy9uIDBc0KdiQXpj1GBIJ7OY6gqXTq2C4uxFheHheL3kVvwbK3NPlmZRJujq1ZZlYDdmL5ZiW2kmsevlqG6EGWIevz9xKoBrZA2_8A/s1600/New-York.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTlvFVopKOCkwtYlpP7guhPCJ5fnyKc76E_ZGvNy9uIDBc0KdiQXpj1GBIJ7OY6gqXTq2C4uxFheHheL3kVvwbK3NPlmZRJujq1ZZlYDdmL5ZiW2kmsevlqG6EGWIevz9xKoBrZA2_8A/s1600/New-York.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, it was back to <b>Georgia</b>. Shew! But wait- it's not over yet- the <b>ranch</b> trip came next;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XzaogEKw_ll6R3t7-dvlOnO14IvBpOlzgSP6KPdxw8s5uj_QPY62v_AZrJY7EfRoS0vgOVLa249gYvEEOyg651-5G5useGK35zTgXI3l8UdprxLZNGxAwU9_6KTDUzBKhYAj27WIY8I/s1600/Nebraska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XzaogEKw_ll6R3t7-dvlOnO14IvBpOlzgSP6KPdxw8s5uj_QPY62v_AZrJY7EfRoS0vgOVLa249gYvEEOyg651-5G5useGK35zTgXI3l8UdprxLZNGxAwU9_6KTDUzBKhYAj27WIY8I/s1600/Nebraska.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And while we were there, he turned six months! So, I had to do a little something extra to mark the day;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yj5VCthN6QtnGMpZzn2X9Wm7Xp3DvMb5_s1_JNvdnDIW17_mIy_ca-TL3e0bBqijezIB6TWfmYP3-vLw60KKsd5yc7foi20H-lSWXljohJThok3c38LX9d-eIksZW6QyegKdy2-b8r4/s1600/Paint-foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yj5VCthN6QtnGMpZzn2X9Wm7Xp3DvMb5_s1_JNvdnDIW17_mIy_ca-TL3e0bBqijezIB6TWfmYP3-vLw60KKsd5yc7foi20H-lSWXljohJThok3c38LX9d-eIksZW6QyegKdy2-b8r4/s1600/Paint-foot.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And as usual, I couldn't just take one...it's no secret that I've officially joined the ranks of the crazy-moms-obsessed-with-(their)-baby-photo-photography.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgzwJ22Cz5lJn0SpVCSF7GVYNfj97mhuXEM4GiEeUJl8wZeYsP049I2MlqonCMJpxO6aX7LJfWY3y6IqSA1OHvKXJlAo4yeOmbmXcbboFoAmQdHoM51Ce0Y5uTnOVJY_8pqwuzpJ8yjM/s1600/6-months_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgzwJ22Cz5lJn0SpVCSF7GVYNfj97mhuXEM4GiEeUJl8wZeYsP049I2MlqonCMJpxO6aX7LJfWY3y6IqSA1OHvKXJlAo4yeOmbmXcbboFoAmQdHoM51Ce0Y5uTnOVJY_8pqwuzpJ8yjM/s1600/6-months_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the painted foot? More on that soon...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After returning back home to Georgia, I swore of <i>all</i> traveling until Christmas. Well, two weeks later we found ourselves in <b>South Carolina</b>, visiting daddy (who was taking a two week course for the army) and some good friends who met us from up north. Try as we might, we are <i>physically incapable</i> of staying in the same state for more than two weeks at a time.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibudUdEdTrBwX3nufRK1QSqAMN62BMyL3U7WolVEOT_q8xRUhcCwEwK3ofZC54fH4JazyE8xLWu-NeoAh_sJ-zQHSEz204fIJPzUVkT8imAbEdfc2uQNnEoxbFxxl-0iujFDz7t4x90hU/s1600/South-Carolina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibudUdEdTrBwX3nufRK1QSqAMN62BMyL3U7WolVEOT_q8xRUhcCwEwK3ofZC54fH4JazyE8xLWu-NeoAh_sJ-zQHSEz204fIJPzUVkT8imAbEdfc2uQNnEoxbFxxl-0iujFDz7t4x90hU/s1600/South-Carolina.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>If I'd had any idea that we'd be traveling this much, I might not have started this weekly project. But, ignorance served me well in this case. As not-so-convenient as it's been to have to pack a white onsie, a background fabric, the sweet pea, and a charged camera every time we travel (as well as find the time to take the photo while in flux), it's been a really fun "tradition". And as frustrating as it's been to have no consistency as far as setting and lighting goes, (lighting makes a <i>big </i>difference in photography) it's gone off without a hitch overall.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No, it hasn't been as "perfect" as I might like it to be with the constant on-the-go nature of our lives, but it's taught me that it doesn't have to be "perfect" to be great. Minor variations in lighting or convenience will just be remembered as part of this crazy but wonderful little project, as well as a great reminder of all the places we've been as a family of three. Praise Jesus for such a rich, full life, full of family and friends, adventures and opportunities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And it's not over yet. <b>Florida- you're next!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But until then, allow me to leave you with one more photo, in memory of Asher's travels in-utero;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbOpEh_QnvcgKi3S6Wf1XgCMX1Cml7IV0Vna3xTzUCYT3fexdEe24s_isSzfxyCEoMDPqSekSPwibgUwG1OWw4_Vu-YMWhBeaBXrpyOlsRPXm4slDP6NGDtpymbl3riEcuWLj77yk2Gg/s1600/Made-In-Hawaii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbOpEh_QnvcgKi3S6Wf1XgCMX1Cml7IV0Vna3xTzUCYT3fexdEe24s_isSzfxyCEoMDPqSekSPwibgUwG1OWw4_Vu-YMWhBeaBXrpyOlsRPXm4slDP6NGDtpymbl3riEcuWLj77yk2Gg/s1600/Made-In-Hawaii.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This bun in the oven visited four Hawaiian islands. We can't wait until he's old enough to remember things- a trip back to Oahu will make for another great family vacation one of these days...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<i>P.S.</i> See more about how I do the weekly photo <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/sweet-peas-weekly-photo.html">here</a>.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>P.S</i>.S. Asher's smiles will be getting a little "toothy" soon- his first tooth is coming in! (On the bottom.) And he turned seven months old yesterday!<i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-25336909074142512772011-09-15T09:31:00.002-04:002011-09-15T09:34:34.087-04:00When Two Tables Conspire...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PunHBY402Gjxvl4juq_Ky5bt3bGIYZmV5iW2Ku0ah5kABVti0WRQgm1_M9ArftOUvVRlQLQ54d1qN37t6nR0S8qfogfJghn4UOVuBqsGds-aol8aAKG6BvwIhOUL_XbhRwyaEzpRRxE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PunHBY402Gjxvl4juq_Ky5bt3bGIYZmV5iW2Ku0ah5kABVti0WRQgm1_M9ArftOUvVRlQLQ54d1qN37t6nR0S8qfogfJghn4UOVuBqsGds-aol8aAKG6BvwIhOUL_XbhRwyaEzpRRxE/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Remember my <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/09/jesus-is-not-confined-to-my-couch.html">new reading nook</a>? It's been a great new addition to the guest room, and I'm glad to inform you that I have, as a matter of fact, gotten some good use out it! It's definitely taken a big leap from what it was before...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTUGUfIg7INOsUFSDiikuSm7SCtJZJhfql5Kn5ZAX1PYjfk5DKDFttGIRmmnnvakBb2dZOm_dnx9KiExFI9NzkfvdAciK50BJtgqkEEvaeTfxTy8q5z4bNV3VAayL1oG5WIFwG1cjZj0/s1600/DSC04468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTUGUfIg7INOsUFSDiikuSm7SCtJZJhfql5Kn5ZAX1PYjfk5DKDFttGIRmmnnvakBb2dZOm_dnx9KiExFI9NzkfvdAciK50BJtgqkEEvaeTfxTy8q5z4bNV3VAayL1oG5WIFwG1cjZj0/s1600/DSC04468.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, always looking to improve upon what we already have <i>with</i> what we already have, here's the next tweak;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2_vq_9FxUr4oiLBOoZhNk3WZ5lzHGyYKz6p-hnNOpENxumQQv8cMVi-E9ZnzQu0S8LiZkzsChnRxtB27n3aMcGdADYEhoS6yqueSHbj22IyXtkYyPXNWyWoOaH6lC3IZbaVO6lvvNZA/s1600/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2_vq_9FxUr4oiLBOoZhNk3WZ5lzHGyYKz6p-hnNOpENxumQQv8cMVi-E9ZnzQu0S8LiZkzsChnRxtB27n3aMcGdADYEhoS6yqueSHbj22IyXtkYyPXNWyWoOaH6lC3IZbaVO6lvvNZA/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two end tables pushed together and the rug from <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/create-custom-nursery-on-budget.html">Asher's nursery</a> (sorry Asher) to pull it all together. And might I add that this has been the best use I've found for them so far. They're sort of odd. They're too high to be good nightstands (their previous job), and they're too small to be good sofa end-tables (their very first job). So, what in the heck they're meant for, I haven't the slightest. But this has been their best use yet, despite the fact that it's unconventional and there's a "seam" where they join together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But anyway, we started with this;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PunHBY402Gjxvl4juq_Ky5bt3bGIYZmV5iW2Ku0ah5kABVti0WRQgm1_M9ArftOUvVRlQLQ54d1qN37t6nR0S8qfogfJghn4UOVuBqsGds-aol8aAKG6BvwIhOUL_XbhRwyaEzpRRxE/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PunHBY402Gjxvl4juq_Ky5bt3bGIYZmV5iW2Ku0ah5kABVti0WRQgm1_M9ArftOUvVRlQLQ54d1qN37t6nR0S8qfogfJghn4UOVuBqsGds-aol8aAKG6BvwIhOUL_XbhRwyaEzpRRxE/s1600/1.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And went to this; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQzrVmkzHyigXJ3i8i5nss0WUl4rMCg3udlR7CX5aPmRX6R6xnN0nuR0ezaWXvsC9zaJ4opnr98C5I8RhgFZWQSg5hYY5A5kK4ULLojW2oQxV_zRvH0cHDRuastT32pBp-H4Bo3GQino/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQzrVmkzHyigXJ3i8i5nss0WUl4rMCg3udlR7CX5aPmRX6R6xnN0nuR0ezaWXvsC9zaJ4opnr98C5I8RhgFZWQSg5hYY5A5kK4ULLojW2oQxV_zRvH0cHDRuastT32pBp-H4Bo3GQino/s1600/5.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hmmm. Well, as much as I like the functionality of the end tables- it's a great place to set my bible, <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/color-your-bible.html">colored pencils</a>, and cup of coffee- I'm <i>not </i>so crazy about the fact that they're black. They're too dark and they take away from the nice light, soft look of the sofa. So, I might just have to "open up a can of <strike>whoop</strike> spray-paint" on these guys. Which will be- get this- their <i>fourth</i> round with a new color. Yep, they started out with hideous cherry legs topped with pine green and white swirly marble. (We got them for free from a neighbor who was about to kick them to the curb.) And since I've always loved an opportunity to get fixer-uppers for great deals, they soon became off-white. Then they were champagne. Then they were black. And now I'm thinking they need to be ivory, to blend with the sofa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2_vq_9FxUr4oiLBOoZhNk3WZ5lzHGyYKz6p-hnNOpENxumQQv8cMVi-E9ZnzQu0S8LiZkzsChnRxtB27n3aMcGdADYEhoS6yqueSHbj22IyXtkYyPXNWyWoOaH6lC3IZbaVO6lvvNZA/s1600/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2_vq_9FxUr4oiLBOoZhNk3WZ5lzHGyYKz6p-hnNOpENxumQQv8cMVi-E9ZnzQu0S8LiZkzsChnRxtB27n3aMcGdADYEhoS6yqueSHbj22IyXtkYyPXNWyWoOaH6lC3IZbaVO6lvvNZA/s1600/7.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As much as I don't like the black on the tables, I <i>do</i> like the way the long vertical brown and cream rug draws your eye into room. This guy has also had quite the journey around the house. He started in our kitchen in Hawaii, then moved to Asher's nursery, and now enjoys his new spot here. At first I felt bad for taking it out of the nursery... But on second thought, I'm pretty sure the baby won't notice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But back to the tables- color suggestions? Bronze was a thought (to match the bronze floor lamp that sits to the right of the sofa), as well as something funky like avocado green or creamy orange. But I'm thinking ivory will do a great job of "blending" into the spot and not taking away from the nice sofa or <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/finally-frames-are-up.html">frames</a> that you see peaking out in the hallway. What do you think?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-87255655142593685872011-09-07T08:14:00.000-04:002011-09-07T08:14:27.447-04:00Have Your Cake (& Eat it Too!)As a follow up to <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/06/big-flop.html">the post</a> where I realized that I was <i>not</i>, in fact,<i> </i>the Cake Boss, I'd like to share my latest adventures in the wonderful world of cake baking. Actually, this particular adventure is from a couple of months back. But who's keeping track.<br />
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You might remember my <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/06/big-flop.html">big flop</a> of a four layer cake. If not, feel free to <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/06/big-flop.html">take another glance</a>. (If you haven't seen it, it's worth seeing- it might even inspire a laugh or two.) But my floppy cake making days are behind me! Thanks to the great advice of some faithful Modern Ranch readers/friends who told me about <i>the</i> leveler; perhaps the finest tool in the layer-cake-making-industry.<br />
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I bought mine from Walmart for a well-spent $6. And boy did it make all the difference! Here's a look at my second attempt at a four layer cake with my new leveler, as well as some icing bags and tips I picked up;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQzjik9JAtxEQFSJrpP-G4Kno87vKGhcmAaV9ghYVOdPcBRU4cG8EFTWITmJFGaFlg6BWzwhl6tFprnFxKW-ErVjLk4qeK7WDeYsQTpOxJHXZFW8wPGOqdQJuHNX2k3KaMiDcfSOLh5g/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQzjik9JAtxEQFSJrpP-G4Kno87vKGhcmAaV9ghYVOdPcBRU4cG8EFTWITmJFGaFlg6BWzwhl6tFprnFxKW-ErVjLk4qeK7WDeYsQTpOxJHXZFW8wPGOqdQJuHNX2k3KaMiDcfSOLh5g/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've never made a cake from scratch (<i>gasp!</i>) and Betty Crocker's yellow butter cake is our favorite. Oh the simplicity...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF31Gn_NsDc0ablcv16bP_f-97ioJTeooLUxwBrJeiboT3LKzr8l-l9UxwlOEl5c3oIE4oRzmXKeD_WbTXk_xBRenWXzuCPG7-g63_5bQtijV6fAaFqGlq-lTQ1ALTailtqI2Dgwd32M/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF31Gn_NsDc0ablcv16bP_f-97ioJTeooLUxwBrJeiboT3LKzr8l-l9UxwlOEl5c3oIE4oRzmXKeD_WbTXk_xBRenWXzuCPG7-g63_5bQtijV6fAaFqGlq-lTQ1ALTailtqI2Dgwd32M/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgGKLZIbHFecOdcAencB84OqVViu-aqWDMN-LhJydhiN3P7F_9mWCSPlZUzhl5dEjeiFCCCnSm-sg4bG53vVhzoLWNkFQxOd3cISTIEWRcCyeUh9GEGHlCMUi9GH1oQ8g-x_rpVjh7rs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgGKLZIbHFecOdcAencB84OqVViu-aqWDMN-LhJydhiN3P7F_9mWCSPlZUzhl5dEjeiFCCCnSm-sg4bG53vVhzoLWNkFQxOd3cISTIEWRcCyeUh9GEGHlCMUi9GH1oQ8g-x_rpVjh7rs/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Mind if I throw another little treat in? This is what I was making for dinner along with the cake;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7fiBpA3iHUEyB8ccobpc-3YQXQDVbtVp2y4DATEfJMZQa2_Y4MTMpKBPwzxh1bE8PhkCq943RTFUIdyRBNcWRNwo_roGU9ggRIwh0Jle2Ogua38UDONWvyqz35dDQaZTbcTjUff4I0k/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7fiBpA3iHUEyB8ccobpc-3YQXQDVbtVp2y4DATEfJMZQa2_Y4MTMpKBPwzxh1bE8PhkCq943RTFUIdyRBNcWRNwo_roGU9ggRIwh0Jle2Ogua38UDONWvyqz35dDQaZTbcTjUff4I0k/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjym6B0XrWUm16fEhdIQ28o5Ul7gfaVOxwY361kirFbN0Hj_cK-3nC4OAIvcAGSF2nyx4ftyk2IowKrGvtKmAoPbxkgt4tQtBap5opCFnrs4ELGG5UnCy0nowLuWz1akrJnHcnNKteHU6o/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjym6B0XrWUm16fEhdIQ28o5Ul7gfaVOxwY361kirFbN0Hj_cK-3nC4OAIvcAGSF2nyx4ftyk2IowKrGvtKmAoPbxkgt4tQtBap5opCFnrs4ELGG5UnCy0nowLuWz1akrJnHcnNKteHU6o/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpmcMx_Yp50CSP85gTzkCKpHyWDS6tkTMqIrXfuZ-I8jV-U2LbypRTVYgHUm1i7L_iiwfl78uYr6UKNzaNnt0IT4C3BkQy-mUEOlWMmzJTauH6KJuDeXA7yKufZkjpiqNnDFGOnUw6gI/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpmcMx_Yp50CSP85gTzkCKpHyWDS6tkTMqIrXfuZ-I8jV-U2LbypRTVYgHUm1i7L_iiwfl78uYr6UKNzaNnt0IT4C3BkQy-mUEOlWMmzJTauH6KJuDeXA7yKufZkjpiqNnDFGOnUw6gI/s1600/6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>A non-dairy meal <i>with</i> vegetables that even husbands will eat! Yes, you heard me right. There is <i>no</i> cheese, and <i>lots</i> of veggies, and Thane loved it. This was during my <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-cut-cheese.html">dairy free days</a>. It's just Kielbasa sausage with fresh green peppers, tomatoes, and squash over whole wheat penne pasta. And since this was Thane's plate, I sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top (okay, so his serving wasn't totally dairy free after all- but almost!)<br />
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Anyway, back to what you came for- the cake.<br />
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Check out this handy dandy leveler. Notice the man hand? It's Thane! If he can use this thing, anybody can! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqCL4toYe1EWDQds0biFjhHdDj1uGZ_XuJ7Rzt6NGohn76wadzo3egUt60ky90q8QGM0hrillweb8VXnWNuHUXSktwSzy9UXn8Lys24bhnBzzgIWNBKnobsbUIsq2xFlOAuE5sB4LlDw/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqCL4toYe1EWDQds0biFjhHdDj1uGZ_XuJ7Rzt6NGohn76wadzo3egUt60ky90q8QGM0hrillweb8VXnWNuHUXSktwSzy9UXn8Lys24bhnBzzgIWNBKnobsbUIsq2xFlOAuE5sB4LlDw/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And here we are with a perfectly flat cake top. The reason my first attempt was so floppy was because I didn't cut my cake tops off and thus they were too rounded to be a stable base for the layers above. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaBpx6zKlP3GdjBBxZOyhs9X74l6gyefsmCo_xZRUQ_PHUL1QZjA0uz1KgbfLDVSBCWKPfDjVqej3s19CPka1xLvHaTdyz-2TCR7duTsfreh5ze0zA3O5z-m9jv6unkTOqn2Ppnjf700/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaBpx6zKlP3GdjBBxZOyhs9X74l6gyefsmCo_xZRUQ_PHUL1QZjA0uz1KgbfLDVSBCWKPfDjVqej3s19CPka1xLvHaTdyz-2TCR7duTsfreh5ze0zA3O5z-m9jv6unkTOqn2Ppnjf700/s1600/8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWOhzEAO8-8HG3P5Znil8QNW5iak4Uce01Y-CzTQUY5nkcdqh8V_AS_BIHx788xijmzTBTcciJ5AwwKCiZqClfPBl1df23JSY85yY4USr3AUcw4ufMWnROfhuaRQ9D5eYRCrsxexq4xc/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWOhzEAO8-8HG3P5Znil8QNW5iak4Uce01Y-CzTQUY5nkcdqh8V_AS_BIHx788xijmzTBTcciJ5AwwKCiZqClfPBl1df23JSY85yY4USr3AUcw4ufMWnROfhuaRQ9D5eYRCrsxexq4xc/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And now for the chocolate buttercream frosting (see the recipe <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/06/big-flop.html">here</a>);</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLamih8j81ozUZcM3Y_wtVVTH2EDoqrMRyzUz4LdBUJBV0zifwAjG9MWhI8Wa5DWtHdAELFagXDR-Wa6zpJc4RfrWhRAS2INEB0uNqJQ5ZCvaetTOVp3pWc9kSz3wfITObX3ozntezu9g/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLamih8j81ozUZcM3Y_wtVVTH2EDoqrMRyzUz4LdBUJBV0zifwAjG9MWhI8Wa5DWtHdAELFagXDR-Wa6zpJc4RfrWhRAS2INEB0uNqJQ5ZCvaetTOVp3pWc9kSz3wfITObX3ozntezu9g/s1600/10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkR9GapBS9YUBTRVuXmyWeISWBw45pcadpjh7qE6laPVrc3BPjFqzpBWOP3NF9TxmERh0WHJehexoNYV2wQv1cfztsHFcnfuJ7qnt0Yi8xr8YqKOyAKM_MYqCtqd6sL4m5eely4GILuw/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkR9GapBS9YUBTRVuXmyWeISWBw45pcadpjh7qE6laPVrc3BPjFqzpBWOP3NF9TxmERh0WHJehexoNYV2wQv1cfztsHFcnfuJ7qnt0Yi8xr8YqKOyAKM_MYqCtqd6sL4m5eely4GILuw/s1600/11.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I don't own a cake icing knife, but this weird, long, and skinny spatula that came with my utensil set worked like a charm. 1...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6TW4R_3hp6bAsuik26j_mHUvVUwvhH9pWrnu9B33rzMto2nAEBIAIByCDsP-pddioN4DFkVCwjgeV1OPP90z3SF10Ui7HJGs2rOUNmEyZyhGsb8mGDA5FSFSFPuHZY6tndDx02DDDwg/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6TW4R_3hp6bAsuik26j_mHUvVUwvhH9pWrnu9B33rzMto2nAEBIAIByCDsP-pddioN4DFkVCwjgeV1OPP90z3SF10Ui7HJGs2rOUNmEyZyhGsb8mGDA5FSFSFPuHZY6tndDx02DDDwg/s1600/12.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlKH5Kpo81Fr-LN_bAa75IkRhzXZHMjT-dgurZ2OJPOwmib9dm9gNLD4w0MgR-glKFUUBpLhhpYKUuo_fIwZFpMOtXR26gMgkW8mSV_MfLiXBCts20tIEtl1hAj6m70_fpQiwI2TYh_k/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlKH5Kpo81Fr-LN_bAa75IkRhzXZHMjT-dgurZ2OJPOwmib9dm9gNLD4w0MgR-glKFUUBpLhhpYKUuo_fIwZFpMOtXR26gMgkW8mSV_MfLiXBCts20tIEtl1hAj6m70_fpQiwI2TYh_k/s1600/13.jpg" /></a></div><br />
3.... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNG4j_EuIMK1CgZUZlJy7LLEx6Bzdh_aTB5G-ljr3qYyrCWedw3mE0In7o9-Ls9wEtzu7d2ydL_0YPH74blDb3eBaTEh91qoC4qy3qi9F1_4tFBhwexV7K5RV9GL8RglLkhK0D2lggiOw/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNG4j_EuIMK1CgZUZlJy7LLEx6Bzdh_aTB5G-ljr3qYyrCWedw3mE0In7o9-Ls9wEtzu7d2ydL_0YPH74blDb3eBaTEh91qoC4qy3qi9F1_4tFBhwexV7K5RV9GL8RglLkhK0D2lggiOw/s1600/14.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuMjYa6KxE9dncG8-HjEXdH5n-vauBCHeYg-Bn_a1w4QrIse4WR4MgeD0K0bormgczZ_MnG16XSJTXxylLydcRRCtjzKO6RWvJm51uiaZ_BapiSYWZaHtaOTTT6D6PPKjwJ6Pg5cL1hM/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuMjYa6KxE9dncG8-HjEXdH5n-vauBCHeYg-Bn_a1w4QrIse4WR4MgeD0K0bormgczZ_MnG16XSJTXxylLydcRRCtjzKO6RWvJm51uiaZ_BapiSYWZaHtaOTTT6D6PPKjwJ6Pg5cL1hM/s1600/17.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then (following the advice of a pro) I put my stacked cake into the fridge so that the icing could cool and set before finishing the sides.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GvVyjymmxAJZs7SDFoFHuJj2rpHPYEVpgYZfIIW78lWlSp60V7EGdkVGUS6G_UWpnqHxubyRtpBnWGCLiE-IRxbGcsdAWE7a1__jHU4287dNcYvNfCZvamjKxaZx-tAL1Hx30dTrhAM/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GvVyjymmxAJZs7SDFoFHuJj2rpHPYEVpgYZfIIW78lWlSp60V7EGdkVGUS6G_UWpnqHxubyRtpBnWGCLiE-IRxbGcsdAWE7a1__jHU4287dNcYvNfCZvamjKxaZx-tAL1Hx30dTrhAM/s1600/18.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
I was supposed to leave it in for twenty or thirty minutes. I might have done that had this cake been off limits for Thane and I's immediate consumption. But with no such restriction, there was no way we were waiting the full amount of time. But all the same, this cooling technique plus the leveler did wonders for my second attempt at a four layer cake;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4E55YUAJpiW7SFa7ED5eevAeHyBkQNOcjMJkcznv-89UqCMbgPHcmTSJ_GN2j_70PE9Vh-B__islvhsT1QDSRZPGR6Uc7ELxWoj7C5PhUnnbkW7SwMwUtdXQZzutHS-yC-TEt7gHboM/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4E55YUAJpiW7SFa7ED5eevAeHyBkQNOcjMJkcznv-89UqCMbgPHcmTSJ_GN2j_70PE9Vh-B__islvhsT1QDSRZPGR6Uc7ELxWoj7C5PhUnnbkW7SwMwUtdXQZzutHS-yC-TEt7gHboM/s1600/19.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If only I had a prettier cake plate to display it on! (This was done our little hotel-room-kitchenette.)<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">And now to show off the next area in my cake-making-skills that needs a ton of work; the decorating part. I bought the cheapest Walmart variety of icing bags and tips that were available.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0EBQoX9mh7j92dZiZDj-LdVLJ1KQ7ae47cpUzgUzfnwhYyKm9vDJ1Bq21UFj0fAqYJm0pa5Sc7veil51VM3YVBxUT_XjyAsSKvPmchUyzgo74OaM-mN2q4rdEuVT84t61cacp4Zb_vo/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0EBQoX9mh7j92dZiZDj-LdVLJ1KQ7ae47cpUzgUzfnwhYyKm9vDJ1Bq21UFj0fAqYJm0pa5Sc7veil51VM3YVBxUT_XjyAsSKvPmchUyzgo74OaM-mN2q4rdEuVT84t61cacp4Zb_vo/s1600/15.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let me tell you, getting my chocolate frosting into this bag was like feeding puree to a baby; a messy disaster. There must be a trick to this that I'm not aware of.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I stuffed the tip I wanted down into the bag, and to the bottom. I cut the end of the bag off so that the tip would actually slide all the way down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjDc2e5OiBZDqMBff_8vGpEnY1EHSD3lN3BNe06lBVpxIoerFMDIk250OoqaIhQbVpKxIA0GZHBFpEbsNATXiypBnz6o_RG6IjVmbf92NTm0xuM1_8jr5gBA16ypWd0kcJh4lhXXwb2c/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjDc2e5OiBZDqMBff_8vGpEnY1EHSD3lN3BNe06lBVpxIoerFMDIk250OoqaIhQbVpKxIA0GZHBFpEbsNATXiypBnz6o_RG6IjVmbf92NTm0xuM1_8jr5gBA16ypWd0kcJh4lhXXwb2c/s1600/16.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And with that, I made this magnificent swirl on the top of the cake;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_4V23L-y74JIpg5R5FTxznHhCdK0752z77n1_BciYxemKa3o4Yj4FXUY1k7d14vVhkWMnIpw45lBotw1J7233bWpPI9Qx5sbT4IxSP3-UeLNIOB6pQLSb_BsbmWgnrpzeIc3kRyXXn0/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_4V23L-y74JIpg5R5FTxznHhCdK0752z77n1_BciYxemKa3o4Yj4FXUY1k7d14vVhkWMnIpw45lBotw1J7233bWpPI9Qx5sbT4IxSP3-UeLNIOB6pQLSb_BsbmWgnrpzeIc3kRyXXn0/s1600/22.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, so "magnificent" is a generous description. My grand decor plans were foiled by 1) my utter lack of skill and 2) the fact that this cake needed to be <i>in our belly</i> twenty minutes ago. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgxg_nRd6tJraOtoc4ug0jLalNbU4_OxU3Z3X829fBfmIH3_HxrCt1oCPdla-UDNLOqDn-yRBJoIn_gtesu6bNiMP5pVtrdqmKcU1n5l5GcKqfBCpiw7vfLq0R_zxuAWoz5SHqRQRzeQ/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgxg_nRd6tJraOtoc4ug0jLalNbU4_OxU3Z3X829fBfmIH3_HxrCt1oCPdla-UDNLOqDn-yRBJoIn_gtesu6bNiMP5pVtrdqmKcU1n5l5GcKqfBCpiw7vfLq0R_zxuAWoz5SHqRQRzeQ/s1600/21.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And that's right where it went. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anybody else go on any baking adventures lately?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">P.S. Now that it's <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/09/pining-on-pinterest-falling-into-fall.html">fall</a>, I might just have to experiment with some new pumpkin recipes! Maybe even a homemade pumpkin spice latte...nothing like a hot cup of <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/oh-for-love-of-coffee.html">coffee</a> on a brisk fall day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">P.S.S. Check me out on <a href="http://pinterest.com/modernranch/">Pinterest</a>! I finally got some pins up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2GdYooHc3all9_9k_9fWIhkckmBO00YAjUWT_6sIb2XXrX2u5xGnNeVc8qDePYnn6anmMY8pGX-E6gq5f-jxxIZz4YlOupcwtP4rdUTDXBYkeJ8bmf62EL-ZlRhM2jhV_bQyWFL223Y/s1600/166639539_UVDONd81_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2GdYooHc3all9_9k_9fWIhkckmBO00YAjUWT_6sIb2XXrX2u5xGnNeVc8qDePYnn6anmMY8pGX-E6gq5f-jxxIZz4YlOupcwtP4rdUTDXBYkeJ8bmf62EL-ZlRhM2jhV_bQyWFL223Y/s1600/166639539_UVDONd81_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, this is not my front porch...a girl can dream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Who's in the mood for fall? With the Georgia heat and humidity, I have to remind myself that it's September 5th- officially a fall month! This marks two things; my favorite season and the (almost) one year mark of living in the White Elephant here at Fort Benning.<br />
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When we got here last fall, we were greeted with beautiful foliage;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHauG9Gjyuv_S5t0cojBtxhilIQ94owFk1_D43_d1AHjP5bLBw0uBThWLwpdkxJINzdzfQuCwt0El7BKYOdCV2JUZEaQBo-twZQkudNhvCnzFDyO2_Pszc4ueOIryIeVZwoCZVZ0Wf-Sc/s1600/White-Elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHauG9Gjyuv_S5t0cojBtxhilIQ94owFk1_D43_d1AHjP5bLBw0uBThWLwpdkxJINzdzfQuCwt0El7BKYOdCV2JUZEaQBo-twZQkudNhvCnzFDyO2_Pszc4ueOIryIeVZwoCZVZ0Wf-Sc/s1600/White-Elephant.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It's not quite October yet- when this photo was taken- but what a Georgia September lacks in the way of cool air and colored leaves, <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> supplies. It's actually kind of funny, I created a Pinterest account a while back and then didn't do a single thing with it. Then I noticed I got a follower (which was generous of them, considering I had exactly zero pins), and that got my butt in gear. And thanks to them, Pinterest might be my new favorite spot for all kinds of inspiration. Not only for <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/ranch-house.html">ranch house</a> <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/home-decor.html">decor and design ideas</a>, but for other favorite things like crafts, DIY, and even the season.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu8vne5Tq3THzzEjYoJqvMLLNQSydErUMNAUm6uOtG6DA6PBZ7Z5FhvIePVolLAF714OOlpIUJAmbmv21JrFs_psMv_2R5N7DpH0eRzV88tHyszR0VRGu_YNBQdsGivJdPOJdQtH06jw/s1600/166199632_7vRcepX5_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu8vne5Tq3THzzEjYoJqvMLLNQSydErUMNAUm6uOtG6DA6PBZ7Z5FhvIePVolLAF714OOlpIUJAmbmv21JrFs_psMv_2R5N7DpH0eRzV88tHyszR0VRGu_YNBQdsGivJdPOJdQtH06jw/s1600/166199632_7vRcepX5_c.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>A simple "fall" search had my sentiments soaring. Pumpkins, chunky mugs of coffee, vintage Halloween decorations, beautiful landscapes...and it just happens to be a cool, overcast day. (<i>Annnd</i> I just happened to bake chocolate chip cookies and put a pot of coffee on.) So, fall has officially arrived, whether we go back to hot sticky days for a few more weeks or not.<br />
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While we're on the topic, allow me to share some fall goodness with you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhm2PDbkq8v6qDkYFI79f1QR0U4xxYS1QAD-fXF5CmaOVi4_6Hamfj4aw9USEYsME_UhiICp-NFmclcDsZt_c3XkzLNBUhtUrlmAcjczTbnaEzt7HIJvOiM9YinerXW_cSi5GdqeIpHk/s1600/166642503_xEih3dQO_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhm2PDbkq8v6qDkYFI79f1QR0U4xxYS1QAD-fXF5CmaOVi4_6Hamfj4aw9USEYsME_UhiICp-NFmclcDsZt_c3XkzLNBUhtUrlmAcjczTbnaEzt7HIJvOiM9YinerXW_cSi5GdqeIpHk/s1600/166642503_xEih3dQO_c.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know if I'll be able to resist putting a pumpkin or two in our fireplace this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYnjI7TZtA3fVBjxoaVduUaKOrusvoM4bsKEOsXtNfxUJ_lSwMHQSkIg21ajwdASCPpOexMqdBf27dEplsjrbuuIETBYRn1b1O7Hcyohyvdx23KNMcx2jYFHgcFWb0G1Wo2cKb3eIGL8/s1600/166619751_6cWzqiUN_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYnjI7TZtA3fVBjxoaVduUaKOrusvoM4bsKEOsXtNfxUJ_lSwMHQSkIg21ajwdASCPpOexMqdBf27dEplsjrbuuIETBYRn1b1O7Hcyohyvdx23KNMcx2jYFHgcFWb0G1Wo2cKb3eIGL8/s1600/166619751_6cWzqiUN_c.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">White pumpkins and owls! And mini pumpkins in vases. Ahhhh...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58ZfBOE5rxWCMrq9SIAmq7_Wflr4u-G98Tdh-AxIAtWS0AfiMQ3wSeeuOXytZaglEydAAM983IfzWsj0oiP1OBQZpgR9gT1X7i9WQ0EsD6t6PeCgyugvFief4NBFTR1GZJFZI911UKTI/s1600/pumpkincenterpeice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58ZfBOE5rxWCMrq9SIAmq7_Wflr4u-G98Tdh-AxIAtWS0AfiMQ3wSeeuOXytZaglEydAAM983IfzWsj0oiP1OBQZpgR9gT1X7i9WQ0EsD6t6PeCgyugvFief4NBFTR1GZJFZI911UKTI/s1600/pumpkincenterpeice.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Even scripture takes on some fall colors;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmArv4ybjrQLoImrhrccr8cH1DL6RXiZWYZJdVP8mcP3dhyphenhyphenPgFwew0SUJkapLkkOQ_etMTmwEm9rUttOMgo9RsfqXgzPhcOeb5PHx8ABDYs-fWNQeCJMObmwYz4N3y9_iHH8TJf4-YiS8/s1600/166659304_aIaZQ113_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmArv4ybjrQLoImrhrccr8cH1DL6RXiZWYZJdVP8mcP3dhyphenhyphenPgFwew0SUJkapLkkOQ_etMTmwEm9rUttOMgo9RsfqXgzPhcOeb5PHx8ABDYs-fWNQeCJMObmwYz4N3y9_iHH8TJf4-YiS8/s1600/166659304_aIaZQ113_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{1 Corinthians 16:13-14}; Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. NKJV.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">If that doesn't get you in mood, I don't know what will! :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of the almost-one-year-anniversary of our time here in Georgia, I think back over these last 12 months and realize how blessed we've been. Praise Jesus for the wonderful things He's provided for us here- a wonderful home, church, friends, neighbors, and last but <i>certainly not least</i>, the birth of our beautiful little Asher. And here he is in his latest <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/sweet-pea-weekly.html">weekly photo</a>- it's even reminiscent of the fall!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVg4j1xUtWIZgZRoUGHChWK7MzCZZuqtGrDxQncEZ80t2m1DaLJ49Qw8TQdv0UQWmu0INp4PfP2qCbhpX7nOt9Wju4AX-ttLvMPc0qZGkrEOX2MU3dHVzh5A4UPeXTJan1vqsxGoy2Q0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVg4j1xUtWIZgZRoUGHChWK7MzCZZuqtGrDxQncEZ80t2m1DaLJ49Qw8TQdv0UQWmu0INp4PfP2qCbhpX7nOt9Wju4AX-ttLvMPc0qZGkrEOX2MU3dHVzh5A4UPeXTJan1vqsxGoy2Q0/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - </div><br />
<i>P.S.</i> Now that I have some actual pins, you can <a href="http://pinterest.com/modernranch/">follow me</a> on Pinterest! Let me know if you're on there, too.<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-78690032547929637642011-09-03T10:02:00.000-04:002011-09-03T10:02:07.260-04:00Care to VOTE?Here we are again, in need of a little help choosing Asher's 27 week photo. Help us out and weigh in on your personal favorite! Just use the poll gadget on the right hand side of the page -------- <b>></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Me Oh My!</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL2TcYkcJbDxETg4G9dkNB6Dg0B7Vnpt8qjPpUqix6HU8lxETrMdYgB5krNa9fH8cicqWd58bFNxtpvRvoEFycIItwMXuflzOreaumirEoTaAwinBX5Oijf0pzs8HrnCa6EArv0MrGQA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL2TcYkcJbDxETg4G9dkNB6Dg0B7Vnpt8qjPpUqix6HU8lxETrMdYgB5krNa9fH8cicqWd58bFNxtpvRvoEFycIItwMXuflzOreaumirEoTaAwinBX5Oijf0pzs8HrnCa6EArv0MrGQA/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>2. The "Side" Pick</b> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDD_SMsnQuSH03BcD0glVdgpxXjkUcemnduMkPlS6Sexz42MMKZxT_tB9Sf-zXKcEllctQmg1D9Hv4YltaDhawriNx0_yzHt4pAFOI_vPaHU8EPr3KNA6tLtgNWljPUOxaj0sv7VWP9M/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDD_SMsnQuSH03BcD0glVdgpxXjkUcemnduMkPlS6Sexz42MMKZxT_tB9Sf-zXKcEllctQmg1D9Hv4YltaDhawriNx0_yzHt4pAFOI_vPaHU8EPr3KNA6tLtgNWljPUOxaj0sv7VWP9M/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>3. The Vegetarian</b> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS231UyAr-Eu8whDZeeOBJJ6rPpPTTfeoLP864b77el8jS4jRYw_2cvUyGWS4iKWFiFe6E9-7_hSIPj5O-4_m-7FURkVMY-ZsdZi1AG26rwW3ERU_YSMo5lp-o9ggHuN3_oyOcQD5-94/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS231UyAr-Eu8whDZeeOBJJ6rPpPTTfeoLP864b77el8jS4jRYw_2cvUyGWS4iKWFiFe6E9-7_hSIPj5O-4_m-7FURkVMY-ZsdZi1AG26rwW3ERU_YSMo5lp-o9ggHuN3_oyOcQD5-94/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Thanks again, we'll post the winning photo first thing Monday morning! See the whole collection <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/sweet-pea-weekly.html">here</a>.<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-49867859909900523882011-09-02T15:24:00.001-04:002011-09-02T15:27:01.874-04:00A Seat for our Sitting Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLVJ3oT6dlO-F_7iiYR_sWQXxgCyWTt-OzXiHutJjhoV0Mco2sJuYM7uH10XJQ2Et9eXRp_f0awt8Jq3AJITdsfhED8Ne6e1kO79stHoqwMBQhLdXp-o-X-2FFCPzpm_VozTXHKnObTQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLVJ3oT6dlO-F_7iiYR_sWQXxgCyWTt-OzXiHutJjhoV0Mco2sJuYM7uH10XJQ2Et9eXRp_f0awt8Jq3AJITdsfhED8Ne6e1kO79stHoqwMBQhLdXp-o-X-2FFCPzpm_VozTXHKnObTQ/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Enough is enough. We'd been staring at our unfinished bay window turned construction-tool-and-trash-zone for four years worth of ranch visits, and this time it had to go. Along with the rest of the junk on the floor nearby.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqSaavgiViic23umvAjeApfcMQ-JfPcv_QEW-dczr6DrEStLknZZgMzr9o1q3jWQN5QSJnIHeRJjKNCGb37e0kEZe2n0okv0NY1AICzfTOgKgDCQg4oNSOBUiuxjO0e-qxjtIxRqbBf0/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqSaavgiViic23umvAjeApfcMQ-JfPcv_QEW-dczr6DrEStLknZZgMzr9o1q3jWQN5QSJnIHeRJjKNCGb37e0kEZe2n0okv0NY1AICzfTOgKgDCQg4oNSOBUiuxjO0e-qxjtIxRqbBf0/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWQNk7BwbIWEVNsAzK337Fx1kKrAoRwhTWelsOMLTDSbmJmI7w78TCjqzyGjWdlZYrBB6TZ9hJyv0w9eRbWafJvafLJcZeFcnPeaoYAyFwPd9ezw6SOu-YjUB3gh9Ep_sVXLKnjKBHtw/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWQNk7BwbIWEVNsAzK337Fx1kKrAoRwhTWelsOMLTDSbmJmI7w78TCjqzyGjWdlZYrBB6TZ9hJyv0w9eRbWafJvafLJcZeFcnPeaoYAyFwPd9ezw6SOu-YjUB3gh9Ep_sVXLKnjKBHtw/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
As well as the blue painting tape on the center and left window panes that for whatever reason didn't come down when the tape from the right pane did. Somebody (probably me) must have decided that it was a good stopping point. And let's not forget the <strike>rodent-motel</strike> twin box spring that's been migrating from room to room for as long as we can remember.<br />
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To think that one day (God willing) there will be couches in here! It's current condition wouldn't clue you in, but this is our sitting room. <br />
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And we couldn't stand the construction zone look any longer, so this spot got some much needed cleaning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-5HA-Hm0PbmLUIE-L0tjDsGyvrWbDP4iFkMVbkXc28Zq0nbeM4rheG9ql9jZVojDHN6m-GMz9qUCXNUKdFfT_4ZulZZUAWBR6OENTwzQ2MN3Yp0SZy3uTjWo2LzBs9AUh7GB66fs1vE/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-5HA-Hm0PbmLUIE-L0tjDsGyvrWbDP4iFkMVbkXc28Zq0nbeM4rheG9ql9jZVojDHN6m-GMz9qUCXNUKdFfT_4ZulZZUAWBR6OENTwzQ2MN3Yp0SZy3uTjWo2LzBs9AUh7GB66fs1vE/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Shew! That's better. (Minus the cardboard box and the tip of the long horn- try as I might, I couldn't manage to get a single photo free of some sort of misplaced item or construction evidence.) But it is still a construction zone, so I'll just have to be patient.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAy8uJb0DGhiwT12DIfWBlJ8-GCm0iKEXtpjPvaEPGmb_zl60gkrsjL8Ie9h8Cqon2cYu_N136FSxW0OQrckYPlmeNJkkTx8Pt58xT0SlrKNfxAYrdQT7KPs1FOxKSI0a_u_xvPe8CkI/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAy8uJb0DGhiwT12DIfWBlJ8-GCm0iKEXtpjPvaEPGmb_zl60gkrsjL8Ie9h8Cqon2cYu_N136FSxW0OQrckYPlmeNJkkTx8Pt58xT0SlrKNfxAYrdQT7KPs1FOxKSI0a_u_xvPe8CkI/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Notice the object leaning against the bay window seat? That's what it is- the actual seat that has yet to be installed. We have no idea how to do it, which is one of the reasons it's still sitting there. But a simple how-to google search ought to suffice when the time comes, and in preparation I've been gathering some ideas for how to make the most of this space.<br />
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Here are some of my favorites so far;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4C3Yt_eD-9YCwyTfR5w5SQ12x7O_nKjw5U0FHqVy4OOhli_wPiJGycQWb0qJ4d-xfYDlq6dt3zmbbno0zlfBoKASsr59_nbZa5O6wVr_kDtEP6_HcVOMUYrA0ruh3RdvKYn2l3vbsco/s1600/8-12-window-seat-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4C3Yt_eD-9YCwyTfR5w5SQ12x7O_nKjw5U0FHqVy4OOhli_wPiJGycQWb0qJ4d-xfYDlq6dt3zmbbno0zlfBoKASsr59_nbZa5O6wVr_kDtEP6_HcVOMUYrA0ruh3RdvKYn2l3vbsco/s1600/8-12-window-seat-5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I love the idea of having built-in storage. And the fact that the front of the seat is painted white makes it look like it's all one custom piece. I'm pretty sure we could give this "treatment" to ours as well by painting the same space white (that's currently green, since it's "the wall") and then giving it some white decorative trim to make it look like it's one planned piece.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlku-6r9x5Ck1FXCHnWmm9DQOC8VhX_FhHYWjYsrlqhvVzVG8cAsqKwYs82nh9dchmKJv4zRhwDNUDOkqoEAK1d4QoaZJA7sLgsK_YH2S1q7oPHj_eIuDzwKG-9GoqdkAu3DFNcJfULg/s1600/31056_0_8-1109-traditional-family-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlku-6r9x5Ck1FXCHnWmm9DQOC8VhX_FhHYWjYsrlqhvVzVG8cAsqKwYs82nh9dchmKJv4zRhwDNUDOkqoEAK1d4QoaZJA7sLgsK_YH2S1q7oPHj_eIuDzwKG-9GoqdkAu3DFNcJfULg/s1600/31056_0_8-1109-traditional-family-room.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This one's really fun. We can't exactly have this circular shape, but I love the idea of a custom cushion and decorative pillows to make it cozy and inviting. The way this was made into its own little reading area complete with a coffee table puts a few ideas into my head as well. Hmmm...I'm sensing another <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/kitschy-curtains-shoddy-sewing.html">(shoddy) sewing project</a> in my sort-of-near future... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4ZV3smfuN0UCuf9amW5wuE_Mldl9OfsSxJabGGLe_zRrG4k51UVtl-dd6i8GdGTSRP8ZjPvxWIt4NxI_rVKL6BhTc5YhB5YlbCdXQVc_kgKfBeoeAqxKN7x4gKCis7ei4id0ZRzzkKE/s1600/4540294317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4ZV3smfuN0UCuf9amW5wuE_Mldl9OfsSxJabGGLe_zRrG4k51UVtl-dd6i8GdGTSRP8ZjPvxWIt4NxI_rVKL6BhTc5YhB5YlbCdXQVc_kgKfBeoeAqxKN7x4gKCis7ei4id0ZRzzkKE/s1600/4540294317.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One other option is to cover the top of the "seat" with some of our leftover bamboo flooring and then trim it with either the same espresso-stained maple trim that we have on our <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-dream-stairs-before-after.html">stairs</a> (which you can see in the photo below), or just finishing it off with some variety of bamboo trim.</div><br />
Oh look, the traveling box spring has moved yet again!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMkqOR9Dv-Pzo8EHrVHiqIsB8YabbHvYyviv2gc9ik2pQ5rGmnolrff_Fi1JahP8LgQXJkrL_FkmjUxvEAWh8fji_fLtIBL-HF7H8gXWsgqF0kMYFWk3lk0p5bIxZwQ8xR_8F9nrRjgQ/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMkqOR9Dv-Pzo8EHrVHiqIsB8YabbHvYyviv2gc9ik2pQ5rGmnolrff_Fi1JahP8LgQXJkrL_FkmjUxvEAWh8fji_fLtIBL-HF7H8gXWsgqF0kMYFWk3lk0p5bIxZwQ8xR_8F9nrRjgQ/s1600/6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">How about you? Do you happen to have a bay window that doubles as a seating area? Or have you done anything else creative with a similar window space?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>P.S.</i> Speaking of seats, here's a portion of one of my favorite Psalms;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.</b> {Psalm 1:1-2}</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-88241662433629611052011-09-01T12:48:00.003-04:002011-09-01T14:21:06.931-04:00Jesus is Not Confined to My Couch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfv7fqnlNe2NiIJ9IH8g8spY4ucKS3_ecPLkBtEsCElqjmFnftF0SK5z8Hx7BeNIGlu6try0MK4mVhmp0DzM6d8QNFtF4_07q_nK9xAclFMF0sX9y6Ho-qVbp0QLdAkIhwLQpLyP-xHY/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfv7fqnlNe2NiIJ9IH8g8spY4ucKS3_ecPLkBtEsCElqjmFnftF0SK5z8Hx7BeNIGlu6try0MK4mVhmp0DzM6d8QNFtF4_07q_nK9xAclFMF0sX9y6Ho-qVbp0QLdAkIhwLQpLyP-xHY/s1600/header.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Jesus and I used to have a morning "appointment" on my couch, during Asher's first nap of the day when I could sit down with my bible and a cup of coffee. But my, how the tides have turned. Long gone are the days when my daily tasks fit together like pieces of a puzzle. This <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/06/multi-tasking-momma.html">multi-tasking mamma</a> is officially a has-been. <br />
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I knew that Asher's "perfect schedule" wouldn't last forever, nontheless I couldn't help but hope it would! And alas, it met its demise at our last move. I just haven't been able to get him back into a consistent routine. Sleeping through the night, regular naps, and regular meal times are a thing of the past for this little guy. And thus the end of other things, like a time slot for daily exercise and (most importantly) time with Jesus. <br />
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Meanwhile, certain parts of the house have been in a state of disarray. For example;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGc5qhtQ9yITEZJCRXqdkzXMj7-EQLsXGpQ8WrM_i65JvyThrtoB3nsN4tpbBKf40LtDrEDfwhan7ggsgSFrhZx2eB39qbnFPhjoP1SwNv-jRNDoX53RjXq3kkUnDzbDE7PyBaduxcbw/s1600/DSC04468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGc5qhtQ9yITEZJCRXqdkzXMj7-EQLsXGpQ8WrM_i65JvyThrtoB3nsN4tpbBKf40LtDrEDfwhan7ggsgSFrhZx2eB39qbnFPhjoP1SwNv-jRNDoX53RjXq3kkUnDzbDE7PyBaduxcbw/s1600/DSC04468.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>This is our second bedroom, which sits at the end of our long, narrow hallway. It's visible from the living room, and we (as well as guests) see it every time we walk down the hall.<br />
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In comes a task from the good old <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/honey-do-list-featuring-boot-of-doom.html">honey-do list</a>; move one of the love seats (being stored in the attic) so that I can create a reading nook. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggY7cqLD6KtJQYYsNsu_kKmJz0DknwKGB1mV3_i9blBBXeBvj55Nd1Fk6ZX8VSY8-RnBdWxvr6H8d-ZRZ3XobqorlBcrRCJR5CmOxTTK7lsZf8QUiHDj9XUmUqZ6pNkcepjweumcCgnAo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggY7cqLD6KtJQYYsNsu_kKmJz0DknwKGB1mV3_i9blBBXeBvj55Nd1Fk6ZX8VSY8-RnBdWxvr6H8d-ZRZ3XobqorlBcrRCJR5CmOxTTK7lsZf8QUiHDj9XUmUqZ6pNkcepjweumcCgnAo/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<em>Check! </em>Now we've got a much nicer sight to behold from the rest of the house (we see this room opening a lot; every time we walk back to the bathroom, master bedroom, nursery, laundry room, and office). And since Asher naps in his crib which is in the room directly to the right of the reading nook, I can easily put him down and hop on over to the love seat for some reading with minimal distraction- no dirty dishes, toys on the floor, unmade beds, or laundry in sight.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8W6TMTerhXTXABpusBV5wZGaC3H-yd8iGTQOJrLIPANHDPZ6nnf8vAk5PoSixCXeOrTFM5xKQoeleQr4DFcJ7nUt2iMQGmUqVU_XAoDeGMvaBpJiLnjGc8oHbW5WdPwDq8r9FLzV9Ek/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8W6TMTerhXTXABpusBV5wZGaC3H-yd8iGTQOJrLIPANHDPZ6nnf8vAk5PoSixCXeOrTFM5xKQoeleQr4DFcJ7nUt2iMQGmUqVU_XAoDeGMvaBpJiLnjGc8oHbW5WdPwDq8r9FLzV9Ek/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
One side note, this is actually where our guest bed used to sit before it came a corner for piled up books and other odds and ends. It was centered on the odd frame-out that used to be a door opening.<br />
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<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxT1belxNzziKKXy0LCmCiBRvK8A6x4aBl8UjCFwvwAKQlJnU1_IlHz_jt7eXpbhmMYaCqR0lK-ULffnwiOgyOGxcBiZKS9u9OHEhItXyAW3q6GbdEjWplyxgzdW2SiHvgnX8Q9z5hpk/s1600/DSC04465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxT1belxNzziKKXy0LCmCiBRvK8A6x4aBl8UjCFwvwAKQlJnU1_IlHz_jt7eXpbhmMYaCqR0lK-ULffnwiOgyOGxcBiZKS9u9OHEhItXyAW3q6GbdEjWplyxgzdW2SiHvgnX8Q9z5hpk/s1600/DSC04465.jpg" /></a></div></div><br />
On another side note, see the art? My Grandaddy did both of them. If only you could see his whole collection! The painting to the right (in the picture above) was centered over the guest bed that used to sit where the pile of books were. But after moving the bed, I moved the painting as well so that the set would be a "pair" over the sofa.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOy7489-liGDyrtptav_Qrw02vvlT_RgBiaxQ0jZeT4_SNee3H8LKui2xVd1NjzEKqBLZvjEGIzWuzsYFpviQKXflyU6cOG10cabYYYrthvXAwd5guDsE2Rd3qPrPH_0s9SHmcsLcvtgw/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOy7489-liGDyrtptav_Qrw02vvlT_RgBiaxQ0jZeT4_SNee3H8LKui2xVd1NjzEKqBLZvjEGIzWuzsYFpviQKXflyU6cOG10cabYYYrthvXAwd5guDsE2Rd3qPrPH_0s9SHmcsLcvtgw/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And the pillows were "recycled" from our living room. They got kicked off of the main sofas when <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/pillows-paint.html">these</a> came into the picture. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYEgJCRBTQp2Jc1t_VOmjzODc9TSuvNY14ZbRw6ZBBZkrzYjXfjFgBsmmEkKIaOkeC-JWuSFRXHJWH3dUqLpyruUdMKg6955-E-TLX7O6R6-vihLLHw-xHhOjB64KbQGib14t0YAYBtg/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYEgJCRBTQp2Jc1t_VOmjzODc9TSuvNY14ZbRw6ZBBZkrzYjXfjFgBsmmEkKIaOkeC-JWuSFRXHJWH3dUqLpyruUdMKg6955-E-TLX7O6R6-vihLLHw-xHhOjB64KbQGib14t0YAYBtg/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8W6TMTerhXTXABpusBV5wZGaC3H-yd8iGTQOJrLIPANHDPZ6nnf8vAk5PoSixCXeOrTFM5xKQoeleQr4DFcJ7nUt2iMQGmUqVU_XAoDeGMvaBpJiLnjGc8oHbW5WdPwDq8r9FLzV9Ek/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8W6TMTerhXTXABpusBV5wZGaC3H-yd8iGTQOJrLIPANHDPZ6nnf8vAk5PoSixCXeOrTFM5xKQoeleQr4DFcJ7nUt2iMQGmUqVU_XAoDeGMvaBpJiLnjGc8oHbW5WdPwDq8r9FLzV9Ek/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>But more important than how it all <em>looks</em> is whether it gets me sitting down with the Word of God more consistently. Again, Asher's departure from a schedule has made it a real challenge. But that's life! As great as it is to have a perfectly planned chunk of time each day to count on for reading, the <em>absence</em> of that luxury is no excuse for a distant relationship with Christ. I've got to keep in the Word. But not not just for the sake of another check on a list, but because it's a joy and a pleasure! Not to mention I need the constant guidance and correction it supplies.<br />
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But whether I fit structured reading into my day or not, it really all boils down to this; Jesus desires for me to love, follow, and be in relationship with him <em>all day</em>, not just when I get time to plop down on the couch with my bible. And that's my deepest desire, too. So perhaps this more chaotic time is a blessing in disguise; an opportunity to get myself out of that rigid "thirty-minute couch appointment with God" and focus on practicing His presence <em>continually,</em> in <em>everything</em> I do. After all, He'll be faithful to provide me with the time I need for reading, assuming I'm faithful in taking advantage of those times. I have to admit that often I let too many other chores and distractions get in the way. But praise Jesus for His patience! I have to continually strive to be more diligent and disciplined.<br />
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Well- I can't exactly say "not a sermon, just a thought" at this point. Haha, sorry! I'll just sneak one more thing in, if you're still reading- One great way I've started to enjoy His presence throughout my whole day is this (something I've mentioned before); playing a sermon two or three times as I'm about the house- and playing it more than once so that I catch whatever I might have missed when out of the room to change a diaper/swap a load of laundry/etc. But as great as this is, I'm still hoping for plenty of time in the Word! There's just nothing else quite like it, this is where all joy, peace, and truth is. Where I'm constantly reminded of the goodness of God in contrast to this fallen world. Praise Jesus for His immense, amazing love and truth.<br />
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So here's to hoping this new little reading nook gets plenty of use!<br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOy7489-liGDyrtptav_Qrw02vvlT_RgBiaxQ0jZeT4_SNee3H8LKui2xVd1NjzEKqBLZvjEGIzWuzsYFpviQKXflyU6cOG10cabYYYrthvXAwd5guDsE2Rd3qPrPH_0s9SHmcsLcvtgw/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOy7489-liGDyrtptav_Qrw02vvlT_RgBiaxQ0jZeT4_SNee3H8LKui2xVd1NjzEKqBLZvjEGIzWuzsYFpviQKXflyU6cOG10cabYYYrthvXAwd5guDsE2Rd3qPrPH_0s9SHmcsLcvtgw/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<em>P.S.</em> See my bible studying method <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/color-your-bible.html">here</a>.<br />
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<em>P.S.S.</em> Asher started sitting up yesterday! It was a total shock!<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-28269729080159166762011-08-31T12:49:00.004-04:002011-08-31T13:39:25.738-04:00We Have Cabinets!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P6mQq_OPs0WxgjiF5GfyH6T6KcZCDUyrhgiQUfT4q90q6mM8zRhTFCtFioJERNUFensBRgKOWL1DqS1-Wr0nH8_afXWeRfwphqfzQePKRcoY7F1iQsln20jzAneFqUNhcVbIXUyce4M/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P6mQq_OPs0WxgjiF5GfyH6T6KcZCDUyrhgiQUfT4q90q6mM8zRhTFCtFioJERNUFensBRgKOWL1DqS1-Wr0nH8_afXWeRfwphqfzQePKRcoY7F1iQsln20jzAneFqUNhcVbIXUyce4M/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our very first peak!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Cue the choir- the kitchen cabinets are up!- and after four and half years of <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/kitchen-plans.html">planning</a>, it's like music to our ears. Praise God for His perfect timing and provision, as well as enabling us to get this massive cabinet hanging project behind us!<br />
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But first let me set the stage.<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9BLv0Ohaa07t2mVyyX8LLc2Cx954fP6029foYU2OXCOqA2CGXWyiaNGQ0iNVQvSHo6GtVI47Ynv47lQck0REGfPexgeg5oz_LHDoR6VITwF01mM-uI_rozk5zKssJGr2kaaNa42FDOE/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9BLv0Ohaa07t2mVyyX8LLc2Cx954fP6029foYU2OXCOqA2CGXWyiaNGQ0iNVQvSHo6GtVI47Ynv47lQck0REGfPexgeg5oz_LHDoR6VITwF01mM-uI_rozk5zKssJGr2kaaNa42FDOE/s1600/13.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><br />
We arrived at the ranch after 22 hours of driving to discover a much anticipated garage full of newly ordered cabinets. It was like Christmas morning. With glee in our eyes, we ripped open boxes like kids ripping open gifts. And just like Christmas morning, this lead to inevitable chaos; <br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdJS5A17Ok4W36hxjzTxODzH7JIPVtLo5KLYOSUVPSzKcu4yGx-cAi8JgAW-eg4ICZO7xfm-DFY4GW7LIJ6dsMJ_rt_HeQfqHJMqKV_17hh0xOxTcDwn2CXqfvFVAUlGn0g1TPH4jdPM/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdJS5A17Ok4W36hxjzTxODzH7JIPVtLo5KLYOSUVPSzKcu4yGx-cAi8JgAW-eg4ICZO7xfm-DFY4GW7LIJ6dsMJ_rt_HeQfqHJMqKV_17hh0xOxTcDwn2CXqfvFVAUlGn0g1TPH4jdPM/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As great as it was to stare that them amidst a sea of cardboard and scattered haphazardly on the floor, we couldn't wait to get them hung. And on the verge of chickening out and hiring a pro to do it for us, I gave Thane a hearty "you can do it!" (Easy for me to say, since <em>I</em> wouldn't be doing it, LOL.) But a little encouragement goes a long way, and the iron-man-cabinet-monkey (that he's now proved himself to be) did it! Along with the much appreciated assistance of somebody else we'll call cabinet monkey #2.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left">This was our inspiration (see the full <a href="http://www.showplacewood.com/">gallery</a> here);<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTklx_pvxnR82UWTrki6zcPU22NuH2RcZ0OBWBkeCR3IQQ4zMAL4OyJYo6DM57E_W5BGG39bguuCPc1iYPZaJrXSFJBO2LDkxs59-PkLym09u5ZHZBA_m3So4Vlofp0Wxk163ZE42HpU/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTklx_pvxnR82UWTrki6zcPU22NuH2RcZ0OBWBkeCR3IQQ4zMAL4OyJYo6DM57E_W5BGG39bguuCPc1iYPZaJrXSFJBO2LDkxs59-PkLym09u5ZHZBA_m3So4Vlofp0Wxk163ZE42HpU/s1600/19.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
And we decided on maple cabinets with an espresso stain from <a href="http://www.midcontinentcabinetry.com/">MidContinent Cabinetry</a>. This look is what we based our <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-dream-stairs-before-after.html">stair design</a> on, as well.<br />
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Now for the DIY portion of the post; <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Tool List</strong><br />
-Hammer<br />
-Pencil<br />
-Measuring tape<br />
-Electric drill<br />
-Heavy duty general purpose screws size 9x2-3/4"<br />
-Laser leveler<br />
-Regular leveler<br />
-Stud finder<br />
-Electric rotary saw (for cutting the cabinet trim)<br />
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<strong>The laser leveler and the stud finder</strong> was extremely helpful. The last thing we wanted was crooked, ready-to-fall death traps. If we couldn't guarantee how good this whole undertaking would <em>look</em> when we got through with it, we at least had to make them sturdy. Here's the leveler;<br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8T3vpymrs6g5NmPo6nHBiJGRLcNJ-I3dTER1Cd2KahZzJosMgPGUOeUZFQ3pLZNG9A5ykuRWOvjV5EwjQ31e_7a-702h7AanJu5GRIyE7zuDr3spjPXZ51F1czDfYCpocILP-Kam1D4/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8T3vpymrs6g5NmPo6nHBiJGRLcNJ-I3dTER1Cd2KahZzJosMgPGUOeUZFQ3pLZNG9A5ykuRWOvjV5EwjQ31e_7a-702h7AanJu5GRIyE7zuDr3spjPXZ51F1czDfYCpocILP-Kam1D4/s1600/11.jpg" /></a><br />
<span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-BDL190S-Auto-Leveling-Combination/dp/B000B8LLH2?ie=UTF8&tag=itsbati-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Black & Decker BDL190S BullsEye Auto-Leveling Interior Line Laser / Stud Sensor Combination Tool</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsbati-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000B8LLH2" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></div><br />
And I've got to say that I'd have <em>no idea</em> what kind of screws to use for a project like this, but thanks to people who know a lot more than me, here they are- heavy duty general purpose screws;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPCAXZtOgceMTrR2Yp-HXHgCpbReOI8sX5YgRJIqCmQfHfoOFTco0ypzQHwWgggzr4Du2q4qmAgzksABlkQgbD501a1T6Mm2qaWDrjBAKb1tSIBPXIGjKEQ-Epld2Tmjgjl7jrU2wmiQ/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPCAXZtOgceMTrR2Yp-HXHgCpbReOI8sX5YgRJIqCmQfHfoOFTco0ypzQHwWgggzr4Du2q4qmAgzksABlkQgbD501a1T6Mm2qaWDrjBAKb1tSIBPXIGjKEQ-Epld2Tmjgjl7jrU2wmiQ/s1600/12.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Since I'm in no way a cabinet hanging expert, I can't really give you an accurate or detailed step-by-step guide. Thane could, but he has this thing called a job. So I'll just pass along a few helpful tips that we picked up throughout the process, just in case any of you are considering hanging new kitchen (or even bathroom or office) cabinetry. If <em>nothing else</em>, this goes to show that you don't have to be an expert to tackle this kind of project! All you need is the right tools and a little gumption. All Thane did to prep was watch a quick You Tube video (see a variety <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=install+kitchen+cabinets&aq=0&oq=install+kitc">here</a>) and enlist a little help from cabinet-monkey #2 (another able bodied man).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So here we go;<br />
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Before starting, use your cabinet blueprints to get everything laid out and prepped. Then there's no need to stress over whether you're hanging the right pieces in the right spots once you kick it off.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Tip 1- Start in the corner, if you can.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
See the corner piece? We started there in order to get the right placement of the cabinetry. It would have been a nightmare to start on the outside of either wall and then realize that the corner piece didn't fit. So we avoided that possibility altogether and didn't run into any problems! This top corner piece is a "garage" with a little door that pulls down to cover whatever you store inside. It was a little tricky since the space between the garage and lazy susan underneath of it had to be the perfect width in order to accommodate our future counter tops. (How that will play out is anyone's guess...)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdJS5A17Ok4W36hxjzTxODzH7JIPVtLo5KLYOSUVPSzKcu4yGx-cAi8JgAW-eg4ICZO7xfm-DFY4GW7LIJ6dsMJ_rt_HeQfqHJMqKV_17hh0xOxTcDwn2CXqfvFVAUlGn0g1TPH4jdPM/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdJS5A17Ok4W36hxjzTxODzH7JIPVtLo5KLYOSUVPSzKcu4yGx-cAi8JgAW-eg4ICZO7xfm-DFY4GW7LIJ6dsMJ_rt_HeQfqHJMqKV_17hh0xOxTcDwn2CXqfvFVAUlGn0g1TPH4jdPM/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<strong>Tip 2- Use a 1x2 as a guide for hanging.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See the 1x2 board that's nailed under the rightmost cabinet? Thane used it as a guide for hanging the upper cabinets to be <em>even</em> and <em>level</em>. Determine how high your cabinets need to be hung on the wall (depending on if they're standard or not), and then mark that height. He marked the correct height using a regular leveler (to make sure his board was level), and then it was as easy as "stacking" each cabinet along the top of the 1x2 board and screwing it into the wall. By the way- whoa those walls are orange! Especially in this photo, haha. I'm thinking I might tweak this color a shade or two once we've picked our counter tops.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUmwEh8F1rGtXeW1J9njDYgTiMqY4A27yni3eQC9bi84povdwpOYn6yTLTF6pZn1pel4phqm4JeOJ-zrbrBgd5xO3B8Xj4jwo_IXpDvP1WL0l5zNbBx41Yz_Zkr5v_qTGDmkxoXz0YE8/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUmwEh8F1rGtXeW1J9njDYgTiMqY4A27yni3eQC9bi84povdwpOYn6yTLTF6pZn1pel4phqm4JeOJ-zrbrBgd5xO3B8Xj4jwo_IXpDvP1WL0l5zNbBx41Yz_Zkr5v_qTGDmkxoXz0YE8/s1600/17.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<strong>Tip 3: Studs=sturdy! Use a stud finder to mark your studs.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Screwing into studs vs. drywall is kind of a must in this case, so it was really helpful to mark out the studs so that Thane knew where to drill. There is a lip on the top back of the cabinet and one underneath as well. Drilling into those lips will prevent anyone from seeing the screws when you're putting away dishes or just opening them up and showing them off.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WUOfY0inxiipEO9m9NDxU3hiUmc6BC8eReow_iYlep25s3FZqr46kRfhROm2692LHoTktQmHsEp8S89cdg3E0hpXgbHEbuTxsY1_Cbw_WCg0QxQAd2vpQqaPBt62GppEPBHS91AP5PE/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WUOfY0inxiipEO9m9NDxU3hiUmc6BC8eReow_iYlep25s3FZqr46kRfhROm2692LHoTktQmHsEp8S89cdg3E0hpXgbHEbuTxsY1_Cbw_WCg0QxQAd2vpQqaPBt62GppEPBHS91AP5PE/s1600/14.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Yep, they're sturdy!<br />
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<strong>Tip 4: Screw your cabinet faces together</strong><br />
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If you screw the sides of each cabinet together it will remove any seams or gaps and make the kitchen look completely tied in.<br />
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You might remember the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/kitchen-plans.html">3D plans</a> our supplier drew up for us after measuring the dimensions of our space. Take a look at how one 3D compares to the real thing! (Minus counter tops and appliances...)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lCkGwkVqpBmr2TYgEEMh8V7VDKD8ABxsNo5VHByCHbsgmkUzHMTUgxIS0hx5sjH9tUYQmf_AC0t-owdkB1NtYV5f69XkX8bnr1oQsUoRKisDOnOVWz9yg36escDK-JjeYza_p0atADg/s1600/KELLER_OPT_1_10-20_-_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lCkGwkVqpBmr2TYgEEMh8V7VDKD8ABxsNo5VHByCHbsgmkUzHMTUgxIS0hx5sjH9tUYQmf_AC0t-owdkB1NtYV5f69XkX8bnr1oQsUoRKisDOnOVWz9yg36escDK-JjeYza_p0atADg/s1600/KELLER_OPT_1_10-20_-_3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_h36eyHpwTQB4KVcPCfw-dblDEaD9smVVBVCRxsgesGcrw_VidBA-RjJZpoUIUoUzmKghRo5C96M8iHpjyC1vDUnGbG_mS-JFE0b681Ja8I67FjIBkyTLzxNhwdSiMzqsNOEEZDk8ls/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_h36eyHpwTQB4KVcPCfw-dblDEaD9smVVBVCRxsgesGcrw_VidBA-RjJZpoUIUoUzmKghRo5C96M8iHpjyC1vDUnGbG_mS-JFE0b681Ja8I67FjIBkyTLzxNhwdSiMzqsNOEEZDk8ls/s1600/16.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
Unfortunately the lighting in this room isn't great. We don't have electrical lighting installed yet, and this room gets the least amount of natural sunlight. But oh well, you get the idea.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC-ccowjJodLwjGfqEnOzu57UOXGPTh20Xt-DlAcCbn48WjBjCueKxXcxO4UfqDu9GIR5jMTx54k51feQMBiAsE5fDV3uOWe8tL9JFksc20ZRLB6YtEFpBMiGym6bD8qOAaHlqNv8IXg/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC-ccowjJodLwjGfqEnOzu57UOXGPTh20Xt-DlAcCbn48WjBjCueKxXcxO4UfqDu9GIR5jMTx54k51feQMBiAsE5fDV3uOWe8tL9JFksc20ZRLB6YtEFpBMiGym6bD8qOAaHlqNv8IXg/s1600/18.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This might be my favorite section of the new kitchen;<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj-i-vXLSpVoi61SCwhc8QRT_a6ONg4HCIjRdJ1ANP7VBuopRXzPyy9nO40-I7IJIXbX2ylSamUM3UBccaRR0oqq4GmNKtC_fKCTBNqq4ZnyFYhHVFHO8Lw1U_9JxBn14p8Y2cecqgBE/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj-i-vXLSpVoi61SCwhc8QRT_a6ONg4HCIjRdJ1ANP7VBuopRXzPyy9nO40-I7IJIXbX2ylSamUM3UBccaRR0oqq4GmNKtC_fKCTBNqq4ZnyFYhHVFHO8Lw1U_9JxBn14p8Y2cecqgBE/s1600/8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I love the bookshelf with the cottage-y panel details. This was a total surprise to me, I assumed the backing to the shelf would be plain. Then to the right of it is a microwave shelf, which will be great for preserving counter space. Directly below the book shelves is what will be a desk for my laptop. I'm always finding myself dragging my laptop into our current kitchen to reference a recipe. But that will no longer be necessary once it gets a permanent home here! Not to mention the fact that it'll be great for playing music and <a href="http://www.marshillchurch.org/">sermons</a> while I'm cooking and cleaning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwzAQSb7y6cy_inxsDb9oikFQLbX0hGjmm8cmw2HNMpGG1zcm7I6qIpZyCuMmRDxJmzZ4780cKX-zjO87nC7oX1HxdVn7m3ByIcN68trxIVd7gDBMfGVy65Mwqs66AiyDUCce-IHkS9M/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwzAQSb7y6cy_inxsDb9oikFQLbX0hGjmm8cmw2HNMpGG1zcm7I6qIpZyCuMmRDxJmzZ4780cKX-zjO87nC7oX1HxdVn7m3ByIcN68trxIVd7gDBMfGVy65Mwqs66AiyDUCce-IHkS9M/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
The empty hole with the wire hanging down is where the ovens will go. Word to the wise- as great as double ovens are, they're pricey. This is one thing we could have planned to do without when planning out the cabinetry. It's kind of a standard in the custom cabinet world, and it's just about all you see when you browse kitchen galleries while building your own kitchen plans. I think it'll be worthwhile in the long run, but it's a big pill to swallow right at first!<br />
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So, that's a big check on the ever long ranch house to-do list. And all glory be to Christ for providing us with the time, finances, and wonderful babysitter that enabled to get this done! This home will surely be a blessing to our family, but I'm praying that it will bless a lot of other people too. Hopefully it'll be a place for lots of wonderful family time, Christian fellowship, and service in the years to come. As imperfect as we are, we want to dedicate all we do to Jesus for the sake of His name and Kingdom. That's our desire and prayer!<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-58908363941313190382011-08-29T08:04:00.002-04:002011-08-29T08:05:39.951-04:00And...We're Back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eAtZMGuQgl5gLiNrPN5JYfD_PfvA0gTqNAVRr0gBilkOj75hbvc1-9jP_6LlzBu89CVtxCIPdyYe4w3toN_po7ToJ5bAX1D5IkThnMcxFfsvPQdHQuSx8ebmhzQDlRmQToO1xBRqrkk/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eAtZMGuQgl5gLiNrPN5JYfD_PfvA0gTqNAVRr0gBilkOj75hbvc1-9jP_6LlzBu89CVtxCIPdyYe4w3toN_po7ToJ5bAX1D5IkThnMcxFfsvPQdHQuSx8ebmhzQDlRmQToO1xBRqrkk/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div>Whew! After 44 hours of driving and a week of non-stop ranch house work, we're home. And just in case you noticed the lack of posts, well, an unfortunate collision between my water glass and Asher's foot sent the laptop to its untimely death. So, for a grand total of six days I was not only text free (no cell service on the ranch), but computer free as well. Yes, you heard me. No e-mail, no Facebook, no blogging, no texting, no <em>nothing</em> for a week. And I actually quite enjoyed it- total seclusion has it's perks! How often do you get the chance to escape to the middle of nowhere where the only mode of communication is a land line? And lets face it, nobody knows how to use those things anymore.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx1Uiqgm-8Ey9dG_dQoQT3T88xyLQTPfuBeFpYkA8r7ZU-56-b9NbD-_3EIIf82CmeuenApoh0XAg3SbWdIou7qnB8nmzFQbLhT6foglVtc5D0CfhQ2VqcsRIGvPNENjpNLwbswvGtKE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx1Uiqgm-8Ey9dG_dQoQT3T88xyLQTPfuBeFpYkA8r7ZU-56-b9NbD-_3EIIf82CmeuenApoh0XAg3SbWdIou7qnB8nmzFQbLhT6foglVtc5D0CfhQ2VqcsRIGvPNENjpNLwbswvGtKE/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>But now we're home where we have a working computer...and it's just sitting here...asking to be used. So here I am, excited to get started sharing all our ranch house progress.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9XrvtL27xA_R2P3iEJ1AjKGjEn3sFdVOcsxNHoV5jUqhsMWIcb_16kK5nhINR0A-0EJ024u7Ff3DIHRxJCSDjzL7CortUG01G0Ylw7C9N1qWH1xnLYWx7nWPM6YuoRbwj1wacZMwgEQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9XrvtL27xA_R2P3iEJ1AjKGjEn3sFdVOcsxNHoV5jUqhsMWIcb_16kK5nhINR0A-0EJ024u7Ff3DIHRxJCSDjzL7CortUG01G0Ylw7C9N1qWH1xnLYWx7nWPM6YuoRbwj1wacZMwgEQ/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
Unfortunately, there was no progress made to our landscaping situation. As you can tell, our sandy jungle of a front yard is in need of some major work. But that will have to wait till we're living there.<br />
<br />
But as for the flooring, kitchen cabinet installation, painting, and a handful of other things, we made leaps and bounds! Praise Jesus for that. With only short amounts of time to work (basically, a couple of weeks per year) we do our best to make each trip count. And with His provision and a ton of help from Grammy, we accomplished much more than planned! We are <em>truly</em> thankful. So stay tuned for pics of progress and plans, they're coming soon!<br />
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<em>P.S.</em> Asher turned six months old during our trip! See his 26 week picture <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/sweet-pea-weekly.html">here</a> (6 month and 27 weeks also coming soon!)<br />
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<em>P.S.S.</em> Another major answer to prayer was making it through the 44 hours of total driving without a meltdown from Asher. And praise God, he didn't get upset at all on the way. It was a little rougher on the way home, but he still did wonderful overall.<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-82092735148911062842011-08-19T10:30:00.000-04:002011-08-19T10:30:38.770-04:00Thrifting; Round TwoHere we go again, round two of great deals from thrift and antique shops! (See round one <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-mans-trash.html">here</a>.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFxbSIeFQ9Erzz9wZDMiPURB9ep_VR0UqdlG1TurToCnFlc9bLXoMeIW7C9edtZJ5pnUgpKu9ZBL4kpaWjEmPDXLXoyKAn0lIyY5mX4dgK7vlUmodGl3XdaHtpx7cv9Z-EDCXpGdrr0c/s1600/DSC03866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFxbSIeFQ9Erzz9wZDMiPURB9ep_VR0UqdlG1TurToCnFlc9bLXoMeIW7C9edtZJ5pnUgpKu9ZBL4kpaWjEmPDXLXoyKAn0lIyY5mX4dgK7vlUmodGl3XdaHtpx7cv9Z-EDCXpGdrr0c/s400/DSC03866.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodwill- Columbus, Georgia- $1.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left">This pretty little candle holder is soon to be red. It reminded me of a neat candle centerpiece I spotted in Burlington Coat Factory and mentioned (with a picture) <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/spruce-up-your-walls-with-custom-art.html">here</a> a little while back. I might even try to replicate the hanging crystal look and possibly make some sort of stand in order to raise it up just like the one in the photo. That one was $30, by the way, and it's black counterpart was $50.<br />
<br />
There was a 4-Items-for-a-Dollar clearance sale going on, so I had to find four purple ticket items in order to get the deal. It was a challenge, since the purple tickets were few and far in between. But I did it! And I came home with a wad of cute baby ribbon, a silver mini-frame, a black plastic file organizer that'll be great for my wet brushes while painting, and an antique <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/sweet-pea-weekly.html">sweet pea</a> grocer advertisement framed in very old wood.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkzb3Avrw7K32MNZCYYyBPfpt9mHLj-CI6gqK4f3DK2qdBis4eP0FO2AESmvATaszDatGkYNHNh7_nP9lijjB3yEBcGteVGKbRuKVk9b-9uUv3YrpVkuVjP50BvhBbe80L5XIFpq2tvI/s1600/DSC03862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkzb3Avrw7K32MNZCYYyBPfpt9mHLj-CI6gqK4f3DK2qdBis4eP0FO2AESmvATaszDatGkYNHNh7_nP9lijjB3yEBcGteVGKbRuKVk9b-9uUv3YrpVkuVjP50BvhBbe80L5XIFpq2tvI/s400/DSC03862.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benning Thrift & Consignment- $.25</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tWYZZwayG6LIth3BKkfq2T9wnDEYFJHsUWqb2dXpj2pq498eK-dEV8qsS3UAp3v9YSxJDhtS8BNNDLLQ8EnuWlMQQ_Qp5Ij9ByvrqDagTFEY3nr_W8Im1v-VhUIe5Y_rG_BEGVdQTgc/s1600/DSC03863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tWYZZwayG6LIth3BKkfq2T9wnDEYFJHsUWqb2dXpj2pq498eK-dEV8qsS3UAp3v9YSxJDhtS8BNNDLLQ8EnuWlMQQ_Qp5Ij9ByvrqDagTFEY3nr_W8Im1v-VhUIe5Y_rG_BEGVdQTgc/s400/DSC03863.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benning Thrift & Consignment- $.25</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have a soft spot for graphic, antiquey things like this. And of course the sweet pea immediately reminded me of Asher, that's what really sold me on it! (Like I mentioned above, I just had to find three other purple ticket items to get it $.25 instead of it's original list price of $1.30.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxUXR5JC08ljD2_x3H4OECZky-0IJRzajSbAHcCAU5QyOndSh0Zc6H9oLD2Z1A13DI3Lps66eX1lRn6yIgWcfvk0byF62FFWZnfDVbq85EPQtAfAwcJe9LMKYWGllOziC05eQ9_mxAWE/s1600/DSC03848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxUXR5JC08ljD2_x3H4OECZky-0IJRzajSbAHcCAU5QyOndSh0Zc6H9oLD2Z1A13DI3Lps66eX1lRn6yIgWcfvk0byF62FFWZnfDVbq85EPQtAfAwcJe9LMKYWGllOziC05eQ9_mxAWE/s400/DSC03848.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Benning Thrift & Consignment- $.25</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI59wLa4quYJ8hwqeJrNdgDsu-9wqoN899iDsO8p2kRhMno0PpI-QKb0DkMOcF5TbQrvWonba6m0TeZ6y4V9uCjzlul_uKC3bKWhXT44EtT1n91XXHuQQSrdUVIjdIY7Z1tfhLMurbhQ0/s1600/DSC03868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI59wLa4quYJ8hwqeJrNdgDsu-9wqoN899iDsO8p2kRhMno0PpI-QKb0DkMOcF5TbQrvWonba6m0TeZ6y4V9uCjzlul_uKC3bKWhXT44EtT1n91XXHuQQSrdUVIjdIY7Z1tfhLMurbhQ0/s400/DSC03868.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benning Thrift & Consignment- $.30</td></tr>
</tbody></table> This is an older purchase, from <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/create-custom-nursery-on-budget.html">Asher's nursery</a>. Funky, eclectic, $.30. Need I say more?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r6eoEI929Py2pfLfAjRxG2C_HczJhcbh9JuW89yiH1nsn8h4OPvS9KXDGQY9gwynNIpcWsBy71BKgfXlwGGkljxoTShqwDvVYVcpfs3pXfFxDCPNoAIICpBkBRwJvS4fa0YgtvAlolA/s1600/DSC03875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r6eoEI929Py2pfLfAjRxG2C_HczJhcbh9JuW89yiH1nsn8h4OPvS9KXDGQY9gwynNIpcWsBy71BKgfXlwGGkljxoTShqwDvVYVcpfs3pXfFxDCPNoAIICpBkBRwJvS4fa0YgtvAlolA/s400/DSC03875.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodwill- Radclif, Kentucky- $1 (I got two)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"></div>One of these guys is living on the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/stylin-shelves.html">living room built-ins</a>, and the other is on our other living shelf that's yet to be featured on here.<br />
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And that's all for now! My next thrifting adventure will hopefully be to <a href="http://www.ginasjunk.com/">Gina's Junk</a>, a neat place in Columbus I keep hearing about. So, stay tuned!<br />
<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-24199748886798052072011-08-17T12:20:00.001-04:002011-08-17T12:26:55.016-04:00Out with the (M)old, In with the New<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wC_90RhTPTPRX5V1oRorPPfOptMN6O7RXTJytpye9w45RqTumJvwgf6y9JiQnJon6_TLuyBppQLqszMW_ARFl8P5yVgNqM5b9oAA9lp_0SNje0zXiXVQRiN1kghp4Au6CdPDGo-UlAY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wC_90RhTPTPRX5V1oRorPPfOptMN6O7RXTJytpye9w45RqTumJvwgf6y9JiQnJon6_TLuyBppQLqszMW_ARFl8P5yVgNqM5b9oAA9lp_0SNje0zXiXVQRiN1kghp4Au6CdPDGo-UlAY/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Raise your hand if you've ever had a moldy shower liner. Okay, okay, not all at once! <br />
<br />
I'm assuming that we've <em>all </em>run into this problem at one time or another. Thane and I definitely have. As a matter of fact, we run into it at least once every six months. So, at least once every six months I'm standing in Walmart staring at shower liners and debating between the $2 plastic one that's destined for the trash and the $15 washable one that will last "forever".<br />
<div align="left"></div><br />
Well, the $2 variety has been the winning choice for far too long. I finally got the gumption to upgrade. And for $12, this one should pay for itself in, oh, 6 years. I know, it doesn't sound all that worthwhile when you look at it like that. But at least it'll be one less household item that gets routinely thrown away, and assuming it washes well (only time will tell) it'll be worth the cash in the long run.<br />
<br />
It's 100% polyester, which is non-absorbent and won't "hold" water; hence the "water repellent" promise on the packaging. I'd love to wow you with more fascinating facts on textiles (courtesy of my Textiles for Fashion college course), but I'll assume I'm the only one that finds that stuff interesting and just leave it at that. Although it's obvious that the $2 plastic liners are technically "water repellant" too. If only they could go into the washer! Maybe it's worth mentioning that I've unsuccessfully tried de-molding one with 409 and a scrub brush. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cTRzvSJh5RngseHkv3S4VEMz_xt3aC0JG18F7w7uyrGghEfP7GgW2TsvzOPrTm-ezqykqlQfFaIR54FqTpR-ZG7d9Iy4UqIhIAG_w2Vad4Ecf2PSre82cdtOfAZr2HZoRpOlRnFABnc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cTRzvSJh5RngseHkv3S4VEMz_xt3aC0JG18F7w7uyrGghEfP7GgW2TsvzOPrTm-ezqykqlQfFaIR54FqTpR-ZG7d9Iy4UqIhIAG_w2Vad4Ecf2PSre82cdtOfAZr2HZoRpOlRnFABnc/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
So, I'm betting on this polyester curtain. As a matter of fact, since she's a new and hopefully <em>permanent</em> member of the household, we'll call her Polly. She'll no doubt have many adventures to share as time "tells" how she works.<br />
<br />
And just for fun, here are a couple of photos of our very rough and yet to be finished master bath at the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/ranch-house.html">ranch house</a>;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemGaSbzEfhzZ6NJ4UClMUJk___o3Lc1M7aw0qKfHPYjYtzMM11w-IMtCpfb8xvpojLlSK623Ct8EgDBF3DoavSUm_0JfLhu8duZfP_CCy-TkAWTYtYx8RhvAQo083ogWOgBR5uHAuDx4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemGaSbzEfhzZ6NJ4UClMUJk___o3Lc1M7aw0qKfHPYjYtzMM11w-IMtCpfb8xvpojLlSK623Ct8EgDBF3DoavSUm_0JfLhu8duZfP_CCy-TkAWTYtYx8RhvAQo083ogWOgBR5uHAuDx4/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The shower stall is directly across from the tub, you can see it peaking out a tad on the right side of the photo. And here's our little toilet closet in drastic need of cleaning and door-ing. As is the entire bathroom.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbJEOf-iY2qifmZ80bHTxFugmdt4tqU8CVZJS38VY48SmEP_gg0tJMVM9uz_AsvzP_QAy0HLZO5QbyquXxYMj9GbzoNrwOcgC3JY2qQKnALDlKKXXgYuC0j0lr-MIZf2HQcligsIASvw/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbJEOf-iY2qifmZ80bHTxFugmdt4tqU8CVZJS38VY48SmEP_gg0tJMVM9uz_AsvzP_QAy0HLZO5QbyquXxYMj9GbzoNrwOcgC3JY2qQKnALDlKKXXgYuC0j0lr-MIZf2HQcligsIASvw/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
While I'm thinking about it, here's a quick to-do list that we hope to put a good dent in over the next couple of weeks (that's right, we're going!);<br />
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<strong>Ranch House Master Bath To-Do List</strong><br />
<br />
-Install sink tops<br />
-Install sink faucets<br />
-Hang mirrors over each sink<br />
-Install towel rods and rings<br />
-Finish tiling the shower<br />
-Install shower door<br />
-Stain leftover maple trim (from the stairing project) to line the tub<br />
-Install toilet closet door, linen closet door, and main bathroom door<br />
-Deep clean<br />
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<div align="left">So watch for updates over the next few weeks. After months of ranch house stagnancy, <em>progress is about to happen! </em>Praise God for the opportunity to make the trip out, as well as the financial stability to continue working towards a finished home! As always, we hope and pray that it will be used for <em>His</em> glory and Kingdom, that Jesus would be honored in all we do.<br />
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</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em>P.S.</em> Back to reusable household items- see reusable swiffer wipes <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/clean-green.html">here</a>, reusable diapers <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/04/cloth-diapering-im-in-love.html">here</a>, and reusable grocery bags <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/06/green-bag-challenge.html">here</a>.<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-31290802609358160042011-08-15T10:33:00.003-04:002011-08-15T10:42:24.760-04:00Kitchen Cart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNne6VwbzT0zkqEeufXEBmX3URXAJX0CsqjY4jC_n_fXQh91B0v93C8aVAkFG_Is6djQHpnP_OMXt8kwxXj4CgWOUHAFR8yN4MbFJZ0bWvT0qurBJLmLKxPRssZ6_lfDIfAIPrUJgTa4/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNne6VwbzT0zkqEeufXEBmX3URXAJX0CsqjY4jC_n_fXQh91B0v93C8aVAkFG_Is6djQHpnP_OMXt8kwxXj4CgWOUHAFR8yN4MbFJZ0bWvT0qurBJLmLKxPRssZ6_lfDIfAIPrUJgTa4/s1600/header.jpg" /></a></div><br />
A good neighbor <em>not only</em> invites you over for dinner, but also inspires you to revamp your kitchen organization! You might remember my <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/kitschy-curtains-shoddy-sewing.html">kitchen curtain post</a> where I first introduced you to the White Elephant's shabby and not-so-chic heart of the home. You know, the post where I pointed out it's abundance of grunge and made the bright graphic curtain panels in an attempt to divert attention from this grunge? If you didn't, no worries, one look at the speckled linoleum tile flooring and you'll get the jist.<br />
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In addition, there's this odd little corner space between the dishwasher and back door;<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCHPMQd-sDTE2Y5k36c_EQQ1_GJJxZf5GNMx7g4PQwc-cBVwyDYlnc_sGDj51lhg9i0CvADvGxouXG-YiCLaSQ6G6TzMy9y77nMs40ggXZVyAdkSGwjM-fSgVoS2MR3e-ZGvcIraFYPI/s1600/DSC02823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCHPMQd-sDTE2Y5k36c_EQQ1_GJJxZf5GNMx7g4PQwc-cBVwyDYlnc_sGDj51lhg9i0CvADvGxouXG-YiCLaSQ6G6TzMy9y77nMs40ggXZVyAdkSGwjM-fSgVoS2MR3e-ZGvcIraFYPI/s1600/DSC02823.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is actually a pretty "clean" photo. Usually this spot collects a lot of shoes and a hodge podge of other things. But you get the idea, it's a not so pretty little area for trash and miscellaneous items. Or that's what it was resigned to until I saw my neighbors kitchen and noticed that she had a microwave cart here. Not only did it look a lot cleaner and nicer, but what a good use of the space!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, after perusing <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-mans-trash.html">thrift stores</a> and Craig's List for a week or two and still coming up empty handed, I finally went to Walmart and bought the least expensive storage cart they carried. As much as I would have liked to find something used, it was $20 well spent. What do you think? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaVzLyt2sIn-zCN9dpedRmFnuaRv7WoJyjjtqvBi6S6u1z2gtfSkfUyjVANYK55Yp5ycFMdiVX_kdGBQ5Zn6bZ02SaIozeYPsVqNz6bPr6lbHpzKBXuBd8umJ7l0EWhXfJI6WFV_hvBQ/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaVzLyt2sIn-zCN9dpedRmFnuaRv7WoJyjjtqvBi6S6u1z2gtfSkfUyjVANYK55Yp5ycFMdiVX_kdGBQ5Zn6bZ02SaIozeYPsVqNz6bPr6lbHpzKBXuBd8umJ7l0EWhXfJI6WFV_hvBQ/s1600/8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Not only did that grungy-corner-for-trash-and-junk look go bye-bye once the new cart was up, but a lot of counter space was freed up as well. And counter space is precious real estate in this kitchen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiwzlFhPl634XwvmEheIF2jpqEZBFVQKcRys2C_911_nvcM2DmMuetDL_4dq-oEbltg7q4XJztAkKQsTcIrjkMcm19Zc9vFchCJ5JpGSvlgmmth-OUXaU5mrLnRnDTlOIZE_FSSukmWU/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiwzlFhPl634XwvmEheIF2jpqEZBFVQKcRys2C_911_nvcM2DmMuetDL_4dq-oEbltg7q4XJztAkKQsTcIrjkMcm19Zc9vFchCJ5JpGSvlgmmth-OUXaU5mrLnRnDTlOIZE_FSSukmWU/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Welcome to the new home for the coffee maker, microwave, cook books, and the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/firebird-goes-green.html">green <strike>firebird</strike> rooster</a>. He moved down from the windowsill to get a change of scenery.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabezk1ayPE4LPMhOHduxa8UMM34U4Td7SSA3CYG9P3dHZXi_IqUOP-uCJ08sh1ujtaGoCyY2WFSHy4IZVVOEwfxzjFzE9NZoB_xrNJWeCLdKdvRqDnmMVsHGpcIblteMikrJgovUdvXU/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabezk1ayPE4LPMhOHduxa8UMM34U4Td7SSA3CYG9P3dHZXi_IqUOP-uCJ08sh1ujtaGoCyY2WFSHy4IZVVOEwfxzjFzE9NZoB_xrNJWeCLdKdvRqDnmMVsHGpcIblteMikrJgovUdvXU/s1600/6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Speaking of the coffee maker, it's now in close proximity to my <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/oh-for-love-of-coffee.html">coffee containers</a> for maximum convenience. My daily <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/oh-for-love-of-coffee.html">morning coffee routine</a> just got even easier!<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaVzLyt2sIn-zCN9dpedRmFnuaRv7WoJyjjtqvBi6S6u1z2gtfSkfUyjVANYK55Yp5ycFMdiVX_kdGBQ5Zn6bZ02SaIozeYPsVqNz6bPr6lbHpzKBXuBd8umJ7l0EWhXfJI6WFV_hvBQ/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaVzLyt2sIn-zCN9dpedRmFnuaRv7WoJyjjtqvBi6S6u1z2gtfSkfUyjVANYK55Yp5ycFMdiVX_kdGBQ5Zn6bZ02SaIozeYPsVqNz6bPr6lbHpzKBXuBd8umJ7l0EWhXfJI6WFV_hvBQ/s1600/8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Oh and let me point out a project within a project. Remember this tray? It came from a <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-mans-trash.html">thrift store</a> for about $1.50. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcMHpnB3M1zPTIkiyp5yh9sDv5JJ_WEQzGDgrb_vsasdfkF4a_8RdhzeZuQUsoY51BvYfzYxPG6lZceE4Ni9bS1DSKuhQkUv9MRC9ZlFtVDzQu4lvirUHcSIBw_aFwAk9Ves661EvDuw/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcMHpnB3M1zPTIkiyp5yh9sDv5JJ_WEQzGDgrb_vsasdfkF4a_8RdhzeZuQUsoY51BvYfzYxPG6lZceE4Ni9bS1DSKuhQkUv9MRC9ZlFtVDzQu4lvirUHcSIBw_aFwAk9Ves661EvDuw/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
It needed some cleaning and spiffing up, and that's exactly what it got. For a few bucks more, I picked up a can of "Cherry Red" spray paint and gave it a fun new color to match the curtains.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7o9TJRkIk3HjSuFvtfPKBWFfitQhC-CDbed0xq_hFxxRykNjXyD86b3yj-QheNZhQeOJIwcrqsHgYDh6UESPr4yossPhCH3XF2WGQ68FCminDhFKMXPftZWrsmhQMHAazuDc23uIhfg/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7o9TJRkIk3HjSuFvtfPKBWFfitQhC-CDbed0xq_hFxxRykNjXyD86b3yj-QheNZhQeOJIwcrqsHgYDh6UESPr4yossPhCH3XF2WGQ68FCminDhFKMXPftZWrsmhQMHAazuDc23uIhfg/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Then I had a small pile of frames that I'd picked up from Rugged Wearhouse on clearance for $1 each. I also had some fun cards that happened to be the perfect size, so in the frames they went! (The other one's sitting on the windowsill where the rooster used to be.) You might have noticed the little yellow-green acorn frame as well. It was also on clearance for a buck, so I got two and then painted them this yellow-green color (they were originally brown, then lime green- the same color as the firebird, which was too much- and now <em>this </em>shade after mixing the original green with some white to lighten it up a little). As you can see, they (the little "acorns") are empty for the time being, but I have an idea for 'em that I'll eventually get around to.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DSnlnxoKI1GA8SEKrtt5Xbh2XIqzUWEUkvBCB2DTlQ8xluHki-Optbjnc2g2mMIP-OjGu2wnVgDpXm35Atr1LZGnaoxiyUGrbxFAxtO9fndJlaRmoRXDfu0DqyN2X6qL4PevBWiOsrs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DSnlnxoKI1GA8SEKrtt5Xbh2XIqzUWEUkvBCB2DTlQ8xluHki-Optbjnc2g2mMIP-OjGu2wnVgDpXm35Atr1LZGnaoxiyUGrbxFAxtO9fndJlaRmoRXDfu0DqyN2X6qL4PevBWiOsrs/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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The trash can still sits here, but now it's not the focal point of the space. I've been toying with the idea of spray painting it red... I've never heard of anyone doing this, but hey, I've got to do <em>something</em> with the leftover spray paint, right?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh32hgV0qh5ZYpP-brcBffpNBNHxA8JoqxOEzI7eMVOioiNnRJodP1d81VYYSuPYN8s-qbuLnIM3XqAu89UazLMsG_poZMjogxkaYRYxGy2QSAUibPxsR9-S52yzwepoyg-xuogl-YJmw/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh32hgV0qh5ZYpP-brcBffpNBNHxA8JoqxOEzI7eMVOioiNnRJodP1d81VYYSuPYN8s-qbuLnIM3XqAu89UazLMsG_poZMjogxkaYRYxGy2QSAUibPxsR9-S52yzwepoyg-xuogl-YJmw/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
So that's it for now. We're slowly and surely improving our little "character-rich" kitchen. I say "we" not because Thane has any part in the decor aspect of the makeover, but because he's the one that put the shelf together. Thanks honey!<br />
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<em>P.S.</em> See our ranch house kitchen plans <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/kitchen-plans.html">here</a>. <em>(And pssst, they won't just be plans for much longer, the cabinets are going up sooner than we can believe!)</em><br />
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<em>P.S.S.</em> Spray paint works wonders; see how to use it to get the exact look you want for your decorative curtain rods <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/hang-curtains-for-less.html">here</a>.<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-34032387593211566052011-08-11T09:49:00.002-04:002011-08-11T09:53:05.399-04:00"Honey-Do" List; Featuring The Boot of Doom<div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WikGI5E4TUBZbBOBwJ1YHm2hHGemxoUb7ho7QRt12eK2LRn4TI6KvGcCHl0raZcCFzS3NGi7kV0cUgQASWwuZV9pEqWLgnO_OZNJfqyvpowFChi4kBVwzPgVPCO4GuCTJ6HBMx6tSZA/s1600/DSC04418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WikGI5E4TUBZbBOBwJ1YHm2hHGemxoUb7ho7QRt12eK2LRn4TI6KvGcCHl0raZcCFzS3NGi7kV0cUgQASWwuZV9pEqWLgnO_OZNJfqyvpowFChi4kBVwzPgVPCO4GuCTJ6HBMx6tSZA/s640/DSC04418.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
Aren't husbands wonderful?! <br />
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Mine had a little honey-do list waiting for him when he got back to Georgia;<br />
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1. <strong>Give our washer & dryer the old switcheroo.</strong> The Lowes deliverers installed our washer on the right and the dryer on the left, which means the doors hit each other when they're both opened. That makes getting the wet clothes out of the washer and into the dryer a little difficult, especially when holding the baby. As Thane likes to remind me, it's possible that this is the only option due the hook-up arrangement in the back. If that's the case, that's totally fine. It's not an <em>ideal</em> set-up, but it's a temporary one, and I'm really just happy to be co-habiting with our own laundry room again! Four months of hauling our dirty clothes and <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/04/cloth-diapering-im-in-love.html">diapers</a> to a shared basement laundry room at <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/06/make-most-of-any-space.html">Hotel K</a> has taught me how to appreciate what we have here in Georgia. (So much so that I was led to give it a little low-cost <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/liven-laundry.html">makeover</a> when we got back.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fky3vGbYoeqPHk22esDKhoHow2WL07nSWmRdBKYkgOrg4y_qD8oSUgtAFemq-a14di79_jqM_Q_CFysev3lgtux2BNEBLb51RsDgytAYbyQV9744kbpg02o4Jbmuz-niMbkRYTdMR54/s1600/DSC04423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fky3vGbYoeqPHk22esDKhoHow2WL07nSWmRdBKYkgOrg4y_qD8oSUgtAFemq-a14di79_jqM_Q_CFysev3lgtux2BNEBLb51RsDgytAYbyQV9744kbpg02o4Jbmuz-niMbkRYTdMR54/s1600/DSC04423.jpg" /></a></div><br />
2. <strong>Move our back door so that our kitchen opens up into the stairwell leading to the attic.</strong> This will expand our kitchen space and give me more room for storage. It'll also make the two attic rooms feel like a real part of our house if I don't have to go through a locked door to get to them. (The entire back stairwell spans four stories, from the basement to the attic.) We share it with our neighbors below, so until the door is moved it's all entirely open. Not that we don't trust our neighbors- they did a <em>huge</em> favor to us by watching our place when we were away- it'll just be nice to feel like we can go upstairs without going "out" of our personal apartment space.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2Vp9LXbKOPR5CzTkOnyUMfCSQJ8LhLsH6TMpkTMMd4iEkizCmlRjEX1TSPs52gAIseZ9INpENE7FEZtzWNT-moBvwT0KeZRGRy8R1pxoacEjf3Jzuw9vCKXm_ClqAySu2eIP0yo-ceg/s1600/DSC05150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2Vp9LXbKOPR5CzTkOnyUMfCSQJ8LhLsH6TMpkTMMd4iEkizCmlRjEX1TSPs52gAIseZ9INpENE7FEZtzWNT-moBvwT0KeZRGRy8R1pxoacEjf3Jzuw9vCKXm_ClqAySu2eIP0yo-ceg/s1600/DSC05150.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The door will need to be re-installed directly to the right, in order to close off the back stairwell that leads down to the door that goes to the outside. (Our apartment is on the second story.) I'm thinking about hanging our pots on the wooden boards that are already nailed up. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Bw6pysWb9S3FHhN5FS26avEORuO71s63fioE8w43vEo7-mTtbeahw5HZMfypRGgwXcAIcCvZDcAGPE1pwa_Tyojsqs3zwugiD6T1qaduCePP-kT2Rb7lFiwRSta2CG9x8bVVrP9abWg/s1600/DSC05158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Bw6pysWb9S3FHhN5FS26avEORuO71s63fioE8w43vEo7-mTtbeahw5HZMfypRGgwXcAIcCvZDcAGPE1pwa_Tyojsqs3zwugiD6T1qaduCePP-kT2Rb7lFiwRSta2CG9x8bVVrP9abWg/s1600/DSC05158.JPG" /></a></div><br />
3. <strong>Get my attic room that doubles as an art/storage/junk room cleaned up. </strong>So that I can use it for painting when the temps cool down! (There's no AC in the attic rooms.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeamIXKdsQvs35BrX8DYngFDcjPEsZraVa2_UReVdYS1kvNhOpQsyBI7Q5Cf8QMUsgrbZeRrYkZmVjWUUd5_hxbGLs3ZBRPbAKEYhKmSZIlMDZmFuIs9nDMWcsKx_zoPMUvg9voKxRMM/s1600/DSC03831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeamIXKdsQvs35BrX8DYngFDcjPEsZraVa2_UReVdYS1kvNhOpQsyBI7Q5Cf8QMUsgrbZeRrYkZmVjWUUd5_hxbGLs3ZBRPbAKEYhKmSZIlMDZmFuIs9nDMWcsKx_zoPMUvg9voKxRMM/s1600/DSC03831.jpg" /></a></div><br />
4.<strong> This one sort of hinges on #3- Move one of our new love seats downstairs.</strong> We found these for a great deal at a clearance center in Columbus. We don't need them here, but they'll be great for the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/ranch-house.html">ranch house</a>. We've got plans... By the way, see that red bag peaking out of the bottom right corner of the photo? I've got a scary story about that below...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nWblroIwUxgaYyg12-RVwNp3BtpvndZmLee_M2SQ1h3CQLaAQedQSBoO1iLB8n5GKStGyBD7tg47T-e4UDaf84O9GBIq0VcqeQHu7aArTTm83j7JUdhWxbqRody5q60TUI8VLIeP9xU/s1600/DSC03840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nWblroIwUxgaYyg12-RVwNp3BtpvndZmLee_M2SQ1h3CQLaAQedQSBoO1iLB8n5GKStGyBD7tg47T-e4UDaf84O9GBIq0VcqeQHu7aArTTm83j7JUdhWxbqRody5q60TUI8VLIeP9xU/s1600/DSC03840.jpg" /></a></div><br />
5.<strong> Create a reading nook.</strong> I'd like one of the two love seats to go in this empty spot in our second bedroom. It's kind of the catch-all room for the time being, it doubles as an office and guest room. So why not make it a little cozier for ourselves and for our guests? All it'll take is a little muscle to get the sofa downstairs and then a little womanly touch to get it looking inviting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTKQ1rHvn-xKIHQMx0JWUHZXTLw7oKN_jfLCNEEhjr0lCRArtNxesQOzitwpiduIE9QfveFMZ0AlVbAy22xyD939UB958K-bBD8n5AyBrk3poC_IMBgLQ5zbkE7TJd40EluDUnBvUt8o/s1600/DSC04465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTKQ1rHvn-xKIHQMx0JWUHZXTLw7oKN_jfLCNEEhjr0lCRArtNxesQOzitwpiduIE9QfveFMZ0AlVbAy22xyD939UB958K-bBD8n5AyBrk3poC_IMBgLQ5zbkE7TJd40EluDUnBvUt8o/s1600/DSC04465.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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6. <strong>Kill the huge-silver-dollar-size spider with a marble sized black butt that I came across in the big red bag in the attic so that it doesn't get our baby; check! </strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqPuHRY-bCFD-VWZ4VKYbIyup0V3CAyKFeBnlOv_cEbZ-oKwzO1clQShCsss5rT2Zb2hH8J3LuR48gb83WwCHKYhCMGhh09t9TOA9opMkgZbIZNwxJfgxu0qz39CGdESLhsr0V2aDKOA/s1600/9j0ogb08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqPuHRY-bCFD-VWZ4VKYbIyup0V3CAyKFeBnlOv_cEbZ-oKwzO1clQShCsss5rT2Zb2hH8J3LuR48gb83WwCHKYhCMGhh09t9TOA9opMkgZbIZNwxJfgxu0qz39CGdESLhsr0V2aDKOA/s1600/9j0ogb08.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
Yes, this is what went scurrying dangerously close to my hand when I started to look into the red bag you see in the photo above (honey-do item #4). I'm not usually super skiddish when it comes to bugs. I don't like them, but they don't petrify me. This one's a whole new ball-game; it had chills and bumps and every kind of heeby-jeeby you can imagine running through my body. And after a friend suggested that it might be poisonous, I sent Thane upstairs a day later to try to find this crawly guy. I honestly never imagined he would, but to my astonishment he had the job done in about 30 seconds flat. This is how it went down;<br />
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<em>Me</em>- "Thane, I think we need to find that spider and get rid of it so it doesn't come down here and bite Asher."<br />
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<em>Thane</em>- "That spider's not coming down here."<br />
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<em>Me</em>- "Ok, well whatever, but it might be poisonous."<br />
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<em>Silent pause for about five seconds.</em><br />
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<em>Thane</em>- "I'm going to go find that spider." <br />
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And this is what I heard from below- <strong><em>Clop, clop, clop</em></strong> (up the stairs)... <strong><em>Thud</em></strong> (items falling out of a bag and hitting the floor)...<em><strong>STOMP STOMP STOMP</strong></em>. <em><strong>Clop, clop, clop</strong></em> (down the stairs).<br />
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<em>Thane</em>- "I got him."<br />
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<em>Me</em>- "What?! Already? How'd you find him so fast?!"<br />
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<em>Thane</em>- "It was easy. I turned the bag upside down, he scurried out, he met the boot of doom." (I'll clarify; The <em>combat-boot-of-doom</em>. He was still in his work clothes.)<br />
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Praise God for husbands. They have nerves made of steel!<br />
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While we're on the topic of good husbands, I'm <em>so</em> thankful for Thane. He is a blessing from God. Yes, his dashing good looks and great personality are what hooked me in the beginning, but it's his relationship with Christ that truly makes him the wonderful man that he is. I'm <em>beyond</em> blessed to have a godly husband to take care of me and lead our home. And now that we're a family of three, I hope and pray that I'm the godly wife and mother that Christ would have me to be. I treasure these blessings and opportunities!<br />
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<strong>So what do you gals have on your honey-do lists this month?</strong><br />
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P.S. For another post on <em>the</em> best husband (plus a peak at one of my paintings), go <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/06/match-made-in-heaven.html">here</a>.<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-43082914036859720552011-08-09T09:09:00.000-04:002011-08-09T09:09:12.676-04:00Candles & Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-dS-si83wo3wkAZe1GwSqEMrJpxQRjjXT-zRvU-XzU0yWEEZIUQbQqTm9g4-mwXHPl6U3JHaCcU1IFpX5wJn_Ok6HbscKhDPE0v4krGR7T2JL2lKx0dW4_qBnnj3O7aDxmTmHsCzqak/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-dS-si83wo3wkAZe1GwSqEMrJpxQRjjXT-zRvU-XzU0yWEEZIUQbQqTm9g4-mwXHPl6U3JHaCcU1IFpX5wJn_Ok6HbscKhDPE0v4krGR7T2JL2lKx0dW4_qBnnj3O7aDxmTmHsCzqak/s1600/header.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I've always liked candles and flowers as table top centerpieces. Who doesn't, right?<br />
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We've had this Pier1 Spiced Pear candle (found on clearance!) on our ottoman for a while. My problem with candles is that I'm shy about burning them. Because burning equals burning <em>down</em>, which leads to no more candle (insert frowny face here). Plus, you see the burned wicks and distorted wax. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z6SuBLrTSJ0H_uAYeSn_8_9io0IyLw2RV5KI73p3mHmAb6B2Gpr3FhZ2PnxHcoBL72rvUqZhKeHC2DP57u6ZKtsLuau-6VnExrHrwIUoIcIoby0ddOmXvuT_HTSbvbee-TdepMS_IZg/s1600/DSC03088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z6SuBLrTSJ0H_uAYeSn_8_9io0IyLw2RV5KI73p3mHmAb6B2Gpr3FhZ2PnxHcoBL72rvUqZhKeHC2DP57u6ZKtsLuau-6VnExrHrwIUoIcIoby0ddOmXvuT_HTSbvbee-TdepMS_IZg/s400/DSC03088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYAmsa_3PzBRbe1tsofqo5Z2BN3wCt3N8qkzC3nQcwuXxjdy6_ZhcnlB21Uqw1p67y03THyPZcyoqemTcO7D1Z0NlPCVnghZb2wrGzug82gPH9Lca7kBWTM44RPCo_fHEC_5SvDeQDfw/s1600/DSC05274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYAmsa_3PzBRbe1tsofqo5Z2BN3wCt3N8qkzC3nQcwuXxjdy6_ZhcnlB21Uqw1p67y03THyPZcyoqemTcO7D1Z0NlPCVnghZb2wrGzug82gPH9Lca7kBWTM44RPCo_fHEC_5SvDeQDfw/s400/DSC05274.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>On another note, I've always thought a little vase of flowers would look nice in this same spot. But obviously there's only room for one decorative focal item. Or <em>is there</em>??? (Head cocked to the side, eyes squinting contemplatively.)<br />
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That's what I assumed until I had the random idea to put a fake flower remnant on top of my candle. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0GrORl_2wgCvdo50slHE0_VpSLX7NTBDvqbFJlGJawdmoB43NLTBsCPABJE6Zegep85ovBdJu3NoLPCDJpJGvuPhVnOKiQCuo3mXNzpxiwAiHLEaq51aT4W0m2dEH50Fkj5u8ZFxyd8/s1600/DSC05276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0GrORl_2wgCvdo50slHE0_VpSLX7NTBDvqbFJlGJawdmoB43NLTBsCPABJE6Zegep85ovBdJu3NoLPCDJpJGvuPhVnOKiQCuo3mXNzpxiwAiHLEaq51aT4W0m2dEH50Fkj5u8ZFxyd8/s640/DSC05276.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
Now it's a two-in-one! It took me a few days to decide whether or not I liked it. The verdict is in, and it's a yes! It's not only a great way to cover the distorted wax and burnt wicks, but now it doubles as a floral piece when we're not burning the candle (which is most of the time), and a regular candle when we do light it. (Obviously the flowers come off for that.)<br />
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The cost for this simple little idea; $0!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">No one, when he has <span class="criteria">lit</span> a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.</span></strong><br />
{Luke 11:33}<br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-88043218681235905822011-08-08T08:14:00.001-04:002011-08-08T08:22:23.622-04:00Oh, For the Love of Coffee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6emnvlNQhyphenhyphenEL0QlKfxSelkBfmDHezvNJWWXBxBlDtjQ7PW1gzjqt-Vwa-PV4Mp1gsR8U0ppmyPnQGMwSdQs8TM94PH7qj57Kg2Zrzc3RESis_wBpuxqKrodYjFrPSrOZfPB8NxMTtF4/s1600/Header+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6emnvlNQhyphenhyphenEL0QlKfxSelkBfmDHezvNJWWXBxBlDtjQ7PW1gzjqt-Vwa-PV4Mp1gsR8U0ppmyPnQGMwSdQs8TM94PH7qj57Kg2Zrzc3RESis_wBpuxqKrodYjFrPSrOZfPB8NxMTtF4/s1600/Header+Image.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfF_tDWnC9rHpFR3-6il_OkwBpNBTMw2-HgS4mEkLLSSA64xXWQGVc7IGKAzxhMLl6udiE50bHdRbvuiqIuIibgq3Bo-dCfFZOaKgdcOgzpfwQi1tG72e42YWMlhS6nu7lAG-szeNgPo/s1600/cg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfF_tDWnC9rHpFR3-6il_OkwBpNBTMw2-HgS4mEkLLSSA64xXWQGVc7IGKAzxhMLl6udiE50bHdRbvuiqIuIibgq3Bo-dCfFZOaKgdcOgzpfwQi1tG72e42YWMlhS6nu7lAG-szeNgPo/s1600/cg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyc3ZhK2wftdyhFmC9sgp0xDxGg-mFCm6W753B8faYC3P3X7n-fY9gwdMDWZw9j8veHEJYDbTO6PhVfKKtAvSF2m2il4V9jpTsLc4OzX4jeNqNW6VHXsl7Lw3KgnX3bLuq-hYcuczsAM/s1600/DSC04992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyc3ZhK2wftdyhFmC9sgp0xDxGg-mFCm6W753B8faYC3P3X7n-fY9gwdMDWZw9j8veHEJYDbTO6PhVfKKtAvSF2m2il4V9jpTsLc4OzX4jeNqNW6VHXsl7Lw3KgnX3bLuq-hYcuczsAM/s1600/DSC04992.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkciNmVfDKuuUPtukiVz5TLLKVNfLnPOZ3CYuP4s5wMdabDjMh2Mc3EbSU6IqgLASjr9kxBSemIfPLcgd9F27I0akYaC4YlIRMvE-LsW_Aoj92DNsKvwkahbhN8v71WZ6BTmH9u10oldg/s1600/DSC04977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkciNmVfDKuuUPtukiVz5TLLKVNfLnPOZ3CYuP4s5wMdabDjMh2Mc3EbSU6IqgLASjr9kxBSemIfPLcgd9F27I0akYaC4YlIRMvE-LsW_Aoj92DNsKvwkahbhN8v71WZ6BTmH9u10oldg/s1600/DSC04977.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anyone recognize this? You might if you've ever been to Hawaii's island of Oahu. And if you have, you know exactly what I mean when I say I could go for a Cappuccino Freeze plus a possible spotting of the elusive John Locke.<br />
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I don't know about you, but a nice hot mug of coffee is what I look forward to most in the morning. Other than Asher's cute little face when I get him out of his crib, of course (insert big smiley face here!). Speaking of Asher, he's decided that sleeping through the night is overrated. <em>Or</em>, he's been completely ruined by his week or two of sleeping in my bed while Thane was away. Either way, his couple of months of sleeping eight+ hours straight are <em>loooong</em> gone. Which makes a good cup of coffee even more appreciated. Can I get an amen, fellow moms?<br />
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And now onto the next limited commodity; time. Brewing a pot of coffee was way too tedious. For me, at least, because I use a vast array of ingredients; Two kinds of coffee (I mix caff & decaff- I like a rich bold taste but without a ton of caffeine), sugar, non-dairy creamer, chocolate Ovaltine, and last but not least, cinnamon! (A friend taught me this trick- sprinkle a little cinnamon on your grinds before brewing and it takes the bitter edge off.) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84mpEfxl0H5cjIK0hgffybehmlV9wZS0V3ztDGegOa3hRMFzcyLbeSjthFT_a7zv2WJ0AMhLHwLnsuxekch0zk2NoV1WUgwpdHvndzbsX_pNkijVktEh0kyFq2_yAAKPpkXkfH4SN5yc/s1600/DSC04375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84mpEfxl0H5cjIK0hgffybehmlV9wZS0V3ztDGegOa3hRMFzcyLbeSjthFT_a7zv2WJ0AMhLHwLnsuxekch0zk2NoV1WUgwpdHvndzbsX_pNkijVktEh0kyFq2_yAAKPpkXkfH4SN5yc/s400/DSC04375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that's six steps, not including the filter and the water. And Asher's not a fan of anything that occupies my arms for more than two minutes at a time (unless he's simultaneously nursing, of course).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, tired of this self-imposed tedious process, an idea struck; coffee storage containers! That I could pre-mix all of my ingredients in! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Off to- guess where?- Ross, I went. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But first for the mixing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjDxXedeO4lwMYwU8uv7Vwi9nXHav_d0Zq4Iw3fWmoyz3lwifm1n4pHMsLncpQmpsn0sOyZGdqoKxAPjXrrQ4_QR7x4Rhf2cs8lfIh7zD5UoRd6UsRDpvh3ohxZsYME2xJ8gGltPDTVA/s1600/DSC05252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjDxXedeO4lwMYwU8uv7Vwi9nXHav_d0Zq4Iw3fWmoyz3lwifm1n4pHMsLncpQmpsn0sOyZGdqoKxAPjXrrQ4_QR7x4Rhf2cs8lfIh7zD5UoRd6UsRDpvh3ohxZsYME2xJ8gGltPDTVA/s400/DSC05252.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR1ypOZoXSZxXUQnhglm4OkAXsotyd0JXu_04LUVM4JBbof4Yinu9Z4yN_T6g8_uMHctarOwSaso-4WoHt5m766BHd2u2SIB7S3CpEah8zPU9fi2TlhaGA6xvN6j64VLbJj7g7tJGmOM/s1600/DSC05253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR1ypOZoXSZxXUQnhglm4OkAXsotyd0JXu_04LUVM4JBbof4Yinu9Z4yN_T6g8_uMHctarOwSaso-4WoHt5m766BHd2u2SIB7S3CpEah8zPU9fi2TlhaGA6xvN6j64VLbJj7g7tJGmOM/s400/DSC05253.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnsyprRQs0r0BZpXFTIS_2E91xrrD6vKwq_40uBd3-Pyapxjj2wZr8mr_kQZKqBTwBaRaoIcrItaj3Ht1hES0tG9VVoG9sh9Sl8cuvK0koK6U8BSljcLUmDKWS23T2yAb1yW4-QTAy7w/s1600/DSC05255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnsyprRQs0r0BZpXFTIS_2E91xrrD6vKwq_40uBd3-Pyapxjj2wZr8mr_kQZKqBTwBaRaoIcrItaj3Ht1hES0tG9VVoG9sh9Sl8cuvK0koK6U8BSljcLUmDKWS23T2yAb1yW4-QTAy7w/s400/DSC05255.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The two types of coffee plus cinnamon went into a big Pyrex and got mixed. The Pyrex really helped. With it's pouring "spout", it could easily be transferred into the new containers. Same with the sugar and creamer mixture.<br />
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And here they are; six steps down to <em>two</em>! And they make for very nice windowsill "decor". They're very conveniently placed right above the new spot where the coffee maker is, next door to the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/firebird-goes-green.html">green <strike>firebird</strike> rooster</a>. No more dragging six different containers out of the pantry (and then putting them back away) every morning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LZriGgyqgXBb_W6_LVXJVLikVD8_iCxTYA-x8CEq6op1Fn5QyPobsMiDw9GHYtUO9SyMM-UTqG88OOulDKKScrv5ovCghcqx5lrUASvwxq-qIprLF7DbS7YHnzl45E0_uGLuzLzZMjM/s1600/DSC05264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LZriGgyqgXBb_W6_LVXJVLikVD8_iCxTYA-x8CEq6op1Fn5QyPobsMiDw9GHYtUO9SyMM-UTqG88OOulDKKScrv5ovCghcqx5lrUASvwxq-qIprLF7DbS7YHnzl45E0_uGLuzLzZMjM/s400/DSC05264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I keep a measuring spoon in each, so there's no need for a new spoon everytime. (If you put your creamer/sugar in first, the coffee mixes it on it's own when it gets poured in.) I've had this little system going for about a week now. It's sped up my coffee making process so much that the first few days I felt like I was missing something. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, and Thane's first question was "how will you know if you have everything mixed in the right proportions?" Just a little trial and error. It was easy to tell that my creamer mixture needed a little more sugar, so into the mix it went, and now it's just the way that I like it. Yay!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Does anybody else have a favorite mug to drink out of? Here's mine- another favorite forged in Hawaii.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsTULceqoANH_U2joS3H9Ecdtp8NqRxkASZ_u0EdkKJehKD_Opm1ukE8mXv6ssYWFT78vQWdkGFlj7yQD3KgojymLbaeBf0K76F4OVFvtn6L28KaRcdtzUorWYjIZAhpEWMJBTBmZL70/s1600/DSC01733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsTULceqoANH_U2joS3H9Ecdtp8NqRxkASZ_u0EdkKJehKD_Opm1ukE8mXv6ssYWFT78vQWdkGFlj7yQD3KgojymLbaeBf0K76F4OVFvtn6L28KaRcdtzUorWYjIZAhpEWMJBTBmZL70/s400/DSC01733.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="center"></div>The total cost of this super time-saving system was $5 ($2.50 a piece for the containers, at Ross). <em>Well worth it! </em>And I made up for this cost in about one trip to the grocery store. I downgraded from my all-time favorite Dunkin Donuts brand coffee to Eight O'Clock (recommened by a Kentucky-turned-Alaska friend). Now I save about $4 each time I buy coffee. And I honestly don't really notice a difference... So thanks for all the good tips everyone!<br />
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<strong>Back to Asher for a minute- lots of big news!</strong><br />
1. He didn't cry <em>at all</em> during either day of our traveling to and from New York.<br />
2. <em>He started sucking on a pacifier last Friday!</em> (Same day as the trip, praise God.)<br />
3. He <em>rolled over</em> for the first time on the 3rd! From his back to tummy. And (on the same day) he threw up <em>all</em> of his squash while I was holding him at the dinner table during a meal with guests. I'm not talking spit-up, but real throwing up...twice, <em>huge</em> amounts. I felt so bad for him. It might have had to do with the extra bouncy ride that two of our little guests gave him in his bouncer right beforehand.<br />
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One more thing- his new love of a pacifier leads me to a theory on why he's no longer sleeping through the night. (At first it must have been the move back to Georgia plus sleeping in the bed with me, but that should have corrected itself by now.) Now that we're somewhat settled again, I'm noticing that he hasn't been nursing as much since discovering the joy of a pacifier. Which means he might be getting hungrier at night and needing more solids during the day. That, or he's teething. Who knows.<br />
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<strong>Anybody have any advice for me? Have you enjoyed the bliss of a through-the-night-sleeper only to have him or her revert back to waking up multiple times?</strong> <br />
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<strong>And don't forget to tell me what your favorite mug to drink out of is!</strong><br />
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<em>P.S. </em>Since we're on the topic and Asher and Hawaii...<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9BPk6zcH_O4_msI5rgilmYA5aBgcL4JZxfZAcyLOvlJ6IFNZp0-oSTfMGLZ7xg3-gq5txvhy-L2lrqJv_Ns3Qol9HOxgERyqNs-21qsyUasNXzsUxcXji4nu3LSBAEPqNpTpAEPttPg/s1600/Made+In+Hawaii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9BPk6zcH_O4_msI5rgilmYA5aBgcL4JZxfZAcyLOvlJ6IFNZp0-oSTfMGLZ7xg3-gq5txvhy-L2lrqJv_Ns3Qol9HOxgERyqNs-21qsyUasNXzsUxcXji4nu3LSBAEPqNpTpAEPttPg/s400/Made+In+Hawaii.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br />
Couldn't help myself! See his 23 week photo <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/sweet-pea-weekly.html">here</a>.<br />
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Have a great day!<br />
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<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-29653418596019353332011-08-04T10:14:00.000-04:002011-08-04T10:14:33.688-04:00Tea, Anyone?<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2Wyv3SACSeYhp9ATbEQmfsLGnlEumOFluw1g_Syv-RT3xnXpAmwjVfc1LHqByQnU9aNVp06JFrSVACGdGs33Krm7O27JYLog6fRf96MGHdOjtGXHBRK5HyG-FbuwWE58x_cUlIg3e7I/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2Wyv3SACSeYhp9ATbEQmfsLGnlEumOFluw1g_Syv-RT3xnXpAmwjVfc1LHqByQnU9aNVp06JFrSVACGdGs33Krm7O27JYLog6fRf96MGHdOjtGXHBRK5HyG-FbuwWE58x_cUlIg3e7I/s1600/header.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>When Thane came home from his deployment to Iraq, he brought me this beautiful little tea set. I was thrilled to have it, and then it sat in it's box (along with a couple Polaroids of one of the sheiks he knew during his journey to Mecca), until we moved to Georgia. Once we got here, I decided it had to be displayed somewhere. Without a formal (or even informal) china cabinet, that "somewhere" ended up being on the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/stylin-shelves.html">living room built-ins</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkHj35iYCMpNoCWsrVNGBeOiP6WzKFoQp1jSwC4FifgmBJQda98x3z_zhFJj1HoJrAruuze8swhqxls6RXoa6xZ4asZqFpCeZM5rjGFZ_NIrOPPIjeU1w1FZpavTKxmYDCoVRUutVPIo/s1600/arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkHj35iYCMpNoCWsrVNGBeOiP6WzKFoQp1jSwC4FifgmBJQda98x3z_zhFJj1HoJrAruuze8swhqxls6RXoa6xZ4asZqFpCeZM5rjGFZ_NIrOPPIjeU1w1FZpavTKxmYDCoVRUutVPIo/s400/arrow.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>See 'em? Not so ideal. But along with all of the books, papers, and yes, the tire pump, this little tea set found a better place. (See the shelves de-cluttered and re-organized <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/stylin-shelves.html">here</a>.)<br />
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Remember this thrift store find from a <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/search/label/thrift%20shops">previous post</a>?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH2BjRvmCQiv0DMDNOZh49AnrzP8-IRznmxDu1wxlRlFeOeIRVSg5E6POTxniCYO0swe7HgodPPTVfkfNznOWVF87ztaCFuOlKJho2k02lDP6qMWgl3yfdGVwVIrgOXY32IL6RGkBxZc/s1600/DSC03844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH2BjRvmCQiv0DMDNOZh49AnrzP8-IRznmxDu1wxlRlFeOeIRVSg5E6POTxniCYO0swe7HgodPPTVfkfNznOWVF87ztaCFuOlKJho2k02lDP6qMWgl3yfdGVwVIrgOXY32IL6RGkBxZc/s400/DSC03844.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
It's the new home for the Iraqi tea set. Well, some of it anyway. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvq380X8wwmhfe0Zy6_nXLxuiBq6TnGtPilo01J7DDS3bzOOmyjza-MpnrsG9BHKAAhrErtc7885hnBcN8dV3g9H7l2uEarxM5qmimKO316oVhkUYJG3h6HgEgF5FUOtoLln8sTMHGAXY/s1600/DSC05241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvq380X8wwmhfe0Zy6_nXLxuiBq6TnGtPilo01J7DDS3bzOOmyjza-MpnrsG9BHKAAhrErtc7885hnBcN8dV3g9H7l2uEarxM5qmimKO316oVhkUYJG3h6HgEgF5FUOtoLln8sTMHGAXY/s400/DSC05241.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
I had this piece of a faux flower sitting around, so I threw it into the mix for a nice, soft touch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmICksPFgTMpxY5Lqc0fPVX7x550PDqmUc_uqfCZYhG4gyIhq-AUPlWHKZYuRkKiczYTaduCWShTrG8HN_K66bKaLKB36ThGz8TUBhQAMUAwFSw_YVpiuOOEwnOCP8gJWLDwOp_FMpEQ/s1600/DSC05238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmICksPFgTMpxY5Lqc0fPVX7x550PDqmUc_uqfCZYhG4gyIhq-AUPlWHKZYuRkKiczYTaduCWShTrG8HN_K66bKaLKB36ThGz8TUBhQAMUAwFSw_YVpiuOOEwnOCP8gJWLDwOp_FMpEQ/s400/DSC05238.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you look closely, you can see that this tray is in need of a little touch up. At first I thought about painting it a neat color, like deep plum or magenta. But I think I'll keep it simple and just give a fresh coat of white. (The reflection from the orangey yellow glass is making it look yellow, but it's actually off-white.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v-K6BF5j4x0uaW2mQZLP81nkoIGiV5KIndbAPNkoWUqyyuMwICbbD18kfxGM_harN3R9pz9uIf5zFkttDAcWMpJuRrHVMQfVQmzITtSkRpjhtbDWGzVt-euQyEISrCOLsvAOTOoawy0/s1600/DSC05243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v-K6BF5j4x0uaW2mQZLP81nkoIGiV5KIndbAPNkoWUqyyuMwICbbD18kfxGM_harN3R9pz9uIf5zFkttDAcWMpJuRrHVMQfVQmzITtSkRpjhtbDWGzVt-euQyEISrCOLsvAOTOoawy0/s400/DSC05243.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"></div>So far this sits on a side table in our dining room. (Technically it's a desk, our temporary solution for a buffet.)<br />
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Speaking of Thane's deployment, he was away for twelve months during our time in Hawaii. Getting him back was by far one of the top three best days of my life! Right now they rank as follows;<br />
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1. The day I met Jesus. <br />
2. Getting married/Thane coming home from Iraq/Asher's birth. Okay, I can't decide which of those #2s comes first, so I'll just lump them into one. <br />
3. Guess this is still open... Not sure what to put here, but the day I had my first chocolate chip cookie is definitely a contender.<br />
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Here's a picture of that wonderful homecoming!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzCd4JjrkAQejinBuVbFW5dtBtlhPkthjhwrrhltw8gnATmG6MKHU0XTQVA5OIJ5LecI3kZ95uUChNKPVCbqfDB4G51dc6vzHVxFNmEiYmJCYlYwThAt3PRsGoss_9FjpLbLq6DImVX4/s1600/7527_10100133402048104_8309639_58514853_6392384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzCd4JjrkAQejinBuVbFW5dtBtlhPkthjhwrrhltw8gnATmG6MKHU0XTQVA5OIJ5LecI3kZ95uUChNKPVCbqfDB4G51dc6vzHVxFNmEiYmJCYlYwThAt3PRsGoss_9FjpLbLq6DImVX4/s640/7527_10100133402048104_8309639_58514853_6392384_n.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
As well as a couple of my hunky soldier...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5qKON7AvePS0aT7PtvkRwgtUk5znyfmLhqFSnU23z0DZKEA6O7W2sipNARqUJVl9femsLFyf2gAq8qbuy8AvOlalSjBFNsuTv-OtFWsuHWtQX7HsWPbMlBnw-wBF0LYau4TCadNyNOs/s1600/IRQ_2242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5qKON7AvePS0aT7PtvkRwgtUk5znyfmLhqFSnU23z0DZKEA6O7W2sipNARqUJVl9femsLFyf2gAq8qbuy8AvOlalSjBFNsuTv-OtFWsuHWtQX7HsWPbMlBnw-wBF0LYau4TCadNyNOs/s400/IRQ_2242.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOJTatXOEXIWwGUVKBQqN7ZJR1cRqPkSq63MJAiJL1l15QzuUo7iiMJIYGiSoyHN_huZr1bp1wUqgTk7WFRv3VTfeVfj8cJnp5srzp6a1uMnBsD2dgeK1O_MmPHD-idTBNEuYO64Eu2Q/s1600/IRQ_2080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOJTatXOEXIWwGUVKBQqN7ZJR1cRqPkSq63MJAiJL1l15QzuUo7iiMJIYGiSoyHN_huZr1bp1wUqgTk7WFRv3VTfeVfj8cJnp5srzp6a1uMnBsD2dgeK1O_MmPHD-idTBNEuYO64Eu2Q/s400/IRQ_2080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And last but not least, the Polaroids of a sheik Thane worked with during his journey to Mecca. (I know, kind of random...Thane didn't take them, haha, they were given to him. Along with the tackiest gold watch I've ever seen, and a ton of sheik garb.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6mgmXn93A5YMujh3iiAIfnHCM0xFNAcW2yAN51gb3ZOxN0poRiG_gZno7Ri1hl1clwiQnJRjL6fJPfm6pfw_JvjT5MVZble6WCJErNmSXPiRrRqObH162cjDResXUc_TD_MtMVBfMDE/s1600/DSC05271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6mgmXn93A5YMujh3iiAIfnHCM0xFNAcW2yAN51gb3ZOxN0poRiG_gZno7Ri1hl1clwiQnJRjL6fJPfm6pfw_JvjT5MVZble6WCJErNmSXPiRrRqObH162cjDResXUc_TD_MtMVBfMDE/s400/DSC05271.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See the camel? I've never personally met anyone who's gone anywhere on a camel. Which gives me opportunity for praise- praise to the One and only true God of the Bible, that His Spirit is with His children <em>always-</em> that we don't have to journey to Jerusalem or any other distant place to be closer to Him! Like the wonderful Dad He is, He always has time for us, is always by our side, and will always be our source of peace, comfort, and whatever other good thing we're in need of. Not to mention His guidance and discipline- two things I long for and ask for continually. Okay, I don't exactly "long" for discipline, but it's necessary and totally worth it in the long run; <strong>Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.</strong> {Hebrews 12:11} So, again, praise God.</div><br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-79063911246117792942011-08-03T09:20:00.003-04:002011-08-03T09:47:51.666-04:00The Firebird Goes Green<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMT60g7E8LLRfKohFWuuqGqmfQgI4MjWFWiexIy29E-VujwZ_eVpHteo7RVoPf3JIEKX0U-lAqC1VY-z_UQi2uZtHCPdXaqgDs_0uKuLRV0hsBf-c1M9V85FEkLPXH8JhvB4kC7BGlxK8/s1600/Header-Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMT60g7E8LLRfKohFWuuqGqmfQgI4MjWFWiexIy29E-VujwZ_eVpHteo7RVoPf3JIEKX0U-lAqC1VY-z_UQi2uZtHCPdXaqgDs_0uKuLRV0hsBf-c1M9V85FEkLPXH8JhvB4kC7BGlxK8/s1600/Header-Image.jpg" /></a></div><span id="goog_1303947036"></span><span id="goog_1303947037"></span></div>This guy is a little on the wild side. He reminds me of a rooster, but in a Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter kind of way. Probably because he's actually a firebird. But we're going to call him a rooster anyway. And since roosters tend to hang out in kitchens and ours was completely void of one, I couldn't help but imagine him perched on the big windowsill over our kitchen sink.<br />
<br />
I spotted him on a cluttered shelf at the local Goodwill. I picked him up, turned him around, cocked my head at him a little, and wondered how a firebird, I mean rooster, could hold my attention for so long. My practical side told me he was too zaney and redneck, to put him down slowly and walk away. But there was just <em>something</em> about him, (I still don't know what), and I couldn't leave him behind. <br />
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He needed some touching up. So out came the leftover lime green paint from <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/create-custom-nursery-on-budget.html">Asher's nursery project</a>. It's "503 Yellow Citron" by Folk Art (from Walmart for about $1.50), if you're wondering.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIKSSsxhZT1KavQYyYwnoD0f5RtUGEpBjDcHuWK28BEIyCrDiI9GOWpsFMCMCrQOP7YYAY7vtxReUVT2fQsf64lOgd7bfE9u8E02cbwfv0NZx8alUQT-aSBIG9oSItEGGF8Ilp2SDwv4/s1600/DSC03815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIKSSsxhZT1KavQYyYwnoD0f5RtUGEpBjDcHuWK28BEIyCrDiI9GOWpsFMCMCrQOP7YYAY7vtxReUVT2fQsf64lOgd7bfE9u8E02cbwfv0NZx8alUQT-aSBIG9oSItEGGF8Ilp2SDwv4/s400/DSC03815.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Speaking of <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/p/sweet-pea-weekly.html">Asher</a>, he had his first try at finger painting. He was in my lap during this little project, and it only took him about two minutes to grab my cup of paint and do a little "creating" of his own.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2F41j66FCxArrMDVY13SJyz28o8msxTWtJ85NXBLdOknuPWAn1lRNy7r81FwCfF3G1FvwHJghZF9qeG6djidJXF0qlJd0H5mOV3EXc_u_BXDOMlrTti_wmUSrFMkfqAr1O2N0gchUvM/s1600/DSC03819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2F41j66FCxArrMDVY13SJyz28o8msxTWtJ85NXBLdOknuPWAn1lRNy7r81FwCfF3G1FvwHJghZF9qeG6djidJXF0qlJd0H5mOV3EXc_u_BXDOMlrTti_wmUSrFMkfqAr1O2N0gchUvM/s400/DSC03819.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Awwwww...grubby, painty, baby fingers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4nMdzNgqNq2EylzHi2L9BO0ohl4pRe8Ylddoqfx3nfAv48ihY3oyO1gNb3Hs-naut4xoGY1oaKj2HsW9w9d9izkjxmDaSjvJBTKjOWSg1IDCEK2tdx-TD2k_VLE2RhABhV8WgPeaK5U/s1600/DSC03827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4nMdzNgqNq2EylzHi2L9BO0ohl4pRe8Ylddoqfx3nfAv48ihY3oyO1gNb3Hs-naut4xoGY1oaKj2HsW9w9d9izkjxmDaSjvJBTKjOWSg1IDCEK2tdx-TD2k_VLE2RhABhV8WgPeaK5U/s400/DSC03827.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJt37KOmtO5n3MRGDswGkzU1Oy4cgcKvG_CEcN5_imPq8Zza5F2KmY-VVl6C7UkL3uTbvi_HIkSpZcyRjiCtBa-kwXGQEwiAirSpSkmGsanth_eBEXKUE7_t-Y5JK_GtydBElc7FPKRM/s1600/DSC05233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJt37KOmtO5n3MRGDswGkzU1Oy4cgcKvG_CEcN5_imPq8Zza5F2KmY-VVl6C7UkL3uTbvi_HIkSpZcyRjiCtBa-kwXGQEwiAirSpSkmGsanth_eBEXKUE7_t-Y5JK_GtydBElc7FPKRM/s400/DSC05233.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And here he is! Mean and green. I was going for a contrasting pop of color that would stand out next to the coral and red <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/kitschy-curtains-shoddy-sewing.html">curtains</a>, plus pick up on the other lime green accents throughout the living and dining room. Although sometimes I think I might like him white again... He may have another makeover coming his way, eventually.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTsqHODOPBHMoMkmenePyEXvXPYQ2GWrXVltwrcNfVcwkEJsU1OHegeTTqtCUDYbggSJv1qUA0NljvyhGo0G32KJgfgYR_aN7xGwqGaai5URf7dgN3sTYwzClxgtdBXTRUgivpC9YVFU/s1600/footer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTsqHODOPBHMoMkmenePyEXvXPYQ2GWrXVltwrcNfVcwkEJsU1OHegeTTqtCUDYbggSJv1qUA0NljvyhGo0G32KJgfgYR_aN7xGwqGaai5URf7dgN3sTYwzClxgtdBXTRUgivpC9YVFU/s1600/footer.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"></div>Oh! I almost forgot...want to guess how much he set me back? $1.50.<br />
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<em>P.S.</em> See more fun thrift store finds <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-mans-trash.html">here</a> and <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/wheres-remote.html">here</a>. <br />
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<em>P.S.S.</em> On a more serious note, a search of the word "rooster" on <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.cfm">Blue Letter Bible</a> turned up this verse: <br />
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<strong>Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the <span class="criteria">rooster</span> crows, you will deny Me three times."</strong> {Mathew 26:34}<br />
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So here's another opportunity to remember and meditate on God's word. Just like I'll remember the call to obey His commands every time I see the tassel in the laundry room (from <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/liven-laundry.html">yesterday's post</a>), I'll try to remember this verse when I see my rooster in the kitchen. In order to actively pursue a life of faithful obedience and proclaim Christ rather than deny Him, I need as many reminders as I can get!<br />
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</div>Hello friends, meet our little laundry room. When we first moved into our home here in Georgia, this little nook was nothing but an empty space. After living in Hawaii on-base housing and being provided a washer and dryer, we wrongly assumed that stateside base housing would provide them as well. It turns out that this is only an overseas privilege, and we'd never owned our own set. So, we reluctantly went out in search of a pair to bring home. Which was both good and bad...bad because we were in no way expecting to make such a large purchase, good because we needed stackable units for the ranch house. (Our laundry room there isn't large enough for side by side units.) So, we swallowed our cheap-ness and invested in these. <br />
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And now here they sit! They specialize in Army attire and cloth diapers :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7A5qH96rp0vZHcofQUX6nlOKE2-05_WhOuYUOPEHf2zvEEb00ztRwyYSRCrocX-oe9gnEdqk0t9Ak-c2cmW7ayyDcEKmN6fwtFVCwMNiSiFXlciTY6gGnkEgi9HkdvX1fld0OoVhm7Q/s1600/DSC03895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7A5qH96rp0vZHcofQUX6nlOKE2-05_WhOuYUOPEHf2zvEEb00ztRwyYSRCrocX-oe9gnEdqk0t9Ak-c2cmW7ayyDcEKmN6fwtFVCwMNiSiFXlciTY6gGnkEgi9HkdvX1fld0OoVhm7Q/s640/DSC03895.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br />
Function; check. Fun; uncheck. Clearly the space is a little sparse. <br />
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In comes this old, single curtain panel that had been sitting in a box in the attic for months. I've seen a few neighbors hang a shower curtain to block the view of their washers and dryers, and it always looks nice. So, here's my version.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0hbTkrma5xwbM-jm6wALgyodw3iKggE0ih_BzgNYnIdFWwyYQMri4hBc50u0wi24oUPqXH-v7rlBaCRwttIaF7XtOZj4U_iw9kDvcAYe9uvp9AR3-lGi1YVy-OHvX3Or2DRA_83rH8o/s1600/DSC03964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0hbTkrma5xwbM-jm6wALgyodw3iKggE0ih_BzgNYnIdFWwyYQMri4hBc50u0wi24oUPqXH-v7rlBaCRwttIaF7XtOZj4U_iw9kDvcAYe9uvp9AR3-lGi1YVy-OHvX3Or2DRA_83rH8o/s400/DSC03964.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I wanted to get the look of a curtain without having to buy one. So, with that in mind, I pulled out this old single curtain panel that I didn't have any other use for (it used to hang over our single half bath window in our Hawaii condo- originally from Ross for about $7. Did I mention that I used to live within walking distance of a Ross? That was a bad idea.)<br />
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I originally thought I'd just hang this panel on one side of the washer and dryer in a way that it wouldn't actually close, but would give the look of a could-be-closed curtain. But after doing a little experimenting in Photoshop, it was clear that a panel on each side would look much better. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKqzGQCbpvQMvxgNXD_4z0eiSY9Wz6ekd-V-sHdvPlkZn50N-ROHdqBB1x-0eRZPTmUuwuWnYIXbuiQpEI3uXdzSY3cgZFuw9zDUV3xj7Ke9BT0R25_3tNo2jTO3fLseNqJtFjs015uM/s1600/DSC02825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKqzGQCbpvQMvxgNXD_4z0eiSY9Wz6ekd-V-sHdvPlkZn50N-ROHdqBB1x-0eRZPTmUuwuWnYIXbuiQpEI3uXdzSY3cgZFuw9zDUV3xj7Ke9BT0R25_3tNo2jTO3fLseNqJtFjs015uM/s400/DSC02825.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>There were two things working against me; time travel has not yet been invented, and this panel came from Ross. So, even if time travel <em>was</em> an option, chances are I'd never find a matching panel. (Anybody that's been to a Ross knows what I mean.) But since they didn't need to close and I only needed a thin strip for each side, I borrowed a little idea I saw on another great blog and made two out of the one. All it took was a straight cut down the center and a little bit of hemming!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK-VQ8eBakeAQyQiI4GBU_1NxrM-TjtUL6lPWULQcMQB5ZnaSZb9WycrTp3bsy64UpNuVes-aw9YUnL73I_JR12KZpmLRmLInO3dbPpwoE_x5XrK77a5FodE-7A-idnrZyG6kJK0pgDo/s1600/DSC03966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK-VQ8eBakeAQyQiI4GBU_1NxrM-TjtUL6lPWULQcMQB5ZnaSZb9WycrTp3bsy64UpNuVes-aw9YUnL73I_JR12KZpmLRmLInO3dbPpwoE_x5XrK77a5FodE-7A-idnrZyG6kJK0pgDo/s400/DSC03966.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDra7bhbw6cas1I18EAZcSR4o7MsKnYRgunXVU8OocvFKMUv2JGxFTWsz2a7kBS1qr_llc56ntwfyfdNlS_-7Gqx5fwUKcn22cABVc7F2dPgtp9djXzDmY2t7T2MahwSho0UpKdzBUETA/s1600/DSC03968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDra7bhbw6cas1I18EAZcSR4o7MsKnYRgunXVU8OocvFKMUv2JGxFTWsz2a7kBS1qr_llc56ntwfyfdNlS_-7Gqx5fwUKcn22cABVc7F2dPgtp9djXzDmY2t7T2MahwSho0UpKdzBUETA/s400/DSC03968.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Alright! Moving along to the curtain-hanging supplies; the only item I didn't already have on hand was the pack of safety pins, and they were about $1.50 from Walmart. <br />
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<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_6M0gYZxdBLCsGcSk30gsR1Go-fORd2IbFVmyMHNP91S9qii5rJwktcdUURmlcP2YbiuW46KbIXoany6OvVI7JVZcPY9dSNgS5lm-QpndJ4dEUzawR01yKlptq1qXJKQHPtK8LCeRAA/s1600/DSC04342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_6M0gYZxdBLCsGcSk30gsR1Go-fORd2IbFVmyMHNP91S9qii5rJwktcdUURmlcP2YbiuW46KbIXoany6OvVI7JVZcPY9dSNgS5lm-QpndJ4dEUzawR01yKlptq1qXJKQHPtK8LCeRAA/s400/DSC04342.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Safety pins? Yes. I'll explain in a minute. I was originally going to use little white hooks that I already had, but they were harder to get into the wall than I thought. Nails worked just as well (if not better) for this purpose.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYqkLSbElkzbbOX_51dn-eYnJkCrPiAuQhOKZTUZEFheE-RDgUG96Uh5yhqkPaO1NYRPgilwme6qxak5PBsQ1IaV-pfrZ9K8vWoJSp8TsmqmPUkFZMmlXI1ESha2sg9cHskeV8Z1BqSc/s1600/DSC04339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYqkLSbElkzbbOX_51dn-eYnJkCrPiAuQhOKZTUZEFheE-RDgUG96Uh5yhqkPaO1NYRPgilwme6qxak5PBsQ1IaV-pfrZ9K8vWoJSp8TsmqmPUkFZMmlXI1ESha2sg9cHskeV8Z1BqSc/s400/DSC04339.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's one half of my curtain. See the little safety pins fastened in even increments down the top row where the rod would normally go? Since the fabric is double layered here, the pins are only poking through the back layer and are totally invisible from the front.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla-4gyMq7paJcjXw7dd74WxmJdy9ufKLB1-rDx29vOQIITu948SDuWyuwEZz5pT_W2yM64wFej_vXTOFgjiQHbhC-SYuh9Wdp4j6maALnmSjV73dpisLS4N-WzNH764g_I_KquEcqluc/s1600/DSC04344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla-4gyMq7paJcjXw7dd74WxmJdy9ufKLB1-rDx29vOQIITu948SDuWyuwEZz5pT_W2yM64wFej_vXTOFgjiQHbhC-SYuh9Wdp4j6maALnmSjV73dpisLS4N-WzNH764g_I_KquEcqluc/s400/DSC04344.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Doing things the conventional way=spending money. It's funny how shiesty you can get when you want to avoid doing that. Here's my anti-money-spending solution for hanging these panels; safety-pinning them to the wall via a nail. The safety pins act as a little loop that slips right over the head of the nail.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uaDnoLw6bRkRei325kRw_Y3Y5Epo5Awisxm_oEEvjY6Cr6YvjibBAzl5a6K3D4c_9y82W57Qw_0HpP6GIW1i1-JeaNq1VsDa7BJkBgk8_sNObgZJSH7d6aPECujjetQMejWAcc31nB8/s1600/DSC04349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uaDnoLw6bRkRei325kRw_Y3Y5Epo5Awisxm_oEEvjY6Cr6YvjibBAzl5a6K3D4c_9y82W57Qw_0HpP6GIW1i1-JeaNq1VsDa7BJkBgk8_sNObgZJSH7d6aPECujjetQMejWAcc31nB8/s400/DSC04349.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before kicking off this little laundry room makeover, I inched the washer over to the right so that we'd have optimum space on the far left hand side. Now there's room for my mini ironing board (from college, the only one I've ever owned) to hang out here. And I imagine that more than just stray socks will find there way here soon.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLh2NwSbbTt3kOBHZuMeMZucyYZwGa25_FTags4fUVDXw2y_yhMc6kNJJgZESoc-ggzp35XNDXV4B_LrDSYKlTNt31GYm3ye8Sk5cq4vNRrhPl3UG51zprlCe60gdSeNrlaCSTXVmRl4s/s1600/DSC03899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLh2NwSbbTt3kOBHZuMeMZucyYZwGa25_FTags4fUVDXw2y_yhMc6kNJJgZESoc-ggzp35XNDXV4B_LrDSYKlTNt31GYm3ye8Sk5cq4vNRrhPl3UG51zprlCe60gdSeNrlaCSTXVmRl4s/s640/DSC03899.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">After "making" this little bit of storage space, I realized it would be hidden by the curtain panel. Bonus! Didn't see that one coming, but I'm glad it did. And here we are with "After Picture #1", featuring this little functional storage space that's totally hidden from view!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jJ5cFYyr73AuchgSWYWkEHif-upQA-SvkN9znoidpw6os95BwZv-CKEfYPr7RlEQhgec-fTOnNgMhwIZwjzn0_YtIEZPOVMdSb6VNEaH8m9ovud3BEeEwu_WFQZ40OjOBveD2_tyCSM/s1600/DSC04418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jJ5cFYyr73AuchgSWYWkEHif-upQA-SvkN9znoidpw6os95BwZv-CKEfYPr7RlEQhgec-fTOnNgMhwIZwjzn0_YtIEZPOVMdSb6VNEaH8m9ovud3BEeEwu_WFQZ40OjOBveD2_tyCSM/s640/DSC04418.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And in the following photo, you'll see a few decorative pillows coming out of storage for a second- or maybe third, who's counting?- hoorah. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiY6WTI9GYiABYqaG6XdX74w5CR0tkH83ix2w7mRUtVFt9VYv-qqV2O2na3M5T5n0978YlwrrRPqYz-TkbpWvHnO4r4l9oiUSg6uL3GuYsCPxechi6RGR3MInxtkm0LfVkl252BM5u8M/s1600/DSC04412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiY6WTI9GYiABYqaG6XdX74w5CR0tkH83ix2w7mRUtVFt9VYv-qqV2O2na3M5T5n0978YlwrrRPqYz-TkbpWvHnO4r4l9oiUSg6uL3GuYsCPxechi6RGR3MInxtkm0LfVkl252BM5u8M/s640/DSC04412.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There are two benefits to being a pillow hoarder. One; there are always a few extras on hand to go in new and exciting places (like laundry room shelves). Two; okay, I only know one. But who says they can't be just as pretty on a shelf as they are on a couch? I've got a couple on the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/stylin-shelves.html">built-ins</a> in the living room and in our master bedroom. At one point I even had one propped up against the mirror on our dresser.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWQYp0wBvTHuDJAsLC16BblbOI9B6EDUhWQEe31S_zvMT5rr9CBTedwxSK6ir_Yw8fqkXcP9EGJX2HTMcC5y_GVOXW7NymNl9nP44B2Rwv3Jvb6gBx_tUuMbWXGdei4btrz7JGT8KsY0/s1600/DSC04424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWQYp0wBvTHuDJAsLC16BblbOI9B6EDUhWQEe31S_zvMT5rr9CBTedwxSK6ir_Yw8fqkXcP9EGJX2HTMcC5y_GVOXW7NymNl9nP44B2Rwv3Jvb6gBx_tUuMbWXGdei4btrz7JGT8KsY0/s640/DSC04424.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">The tan and terracotta rug was also a cheap Ross purchase. It was sitting in our guest room previously, sort of- but not really- complimenting the <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/let-light-in.html">peacock curtains</a>. Notice the red and white glass bottles? Those are my new detergent containers. See more about that little upgrade <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/playing-dress-up-with-detergent.html">here</a>. And for your viewing pleasure, a tassel. These things go back to the Old Testament priesthood. Who knew? (Me I guess, but not till I idly wondered where they came from.)<br />
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</div><div align="left"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiEyM-ISFsFgemzLY5DKsUU_bvA1nFYJHSgd2o5uXQ8bIukvhTaG1bhDC-PK-AUAr1OXr8nZ2wbJHjn0aG3AC4sgH5EifH9dKLW4TDq8x2GOJmEu9znIMSREQPlMXXYPaxwTbPODLxbE/s1600/DSC04428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiEyM-ISFsFgemzLY5DKsUU_bvA1nFYJHSgd2o5uXQ8bIukvhTaG1bhDC-PK-AUAr1OXr8nZ2wbJHjn0aG3AC4sgH5EifH9dKLW4TDq8x2GOJmEu9znIMSREQPlMXXYPaxwTbPODLxbE/s400/DSC04428.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="left">And I had to get a shot with <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/finally-frames-are-up.html">the frames</a>... I didn't plan it, but it's really nice how this whole space sort of goes together. The earthy, orangey frames and flowers really compliment the striped terracotta curtains and pillows. I suppose that's the benefit of having certain colors that you tend to like. Over the years, you buy things that compliment each other.<br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKETwSkK3cmElyUEBvTuMZR3CCh_ASYA65WXgkyk-qvdxzShxCYmbCai-zsPPAuhdnmb9YJyYoH0MVJCuQbhA3I6ro6dkp-SuIfjdSad5xr6vhyUQltG08NMwdHtxFza5bm9DJqFQZgcc/s1600/DSC04413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKETwSkK3cmElyUEBvTuMZR3CCh_ASYA65WXgkyk-qvdxzShxCYmbCai-zsPPAuhdnmb9YJyYoH0MVJCuQbhA3I6ro6dkp-SuIfjdSad5xr6vhyUQltG08NMwdHtxFza5bm9DJqFQZgcc/s640/DSC04413.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br />
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It sure does feel good to get use out what I've had sitting in a cardboard box since October. The curtains went up for just $1.50 (the cost of the safety pins, which I needed to get anyway just for general purposes). The only other purchases made for this space where the two glass bottles, at $2.50 a piece. So, for $6.50 this little space is no longer a plain Jane. And don't forget all of the leftover safety pins that I'll get other uses from!<br />
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<em>P.S.</em> See how to sew simple kitchen curtains (on the cheap!) <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/kitschy-curtains-shoddy-sewing.html">here</a>, with the start of my "kitschy kitchen" re-do. Updates on this coming soon...<br />
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<em>P.S.S.</em> To hang curtains for less (via spray-paint), see <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/hang-curtains-for-less.html">this post</a>. To widen your curtains and get more light into a room, see the how-to <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/let-light-in.html">here</a>.<br />
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<em>P.S.S.S. (Ha, last one!) </em> I wasn't totally crazy when I mentioned tassels being in the bible. Here it is; <br />
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<strong>"Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God."</strong> {Numbers 15:40}<br />
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That's actually really interesting, I didn't realize they were meant as reminders to love and obey God. Okay, all goofing aside, I'm going to try to do this every time I see <span style="background-color: white;">those pillow tassels. I'm a firm believer in using things for what He originally intended! (Unlike the current use of the rainbow, for instance.) Anyway, there are no doubt a ton of ways I also don't honor God, many of which I probably don't even realize yet. But praise Jesus that I'm a work in progress, by His grace and patience alone! </span><br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625523674646201878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4136704341902322463.post-66698576386742067342011-08-01T11:44:00.003-04:002011-08-01T11:49:10.003-04:00Where's the Remote?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpUzdwGtMboeflS1jSzNEGqeQNDmELrDS-Eb2tSaAzsG6yPac6KajJ9myjBVLuwBBjXdL7Xn1ABkrjc0iS4p-fzn_F2EsX4teSWr9_PIFzag2sAbGqz8u7l_22r9RiWUvVxepZi92Vhk/s1600/DSC03631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpUzdwGtMboeflS1jSzNEGqeQNDmELrDS-Eb2tSaAzsG6yPac6KajJ9myjBVLuwBBjXdL7Xn1ABkrjc0iS4p-fzn_F2EsX4teSWr9_PIFzag2sAbGqz8u7l_22r9RiWUvVxepZi92Vhk/s640/DSC03631.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br />
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We've all heard that one a few times. I'm happy to say that ours is no longer in the crack of the sofa cushion, thanks to another great thrift store find. This pretty little box was $1.50, and it's the perfect size for our remote and wireless mouse (for the laptop that's hooked up to the TV). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzHeIdkRcfvx1Oq9xaXs6CSNSOGTbOrXYAQrfxq4W6E0GxiOwTGCbV0Hf_kKRwVeuvdrMz_yYGTDZd90K2b5UpCp6_3gJ3u4tfQBbnzWiCMGalQPC-QkoZwk1djCZAqNzj1f48LAc1dc/s1600/DSC03901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzHeIdkRcfvx1Oq9xaXs6CSNSOGTbOrXYAQrfxq4W6E0GxiOwTGCbV0Hf_kKRwVeuvdrMz_yYGTDZd90K2b5UpCp6_3gJ3u4tfQBbnzWiCMGalQPC-QkoZwk1djCZAqNzj1f48LAc1dc/s400/DSC03901.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4_HwrlOwdHpVW8JTMftPVxDIp1DEvQzJ7LtVxaiDKjJUP4qRIonahR2Wy9ImQd5vEKPeeW123CmiHecnA6SdQXT1WpGx0km6lpxKvJZe-wSjtgXcgVnH2HukdovSCAbhyphenhyphen5OGTxyJWq8/s1600/DSC03133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4_HwrlOwdHpVW8JTMftPVxDIp1DEvQzJ7LtVxaiDKjJUP4qRIonahR2Wy9ImQd5vEKPeeW123CmiHecnA6SdQXT1WpGx0km6lpxKvJZe-wSjtgXcgVnH2HukdovSCAbhyphenhyphen5OGTxyJWq8/s400/DSC03133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I haven't quite decided where to put the box. It started on the ottoman tray.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKWSe_jmXgQwVapMQn0VRtdTdW1Xq4zO_rbsvrHIYWExoodvTYt4fdKSuhEVJQAfAhXOlPGPSMdW8UAYima2qOt3muV8V0v7Wb5YxLVMjGTTvtzsERgv8VfB2KcS10vRyvvZQwMeQJiE/s1600/DSC03138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKWSe_jmXgQwVapMQn0VRtdTdW1Xq4zO_rbsvrHIYWExoodvTYt4fdKSuhEVJQAfAhXOlPGPSMdW8UAYima2qOt3muV8V0v7Wb5YxLVMjGTTvtzsERgv8VfB2KcS10vRyvvZQwMeQJiE/s400/DSC03138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Then went to the side table.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaxBNXfAcSHL_mdBKAqs3ay8tayzCrQpNfZ1VL_0KYL8fwGPCbuOGesehxqOnsCBb0qykQW1_BVFliznhJJ0y2lRLrG4vwyZvTJ4Zq0H2xdVPsXp0vHC_Lrzyd8xSq_1x-xwlnUWtXAw/s1600/DSC03164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaxBNXfAcSHL_mdBKAqs3ay8tayzCrQpNfZ1VL_0KYL8fwGPCbuOGesehxqOnsCBb0qykQW1_BVFliznhJJ0y2lRLrG4vwyZvTJ4Zq0H2xdVPsXp0vHC_Lrzyd8xSq_1x-xwlnUWtXAw/s640/DSC03164.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br />
Then went under the side table.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ey6ItFndACzSs5IaDXhyTbZ4xNbZG0R7zCzJ_1EFWQBUygQZojKvlzb-IoGa5ZBt5wJ6JRS8Enx9UX8ZVNnxmyA-ikJ8tQPOh14HKF1dirJiBF5t0T8E6BU-_s8kA6b4-GouMtubbqA/s1600/DSC03166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ey6ItFndACzSs5IaDXhyTbZ4xNbZG0R7zCzJ_1EFWQBUygQZojKvlzb-IoGa5ZBt5wJ6JRS8Enx9UX8ZVNnxmyA-ikJ8tQPOh14HKF1dirJiBF5t0T8E6BU-_s8kA6b4-GouMtubbqA/s640/DSC03166.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
But wherever it is, it's nice to see this pretty little box instead of the mouse and remote!<br />
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<em>P.S.</em> Notice those built-ins in the background of these photos? See them in detail <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/stylin-shelves.html">here</a>. And to see more fun thrift store finds, go <a href="http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-mans-trash.html">here</a>!<br />
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