tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69220442005590086182024-02-07T01:54:28.367-08:00Roosevelt KidA blog dedicated to the crafts and inspirations in my lifeJessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-42135785140107597462012-12-13T12:00:00.002-08:002012-12-13T12:00:12.056-08:00Moved to WordpressHello blog world!<br />
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I have recently chosen to move my blog to wordpress.com because I have been having issues uploading photos on blogspot. Please keep following me and my design journey here:<br />
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<a href="http://rooseveltkid.wordpress.com/">http://rooseveltkid.wordpress.com/</a><br />
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Thank you for continuing to follow Roosevelt Kid!JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-57998571713882048822012-09-02T20:15:00.001-07:002012-09-02T20:15:18.019-07:00September is National Sewing MonthGrab your scissors and lots of fabric because National Sewing Month has just begun and if you are like me then you have TONS of projects to catch up on.<br />
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Here is a list of some of the sewing projects I will be working on the next month:<br />
1. hem and alter clothes for real estate attire<br />
2. finish sewing stockings and mini yoyo quilts for Christmas<br />
3. work on suitcase dog beds and sew up pillows for the insides<br />
4. make Charlotte a couple winter jackets for when its chilly outside<br />
5. make a new dress and nightgown out of the fabric shown above<br />
6. finally get around to fixed Oz's pile of shirts and pants he has asked me to alter over the years<br />
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As you can see I will have my hands full this month working on all these sewing projects. Wish me luck!JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-29121469499148685322012-08-21T08:47:00.000-07:002012-08-27T13:46:01.334-07:00Dreaming of a New Craft Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ok, so if you follow my blog at all you may be familiar with my on going desire to have a functioning craft room. I am sloooowly getting there. Last summer I bought/painted a sewing desk, found a giant bookcase from IKEA and made a rack to hold all of my ribbon and thread. Sounds like I have it all figured out right? Well....</div>
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Currently the bunnies and their pen are being housed in my room (the only one with a/c) so its a pretty tight squeeze for everything in there. At least all of my craft supplies have a home. But, the other problem is I have run out of storage for my packaging supplies. I am creating bigger pieces such as dog beds and skateboard dishes and don't have any room to store the boxes I've been collecting to ship them.</div>
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So this weekend I got super excited to start designing my very own craft room for next year if we hopefully find a larger place. And while I'm waiting for that day to come I have been keeping myself busy designing my dream craft space. Here is a recap in photos of what I've done so far and my plans for my new room in the future:</div>
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This is what I started with at the beginning of last year. It was far from ideal. I did not have enough storage for anything and it all ended up on the floor.</div>
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So then I bought this monster shelf from IKEA to house all of my crafts and books. Which is an amazing feat since I have a ridiculous amount of stuff. </div>
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I then got this great desk from Brandy and painted it red and added new hardware to match the black shelf. While I was at it I also painted my dresser pictured in the previous photo to match the desk.</div>
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Here is the shelf in the room with my ribbon rack above. As you can see, it is in the way of the closet which makes finding my shoes in the mornings really difficult. But it works for the time being.<br />
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So now I am at the point of picking out new colors for my future craft area. I know I want to continue with red and black since I already have those items. I think I also want to throw in a bit of turquoise accents and maybe an off white or beige color for the walls.<br />
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Here is a sketch I put together yesterday of my ideal craft room. My red dresser would be the focal point with a couch and my sewing desk positioned where I can also watch tv while I work or when friends come over. To the side I have my large bookcase with all of my craft supplies. I would use the closet space for storage of my larger projects and packing materials. I also thought it would be fun to frame the tv with fabric behind it and a large turquoise picture frame in front. On pinterest I saw this great idea to have your walls painted one color and then put white molding near the top of the wall and then paint the remainder of the walls and ceiling a sky blue. It looked really pretty, I would like to try it out.<br />
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Here is my proposed floor plan. Hopefully I can find a bedroom large enough to squeeze in a love seat or small couch! And obviously this is a loose plan since I don't even have a room to make an actual layout for.<br />
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I also grabbed some material samples to maybe use for some curtains, pillows or for the tv frame.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed my little craft room blog. It will be a while before I get to set it up so hopefully I won't get too antsy!JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-84657008476143329332012-08-11T14:46:00.001-07:002012-08-11T14:46:39.241-07:00Its Blueberry Season!This morning we went out and picked a couple buckets worth of blueberries at Anderson Blues, North of Corvallis off Hwy 99. We went back to the same spot we did last year. We were too late in the season to pick the Spartan blueberries but the Dixi ones we picked were just as delicious.<br />
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Stalking Emma through the blueberries like a paprazzi</div>
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What a lovely stick Charlotte</div>
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Char kept running away so Oz sat down to keep her entertained like a good dad</div>
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Picking some Dixi blueberries</div>
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Yay! Fresh blueberries!</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-22548715028337759292012-07-03T19:25:00.000-07:002012-07-03T19:25:42.039-07:00Garden Journal: July 3rd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I FINALLY got to play in the garden and get everything ready for the summer. I have been so busy lately I haven't had time to barely even water. Good thing for me its been raining all spring. Pictured above are a few containers that I revamped by removing all the spring bulbs that have died back for the year and replaced them with some plant the hummingbirds will enjoy. The smaller pot has hyssop, coral bells and a purple sweet potato vine. The large container has cape fuchsias from last year, million bells and multi colored lantana.<br />
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I reorganized the patio area in back and put my orchids outside for the summer to help them rebloom in the fall.<br />
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The gnome corner. I moved a blue-green plant stand outside and bought a plastic top for it to use as a bird bath. There is a momma and baby scrub jay that have been visiting the back yard and taking baths in the fish pond.<br />
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The Japanese maple is still doing great in its pot. In front the lilies are budding up and should be blooming soon.</div>
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Earlier this spring I added a border around my fish pond and added some really interesting flowers such as this geum plant that is up front with peachy colored blooms. I also have a pineapple lilly and a white cape fuchsia. Everything is growing fast and filling in this spot.<br />
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These are last year's lights. I moved them because we kept tripping over them and now they light up the pond area at night.JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-1629961285279839682012-07-03T18:38:00.001-07:002012-07-03T18:39:08.177-07:00Super Villian Convention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Calling all Super Villains! Last weekend to celebrate a friend's 30th birthday we dressed up as villains for a super villain party. In this photo we have the Hamburglar (Whitney) Cruella Deville(Rachel), the Queen of Hearts (Brandy) and the Wicked Witch of the East (me).<br />
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We are dressed to impress!</div>
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There was even a part of the house to get our villain mug shots! </div>
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We had to keep Charlotte away from Cruella, she kept eyeing her black and white coat, naughty!</div>
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I had a really hard time sitting down in my outfit. The girls had to help me from choking myself with the roof of the house.<br />
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This will do, a cat scratcher to sit on, perfect! (this is Oz dressed as Bad Santa)</div>
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Off with their heads!</div>
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Cute little mail man, I mean evil mail man...</div>
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A family of trouble makers!</div>
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Uh oh, the Hamburglar is at it again!</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-5651894764429216122012-07-03T18:29:00.002-07:002012-07-08T07:54:08.013-07:00Update: Pond Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERnz71hwLaTM89bde66PQdNIxKx4j5RTMUB3BoNjZSZ8XDU0T-RFBvi1IoLwShBbRIAA8bfzhpEwR35KcEYFQhwKjVxoY2m_C3eVnFF67i9V_yD4h4SjOTSAAK_5CxciFjiwKWR_Jdfw/s1600/IMG_9180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERnz71hwLaTM89bde66PQdNIxKx4j5RTMUB3BoNjZSZ8XDU0T-RFBvi1IoLwShBbRIAA8bfzhpEwR35KcEYFQhwKjVxoY2m_C3eVnFF67i9V_yD4h4SjOTSAAK_5CxciFjiwKWR_Jdfw/s640/IMG_9180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Its been almost three months since I put my wine barrel fish pond in the backyard. It has really been flourishing since I put it all together. The water lily is especially taking off. There are about four or five more shoots still coming up from the bottom. I'm not sure if it will bloom this year, it doesn't quite get full sun in this spot. And surprisingly the creeping jenny is still going, even though it is not really a water plant. The corkscrew rush had to be removed. I'm not sure if it got too soggy or if it was just unhappy that Charlotte kept taking it out of the pond to swing it around the yard.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuY_zTL2cloaboMaVFKH2CL2V9lnwAYxovLK_0t-H9eZXhqFmnt5vL__FhdJxeK2NwBy4n_t9V_IO6QU6OjJ0I3-xzqrShOdCa7NgU6Q1XVYM1ax37fQMNIhtBsgqO6Uy90KTNY7ZDL0/s1600/IMG_9183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuY_zTL2cloaboMaVFKH2CL2V9lnwAYxovLK_0t-H9eZXhqFmnt5vL__FhdJxeK2NwBy4n_t9V_IO6QU6OjJ0I3-xzqrShOdCa7NgU6Q1XVYM1ax37fQMNIhtBsgqO6Uy90KTNY7ZDL0/s640/IMG_9183.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Yesterday I reconfigured a few things about it. The water had turned so green from algae growth that I couldn't even see the goldfish any more. So in the morning I carefully removed the plants and the goldfish and held them in a cooler while I removed the old water and sprayed out the container. I also made a net like fixture around the pump because the lily pads are delicate and break if they get under the water fountain.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7f_F4c9ru5TSxho7zRjFhFmcwlIoU5alHQqOQotHbDNLQ_c_-89Pm5VbVv-ZLOZioDHt8N2Qk4-rsQpQs_pLHnHDB9u6d9YMFWWXJs6mhFFPzc5-Vpvi7N8SWwxdHOVU_zXYbl6jjVs/s1600/IMG_9185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7f_F4c9ru5TSxho7zRjFhFmcwlIoU5alHQqOQotHbDNLQ_c_-89Pm5VbVv-ZLOZioDHt8N2Qk4-rsQpQs_pLHnHDB9u6d9YMFWWXJs6mhFFPzc5-Vpvi7N8SWwxdHOVU_zXYbl6jjVs/s640/IMG_9185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>A close up of one of the lily pads. It just rained this morning so it was covered in rain drops. And, happy to note, all of my goldfish are still alive and thriving!JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-89212505103254503702012-06-30T17:00:00.000-07:002012-06-30T17:00:51.520-07:00D.I.Y Mailman Costume for Pets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend Charlotte and I attended a costume party, a Super Villian Convention if you will. Charlotte was dressed as a mailman (a dog's own super villian). This was a very easy costume. The only thing I had to buy was a little boy's button down blue shirt from goodwill.</div>
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Here is the boy's shirt after I cute the waist and arms to fit Charlotte's body. I rolled the sleeves to hide the unfinished hem.<br />
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Using tan fabric I had on hand I fashioned a very simple sling bad and added a cuff from the little boy's shirt to add a decorative label to the bag.<br />
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Then I added three envelopes and hot glued them to the bag. They were addressed to Miss Cat Woman, Mr. Big Bad Wolf and Mr. Sharekhan from the Jungle book (all Super villians). Then I used some puff paint to add a U.S. Mail logo to her bag.<br />
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Theres my sweet girl! Her outfit was very simple. It only took me an hour from start to finish. (plus a few hours for the puff paint to dry.)<br />
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Coming up: photos from the rest of the super villian party. Stay tuned!JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-68366359958032010242012-06-22T19:02:00.002-07:002012-06-22T19:06:16.519-07:00Guest Artist: Gina Hoppe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A friend of mine, Gina Hoppe, is an amazing artist and I FINALLY am getting around to featuring her on my blog. Gina just graduated from OSU in Animal Sciences with minors in both chemistry and art. Gina just got accepted to study veterinary sciences in Dublin, Ireland starting this fall. So, as her friend and fellow artist, I am promoting her very talented skills and asking everyone to please check out her etsy site for original block prints and encaustic works. Click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ginahoppe" target="_blank">HERE</a> to go to her etsy page.<br />
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<img alt="Encaustic Abstract Giclee Print Blue and Black" src="http://img1-ec.etsystatic.com/000/0/6526261/il_570xN.320312065.jpg" width="570" /><br />This is one of Gina's encaustic abtract giclee Prints</div>
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Gina dabbles in a variety of art techniques including wood blocks, lithography and encaustics. Encaustics involve layers of melted beeswax and pigment that mix together in unique textures. She also has a series of prints from collages that she made when she studied abroad at sea last spring in 2011. She took inspiration from many of the places she visited including Vietnam, India and Ghana.<br />
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Please check out the artwork of a very talented woman and help support her on her future endeavors in Dublin! Thanks for reading everyone!JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-66282113477030570392012-06-22T18:44:00.000-07:002012-06-22T18:44:25.000-07:00Dogs in the City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a new favorite show on Wednesday evenings on CBS. Its called Dogs in the City and its about people in New York City that have issues with their four legged friends. The host, Justin Silver, helps the owners fix behavior issues with the dogs as well as with the owners.<br />
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Now I myself think I have a very well behaved dog but even I learned some great techniques on how to get Charlotte to heel more effictively and to release when I want her to drop the ball so we can continue to play fetch.<br />
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There are a lot of very adorable dogs on this show. Definitely tune in if you have a dog or just enjoy an easy, upbeat show to watch in the evenings.JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-87599826418382448002012-06-09T19:25:00.001-07:002012-06-09T19:27:07.533-07:00Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a very late posting that I should have posted back in April, but its better than never right? The 3rd weekend in April was a gorgeous sunny day and was perfect condition to drive to Woodburn and see some tulips in full bloom.<br />
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The Wooden Shoe tulip farm is a family owned tulip cultivator that opens their fields to the public to view thier tulips during their blooming season. I met Amy here and we had a blast walking down the tulip rows.</div>
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Cute windmill</div>
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I love little Dutch gnome people</div>
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Farming is HARD work!</div>
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Brandy and I just returned from a day in Newport at the 2nd annual Newport Celtic Festival and Highland Games. It was a beautiful sunny day filled with lots of Scottish festivities and drinks! My grandpa's side of the family migrated from Scotland in the 1860's and it was very special to get in touch with my celtic roots.</div>
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The opening ceremonies color guard</div>
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I LOVE bagpipes!</div>
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Awe yeah, meat pies!</div>
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It was amazing these guy's didn't drop these on their heads</div>
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Look, we're in Scotland!</div>
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The Sons of Malarky</div>
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Eating fish and chips while watching some highland games</div>
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Some bangers and mash</div>
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Caber Toss</div>
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Cute wooly cow</div>
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After the games we headed to Agate Beach </div>
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There was a cement dock washed upon the beach from Japan as aftermath of the tsunami last year</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-64754404928066535832012-04-12T07:59:00.000-07:002012-04-12T07:59:32.892-07:00D.I.Y. Container Fish Pond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvevw4pQH8lEGWqA80R7mGWRZ45R9q31r2Ap8Kuqgtg5647HuCelD_9ifpyR3sCr_iezidMklda_Pgi8vhOhTzhNIqp9hpaaMl1Rz18JLdIxCySD9AzdVbcx3Kk9AyzcJQI3wVkCKUwtY/s1600/IMG_8789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div>For my 'big' spring garden project this year I decided I really wanted to make use of the unused wine barrel I had bought to use as a fountain two years ago. It didn't work as well has I had planned so I moved it to the backyard and am turning it into a fish pond. I put 'big' in quotations because this was actually a fairly simple project compared to some of the other ones I have tacked in the past. For less than $150 you too can enjoy the relaxing sound of a beautiful, functioning, living water feature even if all you have is a small porch. All you need is a few days to set it up and you're done!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Step 1: The Container</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had a wine barrel on hand that I bought two years ago for about $30 at Bi-mart. Any container that can hold water can also be used as long as water won't leak out. My barrel was already painted from before but you can always just leave it natural looking if you prefer. When you find the location you want your barrel, place some cement pavers underneath to keep the bottom from getting wood rot if it going to be sitting somewhere it can get wet easily. This wine barrel holds about 31 gallons of water, a great size for some fish and water plants.</span></span><br />
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This is the wine barrel I painted and moved to the backyard and replaced a dying rose bush with.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 2: Water</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once you have your container in place be sure you have cleaned out the inside of any debris in it. Fill the container almost to the top with water. Next, if you plan to add fish to yours you will need to wait 24 hours before adding them in. The chlorine found in the tap water can be deadly to fish and needs about a day to evaporate from the water. You can also play it very safe and buy a product called Pond-zyme that helps clean the water and remove harmful ammonia that can also build up. It contains beneficial bacteria that make the water a pleasant environment for the fish. I bought the powder rather than the liquid version because it lasts 3 times as long as the liquid. Follow mixing instructions and tap it onto the surface of the pond. It will slowly make its way to the bottom of your pond and clean the water for you.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp3fLvnYNDCYhqIuXEx1AegAKkiGy1UmVVspIl8EPUwEYgTdr0w4uClsg3OU1xHMa8Nhl-pSTo8OqViPtCdIjITAvazAptwvsJiEdKJKYfxbxh0jzH0594ImeaSp82t4sbNNCLKUBCPQ/s1600/IMG_8783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp3fLvnYNDCYhqIuXEx1AegAKkiGy1UmVVspIl8EPUwEYgTdr0w4uClsg3OU1xHMa8Nhl-pSTo8OqViPtCdIjITAvazAptwvsJiEdKJKYfxbxh0jzH0594ImeaSp82t4sbNNCLKUBCPQ/s640/IMG_8783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Step 3: Plants</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next comes the fun part of choosing what plants to place in your pond. Most websites I looked at recommended have 3 different types of plants for your pond:</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">an oxygenating plant (one that grows underwater). These provide oxygen for the fish</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">a floating plant (one like a water lily that grows on the water surface)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and a thrill factor (one that gives some height to your pond for excitement)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span><b></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcpdbgbOml-S5rMg5F3-QxNHfObimEIBTrHoZZBchtCJtIRBjKRDPQszFS4InnTX1MB8uvjQWMfeh3P44qHbqnEPkMT7R0jMoF-OPABPWCxFOhtlPv57T-h6FsOGNmSipWY7hQvZnhbU/s1600/IMG_8775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcpdbgbOml-S5rMg5F3-QxNHfObimEIBTrHoZZBchtCJtIRBjKRDPQszFS4InnTX1MB8uvjQWMfeh3P44qHbqnEPkMT7R0jMoF-OPABPWCxFOhtlPv57T-h6FsOGNmSipWY7hQvZnhbU/s640/IMG_8775.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Above, I have sketched out what my pond will look like with the various plants I have chosen. I picked Anacharis for my oxygenating plant, a yellow blooming water lily to float on the water surface and a pickerel weed for my thrill factor. The pickerel weed will attract butterflies and sometimes hummingbirds to the pond. I also decided to experiment with creeping jenny and corkscrew rush, not usually considered water plants but I decided to give it a shot and see if they survive.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvbOW0rKLi3rgBvCVP20xfpTdyiijRPBXxq19H-ZaVZ4KQl1LNYui19cwuSgWC2DWT893YsY1TGJFATDBxC218IwhrsWQqpQej3pxn9Y7vfndVXgtahSQkn49R6Tjl6kwMIuG3hr6FCM/s1600/IMG_8756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvbOW0rKLi3rgBvCVP20xfpTdyiijRPBXxq19H-ZaVZ4KQl1LNYui19cwuSgWC2DWT893YsY1TGJFATDBxC218IwhrsWQqpQej3pxn9Y7vfndVXgtahSQkn49R6Tjl6kwMIuG3hr6FCM/s640/IMG_8756.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This is the Anacharis. I picked it up at the local fish and exotic animal pet shop in Corvallis. They didn't have their other pond plants in yet so I went to home depot and picked out a few other items.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4jIuD1yIgV3f5VQmLfKmwIsYz6M0aefo6PSS0Jr5pvlrIv2NGh8JB9mvFMWkOtS-QlbeWwkMnw8wsQbsCXK3cz4PqI9LhWlms66UdjDmDX8OiJmi9au-b3Pqgt8zfpcD-8kyVzvHEks/s1600/IMG_8757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4jIuD1yIgV3f5VQmLfKmwIsYz6M0aefo6PSS0Jr5pvlrIv2NGh8JB9mvFMWkOtS-QlbeWwkMnw8wsQbsCXK3cz4PqI9LhWlms66UdjDmDX8OiJmi9au-b3Pqgt8zfpcD-8kyVzvHEks/s640/IMG_8757.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>My waterlily. I probably should have went for a dwarf variety since my pond isn't very large but they didn't have any dwarf plants so I went with this yellow one since I liked its color the best.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lESrv-EbH73W2o4XebxuvrXq5TwczvwD9PDdDK4jbZKleYD5CEuJ3ekgr5bUew2S4HUahaZsHLfKSoJ8cjCKEzOSZLwmyeHQRX_7D-v1MSzLLysn43bJndN0LXakmcKbAmLQwleX3Og/s1600/IMG_8758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lESrv-EbH73W2o4XebxuvrXq5TwczvwD9PDdDK4jbZKleYD5CEuJ3ekgr5bUew2S4HUahaZsHLfKSoJ8cjCKEzOSZLwmyeHQRX_7D-v1MSzLLysn43bJndN0LXakmcKbAmLQwleX3Og/s640/IMG_8758.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>This is the pickerel weed. It grows in shallow water so I built a shelf for it and stuck the other two small plants in it that also liked to be near the water's edge.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zCjOn4a2838YQaeCXcwHLFx25XDBbgBDQ3SAb818_0ubvX584JBdzSATLpxNY0RDMFkUM1NZ6x4KLJNxoOgOLo737Sb8WgAGhBh8m8YTWFQwEGIYvNrI97kw-YGdeimEY7ZKfYs2070/s1600/IMG_8759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zCjOn4a2838YQaeCXcwHLFx25XDBbgBDQ3SAb818_0ubvX584JBdzSATLpxNY0RDMFkUM1NZ6x4KLJNxoOgOLo737Sb8WgAGhBh8m8YTWFQwEGIYvNrI97kw-YGdeimEY7ZKfYs2070/s640/IMG_8759.JPG" width="584" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The box even shows a butterfly one it so it must draw them in, right?!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0lnrvHbIKubw8RdP3VXZxORHGAEua0DWaFW2Vkb306Gz7yVW12Wtg7fzxec560dI_-y9TTb1YKaoOUk0Moh3bAN_tt9nHsFEQsjCJQfnnKR6fKYrraTgKxn4wiqMNk545Mjx9E7p1o8/s1600/IMG_8760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0lnrvHbIKubw8RdP3VXZxORHGAEua0DWaFW2Vkb306Gz7yVW12Wtg7fzxec560dI_-y9TTb1YKaoOUk0Moh3bAN_tt9nHsFEQsjCJQfnnKR6fKYrraTgKxn4wiqMNk545Mjx9E7p1o8/s640/IMG_8760.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Here is the corkscrew rush and creeping jenny I bought from my garden center. Neither are meant to be used directly in ponds but I liked them and thought I would experiment and see if they survived. If they don't, oh well!<br />
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To plant your pond vegetation I just followed the instructions on the packages for the water lily and pickerel weed. For the anacharis all you need to do is anchor it to the bottom of your pond with some gravel. <br />
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Word of the wise: DON'T use regular potting soil to plant up your plants. It is too light and floats to the top and makes the water murky. Really murky. If you do need to use soil for some of your plants use a clay soil that is recommended for ponds. It won't cloud the water like potting soils do. <br />
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Also, when you are lowering your plants into the pond do it very slowly so that the rushing water doesn't unsettle any of the dirt or gravel in your containers. This will also help keep the water clear.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTL9bis9nH2urz3b2HaUYZyX-t2JF-UrNvQV7VjVS8Pu5aCPZt4Vpg3CprX1mRfufi2vjHQw3OkWqXEZm8U7ANIHuLtJnW1_GbCa2e6YheAJK1iaAdPkL-oyK2zbZDJTnrlCk8snXjFV4/s1600/IMG_8763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTL9bis9nH2urz3b2HaUYZyX-t2JF-UrNvQV7VjVS8Pu5aCPZt4Vpg3CprX1mRfufi2vjHQw3OkWqXEZm8U7ANIHuLtJnW1_GbCa2e6YheAJK1iaAdPkL-oyK2zbZDJTnrlCk8snXjFV4/s640/IMG_8763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a fine example of what not to do. See all the floating debris in the water and on my upper plant shelf? That is all potting soil I didn't know I should not use. To fix this problem I took out all the plants, dumped out all the water, cleaned the barrel again, refilled it with water and then I replanted my plants using just gravel and clay soil that came with the water lily. For the corkscrew rush and creeping jenny, since they were already planted in soil, I used the garden hose and sprayed off all the soil and just planted their bare roots into the gravel with the pickerel weed.</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/AVvXsEgtBFuf_Xv7evfjoggSF97gKQGsVwGUOGfm3OnjruLJthAwumZ3ZFh4SHcaJsPSs3shfsFaXlmt9lheJLSBRDiPhDaYisx03_Ay3XQLuUSn5xwKZGJiBq3IfnSB-OckTEtkzRhHtUtYsys/s1600/IMG_8801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBFuf_Xv7evfjoggSF97gKQGsVwGUOGfm3OnjruLJthAwumZ3ZFh4SHcaJsPSs3shfsFaXlmt9lheJLSBRDiPhDaYisx03_Ay3XQLuUSn5xwKZGJiBq3IfnSB-OckTEtkzRhHtUtYsys/s640/IMG_8801.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Much better! Now you can see all the way to the bottom of the barrel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Step 4: Fish</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When selecting fish make sure to choose varieties that will do well in the pond. I stopped by the exotic pet shop but didn't find any fish to my liking and then went to Petco and found exactly what I wanted. They had many fish suited for pond living that were inexpensive and really cute. I settled on four fan tailed goldfish that were already in the same fish tank together so I knew they wouldn't compete with each other for food or living area. The rule of thumb of choosing how many fish will fit in your container is: One inch of fish should have no less than 5 gallons of water for comfortable living. Therefore a 30 gallon tank should hold 6 inches of fish. My fish were about an inch in length so I decide to buy four in case they need some growing room still.</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/AVvXsEg_AnvC9ZwGNGiglPzaGZF4NtgbhEsEXASLKbp0oeC7DjDN00TcKbrnW5C5luRqvMSrJYjvvwe0AvIdxAKieE6LF-OyQ6LDycJXNpHH1Ro3Nh2oA1UhsVWe5vyL9abYw645mLT7eNDzXoM/s1600/IMG_8780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AnvC9ZwGNGiglPzaGZF4NtgbhEsEXASLKbp0oeC7DjDN00TcKbrnW5C5luRqvMSrJYjvvwe0AvIdxAKieE6LF-OyQ6LDycJXNpHH1Ro3Nh2oA1UhsVWe5vyL9abYw645mLT7eNDzXoM/s640/IMG_8780.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Here are my Petco fish. The label on the aquarium even said they did well in ponds. I named the two calico ones Sherlock and Holmes, the orange one is Watson and the red head is Mrs. Pennyworth (she is much chubbier than the rest, she could be pregnant. We're not sure).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG7eO7mhiuhXoEtFugdYQhrF-8SUOgTTeVzw6x_eL1iPhazAC5o2I_gr_00s6_EhLtoJgaXhpbOqU-xYdetzy8rtvhxn4Q6Sd8Xy_D1hqtQrJe5v0suUNa19o-lMfkZcdBqsh_8Qp0eQ/s1600/IMG_8787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG7eO7mhiuhXoEtFugdYQhrF-8SUOgTTeVzw6x_eL1iPhazAC5o2I_gr_00s6_EhLtoJgaXhpbOqU-xYdetzy8rtvhxn4Q6Sd8Xy_D1hqtQrJe5v0suUNa19o-lMfkZcdBqsh_8Qp0eQ/s640/IMG_8787.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Before you dump your new fish into their new habitat it is recommended to float the bag on the surface for at least a half an hour so that the bag temperature can slowly change to the new water temp and not shock the fish.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQh6Cssxoh0zL8ggn6AveTAQwbqFKYJfJEt63WN9sbJcUJL_A8OQoOnnXIaRBIScV6rnI2mgKJmnaDdmo8w4Jrle7zLY4MerrZ_49XJtSiBkxoKX19cGF17bouz3B6_rMswv1ihgvXkuQ/s1600/IMG_8792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQh6Cssxoh0zL8ggn6AveTAQwbqFKYJfJEt63WN9sbJcUJL_A8OQoOnnXIaRBIScV6rnI2mgKJmnaDdmo8w4Jrle7zLY4MerrZ_49XJtSiBkxoKX19cGF17bouz3B6_rMswv1ihgvXkuQ/s640/IMG_8792.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's Watson investigating the bottom of the pond. He seems to be the most adventurous so far.</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/AVvXsEjFNHMwY7uimM0vIcRFTvJPOMhudaelP7Ar4dieQF4TxG9vQrdG1QEPBaC-r9XLMsySk-b3esgtkS01udtmEgeDir3Y-hqdO-e_Bps5E0BqGP5F3SVbzJrheQFp53cj_JUqawAF-J-cr-U/s1600/IMG_8784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNHMwY7uimM0vIcRFTvJPOMhudaelP7Ar4dieQF4TxG9vQrdG1QEPBaC-r9XLMsySk-b3esgtkS01udtmEgeDir3Y-hqdO-e_Bps5E0BqGP5F3SVbzJrheQFp53cj_JUqawAF-J-cr-U/s640/IMG_8784.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the plant shelf that is holding the pickerel weed, corkscrew rush and creeping jenny. I adjusted the height of the shelf so it would rest parallel with the water level so that small insects, birds and other critters could come get a comfortable drink without falling into the pond.</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;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvevw4pQH8lEGWqA80R7mGWRZ45R9q31r2Ap8Kuqgtg5647HuCelD_9ifpyR3sCr_iezidMklda_Pgi8vhOhTzhNIqp9hpaaMl1Rz18JLdIxCySD9AzdVbcx3Kk9AyzcJQI3wVkCKUwtY/s640/IMG_8789.JPG" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See any fish in there Charlotte?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that's my pond. I also ordered a small solar powered fountain online for $16 to help areate the water some more. I didn't realize it shipped from China when I bought it so I might be waiting a while before it arrives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I shall continue posting photos of how my pond and fish are progressing through the season as the plants start to grow and fill in the pond more. So far its been two days and my fish are still alive!!! Hurray me!</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-17258006406387915082012-04-10T12:33:00.001-07:002012-04-10T12:33:42.073-07:00I Spy in the Garden...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr_pX0xLJos/T4SGxLgrMnI/AAAAAAAAAwI/FzxPimCaSX4/s1600/IMG_8723.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr_pX0xLJos/T4SGxLgrMnI/AAAAAAAAAwI/FzxPimCaSX4/s640/IMG_8723.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> ...a beautiful spring day on Easter Sunday. This year for Easter we stayed home and everyone enjoyed working and playing in the yard for the afternoon. We even set up a pen in the grass so the bunnies could enjoy the nice weather instead of being cooped up inside. I was proud that I did quite a bit of work while outdoors. I tore out two sickly rose bushes that I have been fighting with for 3 years and replaced them with a container pond (coming soon in a future blog) and I mowed the lawn for the first time since last summer. I also took some photos of flowers that are blooming right now. Above is an 'Ice Cream' tulip. It is not as pretty as the package showed but I like the pink hue.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkqsXwtadsg/T4SGydNX9eI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/25U_9EZE0BQ/s1600/IMG_8724.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkqsXwtadsg/T4SGydNX9eI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/25U_9EZE0BQ/s640/IMG_8724.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A very pretty double daffodil with both yellow and a cream center.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I60F178D9E8/T4SG2HfBzrI/AAAAAAAAAwY/UiOTKTHtEUo/s1600/IMG_8725.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I60F178D9E8/T4SG2HfBzrI/AAAAAAAAAwY/UiOTKTHtEUo/s640/IMG_8725.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This orange hyacinth smells wonderful by the porch screen door.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMMBpBnCHFY/T4SG4Nf_FlI/AAAAAAAAAwg/1wXXkNYgRu0/s1600/IMG_8726.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMMBpBnCHFY/T4SG4Nf_FlI/AAAAAAAAAwg/1wXXkNYgRu0/s640/IMG_8726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Charlotte catches some morning rays on the patio. Its hard to believe last Easter she had only been home 2 days prior. She has been such a wonderful little Easter puppy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqzGiTtnufU/T4SG6SUToZI/AAAAAAAAAwo/6cOz7X22uWg/s1600/IMG_8727.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqzGiTtnufU/T4SG6SUToZI/AAAAAAAAAwo/6cOz7X22uWg/s640/IMG_8727.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The gnomes are starting to get busy in the garden.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD2ZtZzR_fk/T4SHkv0vqkI/AAAAAAAAAww/0Wo0FnNpE4M/s1600/IMG_8736.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD2ZtZzR_fk/T4SHkv0vqkI/AAAAAAAAAww/0Wo0FnNpE4M/s640/IMG_8736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> You would think bunnies would like to be outside on a day like this. But Buddy as usual was being a grumpy old man and hiding in the corner most of the time while outside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1OQfsFQMk4/T4SHnejPa4I/AAAAAAAAAw4/5YYgifEMF8M/s1600/IMG_8729.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1OQfsFQMk4/T4SHnejPa4I/AAAAAAAAAw4/5YYgifEMF8M/s640/IMG_8729.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Bunny Girl on the other hand loved it and had lots of fun exploring her pen. She loves to nibble on the dandelion heads.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CYhgPL_PbMI/T4SH1qHIJfI/AAAAAAAAAxA/Hn1-_ed3HaU/s1600/IMG_8737.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CYhgPL_PbMI/T4SH1qHIJfI/AAAAAAAAAxA/Hn1-_ed3HaU/s640/IMG_8737.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I let Charlotte in the pen with the bunnies. It was going well until Buddy got upset she was too close to him and he started kicking and grunting at her. He is such a grump!JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-34538310845282005742012-04-06T08:06:00.000-07:002012-04-06T08:06:59.320-07:00Sunshine, Please Return and Bring Back my Motivation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As you may have noticed I haven't been posting many blogs lately. I have been busy with work getting the store ready for the hustle and bustle of the spring months that are just around the corner. In my spare time I have been just as busy with all sorts of activities. My mom, brother and Nana came from Nevada and stayed St. Patty's weekend. While they were visiting we went to the coast for a day, we did some gift shopping at Schmidt's, we introduced them to Block 15 and Market of Choice, and we played pool and drank margaritas in celebration of St. Patty's Day!<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/AVvXsEj19Mv_GTIUcIDcSzs8i43W4g5L4jMblczi6IuLavbO5WgdIGVYuKNBvsQ3OiksS0c2uCLtK6Ge_ebGWpayAWGUzRTF4b4FFoWP7svyT0CF_cPXZecuTYpvSnyG5WWHoNNZMyKpl8tldgs/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19Mv_GTIUcIDcSzs8i43W4g5L4jMblczi6IuLavbO5WgdIGVYuKNBvsQ3OiksS0c2uCLtK6Ge_ebGWpayAWGUzRTF4b4FFoWP7svyT0CF_cPXZecuTYpvSnyG5WWHoNNZMyKpl8tldgs/s640/IMG_3289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My mom, brother and their dog, Buster at Nye Beach</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The day they left, Corvallis woke up to a snow storm that lasted all day long. And since then the weather has been too terrible to work outside I have been focusing on indoor projects. I did try and do some yard work this last Monday when it was sunny. I tried mowing the lawn but it was still too wet and Charlotte was not making it easy on me because she likes to bark at the push mower because it "chases" her across the backyard.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48RrxixdsKHxei7z4u-Sb576_HurxMJ4SgspDlYUoup6ZqiAf7E52OvQzZUU4094B5ySzM19U5dkHUhO7pdnl63iNGe0TfIoE5LCCVRr8IVhVpSCtCZyWZ3pWQMCP6pc81CUJJJI-VJ8/s1600/IMG_8519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48RrxixdsKHxei7z4u-Sb576_HurxMJ4SgspDlYUoup6ZqiAf7E52OvQzZUU4094B5ySzM19U5dkHUhO7pdnl63iNGe0TfIoE5LCCVRr8IVhVpSCtCZyWZ3pWQMCP6pc81CUJJJI-VJ8/s640/IMG_8519.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Playing some frizz bee tug of war out in the snow covered park</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu-lOCKXfdCgzqV2zole-EM7ogPmdW0xXYbKmS2F_ct3RVZBC9N9vVC2zSzOtzmc7ONtoxJs76olKDlg2BAN1wRt9MR9Ui14okQDkIz2GvbxsRkMP5PN6vgtDakbVPrOLILew9PzFP88/s1600/IMG_8565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>And then I have been recovering from being under the weather the last few weeks. It wasn't serious but I took a few days off from work so that I wouldn't over do it and get worse later on in the busy spring gardening season. I'm finally feeling close to 100% and feel like I've regained my energy as well as motivation for work and craft projects as well as blogging!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu-lOCKXfdCgzqV2zole-EM7ogPmdW0xXYbKmS2F_ct3RVZBC9N9vVC2zSzOtzmc7ONtoxJs76olKDlg2BAN1wRt9MR9Ui14okQDkIz2GvbxsRkMP5PN6vgtDakbVPrOLILew9PzFP88/s1600/IMG_8565.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu-lOCKXfdCgzqV2zole-EM7ogPmdW0xXYbKmS2F_ct3RVZBC9N9vVC2zSzOtzmc7ONtoxJs76olKDlg2BAN1wRt9MR9Ui14okQDkIz2GvbxsRkMP5PN6vgtDakbVPrOLILew9PzFP88/s640/IMG_8565.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Charlotte basking in the sun when it came out for a few hours</div><br />
When I've been feeling up to it I've been working on items for my etsy shop. I recently put most of my decorations I made for my Harry Potter party a while back. I have also been in the middle of making some really adorable dog beds made from discarded dresser drawers and vintage suitcases. My shop has been doing fairly well this year which is exciting. It gives me encouragement that I should keep coming up with new ideas and products to list online.<br />
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Well fellow blog readers, that is a recap of what I have been up to this past month and a half. I am hoping April will bring lots of sunshine and fun outing with good people to make the most of this 2012 spring.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-53517064282333240902012-03-13T16:52:00.000-07:002012-03-13T16:52:50.067-07:00Wall Mounted Stag Fern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYctIeeA8yupnUX83owVU5TaEC_4AahGMcOQFuO9HBHXqqDMGDEHk6Y4TuogwDMAXTQdO1EBTwGQHkaEyYrKR7WGn3b-I76P4fuHAxhsmEmG7vKGn0qqY4MZoVne1Gt7mMGEZML8SkERI/s1600/IMG_8467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYctIeeA8yupnUX83owVU5TaEC_4AahGMcOQFuO9HBHXqqDMGDEHk6Y4TuogwDMAXTQdO1EBTwGQHkaEyYrKR7WGn3b-I76P4fuHAxhsmEmG7vKGn0qqY4MZoVne1Gt7mMGEZML8SkERI/s640/IMG_8467.JPG" width="540" /></a></div> On Sunday I finally finished this stag fern project I have been working on since January. If you remember my blog post from back then, Amy and I saw these really cool stag ferns that were mounted on pieces of wood at the Portland Nursery. The ones we saw were very large and cost more than $100 for some of them. At the nursery I bought a small stag fern for $5 and took it home to mount on my own wooden board. I planned to finish my project the same weekend I went to the nursery but I haven't been inspired to work on it until this weekend when I went up to Portland IKEA with Amy again and I bought new pottery for my indoor houseplants. When I got home Sunday afternoon I got down and dirty right away and replanted all of my houseplants and then mounted my stag fern onto its wooden board.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitTOKufS3fH3o7m4ipI3I-adk11hebjntag0BBrCQf-cuda8kE45Xf7ppiYHeQFjXutpKWqoJc0cgWLgvstisE032IQv_3xH2q77tOnK-KAUoeBxUil8xaS5M09m-H36FPZKsZw5aaDI/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitTOKufS3fH3o7m4ipI3I-adk11hebjntag0BBrCQf-cuda8kE45Xf7ppiYHeQFjXutpKWqoJc0cgWLgvstisE032IQv_3xH2q77tOnK-KAUoeBxUil8xaS5M09m-H36FPZKsZw5aaDI/s640/securedownload-1.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These are the stag ferns we saw at the Portland Nursery on Division St. The largest one is probably about 3 1/2 feet tall.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4P3wG8BLGg27xbpy9qcCuB2FOVz0wYtutpcGaqOHvemSZOeWq_V9llWdE7-Ie_4mY7yPmDEcd2PC055PyIXEc1i2fvlJS5kJCO39IXMhUhRX3usHZw5ULbozlQE7cImIqlGI3Nn_Qkg/s1600/IMG_8460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4P3wG8BLGg27xbpy9qcCuB2FOVz0wYtutpcGaqOHvemSZOeWq_V9llWdE7-Ie_4mY7yPmDEcd2PC055PyIXEc1i2fvlJS5kJCO39IXMhUhRX3usHZw5ULbozlQE7cImIqlGI3Nn_Qkg/s640/IMG_8460.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here are my mounting supplies. I used a wooden board similar to the one I cut in half for my indoor primrose display, a handful of green basket moss, an airy onion bag and of course my fern. I also used a staple gun, garden twine and picture frame mounting kit.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOyZ7N5YUD_kfd6SI8fDrb_oi87y0aLyQb8Z-_9URZp9urm2dzwtol5ttTyBr8Te20-TQPZGvtCS5Uk4efy41jjt_krGZVz9IjHj-l6Iu8Ovr5J7EuoskoYCplR5E_gnOo0Y0Io8Pm0A/s1600/IMG_8461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOyZ7N5YUD_kfd6SI8fDrb_oi87y0aLyQb8Z-_9URZp9urm2dzwtol5ttTyBr8Te20-TQPZGvtCS5Uk4efy41jjt_krGZVz9IjHj-l6Iu8Ovr5J7EuoskoYCplR5E_gnOo0Y0Io8Pm0A/s640/IMG_8461.JPG" width="564" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">First I decorated my board. I cut off the "feet" that were on the board and then painted the background in brown and orange so that it would match the living room decor. At first I stained it a dark walnut hue and hand painted the Webster's definition of a stag fern on the board but I did not like the way my hand writing looked so I covered it up with craft paint. If you look closely you can still see where my writing was. Then, once the paint dried I put a few coats of polyurethane to seal it from moisture when I water the plant each week. After it dried I mounted my picture frame hook onto the back before attaching the fern.</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/AVvXsEhPQYAKRs9KhF-A7x2zSgxQWkbR3uaZ_1dWkUpHbqdxb2D4t7BR-BMvnQVj7dvNSYETHOVgQY-LL7SgVz8-lnCa4jzf2FxhaG-wxR07MN51ULWhVMnyV6FLN6jKUGjirOhP2DjdzZG44fU/s1600/IMG_8464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQYAKRs9KhF-A7x2zSgxQWkbR3uaZ_1dWkUpHbqdxb2D4t7BR-BMvnQVj7dvNSYETHOVgQY-LL7SgVz8-lnCa4jzf2FxhaG-wxR07MN51ULWhVMnyV6FLN6jKUGjirOhP2DjdzZG44fU/s640/IMG_8464.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Then I cut a 4x6 inch corner of the mess bag to hold the moss that the fern will eventually grow into. The bag needed to be airy so the roots could easily pass through. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_aI0fCHqfxnivdso5V9mRsT2Tzhnl8vYli1UK6BLKWw8rxHgXnY4keewp02VidvB7J8m7QV9DhkHO5zi1fUXcIW4s5ZUDf-0jrewmQ_JDekWhLIEI7GR72guRf0YqUT4NQH6d3qwOl4/s1600/IMG_8465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_aI0fCHqfxnivdso5V9mRsT2Tzhnl8vYli1UK6BLKWw8rxHgXnY4keewp02VidvB7J8m7QV9DhkHO5zi1fUXcIW4s5ZUDf-0jrewmQ_JDekWhLIEI7GR72guRf0YqUT4NQH6d3qwOl4/s640/IMG_8465.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>Then using the staple gun I mounted the bag filled with moss just above center of the wooden board. Since the foliage fell down so low, it looked more balanced to place the bag higher than the center.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_B5qwyj9v2ne9fZkxvW7UBkXdZrVh20iACwVZjCzEhghFeXw8kcGZW8sw56DlUa0rJ9Y5IQNXA5MUNWm9MN408ZxJ4UvM-aXiARtJ6eJtYlOtv3XuiN_ITlrDJmxMV3YsSTXm-ZAyno/s1600/IMG_8467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_B5qwyj9v2ne9fZkxvW7UBkXdZrVh20iACwVZjCzEhghFeXw8kcGZW8sw56DlUa0rJ9Y5IQNXA5MUNWm9MN408ZxJ4UvM-aXiARtJ6eJtYlOtv3XuiN_ITlrDJmxMV3YsSTXm-ZAyno/s640/IMG_8467.JPG" width="540" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the bag was in place I took the fern out of its container and placed it on the bag. Then I filled the area around the fern with more green moss to hide the rest of the red bag. To keep the fern and the moss in place I wrapped garden twine around the fern, mound and board to keep everything tight and from falling apart. Eventually the fern will grow a large frond shield that will grab onto the wood and anchor it there by itself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To water the fern I simply take it off the wall and put it on the ground outside, water it with a watering can and let the wood air dry before hanging it on the wall again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the perfect item to add to my living room collage. I am really close to finishing the whole collage and then I will post photos of how it looks with the stag fern added.</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-80650018348321232792012-03-02T16:44:00.002-08:002012-03-02T16:44:51.986-08:00Guest Artist: Amber Elton from Fruit Wear Jewelry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4T3gqe4JkHI/T1FmDqoqilI/AAAAAAAAArg/wzQenoORiqQ/s1600/DSCN1867.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4T3gqe4JkHI/T1FmDqoqilI/AAAAAAAAArg/wzQenoORiqQ/s640/DSCN1867.jpg" width="410" /></a></div> Today I wanted to feature a local artist that lives in Corvallis. Her name is Amber and she designs these great earrings and necklaces using real fruit. If you've been into the garden center lately you may have seen them on our counter while checking out. <br />
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Amber was inspired to make jewelry out of fruit after teaching in Puebla, Mexico and seeing other jewelry made from nuts, seeds, coffee, beans and corn. She started making this type of jewelry since 2009 in Hawaii experimenting with different drying and casting techniques. Her creations include limes, kiwi, lemons, oranges, bananas, tomatoes, star fruit and coffee. Strawberries and prickely pears are next on her list. All of her jewelry is one of a kind and is cast into a durable plastic. You can check out her designs at Schmidt's and you can also check out her blog at <a href="http://fruitwear.blogspot.com/">http://fruitwear.blogspot.com/ </a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DKfFVtuG--w/T1FmFeDbRpI/AAAAAAAAAro/5HbiuqIkLMs/s1600/DSCN1864.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DKfFVtuG--w/T1FmFeDbRpI/AAAAAAAAAro/5HbiuqIkLMs/s640/DSCN1864.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> On display at Schmidts, there are a variety of Fruit Wear designs including bananas, key limes, kiwi, cherry tomatoes and oranges.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8r7EjTylUSc/T1FmGeq-HTI/AAAAAAAAArw/ZsTiuBbOHR4/s1600/DSCN1869.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8r7EjTylUSc/T1FmGeq-HTI/AAAAAAAAArw/ZsTiuBbOHR4/s640/DSCN1869.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Extra long orange necklace</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyO-W4IQjbE/T1FmG16LSqI/AAAAAAAAAr4/TIYd5kKlrCE/s1600/DSCN1870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyO-W4IQjbE/T1FmG16LSqI/AAAAAAAAAr4/TIYd5kKlrCE/s640/DSCN1870.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Adorable cherry tomato earrings</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-15574190947855847452012-02-27T18:14:00.002-08:002012-02-27T18:14:33.759-08:00Garden Journal: February 27th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">There isn't much going on outside this time of year but there is evidence that spring is on its way. If you've walked around town lately there are crocus blooming everywhere. In my own yard there are tulip and daffodil bulbs coming up. The ground is still soggy from the rain we've been experiencing so it's not the best time to work in the yard but I at least get to enjoy the birds and the flowers starting to bloom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NP2SqhbEwJk/T0w1K-wMjWI/AAAAAAAAAqw/O-177TASyqw/s1600/IMG_8372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NP2SqhbEwJk/T0w1K-wMjWI/AAAAAAAAAqw/O-177TASyqw/s640/IMG_8372.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"> My pot of spring bulbs are starting to come up. The cream colored crocus have started to bloom already.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8n9B2TTHYY/T0w1Nl1bmKI/AAAAAAAAAq4/47aoqTMGGFg/s1600/IMG_8373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8n9B2TTHYY/T0w1Nl1bmKI/AAAAAAAAAq4/47aoqTMGGFg/s640/IMG_8373.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> My forsythia bush is starting to open its blossoms. Last spring I noticed the little birds like the juncos would sit on the branches and eat the blossoms. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRQE3476AJs/T0w1RMmo6BI/AAAAAAAAArA/YULcn5p1L-4/s1600/IMG_8380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRQE3476AJs/T0w1RMmo6BI/AAAAAAAAArA/YULcn5p1L-4/s640/IMG_8380.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="426" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> The double hellebore I planted last year is producing beautiful double blossoms. Last year it continued to bloom far into late spring.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqi8dngcw2Y/T0w1T8PiOwI/AAAAAAAAArI/c4rCGt0_Tkw/s1600/IMG_8382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqi8dngcw2Y/T0w1T8PiOwI/AAAAAAAAArI/c4rCGt0_Tkw/s640/IMG_8382.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="426" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"> Some of the mini daffodils are already up.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fWdjcOFp0Tg/T0w1W6Bcl6I/AAAAAAAAArQ/Ys7ev73nWzQ/s1600/IMG_8384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fWdjcOFp0Tg/T0w1W6Bcl6I/AAAAAAAAArQ/Ys7ev73nWzQ/s640/IMG_8384.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"> Lots more daffodils are on their way</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-13Q5EqSWL9Q/T0w1Z8fUPxI/AAAAAAAAArY/QfY_X5E1J5o/s1600/IMG_8385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-13Q5EqSWL9Q/T0w1Z8fUPxI/AAAAAAAAArY/QfY_X5E1J5o/s640/IMG_8385.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">The very beginning sign of my white bleeding heart</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-66620276988215288692012-02-27T17:53:00.001-08:002012-03-02T16:45:34.193-08:00Charlotte's 1st Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrVO2AcVQ-0RuBIn_ihXJopGtaBeUhzESzBTYczfeuvy249w743wEnlzuDXyUgkprjJ6Mhg924N9dd1FCjV_IEKLrW97ZG6F33MQBJxajhDF20_VLa3Uh6Nbwh3lfrrD0z_95wTQ9lq8/s1600/IMG_8359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrVO2AcVQ-0RuBIn_ihXJopGtaBeUhzESzBTYczfeuvy249w743wEnlzuDXyUgkprjJ6Mhg924N9dd1FCjV_IEKLrW97ZG6F33MQBJxajhDF20_VLa3Uh6Nbwh3lfrrD0z_95wTQ9lq8/s640/IMG_8359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Charlotte turned 1 year today! Last night we threw a small get together to celebrate her big day. I made a cake (its terrible looking but hey, she's a dog, she won't care), boston terrier cookies with Brandy and I made mini pupcakes, edible for both dogs and humans.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRxliqS3pbZGmNqv_RFJkxp-xyKBeM91ylfx-SKQcrtcOSJ19EAgqrpim31povDq75s7hNzXChMlkM2NXRNRtRZeyE4HEy78Tft8IitvoHGhnd952LMkmdmmJsUVsxHbNU5IesZdJfMc/s1600/IMG_8294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRxliqS3pbZGmNqv_RFJkxp-xyKBeM91ylfx-SKQcrtcOSJ19EAgqrpim31povDq75s7hNzXChMlkM2NXRNRtRZeyE4HEy78Tft8IitvoHGhnd952LMkmdmmJsUVsxHbNU5IesZdJfMc/s640/IMG_8294.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The table spread</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/AVvXsEhzsvOBxzspYuZSWYUwXZlb271ykVRjfp0umdx4dTceZNMdHfpf1YdPzwU_0G4Z-ixH_bDUg012Jh9pOtu9By1xFOjqELhKL1DiWHiodpQRWX1ca8Je793grnHhF3lRguh975eXvHXQrfU/s1600/IMG_8293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsvOBxzspYuZSWYUwXZlb271ykVRjfp0umdx4dTceZNMdHfpf1YdPzwU_0G4Z-ixH_bDUg012Jh9pOtu9By1xFOjqELhKL1DiWHiodpQRWX1ca8Je793grnHhF3lRguh975eXvHXQrfU/s640/IMG_8293.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mini Bostons</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/AVvXsEhleZdcQ1xngvBkbj78lbujEcGfkDQP827_wbsd-QRtppTtJ81mnJzKsWNKl2PoGxJFWyQD_3qhmGdgXBC1RBaslWmZN4njvC8SomZJ9CjQ3Ehbw_KQWLUFTKOeQfUMjlWJ1yfAojjB0FA/s1600/IMG_8292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleZdcQ1xngvBkbj78lbujEcGfkDQP827_wbsd-QRtppTtJ81mnJzKsWNKl2PoGxJFWyQD_3qhmGdgXBC1RBaslWmZN4njvC8SomZJ9CjQ3Ehbw_KQWLUFTKOeQfUMjlWJ1yfAojjB0FA/s640/IMG_8292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Pupcakes with peanut butter dog biscuits</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/AVvXsEi27vu44RaWJQ3O1qk36qk810LsxQqBlbBOkAbNy0aboTBHxUatx_ZARvCff168HWdkUPBUYyXiWVzJR8RTEfUVFugGMe-FHHDy0JO-jPYzROAOaMBPwbRHrrHFCoqcsNCRpzZYQUC6A1E/s1600/IMG_8310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27vu44RaWJQ3O1qk36qk810LsxQqBlbBOkAbNy0aboTBHxUatx_ZARvCff168HWdkUPBUYyXiWVzJR8RTEfUVFugGMe-FHHDy0JO-jPYzROAOaMBPwbRHrrHFCoqcsNCRpzZYQUC6A1E/s640/IMG_8310.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Whitney lighting the candles</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/AVvXsEhhGJT4R4GIYTpo3dGg3mpaYQM2O8aWCD41uWmVGWr4rh_G2TOf-Xc_sR1kf7UAen50LuGUVUqb8bk4Y8zKBl0PI95guD85l-ZjHnGRWxdyGIFqiXUxvMGPUESfhqhwEAHtCj0f77tIQBU/s1600/IMG_8319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGJT4R4GIYTpo3dGg3mpaYQM2O8aWCD41uWmVGWr4rh_G2TOf-Xc_sR1kf7UAen50LuGUVUqb8bk4Y8zKBl0PI95guD85l-ZjHnGRWxdyGIFqiXUxvMGPUESfhqhwEAHtCj0f77tIQBU/s640/IMG_8319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Charlotte drooling over the cake (no she didn't eat any)</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/AVvXsEhaCpAES1-XgnbwsuawVqiF-1CHUtLxiV-T5Ybebp32QH_GXktmZ3tfqXBHRtlxlP3QGvlzsbUs5FyCUprrt19fqIL14LdgTUb6mONFdBs7i6aL94HymwywzyYCxCQu40KJ-X8T_V6Qpyg/s1600/IMG_8334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCpAES1-XgnbwsuawVqiF-1CHUtLxiV-T5Ybebp32QH_GXktmZ3tfqXBHRtlxlP3QGvlzsbUs5FyCUprrt19fqIL14LdgTUb6mONFdBs7i6aL94HymwywzyYCxCQu40KJ-X8T_V6Qpyg/s640/IMG_8334.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Inhaling her pupcake</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/AVvXsEiprGMIw5xSaKAuF7-a-kyFn3xqTWyGZGI9rTTN0L7iKfWzNJlE5aEHnpKgfbM4jSqVE1v1ac3TtNv1-cjWE86nGWGt1HgMn5HDyQAuWTnPUp7VSnmlYLe3lrYwzEKc66je7b3oNNOsMxw/s1600/IMG_8370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprGMIw5xSaKAuF7-a-kyFn3xqTWyGZGI9rTTN0L7iKfWzNJlE5aEHnpKgfbM4jSqVE1v1ac3TtNv1-cjWE86nGWGt1HgMn5HDyQAuWTnPUp7VSnmlYLe3lrYwzEKc66je7b3oNNOsMxw/s640/IMG_8370.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday my girl!</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-22674479221090049002012-02-27T16:01:00.000-08:002012-02-27T16:01:12.314-08:00Ugliest. Cake. Ever.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbANBhHr8kHL-cjj9J6SLXUm-waMHlFwWSnxEPxSHOvEPX4IwWjpGtdrwpsezeSbexIPRbbowBTv9up_5bnXKtkUgWIgMsocLkaFpZXy2Bv_QfvEtAFY9H3yCBTFWE5AlqQ8WVGjB3GM/s1600/IMG_8287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbANBhHr8kHL-cjj9J6SLXUm-waMHlFwWSnxEPxSHOvEPX4IwWjpGtdrwpsezeSbexIPRbbowBTv9up_5bnXKtkUgWIgMsocLkaFpZXy2Bv_QfvEtAFY9H3yCBTFWE5AlqQ8WVGjB3GM/s640/IMG_8287.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To celebrate Charlotte's first birthday I wanted to make a cake and try using cake decorating supplies for the first time. I wanted to make a chocolate stout cake with a raspberry frosting using fresh raspberries. My idea was to make a two tiered cake with frosting rosettes around the whole cake. In my mind this was going to be beautiful and girlish. I was off to a good start with the cake portion of this project. The chocolate stout batter was delicious. And then I hit the frosting. What a nightmare. I could not figure out how to get the filling and frosting thick enough to keep it from running off the cake. I made several attempts to thicken the frosting but failed miserably. This has to be the worst looking cake I've ever made. </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/AVvXsEiELY_lFeLhjFu00m7Tuprd-uYMJt8gKZIu8Ux6p_1L6EMoZk2STiUipU0FFmv4c8cdsCLRWy3b38LXiwuxQoqnPDE6hV9DiRAHJAo-sgG_ntzNHbURl6dr-ET1Cic42iyC_3T4uGX9vPw/s1600/cake_roses_DSC_2902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELY_lFeLhjFu00m7Tuprd-uYMJt8gKZIu8Ux6p_1L6EMoZk2STiUipU0FFmv4c8cdsCLRWy3b38LXiwuxQoqnPDE6hV9DiRAHJAo-sgG_ntzNHbURl6dr-ET1Cic42iyC_3T4uGX9vPw/s640/cake_roses_DSC_2902.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This beautiful cake is from i-heart-baking.blogspot.com. This is what I wished my cake looked like. Instead it looked like this:</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/AVvXsEjsO7pBwT7caeuZpWOzx1yvYFYGPMNrNzSZn2O2-YJRWnLyK3WVJ-UblGZsarSmXDe1KTdYLZRlETY1EKPnOB3dOW1Q1pL38w30kR6K6t0_TguVJ_SvrkpDEuV1rDep-24qHOlAqL1LEms/s1600/IMG_8288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO7pBwT7caeuZpWOzx1yvYFYGPMNrNzSZn2O2-YJRWnLyK3WVJ-UblGZsarSmXDe1KTdYLZRlETY1EKPnOB3dOW1Q1pL38w30kR6K6t0_TguVJ_SvrkpDEuV1rDep-24qHOlAqL1LEms/s640/IMG_8288.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> At this point in putting the cake together I should have realized it would have been better to walk away. Instead I persisted and ended up with a cake like this:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrEQwbp9SKK7pNpDgbVYSYcZHjEjteL8hnpdlYoxri_cyaNOg-5PTQTbZPTU4U6etcD0Jhpe0CvlB7JjuFV-R0gKkp1mDigW32v61WPgSb1vGAXBTTPzXZ68D2LO2gE6DhNfJrKZCm9M/s1600/IMG_8295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrEQwbp9SKK7pNpDgbVYSYcZHjEjteL8hnpdlYoxri_cyaNOg-5PTQTbZPTU4U6etcD0Jhpe0CvlB7JjuFV-R0gKkp1mDigW32v61WPgSb1vGAXBTTPzXZ68D2LO2gE6DhNfJrKZCm9M/s640/IMG_8295.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Hurray! Hahaha, I have to laugh at myself for this. After all the effort and thought I put into this cake it looked awful. Also, if it looks like I threw handfuls of sprinkles at the cake, its because I did! I don't think I will have a career in cake decorating. At least it tasted pretty good. But the battle between me and the frosting isn't over yet. I still have a birthday and St. Patty's day next month to test out my skills. I know I can get it to work. Round Two between me and frosting is just around the corner!JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-10953866462795794612012-02-21T19:18:00.000-08:002012-02-21T19:18:34.205-08:00Boston Terrier Sugar Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJo5My_xElLPp_d2uZEmjEg8DG9VfcrOmucW4-1VClim4HrSXJgI1V0CzjEc4x6iWURkUUoEqsIYeCEeWPtucAL8VKmpSAsl_182QC4v-ysBNACGd7NokE162I7uTUcJ1zUhI7Rn0jhME/s1600/tn.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJo5My_xElLPp_d2uZEmjEg8DG9VfcrOmucW4-1VClim4HrSXJgI1V0CzjEc4x6iWURkUUoEqsIYeCEeWPtucAL8VKmpSAsl_182QC4v-ysBNACGd7NokE162I7uTUcJ1zUhI7Rn0jhME/s640/tn.jpeg" width="476" /></a></div><br />
Well, Charlotte's 1st birthday is a week from today. I can't believe she is almost 1. It feels like it wasn't very long ago that I brought the little munchkin home but at the same time I cannot imagine my life without her in it.<br />
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This weekend I started getting ready for her birthday. Yes, I am one of <i>those </i>pet owners that likes to celebrate their pet's birthday and special occasions. Anyways, yesterday Brandy came over and helped me bake and decorate some sugar cookies in the shape of boston terriers. They turned out really cute. Some of them even look like Charlotte. They were very simple to make as well. To make the frosting Brandy whipped up some powder sugar icing that we found a recipe for in the Betty Crocker cook book and then added black icing paste by Wilton that we found at Joann Fabrics. I'm glad Brandy was there to help me because I don't think I could have decorated 30 cookies by myself!<br />
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I put the cookies in the freezer to save for next weekend when we throw a small birthday party for Charlotte. I still have some craft projects for the party that I need to throw in between now and Sunday. We'll see how much I get done this week!JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-51734105105071572542012-02-08T08:07:00.000-08:002012-02-08T08:07:02.477-08:00D.I.Y. Pinched Fabric Throw Pillows<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/AVvXsEgmcGLdAK13zC8knFgiN78xpBFnPAqlrltu_UhzrOykLcb_TgOjsxFvQZOukcZurKNgSvBpLWp191vvy0tPUlpKutq7ez5idbTFLmMqt1BuCGms0scaqXaeIWsv_sgFJz_qOQU4zVdfv5Y/s1600/IMG_7028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcGLdAK13zC8knFgiN78xpBFnPAqlrltu_UhzrOykLcb_TgOjsxFvQZOukcZurKNgSvBpLWp191vvy0tPUlpKutq7ez5idbTFLmMqt1BuCGms0scaqXaeIWsv_sgFJz_qOQU4zVdfv5Y/s640/IMG_7028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found this great tutorial to make these puckered pillows from <a href="http://www.thriftyandchic.com/2010/07/diy-textured-pillows.html" target="_blank">Thrifty and Chic</a> another awesome D.I.Y. blog. This was a pretty easy project. To see the full instructions for this project you can click on the link above.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 0px;"></span></div><div class="goog-inline-block" style="display: inline-block; margin-top: 5px; position: relative;"><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHtWaPaxMydyNKtBrVHKOJL9Ddd-2y51UlhJDOdUBpq9I7mCwolEJMPLNRhBKPo82BTwGpNhDAO6Dp8XITRPyPvGDKWEE1eSJ9-3eslbNnHNGifNyzLkDlwQNvFfelaB159DpeffLhig/s640/DSCN2290.JPG" style="outline-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); outline-style: solid; outline-width: 1px; position: relative;" width="640" /></div><div class="CSS_VCONT_PREVENT_MARGIN_COLLAPSE_DIV" style="font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the original pillow from Thrifty and Chic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 0px;"></span></div><div class="goog-inline-block" style="display: inline-block; margin-top: 5px; position: relative;"><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALYzC7ZBwLM1gaDIH_hpcL-hVYqFsu9jArv_wH45FbbG9vkZ9UtXcp77366iVdxJxDjrqO43Q24_uydJYkFzmrY2Ahi_FchoiLKLCQ3Q1Pv57JIGq_2Ix38MqB9b9elT2VD0eELZyuds/s640/DSCN3755.JPG" style="outline-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); outline-style: solid; outline-width: 1px; position: relative;" width="640" /></div><div class="CSS_VCONT_PREVENT_MARGIN_COLLAPSE_DIV" style="font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Basically you mark where you want your puckered spots to be and then pinch about a 1/2 inch around the point and tie it up. Continue this across the fabric and that is about it.</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/AVvXsEjCGY8CEb80QoyiiezvuedSVUCQGelMfOuNrbvdcphb-wDm6Q5BnpS6dMPARvYTLvULXPCXYMUQsuGoyfKUljr0O6tBULtpB0RXpwakhU7hBsxiJ3kgZ65yFB_OXs7i-kUWEV4JjEOp50M/s1600/IMG_7002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGY8CEb80QoyiiezvuedSVUCQGelMfOuNrbvdcphb-wDm6Q5BnpS6dMPARvYTLvULXPCXYMUQsuGoyfKUljr0O6tBULtpB0RXpwakhU7hBsxiJ3kgZ65yFB_OXs7i-kUWEV4JjEOp50M/s640/IMG_7002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Here is the pillow I used for the recover. It was cute but the colors didn't match and it had a few stains on it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT_bkVJHTNt9YrmozcSVTMwhHysbeSknkB6LZ8oPnQpuk8bvkyVxAmqUV3KtCgAbDVyh2PZPhxJ3-OrbCs61aDKf4vbUltex7E2F5l9WKAHQBmG6JbIOhaZWmzkb3EtPz7XJKrF81XtM/s1600/IMG_7024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT_bkVJHTNt9YrmozcSVTMwhHysbeSknkB6LZ8oPnQpuk8bvkyVxAmqUV3KtCgAbDVyh2PZPhxJ3-OrbCs61aDKf4vbUltex7E2F5l9WKAHQBmG6JbIOhaZWmzkb3EtPz7XJKrF81XtM/s640/IMG_7024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now it fits the couch perfectly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-3409408568882680842012-02-06T12:58:00.000-08:002012-02-06T12:58:06.046-08:00Charlotte vs. the Dog Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQc1bqdWbqz5yiraNA3_Ra9j6Dvs6mpBegM96WOIIjjL68Ji9GMYztZMY00K8vsjqz43BRLQ0xS317VPukGCxdqC0JF4g4pGdBCNPRhfPYkg1DE3wYlJeN0sLJKBGJqeFHJA-eblz564/s1600/securedownload-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQc1bqdWbqz5yiraNA3_Ra9j6Dvs6mpBegM96WOIIjjL68Ji9GMYztZMY00K8vsjqz43BRLQ0xS317VPukGCxdqC0JF4g4pGdBCNPRhfPYkg1DE3wYlJeN0sLJKBGJqeFHJA-eblz564/s640/securedownload-3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Charlotte was 12 weeks old and had all of her shots I took her to the dog park downtown for the first time. Unfortunately we had a terrible experience involving a pit bull and had not been back until last weekend. Since the first incident we've actually had a great time at the dog park. She's already made lots of friends (that's Brutus the pug and Barney the pug/Boston terrier above). She gets her workout from both the small and large dogs. Here are some videos/photos from her experiences.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2sBHSSCwl8nY3KjzqOPcTmvdBu6l6i2p9jBmy80qpbAlT9JkAeTNmy2L-CcmILY3oeVZKEsx9F1YxlCkyzQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is her and Barney their first time playing together last weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCnxXbor2vxIoHmnUOD0bjADCEwmO7UppGDEdoRpjwb6ro6h6jU3VHTc5wq0lHHHiWOdAQclB3srGdTTtPSA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is her yesterday with Barney and Brutus. Brutus was playing referee for them, breaking it up when it got too "rough".</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/AVvXsEhkVVHCmknnjU7Q2exf3P9apj7nEZ-sgRZLudg_ih0cqzAShMHPmmca8JUjGwKR8gBxynBPciZjmvq7uqBp_SaOBOwJbIxGnWPyoiEHHprR_OlTq3W5XfBY-r2mDxdsNv0-pqSy-BFMRts/s1600/securedownload-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVVHCmknnjU7Q2exf3P9apj7nEZ-sgRZLudg_ih0cqzAShMHPmmca8JUjGwKR8gBxynBPciZjmvq7uqBp_SaOBOwJbIxGnWPyoiEHHprR_OlTq3W5XfBY-r2mDxdsNv0-pqSy-BFMRts/s640/securedownload-5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Just sniff'n some dogs</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlttvRdJtU7RdG8DR9HK9YYgygM08hpNyVfVxXJUhHAiseJgBR5k5ZQdgpIQcnmh8TgX9cPZduficzmNFZCcQtw7zAi7VTCm_8szAe_Vml6G9TTOo5u-dWoK0gY-CJH4mZCye9b3crrs/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlttvRdJtU7RdG8DR9HK9YYgygM08hpNyVfVxXJUhHAiseJgBR5k5ZQdgpIQcnmh8TgX9cPZduficzmNFZCcQtw7zAi7VTCm_8szAe_Vml6G9TTOo5u-dWoK0gY-CJH4mZCye9b3crrs/s640/securedownload-1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This little firecracker is a mini Aussie. She was the spunkiest little dog I've seen. She reminded me of a corgi and Yorkie mix if they had babies. She had very pretty blue eyes. Just watching her gave me puppy fever for a dog like her.</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/AVvXsEjnilV1NUbLLD4ygFuZNw5PnmzM8QfQFSDk0QRAlR7bzMCI_D9ApvevG6uNl7bJJvMaVwu5ssr2362JeECXkVd88G2prLiNvlbd-dsyy4kQ3T2W80rz9gEw-7joR0F1tqCkDkyLHScSL94/s1600/securedownload-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnilV1NUbLLD4ygFuZNw5PnmzM8QfQFSDk0QRAlR7bzMCI_D9ApvevG6uNl7bJJvMaVwu5ssr2362JeECXkVd88G2prLiNvlbd-dsyy4kQ3T2W80rz9gEw-7joR0F1tqCkDkyLHScSL94/s640/securedownload-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There she goes, off to chase the big dogs.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyUtG13qPntYXlx-j7GYzmg-vMBVyMNtpkVAYBtcnh7eJmFFhuauyybsxw-APWh4svsLUJls12YpXj1GGAkIbZZplKx6ljazXkqQo6sN0M1AH4AAAbVBzMArxOA7w0hFmwAtiIOpDV6E/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyUtG13qPntYXlx-j7GYzmg-vMBVyMNtpkVAYBtcnh7eJmFFhuauyybsxw-APWh4svsLUJls12YpXj1GGAkIbZZplKx6ljazXkqQo6sN0M1AH4AAAbVBzMArxOA7w0hFmwAtiIOpDV6E/s640/securedownload.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looks like the dog park won this round. She fell asleep in the sun as soon as we made it home.</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-11840849060986871542012-02-06T11:07:00.000-08:002012-02-06T11:07:30.891-08:00Superbowl Feast (Pancake Maple and Bacon Cupcakes and Hashbrown Skillet Dish)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4KYAMBvo7XQsuscCr3fCJXgXUE-v5ttqXEdpIYyWfHkfWq3y-FhvncuD9_ZzRfQKgLzZDBv788I80zyqKhQhcvGMpG5Eh-mrXNKRlm8dsBgQaVVWD1xu7BdktH1F3FEX8Oyn9B5gGCM/s1600/DSC03834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4KYAMBvo7XQsuscCr3fCJXgXUE-v5ttqXEdpIYyWfHkfWq3y-FhvncuD9_ZzRfQKgLzZDBv788I80zyqKhQhcvGMpG5Eh-mrXNKRlm8dsBgQaVVWD1xu7BdktH1F3FEX8Oyn9B5gGCM/s640/DSC03834.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> The Superbowl Sunday crew</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The first Superbowl I remember watching was Superbowl XXX when I was in 4th grade. I think this was the first time we threw a party because I remember my mom getting excited about decorating for the game. She was busy making football shaped brownies with icing stitches when I asked her who was playing in the game. She stopped, looked at me, and started laughing and said she had no idea. I had to go ask my aunt, who actually watched sports, to find out it was the Cowboys and Steelers playing. I also remember having a blast because at half time we went sledding down the hill outside our backyard when we lived on Nob Hill in Klamath Falls.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've always had fond memories of watching Superbowl since this first one. Even if its just for the food! This year for Superbowl Sunday I decided to take a different route when it came to food. Usually I make buffalo wings and some sort of chili or dip but this Sunday wee served breakfast items, fruit and veggies.</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/AVvXsEgvaACeRl7JYpuDsoleL8EGv6lSonOwzO4CucJp5c0LNx9Rprp6bRgxC5LG76kHQR3wNKyOGCTxFwwENP3SbGptoeHWV-5dvlvK5G2msjrd0d3YkxYc7HNpHToOh3GYc-tPEfppMcDS3DY/s1600/DSC03814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaACeRl7JYpuDsoleL8EGv6lSonOwzO4CucJp5c0LNx9Rprp6bRgxC5LG76kHQR3wNKyOGCTxFwwENP3SbGptoeHWV-5dvlvK5G2msjrd0d3YkxYc7HNpHToOh3GYc-tPEfppMcDS3DY/s640/DSC03814.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The Pancake cupcake with maple, cream cheese frosting topped with crisp bacon strips.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">How to:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Follow the pancake recipe on the side of a Bisquick box.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Line a cupcake tin with paper wrappers and fill with Bisquick mixture.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bake cupcakes at 350 degrees for 12-17 mins or until lightly browned.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Icing:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">11 oz. cream cheese</div><div style="text-align: left;">3/4 cup butter</div><div style="text-align: left;">3 cups powder sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 maple syrup</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mix cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Then add in powder sugar and syrup. Then spread on cooled cupcakes. Add fresh crisp bacon on top.</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/AVvXsEjLqKO4asCXbDRMIgRCE6zdTJ7zke9RoKyVwwi1P9vL7ZPnMMV4ENubvMSZ2jnpWVWm9cYFqsKcJBc249ULbWLeTP86cbn0hFqM34G-Omt2yH7rroU4WvvUtKkDCB6DvJyCH9OPlgWrDgE/s1600/DSC03815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqKO4asCXbDRMIgRCE6zdTJ7zke9RoKyVwwi1P9vL7ZPnMMV4ENubvMSZ2jnpWVWm9cYFqsKcJBc249ULbWLeTP86cbn0hFqM34G-Omt2yH7rroU4WvvUtKkDCB6DvJyCH9OPlgWrDgE/s640/DSC03815.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Yummy! Tasted just like a pancake and bacon breakfast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhinwm4TYw6xeGv1azRQGnPwP_Zat4EH6Fn5kolgsRd4HepoJYQFhyPUfFSWai630FVYFtC84rNbTPagvkbWVVdby5_eBTZncWgdgHjlJkCk-ALxG9oZ_4qIwMP_hPX6dNsI5bR7Fng4Oc/s1600/DSC03818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinwm4TYw6xeGv1azRQGnPwP_Zat4EH6Fn5kolgsRd4HepoJYQFhyPUfFSWai630FVYFtC84rNbTPagvkbWVVdby5_eBTZncWgdgHjlJkCk-ALxG9oZ_4qIwMP_hPX6dNsI5bR7Fng4Oc/s640/DSC03818.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I also made a country skillet dish that is amazing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In a separate pan, brown some sausage on medium heat.</div><div style="text-align: left;">In a large pot, cook a package of hash browns (I dethawed them over night), 1 medium diced onion, and 1 diced green pepper. And to hash browns and cook on medium. When the hash browns are heated and the veggies are tender, add in the cooked sausage and stir together. Then using a large soup ladle, make 5-6 bowl shaped dips in the potato mixture. Crack an egg into each bowl shape. The bowls keep the eggs from running everywhere. You should have 5 or 6 eggs in there. Keep the heat to medium and cover the pot with a lid to cook the eggs faster. It will take about 20mins. to cook the eggs. Once they are mostly white, take off the stove and add shredded cheddar, avocado and tomato. Add sour cream, pepper, salsa or any other toppings you wish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENs8PVOzwpLj6HP3schZyLAKWFzBMrS9j4T2KsTdDLpA5ZiuJI3UrUrtEQlRHyiL95HEt45ns7WqHK3nxu_Vmaymrx5o1mSR51cn_O3wzkrwbLO6TTWRZC3zQMYY9MNhtyliRmeLG3Bk/s1600/DSC03825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENs8PVOzwpLj6HP3schZyLAKWFzBMrS9j4T2KsTdDLpA5ZiuJI3UrUrtEQlRHyiL95HEt45ns7WqHK3nxu_Vmaymrx5o1mSR51cn_O3wzkrwbLO6TTWRZC3zQMYY9MNhtyliRmeLG3Bk/s640/DSC03825.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm enjoying my meal with a nice cold brew.</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/AVvXsEhIPXlni5y0xryNProyr_8po3XPnwe8GtCUrfsvXHReRa5H0ON-6kTS3Pl3M8WCht2-1bzXjh5AKNKwylXF7kEEAHLjfdRtfcphpXm3zLQD8PMD6DiwGbxNBo5OrgbGFbQKv4ab3TsNXZI/s1600/DSC03826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPXlni5y0xryNProyr_8po3XPnwe8GtCUrfsvXHReRa5H0ON-6kTS3Pl3M8WCht2-1bzXjh5AKNKwylXF7kEEAHLjfdRtfcphpXm3zLQD8PMD6DiwGbxNBo5OrgbGFbQKv4ab3TsNXZI/s640/DSC03826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oz and Jesse hanging out on the couch that actually watched the game.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyFH1xjtCFUFBFuAW9mMalbzVCl2J7IGdWmjVd76ZqnGEPYm9Gcu150f57o5xgMcRmcvBzBXiygj_t5pDPgNi97hRetwYmRIoqZy6RxoDnVahBnBAbecSXADfeUkL2Edo83_rzA7UVqo/s1600/DSC03821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyFH1xjtCFUFBFuAW9mMalbzVCl2J7IGdWmjVd76ZqnGEPYm9Gcu150f57o5xgMcRmcvBzBXiygj_t5pDPgNi97hRetwYmRIoqZy6RxoDnVahBnBAbecSXADfeUkL2Edo83_rzA7UVqo/s640/DSC03821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids were engaged in their own game of chase and wrestling.</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/AVvXsEgmWnDCsLSO7XP7yXAUJrjgA5Ij_9kS7t8eEicU9Lcev1dFMHblQDRT_BPUvnwX-n2kUtpphvHzBZOv-zhlrt0Hl0KKC7mEEgVqpaPKzEXcaRFFPH784-AK8wVkfuGAubdsd9fSYZC-N7A/s1600/DSC03831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWnDCsLSO7XP7yXAUJrjgA5Ij_9kS7t8eEicU9Lcev1dFMHblQDRT_BPUvnwX-n2kUtpphvHzBZOv-zhlrt0Hl0KKC7mEEgVqpaPKzEXcaRFFPH784-AK8wVkfuGAubdsd9fSYZC-N7A/s640/DSC03831.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yay for football! I think Brandy was the only one who was watching the game and not the dogs.</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922044200559008618.post-54891338828329463302012-02-06T09:48:00.001-08:002012-02-06T09:48:41.561-08:00Winter Wine Soiree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KBNwBLFrmY/Tyq9hcNuNXI/AAAAAAAAApg/azV5TFu36wE/s1600/DSCN1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KBNwBLFrmY/Tyq9hcNuNXI/AAAAAAAAApg/azV5TFu36wE/s640/DSCN1705.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Saturday, January 28th was the big wine tasting event Schmidt's and First Alternative Co-op hosted at the garden center. (Sorry this post is a little late, I was too tired recovering last weekend to post this). </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There were about a dozen wine vendors, half a dozen artisan cheeses and half a dozen delicious chocolates, including Posh and Cherry Country, both sold at Schmidt's. There was a great turnout, almost 100 guests showed up plus lots of staff members from First Alternative and Schmidt's. First Alternative provided the wine, cheese and chocolate and I did all the decorating and event set up at the store. This was the first time I have done all of the decision making and planning. Without Susan at the store to run ideas by that meant I had full control of planning. It was very stressful but I think it turned out beautiful. The greenhouse looked spectacular that night with white lights, primrose blooming and a handful of Valentine's Day decorations.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The only part of planning this event that I thought could have been better was the number of people that were able to buy tickets. None of us were sure just how many tickets we could sell so we under planned, and had to turn a lot of people away when the event sold out a few days before. Next year if we plan to do this again, we will definitely have to sell more tickets.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Below are some photos of my decorating and of the party itself.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqbrZJ-e1aE/Tyq8nYQkTCI/AAAAAAAAAnw/Le0adacV9Dc/s1600/DSCN1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqbrZJ-e1aE/Tyq8nYQkTCI/AAAAAAAAAnw/Le0adacV9Dc/s640/DSCN1769.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Whitney and I toasting to the night. Everyone that attended received 3 wine sampling tickets and an engraved wine glass from the event.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSxkA55-WWI/Tyq8pyIW_OI/AAAAAAAAAn4/PiYBN2FeP-0/s1600/DSCN1772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSxkA55-WWI/Tyq8pyIW_OI/AAAAAAAAAn4/PiYBN2FeP-0/s640/DSCN1772.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Marsh, from Cherry Country. They make chocolate covered cherries right here in the Willamette Valley in Rickreall, Oregon. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCuO57fCBd0/Tyq8_OXf8JI/AAAAAAAAAoo/rnK935vEll0/s1600/DSCN1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCuO57fCBd0/Tyq8_OXf8JI/AAAAAAAAAoo/rnK935vEll0/s640/DSCN1791.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Yummy, both our customers and our staff really likes these and are having a hard time resisting taking the free samples at the store.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QW7ruzHiFv0/Tyq8trihd8I/AAAAAAAAAoA/NJHBr-LHpy8/s1600/DSCN1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QW7ruzHiFv0/Tyq8trihd8I/AAAAAAAAAoA/NJHBr-LHpy8/s640/DSCN1774.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Sartori cheeses. He made four delicious types of cheeses. My favorites was the one with salsa added into it. A lot of people really liked the rosemary infused one.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aenSK1MAX8/Tyq9FKk4w9I/AAAAAAAAAow/RjIY2rwiFPA/s1600/DSCN1790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aenSK1MAX8/Tyq9FKk4w9I/AAAAAAAAAow/RjIY2rwiFPA/s640/DSCN1790.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">I love cheese, I could have eaten it all night had I not been working!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ufae4Kz7Knk/Tyq83Bi0JKI/AAAAAAAAAoY/KaNm5A03QYM/s1600/DSCN1779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ufae4Kz7Knk/Tyq83Bi0JKI/AAAAAAAAAoY/KaNm5A03QYM/s640/DSCN1779.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Even Tim had a bird station at the event. Tim has become the in-house bird expert. He has lots of information and loves to share bird stories with customers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp-KKJT5784/Tyq9G5n2OXI/AAAAAAAAAo4/clxvO0JYTOo/s1600/DSCN1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp-KKJT5784/Tyq9G5n2OXI/AAAAAAAAAo4/clxvO0JYTOo/s640/DSCN1786.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">It was a very busy night. I had the event set up to have half of the vendors inside and half of the vendors in the greenhouse. Thank the weather gods that it wasn't raining this night! The greenhouse sometimes drips when it rains and if it did, I don't know how we would have fit everyone inside the store!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCScXp6Z9-c/Tyq9SgzmDAI/AAAAAAAAApI/MgScSNFXgvA/s1600/DSCN1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCScXp6Z9-c/Tyq9SgzmDAI/AAAAAAAAApI/MgScSNFXgvA/s640/DSCN1693.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Some table decorations in the greenhouse.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS5t0r7q62s/Tyq9oBd9_iI/AAAAAAAAApo/M6InExPw048/s1600/DSCN1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS5t0r7q62s/Tyq9oBd9_iI/AAAAAAAAApo/M6InExPw048/s640/DSCN1761.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The week of the event, Whitney was very busy planting up beautiful flower bowls to have ready to sell that weekend. We also received a bunch from Peoria Gardens. The flowers in the greenhouse were definitely the icing of the cake as far as decorations went.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tFPcEeYK0EY/Tyq8ZKNFJBI/AAAAAAAAAnY/A9Oy4Pi0fsE/s1600/DSCN1766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tFPcEeYK0EY/Tyq8ZKNFJBI/AAAAAAAAAnY/A9Oy4Pi0fsE/s640/DSCN1766.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We bought 3 to 4 dozen of these red tissue paper balls for decorating. I love putting these together. They are so simple and you can use them for all sorts of events. I will have to write a blog sometime on how to make them.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab8TQFAmTa0/Tyq8bqhekyI/AAAAAAAAAng/QMLqhBwsrVs/s1600/DSCN1767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab8TQFAmTa0/Tyq8bqhekyI/AAAAAAAAAng/QMLqhBwsrVs/s640/DSCN1767.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">A beautiful garden angel among blooming tea cups.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebzQsMvOw-0/Tyq8xkHmE7I/AAAAAAAAAoI/BeNAPEzHqOo/s1600/DSCN1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebzQsMvOw-0/Tyq8xkHmE7I/AAAAAAAAAoI/BeNAPEzHqOo/s640/DSCN1776.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">The greenhouse had beautiful music filling the atmosphere from the dulcimer bells.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1k1zYPvu5pU/Tyq81poQdjI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/3_QcR-q19xY/s1600/DSCN1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1k1zYPvu5pU/Tyq81poQdjI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/3_QcR-q19xY/s640/DSCN1778.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">The greenhouse was sparkling that night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8SYYUQVGsfE/Tyq87NphLFI/AAAAAAAAAog/LfdEsykwrsM/s1600/DSCN1784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8SYYUQVGsfE/Tyq87NphLFI/AAAAAAAAAog/LfdEsykwrsM/s640/DSCN1784.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There were lots of great vendors at this event. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Thank you to everyone that contributed to the event and thank you to everyone that came to taste wine and support all these local businesses.</div>JessicaWestwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472625848403515116noreply@blogger.com0