tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59221185826437381952024-03-13T00:18:04.950-04:00The Family ScientistaDaishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-26023830989585994712012-02-02T18:09:00.002-05:002012-02-02T18:09:43.843-05:00Cleaning Your Microwave - The Easy WayDo you cringe when you hear the 'pop' coming from your microwave as your warming up your lunch? Yeah, me too. It's just another mess to clean up that probably could have been prevented by a simple napkin placed over the plate. Kind of annoying, right? If you're like me you probably got distracted and didn't clean up the mess right away so things are now hard and crusty. Lovely!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZEEbt9z4K0/TysXWzNcZ0I/AAAAAAAAFRE/kPp1AcVgZbM/s1600/IMG_6408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZEEbt9z4K0/TysXWzNcZ0I/AAAAAAAAFRE/kPp1AcVgZbM/s400/IMG_6408.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well here is my simple method for cleaning my dirty microwave.<br />
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All you need is a bowl of water and lemon juice (if you want a fruity clean smell).<br />
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Fill a bowl with water and lemon. Then heat that bowl of water for about 3-4 minutes and let that steam do most of the cleaning work for you. Don't open the door when it beeps. just let the bowl and steam sit in the micro for a few more minutes.<br />
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Once it's time to clean take a wet rag and wipe down the microwave. You'll hardly have to scrub at all as the steam will have softened everything up making for a nice and easy to clean microwave!!<br />
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<br />Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-77827269439100214712012-01-31T19:41:00.004-05:002012-01-31T19:41:49.412-05:00Busy, Busy & Mini-Cupcakes!Has it really been well over a week since I last posted? Wow. We've been a busy bunch around here. Last week we had our house warming/office open house for our <a href="http://www.livegrowsmile.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">orthodontic office.</span></a> Although we opened in Sept we wanted to wait until the holiday rush was over.<br />
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I, with the help of many others, was busy getting things all ready for that. I'm excited to share a few recipes we used for our refreshments, but until I have a moment to do so here is a fun picture. Our sister in-law made the cake and I did the mini-cupcakes. That was a first for me in the mini department. It was actually a lot of fun and not nearly as hard or intimidating as I thought it would be (more on that later).<br />
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I hope everyone is doing well. Can you believe it's February tomorrow?! Wowza!</div>
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If you'd like to see more pictures of the cake and festivities and get a good laugh at my husband's picture captions visit Johnson Family Orthodontics on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Live.Grow.Smile" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">facebook</span></a>!</div>
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<br />Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-14368299084172197642012-01-22T11:23:00.001-05:002012-01-22T11:23:20.194-05:00Cream PuffsThese little cream puffs are amazing. A friend made them for a get together a few weeks ago and she left us with a plate of them. I could NOT stop eating them. They were light, fluffy and incredibly creamy.<br />
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When she gave me the recipe I was surprised how easy they were to make, which made me super excited. I decided to experiment with food coloring and adding almond flavoring to my batch. They were perfect!!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cream Puffs</span></b><br />
original recipe <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cream-puffs/detail.aspx" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<div class="ingredients" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Ingredients</h3>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix (or whatever flavor of pudding you want)</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">2 cups heavy cream</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">1 cup milk</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> </li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">1/2 cup butter</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">1 cup water</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">1/4 teaspoon salt</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">1 cup all-purpose flour</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">4 eggs</li>
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<div class="directions" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Directions</h3>
<ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Mix together vanilla instant pudding mix, cream and milk. Cover and refrigerate to set.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">In a large pot, bring water and butter to a rolling boil. Stir in flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball. Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon or stand mixer, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Centers should be dry.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">When the shells are cool, either split and fill them with the pudding mixture, or use a pastry bag to pipe the pudding into the shells.</span></li>
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</div>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-4244525606357433672012-01-17T15:03:00.002-05:002012-01-17T15:04:12.557-05:00Homemade PlaydoughWe are having a snow day here in Oregon. It's actually just a 2 hr delay, but our hill is terrible right now. We've been watching cars and trucks slide down the hill and struggle to get up it all morning., so we opted to stay safe at home today.<br />
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So, with all the kids home we pulled out our homemade playdough recipe and got to work. This is one of my kids favorite things to make, probably because I let them each choose their own color. It's more fun that way.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tNjrMJ1SP4I/TxXTSiN481I/AAAAAAAAFNI/hfSnQlp4gZ4/s1600/SAM_1967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tNjrMJ1SP4I/TxXTSiN481I/AAAAAAAAFNI/hfSnQlp4gZ4/s400/SAM_1967.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a very simple recipe, hardly costs a thing and is totally safe for your little ones to play with, especially if they decide to "taste" it. This is a recipe that we've been making for years.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Homemade Playdough</b></span><br />
1 cup flour<br />
1 cup water<br />
1/2 cup salt<br />
1 TB cooking oil<br />
1 tsp cream of tarter *<br />
Food coloring<br />
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Put all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over low-med heat until a soft ball forms. Use a rubber spatula to scrape dough from bottom and sides of pan as it heats. It only takes 1-3 minutes for the ball to form. Turn off heat and dump ball out on countertop. Knead the ball for about 30 seconds (careful, it's hot) and then you're ready to play!<br />
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Store in an airtight container and it will keep for about 2 weeks.<br />
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*If you don't have cream of tarter you can leave it out or substitute baking powder. However, the playdough will probably only last about 2-3 days before it gets sticky.<br />
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<br />Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-45441093621118382992012-01-15T10:00:00.002-05:002012-01-15T10:00:03.556-05:00Favorite Things Birthday Banner!Today is my husband's birthday and our cute little kids really wanted to decorate his birthday cake with all of his favorite things (Blazers, Tim Tebow, Boise State Football etc. . .). However, he doesn't really like cake and will be having pie for his birthday so I directed them to make a banner instead.<br />
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So they got to work finding and printing out pictures all of his favorite sports teams and hobbies. Our 8, 6, and 4 year olds all cut out the pictures and then stapled them to a ribbon and hung it on the mantle.<br />
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I wish I would have taken a picture of them in the creating process cutting, determining an order and taking turns stapling. They were so excited and things even got a little tense as they were trying to make it perfect for their Papi. They couldn't wait to show off their master piece!<br />
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I envisioned making it a pendant banner with cardstock and then glueing the pictures on top, but I really wanted the kids to do this on their own. I think it turned out so great and it was a perfect way to celebrate Cole and his favorite things!<br />
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I think we might make this 'Favorite Things Banner' a new tradition in our family! Your birthday is about YOU, right?!Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-41631495905030488362012-01-14T20:44:00.000-05:002012-01-14T20:44:15.519-05:00How to Keep Cilantro Fresh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q37yehwOp6c/TxIvL20aJzI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/LsVFFqy4hCg/s1600/SAM_1952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q37yehwOp6c/TxIvL20aJzI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/LsVFFqy4hCg/s400/SAM_1952.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>My husband and I really like to use fresh cilantro. It can liven up a plain salad, give a kick to a bean burrito and add a splash of color to a variety of dishes.<br />
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However, cilantro can get limp and gross in a hurry. A few years ago I came across this little tip to keep your cilantro perky, fresh and ready to use.<br />
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Simple cut off the bottom 1-2 inches of the cilantro bunch, put it in a shallow cup of water and stick it in the fridge. Simple as that and it keeps your cilantro fresh for a really long time!Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-76061117502975950482012-01-13T07:15:00.007-05:002012-01-13T07:15:00.817-05:00Blog Swap with Crafting and Creativity!<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please welcome Crafting and Creativity . . . she's sure got some cute ideas. Take a look!</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm happy to be here at <i>The Family Scientista</i> today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm Sarah; I blog over at <a href="http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Crafting and Creativity</span></a>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxh3We1qjPk/Twqi3AMOfDI/AAAAAAAANtM/hjrXR_NFyiU/s320/Crafting+and+Creativity+button+%2528LG%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm a 20-something mother of 2. My son is 4 and my daughter will be 2 in the spring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am lucky that I am able to stay home with them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like making pretty things- things for our home, things for my daughter's hair, and the odd sewing project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are a few of my fave projects...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com/2011/08/diy-jewelry-holder-trash-to-treasure.html">DIY Jewelry Holder</a>-</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this was made using a cabinet door & I used wrapping paper for the back!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kgJC4LoYknQ/Twqh_FTiOnI/AAAAAAAANsc/XtqL7n8_V-U/s1600/jeweleryholder022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kgJC4LoYknQ/Twqh_FTiOnI/AAAAAAAANsc/XtqL7n8_V-U/s400/jeweleryholder022.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com/2011/03/framed-easter-egg-art.html">Framed Easter Egg Art</a>-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hza3nGl3wB0/TwqiBCbLTsI/AAAAAAAANsk/mSkuh2oG2-8/s1600/March22011006+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hza3nGl3wB0/TwqiBCbLTsI/AAAAAAAANsk/mSkuh2oG2-8/s400/March22011006+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-make-t-shirt-pom-pom-flowers.html">How to make t-shirt pom pom flowers</a>-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7EOUWVJz-s/TwqiEdbrOMI/AAAAAAAANss/azHmhGxon30/s1600/032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7EOUWVJz-s/TwqiEdbrOMI/AAAAAAAANss/azHmhGxon30/s400/032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com/2011/10/easy-felt-flowers-tutorial.html">How to make these Easy Fabric Flowers</a>-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X-ea_2QvWV0/TwqiG9RntwI/AAAAAAAANs0/9P4k2jQEYP8/s1600/easyfeltflowers-tutorial27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X-ea_2QvWV0/TwqiG9RntwI/AAAAAAAANs0/9P4k2jQEYP8/s400/easyfeltflowers-tutorial27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also love doing fun parties for my kids' birthdays!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com/2011/05/girls-1st-birthday-party-black-white.html">My daughter's 1st birthday- Black, White, and Pink theme</a>-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9u5RSsJ0FM/TwqiKaBbjjI/AAAAAAAANs8/vtfgO4rGm8A/s1600/April+16%252C+2011+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9u5RSsJ0FM/TwqiKaBbjjI/AAAAAAAANs8/vtfgO4rGm8A/s400/April+16%252C+2011+027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-sons-4th-birthday-party-cars-theme.html">My son's 4th birthday- Cars theme</a>-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4kWtGSpV6o/TwqipF6ReZI/AAAAAAAANtE/X9UF9s3TGI8/s1600/December+17%252C+2011+%252836%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4kWtGSpV6o/TwqipF6ReZI/AAAAAAAANtE/X9UF9s3TGI8/s400/December+17%252C+2011+%252836%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope to see you over at <a href="http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Crafting and Creativity</span></a> soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Daisha, thanks for having me! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/211/19EBE613C663A396BC8FAB6F814D9850.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-36662230365153451892012-01-10T04:20:00.001-05:002012-01-10T04:20:01.036-05:00Mom's Chicken Enchiladas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is my mom's chicken enchilada recipe, one that we've been loving for decades. There's nothing fancy about it, but I think that's what makes it so great. It's creamy chicken goodness and our whole family loves it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Chicken Enchiladas</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Makes about 12 to 15 enchiladas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 cups cooked chicken - chopped</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 cups sour cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 can cream of chicken soup</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 cups grated jack cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 cups grated cheddar cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7 oz can chopped green chilies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 TB chopped onions (dry is great too)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/4 tsp salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/4 tsp pepper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">12-15 flour tortillas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">grated cheese to sprinkle on top</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Combine all ingredients. Spoon a small amount onto the center of the tortilla and roll up. Place in baking pans. Sprinkle extra cheese on top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-45545598696660910042012-01-07T16:20:00.000-05:002012-01-07T16:20:55.284-05:00Hello Pinterest!!<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Pinterest_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Pinterest_logo.png" width="200" /></a>I avoided it for as long as I could, <b>Pinterest</b> that is. I knew another social network would suck up more of my time each day (I'm not always great at managing my time), but I caved.<br />
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I asked to be invited and yesterday when I got the email to make my account I did it. As soon as I got started and saw everything that people posted on their boards my heart starting racing, but in a totally anxiety filled way. Talk about sensory overload!<br />
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Scrolling down the page my eyes and mind couldn't keep up fast enough with the decadent desserts, beautiful bouquets of flowers, the kid crafty foods, diy dressers, yarn wreaths and plethora of other great projects and recipes to tackle. But after a few minutes (and several deep breaths) I knew I was going to be ok.<br />
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Um, hello? No longer am I scrolling through long lists of bookmarked pages (even if semi-organized) to find the recipe I want (rather frustrating). Now I click onto my <b><a href="http://pinterest.com/daishaj/" target="_blank">'Favorite Foods'</a></b> or <b><a href="http://pinterest.com/daishaj/" target="_blank">'Recipes to Try'</a></b> board and I'm greeted with lovely pictures and links to food I can make! So simple and I <b>LOVE</b> it.<br />
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<b>I vow not to let Pinterest take over my life</b>, but to let it help me <i><b>organize</b></i> my life and all the food, crafty and homemaking endeavors I'm aiming to try. After all, that's just what this <b>Family Scientista</b> blog is all about . . . <i>homemaking experiments from my family lab</i>!!<br />
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*<b>Welcome</b> to anyone new to my site. I'm so glad you stopped by! Take a few moments and look around. I'm just creeping back into blog land and will have my 'pages' at the top updated as soon as possible.<br />
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In the mean time please stay in touch by becoming my newest <b>Follower</b> (top right) or following me on <b>Pinterest</b>! <a href="http://pinterest.com/daishaj/"><img alt="Follow Me on Pinterest" height="26" src="http://passets-cdn.pinterest.com/images/follow-on-pinterest-button.png" width="156" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Weekend Everyone!!</span> I hope it's a great one!Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-41719783418309676692012-01-04T17:48:00.002-05:002012-01-04T23:40:20.336-05:00What's For Dinner? A Few Ideas For You!Eating . . . it's just a part of everyday, one that I quite like actually!! But with eating comes the cooking, which I know many don't enjoy. I love to cook (on most days) but it's so easy to get in a rut and cook your family the same things over and over. Not a bad thing, but certainly not exciting either.<br />
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If you are in need of a few ideas for meals to feed your family here are a few of our favorites . . . kid friendly too! Click on the bold title to get to the recipe post.<br />
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<a href="http://thefamilyscientista.blogspot.com/2010/08/pulled-pork-and-sauteed-onion.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: black;">Pulled Pork Sandwiches</span></b></a> . . . it's in the crock-pot right now :) Yum! Really good with a toasted bun too!<br />
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<a href="http://thefamilyscientista.blogspot.com/2010/09/funny-face-pizza.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: black;">Funny Face Mini Pizza</span></b></a> . . . made these last night with the kids. I got my sauce from the local grocery store (WINCO). It was the stuff they use on the fresh pizza's they make there and it was only $1.11 for a little package of it - delish!<br />
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<a href="http://thefamilyscientista.blogspot.com/2010/07/turkey-blt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><b>Turkey BLT's</b></span></a> . . . one of my own creations, inspired by my favorite sandwich shop in college.<br />
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<a href="http://thefamilyscientista.blogspot.com/2010/06/homemade-chicken-nuggets.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: black;">Homemade Chicken Nuggets</span></b></a> . . . real chicken and baked! Yummy and nutritious!<br />
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<a href="http://thefamilyscientista.blogspot.com/2010/06/carribean-jerk-chicken.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><b>Carribean Jerk Chicken</b></span></a> . . . my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm going to be making this one asap!<br />
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Hungry yet?!Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-47499881541410551662012-01-03T14:23:00.002-05:002012-01-04T17:25:27.092-05:00Want to Get in Shape? Fitness Goals<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nx7yfzcGtk/TwNUV3fscPI/AAAAAAAAFJM/WfrI_dnEKZs/s1600/SAM_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nx7yfzcGtk/TwNUV3fscPI/AAAAAAAAFJM/WfrI_dnEKZs/s320/SAM_1213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running my first leg (out of 3) in the <br />
Hood to Coast relay this past August. It was so stinking hot out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Exercise. It's a thing I didn't learn to love (or even like) until I moved 3,000 miles from family and friends and wanted to do something for myself. Now 2.5 years later and three races completed I still really like it!! I'm not lying, I really do.<br />
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I find exercise to be exhausting and sometimes more of a mental challenge than a physical one, but it's so rewarding to see results and accomplish goals.<br />
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My first fitness goal ever was to run a 8K (5 miles) three months after by 4th baby was born. There is nothing more motivating than trying to lose that baby weight and get back in normal clothes again. So even though I was never a runner or a goal setter ( I really hate setting goals) I actually did it and it was AMAZING. I came running into the finish line with tears in my eyes in absolute disbelief that I actually finished the race and much faster than I expected. Truly a great moment in my life.<br />
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So if you are like the majority of people out there and have set a goal to exercise and lose weight in 2012 you can read more about my <b><a href="http://thefamilyscientista.blogspot.com/2010/09/running.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">first race and the baby steps I took to accomplish HERE</span></a>. </b>Hopefully it will give you a little direction and motivation to get started. I am still very much a rookie in the exercise and running world, but I always like to hear about other's experiences so I though maybe you'd like to hear about mine.<br />
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My favorite place to exercise is actually at the gym. I LOVE the treadmill, eliptical machines and lifting weights. I do much better when I am visually distracted while exercising so watching tv or reading a book ( or people watching) while exercising helps me out a lot and I can push myself to go longer.<br />
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There is always running outside and listening to an ipod to get you through a workout too (I'm starting to like it more). I find running outside works a whole different set of muscles than a treadmill does so it's good variety for me to do both.<br />
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But you know what? I actually haven't run on a treadmill or outside for about 4 months . . . yikes!! I could give a whole slew of excuses, but I won't. I'll just say that I'm making that same New Years resolution as the rest of you . . . to get in shape.<br />
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And now for my <b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2012 Fitness Goals</span></b>:<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Exercise 4 days a weeks - at least 3 days with cardio </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Run a 10k (6 miles) in under 9:15 miles (faster than my last 10k).</span><br />
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Simple goals, but they will still challenge me.<br />
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No gym membership for me at this time in my life and the mornings are way too dark still for me to run outside so I exercise indoors (or I will be starting to as soon as I finish this post).<br />
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Here are my favorite sites for exercise tips/videos and nutrition tips - all things you can do in the comfort of your home. I think you'll really love them as much as I do. They are such great workouts!<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><a href="http://www.trainermomma.com/" target="_blank">Trainer Mamma!</a></b></span> </span>She has a great story of losing lots of weight and then becoming a certified personal trainer. She's a great motivator and has such great nutritious recipes, fabulous videos and printable workouts. I really see results when I follow her workouts. She had a baby recently and hasn't really posted anything new lately, but look all through her archives and you will find some really great things!!<br />
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<center><a href="http://trainermomma.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://trainermomma.com/trainermomma.png" /></a></center><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><a href="http://blogilates.com/" target="_blank">Blogilates!</a></b></span> </span>Another amazing site. She's extremely healthy in the way she eats, way more so than I will ever be or would ever want to be, but she has some interesting recipes that I think would be worth trying. My favorite part about her site is her videos. She does pilates videos and they are AMAZING!! They are simple, slow movements that they work your body and and leave you shaking (the good kind of 'I know I worked hard' shaking).<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">**What are your fitness goals for the year and do you have any fitness blogs or websites to recommend? I'm always looking for variety to add to my workouts!!**</span><br />
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<b>Happy Exercising Everyone!!</b>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-49879616415900654962011-12-29T18:05:00.002-05:002011-12-30T01:16:50.763-05:00Our FREE Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></div><b>Free</b> . . . we bought presents for all 5 of our kids and didn't spend any money, none! Here's a peek into how we did it and to give you encouragement in planning for the next Christmas season so you can also have a free Christmas!<br />
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<b>1. Set a limit on gifts.</b> We only buy each child <b>three</b> presents. Well, Santa brings one and we buy them two. Keep the gift giving simple my friends. We have always kept Christmas small and intend to as the years go on. There is absolutely no need or reason to spend loads of money on Christmas presents or to have the gifts spewing out from under the tree. Set a limit and stick to it. It's best to do this when your kids are very young and they won't know any different as they grow up and it will obviously save you money.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48EcYoxCkzM/TvvqigbA8eI/AAAAAAAAFIY/UGYvFuR_gok/s1600/SAM_1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48EcYoxCkzM/TvvqigbA8eI/AAAAAAAAFIY/UGYvFuR_gok/s640/SAM_1861.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Not a lot of gifts, right? No one seems too sad about that do they! They all loved their gifts and no one asked for anything more.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIq6dQvltfQ/TvztNXMLSOI/AAAAAAAAFIw/JawnssRNRgI/s1600/SAM_1868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIq6dQvltfQ/TvztNXMLSOI/AAAAAAAAFIw/JawnssRNRgI/s640/SAM_1868.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2.</b> <b>Plan ahead</b>. Six months ago a friend gave me a bag of very cute dress up clothes. There was about 6-8 outfits in the bag and they were all in great condition. The minute she brought them to my door I hid them away without any of the kids seeing them knowing that I wanted to use them as Christmas gifts. Tessa (4) and Claire (2) were thrilled with them!! We were also given a pocket knife a few weeks ago and saved that as a gift too.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">If you get a nice hand-me-down or find a super cheap deal on some toys (have you seen the after Christmas sales?!) hide it away for Christmas, even if it is for several months or even a year. You will save big time!!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3. Use Swagbucks! </b>Free gift cards for just searching the internet, you just can't beat that kind of a deal. That's FREE money people. I always use my swagbucks for Amazon gift cards as it is the best deal. Don't worry, you can get free shipping quite often on Amazon too.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">We used some swagbucks to buy two gifts for Christmas this year. If you saved up your Swagbucks you could pay for your whole Christmas this way. To learn more about Swagbucks and to sign up (it's free) go <a href="http://thefamilyscientista.blogspot.com/2010/08/swag-bucks-earn-free-gift-cards-for.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/dbj1" target="_top"><img alt="Search & Win" border="0" src="http://prodegebanners.sitegrip.com/images/swagbucks-468x60.jpg" title="Search & Win" /></a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><b>4. Use your credit card rewards. </b>We had $100 in Visa gift cards from our credit card rewards. Again, FREE money for charging and paying off our credit card on time. We used this free money to buys gifts at TJMaxx and Wal-mart. FREE!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">(Please note - We <b>NEVER</b> charge anything on our credit card unless we have the money to pay it off right away. I suggest you do the same. We might have a crazy amount of student loans, but have NEVER <b>EVER</b> had consumer debt or paid any interest on a credit card. Only use credit cards if you have the cash to pay it. End of story!)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div>Want to know some of the things we bought? Basketball shoes, transformers, walkie talkies, candy, purse pets, necklace, scrapbook pack, books, dress up shoes, second hand clothes etc . . . </div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div>So there you have it . . . we spent about $120 -ish on gifts for our children for Christmas, but didn't pay a single penny for any of it. That's how we had a FREE Christmas! You can do it too!!</div><div><br />
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</div><div>P.S. My husband and I don't really exchange gifts. With always having been students and now just starting our own business we are putting our money towards that. The only present under the tree for us this year was a homemade gift from our daughter and we love it that way!</div><div><br />
</div><div><i>Do you have a massive amount of toys in your house? Stay tuned for our 10 Toy Rule!! You'll think we are crazy, but you'll love it!!</i></div>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-87689916412194481452011-12-25T22:14:00.000-05:002011-12-25T22:14:03.091-05:00Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas from our family to yours!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDrBewzyKXk/TvfmUGexS4I/AAAAAAAAFIM/4RYrkYXJPL4/s1600/Johnson+Family+2011+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDrBewzyKXk/TvfmUGexS4I/AAAAAAAAFIM/4RYrkYXJPL4/s640/Johnson+Family+2011+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-67141901494275836032011-12-21T23:47:00.001-05:002011-12-22T05:25:16.382-05:00The Littlest Jingle Bell: By my HusbandMy husband used to tell our kids this story every year and I convinced him to put it to rhyme and he took it WAAAY over the top. You'll love this classic Christmas Tale that will soon rival Frosty, Rudolph and Elf...<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UWKGqHKqYEI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-43537814366909755872011-12-20T14:48:00.000-05:002011-12-20T14:48:30.727-05:00Candy Cane ReindeerThis little craft brings back so many memories of Christmas as a kid. I used to love making these little guys with my mom and decided it was time to introduce them to my own kids. They loved them and had so much fun picking out different eyeball combinations!!<br />
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This is such a quick and easy craft to do with your kids. Just be sure you are the one doing the hot glueing :)<br />
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All you need are a few simple things:<br />
* Candy canes<br />
* Brown pipe cleaners (found at walmart)<br />
* Google Eyes<br />
* Red nose (candy, holly berry, etc . . .)<br />
* Hot Glue gun<br />
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Cut pipe cleaners in sections - about 4-5 inches for main antlers and about 1-2 inches for smaller forks of the antlers.<br />
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Twist the large pipe cleaner around the candy cane to secure and them bend ends up. Take a small piece and wrap it around the larger section to make the forks of the antlers.<br />
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Glue on the eyes and nose and you've got a cute little reindeer to share with friends, hang on your tree etc. . . . Have fun!!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUNq0YZllns/TvDlyKmhzOI/AAAAAAAAFH4/hfm4Uw5SQ5k/s1600/SAM_1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUNq0YZllns/TvDlyKmhzOI/AAAAAAAAFH4/hfm4Uw5SQ5k/s640/SAM_1819.JPG" width="640" /></a>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-29560819105556851992011-12-15T02:00:00.015-05:002011-12-15T08:12:45.468-05:00Decorate with Green & BlueWhen my husband told me that they painted the walls of his <a href="http://www.livegrowsmile.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">new office</span></b></a> blue, green and gray I wasn't quite sure what to think. Now all I can think is about how much I LOVE them! They are bright, fun, and unique.<br />
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With the office being brand new Cole (<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.livegrowsmile.com/dr-cole-johnson.aspx" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">my husband</span></b></a>)</span> wanted to keep the office Christmas decorations within the same blue and green office theme. Shopping around I found that it was going to be a lot easier than I thought to decorate with those colors.<br />
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Take a look.<br />
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A new office means a small budget so I kept things simple this year. I think it turned out classy and beautiful.<br />
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Here's what I did:<br />
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*Hung glittery snowflakes in the windows and from the decorative beams in the waiting room. They were hung with clear fishing line.<br />
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* Filled tall glass cylinders (I'm sure they have another name) with varying colors and size ornaments. Cylinders were purchased at TJMax and Ross.<br />
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* Filled sugar jars with candy canes the color of his office and decorated with a ribbon and little glittery sprigs (found at JoAnn).<br />
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* Decorated small white trees with ornaments and small glittery sprigs.<br />
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Next year I hope to add a large tree and some white wreaths!!<br />
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Check out our website at <a href="http://www.livegrowsmile.com/"><b><span style="color: black;">www.</span><span style="color: blue;">Live</span><span style="color: black;">Grow</span><span style="color: blue;">Smile</span><span style="color: black;">.com</span></b></a>!! You can also find Cole's own blog <a href="http://www.livegrowsmile.com/blog.aspx" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></b></a>.Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-70065001428820243132011-12-12T17:00:00.000-05:002011-12-12T17:00:12.730-05:00Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n6IuPWbCFVA/TuZ4vTZUkGI/AAAAAAAAFF4/96WB2NW7A8g/s1600/SAM_1777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n6IuPWbCFVA/TuZ4vTZUkGI/AAAAAAAAFF4/96WB2NW7A8g/s320/SAM_1777.JPG" width="320" /></a>This is a delicious winter fruit salad. It's easy to make, colorful and people will be lining up for a second helping! It could even pass as a dessert with the marshmallows and cool-whip it has in it.<br />
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It's the perfect salad to take to your holiday dinner!<br />
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I think the original recipe is enough for about 10-15 people. I tripled the recipe last week and took it to a church dinner and it fed about 40 people.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad</b></span><br />
2 cups raw cranberries - chopped (I just did a few pulses on the blender in small amounts)<br />
1/2 cup sugar<br />
2 cups diced apples<br />
1/2 cup walnuts - chopped<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
3 cups mini marshmallows<br />
8 oz carton Cool Whip<br />
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Combine chopped cranberries and sugar and chill overnight.<br />
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After chilling combine all ingredients.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WbAk1oWrNqo/TuZ4xnRulWI/AAAAAAAAFGA/eqFLQuydJsc/s1600/SAM_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WbAk1oWrNqo/TuZ4xnRulWI/AAAAAAAAFGA/eqFLQuydJsc/s400/SAM_1775.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBB59f91I5o/TuZ40icZmoI/AAAAAAAAFGM/3v5FJkoxEXY/s1600/SAM_1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBB59f91I5o/TuZ40icZmoI/AAAAAAAAFGM/3v5FJkoxEXY/s640/SAM_1778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</span>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-48102954680073301622011-12-06T18:42:00.000-05:002011-12-06T18:42:56.241-05:00Nativity Wall HangingA few years ago I spotted those glass block with the vinyl nativity on them and fell in love. It was the simplicity of the black silhouette that caught my eye, so elegant in portraying the miraculous birth of our Savior.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oM8Jgc6rWTg/Tt6USoVaz6I/AAAAAAAAFFY/I_Hc-NFcxJc/s1600/SAM_1638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oM8Jgc6rWTg/Tt6USoVaz6I/AAAAAAAAFFY/I_Hc-NFcxJc/s640/SAM_1638.JPG" width="353" /></a></div>I immediately bought 2 sets from <a href="http://www.sayitonthewall.com/products/view/97/Glass_Block_Nativity-Vinyl_Only" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Say It On The Wall</span></a> knowing I wanted one for myself and that the other would be gifted to my mom.<br />
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We lived in a tiny apartment at the time and I really didn't have anywhere to put glass blocks so I decided to take a different approach. I framed and hang them on the wall instead. I was very happy with the end result and still am years later.<br />
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Here's what I did (with no pictures since it was made several years ago).<br />
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* Cut nice white card stock and stuck the vinyl to it.<br />
* Put them in nice, but inexpensive black frames.<br />
* Used large red ribbon in long strip across the back, attaching with large staples (or small nails) and hot glue.<br />
* Made and attached a nice big bow at the to.<br />
* I hung it on the wall with a few small nails making sure they were hidden behind the bow.<br />
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Simple, Elegant and all about the true meaning of Christmas . . . Christ.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;">(Please excuse the fact that the frames are looking a bit beat up. We moved across the country twice since I've made these and obviously I didn't wrap them well enough. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;">Maybe next year they will get a makeover.)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvtd70wUTUY/Tt6fF1-w8LI/AAAAAAAAFFk/vRs44cKTUac/s1600/SAM_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvtd70wUTUY/Tt6fF1-w8LI/AAAAAAAAFFk/vRs44cKTUac/s640/SAM_1740.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Vinyl can be purchased at <a href="http://www.sayitonthewall.com/products/view/97/Glass_Block_Nativity-Vinyl_Only" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Say it on the Wall</span>.</a>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-39684150149857893182011-12-05T12:47:00.001-05:002011-12-05T13:04:30.234-05:00ReindeerAnother fabulous thrift store find for me was these two paper mache reindeer. I instantly loved them but knew they needed a little work to fit in my silver and red theme I have going on.<br />
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Here they are in the garage getting ready to be spray painted. Not too bad . . . just not what I wanted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zGXG4yqRC2A/Tt0BWAjlQaI/AAAAAAAAFE8/omkSk4a8Btw/s1600/SAM_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zGXG4yqRC2A/Tt0BWAjlQaI/AAAAAAAAFE8/omkSk4a8Btw/s640/SAM_1601.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a few coats of paint, a red ribbon and some holly from my yard and I now have two reindeer that I love!</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRaoS59cP80/Tt0BOOqA_wI/AAAAAAAAFE0/7ztyHkRc61k/s1600/SAM_1660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRaoS59cP80/Tt0BOOqA_wI/AAAAAAAAFE0/7ztyHkRc61k/s640/SAM_1660.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRaoS59cP80/Tt0BOOqA_wI/AAAAAAAAFE0/7ztyHkRc61k/s1600/SAM_1660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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You're probably thinking that there is no way you are going to find these darling reindeer in your thrift store. You might be right, but take a chance and go look and see what you can find . . . maybe you'll find some awesome snowman, santa, sleigh etc. . . that could use a little make-over.<br />
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If you really want some reindeer I've hear that some craft stores sell items like this or I did find some online that look almost identical . . . go <a href="http://www.createforless.com/Craft+Pedlars+Paper+Mache+Deer+20+Sitting+Head+Front+Kraft/pid157733.aspx?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cse" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>HERE</b></span></a>.<br />
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Happy thrifting everyone!<br />
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** To see both reindeer and my finished mantle click <a href="http://thefamilyscientista.blogspot.com/2011/12/holly-wreath-1.html" target="_blank"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">HERE</span></b></a>**Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-79217131024950227712011-12-02T13:42:00.003-05:002011-12-06T00:27:24.184-05:00Holly WreathI am more than thrilled with my thrift store wreath make-over!<br />
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My trip to the Goodwill recently was a hit. I was in need of a something to put on my mantle and I saw this plain twig wreath and thought I could make-it over and make it pretty. I LOVE the way it turned out and it was so cheap!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWIi9LKqMNg/TtkbRpDph-I/AAAAAAAAFEg/n8i0-cAZesA/s1600/SAM_1647_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWIi9LKqMNg/TtkbRpDph-I/AAAAAAAAFEg/n8i0-cAZesA/s640/SAM_1647_2.JPG" width="564" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Total spent on this project: $5.00!</b><br />
Wreath: 2.99 @ Goodwill<br />
Star: 1.00 @ Dollar Tree<br />
Holly: Free - my own back yard (check your local christmas tree farms)<br />
Mirror: Free - hand-me-down from my mom<br />
Spray Paint: 1.00 (for the amount I used)<br />
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So hit up your thrift store, dollar store, yard and own garage to see what you have to make-over a wreath of your own! It's really fun and quite simple, plus you'll probably love it so much that you'll just sit and gaze at it with a smile on your face (at least I do).<br />
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1: Spray paint the wreath - I chose silver.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50ubL1CU64Y/TtkUym9kC2I/AAAAAAAAFEE/P1Vsv6EMj7Q/s1600/SAM_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50ubL1CU64Y/TtkUym9kC2I/AAAAAAAAFEE/P1Vsv6EMj7Q/s400/SAM_1602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
2. Cut holly from bush (or use greenery/berry sprigs from craft store).<br />
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3. Attach to wreath using wire or hot glue. I used wire since my holly is real and I wanted to be able to remove it after the holidays before I put the wreath in storage.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rI_4It7nFEs/TtkU4Bpb_iI/AAAAAAAAFEM/6FaZ5o9I3fA/s1600/SAM_1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rI_4It7nFEs/TtkU4Bpb_iI/AAAAAAAAFEM/6FaZ5o9I3fA/s400/SAM_1614.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Paint the frame of mirror. My frame was gold, but I wanted white. After few coats of spray paint I wasn't getting a solid color (probably because I didn't sand it before . . . oops). However I really like how the pain kind of crackled!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4FbjL9mFDg/TtkUCjXrkkI/AAAAAAAAFDo/bk5zf6xrZ7I/s1600/SAM_1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4FbjL9mFDg/TtkUCjXrkkI/AAAAAAAAFDo/bk5zf6xrZ7I/s400/SAM_1655.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
4. Attach the wreath to the mirror/frame. I used fishing string so it would be invisible. I looped it through the wreath and then glued it to the back of the frame. The wreath was tipping forward so I put a small dab of hot glue at on the mirror and stuck it to it. Worked like a charm.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vwm_2usKCMY/Ttkbr9hgZRI/AAAAAAAAFEo/e-FWC9e-Loo/s1600/SAM_1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vwm_2usKCMY/Ttkbr9hgZRI/AAAAAAAAFEo/e-FWC9e-Loo/s640/SAM_1657.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
Loving the completed project!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_c4ChLcD_lI/TtkbPlNrDxI/AAAAAAAAFEY/uOOqb42Jrlo/s1600/SAM_1641_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_c4ChLcD_lI/TtkbPlNrDxI/AAAAAAAAFEY/uOOqb42Jrlo/s640/SAM_1641_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Reindeer make-over - Tomorrow!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">I linked to <a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/12/tutes-tips-not-miss-tutorials-tips-link-party.html" target="_blank">Home Stories A to Z</a>.</span><br />
<code style="background-color: white; color: #867365; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><a href="http://tipjunkie.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Tip Junkie handmade projects" border="0" src="http://www.tipjunkie.com/images/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" /></a></code><strong style="background-color: white; color: #867365; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"></strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #867365; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"></strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #867365; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="color: teal;"></span></strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #867365; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"></strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #867365; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"></strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #867365; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="color: teal;"></span></strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #867365; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="color: teal;"></span></strong><br />
<div><code style="background-color: white; color: #867365; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><br />
</code></div>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-48117252606184973332011-12-01T15:16:00.001-05:002011-12-01T15:30:58.402-05:00My Christmas MantleFor the very first time the home we are in has a fireplace and a mantle! Our last house had a fireplace, but no mantle . . . so sad. I was very excited to decorate our mantle for Christmas and while on a very tight budget!!<br />
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Besides the stockings (which I made years ago) I didn't really have any decor for a mantle. I took two trips to Goodwill last week to see what I could find and came away very happy and with a few projects to share.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTXbWD3sE9w/Ttfjwt49orI/AAAAAAAAFBw/z8OaOEj1M84/s1600/SAM_1641_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTXbWD3sE9w/Ttfjwt49orI/AAAAAAAAFBw/z8OaOEj1M84/s640/SAM_1641_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Details for these projects to come this weekend. Be sure to become a follower or check back!Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-43723776044231005522011-12-01T10:00:00.010-05:002011-12-01T17:56:39.407-05:00Spinach Artichoke Dip<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Need to take an appetizer to a party this holiday season? Here is the perfect recipe for you. It's simple and flavorful. It's sure to be a crowd pleaser!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Spinach Artichoke Dip</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 - 15oz can artichoke hearts , drained and roughly chopped</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ package (box) frozen chopped spinach, thaw a little in the micro so it softens up</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ package cream cheese, soft</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ cup mayo</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ cups shredded parmesan cheese</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 cloves of garlic, chopped</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 tsp basil</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 TBS milk</div><div class="MsoNormal">a few dashes salt & pepper</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Combine all ingredients with a mixer. Put in 8X8 baking dish and heat at 350 for about 25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with chips.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b7DTkhNb8oM/TtgGEybSqDI/AAAAAAAAFDE/aOz2Uteku0E/s1600/IMG_6806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b7DTkhNb8oM/TtgGEybSqDI/AAAAAAAAFDE/aOz2Uteku0E/s400/IMG_6806.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-48283703900182303792011-11-20T13:26:00.002-05:002011-12-03T23:38:18.944-05:00Live.Grow.Smile.The past 6 months have been very very busy for our family. Here is a quick update.<br />
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At the very end of may we had our 5th baby, Alice! Then a short 4 weeks later my husband graduated from his orthodontics Residency (in Virginia) and we moved across the country to Oregon. We drove the 3,000 miles back home and once we arrived in Salem we enjoyed 3 family reunions!<br />
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In July work got started on my husband's new office. To most, starting a new business in a floundering economy seems like the craziest thing to do (and it kinda did to us too), but we know it is right for us. We thought, prayed, and fasted about this decision for many many months. We know this is where our family is supposed to be and what we are supposed to do.<br />
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So with continued prayer, faith and loads of hard work it happened . . . the office was built and <a href="http://www.livegrowsmile.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Johnson Family Orthodontics</span></a> was born! We opened almost 2 months ago.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdHJA0P6wCQ/TslL8xv6KeI/AAAAAAAAE_I/g8hi9X9CbOc/s1600/300140_225352127522538_193835194007565_657087_687147833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdHJA0P6wCQ/TslL8xv6KeI/AAAAAAAAE_I/g8hi9X9CbOc/s400/300140_225352127522538_193835194007565_657087_687147833_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We are so excited for this new adventure for our family!<br />
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Did I ever mention I had braces recently? I actually got them off a few short weeks before the baby was born. I couldn't be happier with the end result. The only thing I'd change about it was that I would have been able to get them when I was a kid instead, but it was so worth getting them as an adult too.<br />
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<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwHmAv_eXoU/TslNZ8P1g0I/AAAAAAAAE_Y/JCXMAjcTMss/s1600/337753_2136497609020_1143498670_31901605_2091729547_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwHmAv_eXoU/TslNZ8P1g0I/AAAAAAAAE_Y/JCXMAjcTMss/s320/337753_2136497609020_1143498670_31901605_2091729547_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The After and my adorable mom who just got braces!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3uHCAn6Hj8/TslMVxYrbvI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/emtMZQj3ADk/s1600/IMG_4554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3uHCAn6Hj8/TslMVxYrbvI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/emtMZQj3ADk/s200/IMG_4554.JPG" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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If you've ever had interest in knowing more about braces I invite you to take a peek at our website <a href="http://www.livegrowsmile.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">www.LiveGrowSmile.com</span></b></a>. There is a lot of great information on there and my husband even has his own blog and videos too! How fun is that?!<br />
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From the website:<br />
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<div style="color: #4d4d4f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">At JFO, we encourage our patients to radiate their true personality through their smile. Whether they are young or young at heart, we want them to grow into themselves while looking at life with the confidence of a stunning smile.</div><div style="color: #4d4d4f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4d4d4f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">So come as you are. This is a place where comfort is paramount. Let us help you live, grow and smile. This is Johnson Family Orthodontics.</div><div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.livegrowsmile.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">www.LiveGrowSmile.com</span></a></td></tr>
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</div><div>P.S. Stick around because now that life is slowing down a bit I think I'm feeling brave enough to start posting a few of the fun projects and recipes our family has been making!</div>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-46310938570978343732011-02-16T08:20:00.001-05:002011-02-16T08:24:45.582-05:00Where I've been . . .Hello Friends!<br />
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Not sure if anyone has noticed or even cares, but I've not been around for quite some now. For as <b>fun</b> as posting, reading comments, and getting caught up in the fun and hype of having a blog aside from my family journal one it's just not something that fits in my life right now.<br />
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You see, I'm pregnant with our <b>5th child (super excited)</b> and for 6 weeks (Oct-Nov) I was on the couch not hardly even able to take care of myself let alone my family and home. All crafting, cooking, and money saving ceased during that time. Now all is well, but during those 6 weeks I realized that the blogging for fun (or hopeful money making) just wasn't going to to be happening anymore.<br />
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<b>My little family is what matters most</b>, not taking pictures of each step of our daily activities, cooking adventures and crafts we make. There are plenty of blogs out there to show you to save money, cook good food, and make cute crafty things and I'm going to let you enjoy their talents and expertise (there are some mighty fine blogs out there)!!<br />
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So my friends it has been fun and I'm glad I've archived some of my ideas, but for now (or forever?) this is goodbye! I'm trying to focus on the <b>BEST</b> in my life and letting the <b>better</b> and <b>good</b> things take a backseat - see blog post below for a great article!!<br />
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I hope all is well with you and yours and thanks so much for ever taking a chance on me and my blog!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*I'm thinking I will only have this blog open and public for about a month or two more and then I'll make it into a book and close it down.*</span>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922118582643738195.post-62301158686656166302010-11-07T21:44:00.000-05:002010-11-07T21:44:27.762-05:00Good, Better, Best<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pajO0jH4ACs/TNdjzYNsi2I/AAAAAAAAEJA/KNHgTv_OZag/s1600/IMG_4801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pajO0jH4ACs/TNdjzYNsi2I/AAAAAAAAEJA/KNHgTv_OZag/s200/IMG_4801.JPG" width="200" /></a>In this busy stage of my life my mind keeps coming back to a talk given a few years ago by Dallin H. Oaks titled <i><b><a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=5ce926cb31cf5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Good, Better, Best</span></a></b></i>.<br />
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A few favorite quotes are:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana; line-height: 15px;">Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana;"><div class="intro" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So friends, I am trying to be better in establishing and doing the best things in my life and for my little family. At times I must put the good or better things in my life aside and focus on the best, which is them!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">The talk is a quick but powerful read that I feel all busy people, parents and mothers can learn from.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;">If you have 5 minutes take the time and read <b><a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=5ce926cb31cf5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">this talk</span></a></b>. You'll be glad you did!</span></span></div><div class="article-image" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div></span>Daishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12209456986342684200noreply@blogger.com2