tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19719823656960548442024-03-13T20:46:58.923-07:00From Scratcha blog about creating homeEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-19170707878723565802012-03-19T10:08:00.000-07:002012-03-19T10:08:00.113-07:00Happy Spring!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtFI6LQA2mJHa-VBRTS7X3Df3dlCDEbTOWu8HKynzAdS1d6fdxfL8yZFRShw5LH-yYnL-QL9jBuUAKCeCeDan2RjoQfgoCCbQ6DM6Q03cdXLHHBYbuhJCNZSYMq_jkQAyMo4HUwI9tow/s1600/2+Flowers+up+close-754252.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694032079935790274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtFI6LQA2mJHa-VBRTS7X3Df3dlCDEbTOWu8HKynzAdS1d6fdxfL8yZFRShw5LH-yYnL-QL9jBuUAKCeCeDan2RjoQfgoCCbQ6DM6Q03cdXLHHBYbuhJCNZSYMq_jkQAyMo4HUwI9tow/s400/2+Flowers+up+close-754252.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower market in Guangzhou, 2007</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-69453770702269159072012-03-07T08:36:00.000-08:002012-03-07T08:36:00.536-08:00Random Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I saw this sign one of my first days in China. It's always made me laugh and I hope you find it fun, too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXX7q53XT2_SO5Xh462lR-NwNvll2I5sCFry2-EH5iaw5Lsi2DFnhLyNoiDWmRxgml7cZ1HYbic7nilSWRW7Dbc3eRA0ov_eOWlMIH0qZY_pTKBLXdp-L_aTJaL-lzq_6pSGoPb3xaj8/s1600/photo-706670.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694048624083065682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXX7q53XT2_SO5Xh462lR-NwNvll2I5sCFry2-EH5iaw5Lsi2DFnhLyNoiDWmRxgml7cZ1HYbic7nilSWRW7Dbc3eRA0ov_eOWlMIH0qZY_pTKBLXdp-L_aTJaL-lzq_6pSGoPb3xaj8/s320/photo-706670.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Wednesday!</div><div class="mobile-photo"></div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-74039636594815298982012-02-23T09:37:00.000-08:002012-02-23T09:37:00.645-08:00Beautiful Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So many beautiful places to see around the world!</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/AVvXsEgLsefPNWOFXR84V0JZLZaB7zhv0aeslTryqtW4rJepujAMrmtwPYQUIEAESRJdt98aCWqRJvPmlSKIbd78hGeiGZJdyaA3NATo3_aUcp4v6oEU6eCSARXFhu81QgrCNzVEggCDNXuFzQ0/s1600/photo-740894.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694048776593616450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsefPNWOFXR84V0JZLZaB7zhv0aeslTryqtW4rJepujAMrmtwPYQUIEAESRJdt98aCWqRJvPmlSKIbd78hGeiGZJdyaA3NATo3_aUcp4v6oEU6eCSARXFhu81QgrCNzVEggCDNXuFzQ0/s320/photo-740894.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The South of China, 2007</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enjoy this day!</div><div class="mobile-photo"></div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-54242158884928171162012-02-09T09:57:00.000-08:002012-02-09T09:57:00.299-08:00Quick!<div class="mobile-photo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peek-a-boo!</span></div><div class="mobile-photo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What's one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?</span></div><div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQk4DBXMyHIkRUzYfa7UhyphenhyphenPCplGfVUFDdkLICzVqRt7QSDAbTDioyWDsSDDPeficdHnijVbkyoPENodZqh1_f_4I6mA2AlAqTnM-0pb0nTwYbxH3LuI7HgaAhp7c2nOXcarWnwTrzlcg/s1600/photo-769635.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694054050871601794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQk4DBXMyHIkRUzYfa7UhyphenhyphenPCplGfVUFDdkLICzVqRt7QSDAbTDioyWDsSDDPeficdHnijVbkyoPENodZqh1_f_4I6mA2AlAqTnM-0pb0nTwYbxH3LuI7HgaAhp7c2nOXcarWnwTrzlcg/s320/photo-769635.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><b><i>Mine? </i></b></div><div class="mobile-photo">Well, the first thing to come to my mind was that I once won a trip on a blimp. Really. I'd share photographic proof, but it was in the days before digital cameras. I will say, though, that for a gal who is afraid of heights, it was one of the freaky-coolest things I've ever tried. </div><div class="mobile-photo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How about you?</span></div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-6365762207738379562012-01-31T10:32:00.000-08:002012-01-31T10:32:00.392-08:00Happy Tuesday!<div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo">I thought we could all use some color this morning! Blessings!</div><div class="mobile-photo"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9jhUQovAgsr8j8DwYpl8H0LIOCfwdx9K4NAFwT1q3iiTr8PCsQIoQkeRPKD5AxBjfKDUT74_TUBMDpNnL08fembEqY2lzy3YpIiWyD916G5aPLQ_C0iZ4KaIzIBWoxbbRL1Bv1BgDKU/s1600/2+Flowers-756678.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694032094333280226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9jhUQovAgsr8j8DwYpl8H0LIOCfwdx9K4NAFwT1q3iiTr8PCsQIoQkeRPKD5AxBjfKDUT74_TUBMDpNnL08fembEqY2lzy3YpIiWyD916G5aPLQ_C0iZ4KaIzIBWoxbbRL1Bv1BgDKU/s320/2+Flowers-756678.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-44489370507499049312012-01-23T09:50:00.000-08:002012-01-23T09:50:00.302-08:00Happy Chinese New Year!<div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Enjoy the Year of the Dragon!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ2obEpS__IMBqQ4JFg82N8syNxE8ieHyxMkjmgKUA4P2VQvWyl58sKJEqtbhvLruE_KDwntPG1218Ohij95-54eKWPs1bGoy97Q4U7L-fX0qxCXmi3N8Ym3PAjUHTzmKJQI6LEvn8Yc/s1600/chinese-new-year-764296.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694053173014594482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ2obEpS__IMBqQ4JFg82N8syNxE8ieHyxMkjmgKUA4P2VQvWyl58sKJEqtbhvLruE_KDwntPG1218Ohij95-54eKWPs1bGoy97Q4U7L-fX0qxCXmi3N8Ym3PAjUHTzmKJQI6LEvn8Yc/s400/chinese-new-year-764296.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-15326334471019259902012-01-22T10:31:00.000-08:002012-01-22T10:31:00.427-08:00Dumplings<div class="mobile-photo"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I used to live in China. It was a wonderful experience and I miss so much about it- especially my many dear friends. While I was there, I had the chance to travel, to experience many aspects of the culture, and to indulge in one of my favorite things: Chinese food. I was fortunate, too, to have the opportunity to learn how to make many of my favorite dishes including dumplings (called <i>jiaozi</i> in Chinese).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I have many sweet memories of large dumpling-making parties around New Years! So, in honor of these memories and since it's an important part of many of my Chinese friends' New Years celebrations, I made some pork filled jiaozi today. They were so delicious!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I used what I remembered from the past to make my dumplings, but for anyone interested in attempting these at home there is a <a href="http://chinesefood.about.com/od/potstickers/r/potstickers.htm">good recipe at </a><a href="http://About.com/">About.com</a>. What I can share with you are two tips I picked up in China for boiling them.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The first is to keep your dumplings turning around in the pot. When they are almost done, you'll see that they will float to the top of the pot. The dumplings are glossy at this point and you should keep boiling them for 1-2 minutes more.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The second tip I have to share is for knowing when they are done. After they have been floating at the surface they will start to puff up. When your dumplings lose some of their glossiness and puff up, they should be done.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Finally, here are some photos from my very first time making jiaozi in China. Such good memories!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXqrmpw4GUuQfjP7KXacmDEB8CeuKKeuR8CknX_LPeWPE8iiQ-2bOJyZr5PQTQWDp5fhh7XQvSdbURi7PQDn0StFXeYxhYVmnz-JrIkNO9ea_8xxds3yE71lWZ2iQrXMew0JQHVCV4AQ/s1600/1+First+Kitchen-706395.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694031875358811618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXqrmpw4GUuQfjP7KXacmDEB8CeuKKeuR8CknX_LPeWPE8iiQ-2bOJyZr5PQTQWDp5fhh7XQvSdbURi7PQDn0StFXeYxhYVmnz-JrIkNO9ea_8xxds3yE71lWZ2iQrXMew0JQHVCV4AQ/s320/1+First+Kitchen-706395.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first apartment in China</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table 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/AVvXsEgHfDd95nIRsNbHnCCWx72XPE2sxOa-U2xUptv3SMUqkaiot-l-FrHIcAB3TD4rem9FaqN6sTfrHVMci5H2ZdTUZ18d3J6DyDlNzx880vfCTr6Pe6WpMc6UQpuu6RTcKC5xMFIBsaY9wkg/s1600/1+Preparing+Meat-708322.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694031881745722722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfDd95nIRsNbHnCCWx72XPE2sxOa-U2xUptv3SMUqkaiot-l-FrHIcAB3TD4rem9FaqN6sTfrHVMci5H2ZdTUZ18d3J6DyDlNzx880vfCTr6Pe6WpMc6UQpuu6RTcKC5xMFIBsaY9wkg/s320/1+Preparing+Meat-708322.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the meat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"></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/AVvXsEivlPtVdB2z1hBVkuUaN-sMtZ2dWHphSSXdEc-Xop3u3fEf8I67CdSHqsh9PB7UoBAwjzeWe25jWZ3wABG69Tyw6bQqvnRatsmiyzOQ-waWnN9KS5xgQsAcWn1agAZgDwKAqhc6y-G1rys/s1600/1+Filling+dumplings-705310.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694031872246459810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlPtVdB2z1hBVkuUaN-sMtZ2dWHphSSXdEc-Xop3u3fEf8I67CdSHqsh9PB7UoBAwjzeWe25jWZ3wABG69Tyw6bQqvnRatsmiyzOQ-waWnN9KS5xgQsAcWn1agAZgDwKAqhc6y-G1rys/s320/1+Filling+dumplings-705310.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the dumplings</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/AVvXsEjRB4wDdX7-D9l4dcAkwO3Wwd4KEQ6FEQVQWZUdkgBHw9ogDhpSm1TWJxIUOUY6rtknkbhwLXlBuLJ2bTe97yBBTaEoWw2NRkf9kASX45d-PISUSMEkvoVQA_yWDV4BGAvsX1L3w5o3HlQ/s1600/1+My+dumpling-707680.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694031878450970274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRB4wDdX7-D9l4dcAkwO3Wwd4KEQ6FEQVQWZUdkgBHw9ogDhpSm1TWJxIUOUY6rtknkbhwLXlBuLJ2bTe97yBBTaEoWw2NRkf9kASX45d-PISUSMEkvoVQA_yWDV4BGAvsX1L3w5o3HlQ/s320/1+My+dumpling-707680.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first attempt at making a dumpling</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>Happy Eats!<br />
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</div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-46929183865866622702012-01-12T09:59:00.000-08:002012-01-12T09:59:00.241-08:00Project #2<div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How cute is this???</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIFV-Bm1t5BRUoLNUMteVuvcVrNzBYRV_0waSyReJN4f2Nk25vq1Bchoz4cBUuHgxcQj5gikFb3hjGiN7-tU1s6g8VH5vtr3qFMqO6JUgNNzfCgjKOm7Gbp_ANCli6ssLVllEtUOAvyw/s1600/photo-767128.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694054470526381458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIFV-Bm1t5BRUoLNUMteVuvcVrNzBYRV_0waSyReJN4f2Nk25vq1Bchoz4cBUuHgxcQj5gikFb3hjGiN7-tU1s6g8VH5vtr3qFMqO6JUgNNzfCgjKOm7Gbp_ANCli6ssLVllEtUOAvyw/s320/photo-767128.JPG" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This was a pattern called "Nana's Bunnies" in the book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Modern-Babies-Hadley-Fierlinger/dp/1580089607/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325631160&sr=8-1">Vintage Knits for Modern Babies</a></i> by Hadley Fierlinger. I never thought I would be able to make something like this... and yet I did! It helped so much to have my mother-in-law here to help me get started and as a resource whenever I had questions. She's an excellent knitter and super patient with all of my many questions. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I think I could also make some other animals (maybe finger puppets?) if I modify the pattern. What do you think?</div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-38179507944450114122012-01-10T09:01:00.000-08:002012-01-10T09:01:00.652-08:00Project #1I finished my very first knitting project: a dishcloth! Hurray!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7ZTDXim_Hz5L0t3M8Py0eM3bilXhwgYbShHc3eXdWr1QnZ68PtvT7xxD5zQM6Lw2a4g6LrSjmi4dUs0O7sFIas5j0PE4uTtWFkCM8NcyLG7Q3hr1OXEauO3pRoNutXhMpo8xnQve_jc/s1600/photo-737960.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694066372875520930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7ZTDXim_Hz5L0t3M8Py0eM3bilXhwgYbShHc3eXdWr1QnZ68PtvT7xxD5zQM6Lw2a4g6LrSjmi4dUs0O7sFIas5j0PE4uTtWFkCM8NcyLG7Q3hr1OXEauO3pRoNutXhMpo8xnQve_jc/s320/photo-737960.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I saw this cute dishcloth at <a href="http://sweetbeebuzzings.blogspot.com/2010/10/knitting-with-grandma-dishcloths.html">Sweet Bees Buzzing</a> way back in October 2010 and have had it bookmarked ever since. I thought that it would be something I could do... as soon as I learned how to knit, that is! And finally, that day is here!<br />
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This past week, I've also had my sweet mother-in-law, a fantastic knitter, in town. Did I mention that? So with her help, I finally tackled it. It was good practice with increases and decreases for me. And when it was finished, both my mother-in-law and I had sturdy washcloths for our homes.<br />
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O Happy Day!Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-34487557264675565622012-01-08T10:36:00.000-08:002012-01-08T10:36:00.147-08:00Giving Thanks!<div class="mobile-photo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Today, I give thanks for...</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1.) A warm and comfortable home.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2.) A good job.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3.) A safe vehicle to drive to and from work with every day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4.) A cozy pair of pajamas to slip into after work.</span></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYyXp47yWp8KbKgFm1GGG-py2GfMlbaFX47tY3AdwP9lJJqxe-QiR-4MIPPizPZEEMleQAAHcUjITztOjz1ftme0Tl8bzHQRJBi_GVgrttgxDeKiqfxfwMRTNFWZ2aciUk0n02mNOUJI/s1600/2+Flowers+up+close+red-753553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694032075008972050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYyXp47yWp8KbKgFm1GGG-py2GfMlbaFX47tY3AdwP9lJJqxe-QiR-4MIPPizPZEEMleQAAHcUjITztOjz1ftme0Tl8bzHQRJBi_GVgrttgxDeKiqfxfwMRTNFWZ2aciUk0n02mNOUJI/s320/2+Flowers+up+close+red-753553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>"The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!" -Henry Ward Beecher<br />
<br />
</div><div>Hope this week is a good one for each of you!</div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-82643489515014585232012-01-05T00:20:00.001-08:002012-01-06T12:19:24.350-08:002012 GoalsBefore making any goals for this year, I sat down to read. I wanted to read Scripture, re-read my sermon notes from New Years Day, and to check out some of my favorite bloggers before getting started. Tsh from <a href="http://simplemom.net/">Simple Mom</a> gave this encouragement: "Keep [your goals] focused on making yourself more available to God’s presence, not on becoming perfect." I read that and thought, "Yes. That's exactly what I want these goals to help me do!"<br />
<br />
Here's what I came up with for 2012:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Read the Bible daily.</b> This is a practice that I know from experience helps me be available to God. I've fallen away from making time for it daily, though, and really want to get back on track. Goal number two should help with this. </li>
<li><b>Use a calendar to help me manage time better.</b> I'm just beginning a very busy and stressful season at work. I hate it. But, as I've learned from past experience, this particular busyness cannot be ignored. So to help me reserve free space in my life I'm going to try sticking with using a calendar and schedule. </li>
<li><b>Adopt healthier habits.</b> I blame some of my problem on being too busy and too undisciplined in my life. But with some discipline regarding my time management, I should have more space in my life for healthy habits like exercise, sleep, and meal planning. </li>
<li><b>Be mindful of listening more.</b> I do truly value being with people and one of the ways I can demonstrate this is by quieting my own tongue to listen to them more. From James1:19 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..."</li>
</ol>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-86339696055792963222012-01-04T13:56:00.000-08:002012-01-04T13:56:14.213-08:00Happy Belated New Year!<div class="MsoNormal">It's been a relaxing week here at home. I'm still working on getting caught up on sleep- 2011 was such a busy year! We had new nieces, new work opportunities, and a wonderful new puppy!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0BZms1aZBF8/TwTKkddGJCI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Orr8iz1Sls8/s1600/new+years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0BZms1aZBF8/TwTKkddGJCI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Orr8iz1Sls8/s320/new+years.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Later this week, I'm hoping to find time to write some resolutions for the coming year. Have you done that yet? I know I'd definitely like to lose weight and be healthier. Y'know, the usual. But I'd also like to spend some time considering resolutions related to my character. Last Sunday, our preacher spoke from Ephesians; he encouraged us to really consider what traits we need to put off and what traits we should be putting on in their place. One example of this principal would be talking less (putting off) and listening more (putting on). This is something I really want to examine as I make my resolutions for 2012.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope that this new year is off to a good start for all of you!</div><div class="MsoNormal">Blessings!</div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-5422827077274909002011-12-26T13:15:00.000-08:002011-12-26T13:15:00.148-08:00Sitting Thankful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwtwzBrFIseA4ttXHzo2PaKlGBaFSo0yRmuCjc7pM2Msx3jWuwHXrk3nKcQkeqZWYx0O5bFdujyI1oVgt3M_x4J6d3W_22r6a3AhN-d9n-rkQ5CDjegQPfwH_7hpKX-5oUp26se2Vx0w/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwtwzBrFIseA4ttXHzo2PaKlGBaFSo0yRmuCjc7pM2Msx3jWuwHXrk3nKcQkeqZWYx0O5bFdujyI1oVgt3M_x4J6d3W_22r6a3AhN-d9n-rkQ5CDjegQPfwH_7hpKX-5oUp26se2Vx0w/s200/tree.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so thankful this week for~</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Sitting on the couch with a plate full of Christmas treats on my lap (yum!).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Sitting on the couch with a cutie-poo niece on my lap!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Sitting on the couch with my mother-in-law and a pile of crocheting on my lap.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Sitting on the couch watching a movie with our puppy curled up on my lap.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The happiest moments of my life </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>have been the few which I have passed at home </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>in the bosom of my family. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Thomas Jefferson</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>May this week be one of family and relaxation for you all!</b></span>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-442390069565503582011-12-24T10:12:00.000-08:002011-12-24T10:12:01.668-08:00Merry Christmas!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is Christ the Lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luke 2:11</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clipartpal.com/clipart_pd/holiday/christmas/nativity_10608.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img img="" src="http://www.clipartpal.com/_thumbs/pd/holiday/christmas/nativity_Dore.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blessings to you and your family!</div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-17872004179372136812011-12-23T15:38:00.000-08:002012-01-04T14:59:40.903-08:00Ready for Christmas!The last of my made from scratch gifts is done. It's taken months, but I finally put the finishing touches on this <a href="http://createfromscratch.blogspot.com/2011/08/wip-sweater.html">sweater</a>. Isn't it adorable?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_yOjNFhHskOcFOmuNJTfPkokT3B5NMMQnfWHqKaLxgrvoCVC7JHIathjN4gWGJicXZNdl7MuF0RBlwaAkJLeJKneEpxc4t7OOCpmcxf6ruLefVHIKMVZt4wN9xXHUe06yyzeEXqUnk8/s1600/photo-712804.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685019344305449682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_yOjNFhHskOcFOmuNJTfPkokT3B5NMMQnfWHqKaLxgrvoCVC7JHIathjN4gWGJicXZNdl7MuF0RBlwaAkJLeJKneEpxc4t7OOCpmcxf6ruLefVHIKMVZt4wN9xXHUe06yyzeEXqUnk8/s320/photo-712804.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-2503471240700070442011-12-21T10:37:00.000-08:002012-01-04T14:58:42.851-08:00Finally finished!Months ago I wrote <a href="http://createfromscratch.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-love-this.html">here</a> about how I wanted to crochet a scarfette. Well, it's taken me a couple months to finish, but I came up with two different ones both of which I really like. <br />
<br />
I kept some notes on how I made them. The key was starting with a chain of 99 and crocheting around the length of the scarf versus crocheting in rows. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxk1Kbd2gWuBcbbuGON7pPJ2nf8gRIYGgNWqt4EfKsPK1DeKyRZZxoI4lH_Ua7GZWZ5Pwjj4hZvrtm58ydkp5WYyNRJ2Yy5I1TsKqaEPxEJ8P1GaEaypEDWVaQbLoUKaALd8YiP41OsU/s1600/photo+1-762828.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685019132596486290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxk1Kbd2gWuBcbbuGON7pPJ2nf8gRIYGgNWqt4EfKsPK1DeKyRZZxoI4lH_Ua7GZWZ5Pwjj4hZvrtm58ydkp5WYyNRJ2Yy5I1TsKqaEPxEJ8P1GaEaypEDWVaQbLoUKaALd8YiP41OsU/s320/photo+1-762828.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AzUbW-wVWolNuLkcmJRYsK8QBmbRxCFw0BXvOHESmO99GDmcDmBq-iiWC4VATg6-_YITzgcdc5UkKx2uq_Alfdc10XamLTpRXxLZACre3htUyF_9UYNwK_jDucghWMrLMoTHa0-70dQ/s1600/photo+2-764044.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685019135885459970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AzUbW-wVWolNuLkcmJRYsK8QBmbRxCFw0BXvOHESmO99GDmcDmBq-iiWC4VATg6-_YITzgcdc5UkKx2uq_Alfdc10XamLTpRXxLZACre3htUyF_9UYNwK_jDucghWMrLMoTHa0-70dQ/s320/photo+2-764044.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><br />
I'll definitely make these again! And I'd love to hear suggestions on ways to improve. <br />
Blessings!Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-45726101195728393842011-12-18T16:12:00.000-08:002012-01-04T14:59:59.610-08:00It's almost Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7YThkAecOUQHp-p1f4F9zr2vXYV-lXzOhScjGW6pwohaka-XjPGhcQaWXG2CRANV-Bw7-_DXbBHtgu3JaEKEwwjYRYO-3387y5O4FjYahYE86d0F07loHMiVeSeIs0iTHbAKia5LieA/s1600/pixlr-752670.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685028107774772466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7YThkAecOUQHp-p1f4F9zr2vXYV-lXzOhScjGW6pwohaka-XjPGhcQaWXG2CRANV-Bw7-_DXbBHtgu3JaEKEwwjYRYO-3387y5O4FjYahYE86d0F07loHMiVeSeIs0iTHbAKia5LieA/s320/pixlr-752670.png" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div>Thankful this day for<br />
1) Christmas lights<br />
2) Christmas packages in the mail and on their way to family and friends<br />
3) Christmas carols playing on the radio<br />
4) Curling up to watch a Christmas movie with my husband.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-6840861815625914542011-12-17T15:53:00.000-08:002012-01-04T15:00:18.268-08:00A good nightWhat makes for a good night? For me it is to curl up on the couch with my hubby and puppy, turn on something like Top Chef Texas, and pig out on pizza. I could do that every single night and never grow tired of it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgOQJYj6wK_uSJkahbqkY6j-W5AF1FsVETmd8S_FNRn9ryMnwX0A9hxstcM_YZJ3oXUj3K9yChBnfInjF2IOS2j2S_gTBm243z8_dICpT12jIxTsEGgBxU-qThsN9Ez91PDfhpaEeVhk/s1600/photo-722482.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685022819653237826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgOQJYj6wK_uSJkahbqkY6j-W5AF1FsVETmd8S_FNRn9ryMnwX0A9hxstcM_YZJ3oXUj3K9yChBnfInjF2IOS2j2S_gTBm243z8_dICpT12jIxTsEGgBxU-qThsN9Ez91PDfhpaEeVhk/s320/photo-722482.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div>Hope you are enjoying a good night!Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-59166547245665050822011-12-15T09:38:00.000-08:002011-12-15T09:38:00.456-08:00Quick OrnamentsWe don't have a Christmas tree in our tiny apartment, but that hasn't stopped me from making a few ornaments. I used stash yarn, ribbon and pretty stick pins for these.<br />
<br />
<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFRlcE8XEsNUnDtUgF-dAM88oAJQe_6YzDspjoAZUHZ_jwo7dvJhdboe5Kq3m4F4S4p6MyzFsPGvtE1JwvjMNonLMJY-zWbhDwYmK6F1gfWstH1yhkq2-zpxP17ZRRsCRPsIDoOau9_Y/s1600/photo+1-790574.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFRlcE8XEsNUnDtUgF-dAM88oAJQe_6YzDspjoAZUHZ_jwo7dvJhdboe5Kq3m4F4S4p6MyzFsPGvtE1JwvjMNonLMJY-zWbhDwYmK6F1gfWstH1yhkq2-zpxP17ZRRsCRPsIDoOau9_Y/s320/photo+1-790574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685019248969965426" /></a></p><br />
<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xVplItpPbtDv9zUySWvJV-xSroxHW_rq2bsLCT0Vp_HOB8hJOm4OSQVntOwTmEonqlLrP0GKZau0UfGz2SOJi9PNs8xAJYggYIemaPqQJ2w6T4aOhh8oVBtg4Yj4Sa2dBZ5rMkxJmDQ/s1600/photo+3-792914.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xVplItpPbtDv9zUySWvJV-xSroxHW_rq2bsLCT0Vp_HOB8hJOm4OSQVntOwTmEonqlLrP0GKZau0UfGz2SOJi9PNs8xAJYggYIemaPqQJ2w6T4aOhh8oVBtg4Yj4Sa2dBZ5rMkxJmDQ/s320/photo+3-792914.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685019256884605234" /></a></p>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-60289178006806587822011-12-13T10:36:00.000-08:002011-12-13T10:36:00.368-08:00I Love Christmas!<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/AVvXsEijDolUQ0iIU6VyRXhogVu1jXFsAArwKAQERzxQ1t2DYApS1K0R5OblBMLYxs2UMgyTSWqKbv4pkVKSiwea203pBXKaEt13xvYH8EGjqWBT7zZsnoka6AxZ534Ifi19MWzuKfIpfP1uPPs/s1600/stockings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDolUQ0iIU6VyRXhogVu1jXFsAArwKAQERzxQ1t2DYApS1K0R5OblBMLYxs2UMgyTSWqKbv4pkVKSiwea203pBXKaEt13xvYH8EGjqWBT7zZsnoka6AxZ534Ifi19MWzuKfIpfP1uPPs/s320/stockings.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Microsoft Office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I even love all the busyness of it and all the checking items off your to-do list. (Really, I'm goofy like that.) Far from being stressful or tiring, I find the planning of everything exciting. <br />
<br />
Ok, I'll admit it- I'm one of those people who start planning and shopping months in advance. And I'm not someone who decorates every inch of our home (yet) or feels the pressure to keep up with our neighbors. Both of which definitely bring down the stress level a lot.<br />
<br />
One of the things I love most about Christmas is the focus on blessing others. I think about that as I get gifts together and as I'm wrapping them up. I think about that as I make little treats for my husband and I to share at our workplaces. And I think of that as I fill out our Christmas cards. This is a special time of year where we get to reach out to all the people we love and value and let them know that we care. Isn't that wonderful?<br />
<br />
"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." ~ W.T. Purkiser, PastorEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-88342981287633042242011-12-11T10:53:00.000-08:002011-12-12T16:39:48.180-08:00Feeling Grateful<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjutH2DOR4cMLK9zJlwffG2ZzK4U2I85wgnYQVICJerpqRGnYZmx2Azlz92-MuS8Lgj6dDkPcjWzbackUgM4y_PXLMawMbr-0JpZ87sSnw1dCSm3_SxvzbHEkF6gK3ZNN0au2I5WCGq4/s1600/stockings+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjutH2DOR4cMLK9zJlwffG2ZzK4U2I85wgnYQVICJerpqRGnYZmx2Azlz92-MuS8Lgj6dDkPcjWzbackUgM4y_PXLMawMbr-0JpZ87sSnw1dCSm3_SxvzbHEkF6gK3ZNN0au2I5WCGq4/s320/stockings+2.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Microsoft Office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." ~ William Arthur Ward<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Father for</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) A warm home against the chill of winter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) A warm family to welcome me home each night</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) A warm heart that is hopeful</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) A warm welcome which You've promised me at the end of this journey.</span><br />
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Blessings to you and yours!Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-45281333478801544682011-12-08T10:24:00.000-08:002011-12-08T10:24:00.742-08:00Crocheting a dollI promised last week that I would do a follow up post talking about how I crochet a doll. I can't give a complete tutorial or pattern, because I don't use one. However, I can roughly go through the steps I take as I crochet.<br />
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As background, I have some experience making amigurumi animals and from that I learned how to do a <a href="http://www.crochetme.com/forums/t/28917.aspx">magic circle</a>. You can see that when I'm crocheting in the round, I don't do a proper increase each time around. I personally think it leaves a line in your finished crochet that I'm not a fan of. The downside of this, though, is that my finished work does twist slightly. I can offset some of that when I attach limbs, but it's still going to be visible. And finally, I don't turn my work right-side out. I've read on other blogs that I should be turning out my pieces before sewing them together. Because of how I attach the limbs, I don't do this.<br />
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Whew... So onto the good stuff.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WFAj-dB5ED16eSDBOUJhjhdO8Vk5XoeJp32KwihK2GanDEh5rLYLpbrcXl0ypILVzdLqZvliW_G7ZIQfAK7QZ1Jk9mNT04Nl5kOHgy1w_6LtWte2SS8pxQnG2es0YWK8AHPQgz7r2nQ/s1600/photo+4-713874.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679867105219800018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WFAj-dB5ED16eSDBOUJhjhdO8Vk5XoeJp32KwihK2GanDEh5rLYLpbrcXl0ypILVzdLqZvliW_G7ZIQfAK7QZ1Jk9mNT04Nl5kOHgy1w_6LtWte2SS8pxQnG2es0YWK8AHPQgz7r2nQ/s320/photo+4-713874.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Supplies: </b>As much as possible, I use 100% cotton yarn. I want something that will be soft and durable over many washes. I also stay away from using any kind of sewn on eyes or beads just for safety's sake. I've been giving these to little kids who might pull on them or chew on them and so on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS83Uuy8an8PmNhdjkF_V6HBEWpK0W7lIdJJ60tybhL6xgw17OavmkkXJmqETFrYShW8b3Fsfsqgn_F4_dBaV0Rwli2lYuocIhyphenhyphen8Xg9oT9dVUUJCt0V3r-izG-OcgStOsjCyb-9mv7Cug/s1600/photo+1-708501.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679867081552158450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS83Uuy8an8PmNhdjkF_V6HBEWpK0W7lIdJJ60tybhL6xgw17OavmkkXJmqETFrYShW8b3Fsfsqgn_F4_dBaV0Rwli2lYuocIhyphenhyphen8Xg9oT9dVUUJCt0V3r-izG-OcgStOsjCyb-9mv7Cug/s320/photo+1-708501.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"><b>The Feet: </b>I start my dolls at the feet and work my way up from there adding parts until they are finished. For the feet, I start with a magic loop and by either doing dc on one side and sc on the other side- or by using increases and decreases- I get them into a foot-like shape.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="mobile-photo"><b>The Legs: </b>I keep crocheting in a circle until I have them the length I want. I get two to the same length and then finish one by sewing in the loose ends. With the other, I crochet across the "back" side and link it to the next leg, follow that leg around to the front and then link it on the "front" side to the front of my first leg. I keep building on this new cylinder to make the torso of my doll.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><b>The Torso: </b>I immediately add increases to my torso until I get it to the diameter I want. On this doll, I also worked in slightly larger stitches in the back- maybe dc or hdc- for a row or two until I had a bottom to the doll. I keep building up the torso until I'm ready to add the arms. </div><div class="mobile-photo"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oj5N-LvtowvVrFMR1NK5ekpqehxr65j1hND6d0gdSKVRjALvTW93Mr1SnIelQfHpEZKb81bLJKc_Rpljui06YoKiM84oNtmK7x7tnoUa9BJOBMwNHKnRyLpo9boSK1iAQVFLCWeWoqA/s1600/photo+5-714620.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679867106489278914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oj5N-LvtowvVrFMR1NK5ekpqehxr65j1hND6d0gdSKVRjALvTW93Mr1SnIelQfHpEZKb81bLJKc_Rpljui06YoKiM84oNtmK7x7tnoUa9BJOBMwNHKnRyLpo9boSK1iAQVFLCWeWoqA/s320/photo+5-714620.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>The Hands:</b> For this doll, I crocheted a chain of four and then used that to make a row of three hdc (the "fingers" on the hand). At the end of that row, I chained two and then with a sc connected them back to the starting point. I then did a sc two more times across the base of the hand. Voila! One hand. </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>The Arms:</b><b style="font-weight: normal;"> </b>At that point, wanted to keep going and crochet a cylinder for the rest of the arm. I chained one, turned and crocheted in the back loops only of my row until I reached the end and then I kept going by turning my work and crocheting in the front loops of my row. I now had six sc in a circular shape. I built on that round by round until I had my arms the length I wanted them. </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I attach my arms to the torso in the same basic way I attach my legs. I crochet the bottom parts of both arms as I'm doing a round. On my second round, I go over the tops of them and they are connected.</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhpWziR7_o17zZXimhf_Us2j_NAqXVn0TUfvPSfrZ0NCJgqzt1g1i3HTrLGy1CSpmaNU5Eo3Gn6IoVFPA2ipjdkXPKsg8DuPGMmY1s2uLj8BWrA6CGUJGGVaOslRYLa_VN6IEHmKi060/s1600/photo+2-709210.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679867084892607682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhpWziR7_o17zZXimhf_Us2j_NAqXVn0TUfvPSfrZ0NCJgqzt1g1i3HTrLGy1CSpmaNU5Eo3Gn6IoVFPA2ipjdkXPKsg8DuPGMmY1s2uLj8BWrA6CGUJGGVaOslRYLa_VN6IEHmKi060/s320/photo+2-709210.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"><b>The Chest/Neck: </b>At this point, I usually start making decreases until I get to the diameter I want my neck to be. Then, I start increasing again for the head. Pretty simple.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><b>The Face: </b>First I build up the bottom of her head in this flesh-toned yarn. Then, I work on just the face of my doll. I go back and forth in rows until I have the height I wanted for her face (leaving the back alone). At that point, I finish off this color by weaving in my ends. If you saw her at this point, you'd see that she's missing the back of her head completely. That's the last feature I add.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">For the expression on her face, I try to keep it simple with embroidery floss. I use a little bit of crayon to get her cheek color. </div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><b>The Hair: </b>When I'm done with her face, I need to finish the head and add hair. I change the color of yarn I am using to whatever I want to use for her hair and then begin to do a sc all the way around the flesh colored parts of her head. After establishing the new color, I do decreases in this color until I have a head shape, finish stuffing her, and then close her off. Lastly, I add her braids and bangs.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxQIw9NQtx6nsVXmM38AKr3_a-6qyYwpuy_9G9Ap_XXgscjbWpayeBjQJz52EuRfQYYgcafFFAMYZ4YxfXkw8MXzZxx6iKGglPEfg8aosiLzS_73Wacw3FjdnSmwX3fvPou8iULA9YAE/s1600/photo+3-709940.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679867088436372338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxQIw9NQtx6nsVXmM38AKr3_a-6qyYwpuy_9G9Ap_XXgscjbWpayeBjQJz52EuRfQYYgcafFFAMYZ4YxfXkw8MXzZxx6iKGglPEfg8aosiLzS_73Wacw3FjdnSmwX3fvPou8iULA9YAE/s320/photo+3-709940.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So... I think this is officially the longest post I've written. Hope that some people find it helpful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blessings!</div><div class="mobile-photo"></div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-65586771324023255592011-12-06T09:41:00.000-08:002011-12-06T09:41:00.230-08:00Shackleton's WayIt's month four of my Book a Month reading challenge, and I've just finished another great one <i>Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer</i> by Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell. I'm not generally someone who reads leadership books, but this one intrigued me because of who it profiled, one of my heroes, Ernest Shackleton.<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/AVvXsEjq1gGkS6jmAr8lgfy9tZYursJsl4uwc9kGrizO-3aWAsLfXIwaaQrtcoMbJ0PG-m63oFQromsaPWrd5RKXRK-cWukM0SpV8Hprnx0BzW1Ms4MuGanlSp3D8J6VB5SiW7fmHX1df8GQq4s/s1600/Shack+Way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1gGkS6jmAr8lgfy9tZYursJsl4uwc9kGrizO-3aWAsLfXIwaaQrtcoMbJ0PG-m63oFQromsaPWrd5RKXRK-cWukM0SpV8Hprnx0BzW1Ms4MuGanlSp3D8J6VB5SiW7fmHX1df8GQq4s/s320/Shack+Way.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Amazon.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My dad introduced me to Shackleton and the story of the ill-fated Endurance when I was a teenager. Through the years, he's introduced me to many incredible men who fought valiantly against their circumstances: King Leonidas at the Battle of Thermopylae, Lewis and Clark on their trek through the uncharted lands of the Louisiana Purchase, and Sir Ernest Shackleton who brought home all of his men after being stranded on the ice floes outside of Antarctica for two years.<br />
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In <i>Shackleton's Way</i> the authors do a nice job of retelling the key events in Shackleton's life, focusing on his exceptional leadership skills that carried his men through the trial of losing their ship, the Endurance. There are so many leadership lessons to be learned, but the one that impressed me most is how well Ernest Shackleton understood his men and how well he cared for them throughout their entire ordeal. Part of what made him such a phenomenal leader was the trust and respect his men had for him, which came in large part from the way he related with them.<br />
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For anyone interested in leadership, this is a short and interesting read. It's both practical and offers examples of modern leaders who have applied principles they've learned from reading about Shackleton. And even if you're not particularly interested in the topic of leadership, like me, there is still so much to learn from a man like this who overcame some pretty incredible odds.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-68967625356341798282011-12-04T10:16:00.000-08:002011-12-04T10:16:00.559-08:00For this day...<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am thankful for-</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) The sights and sounds of the northern coast<br />
2) Time with family <br />
3) Turkey dinner, turkey pot pie, turkey noodle soup, turkey sandwiches... We are blessed with abundance.<br />
4) Sleeping in late and waking up to the smell of fresh coffee.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0rfGBcA7i0DLvNHtC_jChYxlVTC_XkiMTH7ylTDLd29I39dUr8vdapq3cqrGEaOihCidIT0-RxAfUVoc33IhAi4cE7WM-G9W-lJGXYpcKYPFvWl8Z_TONQpjf63tizgYVIGY-WkVJmI/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0rfGBcA7i0DLvNHtC_jChYxlVTC_XkiMTH7ylTDLd29I39dUr8vdapq3cqrGEaOihCidIT0-RxAfUVoc33IhAi4cE7WM-G9W-lJGXYpcKYPFvWl8Z_TONQpjf63tizgYVIGY-WkVJmI/s320/IMG_0073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are you thankful for this day?</span></div>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971982365696054844.post-24881425583504101302011-12-01T10:03:00.000-08:002011-12-01T10:03:00.601-08:00Are you giving books this Christmas?I saw this post over at the <a href="http://christmas.yourway.net/monogrammed-tote-bag/#more-1786">Life Your Way</a> blog- it would make such a cute way to gift some kids you know with books this Christmas!<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/AVvXsEgLch4Hy9xCPEF5sIYJb63bhpv92qsoBoF2h_zET7-w08IHVvbVVYroMNbYXw3GYeXobJ4PoLJIriLKws5ao1FCpscoC8iaKXlNhQtGLC9GzKlNoM6L4Y8EsdvGH1n8J1QgLJo98cwj5F4/s1600/photo-788477.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679862702348298642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLch4Hy9xCPEF5sIYJb63bhpv92qsoBoF2h_zET7-w08IHVvbVVYroMNbYXw3GYeXobJ4PoLJIriLKws5ao1FCpscoC8iaKXlNhQtGLC9GzKlNoM6L4Y8EsdvGH1n8J1QgLJo98cwj5F4/s320/photo-788477.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Mandi Ehman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871216585230649240noreply@blogger.com0