tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31729506725682352242024-03-01T15:13:08.652-07:00A Life of WhimseyLiving a creative life through photography, design and homelifeRosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.comBlogger815125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-62190298312577903942017-03-22T08:00:00.000-06:002017-03-22T14:46:07.832-06:00Why I create Art.<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/AVvXsEgY4X-t980o9RLs6M80mjIp296trLSLy8JwNd4QrJXCGt49SsNKFq9uJ5ltu6OWP3ms6CdRURiFJMN1vg89fZb_JG8u5QVnrAslA_VurjuT7ja3B2J0MItYy2VFeGyq7K7WVI53WwTpbMJp/s1600/abendstimmung-1555595_1920_+Fotoworkshop4You.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4X-t980o9RLs6M80mjIp296trLSLy8JwNd4QrJXCGt49SsNKFq9uJ5ltu6OWP3ms6CdRURiFJMN1vg89fZb_JG8u5QVnrAslA_VurjuT7ja3B2J0MItYy2VFeGyq7K7WVI53WwTpbMJp/s640/abendstimmung-1555595_1920_+Fotoworkshop4You.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/abendstimmung-afterglow-sunset-1555595/#_=_" target="_blank">Photo credit Fotoworkshop4You</a></td></tr>
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<br />
I had some ask me once, after showing her a new art piece, what I was
going to DO with it. She admired it but wondered what the point was. No
one had paid me to do it, I had posted it on social media but it might not
ever be printed . . .<br />
<br />
It was a valid question. Photo artistry can
take a considerable amount to time to create, so shouldn't there be a
concrete purpose to it?? I mean, what is the point in creating one piece
after another just because . . .<br />
<br />
I thought about this for quite a
long time, looking for a good answer. The only one I had at the time is
because I loved doing it. It satisfied me in a way I couldn't explain.<br />
<br />
Then one evening, while driving home, I looked up. I mean really looked
up, and saw the most glorious colours staining the sky, wrapping around
the clouds as the sun sank in the west.<br />
<br />
And that's when I knew. God
creates beauty around us everyday, if we stop to look for it. How many
people saw the colours I saw, the subtle variations flowing from one
cloud to the next? Not many I'm sure. We are always so busy with our
phones, our devices, our troubles. Who has time to stop and look?<br />
<br />
But God makes beautiful things new everyday, whether we see them or not.<br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-12-27" id="en-NKJV-25487"><sup class="versenum">27 </sup><span class="woj">Consider
the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to
you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv">Luke 12:27</span><span class="passage-display-version"> (NKJV)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="passage-display-version"> </span></span>Philippians 4:8 is one of my favourite verses . . .<br />
<br />
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<div class="scripture" lang="en">
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-8">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse-number"><b>8</b></span>
<span class="verse-8">
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever
is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things. </span></span><br />
</div>
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<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-8">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse-8">I suppose, in the end, that's what creating art is for me. Thinking about things that are lovely, admirable, excellent and so on and creating, in my very small way, something that hopefully reflects those things.</span></span></div>
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<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-8">
<span class="verse-8"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Getting published, selling prints, creating artwork for people, I would love to be able to do all of those things, but even if if none of it happened, making art, for art's sake, is enough.</span> </span></span><br />
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<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-8">
</div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-8">
<span class="verse-8"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
<br />
~Pablo Picasso~</div>
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<br />
On the days I can't seem to help worrying about what's ahead . . .<br />
<br />
<span class="text Matt-6-26" id="en-NIV-23309"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">26 </sup>Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? </span></span><br />
<h1 class="passage-display">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv">Matthew 6:26</span></span></h1>
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<br />
It's days like these when I know that, as many mistakes as I made over the years, I still must have done <i>something </i>right. I mean if your grown up kid says "Sure, no problem." when you ask him to do something rather crazy for your latest class photo assignment, you can't have been <b><i>all</i></b> bad as a mom right??<br />
I'm not allowed to say what the assignment is yet but this is an out take. It was -15C (probably -24 with the wind chill) and this guy was good natured enough to sit in a snowy field in shorts and a muscle shirt with a cold beer in his hand. (His hat, snow-pants and gloves are stuffed in the cooler.)<br />
<br />
As I was looking over the photos I took I remembered a conversation I had with Henry a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
He teased me about being a 'wild woman'. Which I most definitely am <b><i>not</i></b> . . .<br />
<br />
I told him how sorry I was that he ended up with <i>'sensible'</i> over <i>'wild'</i>.<br />
<br />
And then he just . . . <b><i>looked </i></b>at me. And started to laugh . . .<br />
<br />
"Well okay, I know some of my projects aren't always sensible, but in most things I'm pretty sensible!"<br />
<br />
<i>"In your head maybe!" </i>and he laughed even harder.<br />
<br />
Then<i> I</i> laughed a bit, looked at him and said "but I am!" He kept laughing. "No, really!!" <br />
<br />
The
thing is, I really do think I'm pretty sensible. In fact I've always
believed that I was a sober, sensible, down-to-earth kind of girl. <br />
<br />
But,
now I'm starting to wonder. As I think about it, I'm pretty sure two
people who know me well are rolling on the floor in hysterics right now.
<i>(You know who you are !!!)</i><br />
<br />
I'm thinking about some of the things I do that might not seem very sensible or even down-to-earth to other people. <br />
<br />
So,
I'm curious . . . Do you see yourself the way others see you, or do
they say things about you that have you questioning how well they
actually know you. <i>Or how well you know yourself??</i><br />
<br />
And . . .if you know me . . . don't <i><b>you</b></i> think I'm sober, sensible and down-to-earth most of the time???<br />
<br />
<i> Inquiring minds want to know . . .</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>
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I know it's the new year and Christmas is over but I couldn't let it pass without at least one post about our sweet little Amelia's first Christmas.<br />
<br />
Was she spoiled? Of course she was! But this grandma bought the best kinds of presents, ones that never get old . . . books! Morgan and Kim have been warned. Milly's going to have a bazillion pictures taken of her and her room is going to fill up with books. And what's not to love about that??<br />
<br />
We all had a great time watching her 'open' her presents and Jada, who <i>loves</i> opening presents, was standing by, ready to offer assistance if needed. Morgan even got to play Santa courtesy of Jesse's new Santa hat complete with flowing white beard.<br />
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I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-14196456234320178142016-11-14T07:39:00.000-07:002016-11-14T07:39:41.867-07:00Monday Morning Musings'Autumn Harvest'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYw1RCFvOaI-ncqSYm0-TTX-NqGUSsUYekY0FhSQ00WlswqO50ZqQqfA49NPDLpHs0sl4hA95-InwPv_noP2JojFyH5Wc144Ii8QsxW1G7JUFkWUJ1rtcmYHoAyOV4RzfbGSFwLRAgJzR/s1600/crabapple+still+life+fine+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYw1RCFvOaI-ncqSYm0-TTX-NqGUSsUYekY0FhSQ00WlswqO50ZqQqfA49NPDLpHs0sl4hA95-InwPv_noP2JojFyH5Wc144Ii8QsxW1G7JUFkWUJ1rtcmYHoAyOV4RzfbGSFwLRAgJzR/s640/crabapple+still+life+fine+art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="text Gal-6-9" id="en-NIV-29198"><sup class="versenum"> </sup></span><br />
<span class="text Gal-6-9" id="en-NIV-29198"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 niv</span> <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-52261650205134970682016-11-02T08:00:00.000-06:002016-11-02T08:00:29.396-06:00Creative Opportunities. Creating Social Media Images.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOljgLabS8HMwk_CSXODtxSSS8tzutfJrlwOkyZidsru8znFJAl6uSrGvJXu6gxtjhW-rSItKe16Xxk0XOfjUJoG_hj3tSienY-kkkieSkixnTidHB2RXf1StB3jL_dN9UDgMplHskYzT/s1600/hydragea+and+glass+flask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOljgLabS8HMwk_CSXODtxSSS8tzutfJrlwOkyZidsru8znFJAl6uSrGvJXu6gxtjhW-rSItKe16Xxk0XOfjUJoG_hj3tSienY-kkkieSkixnTidHB2RXf1StB3jL_dN9UDgMplHskYzT/s640/hydragea+and+glass+flask.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love to style things. I always have. Pair this tiny vase with that feather, add an assortment of foraged bits and before you know it you've created a pretty vignette.<br />
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This skill has been handy in countless ways. Decorating a corner of the living room is an obvious one. I've also used it to enhance meals I've catered, bring a little extra 'something' to floral arrangements for weddings, create atmosphere for large events and even just to pretty up an empty spot in the garden.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnC_cowhzBYE5KrHaR9kZNHI5ffTOcPQU6YKCJEAtUm3ITJbku0C55n4CqEHyKwt7vlPll2nLWEQiQOtqHrqZ5L1M3Xpumw_vrdrtdX6b1CjYdPWQjl8lSog28cj9FBgSX7ci91t4sk4R/s1600/wooden+spoons+and+feather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnC_cowhzBYE5KrHaR9kZNHI5ffTOcPQU6YKCJEAtUm3ITJbku0C55n4CqEHyKwt7vlPll2nLWEQiQOtqHrqZ5L1M3Xpumw_vrdrtdX6b1CjYdPWQjl8lSog28cj9FBgSX7ci91t4sk4R/s640/wooden+spoons+and+feather.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOrtdissr9djpILp7TalP3uw_Fla-ennPC9Ia-8aOyYSis-UKjO2nPXDSjV7pQ-Hw_ws3waPzFf3ValqU1nq7la268Z9ezz495AZ1FwsqnC3ZlkC_OQDvCZ2KghprooELftdG3QlAjnYL/s1600/P1000726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOrtdissr9djpILp7TalP3uw_Fla-ennPC9Ia-8aOyYSis-UKjO2nPXDSjV7pQ-Hw_ws3waPzFf3ValqU1nq7la268Z9ezz495AZ1FwsqnC3ZlkC_OQDvCZ2KghprooELftdG3QlAjnYL/s640/P1000726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As time went on, and photography became more and more important to me, I discovered it was just the skill needed for still life photography. This resulted in an ever expanding collection of props in my style cupboards.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMa3DdIrMNaRHlJdAw14MCwSWx9mH42F9JMtxQEhE-Gp_LB5Sfl7oO80RsU_jcRLKt8q7ccJnsJlYJ9cjQTDodyZRog7QoHG9MAXsXSMfBwBHbS7Xb_Sj_7fJLsQFRV4Z1tDR4BJh6hmG/s1600/pink+cone+flower+in+tea+cup+kk+chill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMa3DdIrMNaRHlJdAw14MCwSWx9mH42F9JMtxQEhE-Gp_LB5Sfl7oO80RsU_jcRLKt8q7ccJnsJlYJ9cjQTDodyZRog7QoHG9MAXsXSMfBwBHbS7Xb_Sj_7fJLsQFRV4Z1tDR4BJh6hmG/s640/pink+cone+flower+in+tea+cup+kk+chill.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My dear husband Henry would look at me and smile, shaking his head when another trip to the thrift store resulted in 'just one more thing . . .'<br />
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Creating marketing and social media images was just a natural extension of all that and over the last few years I've had the chance to work with some beautiful products.<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/AVvXsEjGYfycHaFBKpmd6KPovealJmOUgtm3m0l_CnW3SzTXlGtkDD31PWBWZhoQZ-G7mbhxidRBljS1obt8hlIzEP8JmE11UHaZ44QL5zjXvgNGXehWDXk4te6pzDSuc_oUbJ_Ql11tA8g_yV9Z/s1600/clear+earrings+in+leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYfycHaFBKpmd6KPovealJmOUgtm3m0l_CnW3SzTXlGtkDD31PWBWZhoQZ-G7mbhxidRBljS1obt8hlIzEP8JmE11UHaZ44QL5zjXvgNGXehWDXk4te6pzDSuc_oUbJ_Ql11tA8g_yV9Z/s640/clear+earrings+in+leaf.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinkets Metalcraft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEiBZqDyXSYZUSopFpavTvMfOijeAlb6c3HdpIrkfjSxSF_HOHq4I5krv9gcl9ZK1CfVo-YeLe2lOlndkazt6mqRvvaRRpiUYHdIasDWj-tUBFnzOgn_Jhhm9kHQHmf56TYMLI_5JcOqJW02/s1600/jewelery7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZqDyXSYZUSopFpavTvMfOijeAlb6c3HdpIrkfjSxSF_HOHq4I5krv9gcl9ZK1CfVo-YeLe2lOlndkazt6mqRvvaRRpiUYHdIasDWj-tUBFnzOgn_Jhhm9kHQHmf56TYMLI_5JcOqJW02/s640/jewelery7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinkets Metalcraft</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEgHSkREry9e_EyYJGL1Rs1z_-xEsjZWrQ3f1XkSzQEg9OpLFolTU1b8l6gpUOz2M4KxPORX5VIjjAHyp_PTvScUj1B6LxvbTUG5ezYqSijULyHlckxchx_CKc2iUA3Olrzt7c7TmKcsSCac/s1600/mada+2015+%25281+of+1%2529-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSkREry9e_EyYJGL1Rs1z_-xEsjZWrQ3f1XkSzQEg9OpLFolTU1b8l6gpUOz2M4KxPORX5VIjjAHyp_PTvScUj1B6LxvbTUG5ezYqSijULyHlckxchx_CKc2iUA3Olrzt7c7TmKcsSCac/s640/mada+2015+%25281+of+1%2529-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://madaboutique.ca/" target="_blank">Mada Boutique </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEiWa8Xa7D4aiWZlmytnICE17sirnM99iwfUCaz2MK7V-GZtINB2LrnqsXpNuSEG_ezljQWL6moo1vjq77o134FliT19iOwH0ce11w5b9Cz0xaHMWixdikvEAve5QC59V55T8qxUlf-YV4lQ/s1600/mada+2015+%25282+of+3%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWa8Xa7D4aiWZlmytnICE17sirnM99iwfUCaz2MK7V-GZtINB2LrnqsXpNuSEG_ezljQWL6moo1vjq77o134FliT19iOwH0ce11w5b9Cz0xaHMWixdikvEAve5QC59V55T8qxUlf-YV4lQ/s640/mada+2015+%25282+of+3%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://madaboutique.ca/" target="_blank">Mada Boutique</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEjg_2VhlRFYJfVBpJPu2wdDKkvJFKEPxWK5VqC6LK5uOVe0QAfFhdR98skopsyQvmoxScoPI7bBcWRoIpM3eXAkzme4lLxxdpf_HjS6y9Ryf4b3-wWopQMy2_fiMIJwdfB0gF_caFCqcf8W/s1600/Audrey+Ig+assorted+April-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_2VhlRFYJfVBpJPu2wdDKkvJFKEPxWK5VqC6LK5uOVe0QAfFhdR98skopsyQvmoxScoPI7bBcWRoIpM3eXAkzme4lLxxdpf_HjS6y9Ryf4b3-wWopQMy2_fiMIJwdfB0gF_caFCqcf8W/s640/Audrey+Ig+assorted+April-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mada Boutique (Audrey's) Instagram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEjhIf3iesiRmd5WY25pGRRlIabUt7z2XgKpWGXFh4sBTsupFOoPe0Eg8vpEWnvotM5MM6N3W7cwqQ-st2X4w0Yr0E63m6eazXYabEeX0mcubwSXdGWACqtnJPtpXTgodrgpcoPjIicvywNP/s1600/Audrey+Ig+assorted+April-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIf3iesiRmd5WY25pGRRlIabUt7z2XgKpWGXFh4sBTsupFOoPe0Eg8vpEWnvotM5MM6N3W7cwqQ-st2X4w0Yr0E63m6eazXYabEeX0mcubwSXdGWACqtnJPtpXTgodrgpcoPjIicvywNP/s640/Audrey+Ig+assorted+April-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mada Boutique (Audrey's) Instagram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyiqP7KOJrgXUeAqt12FouS9gneCN2Ut76a21nfJYW6rShS6aY0XLp1xe4fHqpirJgF04MqHdjUUgfRTc6LbcCIzcSK8HNIf5-Yl_MuJj7ymrYh1aD8h3yJsQaTZRKzmylnKggsBUv2ZR/s1600/products-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyiqP7KOJrgXUeAqt12FouS9gneCN2Ut76a21nfJYW6rShS6aY0XLp1xe4fHqpirJgF04MqHdjUUgfRTc6LbcCIzcSK8HNIf5-Yl_MuJj7ymrYh1aD8h3yJsQaTZRKzmylnKggsBUv2ZR/s640/products-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.copperkettlesoapco.ca/" target="_blank">Copper Kettle Soap Co.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgrSLcuOZobVcn1kNYBfJBh-BiQi7BSL_mIdIaDcA6tco2p5S4OwN5X-wmCEB7bLi4-Q5k8mntEIgHttTh9__HAAwM9iaYfKnr5xeHYOhfDkgyciSVchS-tX1cRFJ8Oedn_bThfTjrtWQ/s1600/P3284297-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgrSLcuOZobVcn1kNYBfJBh-BiQi7BSL_mIdIaDcA6tco2p5S4OwN5X-wmCEB7bLi4-Q5k8mntEIgHttTh9__HAAwM9iaYfKnr5xeHYOhfDkgyciSVchS-tX1cRFJ8Oedn_bThfTjrtWQ/s640/P3284297-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinkets Metalcraft</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEjnZ3-m27TRDUvzClRnX5WhBMPrWRR95YXtu-54nvqM3AFfrdfgo_AiGw5Wjt-EpM7ZoSSZzFqmpfePsdF-SkrIgYxk9BBVWpmHHKk9jNlqkXTqXQWnbDNaG-9d3woIwdAvkMY31LsxV8jd/s1600/P3284299-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ3-m27TRDUvzClRnX5WhBMPrWRR95YXtu-54nvqM3AFfrdfgo_AiGw5Wjt-EpM7ZoSSZzFqmpfePsdF-SkrIgYxk9BBVWpmHHKk9jNlqkXTqXQWnbDNaG-9d3woIwdAvkMY31LsxV8jd/s640/P3284299-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinkets Metalcraft</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not long ago I was able to style fall belgian mums, for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MilnerGardens/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Milner Gardens</a>' Facebook page, and decided to spread the styling love around. (actually, my friends shared the love with <i>me</i> . . . I have great friends!)<br />
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I gathered up the mums and an assortment of fall decor then set off to visit a few like minded friends who allowed me borrow their beautiful homes and gardens. I was even able to incorporate some of their lovely decor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMchWD0JBBwovSjReWHyWaveOYRZFBcxqkbGNBNEn4D4-vEEaVpCsRjYOIrdBVcMpg8zcw-SnijjYk6DbeC17EBrpxmknV0_iVtM6EHqqQ6rwCbzpwShtxjslNhcw9vhVGPozckqJPMEJ/s1600/belgian+mums-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMchWD0JBBwovSjReWHyWaveOYRZFBcxqkbGNBNEn4D4-vEEaVpCsRjYOIrdBVcMpg8zcw-SnijjYk6DbeC17EBrpxmknV0_iVtM6EHqqQ6rwCbzpwShtxjslNhcw9vhVGPozckqJPMEJ/s640/belgian+mums-6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkTqDfZy3ETaGWf20ZLrcheSD7mddJk2cEopr1S_nQEZZunulwtz3OfCU-wulSnjoVn8wYyC8bLnl9Ag0uWEQ35Bqlq2yr8jwa5gZ2TtI00xQsUorG3pCc2nSXjFcpOpTYpviUkn2hyq3/s1600/belgian+mums-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkTqDfZy3ETaGWf20ZLrcheSD7mddJk2cEopr1S_nQEZZunulwtz3OfCU-wulSnjoVn8wYyC8bLnl9Ag0uWEQ35Bqlq2yr8jwa5gZ2TtI00xQsUorG3pCc2nSXjFcpOpTYpviUkn2hyq3/s640/belgian+mums-14.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br />
It made for the best day. I mean, how often do you get to play with all the things you like best <b><i>and </i></b>spend time with your friends while you do it? <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>Life is good. </i></b><br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-27799841473732630022016-10-31T07:30:00.000-06:002016-10-31T08:27:43.367-06:00Monday Morning Musings<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 62:5-6 <span style="color: red;">Let all that I am wait quietly before God</span>, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-88985811179901017682016-08-24T23:22:00.000-06:002016-08-25T09:51:22.302-06:00A Storybook Photoshoot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i> I've always had stories running around in my head.</i><br />
<br />
They never get out though.<br />
They just lurk and then, every so often, demand to be brought to life.<br />
<br />
That's easier said than done though, right? How many of us share the dream of writing a book one day? But where to start?<br />
<br />
What makes me think I could even write one?? I mean, my spelling is atrocious, my grasp of grammar is worse and . . . well, <i>I didn't even finish high school . . .</i><br />
<br />
Here's the thing. My parents separated when I was 11. (And then divorced a few years later.)<br />
<br />
There were several turbulent years after that. Lots of moving, lots of new schools. Pretty tough stuff for a shy introvert. I moved here just before I turned 16 and finished grade 10 in our little private school. I would have had to finish high school in a <b><i>huge</i></b> public school. One known to be rather rough at the time.<br />
<br />
I couldn't do it. My mom promised I wouldn't have to go back <b><i>if</i></b> and <b><i>only</i></b> if, I found myself a job. Not long after, while out for breakfast one day, I applied for a job and got it! That, for the most part, was the end of formal schooling for me. (Poor mom. I found out years later that she'd figured I wouldn't have the courage to get a job. She'd thought it was a safe promise to make. . .)<br />
<br />
So. Stories in my head, and a story I kept telling myself about why I couldn't write them down.<br />
<br />
Stories <b><i>want</i></b> to be told. My stories found another way. They snuck up on me through my photography. The Photoshop Artistry course and then the more advanced Awake class I'm taking, began to show me another way to tell a story, one told with digital artistry.<br />
<br />
But it didn't stop there. Stories still nagged me to write them down.<br />
<br />
So now I am.<br />
<br />
I'm combining photography, digital art and words into an 'illustrated' short children's story and Nelena and her girls agreed to be my models for the project.<br />
<br />
I hope it will be a <i>good </i>story but, even if it isn't, at least I won't have to regret not trying . . . (If there are any English teachers out there interested in editing an amateur's work . . . drop me a line. I'll need all the help I can get! ;) )<br />
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The first 'illustration' is at the top of this post. I'm also sharing other images taken during our storybook photoshoot. It took the whole day, with Holly doing hair and makeup for these three lovely ladies (the girls got blush and lip gloss!), but my, was it ever fun!<br />
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This is the above image before I worked some digital magic on it . . .<br />
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The day began with hair and makeup. <br />
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It's not all glamour as this girl can tell you . . .<br />
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But she soon got into the swing of things.<br />
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Her big sister hung out with me while I created the wreaths for their hair.<br />
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Once we got to our beautiful garden, (not mine, this one belongs to my dear friend Nicole) it was time to get into character.<br />
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<br />
How exactly <b><i>do</i></b> fairies act??<br />
<br />
Let's think about it with tea and cookies . . . or in this case, apple juice and cookies.<br />
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No photoshoots are problem free.<br />
<br />
"You're worried about my <i>wreath</i> when there are <b><i>wasps </i></b>flying around my<b><i> head</i></b>?!!"<br />
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The girls were game to climb a ladder in hopes of seeing themselves fly in their story. Of course there's always a spotter close at hand!<br />
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Then it's time for a little fun!<br />
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<br />
We got many, many beautiful images, ones I hope will make lovely illustrations for my story one day.<br />
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Until then I'll leave you with these . . .<br />
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A big thank you to Holly, Nelena and the girls for helping me with this dream!<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-63107890266435567252016-08-03T07:40:00.000-06:002016-08-03T07:47:34.533-06:00Touring the Front Garden.It's finally done.<br />
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After months of work . . . and months of procrastination . . . the front garden is finally done.<br />
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As a matter of fact, it's nearly immaculate. <i>For the first time ever.</i><br />
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Here's the thing. I love, love to plan out a garden. I love playing with different ideas and trying to find ways to use a variety of plants and plan for bloom time as early and as late as humanly possible in my northern prairie garden. I do not love heavy digging or weeding. <b><i>At all . . . </i></b>I certainly don't find it therapeutic as so many do. But, I love to look at beautiful gardens. I love to pick bouquets for myself and my friends. And nothing is better than an early morning in the garden, still in pj's, sitting by the pond, with a cup of tea and homemade bread slathered with butter and homemade strawberry jam. Unless of course, I <i>also </i>have a good book to read.<br />
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So I compromise. I accept that my garden will always be a little weedy and slightly disheveled. I count on strong design and shrubs to draw the eye away from lurking thistles and that crazy purple bellflower that looks so great . . . until it takes over the entire garden and nothing you do will ever get rid of it.<br />
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I leave room for serendipity in my garden. I can plan each detail until I think the design is perfect and turn around to discover that birds have planted seeds from a garden blocks away, and<i> </i>that<i> one small thing</i> can take a garden from lovely to sublime, even if just for a day or two. I see God so clearly in those moments. A reminder that <b>He</b> is the ultimate Gardener, and those moments were created specifically for me, because he loves me.<br />
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Serendipity can only happen in a slightly messy garden.<br />
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<i>So messy is good right??</i><br />
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But, for the first time, I'm also seeing joy in maintaining my garden. So I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts, because as much as I might tell myself that <i>this</i> time I'm going to keep it up for the entire gardening season, I know myself well enough to know how unlikely that is.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>While my garden is at it's best, I thought I'd give you all a little tour . . .</i><br />
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I made the concrete leaves as well as the hands decorating the front gazebo. I love a reason to play around with a little concrete.<br />
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And . . . for those of you thinking I'm exaggerating my inability to keep a well tended garden, feel free to drop by for tea in the back garden. But bring your machete with you. You'll need it to make your way to the gazebo . . .<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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I hope you enjoyed your little tour!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-77382824932428539152016-07-13T07:30:00.000-06:002016-07-13T09:06:10.230-06:00Amelia's Baby Shower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a few weeks since we threw a baby shower for Amelia but . . . better late than never, right??<br />
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Kim had asked months ago if we could throw a Garden Tea baby shower and . . . since that's right up my alley . . . of course I said yes!<br />
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We hadn't counted on all the other things going on though. Or thought about the fact that summer would be rapidly approaching, so the day of the baptism found me scrambling to find a date that would work for as many people as possible.<br />
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Which turned out to be only four days later.<br />
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Oh my. The garden hadn't been properly cared for in weeks and weeks and it had been raining much more than we were used to here on the prairies. It was desperately needed mind you, so no one was complaining, we just aren't used to getting rain nearly every day.<br />
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The weather held though, and I spent 3 days in the garden, weeding, pruning and primping.<br />
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The shower would never have happened without my dear friend Joyce's help, because by the middle of day 2 in the garden, I was pooped beyond belief. (Joyce and I have organized countless events together over the years and it was such fun to work together again.) <br />
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Joyce and I brainstormed the menu, decorations and games and Joyce did the majority of the shopping, leaving me more time to work in the garden.<br />
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She also made some lovely, delicious cookies! (I must admit I hid most of the leftovers from Henry and Jesse so I could eat them all myself! ;D)<br />
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On the day of the shower Joyce got here early and we went right to work, decorating the garden and setting up an extra canopy (thank you to Linda A for lending it <i>and</i> bringing it to the house!) and arranged seating for 25 guests. There was a chance of showers but we figured as long as everyone was under cover we'd be alright.<br />
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We did make one big concession to possible bad weather. We had originally intended to have food and seating areas sprinkled throughout the garden but decided to decorate the covered deck that leads into the house and have all the food served there, just in case.<br />
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The weather held until the guests began to arrive.<br />
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It started showering, but that was okay, this <b><i>was</i></b> a baby shower after all . . .<br />
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More guests arrived.<br />
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It started raining a little harder and the skies just kept getting darker.<br />
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The wind began to blow. There was some quick rearranging of the food tables as the end closest to the edge of the deck was starting to get wet.<br />
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<i> There's nothing fancy about soggy food!</i><br />
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I held out hope that it would blow over and we would still be able to get into the garden.<br />
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<b><i>The rain showers turned into a deluge</i></b>. So much rain came down, that even if it did blow over, the gazebo, which is on the lowest spot in the garden, would have water coming up over the floor.<br />
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So . . . we crammed into my teeny, tiny house. All 25 of us. Just like sweaty sardines. The clever, brave ones sat out on the deck where it was cooler, <i>and damper.</i><br />
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<i>And yet. . .</i><br />
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We all had a wonderful time. Because in the end, it's all about the people. Pretty decorations are wonderful, but if all you have are family and friends to visit with . . .<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>That, really, is all you need.</i><br />
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*(Of course good food and some fun, funky drinks help too! ;D)<br />
<i> </i><br />
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<i>So, without further ado, I give you Amelia's baby shower:</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIaOzu5XGzLOK5nLShkfmHrGzVcPG6LDZaW8yAU18BHRMeCjRAGm8IeBqhJHwCxvlIrdxOm4aCVh3oKLgeW9ni941KBMO00Lv1d1JTQx0jqgZ1VxrrZB3nQnpAHtIs5NM5G3ozy4ulTZr/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIaOzu5XGzLOK5nLShkfmHrGzVcPG6LDZaW8yAU18BHRMeCjRAGm8IeBqhJHwCxvlIrdxOm4aCVh3oKLgeW9ni941KBMO00Lv1d1JTQx0jqgZ1VxrrZB3nQnpAHtIs5NM5G3ozy4ulTZr/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-1.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4R8W1pAXEXu7CQvhpihyyqA11qYkNYBVW2kXCOyGCnY0dqGDpZ6uJZ1QYFhDuoF82ITnMy0jEC6fgAdx1RUWvmwpHSTImjIBHd2Ex1-viLWi1bAez7gp-ZWLrGlyqaxe6wED4v1zAsFaM/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4R8W1pAXEXu7CQvhpihyyqA11qYkNYBVW2kXCOyGCnY0dqGDpZ6uJZ1QYFhDuoF82ITnMy0jEC6fgAdx1RUWvmwpHSTImjIBHd2Ex1-viLWi1bAez7gp-ZWLrGlyqaxe6wED4v1zAsFaM/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's wet out there!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJd0HJm3jv1Yl72GqAHfIZXEZXRZn0F-ST-FhFSDT7APr2ut0Pu-wGP6olbYboXwyqASYG83w5vLNyFN9PLh8MQ5rLZWfxR3yykoqeiXskFspm8C3JChWDUr-Xxpv1MadceAZPaw0-yMS/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJd0HJm3jv1Yl72GqAHfIZXEZXRZn0F-ST-FhFSDT7APr2ut0Pu-wGP6olbYboXwyqASYG83w5vLNyFN9PLh8MQ5rLZWfxR3yykoqeiXskFspm8C3JChWDUr-Xxpv1MadceAZPaw0-yMS/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqLrktvmEa1Z0OVkb248WKsz6nePd74oah2domvscmReozgXaxM_tfkys973M7Lpjq625oVf5rwZIOp_A913-TukqSn5Y_zjJE7gMuQ4Vku9rya4s5FZ7sLFkLefkXOKGbsUqsaeS0jht/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqLrktvmEa1Z0OVkb248WKsz6nePd74oah2domvscmReozgXaxM_tfkys973M7Lpjq625oVf5rwZIOp_A913-TukqSn5Y_zjJE7gMuQ4Vku9rya4s5FZ7sLFkLefkXOKGbsUqsaeS0jht/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP3O9B07yvMyTsNwKSnCdG8j4HD8kuFEctoyVkMqdRdxVhDCmLXA70cqw8BI-EgcdqZ7ySJBCi0E92zcCXN00kt_D-e_DGl8pLBEvY-E6qQSIhnfbazC81EGF_pSq_NqbybZz7A7GGkHP/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP3O9B07yvMyTsNwKSnCdG8j4HD8kuFEctoyVkMqdRdxVhDCmLXA70cqw8BI-EgcdqZ7ySJBCi0E92zcCXN00kt_D-e_DGl8pLBEvY-E6qQSIhnfbazC81EGF_pSq_NqbybZz7A7GGkHP/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim's sister Jaclyn made this beautiful baby carriage with her wonderful cupcakes.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ng47YHv96bRmyvSfywhQT7oJIbiMhrLhMQNO3mzIXLbKhFEctn2x3WCd5m-90b7CuHas2uv6qrWqakmbRiie42YmJ7NxBsmamqC2GDNMZAV4_0mkQFqMksKaVjPQhdq98gUE-hQ6mK4F/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ng47YHv96bRmyvSfywhQT7oJIbiMhrLhMQNO3mzIXLbKhFEctn2x3WCd5m-90b7CuHas2uv6qrWqakmbRiie42YmJ7NxBsmamqC2GDNMZAV4_0mkQFqMksKaVjPQhdq98gUE-hQ6mK4F/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62dTUN6iGFEKRf40bKV2Omo9i-zIA5b9361fegPzGLNCg1Vrwmp-PBYc3lRkmFQ5yL_TKSIo1AlKT6Rnc_Zx7LpX9OLAtDkhodcLL0TYMtpIC8WKSZm7iUyo6RTJ293VM55NDZoOLezVe/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62dTUN6iGFEKRf40bKV2Omo9i-zIA5b9361fegPzGLNCg1Vrwmp-PBYc3lRkmFQ5yL_TKSIo1AlKT6Rnc_Zx7LpX9OLAtDkhodcLL0TYMtpIC8WKSZm7iUyo6RTJ293VM55NDZoOLezVe/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brave ones . . .</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pdSftkLcSjT9dTO_B_npcB9NBiKwccDDgPDlxt2CPTYmmKNty1tmdhMwxEXzz0_yWkyFjml5b2xMtJ3Aw0HI01MrmCPpTQGuKY5eIj9VOK7Zkr7l-GgckpJwhMsdr_AeTOav2AHDx_M-/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pdSftkLcSjT9dTO_B_npcB9NBiKwccDDgPDlxt2CPTYmmKNty1tmdhMwxEXzz0_yWkyFjml5b2xMtJ3Aw0HI01MrmCPpTQGuKY5eIj9VOK7Zkr7l-GgckpJwhMsdr_AeTOav2AHDx_M-/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-13.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBDu2Z6qIawE-HBBnS40kTEULeQbfYyduuOMiFUCeuGC6hib4zO7KpQEVtQBLXSWYShd91dMCJAEPrg9rQftIDg_2uodbm5IorOFdiQoFobUggBmv_b1vq9luj3wZMn6Rw6uGNB21RUQS/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBDu2Z6qIawE-HBBnS40kTEULeQbfYyduuOMiFUCeuGC6hib4zO7KpQEVtQBLXSWYShd91dMCJAEPrg9rQftIDg_2uodbm5IorOFdiQoFobUggBmv_b1vq9luj3wZMn6Rw6uGNB21RUQS/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xNBPG8mZdd9tgbEFH4Jr3PmMzi1wlZG7j7j1TCd7r4zARf1q9Qoih4C-tKUhTng0Suw0t3NMxAcH0h1olybnfuGnQ1bzn2APx-78Kj9UvrVw8wOzFTAdlmzeuYVO03TiLRoL4Ie1GkFH/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xNBPG8mZdd9tgbEFH4Jr3PmMzi1wlZG7j7j1TCd7r4zARf1q9Qoih4C-tKUhTng0Suw0t3NMxAcH0h1olybnfuGnQ1bzn2APx-78Kj9UvrVw8wOzFTAdlmzeuYVO03TiLRoL4Ie1GkFH/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal helps Joyce with last minute preparations </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X2bGV8929O4us_zzviHNdHL1HVpqsNb992c3MAb3j88cKcCIU3TjO_wIZYyzqL2H3ndZvlFSIxAQcPap3ExG18QcqVMGmModNlDnocnksLEmhrnzvsGNvXEB6bqQJykXJZ5SV8AqnEDR/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X2bGV8929O4us_zzviHNdHL1HVpqsNb992c3MAb3j88cKcCIU3TjO_wIZYyzqL2H3ndZvlFSIxAQcPap3ExG18QcqVMGmModNlDnocnksLEmhrnzvsGNvXEB6bqQJykXJZ5SV8AqnEDR/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's present time!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fXvCI8pU-h8pFdBY-A-K09VF1MVPtj5jO81U8bdAoh7xdCDMLrx740q_xYJF2fZdRK2N_UfZwYrFAbw_2MrKJh0om1Gu2a4ly3iipeeH138tk8oLcT6wjzAdqiVIf9RYMcbcmQT2hgfx/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fXvCI8pU-h8pFdBY-A-K09VF1MVPtj5jO81U8bdAoh7xdCDMLrx740q_xYJF2fZdRK2N_UfZwYrFAbw_2MrKJh0om1Gu2a4ly3iipeeH138tk8oLcT6wjzAdqiVIf9RYMcbcmQT2hgfx/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close friends of the new mom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HxluhIFhF2XTKbocWCnCaK0nSs6UITS2Cw6AC6CYvUUvbRuDI0B3128_WZbfcB9d-qXHuMslvYKRI40vDT3TBMScBmV_3K5Xb5h5pRUNJTxUbyIN7zqczb0ATniCy4rFxTswd5ZxItAj/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HxluhIFhF2XTKbocWCnCaK0nSs6UITS2Cw6AC6CYvUUvbRuDI0B3128_WZbfcB9d-qXHuMslvYKRI40vDT3TBMScBmV_3K5Xb5h5pRUNJTxUbyIN7zqczb0ATniCy4rFxTswd5ZxItAj/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Grandma checks out the loot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwf9vuFArn0BfvfhiSC_GCzOmVLDEYi8_pIyFG5fMnwUJdGjDXJj5IljP0bNXsVyWKKuRX7T4CA-ETKJLH9KdXh-AMrs9Mqc4uHcQ9DUtJzKBxSMxy9DJTibdEBa9w9Ods8nz8UWsnyet/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwf9vuFArn0BfvfhiSC_GCzOmVLDEYi8_pIyFG5fMnwUJdGjDXJj5IljP0bNXsVyWKKuRX7T4CA-ETKJLH9KdXh-AMrs9Mqc4uHcQ9DUtJzKBxSMxy9DJTibdEBa9w9Ods8nz8UWsnyet/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Oma and Mrs.V check out the loot as well! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUC3da4wLmC2rfFVqP2n8hA9O_8XuIwsqWUqJzFCOQTGpohwmtVyL0ojhwcz0Zvs9oSKapPCqribxjrrvbfFxTGjZf6-oRJBftpoJ2EVhv0kJ-Z9hr0oC6bni8WxGr-LyZ2ha-sm3GRWD/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUC3da4wLmC2rfFVqP2n8hA9O_8XuIwsqWUqJzFCOQTGpohwmtVyL0ojhwcz0Zvs9oSKapPCqribxjrrvbfFxTGjZf6-oRJBftpoJ2EVhv0kJ-Z9hr0oC6bni8WxGr-LyZ2ha-sm3GRWD/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once a secretary . . . Joyce keeps track of the gifts and gift givers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KcTlluLONOSUqpM0y2JII5Q6T-7I12Xy93XCnCXZDVBATR1kPvwP3LZ7CXvFn0R3o1Myx9FpjHTxdn3dUmfjeora2KuziSlP4UU-_EDLtaiqK7n4w6b12LAdDsDJGsCvdvfVRwseHUsL/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KcTlluLONOSUqpM0y2JII5Q6T-7I12Xy93XCnCXZDVBATR1kPvwP3LZ7CXvFn0R3o1Myx9FpjHTxdn3dUmfjeora2KuziSlP4UU-_EDLtaiqK7n4w6b12LAdDsDJGsCvdvfVRwseHUsL/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim's mom and sister-in-law do some ooohing and aaahing as Great Grandma and Aunt Evelyn look on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAimEB2YBEh1sKpD6FLXGV06UvIc5ksPTCNpdUF9ioq4WB4sK5Uj_JviNUpYzIoei2BL7Hoh-u6S2EsIayKbNAI5rQb1UukpTvsPRmXOIQXVs-F0nBDXbqmvP-YUgl0U4JHRT-6pyhRUNJ/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAimEB2YBEh1sKpD6FLXGV06UvIc5ksPTCNpdUF9ioq4WB4sK5Uj_JviNUpYzIoei2BL7Hoh-u6S2EsIayKbNAI5rQb1UukpTvsPRmXOIQXVs-F0nBDXbqmvP-YUgl0U4JHRT-6pyhRUNJ/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim's niece, Miss O, approves of this one . . .</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgCa7YjBu1nsMdO_maN8rTjxicAOafYwwZBl55BzCksCIgevpARbjSZ1qRwBRzuwVh2MVYKkjlWjAYnoJ6L1VQqBxSYO8dCuLrTHn7E3x4xqVLiEmooIAVIUwryUtCPVgu_vD9Eyz5QIY/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgCa7YjBu1nsMdO_maN8rTjxicAOafYwwZBl55BzCksCIgevpARbjSZ1qRwBRzuwVh2MVYKkjlWjAYnoJ6L1VQqBxSYO8dCuLrTHn7E3x4xqVLiEmooIAVIUwryUtCPVgu_vD9Eyz5QIY/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia hangs out with 'Aunty' Brienne</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_wGELnG-T2F-PuZzgtTgEazc9iwaon8BEzSm8ObFTbFUmf2mN7Dp4ok9Z0By81VViNm_rHtb6lyH4vMTE5RJ7A_rN9i_HRuf8lk8wlZFNAh3SmE1cwja0lxMoMB-Vga6JgfLihKpXuEa/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_wGELnG-T2F-PuZzgtTgEazc9iwaon8BEzSm8ObFTbFUmf2mN7Dp4ok9Z0By81VViNm_rHtb6lyH4vMTE5RJ7A_rN9i_HRuf8lk8wlZFNAh3SmE1cwja0lxMoMB-Vga6JgfLihKpXuEa/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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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/AVvXsEjGWKV4cn8YkByyy1eTviOwibjdjDjViqOu8PBQ3BcW0AdhYLGhZ1UEV9Hih0Y1pYGxvTxHD7fWpDudxL97Ygu9aGgkl4IHwlW9ykR2NC5AlVzaD9BnNwFO_7i4LRG5TWSAuwgws0AeMifA/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWKV4cn8YkByyy1eTviOwibjdjDjViqOu8PBQ3BcW0AdhYLGhZ1UEV9Hih0Y1pYGxvTxHD7fWpDudxL97Ygu9aGgkl4IHwlW9ykR2NC5AlVzaD9BnNwFO_7i4LRG5TWSAuwgws0AeMifA/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">25 people will not fit in my living room. Some of us hung out in the hallways . . .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HbYgAY5RewAkD-woEksgmEQIsxAJrXdtptAe23WaKTrt10GEThNRSUUnR7lOVxpMRqwjc6N0R6MPsOP15uGnkptGTkXTQnzZet6DGjP7hD8Pj4Twbm5OTKACbDCadODnGUKqjUXWX7G_/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HbYgAY5RewAkD-woEksgmEQIsxAJrXdtptAe23WaKTrt10GEThNRSUUnR7lOVxpMRqwjc6N0R6MPsOP15uGnkptGTkXTQnzZet6DGjP7hD8Pj4Twbm5OTKACbDCadODnGUKqjUXWX7G_/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fabulous time with family and friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i> </i>And of course, once Grandpa got home, he had to have a little Amelia snuggle time too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrAAj98UMczthy5HjlW4kUDNgYnrTQapGfxu6uknBp5_ic91xl9zWeCI6eG1rZbpTo5Y1M7PPPro2uoczvlgDn1kdFMOj8tbOs1_AVniUstBlH4s18gFkDtfp6zzy9FAWjAa22ObSI3zb/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrAAj98UMczthy5HjlW4kUDNgYnrTQapGfxu6uknBp5_ic91xl9zWeCI6eG1rZbpTo5Y1M7PPPro2uoczvlgDn1kdFMOj8tbOs1_AVniUstBlH4s18gFkDtfp6zzy9FAWjAa22ObSI3zb/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-24.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5aWBlMiZOtay7s4HXJdkfdHRXB4pcVl7CEnQedIsd21rfdSnZk3PP40gAmz5X7fb1mo4C2Zc4kCI0wrzihZg1YYq1CWcCivwtTj8kWkZk_4wRRg-nJ8E7rQuLqjuzjsC9-IHaeTLfu3C/s1600/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5aWBlMiZOtay7s4HXJdkfdHRXB4pcVl7CEnQedIsd21rfdSnZk3PP40gAmz5X7fb1mo4C2Zc4kCI0wrzihZg1YYq1CWcCivwtTj8kWkZk_4wRRg-nJ8E7rQuLqjuzjsC9-IHaeTLfu3C/s640/Amelia%2527s+baby+shower+blog+images-25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guest of honour's ready for bed . . .</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
God has richly blessed us with this new, darling addition to our family.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="verse v14 ng-scope selected" data-usfm="PSA.139.14"><span class="label" style="display: inherit;">14 </span><span class="content">I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; </span></span><span class="verse v14 ng-scope" data-usfm="PSA.139.14"><span class="content">your works are wonderful, </span></span><span class="verse v14 ng-scope" data-usfm="PSA.139.14"><span class="content">I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 <span style="font-size: x-small;">NIV</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-15338181190248120532016-06-17T07:30:00.000-06:002016-06-17T08:01:14.911-06:00Facebook Fridays. (A weekly round up)
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #666666;">Often life is so busy that I don't get time to write full blog posts but
I do post smaller blurbs on Facebook and Instagram. Since one of the
reason's I started blogging in the first place was to have an online
journal of family life, I've decided to have Facebook Friday's here on
the blog. It will be a place to gather my weekly social media posts together and make them easier to look back on. Some weeks you my even
get the 'Directors Cut/Extended Version of those posts!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*** </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I'm going to be spending the next few days cooking and baking to get ready for Amelia's baptism on Sunday. I hope you all have a blessed weekend.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
June 11:</div>
<br />
After a difficult battle with cancer, one fought with dignity, grace
and the sure knowledge of God's steadfast promises, the Lord called home
my dear father-in-law (Corky Veldkamp) in the early hours of Friday
morning.<br />
<br />
So many of you have been keeping him in your thoughts
and prayers. It has been a true comfort to all of us. We are so thankful
to experience the communion of saints in this way.<br />
<br />
17. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that<span class="text_exposed_show">
far outweighs them all. 18. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but
on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen
is eternal.<br /> 2 Corinthians 4: 17-18</span><br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text_exposed_show"> June 14:</span></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>
<br />
Because sometimes you just need a sweet baby pic . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoYQ2MkJeEZDJrQGQLu99MfG3fPh1pOf9lHAm5-WKWe7JQ0MlUsiA2WoS1XkDWv2SWjCzRXG8FAApIGQzdHq7ZIZP86vixiPqWavtEmIo0WtS4Fd4Aqu0kG6q4_mROzA3Oh0dNDm52S_e/s1600/Grandpas+finger+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoYQ2MkJeEZDJrQGQLu99MfG3fPh1pOf9lHAm5-WKWe7JQ0MlUsiA2WoS1XkDWv2SWjCzRXG8FAApIGQzdHq7ZIZP86vixiPqWavtEmIo0WtS4Fd4Aqu0kG6q4_mROzA3Oh0dNDm52S_e/s640/Grandpas+finger+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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June 15:</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
We laid Henry's dad to rest yesterday. We had a beautiful service
with a consoling message, Olivia's lovely voice and music from a packed
church that brought me to tears.<br />
It was a time for family and friends to take comfort from God's promises and each other.<br />
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own
understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct you
paths. Proverbs 3:5-6<br />
Dad is in his heavenly home now but before he left he met one last great grandchild . . .<br />
I'm sharing about the day Amelia was born over on the blog today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="480" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtq7NFAfeS29Wz1IqB8VzUEt3AlpDz4izMWbqCsG8Jep8-Fk5QuSy2YFHRawqcCaMOEwSvMbnL6OrlQ8YJk2KF2uEacpZ6TWzlEHOwC2a7zmcDMDC0qoeKA3nxuTDpdpfeHUgPKyB-VPb/s640/Great+grandma+and+grandpa+and+Amelia.jpg" width="640" /><a href="http://www.alifeofwhimsey.com/2016/06/it-was-6-am.html" target="_blank">http://www.alifeofwhimsey.com/2016/06/it-was-6-am.html</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It's been a challenging week but, with God's help, in the company of family and friends and lifted up in prayer by those far and near, we have been comforted and strengthened.<br />
<br />
<span class="text 2Cor-1-3"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,</span> <span class="text 2Cor-1-4" id="en-NIV-28805"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"> 2 Corinthians 1:3-4</span><span class="passage-display-version"> New International Version (NIV)</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show"></span><span class="text_exposed_show"></span> <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-9854157878803734382016-06-16T07:23:00.001-06:002016-06-21T10:02:06.310-06:00The Day Amelia was Born.It was 6 am. As one does, I grabbed my phone to see what might have gone on during the night.<br />
<br />
<i> A text from Morgan, and I had missed it!</i><br />
<br />
Kim's water had broken and they were on the way to the hospital. I texted him back and discovered they were already checked in. <br />
<br />
I threw some clothes on and asked if I could bring them anything. "Coffee and oatmeal from Tim Horton's please!" <br />
<br />
Off I went, filled with excitement and joy. <i>My first grandchild was on the way!</i> I prayed all the way to the hospital.<br />
<br />
After a quick hello to Morgan and Kim as I dropped things off, I went downstairs to sit with my father-in-law for a while before I went back home. He had been waking up less and less over the last few days. Henry's youngest brother Colin was already there, keeping his dad company. We chatted quietly while his dad slept on.<br />
<br />
Time to head home. I needed to pick my mother-in-law up from her quarterly chemo treatment. I packed my bag with the quilt I was working on, a book, some snacks and . . . at the last minute . . . my small point and shoot camera. I didn't expect anything with the baby any time soon, things were in the very early stages. But, something said, take a camera.<br />
<br />
I picked up Henry's mom and brought her home. We had a lovely, peaceful lunch and sat out on the deck until we were ready to get back to the hospital to sit with dad for the afternoon. Just before leaving the house I got another text from Morgan. Things were moving fast! It looked as though the baby might be born that afternoon.<br />
<br />
Mom and I quilted and knitted while dad slept, both of us excited at the thought that a new baby was about to join the family.<br />
<br />
And then the text . . . .'Amelia Rose had been born at 1:30 that afternoon.'<br />
<br />
<i><b>Such joy.</b></i><br />
<br />
I had to go home, but came back to sit with mom and dad. (And hoped I might be able to sneak a peak at my new granddaughter . . .) Colin had come while I was out and his dad had woken a bit when he got there. While he slept again, Colin, his mom and I visited.<br />
<br />
A nurse pulled aside the curtain hiding the hallway from view.<br />
<br />
<i>There was Morgan with baby Amelia! </i><br />
<br />
He took her out of the bassinet and put her in his grandma's arms.<br />
<br />
"Cor! Wake up! The baby's here! Morgan's baby is here!"<br />
<br />
As mom leaned over his bed with the baby, dad woke up. And he was <b><i>there.</i></b> Truly present in that moment. With a big smile he reached out and touched that sweet, new life. His ninth great grandchild. After a few words to mom and then Morgan, making sure that both Kim and the baby were alright, he fell back asleep, still smiling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_ee0dvw47hNdmH-c5UKiM_lDr1q-_V_aWScnU4j4bFBbIufUeiBRrVUzbyX6RKQNEFd98QCzLeOvOzxxxYuljEIMnKd516bJdEkhBIb0wysFjd2Jv-IVu7FR0pudSfd0ECVHt2cxYBgJ/s1600/Great+grandma+and+grandpa+and+Amelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_ee0dvw47hNdmH-c5UKiM_lDr1q-_V_aWScnU4j4bFBbIufUeiBRrVUzbyX6RKQNEFd98QCzLeOvOzxxxYuljEIMnKd516bJdEkhBIb0wysFjd2Jv-IVu7FR0pudSfd0ECVHt2cxYBgJ/s640/Great+grandma+and+grandpa+and+Amelia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There were tears that day. Tears of sorrow, yes, but mostly tears of joy as we witnessed this beautiful meeting. One of God's children came into the world as another was preparing to leave it.<br />
<br />
<i><b>God is good.</b></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>John 14:1-4<i> </i></b><i>“Let
not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my
Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you
that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am
you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDW5uC8WTSYuv-e9DBd49fkDqpj2Dj1qJHJjEdrd2cRWOHvmRd2toxnyNTXDWQSjxsMZpk9pz-GuAevkTxIE115FA9G0VOl90HZgo9DKn3-izVsosewsWaIfD2czOKtA-n2FE7zpfdAnlS/s1600/amelia+birth-1-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDW5uC8WTSYuv-e9DBd49fkDqpj2Dj1qJHJjEdrd2cRWOHvmRd2toxnyNTXDWQSjxsMZpk9pz-GuAevkTxIE115FA9G0VOl90HZgo9DKn3-izVsosewsWaIfD2czOKtA-n2FE7zpfdAnlS/s640/amelia+birth-1-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
We are thrilled to welcome Amelia Rose Veldkamp into our family. She is a rich blessing from the Lord.<br />
<br />
Henry and I went back later that evening for a proper visit with Morgan, Kim and Amelia. And this time I brought my <b><i>big</i></b> camera! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwEwHYQZWu1G6LDc_Y8myuKchn-QJMgci89PT3oWq0YKj5Cl5x8RnR9LAC2vjMFyLJNohUqPNBHhSCqJYuzHEdrFMwXAw_UctVBYCRLFerPTFPQNxHkt3Y4vmjw2XycnsM9K5oNG9ERZG/s1600/amelia+birth-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwEwHYQZWu1G6LDc_Y8myuKchn-QJMgci89PT3oWq0YKj5Cl5x8RnR9LAC2vjMFyLJNohUqPNBHhSCqJYuzHEdrFMwXAw_UctVBYCRLFerPTFPQNxHkt3Y4vmjw2XycnsM9K5oNG9ERZG/s640/amelia+birth-1-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>“For
you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb…my frame
was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place” (Psalm 139: 13,
15).</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i></span>
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-52332857299529062562016-06-10T07:30:00.000-06:002016-06-16T18:27:59.097-06:00Facebook Friday (a weekly round up) Often life is so busy that I don't get time to write full blog posts but I do post smaller blurbs on Facebook and Instagram. Since one of the reason's I started blogging in the first place was to have an online journal of family life I've decided to have Facebook Friday's here on the blog. It will be a place to gather my weekly social media posts altogether and make them easier to look back on. Some weeks you my even get the 'Directors Cut/Extended Version of those posts!<br />
<br />
Have a lovely weekend.<br />
<br />
Monday June 6:<br />
<br />
The view from my kitchen window this morning . . .<br />
I can't believe it's only the beginning of June!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9AvIR9m0hC4GlMnlAhTncqEGHkOkOOg1GYhsz5ia2t8ljFDCtC8e4q8c0WusyICxfSdVGH2nW2ECWkQn_0pLQhfJpXPJVdnGz9rcZ6EolKcFf-C2jEaVh7I5POmrt4bqya4nBPq3Kztr/s1600/View+from+the+kitchen+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9AvIR9m0hC4GlMnlAhTncqEGHkOkOOg1GYhsz5ia2t8ljFDCtC8e4q8c0WusyICxfSdVGH2nW2ECWkQn_0pLQhfJpXPJVdnGz9rcZ6EolKcFf-C2jEaVh7I5POmrt4bqya4nBPq3Kztr/s640/View+from+the+kitchen+window.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
*blog extras . . .<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ikzCvTn7fQm5M3iAjIWQeeKNMxOPWWrqrSTSA-U70GAhUqIFm96p1ExlA6w5Yv2RKESJkIazCni8M6gZoE3qt9PX5Ug8_LznsVYJxEUSnnYzXZkLecKo0ZI91Wh5nFw24uHPB8lTsQJX/s1600/from+the+front+steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ikzCvTn7fQm5M3iAjIWQeeKNMxOPWWrqrSTSA-U70GAhUqIFm96p1ExlA6w5Yv2RKESJkIazCni8M6gZoE3qt9PX5Ug8_LznsVYJxEUSnnYzXZkLecKo0ZI91Wh5nFw24uHPB8lTsQJX/s640/from+the+front+steps.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Tuesday June 7:<br />
<br />
I've joined the grandma club!<br />
God has richly blessed Morgan and Kim with the sweetest baby girl.<br />
Meet Amelia Rose. Born June 7 at 1:30 in the afternoon. 7 pounds 14 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.<br />
Not only am I thrilled to be a grandma, Henry's thrilled to be a grandpa! :D<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyiyQ6fSOvlrNGP7G5tGY5VQxS_h5sFcn7t0fvGeHbCZVpI1gfh_zfHg3g_F2iJvEllIHbPu41mhfiWHoNfzkY9nkCyJ1oloFY6ODPPiIO3LjO3xgs6KWP7dWoia9iADpthzyii6UybWa/s1600/Henry+and+Amelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyiyQ6fSOvlrNGP7G5tGY5VQxS_h5sFcn7t0fvGeHbCZVpI1gfh_zfHg3g_F2iJvEllIHbPu41mhfiWHoNfzkY9nkCyJ1oloFY6ODPPiIO3LjO3xgs6KWP7dWoia9iADpthzyii6UybWa/s640/Henry+and+Amelia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Wednesday June 8:<br />
<br />
Grandma and Amelia.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNXPRYG3FpGiGOe1NgcB4N5lVPt6S9kkvLRfILXViku5kjvfKYrzrmSEzbCoPGs3sfR1ANjtI085eXQuVblcK1SzNqVY5bFz-UR1OUR-aj1QBkZ-rQLVqFaM1bNLJ9BX9OxOp6mtBMJ9F/s1600/Rosa+and+Amelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNXPRYG3FpGiGOe1NgcB4N5lVPt6S9kkvLRfILXViku5kjvfKYrzrmSEzbCoPGs3sfR1ANjtI085eXQuVblcK1SzNqVY5bFz-UR1OUR-aj1QBkZ-rQLVqFaM1bNLJ9BX9OxOp6mtBMJ9F/s640/Rosa+and+Amelia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Thursday June 9:<br />
<br />
Well... It took us an hour to find it, and that was using 3 different
GPS's.... But we are here on a food adventure at the <a href="http://littlebrick.ca/" target="_blank">Little Brick</a>
restaurant. (Blog post coming. The food will make you drool. So, so yummy!)<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaHMir8C1Fg_1VrT21oRe9LxrMfR5A7fis8QZ37X0kE2xipQb3c9x78etTsC9lGAveYiAP8KaoHUhI5kX101k6GdIfL2i7JzaBmtlHLC2FXTulPB61_DN95uxDCRDQGEqwEcMWWw3PohN/s1600/little+brick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaHMir8C1Fg_1VrT21oRe9LxrMfR5A7fis8QZ37X0kE2xipQb3c9x78etTsC9lGAveYiAP8KaoHUhI5kX101k6GdIfL2i7JzaBmtlHLC2FXTulPB61_DN95uxDCRDQGEqwEcMWWw3PohN/s640/little+brick.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope you all had a wonderful week, one filled with good food, good friends and maybe even an adventure or two.<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-58913657600159457592016-06-01T10:03:00.000-06:002016-06-01T10:05:09.954-06:00In Search of the Perfect Cinnamon Bun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWR9U0-FdiY_DJ2G1ySj5Y4IZWv2dpUxBbl0rUIUy7c1oJUAYHjjSjEivHclqZNjFwhyphenhyphenxS8vWgW_5U6-MH0YWM5DLZu1wmIaQZpcWHVV2j21Pju9VcKHR9p2Ljow2SdyySzZSdPO3YBwr/s1600/cinnamon+buns+2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWR9U0-FdiY_DJ2G1ySj5Y4IZWv2dpUxBbl0rUIUy7c1oJUAYHjjSjEivHclqZNjFwhyphenhyphenxS8vWgW_5U6-MH0YWM5DLZu1wmIaQZpcWHVV2j21Pju9VcKHR9p2Ljow2SdyySzZSdPO3YBwr/s640/cinnamon+buns+2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I love bread. All kind of bread.<br />
<br />
Unless it's filled with whole grains and it's good for you . . . Then, <i>not so much.</i><br />
<br />
If it's made with white flour, and butter and eggs happen to be involved, I know I'm going to love it. I am not a third generation baker for nothing . . .<br />
<br />
I've been making bread for years and over time I began to make a simple cinnamon bun as a treat, using some of my bread dough. They are pretty yummy.<br />
<br />
<b><i>But . . . </i></b>by no stretch of the imagination can they be called the <b><i>perfect</i></b> cinnamon bun!<br />
<br />
And that's what I began to crave.<br />
<br />
Jesse's idea of a perfect cinnamon bun would be a <a href="http://www.cinnabon.com/" target="_blank">Cinnabon</a> cinnamon bun. I find them <i>too</i> spicy. I like my cinnamon in moderation. In Henry and Jesse's opinion, it's <b><i>too</i></b> moderate . . . To them, <i>my </i>idea of moderate is <i>their</i> idea of bland.<br />
<br />
And so, the search for the perfect cinnamon bun recipe began . . .<br />
<br />
My first stop is chef Michael Smith's cinnamon roll recipe. He starts with sweet dough which I haven't done up until now. <i>People . . . </i>he uses 2 <i>tablespoons</i> of vanilla and a <i>stick</i> of <i>butter! </i>How could you go wrong with that?? And just to note: I always use butter when I bake, never margarine. It's more expensive for sure, but I figure if I'm going to take the time to bake I may as well use the good stuff. (that said, when my kids were little and I went through a lot of baking I used margarine and saved the butter for special occasions)<br />
<i> </i><br />
Chef Michael's recipe is a little involved, and it takes longer than my bread recipe, but oh my, is it worth it! So, so yummy!<br />
<i></i><br />
I did tweak his recipe a bit though. He used an icing glaze on his rolls but, since I'm in search of the perfect rolls, I substituted my own recipe for butter icing. And yes, I use real butter in that too. ;D<br />
<br />
You can find chef Michael's recipe <i>here:</i> <a href="http://chefmichaelsmith.com/recipe/cinnamon-rolls/" target="_blank">cinnamon rolls</a><br />
<br />
And this is my recipe for Butter Icing:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtPaMpltP1qkobdOGOD1PqkrQIkQegGQWUkgKkl88fkHkCxN5zIXewjl_7wvYOUtWUUV2XGgTGcoLnPeiT7jDY3DWu8Xvq0drWplUn8MqSwq48wxovsXriubSz47f7qkGm8bYBjULpqPk/s1600/cinnamon+buns+-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtPaMpltP1qkobdOGOD1PqkrQIkQegGQWUkgKkl88fkHkCxN5zIXewjl_7wvYOUtWUUV2XGgTGcoLnPeiT7jDY3DWu8Xvq0drWplUn8MqSwq48wxovsXriubSz47f7qkGm8bYBjULpqPk/s640/cinnamon+buns+-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Rosa's Butter Icing<br />
1 cup softened butter<br />
2 2/3 cups icing sugar<br />
1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla (to taste)<br />
2-3 tablespoons milk or unwhipped (35%) cream<br />
<br />
Beat butter til nicely softened. Add in icing sugar, vanilla and milk. Mix until icing sugar is incorporated. Beat 3-5 minutes on high. Icing gets light and fluffy and increases in volume. (Of course if, like me, you go off to work on a new fantasy piece on your computer and then lose all sense of time, you will come back to overly warm, rather thin icing.<i> Still yummy, but not perfect.</i>) *The one pictured is just about right though.<br />
<br />
Enjoy! <b><i>We sure did . . .</i></b><br />
<br />
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Do you have a better recipe? Is it <b><i>your</i></b> idea of the perfect cinnamon bun?? I'd love to try it out if you're willing to share.<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-9349957029265360302016-05-27T08:00:00.000-06:002016-06-16T18:25:38.313-06:00Facebook Fridays. (A weekly roundup) Often life is so busy that I don't get time to write full blog posts
but I do post smaller blurbs on Facebook and Instagram. Since one of
the reason's I started blogging in the first place was to have an online
journal of family life I've decided to have Facebook Friday's here on
the blog. It will be a place to gather my weekly social media posts
altogether and make them easier to look back on. Some weeks you my even
get the 'Directors Cut/Extended Version of those posts! :)<br />
<br />
Have a lovely weekend.<br />
<br />
May 27:<br />
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What I found when I came home from a quick grocery run.... THAT will teach me to start cleaning up after myself! <i class="_3kkw _4-k1" style="background-image: url(https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v5/u2e/1/16/1f633.png);"><span class="accessible_elem">😳</span></i><i class="_3kkw _4-k1" style="background-image: url(https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v5/ua1/1/16/1f61d.png);"><span class="accessible_elem">😝</span></i>
(what you can't see is the flour paste coat all over her legs and the
thick layer of gluey flour on her tongue... She can't stop licking.<br />
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May 27:<br />
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I had such a wonderful afternoon yesterday. Amanda brought her sweet
little girl over and gave me the chance to practice my grandma skills.
Of course, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures as well . . . <i class="_lew" title="wink emoticon"><span class="_4mcd">;)</span></i> Blog post with the rest of the photos next week.<br />
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May 29:<br />
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Oh my, this will melt your heart!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rFLwldVsI7A/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rFLwldVsI7A?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFLwldVsI7A" target="_blank"></a><br />
May 30:<br />
<br />
I'm not so sure she believed me when I said "Just ONE more picture" . . . ;D<br />
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May 30<br />
<br />
I love, love peonies in floral arrangements and each year my peonies get
larger and I have more and more flower buds. I saw Barb's post last
year and thought it was worth a try. I was still taking peonies out of
my fridge in September! The flowers themselves don't get near as large
as they do on the bush but they are still lovely. I've got one crisper
emptied out so I can fill it up with my peony buds again this year.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.keepingwiththetimes.com/preserving-fresh-peonies/" target="_blank">Keeping With The Times post on peonies</a><br />
<br />
May 31:<br />
<br />
I'm starting to find places to display some of the goodies Stephanie
from LifeCreated gave me from her new Etsy shop, even this tiny business
card. How sweet is this?<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LifeCreatedShop" target="_blank">Life Created Etsy Shop </a><br />
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June 1:<br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Bread's on the go.... Meatball soup and homemade buns for supper today! 😋 <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/baking">#baking</a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/bread">#bread</a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nomnomnom">#nomnomnom</a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/yeg">#yeg</a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/blessingsabound">#blessingsabound</a></span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">June 1:</span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br /></span></span>
<br />
My search for the perfect cinnamon bun recipe is up on the blog today.<br />
** Warning this post may cause drooling . . . ;D<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;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIfjGeOrrRu-NvjOLR8otq5-aDsXf1Yg-d69emQN9qUe60O7-Gcse4dJU8iyntE43pJt4O8Yo1Gn39lfxzs5Iw0oPmJ2mFFkgx2atreQd_nz81dbzwU3n4avYeqYnQge0KBS_uo6rtn_V/s640/cinnamon+buns+2-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alifeofwhimsey.com/2016/06/in-search-of-perfect-cinnamon-bun.html" target="_blank">Click for the link to my blog post</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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June 1:<br />
<br />
A lovely lady in the drive through line at Tim Hortons bought my hot chocolate for me! <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/peoplecanbeawesome?source=feed_text&story_id=591082301067150"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">peoplecanbeawesome</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/yeg?source=feed_text&story_id=591082301067150"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">yeg</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nomnomnom?source=feed_text&story_id=591082301067150"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">nomnomnom</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/simplethings?source=feed_text&story_id=591082301067150"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">simplethings</span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOn94RNfzetTqcilKh8pNzp9eZTFtQmLTrX0pU-BTLcdaufSvxcirK027g19nQcesjfKl6GjzlZqT49Jvxokm56MmHZHbg_jXtb5vKRi3KgteT27y9g1p_lDh1eE4jgNN-eE1VWvb2DFM/s1600/tims.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOn94RNfzetTqcilKh8pNzp9eZTFtQmLTrX0pU-BTLcdaufSvxcirK027g19nQcesjfKl6GjzlZqT49Jvxokm56MmHZHbg_jXtb5vKRi3KgteT27y9g1p_lDh1eE4jgNN-eE1VWvb2DFM/s640/tims.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="_58cm">June 2:</span><br />
<span class="_58cm"></span><br />
<span class="_58cm"></span>I'm taking a new class this week on how to use Composite photography to create fantasy worlds! So much fun! :D :D<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.creativelive.com/courses/using-composite-photography-to-create-a-fantasy-world-karen-alsop" target="_blank">Link to Karen Alsop's CreativeLive class.</a><br />
(Which was awesome by the way!)<br />
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June 3:<br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Early morning in the back garden. It's an allium extravaganza.</span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">June 4:</span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span>The peonies are starting to bloom! I'm so excited. I've got a big
project planned with them. Fingers crossed that they burst into full
bloom this week...<br />
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<span class="_58cm"> And that was my week on Facebook. :D I hope you all had a fabulous week!</span><br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-88467556946957609502016-05-25T09:50:00.000-06:002016-05-26T14:18:46.956-06:00Why I'm so Excited. (Kim's Maternity Shoot)<br />
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<br />
I love kids. I always have. I 'get' kids in a way I often don't with adults.<br />
<br />
I'm not only an introvert, I'm also quite shy and find myself tongue tied and fumbling for things to say when I'm around people I don't know really well. I am <b><i>not</i></b> good at casual conversation!<br />
<br />
I don't generally have that problem with kids. Of course, it still takes time for them to get comfortable with me, and to feel safe enough to be themselves, but the thing with most kids is, they<i> want</i> you to see them for who they are.<br />
<br />
I love how they can be wildly funny one minute and then turn around and be endearingly earnest and concerned about the serious things going on around them. When you really and truly connect with children you can forget, sometimes, how young they are.<br />
<br />
For years I had my own kids and then, as they grew older, a parade of kids who rode my school bus. Most of them will never know how deeply I cared about them. How much I celebrated their joys and had my heart broken as I saw them struggle with difficulties through the years. How often I prayed for them. I loved the kids who would sit at the front of my bus chatting about their lives, stuff going on in school, kids who bothered them, best friends they delighted in and, of course, stuff their moms and dads did and said at home. (Not to worry though . . . <i>those</i> kinds of things I kept to myself. ;D)<br />
<br />
I've missed having kids in my daily life since I've retired. I've borrowed my sisters' grandkids when I visited, arranged the occasional playtime with younger nieces and nephews and even sent out calls on Facebook for kids (and their moms) to come and craft, bake, or dress up and pose for the camera with me. (Most kids still love to get in front of a camera and play pretend games.)<br />
<br />
But now, (*D.V.) a new stage of life is about to begin. In no time at all I hope to be a grandma and to once again have a small child around regularly. (Don't worry Kim, I won't drop by everyday, I promise!)<br />
<br />
The things we are going to do, the pictures I'm going to take . . .<br />
<br />
My sister <a href="http://thegreenhousediaries.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Tamara's</a> favourite hashtag says it all . . . #blessingsabound<br />
<br />
I'm <i>still </i>going to be borrowing other peoples kids once in a while though, I won't be able to help myself! ;D<br />
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I'll leave you with the rest of Kim's maternity images. How lucky am I that she still loves to dress up, pretend and is willing to do it in front of my camera?<br />
<br />
Hair and makeup Holly Anne <br />
<br />
(*deo volente) <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-14142200768061714352016-02-19T14:52:00.000-07:002016-02-19T15:01:07.786-07:00Going on a 'Staycation'<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztzI6GMGlqWrECa3NTaNjcbnyq2ooirvveG6CvrYTwSm2tdydxaPVIaEeTdnsIER-KxbfpjMZwOLVJh7DY0iudghGc_r8hmjEkIXR8epyrAVWN7JkVMsWU-l6SV1GVNC9lan6gIU_VXI7/s1600/web+Tea+Jane+Austen+quote+home+comfort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztzI6GMGlqWrECa3NTaNjcbnyq2ooirvveG6CvrYTwSm2tdydxaPVIaEeTdnsIER-KxbfpjMZwOLVJh7DY0iudghGc_r8hmjEkIXR8epyrAVWN7JkVMsWU-l6SV1GVNC9lan6gIU_VXI7/s640/web+Tea+Jane+Austen+quote+home+comfort.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(original tea image courtesy Pixabay. A little added photoshop artistry, me)</td></tr>
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<br />
It's nearly the end of February, a time of year Henry and I begin to long for warm weather. He starts itching to get out his boat and fishing rod and I'm knee deep in seed catalogs and drooling over all those fabulous gardening boards on Pinterest.<br />
<br />
We had hoped to take a trip down to the coast (B.C.'s west coast), lounge around in our<a href="http://www.alifeofwhimsey.com/2008/10/our-little-getaway.html" target="_blank"> favourite Bed and Breakfast</a>, visit with my sisters, and go on a few adventures but . . . truck repairs, dentist visits and new glasses have put that out of reach for the time being.<br />
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<i>What to do, what to do . . . </i><br />
<br />
Normally I would plan a lovely 'Staycation' at home that would include adventures here at home, working on a big project or lots of <i>learning</i> about some new project I'm hoping to do.<br />
<br />
But this year???<br />
<br />
This year I'm tired. There's been lots going on for months and, although my post shingles pain is mostly under control these days, I feel rather worn out.<br />
<br />
I have something totally different planned for this 'staycation' This year it's going to be all about resting and relaxing. Poor Henry's still going to have to go to work, so all his relaxing and resting will happen in the evenings. (not to worry though, he had a lovely golf holiday last fall)<br />
<br />
<i><b>Me???</b></i><br />
<br />
I'm going to be madly getting stuff ready for the ultimate 'at home' retreat week. I'm cleaning and fluffing and staging lovely vignettes around the house. I'm going to bake all my favourite cookies, squares and cakes and pop them in the freezer so I'll<i> (okay</i>, <i><b>we'll</b> . . . I might share a<b> few</b> things . . .) </i>have tasty treats all week with out any effort from me. Some of those cookies won't even see the inside of an oven. They'll just be yummy dough. If I'm really, really smart I'll put together a few things to make quick meals next week but, and I hate to say it, I'm pretty sure there will just be a whole lot of 'Help Yourself' suppers instead.<br />
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There will be piles of books beside the bed, movie marathons and . . . I may not even change out of my pj's!<br />
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I do have a few things booked that will get me dressed and out of the house, so I won't be a total hermit. For the most part though, I'm going to pretend I live in Regency England and not 'At Home' when people come to call. Or in this day and age, <i>email, Facebook and text . . .</i> ;D<br />
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Sigh, I can't wait. But now I'm off to wash the sheets and scrub the bathroom. There's nothing cozier than a bed with crisp, freshly washed bedding that's piled high with pillows and extra blankets. Add in a sparkling bathroom complete with fluffy towels and fresh flowers??? <br />
<br />
<i>Bliss.</i><br />
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<i>See you all in March! </i><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-26122462807852600232016-02-10T09:58:00.001-07:002016-02-10T10:00:06.411-07:00That Annoying Voice in my HeadDo you ever have that? An annoying voice in your head that just won't leave you alone??<br />
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I do and it happens all the time. Some days that voice decides it's not content to stay in my head and appears around the corner inside a body.<br />
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I hear the Voice in my head most often while I'm chopping vegetables . . .<br />
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"Be careful!" "Stop waving the knife around, it's dangerous." "No, no, don't hold it like that, you're going to cut yourself." "Tuck your fingers in!!" <br />
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The other day the voice got so loud I was totally flustered and nearly cut my finger off!<br />
<br />
But, when that Voice decides to get out of my head and reunite with it's body???<br />
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<b>It's either very, very good or very, very bad.</b><br />
<br />
It's very, very good when the body sighs, grabs the knife and says "Move over and let me do that, I can't take it any more . . ."<br />
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And it's very, very bad when it not only scolds me for playing when I should be working, but actually uses it's rather large body to gently remove me from my desk chair, turn off my computer and lead me into the kitchen to make dinner for the guests due to arrive any minute.<br />
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<i>I mean, really, there's always peanut butter sandwiches right???</i><br />
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<i><b>You know you're getting old when your son turns into your dad . . .</b></i><br />
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<i><b> </b> </i><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-15284800560349963282016-02-02T11:17:00.000-07:002016-02-02T11:17:34.589-07:00Out of Surgery and a Thank You . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm finding peace in the small details of God's creation today.<br />
<br />
There's something about macro photography and the act of looking for beauty in the smallest bits of God's creation. There's a sense of wonder and astonishment that God cares for things down to the tiniest detail.<br />
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Nothing is so small that it would escape his notice.<br />
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Psalm 95:4-5<br />
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<strong>4</strong>
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In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
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<strong>5</strong>
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The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. </span></div>
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<span class="verse-5">Dad came out of surgery and, although it took him awhile to recover from the anesthesia, and a few, not unexpected, things came up afterwards, he had a relatively comfortable night last night. We are still waiting to hear how the surgery itself went. He was in an observation room overnight and will likely spend the day there as well.</span></div>
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<span class="verse-5">I wanted to thank everyone for your sweet comments and prayers. They are a huge comfort and encouragement to us all.</span></div>
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Henry's dad is in surgery as I write this. The surgeon is removing 65% of his liver and his gallbladder today. If all goes well, in 6 to 8 weeks he will be in surgery again, to remove the tumor in his colon, the place where his cancer began.<br />
<br />
I wanted to write a beautiful post for him today, something to tell you how special he is and what an inspiration he's been to all of us with his wonderful attitude and steadfast faith.<br />
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<i>But . . .</i><br />
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I don't have the words today. Instead my heart and mind is filled with prayer as we wait . . .<br />
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Philippians 4: 6-7<br />
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<span>
<span class="verse v6 ng-scope selected" data-usfm="PHP.4.6"><span class="label" style="display: inherit;">6 </span><span class="content">Do
not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. </span></span><span class="verse v7 ng-scope" data-usfm="PHP.4.7"><span class="label" style="display: inherit;">7 </span><span class="content">And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. </span></span></span><br />
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I'll leave you with dad's words as he was being wheeled into surgery: "I'm in the Lord's hands."<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-77816960283418923702016-01-29T08:46:00.000-07:002016-01-29T08:56:19.261-07:00Creating on a Winter's Afternoon.Kim and I spent the afternoon earlier this week setting up a variety of styled tea still life vignettes.<br />
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Two of my favorite things at once! There is nothing better than spending a winter's afternoon, camera in hand, surrounded by tea and cookies.<br />
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<i>Unless</i> . . . you add in time in Photoshop, playing with one of the stills you made. Photography, tea and cookies <i>plus</i> Photoshop . . . makes for a the perfect afternoon.<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiL6NAgORLyuoleuVKJq4k9NSHU1NMByyFJlpamxjsMmGzK-OhW4Kf_d3HBtvKLhoKhYHfG6lRJcgSH8nuaKmy1ZPUJCBs1A3vzEB7EHUGhaaAP0P445Z76k9EZKDlLyRFJhW6RvPkS9S/s640/textured+tea+anna+asperns.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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Here are a few with out Photoshop magic:<br />
Another one of mine . . .<br />
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And one of Kim's . . .<br />
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Have a wonderful week end!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-83389718349484218322016-01-26T18:30:00.000-07:002016-01-26T18:43:56.438-07:00Looking forward to Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't know about you, but every January I start to long for spring.<br />
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On Boxing Day I'm in a fever of impatience, wanting my tree down <i>right now, </i>loading empty laundry baskets with anything Christmasy, ready to make a clean sweep.<br />
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Master Gardener or not, I deliberately stop watering my poinsettias so I can throw them away as quickly as possible without guilt. Which I can. Because they're dead. Even though I killed them. On purpose. <i>(Yes indeed. That's how my brain works.)</i><br />
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By New Years Day my house is usually bare of seasonal decor. I love to decorate for the seasons and somehow I never seem to do 'winter'. I go from fall to Christmas, skip winter altogether and go straight to spring.<br />
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<i>The ultimate denial.</i><br />
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By the end of January I'm chomping at the bit, aching for the sight of fresh flowers. When I can't stand it for even one more day, I'll treat myself to an inexpensive bundle of flowers, which I will spread out into an assortment of tiny vases so there will be something pretty all over the house.<br />
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Then it's February and time for the grocery store primulas. I love to work them into a spring vignette. Because, if I still lived in B.C., it <i>would</i> be spring . . . at least, that's what my sister Lisa tells me when I'm moaning about another winter snowstorm and she assures me that the snowdrops are already poking their heads up everywhere she looks . . .<br />
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<i>She's a mean one alright . . . ;D</i><br />
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<i> </i>By late February (and sometimes even before) the tulips/daffodils I'd forced back in the fall start to bloom and it's just magical. There is nothing like enjoying the blooms of your own tulips and daffodils. I'm not sure why I find them so much more satisfying than those I buy at the store, but they are.<br />
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March is hardcore seeding. I could watch those seedlings pop up all day long if I didn't have to keep us in clean underwear and toilet paper . . .<br />
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In April, seedlings get transplanted into bigger pots and moved into the greenhouse. Oh the thrill of a greenhouse in April.<br />
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Ah spring, it's <i>almost </i>as fun to anticipate as it is to live it. <br />
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<b><i>Almost . . . </i></b> <br />
<i> </i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-71740912646436321252016-01-22T12:13:00.001-07:002016-01-22T12:16:06.629-07:00On a Sister Adventure.<br />
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My youngest sister Sabrina came to visit me last week. It's the first time she's been up here for a sister visit. She came on her own and got to enjoy sleeping in and having the entire bed to herself. A real luxury when she usually shares the bed with her husband, adorable little munchkin and their two dogs!<br />
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The weather wasn't as cooperative as I'd hoped. It stayed in the minus 20C range for most of her visit. This meant no shopping on <a href="http://www.oldstrathcona.ca/" target="_blank">Whyte Ave</a>, no visit to the <a href="http://icecastles.com/edmonton/" target="_blank">Ice Castle</a> and no long rambles through the river valley with Jada. <i>(I guess she's just going to have to come back when it warms up! ;D)</i><br />
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I knew I wanted to take her on a visit to the <a href="http://duchessbakeshop.com/" target="_blank">Duchess Bake Shop</a>. It's the perfect adventure for the daughter's of a baker. After the 6 month check up with my melanoma doctor (a good one!), we bundled up and headed out. We found a good parking spot and shivered our way over to the Duchess . . . <b><i>who are closed on Mondays!</i></b><br />
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Whaaat??!<br />
<b><i> </i></b><br />
Luckily for us, Edmonton is full of great restaurants, so I took her to another one of my favourites: <a href="http://www.thedishandspoon.com/" target="_blank">The Dish Bistro</a>. They never disappoint. Yum!<br />
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Sabrina enjoyed a hearty bowl of their daily soup and I had my current favourite, Chicken and Waffles. Fried chicken on a Cheddar and green onion buttermilk waffle with a grainy mustard maple syrup. Yummy, yummy, yummy.<br />
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The bonus for me, is that I can only eat half, which means I get to take the rest home for lunch the next day . . . Double yum!<br />
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Don't you love if when you can share an adventure with your sister? I know I do!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-82938396791121690492016-01-20T10:28:00.000-07:002016-01-20T10:28:28.138-07:00Wordless Wednesday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3172950672568235224.post-9208452187554887312016-01-19T11:05:00.000-07:002016-01-19T11:05:19.672-07:00Flying . . .<br />
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Around this time of the year, after a cold snap or two, I start to feel a little cooped up.<br />
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I stay inside as much as humanly possible because I'm a big baby when it comes to cold weather. If it weren't for Jada and the need for groceries, I'd probably stay holed up in my comfy little home for 4 or 5 months of the year!<br />
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That's when I start looking through my photo library, dreaming about those beautiful warm days in the sun. I took this image last summer while on a long overdue weekend away with my friend Joyce. (Still to be blogged about.<i><b> </b></i><b><i>Ahem.</i></b>)<b><i> </i></b><br />
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We gazed at these boats from the deck of a paddle wheeler, the sun hot on our faces, small breeze ruffling our hair, while kids wove in and out of the crowds, looking for the best vantage point, the most adventurous going so far as to climb on benches and hang<i> </i>joyously over the rail. <br />
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Watching the boats fly across the water with my dear friend at my side, camera at the ready, the loud splash and swoosh of the paddles in the background . . . <br />
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<i>Life just doesn't get much better than that does it? </i><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1eQkGDqqHNc/U8a0_nf1lcI/AAAAAAAAI5g/0Q5cD7fdM94/h50/rosa-blog-signature-final.png" />Rosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398715219729884144noreply@blogger.com0