tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35775038684700483712024-03-13T03:16:08.770-04:00{Peter and Ashley}Est. 5.21.08Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-39294225983650571882012-01-04T20:07:00.000-05:002012-01-04T20:07:36.435-05:00First Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">No, it wasn't our first Christmas together, but it was our first Christmas<i> alone</i>. In our <i>own</i> house. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9mwrbVB3s_I/TwT3fB_JLTI/AAAAAAAAAP4/bHZB1N6NPzU/s1600/101_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9mwrbVB3s_I/TwT3fB_JLTI/AAAAAAAAAP4/bHZB1N6NPzU/s320/101_0494.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And it was <i>wonderful.</i></div>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-30161729370974161452012-01-02T00:23:00.001-05:002012-01-02T00:26:10.732-05:00Our First HouseAfter <i>months</i> of anticipation (and fighting with underwriters) we closed on our first house Wednesday, November 23, 2011. Closing happened to be the day before Thanksgiving, and we had painters paint through the night (and well into Thanksgiving - big shout out to The Right Touch Painting) so we could move in the day after Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EULKEsL7-g/TwEO6cBXJtI/AAAAAAAAALg/wDL9ONCj5Dg/s1600/101_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EULKEsL7-g/TwEO6cBXJtI/AAAAAAAAALg/wDL9ONCj5Dg/s320/101_0501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I am so grateful for great friends and family that helped alleviate a lot of the stress. Closing happened very last minute, thanks to some uh, <i>interesting</i>, underwriters and bank managers. Our Real Estate agent told us that the hoops we had to jump through were completely abnormal. Lovely.<br />
<br />
Anyway, its been a month and we are in love with the house. Peter had me take pictures of the interior, but I haven't done any decorating. In fact, the only 'real' decorating I have done was for Christmas, and I was so tired of unpacking that I didn't even do much for Christmas. Now that Christmas is over, I need to brush up on my interior decorating skills and get to work :)<br />
<br />
Here are some pictures of my undecorated, slightly messy, house...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr align="right"><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzNq_PkWf8E/TwEU4H6o5YI/AAAAAAAAAL8/fVpvr3h4Hvo/s1600/101_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzNq_PkWf8E/TwEU4H6o5YI/AAAAAAAAAL8/fVpvr3h4Hvo/s320/101_0478.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Master Bed Room<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe9MzkXjAL8/TwEVHuaav2I/AAAAAAAAANc/SnQSa00Ht4s/s1600/101_0490.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe9MzkXjAL8/TwEVHuaav2I/AAAAAAAAANc/SnQSa00Ht4s/s320/101_0490.JPG" width="320" /></a> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe9MzkXjAL8/TwEVHuaav2I/AAAAAAAAANc/SnQSa00Ht4s/s1600/101_0490.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0hz9kihEOs/TwEU6irTc2I/AAAAAAAAAMM/KJMyjJtItv0/s1600/101_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0hz9kihEOs/TwEU6irTc2I/AAAAAAAAAMM/KJMyjJtItv0/s320/101_0480.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite part of the master bath</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXl2g0vDH-U/TwEU8tOfuCI/AAAAAAAAAMU/d_knUUvMgiM/s1600/101_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXl2g0vDH-U/TwEU8tOfuCI/AAAAAAAAAMU/d_knUUvMgiM/s320/101_0481.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the stairs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiDLFVM4jPQ/TwEU-I5fujI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Gtge6htEe8c/s1600/101_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiDLFVM4jPQ/TwEU-I5fujI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Gtge6htEe8c/s320/101_0482.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nook by the stairs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMOqPc3_GU0/TwEU_Ij7WYI/AAAAAAAAAMk/jxPX-Z8iSz4/s1600/101_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMOqPc3_GU0/TwEU_Ij7WYI/AAAAAAAAAMk/jxPX-Z8iSz4/s320/101_0483.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs hallway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-45ULHfkBELo/TwEVFbz-a5I/AAAAAAAAANM/vcZvswf1T50/s1600/101_0488.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-45ULHfkBELo/TwEVFbz-a5I/AAAAAAAAANM/vcZvswf1T50/s320/101_0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiDaC2DRI2U/TwEVAp7RDvI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Xs0SgY4_pyU/s1600/101_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiDaC2DRI2U/TwEVAp7RDvI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Xs0SgY4_pyU/s320/101_0484.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest bedroom, so far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sb7e9dNc_yg/TwEVB2yTXxI/AAAAAAAAAM0/GqoX6dSAfUw/s1600/101_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sb7e9dNc_yg/TwEVB2yTXxI/AAAAAAAAAM0/GqoX6dSAfUw/s320/101_0485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqsidZs0k38/TwEVDNRylnI/AAAAAAAAAM8/vC40j7nrUCI/s1600/101_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqsidZs0k38/TwEVDNRylnI/AAAAAAAAAM8/vC40j7nrUCI/s320/101_0486.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry room. On the second floor :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwol4opBIhY/TwEVGd5kNGI/AAAAAAAAANU/kgUVkRSMreM/s1600/101_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwol4opBIhY/TwEVGd5kNGI/AAAAAAAAANU/kgUVkRSMreM/s320/101_0489.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Kona's room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBNWUsqYRN8/TwEVI1xs2-I/AAAAAAAAANk/yGy94Cr37uc/s1600/101_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBNWUsqYRN8/TwEVI1xs2-I/AAAAAAAAANk/yGy94Cr37uc/s320/101_0491.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMmukEuUAIk/TwEVKC1qp5I/AAAAAAAAANs/16hG5xiEsiI/s1600/101_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMmukEuUAIk/TwEVKC1qp5I/AAAAAAAAANs/16hG5xiEsiI/s320/101_0492.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Room/Entry.</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6r_ye5AwXU/TwEVS0VpeKI/AAAAAAAAAOU/MPat3_2lwhU/s1600/101_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6r_ye5AwXU/TwEVS0VpeKI/AAAAAAAAAOU/MPat3_2lwhU/s320/101_0497.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry/Living Room</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHfyxvIpOKM/TwEVgbbPaGI/AAAAAAAAAPU/6N7IEa8XCKs/s1600/101_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHfyxvIpOKM/TwEVgbbPaGI/AAAAAAAAAPU/6N7IEa8XCKs/s320/101_0505.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rEHdEfObgZE/TwEVfDfYH6I/AAAAAAAAAPM/bWP6yHxaiaw/s1600/101_0504.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rEHdEfObgZE/TwEVfDfYH6I/AAAAAAAAAPM/bWP6yHxaiaw/s320/101_0504.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBfrerV4Yxg/TwEVhvCFZ_I/AAAAAAAAAPc/dDZjyUPA4ow/s1600/101_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBfrerV4Yxg/TwEVhvCFZ_I/AAAAAAAAAPc/dDZjyUPA4ow/s320/101_0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the living room into the kitchen.</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lPqbE1CFbE/TwEVi_gqvTI/AAAAAAAAAPk/q1KyLbONW34/s1600/101_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lPqbE1CFbE/TwEVi_gqvTI/AAAAAAAAAPk/q1KyLbONW34/s320/101_0507.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen - my favorite room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qE88RTZeI7I/TwEVjzYV21I/AAAAAAAAAPs/cSRwEaihVUA/s1600/101_0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qE88RTZeI7I/TwEVjzYV21I/AAAAAAAAAPs/cSRwEaihVUA/s320/101_0508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8enOB75m1O8/TwEVd5c0t1I/AAAAAAAAAPE/-gMU59-ddPA/s1600/101_0503.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8enOB75m1O8/TwEVd5c0t1I/AAAAAAAAAPE/-gMU59-ddPA/s320/101_0503.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
I haven't taken pictures of the office yet - it was still in boxes, ahem, Peter. And I figured there was no point in posting pictures of the spare room we have designated Kona's room, just the incredible view. Once I 'finish' a room, I will update the pictures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-28720877554516290492011-07-17T17:38:00.001-04:002011-07-17T17:40:09.650-04:00MIAYes, I have been missing in action. Again. I started my summer job, and haven't really had the time, or desire, to blog. Not that I have completed <i>any</i> of my projects, anyway. I have this coming week off for a family reunion, and since we aren't leaving for Williamsburg until Wednesday, I plan on using these few days to work on some of my projects that I've been scheming.<br />
<br />
I've been making a list of the funny (to me) things kids I babysit say. Now, most of these are 'you had to be there...' or 'if you only knew the person who said it' quotes. I realize this. Also, these quotes are compiled from several families, over the past 6 months, and there are several kids that fit each age. Trying to keep this somewhat anonymous, obviously.<br />
<br />
<br />
Age: 5<br />
"I love vineyards."<br />
<br />
Age: 3<br />
Her: "This is yellow baby. <br />
Me: "She's pink."<br />
Her: "She had an identity crisis."<br />
<br />
Age:4<br />
Me: "I'm so tired today."<br />
Her: "You should take a nap."<br />
Me: "You're my favorite."<br />
<br />
Age: 5<br />
Her: "There's a lake, so we must be there."<br />
Me: "Do you know how many lakes there are in Virginia?"<br />
Her: "Yes. But I want it to be <i>this</i> one. Its so lake-y."<br />
Me: "That's a stream." <br />
<br />
Ages: 5 and 3<br />
3 y/o: "I like to sit on lots of people. "<br />
5 y/o: "That's not normal."<br />
<br />
Age: 3<br />
"When my mommy was a boy she drove daddies car. When she was little."<br />
<br />
Age: 3<br />
"You be the mommy, I'll be the daddy, and I have a baby in my tummy. It will be my sister."<br />
<br />
Age: 5<br />
"What's wrong with you? You're so whiny."<br />
<br />
Age: 5<br />
Me: "You need patience. "<br />
Her: "I dont have my patience today. It might be back tomorrow." <br />
<i>Next day...</i><br />
Me: "I thought we talked about having patience?"<br />
Her: "We did. It's in my drawer. I might take it out tomorrow."<br />
Me: "That's what you said yesterday."<br />
<br />
Now on to sleeping in for the next week :)Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-66367650060598312172011-05-24T13:19:00.000-04:002011-05-24T13:19:13.957-04:00What Three Years of Marriage Has Taught MeThis past Saturday, Peter and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. Three years, people! I know, in the grand scheme of things, three years isn't a whole lot - and next year, I will probably freak out about it being 4 years - but it still feels unreal. I have never been attached to another person, immediate family aside, for this long.<br />
<br />
Anyway, we celebrated by going to Richmond and having dinner at <a href="http://www.thetobaccocompany.com/">The Tobacco Company Restaurant</a>. I fell in love with the old time charm of the building, as well as the food. Seriously, check out the pictures on their website. After dinner, Peter bought roses from a street vendor, and we walked around the Capitol. Peter and I sat on the steps of the capitol building and talked - and that was, honestly, the best part of the night.<br />
<br />
For the past few weeks, I considered writing a post listing some of the things that marriage has taught me. Maybe I can keep this up for anniversaries? Hmm...<br />
<br />
-When dating, you do things for each other because you're in love. Your first year of marriage, you do things for each other just because. The second year, you find bribery works well. The third year, bribery doesn't work as well as it once did...I expect that by next year, it wont work at all?<br />
<br />
-Anything can be put off if it means you get a few more minutes together.<br />
<br />
-Laundry will not fold itself and dishes will not put themselves away like they magically did in high school [thanks, mom!]; Chances are, the hubby isn't going make that happen, either.<br />
<br />
-You really do need to keep 'dating' once you're married.<br />
<br />
-Waking up next to someone is far better than waking up alone. Even when that person snores, talks in their [her] sleep, and steals the blankets [her, again].<br />
<br />
-It will be rare that the toilet paper, or paper towels, will make it in the dispenser [not just on, next to, or in the same room].<br />
<br />
-Laugh. At everything.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'll probably add more as I think of them :)Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-30600384999634869812011-05-20T14:31:00.000-04:002011-05-20T14:31:36.141-04:00DIY Photo CollageI've wanted a photo collage in our living room since last fall, but have been turned away for several reasons:<br />
- Photo collage 'kits' (I guess you can call them) only had select frames. I wanted most frames to<br />
be matted, and I didn't want frames that fit several photos.<br />
- Frames are expensive! At $15+ each, it was a little more than I was willing to spend.<br />
<br />
After months of debating and searching, I finally had the frames that I wanted. This is where my OCD kicked in. I knew that I wanted the collage to cover the majority of the space on the wall, but I wanted to make sure it was generally centered, and that they didn't look exactly spaced out.<br />
<br />
I arranged the frames on the carpet to get a general pattern and to avoid placing several of the same frames next to each other. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSsNujND0FCZmJqtyat2Oi7ZO7YLFtGR0MIDdc16kvT09VdTvK0m23bNCrddShj_mYLMZbA1DvtmxUGXmWmhvv4gd9VCdydrO4MnY9cm66O1j7ekuG9YkEqzgo89mAD0VL1oQ9SqwsbI/s1600/IMG_0259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSsNujND0FCZmJqtyat2Oi7ZO7YLFtGR0MIDdc16kvT09VdTvK0m23bNCrddShj_mYLMZbA1DvtmxUGXmWmhvv4gd9VCdydrO4MnY9cm66O1j7ekuG9YkEqzgo89mAD0VL1oQ9SqwsbI/s320/IMG_0259.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several attempts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After, I found an extremely helpful tutorial on how to hang them. You trace the frames onto cheap paper (I used moving paper that we have for projects, but paper grocery bags work well, too), and cut them out. Label each cut out with a short description of the photo. Line the cut out to fit the back of the frame. With your fingers, feel for the loops where the nails will go and punch holes into the paper. (I didn't get a picture of this step). With blue painters tape, tape the cut outs in the pattern you want. This makes it easier to move the cutouts and make adjustments. When you are satisfied, locate the holes you punched and nail the cut outs to the wall. Replace the cut outs with the frames.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCeISI_FzIltCHAQRhfPM0A1XhM2j0dil93cU-Y1vIrpXib9XCxF-5N7M1JLVbblYuozSk619PVUoa3Hn7mP3tiCkacDgW1R8jXQFIth2hT1EaYRQtY_BgWjacWfqd74AC02zb3A2g2U/s1600/IMG_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCeISI_FzIltCHAQRhfPM0A1XhM2j0dil93cU-Y1vIrpXib9XCxF-5N7M1JLVbblYuozSk619PVUoa3Hn7mP3tiCkacDgW1R8jXQFIth2hT1EaYRQtY_BgWjacWfqd74AC02zb3A2g2U/s320/IMG_0266.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry for the poor quality; It was evening.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></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/AVvXsEhWYeiCAbYUI_M-4N87MBmPVfjfyricfJ26cnRpvDFmaqwC5upQfNtUAyBgaSqyzc-Mmtp8Ilf61vzakmz2CLTCARXFs19mfasmxWAv2XZl6DpILSGbNGaJc9lMAAS05LH1lVWev8Zju04/s1600/IMG_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYeiCAbYUI_M-4N87MBmPVfjfyricfJ26cnRpvDFmaqwC5upQfNtUAyBgaSqyzc-Mmtp8Ilf61vzakmz2CLTCARXFs19mfasmxWAv2XZl6DpILSGbNGaJc9lMAAS05LH1lVWev8Zju04/s320/IMG_0267.jpg" width="240" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final result - slightly different than my original template.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a name='more'></a>**Sorry for the weird spacing of the pictures. Blogger is such a pain when it comes to loading pictures, and then heaven forbid you have more to type...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-29581537224506235532011-04-21T17:25:00.002-04:002011-04-21T17:26:49.451-04:00Puerto Rico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Hrgg035FBm4vZNXbUjHhvIbkSuW_-KWDlDH5SlFWWm7N7pMewe5aqaYVVyh7VN05QjqPd8v2rOlODGZDvzody9IbnmvWDtYwdZ9lGYQRbTCnofbhHUj8K85J7KOZkCoBOkSeMjH-Pwg/s1600/103_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Peter made Rosetta Stone's "Circle of Excellence" for 2010! As a reward, we received a week-ish long, all expense paid vacation. This year, the location was the St. Regis, Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico.<br />
<br />
I'm so proud of him! Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on some of the pictures from the award dinner.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Hrgg035FBm4vZNXbUjHhvIbkSuW_-KWDlDH5SlFWWm7N7pMewe5aqaYVVyh7VN05QjqPd8v2rOlODGZDvzody9IbnmvWDtYwdZ9lGYQRbTCnofbhHUj8K85J7KOZkCoBOkSeMjH-Pwg/s1600/103_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Hrgg035FBm4vZNXbUjHhvIbkSuW_-KWDlDH5SlFWWm7N7pMewe5aqaYVVyh7VN05QjqPd8v2rOlODGZDvzody9IbnmvWDtYwdZ9lGYQRbTCnofbhHUj8K85J7KOZkCoBOkSeMjH-Pwg/s1600/103_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Hrgg035FBm4vZNXbUjHhvIbkSuW_-KWDlDH5SlFWWm7N7pMewe5aqaYVVyh7VN05QjqPd8v2rOlODGZDvzody9IbnmvWDtYwdZ9lGYQRbTCnofbhHUj8K85J7KOZkCoBOkSeMjH-Pwg/s1600/103_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
Here are the highlights: (I suggest you look at the pictures I posted on my Facebook. Blogger makes the process of posting pictures unbearable) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Hrgg035FBm4vZNXbUjHhvIbkSuW_-KWDlDH5SlFWWm7N7pMewe5aqaYVVyh7VN05QjqPd8v2rOlODGZDvzody9IbnmvWDtYwdZ9lGYQRbTCnofbhHUj8K85J7KOZkCoBOkSeMjH-Pwg/s1600/103_0461.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Hrgg035FBm4vZNXbUjHhvIbkSuW_-KWDlDH5SlFWWm7N7pMewe5aqaYVVyh7VN05QjqPd8v2rOlODGZDvzody9IbnmvWDtYwdZ9lGYQRbTCnofbhHUj8K85J7KOZkCoBOkSeMjH-Pwg/s320/103_0461.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach in Rio Grande</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62TsjFRbxCO01H-x98egTgzHO4F5pgwBeZx47Egv4gcZXZwznyL3MW7Vj03WejDRHFk-CXy-rohyphenhyphenAUWPYWf-IWqqsxXg7XzToVj_KlsVYgRQ1SI5Faq-UCnoMOBGP9ST9mzBNbhx52_M/s1600/103_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62TsjFRbxCO01H-x98egTgzHO4F5pgwBeZx47Egv4gcZXZwznyL3MW7Vj03WejDRHFk-CXy-rohyphenhyphenAUWPYWf-IWqqsxXg7XzToVj_KlsVYgRQ1SI5Faq-UCnoMOBGP9ST9mzBNbhx52_M/s320/103_0427.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The narrow streets of Old San Juan</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2-marlA6BnARboWwPbqQMIdhDPbSarGpUld9PBPa9LJVzx4C8dtUmY4noJlvmc4lbILrji-zl4mlgS002IdkzE8xM-37eGSksOek5ew7B9rzUkyCm0LZmifoUDZ0dy431JO0e2tbYsM/s1600/103_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2-marlA6BnARboWwPbqQMIdhDPbSarGpUld9PBPa9LJVzx4C8dtUmY4noJlvmc4lbILrji-zl4mlgS002IdkzE8xM-37eGSksOek5ew7B9rzUkyCm0LZmifoUDZ0dy431JO0e2tbYsM/s320/103_0449.JPG" width="240" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zip lining in El Yunque Rain Forest</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgJSXG0Bo4rxwI647CAlFNCovH0WsDJfjbAPGOnLGF6CU1aVHaN0V3vMt70DptUbBem9ULafkrieBLVIGvFfMQp4AdoE4hfNc5U9fVDz-r7tnjRwqWIvxqjFbvN2S89FCYWEugWFUR1Q/s1600/103_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgJSXG0Bo4rxwI647CAlFNCovH0WsDJfjbAPGOnLGF6CU1aVHaN0V3vMt70DptUbBem9ULafkrieBLVIGvFfMQp4AdoE4hfNc5U9fVDz-r7tnjRwqWIvxqjFbvN2S89FCYWEugWFUR1Q/s320/103_0443.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the bright buildings</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-60436259646803586412011-03-31T11:00:00.000-04:002011-03-31T11:00:24.912-04:00Smitten Kitchen<a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/about/"> Smitten Kitchen</a><br />
<br />
Their recipes are pretty amazing.<br />
<br />
Check 'em out!Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-80723770684930268422011-03-18T19:42:00.000-04:002011-03-18T19:42:57.050-04:005 Things FridayOy. It's mid March and I have yet to post anything.<br />
<br />
I'll just get to the gist of things and post my 5 things - it's been a couple weeks since I last wrote a '5 Things Friday' post. This week I've tended to concentrate less on actual things - quite a change for this shop-a-holic - and more on the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
1. The Early Bird Catches the Worm - It's official. I'm a morning person. Yes, I just admitted that <b>and</b> the walls are still standing around me. I've had to get up early (+ Daylight Savings) to nanny all week and some of last week, and managed to get up over an hour before the time I needed to leave by. I accomplished so much in that hour!<br />
<br />
2. The Return of Peter - He's been gone all week - no surprise there - and he comes back tonight/tomorrow; either way, I'll be asleep! No, it's not an accomplishment, but it's worth noting that I haven't been bored all week, and I haven't killed Kona [maybe that is an accomplishment...] Yay for staying very busy :)<br />
<br />
3. Chocolate Milk - I love chocolate milk, but I am so picky about which brands I like that I often don't get any. The family that I have been with this week had the best chocolate milk. Looks like I'll be making a trip to Whole Foods this weekend. It's not only organic, but comes in a glass bottle :)<br />
<br />
4. Walks - I am so grateful that the baby I watched this week loved going on walks just as much as I did. As soon as I walked in the door, he would grab his jacket and hobble over to the door waiting to go. Super cute :)<br />
<br />
5. Warm Weather - It hit 80 degrees today. I love spring/summer :) Broke out the sandals and capris today.Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-73330847093474378282011-02-25T12:35:00.000-05:002011-02-25T12:35:11.226-05:00Five Things FridayI am so grateful for this break from winter weather the past 2 weeks. Though this week wasn't as nice as last week [today is the first day in a week where the sun has really been out], not having to worry about snow, ice, and the freezing cold has been wonderful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkh_YMqxyfXozSMzsWS4rlYEHeF6zQ9oXBdhC8_3Y74OO752rrBmYc7ImDtvA9YQTUWCqibQmQzjeufRDFRRM7d3VyJFCWyy3LyZh6SyE5g1DteQ-vK7ZWOD4vfi9_OsjyN8mh6VzJRg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-25+at+11.39.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkh_YMqxyfXozSMzsWS4rlYEHeF6zQ9oXBdhC8_3Y74OO752rrBmYc7ImDtvA9YQTUWCqibQmQzjeufRDFRRM7d3VyJFCWyy3LyZh6SyE5g1DteQ-vK7ZWOD4vfi9_OsjyN8mh6VzJRg/s200/Screen+shot+2011-02-25+at+11.39.06+AM.png" width="86" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Tomato paste in a tube] I hate opening a can of tomato paste to only use a tablespoon or two. Though I intend to use it in another recipe, I rarely do and it gets thrown out. I finally found this at our local Martins.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSmt-ewuJfBpE6wMEvEgWN-9JxlfsajIGYDciJkNQjNz5yHtr6-co0oTysdDV8kfsehhMSNbz4mXx1CcGVBQT9uFZXlcc3FgJXdMNJclLHif8KfHUvbO-HvT6fO0v-OspGu8aBj8XcKk/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-25+at+11.53.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSmt-ewuJfBpE6wMEvEgWN-9JxlfsajIGYDciJkNQjNz5yHtr6-co0oTysdDV8kfsehhMSNbz4mXx1CcGVBQT9uFZXlcc3FgJXdMNJclLHif8KfHUvbO-HvT6fO0v-OspGu8aBj8XcKk/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-25+at+11.53.50+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[MacBook Pro Charger] My oh so sweet dog, Kona, ate my charger on Valentine's Day. A week later and my new charger arrived. So grateful to be able to borrow one from a friend, but it's nice to have my own again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-yvj8WeqjytGCk6rRdCLwOB5Narpwq0RD7Kpdv7go0PIJWvJP35mjgCCxlnu_du-dLC8vKUxtEaLU5IzTLQlsxR2xJGYXafplkwyQdj4WZnoKzBPf5GSZ33BTAhcmL-vFwSxOX2u45Q/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-25+at+12.03.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-yvj8WeqjytGCk6rRdCLwOB5Narpwq0RD7Kpdv7go0PIJWvJP35mjgCCxlnu_du-dLC8vKUxtEaLU5IzTLQlsxR2xJGYXafplkwyQdj4WZnoKzBPf5GSZ33BTAhcmL-vFwSxOX2u45Q/s200/Screen+shot+2011-02-25+at+12.03.13+PM.png" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Bamboo Silverware Organizer] I think my obsession with bamboo has gotten a little out of control. From cutting boards to organizers, I love it all!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNU-zoRqZ2SPH0ZCmkaBo1lxSuay9b5-IbJUVgSwdDhPsF86ba9tbpSkXqC8iYVJqxqZ4hf-BsKcAWGFIhJnIqwJ3RfiaAtaVuaP32oq7eSl6l3op8Xv7Fyc2q7FFpd7z2mWA_a_egY0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-25+at+12.09.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNU-zoRqZ2SPH0ZCmkaBo1lxSuay9b5-IbJUVgSwdDhPsF86ba9tbpSkXqC8iYVJqxqZ4hf-BsKcAWGFIhJnIqwJ3RfiaAtaVuaP32oq7eSl6l3op8Xv7Fyc2q7FFpd7z2mWA_a_egY0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-25+at+12.09.28+PM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[Sandals] I love sandals, esp. wedges. <a href="http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=65930">This</a> pair from DV by Dolce Vita makes me even more excited for spring. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Other things from this week: Kona was able to have a raw hide without getting sick, meaning her explosive upset stomach wasn't due to her love of raw hides. Peter was home the <i>whole</i> week [though that is very likely to come to an end next week].</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-69424246150811662302011-02-24T12:21:00.000-05:002011-02-24T12:21:34.682-05:00CouponingGrowing up, my mom went through phases of couponing - and I dreaded it. I didn't mind trips to the commissary [military grocery store on base], where we could easily fill up two full grocery carts upon my dad's return from a deployment, but that was actually 'normal.' Going to a grocery store off base, which was where a lot of the 'special' deals were, drove me nuts. I hated waiting for the cashier to scan all the coupons and watching everyone stare at us because it took an extra couple minutes - not to mention, sale items weren't anything that I had any interest in.<br />
<br />
Now fast forward 10-15yrs.<br />
<br />
While I hate paying retail for most things, I never thought I would get into couponing. And I guess I don't really 'coupon' [with the exception of Michaels coupons], but rather skim the ads for weekly VIP-type savings where you just have to have the individual stores member card [which is free]. It allows me to stock up on a lot of things that we go through pretty regularly. So, it's not couponing like my mom would do, but the same concept. Anyway, it's saved us a lot of money :)Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-66989075209690883342011-02-20T17:17:00.002-05:002011-02-20T17:21:12.650-05:005 ThingsToo bad "Five Things Saturday" doesn't have the same ring to it as "Five Things Friday." The point is that I did it, right?<br />
<br />
[Bamboo cutting boards] Who would have thought that I would be obsessed with cutting boards? But seriously, I love them.<br />
<br />
[Fancy cupcake liners] After holiday sales make $3-4 cupcake liners a little more justifiable. Michaels and Target's had some great deals on Valentines Day stuff; Michaels also had select cake decorating supplies on clearance. <a href="http://www.thesugardiva.com/category_19/Home-and-Hostess.htm">This</a> is also a great website for some awesome cupcake liners as well.<br />
<br />
[Flip flops] 70+ degree weather this week warranted wearing flip flops for the first time this year.<br />
<br />
[A dozen red roses] The hubby bought me roses for Valentines Day and we went to the <a href="http://joshuawilton.com/">Joshua Wilton House</a> in Harrisonburg for dinner. <br />
<br />
[<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/favorite-blueberry-muffins?comments_page=1">Blueberry Muffins</a>] Probably the best blueberry muffins that I have ever made. And I got to use my fancy new cupcake liners!<br />
<br />
At some point I will actually figure out how to add pictures, I swear.Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-49983222788963379942011-02-16T11:51:00.001-05:002011-02-16T11:52:23.630-05:00Word of the Week<h2 class="me">em·u·late <span class="pronset"><span class="show_spellpr" style="display: block; margin-top: 8px;"><span class="prondelim">[</span><span class="pg">v. </span><span class="pron"><span class="boldface">em</span>-y<span class="ital-inline">uh</span>-leyt</span><span class="pron">;</span> <span class="pg">adj. </span><span class="pron"><span class="boldface">em</span>-y<span class="ital-inline">uh</span>-lit</span><span class="prondelim">]</span></span><span class="show_spellpr" style="display: block; margin-top: 8px;"><span class="prondelim"></span></span></span><span class="pronset"><span class="pg"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;"></span> </span></span><span class="secondary-bf"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;"></span> </span></span><span class="secondary-bf"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;"></span></span></span><span class="pg"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;"></span></span></span></span><span class="pg"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">–verb</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">(used</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">with</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">object)</span> </span></span></h2><div class="luna-Ent"><span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">1.</span></span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;"> to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">try</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">equal</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">excel;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">imitate</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">with</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">effort</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">equal</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">surpass:</span> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">emulate</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">one's</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">father</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">concert</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">violinist.</span><br />
<div class="dndata"><span class="ital-inline"><span id="hotword"> </span></span></div></div><div class="luna-Ent"><span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">2.</span></span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;"> to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">rival</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">with</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">some</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">degree</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">success:</span> </span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">Some</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">smaller</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">cities</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">now</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">emulate</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/the" style="color: black;">the</a> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">major</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">capitals</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">their</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">cultural</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">offerings.</span></div><div class="luna-Ent"></div><div class="luna-Ent"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">*A word that seems to be slipping into my vocabulary a lot this past week. Or month. </span><br />
<div class="dndata"><span class="ital-inline"><span id="hotword"> </span></span></div></div><h2 class="me"><span class="pronset"><span class="show_spellpr" style="display: block; margin-top: 8px;"><span class="prondelim"></span></span></span></h2>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-28866621337631004252011-02-12T13:26:00.000-05:002011-02-12T13:26:33.939-05:005 Things FridayOne of my favorite blogs, <a href="http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/">Cupcakes and Cashmere</a>, does a "Five Things Friday" post every week highlighting 5 things from the week that made her happy, essentially. I love reading her Friday posts specifically, because she not only gives great recommendations (she often posts products, decorating ideas, and recipes), but it makes me think about what made me happy as well. I know, that statement sounds really lame and stereotypical, but it's true :)<br />
<br />
I've hesitated posting because, well, I'm terrible at keeping up with my blog for starters, and posting pictures of the 5 things makes the post better, but since getting a new computer a few weeks ago, I haven't figured out how to do that, exactly. If anyone with a Mac wants to give me a tutorial, feel free! None of my uploading techniques have worked.<br />
<br />
Finally, I realize that today is Saturday. I began this post yesterday - a day late is better than nothing at all, right?<br />
<br />
[<a href="http://www.greenfeet.com/itemmatrix.asp?kw=Buff-Dish-Towel-Green&ic=6001-00003-0001&matrixtype=2">New green kitchen towels</a>] I'm switching our kitchen colors from red and black to green, off white, and black.<br />
<br />
[<a href="http://www.opi.com/">Light My Sapphire</a>] OPI nail polish.<br />
<br />
[<a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/food-and-drink/cooking/2918854-green-teapot.php?id=2918854">New green teapot</a>] Stove top teapot that matches the new kitchen colors. Great way to add more color to the room when you can't paint the walls.<br />
<br />
[<a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/food/quick-healthy/easy-chicken-recipes-00412000068136/page100.html">Chicken with Rosemary Sauce</a>] While I tweaked it a little, this chicken was amazing.<br />
<br />
[Maebel's birthday card] I will have to post a picture of it after her party today, because I was a dork and sealed the envelope before taking a picture of it. Happy first birthday to my little BFF, Maebey baby!Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-5187158545226804292011-02-02T22:09:00.000-05:002011-02-02T22:09:23.747-05:00Something FreshHave I mentioned that I love having a mini herb garden in my kitchen? Because I do. An herb garden has been on my mind since early fall, but I was reluctant. The thought of weeding was enough to completely turn me off, but renting our place also makes it a little more difficult.<br />
<br />
In one of my more recent trips to Martins (local grocery store), I saw locally grown, organic herb plants $3/ea. Awesome. No weeding! I found mini washtub-like bins at Target for a couple dollars, thanks to the [almost] dollar section. So, now I have an awesome mini herb garden in my kitchen.<br />
<br />
Something that I never really thought about was fresh vs. dried herbs. I mean, really, who does? It just seemed like something that would help me experiment with more cooking [see my <a href="http://peterandashleymantell.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years-resolutions.html">NYE </a>regarding this], and get something fresh into the house. <br />
<br />
Just don't get me started about picking all the little leaves off the stems ;)Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-49099493331590404372011-01-27T13:21:00.003-05:002011-01-27T14:08:32.190-05:00Busy [Queen] BeeYou know, it's so weird. Life can be busy without it really being busy. I guess it seems inaccurately busy. I measure how busy my life is based on how much I accomplish, not really the effort of time spent. I will spend an entire day grocery shopping (going to multiple places depending on weekly specials and Walmart for everything else) and then look at what I bought and think to myself "I did one thing today, and there's not even that much here. I needed to get _____ done too." When in reality, I went to up to 3 or 4 stores and battled the lines (I swear the stores <span style="font-weight: bold;">always</span> seem busy), and it took 4-5 hours on top of it all. Not a whole lot accomplished; it just feels like I should have gotten a lot more done.<br /><br />'Queen' was used in the title because I am definitely not a worker bee (that would be Peter, since he does most of the work), while the queen bee does relatively little in comparison. I have no idea how people with kids get anything done. I find it difficult with a dog.<br /><br />Anyway, this isn't the post that I intended to write. I should work on becoming a better writer by using the word "I" a lot less. Just a note to self.Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-21877099800093396452011-01-12T13:51:00.003-05:002011-01-12T14:19:42.829-05:00New Year's ResolutionsI've had Blogger open on a tab all day, hoping that I would get around to a post eventually. It's taken me a while to come up with a few resolutions, since in the past I've mainly done it as a fad-like thing my friends were 'doing' (but never followed up with). For some reason, I don't know why, I've felt the urge to follow through this year as much as I can. So, I guess I need to make a few that are actually realistic, huh?<br /><br />1. Read 1 book a month from the 'Great Classics' list. Maybe 2 months, depending on the book. [Alison, you'll have to help me with this one!]<br />2. Learn more about cooking. [Julia Child, anyone?]<br />3. Be more patient. With Kona, Peter, life...It is a virtue, after all ;)<br />4. Take more pictures. Of the almost 3 years we've been married, we have taken almost no pictures. Part of that is due to not having kids, and part can be attributed to laziness.<br /><br />I'm sure I will add to these...we'll see when that happens. Happy 2011!Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-51485563945483832302011-01-09T20:51:00.003-05:002011-01-09T21:00:54.188-05:00Welcome, 2011...So long 2010, it's been great, but don't let the door hit you on the way out!<br /><br />A lot happened in the last year. Looking back, my biggest accomplishment was graduating college, hands down. While I can look back on other things Peter and I have done, no need to re-list any, I am looking forward to what the next year has to bring.<br /><br />I know, this is a week-ish late...but that is apparently how I do things :)Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-35850534418462085522010-12-12T21:06:00.006-05:002010-12-12T21:42:41.941-05:00Falling BehindOnce again, I find myself playing catch up. I spend a decent amount of time reading various blogs throughout the day [how awesome would it be to get paid to blog?], yet I never seem to have the right motivation to work on my own blog; even when I have something awesome to write about. Here's what I [we] have been up to since September:<br /><br /><ul><li>Traveled to Bogota, Colombia - Peter spends about 50% of the time in Bogota, so I went down to visit him. And I must say, I love Bogota.</li><li>Photo Shoot - I realized a few months ago that Peter and I haven't really had any photos taken since our wedding, two and a half years ago. We had a fun photo shoot with Angie from Angie Brement Photography.<br /></li><li>Made bread with my friend, Lesley - I seem to struggle with this on my own.<br /></li><li>Thanksgiving with the Mantell's.<br /></li><li>Black Friday shopping - Pretty successful, if I do say so myself.</li><li>Decorated the house for Christmas, including a real tree [that I'm allergic to]<br /></li><li>Christmas Coke - It's not Christmas without Christmas cans of Coke. Yeah, it's weird.<br /></li><li>Saw Mannheim Steamroller in concert - While I was expecting more of their rock-influenced songs, it was enjoyable. We had great seats thanks to my in-laws.</li><li>Peter's birthday - I made Peter a sushi-themed fondant cake, thanks to Lesley! Not having my own Kitchenaid makes things difficult, as well as having never actually worked with fondant before. Lesley made it happen :) I also got Peter a soda maker, so he can make his own soda and flavored water. Also, thanks to Lesley. His birthday present turned into his Christmas present since it couldn't get here in time [and I freaked out].</li></ul><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv_iU95z1s7buPDPQPCWICTkAtMDcP-_e_8WzgIkz0Ynm_iOoI9xnybmvox-iGLA6pZsmcUlQQTJi8b0Et88-UkUYD2m-glpEZDeZZZN08oD6wG-rM2XccixNeO3wPMFcwGdWkuKWWPE/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv_iU95z1s7buPDPQPCWICTkAtMDcP-_e_8WzgIkz0Ynm_iOoI9xnybmvox-iGLA6pZsmcUlQQTJi8b0Et88-UkUYD2m-glpEZDeZZZN08oD6wG-rM2XccixNeO3wPMFcwGdWkuKWWPE/s320/Picnik+collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990813411775890" border="0" /></a>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-7808227189550233472010-10-28T16:25:00.000-04:002010-10-28T16:27:06.541-04:00Worthless WomenThis is an article that every man, and woman, should read. A few people have pointed it out, and I'm glad I took the time to read it. While the article is very self explanatory, I would love to hear some of your opinions, please :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.danoah.com/2010/10/worthless-women-and-men-who-make-them.html">Worthless Women and the Men Who Make Them</a><br />Single Dad LaughingPeter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-87537242201572776942010-10-04T16:40:00.003-04:002010-10-04T16:56:13.703-04:00Apple Picking<div style="text-align: center;">Every fall, we go to Carter's Mountain in Charlottesville for some apple picking. The mountain is fairly steep, and going back up with a ton of apples can be tiring. This year, I was smart. I got Kona a dog saddle backpack :) She hauled two loads up! We received many compliments on our ingenuity. Now, I just have to figure out what to do with a couple dozen apples...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSjfX8oK1uMYt5s1J8SAr6JCMug5ZdsYcrtpgDObZYdKwh6YIr2deVazLtdLPrjhKNhVaW3caUoT7lE0cnZ224OveNAV09sgiL-FW2gl2CyVXxbZh-P0ORra5PuV4ZWxUDgFQBVaJAI0/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSjfX8oK1uMYt5s1J8SAr6JCMug5ZdsYcrtpgDObZYdKwh6YIr2deVazLtdLPrjhKNhVaW3caUoT7lE0cnZ224OveNAV09sgiL-FW2gl2CyVXxbZh-P0ORra5PuV4ZWxUDgFQBVaJAI0/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524295643274526850" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Coming up the mountain.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIOErY9R6301FyojeBK8NxbbueaRTbqSyqrvLPOI0DqizsJPFjOWhF-kIltvYxAETiHhijkY9Ybrfs0y0zbDdXPhE7PIhpXeCALhkHIrNw3r6gUWdP4O5nWAaGROEuSIjQdfSYn8hCUo/s1600/photo-1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIOErY9R6301FyojeBK8NxbbueaRTbqSyqrvLPOI0DqizsJPFjOWhF-kIltvYxAETiHhijkY9Ybrfs0y0zbDdXPhE7PIhpXeCALhkHIrNw3r6gUWdP4O5nWAaGROEuSIjQdfSYn8hCUo/s320/photo-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524295892441433154" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-18044884361036561392010-10-01T15:56:00.011-04:002010-10-01T16:58:30.806-04:00Milk and Cookies Baby Shower<div style="text-align: center;">My friend asked me back in June, to throw her a baby shower. After many hours of planning, prepping, and a lot of frustration, it came together. The original theme was 'Milk and Cookies', but we added polka dots to match the nursery. I made all of the decorations, with slight help from my mom, so it could be unique. I'm a very crafty person and don't care much for 'boxed parties'.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I started out with one polka dot design, shown in the invitations, but Michaels didn't have the same paper when it came to making the "It's a Girl!" sign. Oh well. The Mom of Honor, I guess you could say, wanted to be very involved, and she provided the food and games. The shower was going to be outside in the park (perfect for fall), but I took pictures in the house ahead of time to make sure I actually took them. Here are pictures of what I was responsible for:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Invitations</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjt3HIgP7rWluMrQ-VK3Tqj8YRj8bf__cryhV4l3RwIt6DEpJslFf0rFaMsnYoX4Mcps0Drpso1olfQTq3KBAX4Y8nsgnA4HX8wamNdExC-KIyCuf2tVjMKKdETH9WyWHlOgz8LvvokU/s1600/photo-3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjt3HIgP7rWluMrQ-VK3Tqj8YRj8bf__cryhV4l3RwIt6DEpJslFf0rFaMsnYoX4Mcps0Drpso1olfQTq3KBAX4Y8nsgnA4HX8wamNdExC-KIyCuf2tVjMKKdETH9WyWHlOgz8LvvokU/s320/photo-3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523171578128204546" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUFlsXweQJ7NDmBoBxXiN1LL8p9IpIRdODESF6Elj3QjB_rrlzY707jlybfySFVe_q0Qf56JCBf67Z47khVMA_Xuioqn_4Bdojh94_p6qcwLKUcKRs1Qx9CShrNNwCgHTjhUkwoEwIuc/s1600/photo-4.JPG">"It's a Girl" before I added the ribbon to hang it up with. <img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUFlsXweQJ7NDmBoBxXiN1LL8p9IpIRdODESF6Elj3QjB_rrlzY707jlybfySFVe_q0Qf56JCBf67Z47khVMA_Xuioqn_4Bdojh94_p6qcwLKUcKRs1Qx9CShrNNwCgHTjhUkwoEwIuc/s320/photo-4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523173956062251266" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pom-poms</span><br />Easy to <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/pom-poms-and-luminarias">make</a>, but you can also buy them on Etsy. Yes, I found pink polka dot tissue paper to match the plain pink and brown. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd7s0s-OtHS9Ur3EivCdTLMtqMY1U0_Vptf8DN3Di2KSUPMTZ6UUJfgQPdn2UVJxiVsclB-aDq73V63NH7WuJDVgGA435XakGydDKNjeUmDNPJQ9gKIAkzpF4j7OkjAcC8DQ8OIfRycs/s1600/photo.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiZBvYDibrMDaAsgLCl5OP3anJlLM9ULo1z06T0VdMYH8al037nlq8YdSkHfythjeRmfMVTrbl6DG_83bF983LDpIt5poHpw8hsvZZO5BRZAwbISZePWwKsew3mF8Ng6paTc_eDT52tg/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiZBvYDibrMDaAsgLCl5OP3anJlLM9ULo1z06T0VdMYH8al037nlq8YdSkHfythjeRmfMVTrbl6DG_83bF983LDpIt5poHpw8hsvZZO5BRZAwbISZePWwKsew3mF8Ng6paTc_eDT52tg/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523179123350319842" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thank You Boxes</span><br />I made chocolate chip, snicker doodle, and sugar cookies with pink and brown M&M's, wrapped in tissue paper to match the pom-poms. I put them in Chinese take-out boxes, and attached mini pom-poms to the handles.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanlJJD3agtPqIbBvdIUwvi-sOkiIweV7YvoPSMp4-SWvRX3jVp60QIFrObtrQXPQ_ngV4gIkZ0LLLCN-CEvqiFEABw1eX-gTZ3OEoMPafXvQDCW-0AD6FI29QX_5hhm5awlDR8Ef_sbA/s1600/photo-5.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanlJJD3agtPqIbBvdIUwvi-sOkiIweV7YvoPSMp4-SWvRX3jVp60QIFrObtrQXPQ_ngV4gIkZ0LLLCN-CEvqiFEABw1eX-gTZ3OEoMPafXvQDCW-0AD6FI29QX_5hhm5awlDR8Ef_sbA/s320/photo-5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523175763631910306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Cake</span><br />Oh dear. The cake is white with pink and brown polka dots. I had originally planned to use fondant, but because of rainy weather (moisture makes fondant nearly impossible) I wasn't able to make any, and the store was out of the pre-made stuff. I ended up doing butter cream frosting with polka dots, and a ribbon on the bottom. Not what I had hoped for, but still turned out pretty well :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Lo6uukcs4lDtIbb4YFamZO7hyPwZ3O2BjtvnmKtMRJV8WINe5lBW17Ci9qeW3BvcAYw4Py_N5LYpeBrjwK69CT7xyXWbcRve8k4E_rwkl6WOh-XTdzKmTTNrHFB0TQWON0ZmQTeXTzI/s1600/photo-1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Lo6uukcs4lDtIbb4YFamZO7hyPwZ3O2BjtvnmKtMRJV8WINe5lBW17Ci9qeW3BvcAYw4Py_N5LYpeBrjwK69CT7xyXWbcRve8k4E_rwkl6WOh-XTdzKmTTNrHFB0TQWON0ZmQTeXTzI/s320/photo-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523177188482176402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Drinks</span><br />White and chocolate milk to go along with the milk and cookie theme, and pink lemonade for those who didn't care for milk. It also cleverly goes alone with the pink, white, and brown color scheme :) I also provided water bottles that matched the rest of the paper-products.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw60plRBL_n8ebBGYXO3fOV70Q3ECCLUMuPfyi-HcLjiVBPNOhjwKbTuB8r2ZBanIpK6TXyDcECrlYmaboW4S0foY5vet3FvKmG9SutIG0E-jVsA4q1GK5IJbxXWZeQuVONphLYzDUXo/s1600/photo-2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw60plRBL_n8ebBGYXO3fOV70Q3ECCLUMuPfyi-HcLjiVBPNOhjwKbTuB8r2ZBanIpK6TXyDcECrlYmaboW4S0foY5vet3FvKmG9SutIG0E-jVsA4q1GK5IJbxXWZeQuVONphLYzDUXo/s320/photo-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523178490990401122" border="0" /></a><br />I had a lot of fun coordinating the papers, colors, and ideas :)<br /></div>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-48326910154191549602010-09-13T22:04:00.004-04:002010-09-13T22:10:46.647-04:00Last Week's Find<div style="text-align: center;">A lady that I occasionally babysit for has excellent taste in home décor. I love skimming through her decorating books whenever I can. In her laundry room, she has a starburst mirror that I have admired for well over a year now. I was pleasantly surprised to find that same mirror at Michael’s last week! Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to shop, but love a good sale more. The purchase of a few items for a feather headband left me with a 50% coupon on any full-price item. Slightly outside the price of what I could justify for a mirror, the coupon easily justified the purchase. </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">I’ve never really been a fan of star burst mirrors, and this one is certainly one that you either love, or hate, which is why I was surprised by how instantly I fell in love with it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhun_0RBGIOZscYMXuoygmX-rkfUkXhGqM62jtSI9zZQg35qMYdfX_5HqtrR2q8FfHZ2Gc-eke0TfBdS6nOjjjJICeyY0zk9mJaIyTHfBbaq3j2RuF4rp3U3HhWsfpM2otJfwP5yop5sW8/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhun_0RBGIOZscYMXuoygmX-rkfUkXhGqM62jtSI9zZQg35qMYdfX_5HqtrR2q8FfHZ2Gc-eke0TfBdS6nOjjjJICeyY0zk9mJaIyTHfBbaq3j2RuF4rp3U3HhWsfpM2otJfwP5yop5sW8/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516584432217854722" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">This picture certainly doesn't do it justice, but I had to use my iPhone camera. And it's obviously not hung up...that will happen when we get the proper wall anchors and hook.<br /></p>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-47417137329744146822010-09-12T14:31:00.006-04:002010-09-12T15:15:37.604-04:00DIYRecently, I have been feeling extremely crafty. I get it from my mom, who is beyond genius with her projects. She always made a lot of cute things for around the house, and now I feel more satisfied with homemade decor, rather than purchased - although, I do love a good shopping spree :)<br /><br />For archive purposes, I have decided that this post is going to be a list of links to some of the projects I have been working on. This way, searching for key instruction websites will be kept down to a minimum. I'm lazy that way.<br /><br />I have been put in charge of the decorations, cake, and goody/thank you boxes for a high school friend's baby shower. While I completely intend on blogging about it when it is all finished, here is a sneak peek of the <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/pom-poms-and-luminarias">pompoms</a> that will be a focal point:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGPxBIZbLvsdAIRuCH9Vn-Bzvn-RF0oBuLr5zxzpNi9bsLqq_jIV9Dnb82kCyGNk8GPlS5MCzwiAXTjwyM9pH0ogNxyjAr5xY6d5uC-hNdUnirgAh5ojlfvn0XhAjoyrBt-bRTMFnJjc/s1600/msw_spring06_pompom_l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGPxBIZbLvsdAIRuCH9Vn-Bzvn-RF0oBuLr5zxzpNi9bsLqq_jIV9Dnb82kCyGNk8GPlS5MCzwiAXTjwyM9pH0ogNxyjAr5xY6d5uC-hNdUnirgAh5ojlfvn0XhAjoyrBt-bRTMFnJjc/s320/msw_spring06_pompom_l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516099029975826130" border="0" /></a><br />These are 2 fabric flowers that I'm trying to figure out a reason to make. They're absolutely adorable! If anyone has any suggestions regarding what I should do with them, let me know! They would be cute for headbands, bag accessories etc, but nothing that is applicable for me at the moment. The first is a <a href="http://www.cuteasafox.com/2010/07/hand-sewn-fabric-flowers.html">regular flower</a>, and the second is a <a href="http://portabellopixie.typepad.com/RolledRosesTutorial.pdf">rose</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF_8YDRK1OLul8CCi1Sn9WzwwK2ehf8p9zBTa3ARxaNHHKp-CXggEJQN5u4uAYViKogPeXVPKCJdfwRbvKyoyKlZbuoduRjQc7Gr1PVqBIxtXE3SpIxwjqtVTSIQgvY1pjdzypZQ43Sw/s1600/Flowers23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF_8YDRK1OLul8CCi1Sn9WzwwK2ehf8p9zBTa3ARxaNHHKp-CXggEJQN5u4uAYViKogPeXVPKCJdfwRbvKyoyKlZbuoduRjQc7Gr1PVqBIxtXE3SpIxwjqtVTSIQgvY1pjdzypZQ43Sw/s320/Flowers23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516101570080284018" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIsWN7QtfZNaDyqeoapAwoDeuHR_RchckkTmjhIGWZRa1Q-VRAIkcdXptupTTONDSrc3cTNTmTU2lIrH7F60yUXYF9t7zUdnSIHuU_TQUTgVwLxnxImTWmjouHO0jtazHuGSC7GqKF9M/s1600/rolledroses.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIsWN7QtfZNaDyqeoapAwoDeuHR_RchckkTmjhIGWZRa1Q-VRAIkcdXptupTTONDSrc3cTNTmTU2lIrH7F60yUXYF9t7zUdnSIHuU_TQUTgVwLxnxImTWmjouHO0jtazHuGSC7GqKF9M/s320/rolledroses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516101981883012194" border="0" /></a>Something I have wanted to make for a while now is a wooden sign with a phrase on it. Simple enough that I don't need to post an explanation - just a wooden plaque painted, with vinyl letters or stickers saying the phrase. I might decoupage some patterns with scrapbook paper on the plaque before adding the phrase. Now that it is planned, the search for the perfect phrase continues.<br /><br />My current project is a feathered headband. I found a cheap headband that I could rip the accessories off of, got new ribbon, and found some scrapbook feathers and a charm on sale. $6.50 total. Hopefully I'll post pictures of it when I finally make it.Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-45464292744920122882010-06-08T12:49:00.003-04:002010-06-08T13:52:07.139-04:00Mellow YellowWhen we failed to receive a US Census form, a representative came in person. The representative, who completely lacked a sense of humor, rolled down the list of questions - asking me my race. Instead of responding "white," I asked if there was a category for "ghostly white" - he stared blankly at me, not sure how to respond. I said I was joking and just to check the "white" box. Except I wasn't exactly joking. I am ghostly white. <br /><br />There are some things about summer that are true no matter where you are. Girls flock to the sun (or tanning salon) to get their summer tans, rightfully earning the melanoma that is sure to come.<br /><br />Except I stay white. Well, I turn a gorgeous shade of red, add a few new freckles, and return to my usual ghostly self. I don't spend hours in the sun expecting to gain some color - I slather myself in SPF 100. And I'm okay with that - usually. The difference this summer is I am a bridesmaid in my brother [and soon to be sister] in law's wedding, where the dresses are yellow. Don't get me wrong, I love yellow. I own several tops bearing the hue. But yellow only looks good when you are tan.<br /><br />So this summer, I am experimenting with spray tans. I know, the sound of those words send shivers down my spine as horror stories of orange, streaky skin blow through my mind. Which is why I will have plenty of acetone handy in case the experiment goes horribly wrong. A neighbor recommended I go to a salon that she's been to, where they recommend a clear spray tan that adds a hint of color - enough to make me less ghostly, and more human.Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577503868470048371.post-88660342570198840542010-05-27T18:49:00.007-04:002010-05-27T19:15:43.006-04:00Banana Pudding!<div style="text-align: center;">If I had my way, I would visit Manhattan as often as humanly possible, if not live there. I am one hundred percent in love with everything about it, including (and often emphasized) the food. Anyone who has ever been to NY has visited Magnolia Bakery. Or at least they should have. I have an undisclosed source that provided me with the recipe they use for banana pudding - one of my favorites!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Magnolia Bakery's Banana Pudding</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUVZELT9wZ7u1ViXlwV6Qr4NdR8nIIxCmCLi6xL7jAROiqGWxkf_-kE0kUzjgSYFj496T5G7umqVX56UZsKABQxSvs0dyzMCOKdurlHLHgsDjONdOwY-ZFUfobWxuz6OLkxXJ5sXDqY0/s1600/4645177746_18a8f0f580_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUVZELT9wZ7u1ViXlwV6Qr4NdR8nIIxCmCLi6xL7jAROiqGWxkf_-kE0kUzjgSYFj496T5G7umqVX56UZsKABQxSvs0dyzMCOKdurlHLHgsDjONdOwY-ZFUfobWxuz6OLkxXJ5sXDqY0/s320/4645177746_18a8f0f580_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476088028081057410" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--></div><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.apple-style-span {mso-style-name:apple-style-span;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">1 1/2 cups ice cold water</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">3 cups heavy cream</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">1 (12-ounce) box Nabisco <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nilla</span> Wafers</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">5 cups sliced ripe bananas</span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">In a small bowl, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined, about 1 minute. I like to add about a cup (measured before) of pureed banana to the pudding. Add the pudding mix and beat well, about 2 minutes more. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight, before continuing. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the pudding mixture into the whipped cream until well blended and no streaks of pudding remain.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" class="apple-style-span" ><span style="">To assemble the dessert, place 2-3 semi-crushed up <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nilla</span> wafers in the bottom of a clear plastic cup (the recipe calls for the entire dessert to go into one large glass container, but I prefer individual servings). Place several banana slices on top of wafers. Scoop a generous spoonful of pudding on top off wafers and bananas. Continue layering until cup is full. The recipe should yield about 18 individual serving cups. Cover cups tightly with plastic wrap and allow to refrigerate for at least four hours (but no more than eight). </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Peter and Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11113444032964596373noreply@blogger.com2