tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54450166745862577672024-03-13T17:14:18.548-04:00Garden MeChelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-60455520250253395462012-07-16T14:14:00.000-04:002012-07-16T14:14:03.087-04:00Hot Fluff Cool Baby Giveaway!<a href="http://www.justaddcloth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hotfluffbutton2.png"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3265" height="436" src="http://www.justaddcloth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hotfluffbutton2.png" title="hotfluffbutton2" width="303" /></a>
Welcome to the Hot Fluff Cool Baby Cloth Diaper Giveaway! This awesome cloth diaper stash starter event is sponsored by<a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/" target="_blank"><b> Greenie Beanie Bottoms</b></a> and hosted by <a href="http://www.justaddcloth.com/" target="_blank"><b>Just Add Cloth</b></a>, along with over 75 wonderful and influential bloggers who all love cloth!
Cloth diapering is a great way to reduce our waste, help our planet, and save money. Cloth diapers are Hot items and Cool for your baby! Not only are cloth diapers more breathable in warm weather, but they make adorable accessories in Summer!
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Starting your stash can be daunting, so this prize from <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/" target="_blank">Greenie Beanie Bottoms</a> is a great way to get a variety of diapers to try out. Greenie Beanie Bottoms is an online retailer of cloth diapers, accessories, amber teething jewelry, and reusable menstrual and nursing pads.<a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3829" height="106" src="http://www.justaddcloth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/gbblogo4-24-2012.png" title="gbblogo4-24-2012" width="544" /></a>They offer totally free shipping for all orders in the U.S. and low flat rate shipping to Canada.</div>
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Now on to the prize!</div>
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Our Hot Fluff Cool Baby cloth diaper prize comprises everything you need to get started with cloth!</div>
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<a href="http://www.justaddcloth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/GBBevent-prize.png"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3830" height="433" src="http://www.justaddcloth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/GBBevent-prize.png" title="GBBevent prize" width="481" /></a></div>
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One lucky winner will receive:</h3>
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<b>2 <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_71/Happy-Heinys-One-Size-Pocket-Diaper--SNAPS.htm" target="_blank">Happy Heinys One Size pocket diapers</a></b></div>
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<b>2 <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_88/Wahmies-Deluxe-One-Size-w-Hydro-Assure.htm" target="_blank">Wahmies Deluxe One Size pocket diapers</a></b></div>
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<b>2 <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_38/DryBees-All-In-One-Pocket-Hybrids.htm" target="_blank">Drybees All-In-One cloth diapers</a></b></div>
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<b>2 <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_64/Oh-Katy-One-Size-Pocket-Diapers.htm" target="_blank">Oh Katy One Size Pocket diapers</a></b></div>
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<b>2 <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_11/Tweedle-Bugs-One-Size-Pocket-Diapers.htm" target="_blank">Tweedle Bugs One Size pocket diapers </a></b></div>
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<b>A dozen <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_30/Tiny-Tush-Perfect-Wipes.htm" target="_blank">Tiny Tush Perfect Wipes</a></b></div>
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<b>A <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_22/Knickernappies-Doorknob-Diaper-Pails.htm" target="_blank">Knickerknappies Hanging Diaper Pail</a> /wet bag</b></div>
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<b>2 Pairs <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_13/Agoo-Bamboo-Baby-Leg-warmers.htm" target="_blank">Agoo baby leg Warmers </a></b></div>
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<b>A <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_111/WolbyBug-Wet-Bags.htm" target="_blank">Wolbybug wet bag </a></b></div>
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<b>A jar of <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_50/Booty-Balm-by-LuSa-Organics.htm" target="_blank">LuSa Organics booty balm</a></b></div>
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<b>5 Fold-to-Fit <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_45/Bamboo-Viscose-Fold-to-Fit-Inserts.htm" target="_blank">Bamboo inserts</a> by the Cloth Diaper Company</b></div>
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<b>2 <a href="http://www.greeniebeaniebottoms.com/item_75/Heiny-Covers-One-Size.htm" target="_blank">Happy Heinys One Size diaper covers </a></b></div>
That's 10 pocket diapers in winner's choice of colors and closures, two wet bags, 12 cloth wipes, two pair baby leg warmers, diaper cream, two diaper covers, and five bamboo terry cloth inserts!
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Bringing the grand prize total to<b><i> over $300</i></b>!!</div>
With 15 diaper changes and accessories to match, this is a great beginner stash for anyone just starting out in cloth diapering.
This giveaway runs from 12:01AM July 16 through 11:59PM July 31, EST. It is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Must be 18 or older. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Entering means you agree to the terms and conditions stated in the form.
Entering is easy! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ccae1b27/" id="rc-ccae1b27" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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*<i>The participating blogs are not responsible if sponsor fails to provide prize. Bloggers did not receive review items or compensation for this event.</i>
********************************************************************Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-31672729432625536102012-07-09T21:33:00.000-04:002012-07-09T21:33:44.408-04:00Winners and a White FlagHere are the winners for my last giveaways:<br />
Theraneem: Teresa T<br />
Tropical Traditions: Jennifer R<br />
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Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered!<br />
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Ah, Summer Blog Challenge...<br />
I enjoyed plugging away for about a month but then:<br />
<ul>
<li>I went on vacation, got out of the habit, and lost my momentum, </li>
<li>It got <i>hot</i> and I didn't want to go near the laptop, </li>
<li>I didn't have time to hop around to read other blogs and that's half the fun!</li>
</ul>
So I raise the white flag to the Challenge and will go back to posting whatever I want to--hopefully a few times a week.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK1SNeAxVqM/T_uF1h0OKeI/AAAAAAAAAuc/avn2jBLJl-w/s1600/IMG_3522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK1SNeAxVqM/T_uF1h0OKeI/AAAAAAAAAuc/avn2jBLJl-w/s640/IMG_3522.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on Lake Erie</td></tr>
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<br />Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-73769375350484792412012-07-06T07:00:00.000-04:002012-07-06T07:00:02.108-04:00Friday Flowers, 7/6/12Vacation to Lakeside, OH was great! Yet its so nice to be back in the garden again (though my abs, back and quads don't think so).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_X7Qp_Q174/T_Y-D0hjqcI/AAAAAAAAAtI/g4jzGBIClg0/s1600/IMG_3569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_X7Qp_Q174/T_Y-D0hjqcI/AAAAAAAAAtI/g4jzGBIClg0/s640/IMG_3569.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Better Boy' tomatoes growing in containers. These are much more vigorous that the 'Brandywine' that I grew last year and it is a challenge to prune them to one stem. Lots of blossoms though!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EKBONy6QKkw/T_Y-BMf2KOI/AAAAAAAAAs4/nGvbEhKJW7c/s1600/IMG_3572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EKBONy6QKkw/T_Y-BMf2KOI/AAAAAAAAAs4/nGvbEhKJW7c/s640/IMG_3572.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool whites in the Pool Garden</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jlVf5YWRrJ8/T_Y-CO6XttI/AAAAAAAAAtA/i5zeesrcLP0/s1600/IMG_3573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jlVf5YWRrJ8/T_Y-CO6XttI/AAAAAAAAAtA/i5zeesrcLP0/s640/IMG_3573.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Echinacea 'White Swan'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GIjx6t-dq4/T_Y-SJDd4aI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/o3xCY2lPfZY/s1600/IMG_3555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GIjx6t-dq4/T_Y-SJDd4aI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/o3xCY2lPfZY/s640/IMG_3555.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the Gaillardia 'Burgundy'. It has spread itself around quite nicely. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow7TyLh8f6g/T_Y-QaqqwgI/AAAAAAAAAuI/wXZEebjMJD8/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow7TyLh8f6g/T_Y-QaqqwgI/AAAAAAAAAuI/wXZEebjMJD8/s640/IMG_3556.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daylily 'Fairy Tale Pink'. I only spread around the daylilies that I <i>really</i> like. The rest are left to languish in the shady back yard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4niexJnaJ5M/T_Y-PXFd7lI/AAAAAAAAAuA/KCBY3oGoU-I/s1600/IMG_3557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4niexJnaJ5M/T_Y-PXFd7lI/AAAAAAAAAuA/KCBY3oGoU-I/s640/IMG_3557.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm surprised that I don't mind the cool blues and the hot reds, pinks and yellows together. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkLLQKHOHr8/T_Y-NbRcj_I/AAAAAAAAAt4/dF44Bvne65Y/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkLLQKHOHr8/T_Y-NbRcj_I/AAAAAAAAAt4/dF44Bvne65Y/s640/IMG_3558.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCuGgz6BC2o/T_Y-KAZbu9I/AAAAAAAAAto/L67Cy8dTqNc/s1600/IMG_3563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCuGgz6BC2o/T_Y-KAZbu9I/AAAAAAAAAto/L67Cy8dTqNc/s640/IMG_3563.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thyme in the foreground, lavender in the background--smells amazing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83drFgoFZdY/T_Y-H9NS1qI/AAAAAAAAAtg/WHtwl8ssGHk/s1600/IMG_3564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83drFgoFZdY/T_Y-H9NS1qI/AAAAAAAAAtg/WHtwl8ssGHk/s640/IMG_3564.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variegated yucca and Daylily 'El Desperado' (Why don't you come to your senses, you've been out riding fences...oh geez.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tp5wBnnYfSk/T_Y-GXqVXbI/AAAAAAAAAtY/scXs4rpnIPw/s1600/IMG_3565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tp5wBnnYfSk/T_Y-GXqVXbI/AAAAAAAAAtY/scXs4rpnIPw/s640/IMG_3565.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarda 'Raspberry Wine'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5Gh7cje28w/T_Y-FjVUGBI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/d-CZ1hOcF2o/s1600/IMG_3568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5Gh7cje28w/T_Y-FjVUGBI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/d-CZ1hOcF2o/s640/IMG_3568.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daylily 'Bama Bound'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_GlwriyoGE/T_Y-K0Fwo7I/AAAAAAAAAtw/DQBmuTmZ6DM/s1600/IMG_3559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_GlwriyoGE/T_Y-K0Fwo7I/AAAAAAAAAtw/DQBmuTmZ6DM/s640/IMG_3559.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, the container annuals just barely survived vacation and are starting to perk up!</td></tr>
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<br />Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-18402261634795032002012-06-28T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-28T06:00:07.962-04:00How Do you do your laundry? #BlogChallenge Day 28I like to go pretty crunchy (natural, green, whatever) with my laundry.<br />
<b>Detergent:</b><br />
To a one gallon container add:<br />
<ul>
<li>1/2 cup Borax</li>
<li>1/2 cup Washing Soda</li>
</ul>
Fill 3/4 full with hot water and shake until powders are mostly dissolved (I use a plastic 1 gallon vinegar jug so that its easier to shake and pour). Add:<br />
<ul>
<li>1/2 cup liquid castile soap (I'm currently using Dr. Bronner's Almond Hemp)</li>
</ul>
Fill the rest of the way with water and invert to mix. This will separate and become a little lumpy, but I just shake it before each use. This recipe originally called for two gallons of water but I made it more concentrated to save space. More water may equal less lumps. I use two Tablespoons per load in my HE front loader. There are 256 tablespoons in a gallon, so I should get about 128 loads.<br />
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I have noticed some fading of dark colored knits when using borax in the laundry. This doesn't bother me too much since most of our cloths come from thrift shops :-)<br />
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<b>Fabric Softener</b>:<br />
Distilled white vinegar<br />
4 homemade dryer balls<br />
Myers Green Day Lemon Verbena dryers sheets (not as effective on static as the dryer balls! I only use these 'cause I got them on sale).<br />
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<b>For Diaper Laundry:</b><br />
I'm trying out Eco-Sprout right now and am happy with it so far<b>. </b><br />
Dawn Original dish detergent worked well for occasional "stripping" of noxious fumes that accumulated over time. I soaked the diapers with the detergent for a few hours and then washed them without any soap until there were no suds left.<br />
I always add a little vinegar to the fabric softener compartment for diapers too. <b> </b> <br />
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<b>Tip</b><br />
I do a lot of cleaning with cloths instead of paper towels. I have learned from experience that you should hang wet cloths to dry instead of throwing them in the laundry pile wet. That will prevent stinky gross stuff from growing on it! <b> </b>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-13240545692875387642012-06-25T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-25T06:00:15.003-04:00The Dream "Me" Day: #BlogChallenge Day 25What is your <span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ideal day of "me time", without thinking of money, time or any of life's other normal stresses?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>I wonder, in thinking about this subject, will I become discontent? No, because it is such a fantasy I don't even long for a day like this. I am so blessed!<br />
<br />
I wake up at 8am, eat my oatmeal and drink my tea in peace. I head out into the garden to take pictures, dead-head, and putter. Then I head out for a few hours at the spa with friends--massage, mani-pedi, light lunch. The afternoon is spent at a local yarn store picking out skeins of hand-spun and/or hand-dyed yarn and then a garden tour. Supper is king crab legs--lots of them! Dessert: creme brulee <i>and </i>tiramisu. Then a romantic evening with the hubby includes a Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concert, dancing (in this dream we both salsa :-), and a walk on the beach (oh, look! Now we're in the Caribbean! I think I'm getting carried away.) Getting home, I snuggle with my sleeping little boy and look forward to being climbed on all during breakfast tomorrow.Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-72564798288663930222012-06-24T22:03:00.002-04:002012-06-24T22:03:31.143-04:00Blendtec Blender Giveaway!<a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/banner2.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4744" height="150" src="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/banner2.jpg" title="banner2" width="400" /></a>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Welcome to the <a href="http://www.blendtec.com/products/designer_series_wildside" target="_blank">Blendtec Designer Series Wildside Blender</a> giveaway!</strong></div>
I have teamed up with <a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/" target="_blank">Kate n' Kaboodle</a> to celebrate the final giveaway in her Funtastic Summer Event. The Funtastic Summer Event started June 10th with dozens of fun, summer themed giveaways! You can find all the giveaways <a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/category/funstastic-summer-event/?submit=view" target="_blank">here</a>!
<a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/blendtec-logo.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4743" height="45" src="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/blendtec-logo.jpg" title="blendtec-logo" width="250" /></a>
The <strong><a href="http://www.blendtec.com/products/designer_series_wildside" target="_blank">Blendtec Designer Series Wildside Blender</a></strong> is the Swiss Army Knife of Blenders because it can do the job of many appliances. It a whole juicer, a meat grinder, a latte machine, a bread mixer, an ice cream maker, a grain mill, coffee grinder, milkshake mixer, and a blender all in one!
<a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/blender.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4739" height="305" src="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/blender.jpg" title="blender" width="229" /></a>
The sleek design features an illuminated, easy to read, touch screen with universal icons. This enables effortless selection of blend cycles. Blendtec created pre-programmed blending cycles to to produce optimum results for a wide range of blending tasks. Making a smoothie is as easy as a touch of a button! Just add your ingredients and press the "smoothie" icon!
<a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/touch.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4745" height="80" src="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/touch-300x80.jpg" title="TBDS product page" width="300" /></a>Want total control? The revolutionary new slider interface gives you absolute control over your blender speed. Touch anywhere on the slider to jump right to any speed, and slide your finger up and down to fine tune your blend.
<a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/touch2.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4746" height="170" src="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/touch2-300x170.jpg" title="touch2" width="300" /></a>
The Wildside Jar is BPA free and has a total volume of 90 fl oz. Clean up is a breeze with the flat, sealed, touch area and smooth motor base design. Just wipe it off with a damp cloth! No more messy buttons! The small, sleek design allows the Blendtec Designer Series Blender to fit under most cabinetry so it is easily accessible.
<a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/motors-and-pencil-02.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-4747" height="266" src="http://katenkaboodle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/motors-and-pencil-02.jpg" title="motors-and-pencil-02" width="375" /></a>
This blender is more than a pretty face! With over 1500 watts of power, the commercial grade motor is the most powerful motor available for home use. The Blendtec blender is build for speed and power! The precision-machined socket connects directly to the motor, resulting in a finely-balanced motor assembly. This reduces vibration and noise, which is critical at the motor speeds you will see with the Blendtec. The air-flow design keeps the blender cooler enabling the blender to have a longer life.
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<strong>Want to see the Blendtec Blender in action? Check out all Kate n' Kaboodle's Blendtec <a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/category/blendtec-blender-reviews/?submit=view" target="_blank">reviews</a>!</strong></div>
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<strong>Make sure you also check out all the <a href="http://katenkaboodle.com/category/funstastic-summer-event/?submit=view" target="_blank">giveaways</a> in Kate n' Kaboodle's Funtastic Summer Event!</strong></div>
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<strong>Connect</strong></div>
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Blendtec <a href="http://blendtec.com/" target="_blank">Online</a>
Blendtec <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlendTec" target="_blank">Facebook</a>
Blendtec <a href="https://twitter.com/Blendtec" target="_blank">Twitter</a>
Blendtec <a href="http://pinterest.com/Blendtec/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<strong>Buy It</strong></div>
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The <a href="http://www.blendtec.com/products/designer_series_wildside" target="_blank">Blendtec Designer Series Wildside Blender</a> can be purchased on the Blendtec site for $499.95.</div>
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<strong>Win It</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One very lucky reader is going to win the <a href="http://www.blendtec.com/products/designer_series_wildside" target="_blank">Blendtec Designer Series Wildside Blender</a>, a $500 value!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Open to U.S only.</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/" id="rc-5da7cd166">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js" type="text/javascript">
</script>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-66064170414714311152012-06-24T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-24T06:00:02.679-04:00Favorite Eco-friendly Thing: #BlogChallenge Day 24My favorite eco-friendly choice is to buy what I can in bulk and store it in glass jars. It is thrifty, reduces packaging waste, and is just plain pretty! I found someone on Cragslist who was selling 2 huge boxes of jars for $20 <br />
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<br />Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-2924979979081133532012-06-23T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-23T06:00:01.571-04:00Dumbarton Oaks, One of My Faforite Gardens: #BlogChallenge Day 23Some of my favorite blog posts of the past are from my trip to Dumbarton Oaks Garden in Washington D.C. They were so beautiful to visit and inspiring to photograph! This is my favorite:<br />
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<a href="http://www.garden-me.com/2012/04/dumbarton-oaks-part-3-from-formal-to.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Dumbarton Oaks Part 3: From Formal, to Fanciful, to Gardening Pebbles</span></a></h3>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RlnEmr1EuxY/T428meiXXRI/AAAAAAAAAP8/C0wB-VtF7_Y/s1600/IMG_3054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RlnEmr1EuxY/T428meiXXRI/AAAAAAAAAP8/C0wB-VtF7_Y/s320/IMG_3054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here are the others:</span></h3>
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<a href="http://www.garden-me.com/2012/04/when-i-go-sightseeingi-go-see-gardens.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Dumbarton Oaks part 1</span></a></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Dumbarton%20Oaks%20Part%203:%20From%20Formal,%20to%20Fanciful,%20to%20Gardening%20Pebbles%20" target="_blank">Dumbarton Oaks part 2 </a></span></h3>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-49153885353865617982012-06-22T15:45:00.001-04:002012-06-22T15:46:26.205-04:00Friday Flowers: June 22, 2012Short on words, long on flowers.<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvScbOGhuFk/T-ILxOVUGkI/AAAAAAAAArg/aBqqvyipzPE/s1600/IMG_3491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvScbOGhuFk/T-ILxOVUGkI/AAAAAAAAArg/aBqqvyipzPE/s640/IMG_3491.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Jackmanii' and Digitalis ambigua</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2PK0wgZHYQ/T-ILyJknRLI/AAAAAAAAAro/w6GT60bC-dk/s1600/IMG_3493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2PK0wgZHYQ/T-ILyJknRLI/AAAAAAAAAro/w6GT60bC-dk/s640/IMG_3493.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak-leaf Hydrangea 'Sikes Dwarf'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-do_HKucOhOs/T-ILz986KkI/AAAAAAAAAr4/sIyK1vJZCj0/s1600/IMG_3495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-do_HKucOhOs/T-ILz986KkI/AAAAAAAAAr4/sIyK1vJZCj0/s640/IMG_3495.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak-leaf Hydrangea 'Sikes Dwarf'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JET7bX1gKWM/T-IL2YGisQI/AAAAAAAAAsA/nwouIQFxKL0/s1600/IMG_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JET7bX1gKWM/T-IL2YGisQI/AAAAAAAAAsA/nwouIQFxKL0/s640/IMG_3496.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I haven't killed the container flowers yet!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4nPnYcWxMQ/T-IL5PzbuyI/AAAAAAAAAsI/_b-C1qMpLQ8/s1600/IMG_3497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4nPnYcWxMQ/T-IL5PzbuyI/AAAAAAAAAsI/_b-C1qMpLQ8/s640/IMG_3497.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primary colors: Salvia 'Caradonna', Sedum 'Oracle', Gaillardia 'Burgundy'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DM5ZGEHC3Ko/T-IL9cc8KdI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/8eMqk8A_ZA0/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DM5ZGEHC3Ko/T-IL9cc8KdI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/8eMqk8A_ZA0/s640/IMG_3501.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monochromatic: Geranium 'Rozanne' and Lavendar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Linked up at <a href="http://www.tootsietime.com/2012/06/fertilizer-friday-flaunt-those-flowers.html" target="_blank">Fertilizer Friday</a>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-71575674007613547702012-06-22T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-22T08:22:11.676-04:00Childhood Aspirations: #BlogChallenge Day 22As a child, what dis you want to be when you grew up?<br />
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Initially I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, but that didn't last much past kindergarten. When we did mash-ups as tweens I think the three most commonly picked professions among my friends and I were<br />
<ol>
<li> Homemaker</li>
<li>Photo Journalist</li>
<li>Interior Designer </li>
</ol>
Interior designer is such a laugh for me since I've always had a horrible time making any type of decorating decision, and I find so many styles appealing that I have no style of my own. I don't know why we always picked interior designer--too many episodes of Designing Women, I guess!<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgqg_thZlkUdiET40yGACmsilZ1kPqiAHWtWrS6QNvlA1hGP8x" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgqg_thZlkUdiET40yGACmsilZ1kPqiAHWtWrS6QNvlA1hGP8x" /></a></div>
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Hey, I also wanted to let you know that there is an awesome yarn giveaway going on at <a href="http://notyouraveragecrochet.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/its-time-again/" target="_blank">Not Your Average Crochet</a>! Its open until 6/26/12.Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-7305650135310528552012-06-21T20:54:00.001-04:002012-06-21T20:54:24.392-04:00Words of Wisdom: #BlogChallenge Day 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYJ_3Erh6Rs/T-PB2Yjv3EI/AAAAAAAAAso/lub2R7P754U/s1600/Photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYJ_3Erh6Rs/T-PB2Yjv3EI/AAAAAAAAAso/lub2R7P754U/s320/Photo1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I saw this on the white board at my pediatrician's office:</div>
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Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.</div>
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Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.</div>
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Well, I'm sure now I will hear about people putting tomatoes in a fruit salad! What I like about the saying is the simple illustration of wisdom--simple enough that I remembered it!</div>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-17074279674982890492012-06-21T00:00:00.000-04:002012-06-21T00:00:00.696-04:00Win One Gallon of Coconut Oil! #SummerCelebration<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happy-mothering.com/?p=5076" target="_blank" title="Summer Celebration"><img alt="Summer Celebration" src="http://www.happy-mothering.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Summer-Celebration.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Welcome to the <b>Summer Celebration Giveaway Hop, </b>hosted by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.happy-mothering.com/" target="blank">Happy Mothering</a> and <a href="http://organic-mama.ca/" target="blank">Organic Mama</a> through the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/195245113894047">Green Moms Network</a>! As part of this fabulous event, a group of bloggers is each is offering an eco-friendly giveaway worth $25 or more on their blogs!
After you finish entering my giveaway, be sure to visit the other participating blogs, which are listed below the Rafflecopter form. Good luck everyone!
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The latest thing I've been doing with coconut oil is grilling! I oiled the foil on which I grilled some fish tonight and yesterday I grilled up sweet onions to go with our burgers. Just brush slices with coconut oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill on skewers, in a grill basket, or on foil to keep them from falling through. Absolutely delicious!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRmZdVO8hMs/T-ILtJClhdI/AAAAAAAAArA/BsqRe0O5OuI/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRmZdVO8hMs/T-ILtJClhdI/AAAAAAAAArA/BsqRe0O5OuI/s400/IMG_3483.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like them more well done, so I should have put them on 5 minutes before the burgers.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Now for the giveaway!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm" target="_blank">
<img alt="Gold Label Organic Virgin Coconut Oil" longdesc="Gold Label Organic Virgin Coconut Oil" src="http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/images/gold%20label%20virgin%20coconut%20oil%20gallon.jpg" style="border-width: 0px;" /></a><br />
Win 1 gallon of Gold Label
<a href="http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm" target="_blank">
Virgin Coconut Oil</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tropical Traditions is America's source for <a href="http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/" target="_blank">coconut oil</a>.
Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their
website:
<a href="http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/what_is_virgin_coconut_oil.htm" target="_blank">
What is Virgin Coconut Oil</a>? You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4h6eycjf29M?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div>
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Tropical Traditions also carries
other varieties of affordable high quality <a href="http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/">coconut oil</a>. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many <a href="http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/how-to-use-coconut-oil.htm" target="_blank">uses of coconut oil</a>, and to read about all the advantages of <a href="http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/buy-coconut-oil.htm" target="_blank">buying coconut oil online</a>.
Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the <a href="http://coconutoil.com/" target="_blank">health benefits of coconut oil</a>.</div>
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The giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents 18 and over. There is one mandatory entry and all the rest are optional. Have fun and happy hopping!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/" id="rc-c5a6775">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=142281" type="text/javascript">
</script>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-20578307122704255752012-06-19T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-19T06:00:06.958-04:00I am proud of...Sweeping: #BlogChallenge Day 19Before our son was born, my husband swept the house once a week. I love that man! Now, with a toddler, a cat, a dog, and babysitting, it needs more attention than that. A <i>lot</i> more. I struggle with housecleaning. I am working on growing the desire <i>want </i>a clean house, rather than just ignoring dirt because I don't want to clean. For the past week I have swept the kitchen and dining room at least every other day! I'm quite proud of myself :-)Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-39138207819143294142012-06-18T20:53:00.000-04:002012-06-18T21:01:50.038-04:00Garlic Lover's Roasted Chicken Breasts: #BlogChallenge Day 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3gRgU-a2LA/T9_LrfWQJfI/AAAAAAAAAqo/W1CcaoX9zoM/s1600/IMG_3442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3gRgU-a2LA/T9_LrfWQJfI/AAAAAAAAAqo/W1CcaoX9zoM/s320/IMG_3442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I try to do my weekly shopping trip "early" (9am) in the morning so that I can find meat that is price-reduced for a quick sale. I recently scored a club pack of split chicken breasts for $0.99 per pound. I often cook and shred chicken to put in the freezer so that I can save time cooking dinner. But chicken be so blah and I rarely get excited over chicken. I decided to up the flavor of my roasted shredded chicken with garlic and lemon. I couldn't keep this chicken out of my mouth! And it goes perfectly in any dish I add it to. I think it would also be great for a pot-luck batch of chicken salad or bbq chicken sandwiches. Love it!<br />
<b>Garlic Lover's Roasted Chicken for Freezing</b><br />
<ul>
<li>6-8 cloves garlic, smashed and minced</li>
<li>1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil</li>
<li>1 Tablespoon lemon juice</li>
<li>1 teaspoon sea salt</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper</li>
<li>4-5 lbs. split chicken breasts<b>, </b>skin removed</li>
</ul>
Preheat oven to 350F. Mix the first 5 ingredients together in a small bowl.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMg2RgZ4RbI/T9_LoYzLrhI/AAAAAAAAAq4/5y_7nU2fYBc/s1600/IMG_3435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMg2RgZ4RbI/T9_LoYzLrhI/AAAAAAAAAq4/5y_7nU2fYBc/s320/IMG_3435.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Place chicken on a baking pan with meat side up. Pour mixture over the chicken and rub it around, if you feel like it.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNhIiEq8R0o/T9_LpVd7OXI/AAAAAAAAAqY/qHYX8x5x-ig/s1600/IMG_3437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNhIiEq8R0o/T9_LpVd7OXI/AAAAAAAAAqY/qHYX8x5x-ig/s320/IMG_3437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Bake for 1 hour or until juices run clear when you poke it with a knife.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXKSNoneNmA/T9_LqoS14eI/AAAAAAAAAqg/IjcO7EZIvDo/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXKSNoneNmA/T9_LqoS14eI/AAAAAAAAAqg/IjcO7EZIvDo/s320/IMG_3439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Let sit until cool and remove chicken from bones, storing in freezer bags or containers of your choice.<br />
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<br />
Makes 8 cups shredded chicken <br />
<br />
Linked at these yummy sites:<br />
<a href="http://kelleysnutrition.blogspot.com/2012/06/healthy-virtual-bbq-link-up-your.html" target="_blank">Kelly's Passion for Nutrition</a><br />
<br />Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-57148975814218811692012-06-16T22:20:00.000-04:002012-06-16T22:27:54.345-04:00Renting Textbooks Makes Life EasierRecalling my cash-strapped college days, I have some very clear and bitter memories involving textbooks. The worst scenarios, in my opinion:<br />
<ul>
<li>At least one of your classes, maybe organic chemistry, decides to upgrade to the newest edition of the textbook. Consequently, there is <i>no way</i> to buy a used copy = $$$$.</li>
<li>You stand in line at the bookstore for hours only to get $12 for a book you paid $70 for. Or to find out that next year they will be using a new edition. Argh!</li>
</ul>
These memories are why I am impressed with <a href="http://campusbookrentals.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">CampusBookRentals.com.</span></a><br />
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">Some of the aspects that appeal to me:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">You can save 40-90% off bookstore prices.</span></li>
<li><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">They have flexible rental periods and a 30 guarantee to get your money back if you drop the class.</span></li>
<li><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">You can highlight in the books! </span></li>
<li><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">No membership fee.</span></li>
<li><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">Free shipping both ways.</span></li>
<li><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">No need to box up the books--they provide pre-paid envelopes.</span></li>
<li><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">The option to buy the books if you want to keep them. This seems like a good idea for homeschooling families who want to try out a curriculum. Just for kicks I looked for my highschool math, Saxon, and they have it! </span></li>
</ul>
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">On top of all that, CampusBookRentals gives a portion of their proceeds to <a href="http://www.operationsmile.org/" target="_blank">Operation Smile</a>, an organization that provides life-changing operations to repair cleft palates in children whose families cannot afford it. What a great way to give back! </span><br />
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0"><br /></span><br />
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0">This is a service that definitely could have made life easier for me and I would recommend that those looking for textbooks should check it out. </span><br />
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0"><br /></span><br />
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This a sponsored post for which I received some form of compensation. All opinions are my own and I only recommend that which I would personally use or think would be beneficial to my readers.</span></span><br />
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1339895493_0"></span>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-88475137691320688482012-06-16T17:36:00.003-04:002012-06-16T17:37:10.141-04:00Am I a Couch Potato? [#BlogChallenge] Day 16Uh, yes, I really am. I grew up loving to read and hating the sun. I love staying at home and doing "nothing". Reading, cruising the internet, watching sports--I am very good at sitting still. That's one reason I was surprised by falling in love with flower gardening. Its active and it takes place outside! But it is just so fulfilling.<br />
<br />
This week, Caleb had roseola. He had a fever of 102 for 4 days and just cried and slept the whole time. I did very little as I tried to mother him through this most miserable time so far in his little life. He feels better, thank God! Now I have to wrench my lazy brain out of the do-nothing rut its is in. So I forced myself outside into the garden for a few hours--and I feel so much better. I like to spend three or four hours gardening in a week. We also take some short walks a few time a week. Short because our old Great Dane starts to drag after just a little ways.<br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to the two vacations that we are taking this summer, since they will involve a lot of outdoor activities. Its good to put ourselves in the position to be active. I really do enjoy it! As long as there is shade :-)Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-68700554016939414982012-06-15T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-15T06:00:08.460-04:00Friday Flowers: Late Spring<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8MBAAHlYcg/T9qFsr-M6EI/AAAAAAAAAoc/gauAx8wy9No/s1600/IMG_3474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8MBAAHlYcg/T9qFsr-M6EI/AAAAAAAAAoc/gauAx8wy9No/s640/IMG_3474.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Jackmanii' and Digitalis ambigua</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxWgH0AWUnk/T9qFumsCsBI/AAAAAAAAAok/RbXGAKnsus8/s1600/IMG_3465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxWgH0AWUnk/T9qFumsCsBI/AAAAAAAAAok/RbXGAKnsus8/s640/IMG_3465.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backlit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0miIlH29hJU/T9qFvnkn9UI/AAAAAAAAAos/pRrWde3hUkM/s1600/IMG_3476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0miIlH29hJU/T9qFvnkn9UI/AAAAAAAAAos/pRrWde3hUkM/s640/IMG_3476.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thalictrum glaucum or Dusky Meadow Rue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ori0fPJ_Hug/T9qFwrNz0KI/AAAAAAAAAo0/MellT3Aooxo/s1600/IMG_3479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ori0fPJ_Hug/T9qFwrNz0KI/AAAAAAAAAo0/MellT3Aooxo/s640/IMG_3479.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydrangea 'White Dome'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dM2wUg104SE/T9qFyC8-HcI/AAAAAAAAAo8/WyHFS6xgXXI/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dM2wUg104SE/T9qFyC8-HcI/AAAAAAAAAo8/WyHFS6xgXXI/s640/IMG_3482.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astilbe 'Peaches and Cream'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNpl0JPGuqA/T9qFzo6AvII/AAAAAAAAApE/UcYatsCLQqE/s1600/IMG_3462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNpl0JPGuqA/T9qFzo6AvII/AAAAAAAAApE/UcYatsCLQqE/s400/IMG_3462.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise! A friend in the compost pile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-25478584001852415892012-06-15T00:00:00.000-04:002012-06-15T00:00:08.436-04:00A Humble Photo of a Proud Knitting Accomplishment [#BlogChallenge Day 15]Today's prompt is: Post a photo I've taken that I'm proud of.<br />
<br />
Goodness, isn't that what I do all the time? I am unjustifiable proud of my photography since its my camera (point and shoot, no less) that's doing all the work. I highly recommend the Canon Powershot A590IS (there are newer models out). Moving children are not its forte, but its great for still life!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVWUz7Lwo5M/T9qRWSNm_RI/AAAAAAAAApk/6FhdwyymSUw/s1600/IMG_2547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVWUz7Lwo5M/T9qRWSNm_RI/AAAAAAAAApk/6FhdwyymSUw/s400/IMG_2547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
So I'll change things up a bit--no flowers! I'm proud of this humble picture because this is the bootie that taught me how to knit. I knew Caleb needed something to keep his feet warm and I thought this <a href="http://wwwmychoice-kaisar.blogspot.com/2010/03/ugg-boots-knitting-pattern.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pattern</a> was so cute. It was <i>way</i> beyond me though, so I watched youtube and <a href="http://knittinghelp.com/">knittinghelp.com</a> videos over and over again. I pursued this project obsessively and ended up with two slightly-imperfect but workable booties that I was very proud of.Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-5695789195186888582012-06-14T16:10:00.000-04:002012-06-14T16:13:30.133-04:00Afraid of Giving Advice: BlogChallenge Day 14I have always been afraid of giving advice, as well as of making decisions or taking the lead, because I don't want to be the one <i>responsible</i> for the results! Also, I hate to disagree with people, so its easier to keep quiet and not risk stepping on toes. I have been trying to change this mindset, though. I realize that I do have wisdom sometimes and its good to share it. The results are not in my control and that's ok. So here are 15 things I have learned from experience that will help you in life.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>That voice you hear that says "you suck" is a lie. Everyone hears it and you are not alone.</li>
<li>Accepting God's love changes everything.</li>
<li>Most people are struggling with their own insecurities while you're worrying about yours.</li>
<li>Giving in to fits of anger only leads to more. If I punch the wall, I am not satisfied and am more likely to throw something.</li>
<li>Cursing only makes me angrier.</li>
<li>Prayer, gratitude, and words of blessing help diffuse my anger.</li>
<li>Praying for people on the roads has helped me overcome my fear of semi-trucks and my quick temper (anyone see a theme? :-)</li>
<li>Depression is a sucking black hole that feeds on itself. When you see the first signs, fight it! Identify lying thoughts and face them with the Truth.</li>
<li>If your the forgetful type like me, write things down, set an alarm, and ask someone to remind you (I so need to work on this one).</li>
<li>Don't be shy, you have something to give.</li>
<li>Judgmental people are wrong, but we are not their judges either.</li>
<li>Seasons of the year and of life will pass. Find what you can to enjoy and treasure in each of them</li>
<li>Children are a blessing from the Lord. Not an easy blessing, but <i>not</i> a curse.</li>
<li>Get enough sleep whenever possible--you'll feel better</li>
<li>Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
<span class="reftext"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/11-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
<span class="reftext"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/11-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30</li>
</ol>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-70833410132218053912012-06-13T21:36:00.001-04:002012-06-13T21:36:21.197-04:00The Me of the Future: #BlogChallenge Day 13Where do I see myself at the end of the year? A few thoughts:<br />
<ul>
<li>Mothering an almost 2-year-old</li>
<li>Praying, asking friends and searching the internet on how to mother a two year old </li>
<li>Knitting up a storm</li>
<li>Hopefully still blogging</li>
<li>Eating things I preserved this summer</li>
<li>Loving, trusting, and serving more</li>
</ul>
I planted Blanket flowers (Gaillardia 'Burgundy') in my front garden, but I was excited to see them growing wild in the sand in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Consequently, I added a lot of sand when I planted my gaillardia.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ2BlN9_SvQ/T9k_MLLzVMI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/YLQLfdv7Tjs/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ2BlN9_SvQ/T9k_MLLzVMI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/YLQLfdv7Tjs/s640/IMG_0334.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-60417658059343752092012-06-12T20:33:00.000-04:002012-06-13T21:08:41.896-04:00Nordic Naturals Review<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FnEGX5dGDP4/T9feb4PtX4I/AAAAAAAAAn8/fNZ0sze4dy4/s1600/111jennings2011_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FnEGX5dGDP4/T9feb4PtX4I/AAAAAAAAAn8/fNZ0sze4dy4/s320/111jennings2011_sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you eat 7 ounces of fish a week? I rarely do. That’s the
amount recommended by the American Heart Association in order to receive enough
essential Omega 3 fatty acid. I have seen many advertisements for Nordic
Naturals fish oil and omega-3 supplements in several organic and green living
magazines. The ads always appealed to me because they declared that their fish
oil had no fishy taste. Tasting fish for hours after taking the generic brand
is unpleasant and discourages me from taking them regularly. I recently learned
more about Nordic Naturals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.nordicnaturals.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nordic Naturals</a> was founded by Joar Opheim, a Norwegian who
came to California
in the 1980’s to finish his MBA. He couldn’t find the high quality fish oil
that he used at home so he would bring suitcases full of Norwegian fish oil
with him. “<span class="bodysanstext">Driven by his Norwegian heritage, knowledge
of fish oil, and love of science, Joar was inspired to contribute to advancing
fish oil quality and industry standards.” Some of what they have achieved in
their products:</span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exceptional Freshness</b><br />
<i>Protection from fishy smell, taste, and harmful free radicals</i><i><br />
</i><span class="bodysanstext">Freshness, which ensures product integrity
and biological efficacy, may be the single most important quality of fish
oils. Nordic Naturals' patented, oxygen-free manufacturing process
maintains the freshness of fish oil used in our products, with peroxide
values (indicators of freshness) well below the European Pharmacopoeia
Standard limits. The lower the peroxide value, the fresher the fish oil.</span><span class="greenbold"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span class="greenbold"><b>Award-winning Purity Levels</b></span><i>
<i>Protection from harmful environmental toxins</i></i>
<span class="bodysanstext">Every batch of oil used in Nordic Naturals'
products is third-party tested for environmental toxins including heavy metals,
dioxins, and PCBs, ensuring that every product exceeds international
pharmaceutical standards and is at least 750 times purer than fish. Nordic
Naturals was ranked #1 out of the top 10 fish oil brands in Norway for
freshness, purity, and highest concentration.</span><span class="greenbold"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span class="greenbold"><b>Great Taste</b></span><br />
<i>Unsurpassed freshness equals great-tasting fish oil</i><br />
<span class="bodysanstext">The key objections to taking fish oils are taste
and aftertaste. Nordic Naturals utilizes proprietary enzymatic and
oxygen-free processing technologies to ensure a completely burp free
product. Our patented encapsulation process also adds natural fruit
essences into both the soft gel and liquid oil for a light, fruity taste. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="bodysanstext">Excerpted from <a href="http://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/About_Us_portal/Why_Nordic_Naturals/626#taste" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Why Nordic Naturals</a> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="bodysanstext"></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was really impressed with the taste of the Algae Omega—a light,
clean lemon flavor. Not a single fishy burp! It is also about to be certified as vegan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Another exceptional quality of Nordic Naturals is
their commitment to <a href="http://www.nordicnaturals.com/planetnordic/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">environmental and social responsibility</a>. They strictly use sustainable fishing practices and they give back to communities all over the world, including in Norway and the U.S. It feels good to support such a company.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">You can find Nordic Naturals in stores or at their website. I was psyched to learn that my local natural foods store, Green Hut LLC, will be carrying Nordic Naturals products! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jEdM7Pcwls/T9fensJGAnI/AAAAAAAAAoE/zLu_JQc9jc4/s1600/NN_products.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jEdM7Pcwls/T9fensJGAnI/AAAAAAAAAoE/zLu_JQc9jc4/s320/NN_products.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I received a free product in exchange for a review of Nordic Naturals. All opinions are my own.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-71869066024817339002012-06-12T07:00:00.000-04:002012-06-12T08:33:44.848-04:00Beware the Teeter-Totter: #BlogChallenge Day 12I know I'm not alone in saying that I've been hurt on a teeter-totter (or see-saw if you prefer). I've heard many stories from friends, but no one quite like mine. More than once I was up in the air when the other rider decided to get off.<br />
Thud.<br />
This was much worse than that.<br />
I don't remember how old I was --maybe 7. I decided to sit in the middle of the teeter-totter while my friends rode up and down. I sat on some plastic thing that covered the bar and gripped it with my fingers. As the see sawed, the metal of the the teeter-totter crushed my pinky against the metal of the support bar. It is said that my dad could hear me scream 4 baseball fields away.<br />
A chipped bone and a bunch of stitches later, I was doing ok. But I will always have an inch-long valley through my right pinky fingertip.<br />
<br />
I am actually <i>very</i> grateful that that was the worst injury of my 30-odd years.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.freepik.com/free-photo/green-see-saw_19-100813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://static.freepik.com/free-photo/green-see-saw_19-100813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-13112391973859673092012-06-11T08:31:00.000-04:002012-06-11T16:27:59.799-04:00Slugs, Art, and Best Day: #BlogChallenge Days 10 and 11I sat down this evening to write and it took less than a minute for me to realize it wasn't good timing. The room was hot, the computer was hot, and there was still a half-hour of daylight to spend in the cool outdoors. So I bolted for the door to do some weeding and dead-heading. Ahhhh. That felt good. Except...<br />
<i>Slugs.</i><br />
So many slugs.<br />
It was probably the combination of the weather and the timing, but I have <i>never</i> seen so many slugs in the garden. On one campanula alone, there were 26 easily-visible slimy devils. I guess I know what has completely defoliated my golden creeping jenny :-(<br />
Its bad here, but its probably <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9284853/Slime-wave-as-mild-winter-and-wet-spring-causes-slug-explosion.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">worse in the UK</a>.<br />
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Sunday's Question: What piece of art would you love to have in your home?<br />
How could I possibly decide? So many beautiful works in so many styles, How could I narrow it down to even 5? I might as well just move in to the art gallery! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artandframingsolutions.com/images/featuredartist/Klimt/P3300015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.artandframingsolutions.com/images/featuredartist/Klimt/P3300015.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I like Gustav Klimdt's use of color and gold leaf overlay. He has some really beautiful garden and nature paintings too.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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...And I just spent 30 minutes trying to pick <i>one</i> landscape painting. I cannot. Lets just say that I love the feeling of open space in a big landscape.<br />
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Speaking of space, I love the <a href="http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/" target="_blank">Hubble Telescope images</a>. This is the Orion Nebula. <br />
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Monday's Question: What was the best day of your life?<br />
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The day that we experienced the fulfillment of God's promise to my husband and I that if we lay down our selfishness and fear, He would bring something far better.<br />
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<br />Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-69711644834491740742012-06-09T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-09T06:00:08.932-04:00#BlogChallenge Day 9: Cooking Disasters of the PastI'll keep this short and sweet in order not to relive the angst, shame, and fits of cursing/throwing things caused by cooking disasters. I always seem to get persnickety ovens and if I follow the directions for temp and time, it is rarely (heh) completely done. This happened a lot in the first months of marriage and was especially irksome once when we had company over and a casserole took 2 hours to cook. Actually, I served them a still-pretty-doughy biscuit pizza casserole. Yuck! That oven really was broken. I have learned from experience that my current oven oven needs 25 degrees hotter and 10 minutes longer than stated in a recipe. I really should get a thermometer in that thing.<br />
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Now to cleanse the palate...Verbascum 'Southern Charm' is blooming.<br />
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<br />Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5445016674586257767.post-35380043768062383252012-06-08T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-08T06:00:07.954-04:00#Blog Challenge Day 8: Favorite Guilty Pleasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Quality dark chocolate is my <i>favorite</i> guilty pleasure and I eat it almost every day. I don't feel all that guilty about it since its full of antioxidants, mood boosters, and stimulants for tired mamas. I do feel bad about the price though. I try to only spend $3-$4 a week on chocolate and usually buy the bars that range from $11-$14 per pound. There are some that are $20+ per pound! See, I'm exercising restraint :-)<br />
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My guiltier, even embarrassing, guilty pleasure is eating out at buffets. No need to choose between this or that, you can have it all! Salt and pepper chicken, Mongolian BBQ, "sushi", <i>crablegs </i>(if you are willing to stand in line and fight for the tongs). Real sushi buffets are amazing (and just a little scary). And Golden Corral? Well that's almost too many choices, because if I try everything I want to, I will actually die.<br />
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But then the regret: "I thought I wanted to live a healthy lifestyle. I am so dehydrated. I thought I had more self-control. I think I going to pop. I spent all that money and have no left-overs!"<br />
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In a few months the guilt fades away and the buffet longings come back. Now I have bared my soul...Chelsea Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732967031260190106noreply@blogger.com12