tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72446474443727409292024-03-13T14:59:13.298-07:00Three Jewels In My Crown<a href="http://threejewelsinmycrown.blogspot.com/2010/01/royal-family.html">staticpage</a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-40392618030911528772011-04-04T17:19:00.000-07:002011-04-04T17:19:55.446-07:00We've Moved To Wordpress!!!!My friends,<br />
It's time!!! Please follow me to my brand new wordpress site! As of today, you'll find me at my new home address! www.3jewelsinmycrown.com! Wow, feels so amazing to have my own [.com]!<br />
Hurry, what are ya waiting for! Come see my fabulous new site. I'll be posting all the details tommorow! For now, I just need to show it off! I two great people to thank, but I want to dedicate a full post to them, so stay tuned!!!!<br />
<br />
Again, my new home is................<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">www.3jewelsinmycrown.com</span></b></div><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-33344803775157563172011-04-01T11:12:00.000-07:002011-04-01T15:55:07.279-07:00Tea Biscuits With Apples And Cinnamon Spread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9_HoHQovTLOTSyFtu4hk3qPN0gpkbgsgyt7hwZQ2rMtExU5HwTEVDExPrscwBAFgY6SCkJ-TquTPmk16EFaNDC5XPgI4y6W11rBBbnH8ouaUKYnC05NAGZJPtyIA2cOeOahRIW0xYQwh/s1600/cupcake+263blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9_HoHQovTLOTSyFtu4hk3qPN0gpkbgsgyt7hwZQ2rMtExU5HwTEVDExPrscwBAFgY6SCkJ-TquTPmk16EFaNDC5XPgI4y6W11rBBbnH8ouaUKYnC05NAGZJPtyIA2cOeOahRIW0xYQwh/s640/cupcake+263blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There’s nothing more comforting then a warm slice of apple pie topped with whip cream. Today’s recipe is inspired by this classic dessert!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Check out my secret ingredient! Our family loves this cinnamon spread on toasted bagels. Note, this spread has raisins in it. I tried my best to manouver around them, as they didn’t really suit this particular recipe. If you come across a similar spread <i>without </i>raisins, then please let me know.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgVZQ8uRMl09wZUXc61um8MpvXWK0u2hDN5d8x_0ibCrWpU2u3YZbi1z18O5GcEd3eWB_D07_jyxF_vkIVF3jx6bv-K8mDCB1C96pr1i3TBomc2weGHPuXJLlLDAcbbX6NGC4QPdYWiIi/s1600/cupcake+264blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgVZQ8uRMl09wZUXc61um8MpvXWK0u2hDN5d8x_0ibCrWpU2u3YZbi1z18O5GcEd3eWB_D07_jyxF_vkIVF3jx6bv-K8mDCB1C96pr1i3TBomc2weGHPuXJLlLDAcbbX6NGC4QPdYWiIi/s640/cupcake+264blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Start by slicing your tea biscuit. Smooth a generous amount of the raisin spread onto the bottom section of your tea biscuit. Next, add some of your warm apple pie preserve. I used a can of pie filling. Finally, add a dallop of with whipped cream and the top section of your biscuit. I can’t put into words how simple and completely delicious this dessert is. You’ll just have to try it and let me know what you think.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnmCQ-8QiJqiW-eEfEp-Z9VBVjelgUP8ZIrHwxaJjQg3qfl7Q0oG1NkAyRaKILKFJkKxznl8KvGMOkm-3UDqnnZ2sJTAA_NKci1XbMfAJ_EHPi45UU25dS3bNtkcM1FVWmWxKM8ZqYb6s/s1600/cupcake+268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnmCQ-8QiJqiW-eEfEp-Z9VBVjelgUP8ZIrHwxaJjQg3qfl7Q0oG1NkAyRaKILKFJkKxznl8KvGMOkm-3UDqnnZ2sJTAA_NKci1XbMfAJ_EHPi45UU25dS3bNtkcM1FVWmWxKM8ZqYb6s/s640/cupcake+268.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
See you back here tomorrow for my blog hop! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-36890843200671008902011-03-28T05:22:00.000-07:002011-03-28T05:22:01.447-07:00Raising An Easter Chick-Our New Pet Trial RunMy <i>three jewels </i>have been begging me for a new pet lately! Our dog, Bailey, is getting older and a little less interactive with the kids. I figured a trial run was necessary before we committed to bringing home any new creature. We decided to adopt and raise a Easter chick for a week {sorta} I'm not new at this parenting thing!! I knew that if we brought home a new, soft, cuddly creature, I'd have better chances of winning the "Mrs Universe" competition then I would have trying to get rid of a new pet. So we adopted the battery operated kind. Yep, I'm that kinda MOM! <br />
<br />
We brought our baby Easter chick home and gave him a chance to warm up to his new environment.<br />
We did this by building him a nest in our backyard. Friends, this is serious business! The battery operated chick had to have his own nest in our backyard!!!! It's times like these, I wish I was 7 again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2JfeNkxJOSX-7sTcp1WSPI6puS_7q1gxZQvmqJ3APw_wRfZ4mxCa4h1uO7w01_lHM2F9BxryZfhyKxnTnp8p2Jkscp-vpcdTf8OgXWvdhuKdd2zzUQLgvqg3n6Yq8XO5sP3Plv4_DLvK/s1600/easter+sensory+box+046_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2JfeNkxJOSX-7sTcp1WSPI6puS_7q1gxZQvmqJ3APw_wRfZ4mxCa4h1uO7w01_lHM2F9BxryZfhyKxnTnp8p2Jkscp-vpcdTf8OgXWvdhuKdd2zzUQLgvqg3n6Yq8XO5sP3Plv4_DLvK/s640/easter+sensory+box+046_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was pleasantly surprised by how serious Sapphire took her new parenting role!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc0NUys5oZnYo3iymewPA2LNe2xpeqro4MuY8f3LMA2QvRgxxfYIJKWDwEptI-cAmxgwrk_6CS2-lvDgqPv1LGR_YjsrSF0S3M1UB8dhbMDdsmZDGq0XHBTDw3GWeuEj_14uRj0IYHAMf/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc0NUys5oZnYo3iymewPA2LNe2xpeqro4MuY8f3LMA2QvRgxxfYIJKWDwEptI-cAmxgwrk_6CS2-lvDgqPv1LGR_YjsrSF0S3M1UB8dhbMDdsmZDGq0XHBTDw3GWeuEj_14uRj0IYHAMf/s640/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So would you be prepared if you had to raise your own Easter Chick? You can read all the books you want, search the web, participate in online forums and ask your friends for advice, but are you ever truly ready for what it takes to be a parent? Parenting a pet is more then just providing food, water and a soft place to land. It's about love, attentiveness and education. It truly is a responsibilty! Much like raising a child! <br />
<br />
Feeding a pet is the number one priority! Easter chicks require special food, don't ya know!! Our baby chick prefers fresh worms from our garden box.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRmoSyLdu040EfNi4z_gBDg2EfXw8-1se7dSxPWcEWSNMLo5isnXxmWIRd6QcgbDU5Rf6nijnftOdcgcVRyEPZa7laRnljTdwEw5Nnm3Kiutrz5sS9ZTaIU7znMVeANUn7OKlR-AWNqM3/s1600/111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRmoSyLdu040EfNi4z_gBDg2EfXw8-1se7dSxPWcEWSNMLo5isnXxmWIRd6QcgbDU5Rf6nijnftOdcgcVRyEPZa7laRnljTdwEw5Nnm3Kiutrz5sS9ZTaIU7znMVeANUn7OKlR-AWNqM3/s640/111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A backyard biology lesson may be necessary. I won't say it~of course I will, "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" I had to inform my 3 jewels as to where chicks come from.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG97U8I-fp51bhHkTzwc61Gn7e7QqgdhZAIco-P4uVY-fTfhN3DjUdf_0XkzqGfZ_5Yg-6g8C7Q_lAbEMZOSB7P8wL0HoAivVm1zADxom_8hXpDQYiKF8N02pwtnY35rkx_vVJpqL5mgce/s1600/easter+sensory+box+041_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG97U8I-fp51bhHkTzwc61Gn7e7QqgdhZAIco-P4uVY-fTfhN3DjUdf_0XkzqGfZ_5Yg-6g8C7Q_lAbEMZOSB7P8wL0HoAivVm1zADxom_8hXpDQYiKF8N02pwtnY35rkx_vVJpqL5mgce/s640/easter+sensory+box+041_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Playing with your new pet was the best part! We put together a bird seed sensory box for our baby chick to peck around in. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzBadVI3PORH3EzKf88y7LT8DkEBUt_eQnGw80PCLCmSdUfkbwheCnl1UJcPd3el2rZ48anKZZnrGkbD8yoqByIaZMvRXUwnjuM_-CtAMdq2kpeLXy5flQMRLDR7hgNRVER9-cbeBQI0J/s1600/easter+sensory+box+0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzBadVI3PORH3EzKf88y7LT8DkEBUt_eQnGw80PCLCmSdUfkbwheCnl1UJcPd3el2rZ48anKZZnrGkbD8yoqByIaZMvRXUwnjuM_-CtAMdq2kpeLXy5flQMRLDR7hgNRVER9-cbeBQI0J/s640/easter+sensory+box+0251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This was Pearl's favorite part of raising our chick. I couldn't pull her away from the sensory box!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8Ajstks3-T8FDB5-bBnuc5hrNePzA4wcYz7SWRe14eMA1kH4OjQtJ-PEY0nrcpYg4eeYhs4XQAoVqbEoluCMhVgbdzQ9kDIT-dZPurXFUXUigdAKy9aznqrBNqrZ0RTM86gNI_8QPM4a/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8Ajstks3-T8FDB5-bBnuc5hrNePzA4wcYz7SWRe14eMA1kH4OjQtJ-PEY0nrcpYg4eeYhs4XQAoVqbEoluCMhVgbdzQ9kDIT-dZPurXFUXUigdAKy9aznqrBNqrZ0RTM86gNI_8QPM4a/s640/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*Note* The calendar might indicate that Spring has arrived but we're still wearing our hats and snowsuits around here! Yep, we're crazy Canucks and that's how we role! A lil cold weather aint gonna stop us from having a good time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhBKhp1IGVMlQWMPu_xJFFUU7UqdZxhC7q5BmiCk9OL8La7FwAxwdMsegEg1UEEaX5mJrzeRwhu-u63umNBIFtnFWTPXOawjO7rqlX_TaIQSRcCE3ACw3PLTSMm_gXpx9fZtLsnwV71qS/s1600/easter+sensory+box+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhBKhp1IGVMlQWMPu_xJFFUU7UqdZxhC7q5BmiCk9OL8La7FwAxwdMsegEg1UEEaX5mJrzeRwhu-u63umNBIFtnFWTPXOawjO7rqlX_TaIQSRcCE3ACw3PLTSMm_gXpx9fZtLsnwV71qS/s640/easter+sensory+box+066.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuX3QNJ5wMYb_PByVzC66iuGSxRZF1NZHR_t_vSpMwhzyWd7oGIgJcXlr1Q8X6ZNkUeR4Ajzs6yGsmdJnmSENiNgxJDVT1eB075dlaXnxEIYXAPWnFHQKbwKDeHVqNKecSiRoahwkutL_/s1600/easter+sensory+box+052_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
Nap time got a little bit tricky! We couldn't decide where our baby chick should sleep! <br />
That's when I challenged them to put together their very own bird nest creation!<br />
Take a look at Sapphire's nest...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuX3QNJ5wMYb_PByVzC66iuGSxRZF1NZHR_t_vSpMwhzyWd7oGIgJcXlr1Q8X6ZNkUeR4Ajzs6yGsmdJnmSENiNgxJDVT1eB075dlaXnxEIYXAPWnFHQKbwKDeHVqNKecSiRoahwkutL_/s1600/easter+sensory+box+052_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuX3QNJ5wMYb_PByVzC66iuGSxRZF1NZHR_t_vSpMwhzyWd7oGIgJcXlr1Q8X6ZNkUeR4Ajzs6yGsmdJnmSENiNgxJDVT1eB075dlaXnxEIYXAPWnFHQKbwKDeHVqNKecSiRoahwkutL_/s640/easter+sensory+box+052_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now check out Opal's nest...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8d_wqbroMkbr6jqKfxzO8YqSvzSTb7oIyFreXXZCPm8wj3k-jXawJE-wXsuKFNzW0tcejElZbwahK2mnv6MOTdSZcOzIebujLykKhkJlhRE3757oc4ZgTlVUKXK5_0fVwYqAXKkoSUkb/s1600/easter+sensory+box+088_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8d_wqbroMkbr6jqKfxzO8YqSvzSTb7oIyFreXXZCPm8wj3k-jXawJE-wXsuKFNzW0tcejElZbwahK2mnv6MOTdSZcOzIebujLykKhkJlhRE3757oc4ZgTlVUKXK5_0fVwYqAXKkoSUkb/s640/easter+sensory+box+088_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It was quite obvious to my 5 year old, that Easter chicks sleep in a tub filled with jelly-beans. I had no argument! I'd sleep in a tub filled with jelly-beans too if I could!<br />
<br />
We also chose a suitable book to read to our new pet! I highly recommend this book if you are thinking of adopting a a baby chick! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmFeIO1ei2hrLrP2VVVzAs5a3l22FZQ8fLdZdUn3YgixJtdxdw5ixVkmw7QtWmmObsnQPtJluCmF4WYghxdnexCPBbNHF14rF0uimllAfPV_7o2n7zAiyxACMreG97L3dq8LN226nrywz/s1600/easter+sensory+box+050_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmFeIO1ei2hrLrP2VVVzAs5a3l22FZQ8fLdZdUn3YgixJtdxdw5ixVkmw7QtWmmObsnQPtJluCmF4WYghxdnexCPBbNHF14rF0uimllAfPV_7o2n7zAiyxACMreG97L3dq8LN226nrywz/s640/easter+sensory+box+050_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As you can see, raising a baby chick isn't all what it's cracked up to be!! {pardon the pun}<br />
In the end, my <i>3 jewels</i> did extremely well! Now it's just a matter of deciding which pet is suitable for our active family. Any suggestions? <br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-40156201290753829882011-03-26T07:18:00.000-07:002011-03-28T19:10:40.180-07:00It's A Royal Affair Blog Hop! Come Join The Fun!Welcome to the weekend everyone! What well laid plans do you have this weekend? Me, I'm working tommorow, so today I'm gonna "party like it's 1999"! In other words, I'm very excited to be hosting my very first blog hop! {"D.J.~Let's get this party started" <i>Cue the loud music</i>}<br />
<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://www.manicmother.com/2009/09/how-to-make-grab-my-button-box.html">this</a> awesome tutorial, I finally figured out how to make my own blog button with a grab box. Check it out! I'm not much of a graphic designer but I think this button looks cute! What do ya think?<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://threejewelsinmycrown.blogspot.com/2011/03/royal-affair-blog-party.html" target="_blank"><img alt="3 Jewels In My Crown" src="http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz279/crystalc_photo/Picnikcollage.jpg" /></a> </div><div align="center"><form><textarea cols="20" rows="6"><center><a href="http://threejewelsinmycrown.blogspot.com/2011/03/royal-affair-blog-party.html" target="_blank"><img alt="3 Jewels In My Crown" src="http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz279/crystalc_photo/Picnikcollage.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></form></div><br />
<br />
This blog party is about letting loose after a stressful week and building online friendships! We want it to be an amazing party and you can make this happen! Please copy the button above and place it somewhere on your site so that others can join in on the fun!<br />
Everyone ready? Be sure to leave me a comment that you're following me and I promise to follow you back!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="wpImg42859"><a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=42859"><img src="http://www.inlinkz.com/wpImg.php?id=42859" style="border: 0px none;" /></a></div><script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=42859">
</script><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-78196084557435693392011-03-25T09:02:00.000-07:002011-03-28T18:49:51.057-07:00Sun Jar Night LightHello everyone,<br />
Sorry I haven't posted much this week but I promise I have a really good excuse! I've been working extremely hard behind the scenes of <i>3 Jewels In My Crown</i>. I'll explain more next week but for my fellow bloggers, here's a hint~Wordpress and GoDaddy! <br />
<br />
I wanted to share one final project with you before we head into the weekend. Have you heard of sun jars yet? I came across this cute idea awhile back and have been waiting for an excuse to make one. In keeping with this week's challenge, to cut back on our household's energy consumption, I decided I would make a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>sun jar nightlight. </b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0viyJsAubx2FdviGFyHIoN4-loLiwNoTm1kwpPHtabBWqUEnDup4JrJKHbJnbiHLb1QGtKm7boFq3I89CN3wtD2wxAUjaosfibu1UqQEpyoPH9E4-Fcz2qfW3xtZ5v6lB-qFmp5ra0XV5/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0viyJsAubx2FdviGFyHIoN4-loLiwNoTm1kwpPHtabBWqUEnDup4JrJKHbJnbiHLb1QGtKm7boFq3I89CN3wtD2wxAUjaosfibu1UqQEpyoPH9E4-Fcz2qfW3xtZ5v6lB-qFmp5ra0XV5/s640/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDutY2SNTPbWyBagbScL4I-Xb2mXT3ze0Bm60jV7Iepu3UXLNZ4F5jSPGzGYntKYwxNvJnpvVv4TA6-da7BUXXv-7jnGvCYBsNxZY9VLA73SuCZBLR6YGEkOysIwDW-1o-4lzK8nhNTxXk/s1600/sunjar+001_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDutY2SNTPbWyBagbScL4I-Xb2mXT3ze0Bm60jV7Iepu3UXLNZ4F5jSPGzGYntKYwxNvJnpvVv4TA6-da7BUXXv-7jnGvCYBsNxZY9VLA73SuCZBLR6YGEkOysIwDW-1o-4lzK8nhNTxXk/s640/sunjar+001_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1Q0DSQJTY-QafrZrYCovj3FhUUL_gl-RKux3wae791tHyEUraqmQ7uL4333-c_XNiVcuLOcDPYL0LJaLNgwoqJCXMGibx-HqIA5Bqf-NhsloLmT7Z_mverzsP8qn2oubBE7lRUxOPFcq/s1600/sunjar+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1Q0DSQJTY-QafrZrYCovj3FhUUL_gl-RKux3wae791tHyEUraqmQ7uL4333-c_XNiVcuLOcDPYL0LJaLNgwoqJCXMGibx-HqIA5Bqf-NhsloLmT7Z_mverzsP8qn2oubBE7lRUxOPFcq/s640/sunjar+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIteGT3U6pQcl5wknOSGEwmp2ajlCBAjmWljLNQuNbJWgJyhyphenhyphenvCL1Yq9ubKfligQ9lZa8QttxHgCHBA3xjNI8OE7gGo9voCiadCEobTyQJaldoBVRHG72MpJFdGco9FZd9AF-17F48E6AW/s1600/sunjar+017_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIteGT3U6pQcl5wknOSGEwmp2ajlCBAjmWljLNQuNbJWgJyhyphenhyphenvCL1Yq9ubKfligQ9lZa8QttxHgCHBA3xjNI8OE7gGo9voCiadCEobTyQJaldoBVRHG72MpJFdGco9FZd9AF-17F48E6AW/s640/sunjar+017_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoUKsUkfz23UCNJUV1TeBg9hf9xxrKx5gh8wBFUYCD0uwsaP0rEtElfS_6mJucHhWBdTrBPA1Y5ku0-2bZNQO-X6CX2aX3Ms2ybYrM2AeDe9Eucq4557NoiDFswe36cW0OzrCa1FJ4VvZ/s1600/sunjar+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoUKsUkfz23UCNJUV1TeBg9hf9xxrKx5gh8wBFUYCD0uwsaP0rEtElfS_6mJucHhWBdTrBPA1Y5ku0-2bZNQO-X6CX2aX3Ms2ybYrM2AeDe9Eucq4557NoiDFswe36cW0OzrCa1FJ4VvZ/s640/sunjar+019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ06OEHzYQ0G3K9aVDZ-eAsUEBVAX3dTuxdAEaqBg2Ab5CtnRpj_smCAC-pcXaL-N8Yk0MIGbpMwF2CXL6SPt1qHsP1cVGNrMp4WHbqc8Igv17s8DN5q6wjTSimAi-WUA5aeNy7e1MLnj/s1600/sunjar+011_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ06OEHzYQ0G3K9aVDZ-eAsUEBVAX3dTuxdAEaqBg2Ab5CtnRpj_smCAC-pcXaL-N8Yk0MIGbpMwF2CXL6SPt1qHsP1cVGNrMp4WHbqc8Igv17s8DN5q6wjTSimAi-WUA5aeNy7e1MLnj/s640/sunjar+011_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
All you'll need is the top section of a solar powered garden stake, a decorative glass jar and some ribbon. I also added some bright yellow glitter for added charm. You can glue the top to the jar or leave it unattached. Can you think of anything better then a environmentally friendly night light!<br />
This would be a great "get better soon" gift or Mother's Day gift!<br />
I think I might make another for our bathroom. There's nothin' worse then walking into the wall when your trying to go piddle in the middle of the night! I hope you enjoyed today's craft project!<br />
Have a great weekend everyone! <br />
<br />
<b>Project details</b><br />
Cost: $5<br />
Difficulty level: Easy<br />
Linking up <a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.yesterdayontuesday.typepad.com/">here</a><br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-127714149397420802011-03-24T12:21:00.000-07:002011-03-24T12:21:40.115-07:00Scratching The Surface-Getting Your Child Tested For Allergies<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Allergies,</span> it's something we as parents begin</span> <span style="font-size: small;">to think about, the moment we</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> find out we're expecting. We've heard and read about all the warnings..."Honey can harbor poisonous botulism spores", "do not feed egg whites to your baby before the age of one", "don't eat peanut butter while your pregnant", "owning a pet will decrease your child's chances of developing animal allergies"....the list is ongoing and the "rules" can often become very confusing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> It's impossible to cover all the information surrounding allergies and allergy testing in a single blog post, so today I'll basically "scratch the surface" in regards to allergy testing. Specifically, the <b>skin scratch method</b>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In this <a href="http://threejewelsinmycrown.blogspot.com/2010/07/medical-monday-online-allergy-resources.html">previous post,</a></span> I discussed the fact that Opal suffers horribly from a slew of environmental allergies. Last summer, I found him in the kitchen, scratching his tongue with a fork! Yikes! I knew then, it was time to request a formal allergy panel test. After researching which allergist I would like Opal to see, I approached our family doctor for a referral. Researching your specialist may seem foreign to some but I feel it is a necessary part of making an informed health care decision. Here in Canada we have this little website called <a href="http://www.ratemymd.ca/">Rate My MD</a>, I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I think it's interesting to see how others view specific physicians. In our province, it's nearly impossible to request which family physician you want. In fact, most consider themselves lucky if they have a family physician. However, you can request a referral to any specialist! Keep in mind this may affect your wait time. Anyway, after listening to personal stories, talking to other health professionals and doing a little homework, we decided to drive 1 1/2 hour north to see a highly regarded allergist by the name of Dr. Hummel. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So Crystal, explain what allergy testing is!</span><br />
Well guys, there are two methods to test for an allergy~the skin prick test or a blood test. Opal had a skin prick aka skin scratch testing. The best part about this method ~ NO NEEDLES were involved!<br />
Here's how it all went down in the office...<br />
<br />
<ul><li>We briefly discussed Opal's allergy history and types of reactions</li>
<li>The doctor wipes his back with a alcohol swab</li>
<li> The allergy panel is a metal plate with several rounded prongs. The doctor applies the protein, of the allergens in question, to several of the prongs and then gently presses it against his back. He sections off the back into categories (food, animals, shellfish, trees, household allergens..) by marking his back with a pen. </li>
<li>He then slightly scratches the surface of the skin with a "little pricker" (not sure what the technical term for it is) Anyway, not once did Opal jump, squirm, or squeal. In fact, at one point he said, "that tickles"</li>
<li> Next, Opal gets to draw a picture for 15 minutes while we wait for the results.</li>
</ul>What is the allergist looking for in a "positive" result? (*Note-There is a high rate of false positive results when performing the skin prick test. People with eczema or sensitive skin should be especially cautious as both can cause positive test results when there is no allergy. Skin prick results should be considered along with history of reaction and possibly blood testing) If there is little or no skin reaction then the result is deemed negative. The allergist observes the area for hives and welts. He documents the size of the welt for future referencing. In some instances, the skin prick test can cause a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, but this is highly unlikely with this method of testing. <br />
Within seconds, Opal's back became EXTREMELY itchy and as suspected welts began to form. I wish I had taken a picture with my cell phone but I figured the doctor would have instantly pegged me as a "neurotic mother". When the testing was finished he applied a thin layer of cream (darn I didn't ask what it was but I'm assuming it was possibly a topical antihistamine)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So what is Opal allergic to? </span> A better question would be, what isn't Opal allergic to?<br />
<b>Homework, early bedtimes, green vegetables and his siblings!!! </b> Oh wait, that's what he told his teacher he was allergic to the day after the test was done! <br />
What did the test actually reveal? Well friends, my poor sensitive little baby boy has severe allergies to trees, grass, horses, cats, dogs, dust mites, shell fish and quite possibly some fresh fruit! <br />
<br />
Why would I want to share this personal experience on my blog? Well, we've kinda gotten close over the past 11 months and I'm pretty much an open book at this point! Actually, it's my hope that, by sharing our personal experience with allergy testing, you'll be better informed and less anxious if your child has to be tested for allergies. <br />
Do you have any questions in regards to allergies or allergy testing? Again, I'm a practicing Registered Nurse but most importantly a <b>MOM</b> of <i>3 Precious Jewels</i>, no question is ever too silly to ask! So fire away! <br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">***Important Medical Disclaimer***</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The contents and information on this blog is for your informational use only. My blog posts provide general health and parenting information. This information is not to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-44644203873229424922011-03-22T02:49:00.000-07:002011-03-22T10:46:42.675-07:00Earth Hour 2011CraftsWatts Up Everyone?<br />
Did you notice the <b>Earth Hour </b>button in my sidebar? --------------------------------------------------><br />
Anyone up for a challenge? Alright then, save this date<br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;">~Saturday March 26, 2011 between 8:30pm-9:30pm~</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;">Has anyone heard of the saying, "The lights are on but no one's home"? No, I'm not talking about my intelligence!! I hate to admit it, but our family is brutal at leaving unnecessary lights on! </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;"> </span> </div>In honor of Earth Hour 2011, our family will be focusing on energy conservation this week. One of the easiest ways to conserve energy is to turn off the lights. As soon as a switch is turned off, energy stops flowing immediately. Since our house is in a renovation stage, I thought it would be nice to focus on our light switch covers. Sapphire and Opal gladly helped me decorate a light switch cover for Pearl's new room. Raise your hand if you've modge podged a light cover before? I used spray adhesive to adhere the scrapbook paper to the light cover. Then I applied a few thin coats of modge podge to protect it. I like this striped paper because it was super easy to align the paper on the light cover. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-gmjwH14PCfcFeXwXBmjKdJys_ATR1OQXDmyJGQsZOL6wUBgFXhpCJ0yT81o4sfcoNXM64HlT1klGuNyud0LbApGEWGt4q6PyQ_q2wyZPdJN7mhNIpq-M1GdymFBca2kYfOhtgIY1GnO/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-gmjwH14PCfcFeXwXBmjKdJys_ATR1OQXDmyJGQsZOL6wUBgFXhpCJ0yT81o4sfcoNXM64HlT1klGuNyud0LbApGEWGt4q6PyQ_q2wyZPdJN7mhNIpq-M1GdymFBca2kYfOhtgIY1GnO/s640/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm kinda hoping to take Earth Hour one step further by powering off completely.<br />
I'll be honest, shutting down my computer for 60 minutes gives me mild anxiety!!! Gahhhhh!<br />
I'd actually have to pry myself away from sites like, <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>. I totally loose myself on that site!<br />
Way too many pretties to gawk at!<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's a bright idea!!! Why not make some light bulbs out of yellow balloons and play doh containers covered with construction paper. It's a simple project but it gets kids engaged in the idea of turning out the lights.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jepQ-IgdO3g4MmKSnBjKlEQxxQDprcRq3Sw8vSgkXnQv4kTGVhC8svhb9HwmTeQ4wZx_aFZU7mqL4Y8JIecMQ4BI2sYjKJZr7SkEWaHt6Q71vBk1CFSjx75qceLeYJIMHfjyF4QP0cve/s1600/jillian+room+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jepQ-IgdO3g4MmKSnBjKlEQxxQDprcRq3Sw8vSgkXnQv4kTGVhC8svhb9HwmTeQ4wZx_aFZU7mqL4Y8JIecMQ4BI2sYjKJZr7SkEWaHt6Q71vBk1CFSjx75qceLeYJIMHfjyF4QP0cve/s640/jillian+room+045.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sugardoodle.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6533"><br />
</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I also picked up a bunch of these to encourage my kids to turn out the lights...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboU_gA_QoehfsukhmQpjwbjaXggJsPyKqsjJPUaZL8OuHrovm1OAb7OZQgoAG911qKGooEg8GKbjSvm5vLiVqpg43qWAtNElukU38IOzonGeZYAr0S9GLSXHMSLkOsnmZg3_sk1x5536r/s1600/jillian+room+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboU_gA_QoehfsukhmQpjwbjaXggJsPyKqsjJPUaZL8OuHrovm1OAb7OZQgoAG911qKGooEg8GKbjSvm5vLiVqpg43qWAtNElukU38IOzonGeZYAr0S9GLSXHMSLkOsnmZg3_sk1x5536r/s640/jillian+room+048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
OK, so here's the real debate. Do you think Earth Hour is a noble cause or just a colossal waste of time and <i>energy</i>? Should we look beyond the hype and is it really that useful in tackling climate change!<br />
Here's my take on it...If Pocoyo can pause to observe Earth Hour then so can I and so should you! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/P2IK9RlKhwk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-70840624902736443072011-03-21T03:02:00.000-07:002011-03-28T19:06:21.896-07:00Diamonds In The RoughAs a blogger, I'm constantly gathering clever ideas, inspirational thoughts and project plans to attack.<br />
I often find myself saying, "<i>I wish I had thought of that</i>".<br />
I feel it's important to celebrate each other and promote the ideas of others that inspire us.<br />
I'm going to be adding a new tag titled "<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Diamonds In The Rough</b><span style="color: black;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: #999999;"><br />
</span><br />
I'll be sharing things I stumble across and ideas that tweak my interest!<br />
Here is a sample of the things I'm loving this week...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchcEqVQNyvgy31dD7NzfDC8e7EtleEIsLB7NGOAsiiFs-Urxo7QTVjxoZoUtF8JHmB_059nR_NI4NrBaVef0LTlEvn5IHpnRYGPS8elb4zrFnN20FHNmWIaRB8tqLYw5HOpslJCL4W8km/s1600/inspire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchcEqVQNyvgy31dD7NzfDC8e7EtleEIsLB7NGOAsiiFs-Urxo7QTVjxoZoUtF8JHmB_059nR_NI4NrBaVef0LTlEvn5IHpnRYGPS8elb4zrFnN20FHNmWIaRB8tqLYw5HOpslJCL4W8km/s640/inspire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><ol><li>Paper Cake Treat Boxes by Kami of <a href="http://www.nobiggie.net/2011/03/pink-lemonade-paper-cake.html">No Biggie</a><a href="http://www.nobiggie.net/"> </a></li>
<li>Magnetic Makeup Board by Laura of <a href="http://www.laurathoughts81.blogspot.com/">Laura Thoughts</a></li>
<li>Grassy Spring Wreath by Kimba of <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2011/03/yarny-grassy-spring-butterfly-wreath">A Soft Place To Land</a></li>
<li>Egg Shell Carrots by <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/">Martha Stewart</a></li>
<li>Cake Pushups by Melissa of <a href="http://www.mycakeschool.com/">My Cake School</a></li>
<li>Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars by Amanda of <a href="http://www.craftsbyamanda.com/2011/02/cardboard-tube-binoculars.html">Crafts by Amanda</a></li>
<li>Simply Stunning Bedroom by Maria of <a href="http://dreamywhites.blogspot.com/">Dreamy Whites</a></li>
<li>Plantable Seeded Paper Flowers by Missy of <a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/mothers-day-gift-ideas2">How Does She?</a></li>
<li>Sky High Pie by <a href="http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com/2011/03/sky-high-cookie-pie.html#comment-form">Flour Me With Love</a> </li>
</ol><br />
Wanna know what else I'm loving? <br />
<ol></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Take a look at some of the things I purchased for Pearl's new "Big Girl Room"<br />
{It's a bittersweet transititon so bear with me as I cry like a rainstorm and howl like the wind} </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LnckEt0vWkdLIMF9A34vlyIErdnCBvNura6orzV2ZJSN4iJnQfCcKeZvJp8k91uV0-1ubQNHjNNSVYIu6mPry-Dk9yzSWD1fg91mEd_4MQpqrSY7090AuiNA1u_zQ4UnBDFNIUs2zjRx/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LnckEt0vWkdLIMF9A34vlyIErdnCBvNura6orzV2ZJSN4iJnQfCcKeZvJp8k91uV0-1ubQNHjNNSVYIu6mPry-Dk9yzSWD1fg91mEd_4MQpqrSY7090AuiNA1u_zQ4UnBDFNIUs2zjRx/s640/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU47uywO9vaXfuIxfe4dnmETRUEC0LkFtmMpZRPlp0G7zOG6XjS91xGw_0Q668TM9AurZVOskadpriVh9FWAg1v5nTD3WYatouygTZXJdv-fnsGjhx_pM2CYV0WVTDB4IR3YE-vca_YT5j/s1600/Picnik+collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU47uywO9vaXfuIxfe4dnmETRUEC0LkFtmMpZRPlp0G7zOG6XjS91xGw_0Q668TM9AurZVOskadpriVh9FWAg1v5nTD3WYatouygTZXJdv-fnsGjhx_pM2CYV0WVTDB4IR3YE-vca_YT5j/s640/Picnik+collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLr96RSL5zBMnREnliLJU3144xacXSwBE2JSxaQYdGJuiV9P8cRNwZQNIRD2kKwxp8ot8-NZR1sbsHuPz5G2lzyh6UtAiwfeZKK77FFno7xSzKuvckMMwFrzKLKXFmlo7cOd_cNsWh6aA/s1600/jillian+room+036_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLr96RSL5zBMnREnliLJU3144xacXSwBE2JSxaQYdGJuiV9P8cRNwZQNIRD2kKwxp8ot8-NZR1sbsHuPz5G2lzyh6UtAiwfeZKK77FFno7xSzKuvckMMwFrzKLKXFmlo7cOd_cNsWh6aA/s640/jillian+room+036_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwoPMpVoPP7MltPEHUixaJQnHLzQkrztwU3BHk5sJysKMMXcCUIzMsxEUjCLqtmZbXdObwgS27aaaGb9XmJVbKhcAFlgIkta-OKzW3dypZJYrwxLl7ZfVa7_woWpVfJWG-0QEXbuTcE8w/s1600/jillian+room+028_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwoPMpVoPP7MltPEHUixaJQnHLzQkrztwU3BHk5sJysKMMXcCUIzMsxEUjCLqtmZbXdObwgS27aaaGb9XmJVbKhcAFlgIkta-OKzW3dypZJYrwxLl7ZfVa7_woWpVfJWG-0QEXbuTcE8w/s640/jillian+room+028_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hope your week is off to a great start!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-75706039171896616042011-03-18T04:30:00.000-07:002011-03-18T13:52:56.993-07:00How To Dress Up Your Carrot Walnut Loaf<div style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Has this ever happened to you?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3PWzSlw_0fU5lQ0zLYwB3THgkFZHb_SFUiP0vKFnOyNiURvHVBBV2XYyFwvrpdRMOC_0nTAWxY4XR6wU-9RYKj1ClnBn1CiLpBKUoRGhf8iit73a6a0VbwaCnXysrUuKDsMw1ptH6rXl/s1600/cake+010_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3PWzSlw_0fU5lQ0zLYwB3THgkFZHb_SFUiP0vKFnOyNiURvHVBBV2XYyFwvrpdRMOC_0nTAWxY4XR6wU-9RYKj1ClnBn1CiLpBKUoRGhf8iit73a6a0VbwaCnXysrUuKDsMw1ptH6rXl/s640/cake+010_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yes that's a <b>Carrot Walnut Loaf </b>with a great big chunk missing in the middle! I had just finished baking this lovely loaf to take to a friend's house when all of the sudden I noticed a huge piece missing from the top.<br />
It happens to me <i>ALL</i> the time. I turn my back for a second and my curious lil monkeys get into my baked goods. Of course Sapphire blamed it on Pearl (the baby) and Opal blamed it on the sneaky leprechaun who escaped our <a href="http://threejewelsinmycrown.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-you-feeling-lucky-punk-how-to-catch.html">trap</a>.<br />
<br />
I didn't have time at this point to make anything else, so I forced to improvise! Somehow I had to disguise the obvious crater in the cake! The good thing was, I knew our friends would be totally forgiving of my mischievous kids. They're parents as well, so they<i> get it</i>. In fact, <a href="http://threejewelsinmycrown.blogspot.com/2010/12/last-minute-gift-idea-dust-pan-cookies.html">this</a> is what I gave them for Christmas. I'm very thankful for their sense of humour.<br />
<br />
So, how did I improvise? Well, I grabbed some green twine and a paper bag<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zNQGf_nGIVDVmE-3iFDp23g2ywPtYmVP-MeDGt40tuUXMB_PgMObAs9zOXkcKrVIL1rlR86Zq47DdPh6LXgb7hinaEcvCATgpIpOEIDK0InqXi7QtQ9zkDAl3kIGVg70g3g49gsb9Wll/s1600/cake+011_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zNQGf_nGIVDVmE-3iFDp23g2ywPtYmVP-MeDGt40tuUXMB_PgMObAs9zOXkcKrVIL1rlR86Zq47DdPh6LXgb7hinaEcvCATgpIpOEIDK0InqXi7QtQ9zkDAl3kIGVg70g3g49gsb9Wll/s640/cake+011_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMN33Oq6gMufgkgR5u5s2b8bNU7gtUWD052xGiFl6ndl8ZYzY49Yih65g3NLzKR3MzdlBUyFqrIadR1Y4-1sUW_k1p5HlGS_dmV9sj1G2-ueGBXJgVUtaMgxSU4-iVeTihPPuLg08Ckvm/s1600/cake+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMN33Oq6gMufgkgR5u5s2b8bNU7gtUWD052xGiFl6ndl8ZYzY49Yih65g3NLzKR3MzdlBUyFqrIadR1Y4-1sUW_k1p5HlGS_dmV9sj1G2-ueGBXJgVUtaMgxSU4-iVeTihPPuLg08Ckvm/s640/cake+012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSfBb1pgQUboceXcP8inghDvHjrR-YSPsLUsvxRrJTLnLFf8lel1Xb2o0qmHfRfp7Ndjk-HyVt5dL9tMPn8NXLEh9Jv6ft0QpKzzh-61dJ6fqN0j73eQXZgAn1nuSEyaeUaNL61n8D3Cj/s1600/cake+013_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSfBb1pgQUboceXcP8inghDvHjrR-YSPsLUsvxRrJTLnLFf8lel1Xb2o0qmHfRfp7Ndjk-HyVt5dL9tMPn8NXLEh9Jv6ft0QpKzzh-61dJ6fqN0j73eQXZgAn1nuSEyaeUaNL61n8D3Cj/s640/cake+013_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iWN6UtWSyt1DCeQTVJ5GM4qi3PAMUJCnp41yPYrIaClbMR8FVIEid1ARvO4L0w6AJT0EGv5ZRbVzDtPWVwzRiFK8Sc1Vz2c6jCVuG3T-eB4RyEQ-DntARwUNkOJgThglmnuAvRnkCJ7Q/s1600/cake+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iWN6UtWSyt1DCeQTVJ5GM4qi3PAMUJCnp41yPYrIaClbMR8FVIEid1ARvO4L0w6AJT0EGv5ZRbVzDtPWVwzRiFK8Sc1Vz2c6jCVuG3T-eB4RyEQ-DntARwUNkOJgThglmnuAvRnkCJ7Q/s640/cake+014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Much Better! I used a glossy gift bag, some twine and a wine charm to resemble carrots!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think it looks cute! What do you think?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9vqbwCXsnyL2x83nvuqu4-0cHui3NzrkS3FMKAvK3H5WIH62kRX-py465yfp-ZLRf_z8rZEL5v4NAUR7sPqcEWwfd2RZlgGZNOXGyyPivmrBpnvTArxd_332O0Ms3-Utz5bA2NEnsdlA/s1600/cake+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9vqbwCXsnyL2x83nvuqu4-0cHui3NzrkS3FMKAvK3H5WIH62kRX-py465yfp-ZLRf_z8rZEL5v4NAUR7sPqcEWwfd2RZlgGZNOXGyyPivmrBpnvTArxd_332O0Ms3-Utz5bA2NEnsdlA/s640/cake+030.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">O.K., I know what you are thinking? Why didn't you just slap some icing on top and call it a day?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be honest, I thought of that, but I needed something to blog about. I figured this would be much more entertaining! BTW-Have you tried <a href="http://bakewaresupplier.com/Disposable-Bread-Pans">these</a> disposable loaf pans yet? I found mine at Loblaws grocery store. You'll never have to hunt down your pans again!</div><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-2683193927565843982011-03-17T07:15:00.000-07:002011-03-18T04:16:08.189-07:00How To Survive March Break With KidsYou decided to stay home this year. You waited until the last minute to book your kids into a day camp and now they're full. A full week with the kids at home and you have nothing planned!!!<br />
Don't panic, everything will be fine, repeat after me, "An activity a day, keeps boredom away".<br />
The key to surviving March Break is to keep your kids engaged and entertained.<br />
It's a full time job keeping little ones busy during March Break, but with a little preparation and a list of possible activities, <i>you will survive</i>!<br />
<br />
<b><i style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: white;">Here is what we have planned</span></span></i></b>...<br />
<div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Day 1 Visit the local library</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Libraries are excellent sources of entertainment during the March Break. They usually run activities throughout the entire week. Some of these activities you have to register for ahead of time, while others you can drop in on. On Monday we played audience to a magician at our local library.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Day 2 Living Room Laser Tag and Sleepover</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBIIcidC-WmBHe4BuR_KmSR5n7zXpshJocKfOceShXCgY3ebNFEUnlABHmOsTmveW0lCc5kQ-DRX1NRdhG4Say6vxsTefWNPhHAvQRo7ospsgrvt4C7_qYnAOBx1WFM20oKC7_vJSmK_b/s1600/cake+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBIIcidC-WmBHe4BuR_KmSR5n7zXpshJocKfOceShXCgY3ebNFEUnlABHmOsTmveW0lCc5kQ-DRX1NRdhG4Say6vxsTefWNPhHAvQRo7ospsgrvt4C7_qYnAOBx1WFM20oKC7_vJSmK_b/s640/cake+009.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"></span></span></span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjdG-_3mn813FqyPThVewhX9xU9jqYIEdHeHq1cnsvRTAZJ39JvbmFP7qXF7XFA1wJQjakzwOABW1-uFf8Xdc41edSjiLUnmCU0fg9I_fPFmc2GaEAT36uFa-kdx2Ch-o1GdFNY8VyHIjtH/s1600/irish+parade+430_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdG-_3mn813FqyPThVewhX9xU9jqYIEdHeHq1cnsvRTAZJ39JvbmFP7qXF7XFA1wJQjakzwOABW1-uFf8Xdc41edSjiLUnmCU0fg9I_fPFmc2GaEAT36uFa-kdx2Ch-o1GdFNY8VyHIjtH/s640/irish+parade+430_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeFKj6nHQAGmLLYuUeZJe-6wRcaflvbgLXFvHGch2DQB46AF29B0awk9pYCYFCpFvcr1TDXXmhWfl9aIeJVC1tQeGNMMBfE-jt2DZHEa83j0I4vovlGifGxbOHrkuvqQ4z66edK9C3OrV/s1600/cake+007_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeFKj6nHQAGmLLYuUeZJe-6wRcaflvbgLXFvHGch2DQB46AF29B0awk9pYCYFCpFvcr1TDXXmhWfl9aIeJVC1tQeGNMMBfE-jt2DZHEa83j0I4vovlGifGxbOHrkuvqQ4z66edK9C3OrV/s640/cake+007_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Let your child invite a friend over and set up tent in the living room. Trust me, you'll need some kind of incentive to ensure good behaviour through out the week. There's no better bribe then a sleepover with friends. We found some finger lasers at the dollar store but flashlights would work as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Day 3-Painting and Craft Day</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is what we made on Wednesday~we called it <b>Pirate Ship Marble Run</b></span></span></span></span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkP3JG6qrpRAxo7l-h73M5gmiv2UVIxVmJ8liAxyexFC8i9LBamIhyAExYsWhR1QbDzIi1pp3K6OzOm6AcKGawp5vkCzrGOXycHIl15idmyeL8uC7hxvNGFG8-hu8VyGzBqv-y3SVUMRW1/s1600/irish+parade+429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkP3JG6qrpRAxo7l-h73M5gmiv2UVIxVmJ8liAxyexFC8i9LBamIhyAExYsWhR1QbDzIi1pp3K6OzOm6AcKGawp5vkCzrGOXycHIl15idmyeL8uC7hxvNGFG8-hu8VyGzBqv-y3SVUMRW1/s640/irish+parade+429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All you'll need is a shoe box, stickers, marbles, and scissors or a knife. Cut 3 doorways out and place numbers above each door. Roll the marble into the doorway to accumulate points. First person to reach 100 wins. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWLyZ9MDSnyU1acI_B13AguTJqR6QI-nLwo28tlMnOr0L6dSHzyWSobD6TUq22i5BNpgFg1HIhN0K9wTQB-zfv0CnQJt7aqXFzfaIJMZoA6oG-HvprCAUeMkk2pV-7IAA-kG_c2KpxXnN/s1600/irish+parade+424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWLyZ9MDSnyU1acI_B13AguTJqR6QI-nLwo28tlMnOr0L6dSHzyWSobD6TUq22i5BNpgFg1HIhN0K9wTQB-zfv0CnQJt7aqXFzfaIJMZoA6oG-HvprCAUeMkk2pV-7IAA-kG_c2KpxXnN/s640/irish+parade+424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Don't have enough marbles? Why not use craft pebbles! They slide perfectly along hard surfaces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrESotBlYdnkliKbAUbVBcLcSmGO41chjmSMRXGShZnEq_Xz7Rq3-7CBr358b0Urf_fXWDNhELAQBjQWHS2DMAnQa0Q6QAHnqmkCBbxD0N0cy6kY_tQJ_Atv1hS97MAU4X4Nn5LfNvKnv/s1600/irish+parade+427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrESotBlYdnkliKbAUbVBcLcSmGO41chjmSMRXGShZnEq_Xz7Rq3-7CBr358b0Urf_fXWDNhELAQBjQWHS2DMAnQa0Q6QAHnqmkCBbxD0N0cy6kY_tQJ_Atv1hS97MAU4X4Nn5LfNvKnv/s640/irish+parade+427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Stuck for more craft ideas? Visit/revisit my sidebar for inspiration. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Day 4 Theme Day</b></div>Choose a theme and play it out all day! I personally like pajama day paired with bad hair day!<br />
By day 4 you're gonna need a pajama day!<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Day 5 Animal Adventure</b><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">s </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kids are easily entertained by animals. Why not arrange to visit a local farm. Your kids will get a kick out learning how chickens lays their eggs.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Try bird watching at your local park or feed some ducks.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Visit an animal shelter or pet shop</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Offer to take your neighbor's pet for a walk </span></span></span></span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sorry but your on your own for the weekends! I had full intentions of publishing this post at the beginning of the week but the week somehow slipped away from me! The good news is, only four more days and life should be back to normal. BTW-Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone! </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-9511133149470945872011-03-15T11:53:00.000-07:002011-03-15T11:55:16.543-07:00Bird's Nest Ice Cream DessertYesterday we had the opportunity to see a magic show at our local library! What a great experience for the kids and I absolutely love that it was free entertainment for the afternoon. The magician/comedian was so funny I had tears running down my <i>leg</i> (I gave birth to 3 kids, need I say more). <br />
After that, I decided I would give the kids a shot at making supper and dessert!<br />
When my <i>three jewels</i> are in the kitchen, I always try to use the motto, "<b><i>don't stress, expect a mess</i></b>". On the menu last night, homemade pizza and bird's nest ice cream dessert! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDrdMfyBXG7EF_WoiyqmwtCBDVhv2POKIBflSo6QpzmIArHIxDZe1OpPCHlMvsT58670ztocqi65QJxG8C7vjfGMBdSqBB7SEcWDx-fqIAm9YG728QSWuozz24P8yYajl6tAyqZx4FZql/s1600/irish+parade+030_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDrdMfyBXG7EF_WoiyqmwtCBDVhv2POKIBflSo6QpzmIArHIxDZe1OpPCHlMvsT58670ztocqi65QJxG8C7vjfGMBdSqBB7SEcWDx-fqIAm9YG728QSWuozz24P8yYajl6tAyqZx4FZql/s640/irish+parade+030_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
No big deal if the pizza ends up looking like this...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6nIY8WtS58KRhIneXWoB94HqC9dERP3wImVazm8VTtYNNc64c2pbYLQBuFh12ofxIOAKn93-pKAsoL_OzVocyE3KoIVoLsaQ1QLC_ugFLpe09UAaF_Hj7h03ntwlDNBmzqnyctWRKtAr/s1600/irish+parade+031_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6nIY8WtS58KRhIneXWoB94HqC9dERP3wImVazm8VTtYNNc64c2pbYLQBuFh12ofxIOAKn93-pKAsoL_OzVocyE3KoIVoLsaQ1QLC_ugFLpe09UAaF_Hj7h03ntwlDNBmzqnyctWRKtAr/s640/irish+parade+031_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
....Just add some more cheese and your good to go!<br />
<br />
Next came the bird's nest <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Th70LPHyK5VQ4kBCX9axVg7mX03nOYIlAwGmYv_5sH_IoniDTC3Py5scX8IYZacRTB8fcec463Ky_wNdWCgisFRvgnj93hORlkGs04kx0NBPA6wRc7cVYs-570jjstDFgLoMuxiWiVTG/s1600/irish+parade+0421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Th70LPHyK5VQ4kBCX9axVg7mX03nOYIlAwGmYv_5sH_IoniDTC3Py5scX8IYZacRTB8fcec463Ky_wNdWCgisFRvgnj93hORlkGs04kx0NBPA6wRc7cVYs-570jjstDFgLoMuxiWiVTG/s640/irish+parade+0421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaxATEkyvJqAmgMicfhCLjtyCKarpRU7bc0AcbxSs2mOJvyWLfd89_03QMG2brXC9dhU1E8gXgUZ_uX2xrKwTLNlRTCDyCAtG6v88V5g4A3uS8nPJr8y8Eh69OD0290FLrTkTxVXIWpxd/s1600/irish+parade+035_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaxATEkyvJqAmgMicfhCLjtyCKarpRU7bc0AcbxSs2mOJvyWLfd89_03QMG2brXC9dhU1E8gXgUZ_uX2xrKwTLNlRTCDyCAtG6v88V5g4A3uS8nPJr8y8Eh69OD0290FLrTkTxVXIWpxd/s640/irish+parade+035_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We used waffle bowls for the nest, added our ice cream, then topped it with nuts, pretzels and cadbury easter eggs. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQyxuyM7TL5XhGXRlsLdgjZrIKOfaYlhsJr9pcMVt-eBxGsVJd1loaNyj9lvTMEY-adOCt_jpiy9x-_lifZQfwfkvv-nHbRTHFyGGzR1tStADrtIF-TUY3vff1_gLIl9X8vINwObOuSWg/s1600/irish+parade+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQyxuyM7TL5XhGXRlsLdgjZrIKOfaYlhsJr9pcMVt-eBxGsVJd1loaNyj9lvTMEY-adOCt_jpiy9x-_lifZQfwfkvv-nHbRTHFyGGzR1tStADrtIF-TUY3vff1_gLIl9X8vINwObOuSWg/s640/irish+parade+036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicII1qovA96NsHlDuisJTqPvVXtZMpkWgso-OTSHi7w4uHg6AplObBPwxmAZZU5WNuq3b5XaUKoYVUcLrkvydejo0XzqyMmub5-f80vw77IE96mnwx5nrCz0k9kRx3TVl20ZHa4cKUBwHL/s1600/irish+parade+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicII1qovA96NsHlDuisJTqPvVXtZMpkWgso-OTSHi7w4uHg6AplObBPwxmAZZU5WNuq3b5XaUKoYVUcLrkvydejo0XzqyMmub5-f80vw77IE96mnwx5nrCz0k9kRx3TVl20ZHa4cKUBwHL/s640/irish+parade+042.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4w21B-f2oAOOyAz6UbSbxwGTHRr9IOrvxm-P_O4Wl7sp5MXpaKZQveeVGYsWnYCo-Jqw0LIFoHciLelztWGCduylEuCUpNJ3Hi9EbYmEWVoukU2tLUFgVlRmC4q9fUdvVz9xFznH0GzT/s1600/irish+parade+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4w21B-f2oAOOyAz6UbSbxwGTHRr9IOrvxm-P_O4Wl7sp5MXpaKZQveeVGYsWnYCo-Jqw0LIFoHciLelztWGCduylEuCUpNJ3Hi9EbYmEWVoukU2tLUFgVlRmC4q9fUdvVz9xFznH0GzT/s640/irish+parade+043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK7JnipyJsH-WzudNxh3-spj5ZTbwwgQSjMLwyJ1B8iETy4Uwy-D4hPnCsoQhPZuZSVCe6aMwfLnDvRnaKX9_c9GDp421o8WshAg-J7oll01FQWuxGHNGYNbiO-7ER3kJH5c7t-0Adua1/s1600/irish+parade+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK7JnipyJsH-WzudNxh3-spj5ZTbwwgQSjMLwyJ1B8iETy4Uwy-D4hPnCsoQhPZuZSVCe6aMwfLnDvRnaKX9_c9GDp421o8WshAg-J7oll01FQWuxGHNGYNbiO-7ER3kJH5c7t-0Adua1/s640/irish+parade+046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I wish I had of added some caramel or chocolate syrup! Yummm! I bought some and forgot it in the fridge! Darn!<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-77139931293825697122011-03-14T07:10:00.000-07:002011-03-28T18:51:22.501-07:00Good morning friends,<br />
Did everyone survive unscathed considering we all had 1 hour less sleep yesterday? Why can't "they" just leave the time alone? Daylight Savings is so logically flawed!! There's actual studies to prove that Daylight Savings actually results in 1%-4% <i>more </i>energy consumption. Let's face it, life today aint what it used to be. I'd say the idea of Daylight Savings was whipped together like a Betty Crocker cake recipe. Do they not realize we have babies with sleep schedules? You see, the body has this thing called the circadian clock . It's basically our internal clock. Humans were not designed for sudden time change, in particular, babies. A sudden time changes leads to stress, flared tempers and a lower ability to concentrate on a task. (It's postpartum all over again, YIKES). It seriously takes us 3 days to adjust to the time change. Whoever makes these time change decisions should have to spend 3 days in my house and face the wrath of a "sleep deprived mother" aka Me.<br />
<br />
Sorry to have started Monday morning with a bitch session, maybe because I'm lacking precious sleep! Anyway, it's the start of March Break and I'm interested to know what everyone is up to.<br />
This morning we are heading to the local library to watch a magic show. <br />
Later we are making some pipe cleaner teddy bears. I worked through these <a href="http://miniannalee.blogspot.com/search/label/tutorial">instructions</a> yesterday and it was super simple.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkOA6i9KRPzZeiFGkeyrpwU63yJDAm4BDtHzKJkhSZD2SKD9WnESxwFKU7UgiM3bUguMZBt8kMxJnpSDn6aCz89KvnRiRUDIck8Og1OQMkGgcLcVX7ecU-h6V7-I2LJl-XFBy6MSOps5W/s1600/easter+2011+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkOA6i9KRPzZeiFGkeyrpwU63yJDAm4BDtHzKJkhSZD2SKD9WnESxwFKU7UgiM3bUguMZBt8kMxJnpSDn6aCz89KvnRiRUDIck8Og1OQMkGgcLcVX7ecU-h6V7-I2LJl-XFBy6MSOps5W/s640/easter+2011+030.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
**Note** These are very small and not suitable for children <3. I think we'll turn our little teddies into key chains to hang on the kids' backpacks. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpHgA1_Q_itO5Wroe2wmHqpALeNUknFbqQtBJ5sHGuRnFzDPK2ovQZ3W_NENa-aiAEQYkiJpxHWlsaKOI9tQ0KFn129nOFUMKIncMdg8rWN46pBklch1lgOK0_BGxTXFGa1b9yb4TIWb6/s1600/easter+2011+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpHgA1_Q_itO5Wroe2wmHqpALeNUknFbqQtBJ5sHGuRnFzDPK2ovQZ3W_NENa-aiAEQYkiJpxHWlsaKOI9tQ0KFn129nOFUMKIncMdg8rWN46pBklch1lgOK0_BGxTXFGa1b9yb4TIWb6/s640/easter+2011+034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm also really excited because I received a package on Friday from a site I've been stalking for sometime now. It's called <a href="http://www.thinkgarnishblog.com/">garnish</a>. This site is definitely worth checking out while you finish your morning coffee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNCWoPybOogkhSj096Tgg0M7LRxbYg5xmsiXE6W6RReF-qgXLnyp8rTL0NES2zHEi4VNd1_YZAUjbtPjYXuhWS_hEisGIvz76Gxenh2oIE_M8Br3oLhZkmgXuLi-uWGD1MFonshNxYNgp/s1600/easter+2011+039_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNCWoPybOogkhSj096Tgg0M7LRxbYg5xmsiXE6W6RReF-qgXLnyp8rTL0NES2zHEi4VNd1_YZAUjbtPjYXuhWS_hEisGIvz76Gxenh2oIE_M8Br3oLhZkmgXuLi-uWGD1MFonshNxYNgp/s640/easter+2011+039_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
No peeking just yet! I'll be using the goodies I ordered in several future posts. Which means you'll have to wait just a lil bit longer!!!<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-5205756543240613562011-03-11T11:35:00.000-08:002011-03-11T12:03:08.133-08:00Egg Family Craft ProjectI can't say it enough, I have the best mother-in-law in the world!!! She truly is a<b> gem</b>!!!<br />
Today is her birthday and here's my dilemma, I find her REALLY hard to buy for!<br />
Anyone have a mother-in-law that's hard to buy for?<br />
There's only one thing I know she can't get enough of-<span style="font-size: large;">her grandchildren!</span> <br />
So, instead of buying her something she probably doesn't need, I decided to give her some daffodils infused with a bit of personality.<span style="background-color: black;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6u2vNTs9RQ4AxIAJUt9LgeL6nHoPmIfRQheVpoIKgxaorMEPhs90uuC-tBQRr4UzfPMqBDoNkPMtnD-JlkkuknUOpD0OsIlfcidQyfYixVOVs5TSsO6xPi7WEsnqSwgR4b-NLLws_aob/s1600/easter+2011+047_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6u2vNTs9RQ4AxIAJUt9LgeL6nHoPmIfRQheVpoIKgxaorMEPhs90uuC-tBQRr4UzfPMqBDoNkPMtnD-JlkkuknUOpD0OsIlfcidQyfYixVOVs5TSsO6xPi7WEsnqSwgR4b-NLLws_aob/s640/easter+2011+047_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXxQe5sbychE3yUE-XK92MXqejDHy2P7ukYL6QsDJtaArYk1AX1FQEK_HV1KnJKAN0oEiENoNp3xrY8PoEoRIhVt-pIYUWlyInrj_rv4IY3WgyVe5Rca2VDPma5DwYLaNzMgcP2gj3S1E/s1600/Picnik+collage22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXxQe5sbychE3yUE-XK92MXqejDHy2P7ukYL6QsDJtaArYk1AX1FQEK_HV1KnJKAN0oEiENoNp3xrY8PoEoRIhVt-pIYUWlyInrj_rv4IY3WgyVe5Rca2VDPma5DwYLaNzMgcP2gj3S1E/s640/Picnik+collage22.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Opal</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPG9Grug-6a1MMeIf_Kvr39oDRZePjlUyuhbNn5CuzSZ8ecZ_trppLE7d5YCoBzYP8KeTV7KFfvVcOquPOzxBYgNNKXlpUyCCO5USMLW3C3Wix4Awpvl9ZN-T-HwPxXak0nxrxeZ4Z3y3/s1600/easter+2011+049_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPG9Grug-6a1MMeIf_Kvr39oDRZePjlUyuhbNn5CuzSZ8ecZ_trppLE7d5YCoBzYP8KeTV7KFfvVcOquPOzxBYgNNKXlpUyCCO5USMLW3C3Wix4Awpvl9ZN-T-HwPxXak0nxrxeZ4Z3y3/s640/easter+2011+049_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sapphire </b></span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuM1NVSNmqG_lou4GQowwhWVbnV5PVloLN1S8M0rK7xzPu_jLv-tSrV3NSJipckQ41eDUEj-zjH1Yg8F_N522KeJ6od4KUx0FHJH048BoM9oYSsoOMqi3hCMG-5am4sQBKQn4WyD33xNH/s1600/easter+2011+051_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuM1NVSNmqG_lou4GQowwhWVbnV5PVloLN1S8M0rK7xzPu_jLv-tSrV3NSJipckQ41eDUEj-zjH1Yg8F_N522KeJ6od4KUx0FHJH048BoM9oYSsoOMqi3hCMG-5am4sQBKQn4WyD33xNH/s640/easter+2011+051_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pearl</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ttaNLDSpsCi68QZ6WRpPtuwT4hhxV0ZH_rw16faFZU6wt5uTw7-7WXO0iaO7II6pDXn2beO4oJ60m02e1hDfftyU6QLi9Y8Px7ceVoAnhyphenhyphenEm-lElfzST9gXFEgFqM2aF7TxbTxYcsH93/s1600/easter+2011+050_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ttaNLDSpsCi68QZ6WRpPtuwT4hhxV0ZH_rw16faFZU6wt5uTw7-7WXO0iaO7II6pDXn2beO4oJ60m02e1hDfftyU6QLi9Y8Px7ceVoAnhyphenhyphenEm-lElfzST9gXFEgFqM2aF7TxbTxYcsH93/s640/easter+2011+050_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxy5abK0SCL9X0skbz_o4Q_mUzsy5XzH0Q3E_N54kUcZmSHgyQz1URB55r-lahIwMLjooKqr2LOSbUmIdQFOlOGrSc4JOp7SI0LW-EoXNGdvarJlMf6dCtkfCwPwZmz_Y1_E6vWuveqyJ/s1600/easter+2011+042_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxy5abK0SCL9X0skbz_o4Q_mUzsy5XzH0Q3E_N54kUcZmSHgyQz1URB55r-lahIwMLjooKqr2LOSbUmIdQFOlOGrSc4JOp7SI0LW-EoXNGdvarJlMf6dCtkfCwPwZmz_Y1_E6vWuveqyJ/s640/easter+2011+042_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decorated the tops of 3 plastic Easter eggs. Each one is suppose to resemble my <i>three jewels.</i></div>All you'll need is<br />
<ul><li>several plastic Easter egg tops</li>
<li>googly eyes</li>
<li>ribbon or feathers for hair</li>
<li> pom poms for the nose</li>
<li>glue</li>
<li>ribbon and potted flower</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, be sure to save your leftover plastic Easter eggs. Why not consider making one of these for Mother's Day or as a cute spring decoration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a great weekend everyone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-67379714570900058322011-03-10T04:31:00.000-08:002011-03-10T11:34:09.918-08:00Photography Tips-Adjusting White Balance On Your CameraAlright, this is my first photography post so please be kind! Please note, I am by no means a professional photograher. I'm still very much in the learning phase, however, I would like to share some of the tips I've learned while on this journey to becoming a better photographer.<br />
Today I'm going to discuss<b> White Balance</b> (gotta start somewhere and this is a very easy adjustment to make on your camera that has immediate results)<br />
<br />
<b>Adjusting The White Balance (WB) On Your Camera </b><br />
Adjusting your <b>White Balance </b>on your camera is way simpler than you may think. The proper White Balance in a picture can mean the difference in your subject looking natural or totally wrong. As in jaundice/liver failure wrong. White balance (WB) is the process of removing unrealistic color casts, so that objects which appear white in person are rendered white in your photo.<br />
<br />
All you have to do is, find your WB button on your camera, select it, then scroll down to the appropriate White Balance setting. <br />
<br />
*note* You may have to switch from auto mode to manual mode or any other priority setting to access the White Balance settings. (I just heard you gasp. Scary as it may seem to switch off auto mode, it's really not that bad. Don't worry, I'll hold your hand through it. Just leave me a comment if I'm not making sense or if you need more instructions)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumYOdc8Eioz8HOa7UxVj0GdFMH5jTWxpVO07C3SGKfmwsGizAaupC5iW2KZw34Ndn438n1hIpwWaf6h7BNM-H1jPe6OtIJZK6f0rAlXVOPJJV0JhrskxdusDxJ6nPEXrkn__u9mpk-odT/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumYOdc8Eioz8HOa7UxVj0GdFMH5jTWxpVO07C3SGKfmwsGizAaupC5iW2KZw34Ndn438n1hIpwWaf6h7BNM-H1jPe6OtIJZK6f0rAlXVOPJJV0JhrskxdusDxJ6nPEXrkn__u9mpk-odT/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You may be tempted to choose<b> Auto White Balance,</b> but what I've found is that my pictures are still far from realistic.<br />
<br />
Below is a picture of the back of my t2i, courtesy of google images. An arrow points to the WB button. You'll have to search for the unique location of your WB button on your camera<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SviOtarABKrzqVFMe10dFKY32C4RUFp6LqrQ3Ry5mf974oR0SvoRYuCzhKOPkjXzkZh87VsIBknARkfcVZrJK23AuOLjrgCUKqFstDgjl5b1PSnGs4osIdkB53ymB1RmCFHkTtuh-Ymj/s1600/ZURBACK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SviOtarABKrzqVFMe10dFKY32C4RUFp6LqrQ3Ry5mf974oR0SvoRYuCzhKOPkjXzkZh87VsIBknARkfcVZrJK23AuOLjrgCUKqFstDgjl5b1PSnGs4osIdkB53ymB1RmCFHkTtuh-Ymj/s320/ZURBACK.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Alright time for an example...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYX_IXlKEGivp0ruEbd2tC1fwfdDm9GHjw9pN39jA0pKYjtHJ9QGljlaeN6R9Xv2Eg4zftUjtWCfThXcQZEaVad3-HjU39qKYEHjoQnVyeNu-xPsAH5CntVSqOvY7RhyphenhyphenkwOyIsuhOn0FZ/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYX_IXlKEGivp0ruEbd2tC1fwfdDm9GHjw9pN39jA0pKYjtHJ9QGljlaeN6R9Xv2Eg4zftUjtWCfThXcQZEaVad3-HjU39qKYEHjoQnVyeNu-xPsAH5CntVSqOvY7RhyphenhyphenkwOyIsuhOn0FZ/s640/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Here's the thing, I personally prefer the warm, creamy tone in the before picture! However, the more realistic photo is the picture on the right, whereby the WB has been adjusted. The nice thing about photography, it's a matter of preference. If you were to shoot a picture of a person's face in the wrong WB setting, the individual may appear sickly, therefore, a WB adjustment may be necessary.<br />
<br />
This is a quick and very simple explanation of adjusting the White Balance on your camera.<br />
Some camera's allow you to customize the White Balance. In other words, you get to tell your camera what constitutes "white". This involves manually customizing the <b>White Balance </b>and for this, I'll refer you to one of my favorite photography sites, <a href="http://photo.tutsplus.com/">Photography Tuts</a>. <br />
<br />
Before I go, I would like to share a few pics of my spring decorating. (Yes, I started decorating for Spring. I needed to get out of my "Winter Slump" so I introduced some Spring colors into my home decor)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvOhJc71-EoZao2ZTMvmf359PxcvPNTssdHG6lplW80yadzHpPnHyrLw9pwUHtcMW-ZgyHwdRc4CmYPlX1KqCrw69uO3oN5P5vOo4cMhMTUB1ZdEQbIOBoNt4ckb4ttw3J_Hxw0_2nb93/s1600/easter+2011+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvOhJc71-EoZao2ZTMvmf359PxcvPNTssdHG6lplW80yadzHpPnHyrLw9pwUHtcMW-ZgyHwdRc4CmYPlX1KqCrw69uO3oN5P5vOo4cMhMTUB1ZdEQbIOBoNt4ckb4ttw3J_Hxw0_2nb93/s640/easter+2011+007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGHB1K0DLGpClU3xDBX8V0E7a6bB9IU8_CQcFDHrASBtt6vniMltgIsxjP1_rQRdkstQ-2S2HHQpPoRheEeijvesYT2gpfmmMp3wPf6vt3Lb7SbusunkE215skB48XDcC-kYwWZaBlWgI/s1600/easter+2011+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGHB1K0DLGpClU3xDBX8V0E7a6bB9IU8_CQcFDHrASBtt6vniMltgIsxjP1_rQRdkstQ-2S2HHQpPoRheEeijvesYT2gpfmmMp3wPf6vt3Lb7SbusunkE215skB48XDcC-kYwWZaBlWgI/s640/easter+2011+020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1f8PvnkrW4_OIchV137e3dMq8W1XMeqosb6mLp0f9Qq6sAgO4CQEaaOmH-xp_3kP7mgXjrMDT3EGVelnQrvTE2cPw45hGHdtiE5YW5RJ2YR8ojxirmTtoyiycC8Kyu1iSIRLyaVdCy19B/s1600/easter+2011+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1f8PvnkrW4_OIchV137e3dMq8W1XMeqosb6mLp0f9Qq6sAgO4CQEaaOmH-xp_3kP7mgXjrMDT3EGVelnQrvTE2cPw45hGHdtiE5YW5RJ2YR8ojxirmTtoyiycC8Kyu1iSIRLyaVdCy19B/s640/easter+2011+023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSFOJdNYnM-sVjKPzb1fkvugHh9wJ4DF1ycUiZoHpzC_kU73O1A8El8zs4wncnp75StQwLBqbJu0f9NmDh2SKo_7wSQ93jJKr-kkNM_V1TS1ICMdRz3EIjLXrySon_1u4rHWa1lkXyZfz/s1600/easter+2011+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSFOJdNYnM-sVjKPzb1fkvugHh9wJ4DF1ycUiZoHpzC_kU73O1A8El8zs4wncnp75StQwLBqbJu0f9NmDh2SKo_7wSQ93jJKr-kkNM_V1TS1ICMdRz3EIjLXrySon_1u4rHWa1lkXyZfz/s640/easter+2011+024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zneTGtWi1ZygAr6Sjv6bV3JdZ_Bf_Q9IXhGEykUTGUqJEPn4bDLnuqW9bgXbaphryzHepnZTN_y0_JXFGAAi1YKedlR3XzrsrHcMTqzdMpu9xa7LgP7E9NGV-A1U5u8pdzVlOq5M5nBS/s1600/easter+2011+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zneTGtWi1ZygAr6Sjv6bV3JdZ_Bf_Q9IXhGEykUTGUqJEPn4bDLnuqW9bgXbaphryzHepnZTN_y0_JXFGAAi1YKedlR3XzrsrHcMTqzdMpu9xa7LgP7E9NGV-A1U5u8pdzVlOq5M5nBS/s640/easter+2011+029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghm2lUO4J5AK7_kzKTZF3SCt07-7Ah-nGQWIIy9a8LlhHVOGQgrt30T82g0nz8P_L6Kr42tTSEjQibFJODkA5SWiVngUmB9VvndeW6yXMnJKWhScFBHJkXNEd7ODfuJKamXCrDHNUNIO-6/s1600/easter+2011+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghm2lUO4J5AK7_kzKTZF3SCt07-7Ah-nGQWIIy9a8LlhHVOGQgrt30T82g0nz8P_L6Kr42tTSEjQibFJODkA5SWiVngUmB9VvndeW6yXMnJKWhScFBHJkXNEd7ODfuJKamXCrDHNUNIO-6/s640/easter+2011+011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-38745201143282683032011-03-09T08:22:00.000-08:002011-03-28T19:11:36.527-07:00Marriage Advice-The Barter System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz279/crystalc_photo/3jewelscrafts17030-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz279/crystalc_photo/3jewelscrafts17030-1.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>Ten years of marriage and we still really like each other. Pretty much unheard of nowadays!<br />
What do I attribute to our happy and contented marriage?<br />
The "<b>Barter System</b>" of course! It's the economics of love and marriage.<br />
He gives me what I want {my floors mopped} and I give him what he wants {the opportunity to fulfill his animal instint~enough said} Everyone wins, right girls?<br />
Once our "needs" are both met, we express our appreciation with a big old 'Thank You'!<br />
Meeting each other's needs deposits love units in the love bank. This results in a wealthy marriage filled with love and in the end avoids an emotional recession! <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
This is what works for us! Now it's time to introduce the "peanut butter concept". Just like peanut butter holds two pieces of bread together, there are people, things, feelings and activities, which can hold a marriage together. The "Barter System" holds our marriage together, now it's your turn to share. What holds your marriage together? <br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-6918181798673826942011-03-09T08:01:00.000-08:002011-03-09T09:29:14.751-08:00Blog Hops<center><a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/search/label/Welcome%20Wednesday"><img src="http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae7/KWynder/WelcomeWednesday.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/search/label/Welcome%20Wednesday" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/search/label/Welcome%20Wednesday" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://blogging-hints.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogging Hints Catch a Wave Wednesday" src="http://www.busy-moms-tips.com/images/catch-a-wave-wednesday.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3fourandunder.blogspot.com/search/label/Follow%20Me%20Wednesday"><img border="0" src="http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx189/trishabdesigns/FollowMeWednesdayNew2.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/search/label/Welcome%20Wednesday" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/7055/wanderingwedbutton.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thecouponscoop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac39/couponscoop/bloghopbutton.jpg" target="_blank" /></a><br />
<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://ourjourneytoasimplerlife.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/TomorrowFarm/waltzwednesday.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/search/label/Welcome%20Wednesday" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></a><a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/search/label/Welcome%20Wednesday" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7244647444372740929&postID=691818179867382694" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-75813349954149380152011-03-08T05:11:00.000-08:002011-03-28T18:47:13.288-07:00Candied Carrots-Three Jewels StyleWhile trying to think of some handmade Easter basket treats, I came up with this idea.<br />
Candied Carrots~<i>These aint the kind your Mama served you for supper!</i> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYK0J92CLjxIbkAIht8IVbMUosUubjoNuErkHK67k-5h7qgogLgKaztj5CWDAX4jcjR910JMMq9lYhD4qSzRdHq6kLhxmWVQExkOlWIneMli_UWf9J5pAhIW213p0_3U_ld2JSzcx2fO2/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYK0J92CLjxIbkAIht8IVbMUosUubjoNuErkHK67k-5h7qgogLgKaztj5CWDAX4jcjR910JMMq9lYhD4qSzRdHq6kLhxmWVQExkOlWIneMli_UWf9J5pAhIW213p0_3U_ld2JSzcx2fO2/s640/3+jewels+crafts+093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I bought 3 boxes of reese's pieces, separated the colors, filled a cake decorating bag with the orange ones and ate the yellow and brown (I had to hide the evidence...we wouldn't want them finding out the truth about the Easter Bunny)<br />
<br />
Then I went on to make some of these... Pudding Carrots! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xYF9wTykevlV6hx-O3N_9uMvZy9DdWeo2-L7h5Wawsob1EuiOYSbXdw-O-2GEcYK7BhD22Gjby-T9MZcY2tZkP5KiLVNCiA5RZmmHl6Wh_CTGZ0IY1NfXC4DNmDpoKKfyC4Gm6HKF0kl/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xYF9wTykevlV6hx-O3N_9uMvZy9DdWeo2-L7h5Wawsob1EuiOYSbXdw-O-2GEcYK7BhD22Gjby-T9MZcY2tZkP5KiLVNCiA5RZmmHl6Wh_CTGZ0IY1NfXC4DNmDpoKKfyC4Gm6HKF0kl/s640/3+jewels+crafts+100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdh039toeH8Z50Ik1VN5_kK4VpBu8agx47CSKALUaJNwU0DA_1LbfqTILNvP6P3deLlW71uQXfYGXmxBSh0LLuRHYcITKaM0abvyvACzPk_tEXOb-Ig1FvU0UoKVgHUXF5qqsThPQe3hB/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdh039toeH8Z50Ik1VN5_kK4VpBu8agx47CSKALUaJNwU0DA_1LbfqTILNvP6P3deLlW71uQXfYGXmxBSh0LLuRHYcITKaM0abvyvACzPk_tEXOb-Ig1FvU0UoKVgHUXF5qqsThPQe3hB/s640/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Tint your vanilla pudding, fill a cake decorating bag, snip the end and enjoy! *Tip-Use the gel food coloring so that your pudding doesn't become runny.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbGkrQ-b6ahBZdDYFve1dhyphenhyphenO6g8qYcv0LiCRL9ckoGyhiSsHWP3aSwyx-aptwAhtLWvPq4bvWc73jsOIc5D4sFo6LoYbZioFOHDLRtHXkWVfUN9Ro0ax-refLDs2IXeWOF8dJCUyLIBJe/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbGkrQ-b6ahBZdDYFve1dhyphenhyphenO6g8qYcv0LiCRL9ckoGyhiSsHWP3aSwyx-aptwAhtLWvPq4bvWc73jsOIc5D4sFo6LoYbZioFOHDLRtHXkWVfUN9Ro0ax-refLDs2IXeWOF8dJCUyLIBJe/s640/3+jewels+crafts+101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm pretty sure Opal will resent me for taking this picture when he's older, but for now he's still five and loves the bunny ears that I just bought him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, until he refuses to pose for pictures like this...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv5DfypgUJkXN1nwLBwpV7Pla78z4zJY62Yj75FZY2sqoOGm8Y2hFVh2Ke87IOwqlLW9PMy8EJl24FcDcGLLTcZ-j13fzc_KxTtd0O_XqdO4d5QlmKFFO1p1VaZv1W8F_9HaTAXx0WHR6/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv5DfypgUJkXN1nwLBwpV7Pla78z4zJY62Yj75FZY2sqoOGm8Y2hFVh2Ke87IOwqlLW9PMy8EJl24FcDcGLLTcZ-j13fzc_KxTtd0O_XqdO4d5QlmKFFO1p1VaZv1W8F_9HaTAXx0WHR6/s640/3+jewels+crafts+104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
....I'm gonna keep on taking cute snap shots of my baby bunny in his silly rabbit ears while I still can!<br />
<div align="center"><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-34983099318106243952011-03-07T05:07:00.000-08:002011-03-07T05:07:19.705-08:00When did I become a Mom?<span style="font-size: large;">When did I become a Mom? </span> I mean, technically I gave birth to my first child 7 years ago. What I actually want to know is, when did I cease to be the self-absorbed, boy crazy, fashionista, party girl that I once was during high school and college? When did this transformation take place and why did I not notice it happening?<br />
Each day I wake up and realize I have all these new and wonderful responsibilities. How did I become the Mom, responsible for shooing the monsters from underneath the bed, the Mom who keeps the bath splashing under control, the Mom who crawls under the crib at 2am searching for the dropped pacifier.<br />
I now find myself judging the time of day by what cartoon flashes across the TV screen.<br />
When did I become the Mom who doesn't think twice about holding my hands out to catch my child's <br />
vomit.<br />
Waking up with extra bodies in my bed has become a new way of life.<br />
When did my biggest challenge become, how do I remove the yogurt covered t-shirt from my 1 year old without getting it all through her hair? <br />
Books like Pinkalicious or Geronimo Stilton have replaced all my college textbooks.<br />
7:00 pm is now the most perfect time of day and the word "bedtime" has become the most beautiful word in the English language? <br />
Blindfold me and stick me in a room with a 100 crying babies and I'd still be able to distinguish which cry was coming from Pearl.<br />
My showers now last less then 10 minutes and typically involve an audience of 3, I wear slippers so I don't have to feel the Cherrios crush beneath my toes and I put way more effort into my kids' outfits then I do my own. <br />
How and when did I BECOME A MOM and who do I thank for this wonderful and blessed new role?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyObFnjMkyonj1TiJm3vnIZtDHKaMNmoBrbQgjr_IRRhP2ZXApYEmgSys90Pfjev9clpOSpGnLe9PPEA1TbxhkEqwzxjJmJIA5M9yYA5AMpAZ8weZjfgTXj_TvWFs_4bKOwRjL_lMKZ6Rm/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+1781q+copypse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyObFnjMkyonj1TiJm3vnIZtDHKaMNmoBrbQgjr_IRRhP2ZXApYEmgSys90Pfjev9clpOSpGnLe9PPEA1TbxhkEqwzxjJmJIA5M9yYA5AMpAZ8weZjfgTXj_TvWFs_4bKOwRjL_lMKZ6Rm/s640/3+jewels+crafts+1781q+copypse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-1052464808738229332011-03-04T05:11:00.000-08:002011-03-05T07:54:15.950-08:00Are You Feeling Lucky Punk? How To Catch A LeprechaunI hear it's quite tricky to trap a leprechaun! They're small, quick and surprisingly clever for the amount of beer they drink. I figured it was time we gave it a go!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUIjQppcNCOoaQ9cAUqeuVMTxO_7pUWM_SGJhJqGgYRXH_yEsIrWYsnvczh4ICz7d_JNtqCsemi4N7J07NuefBDc3Wthjrgy9PaKizti-oQvFBWolHtajoRISkq79K5ja858uxQk32lgY/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+17027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUIjQppcNCOoaQ9cAUqeuVMTxO_7pUWM_SGJhJqGgYRXH_yEsIrWYsnvczh4ICz7d_JNtqCsemi4N7J07NuefBDc3Wthjrgy9PaKizti-oQvFBWolHtajoRISkq79K5ja858uxQk32lgY/s640/3+jewels+crafts+17027.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After much strategizing, we decided that the Sapphire's dollhouse was a great place to set our trap! <i>Forewarning,</i> as soon as we started into this project, I was flooded with questions from Opal and Sapphire. What were we planning to do with him when we caught him? How does he get into our house? Why does he like green beer? Of course all of these questions were answered with lies, lies and more lies! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7YU86bak2GTZWE7i-h4twEagCj1aD-9E8U8W_rno0jHW-dU3eTh6j9y4ArpU8i7sPn5wW064PCDRlB9G4rnmNB63zpO6SY3o98MHF2rQKG3oOQ1an8-HAb1kUj7EE3A0Khyphenhyphen_SA1NjBXO/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+17016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7YU86bak2GTZWE7i-h4twEagCj1aD-9E8U8W_rno0jHW-dU3eTh6j9y4ArpU8i7sPn5wW064PCDRlB9G4rnmNB63zpO6SY3o98MHF2rQKG3oOQ1an8-HAb1kUj7EE3A0Khyphenhyphen_SA1NjBXO/s640/3+jewels+crafts+17016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We decorated the stairs and hung signs to point him in the "right" direction<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxl7scRNh3nMH4Aili_gQKCawHm_tutgOEXtuLHjTy2ifcFKj9y5yP9KPZulqpTbGb_6SeKX3lJ7P7e68ejAEekuCvTJqhb-LB2lpsCUSRtpsdvAvSR-cHtf0e7smb25wXL6jOVD9nlkN/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+17021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxl7scRNh3nMH4Aili_gQKCawHm_tutgOEXtuLHjTy2ifcFKj9y5yP9KPZulqpTbGb_6SeKX3lJ7P7e68ejAEekuCvTJqhb-LB2lpsCUSRtpsdvAvSR-cHtf0e7smb25wXL6jOVD9nlkN/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+17021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxl7scRNh3nMH4Aili_gQKCawHm_tutgOEXtuLHjTy2ifcFKj9y5yP9KPZulqpTbGb_6SeKX3lJ7P7e68ejAEekuCvTJqhb-LB2lpsCUSRtpsdvAvSR-cHtf0e7smb25wXL6jOVD9nlkN/s640/3+jewels+crafts+17021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pfZznaypkfzDIzT7VqzbuVxbuzjCt_5fLnHi_YLcUFBu33JEQDrOtJHnEc4Y1AE-emgXfCuwfANzR06UA7_qzVFpjJpLWv0STR5YjD2-37LlUmsOj9cyiaJvaISkyM5OiysZoBmB6N9_/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+17018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pfZznaypkfzDIzT7VqzbuVxbuzjCt_5fLnHi_YLcUFBu33JEQDrOtJHnEc4Y1AE-emgXfCuwfANzR06UA7_qzVFpjJpLWv0STR5YjD2-37LlUmsOj9cyiaJvaISkyM5OiysZoBmB6N9_/s640/3+jewels+crafts+17018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDygLozoR5ZQtjU3xZPd4ANB-0p5LGsAMZbXxUWl1AyCESrRVcSst52Jmcdkk-uy8HXRTeEb4nBg42vyLJBVY69Ew0dtfGX3u_50h5a6uJlUVlZlMAnVPL2ZIZxlOzeffKWZcRT2f-y2xa/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+17019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDygLozoR5ZQtjU3xZPd4ANB-0p5LGsAMZbXxUWl1AyCESrRVcSst52Jmcdkk-uy8HXRTeEb4nBg42vyLJBVY69Ew0dtfGX3u_50h5a6uJlUVlZlMAnVPL2ZIZxlOzeffKWZcRT2f-y2xa/s640/3+jewels+crafts+17019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A trap is nothing unless you set a lil' bait....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-2v5o6AUlXvXlGCN1LD5GUoXzwaENfvirr4ycYBuW-JCsEDM4Quj8igYieU-F-e4K-F5PsqDNt2u7BRI2CNeME4k1FJgandW5zbXXPkHxTBX5ob3NlInzyKL4rLl6Tp7wQ0U5cEn6eIf/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+17025_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-2v5o6AUlXvXlGCN1LD5GUoXzwaENfvirr4ycYBuW-JCsEDM4Quj8igYieU-F-e4K-F5PsqDNt2u7BRI2CNeME4k1FJgandW5zbXXPkHxTBX5ob3NlInzyKL4rLl6Tp7wQ0U5cEn6eIf/s640/3+jewels+crafts+17025_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3rPizBiL1x4Tiiuvr0rAGfXY0vI1DVFpAhFe7iAm_Kd0lEHE2ooPxpVJjZfo7kVO959tYwG1mN_67FT0zAYkdBeExpoGeuxmp-9EVjzDmzqZGMij7pK1Anwc_51W9CyM4GVCXNJ637oW/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+17026_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3rPizBiL1x4Tiiuvr0rAGfXY0vI1DVFpAhFe7iAm_Kd0lEHE2ooPxpVJjZfo7kVO959tYwG1mN_67FT0zAYkdBeExpoGeuxmp-9EVjzDmzqZGMij7pK1Anwc_51W9CyM4GVCXNJ637oW/s640/3+jewels+crafts+17026_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCE_5aBYn3Sakv117uakHrSe4qlqprYKiQM_lGkdz1Uo5QxeMz7T2SNH9ylYsTzG0FJlERniSY4nj02SUxNTyh6DMJazRmotYRztI_dDcGnq_YD4VGjntvKxC_saIvp_9yIOaA2KGq9fQe/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+17023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCE_5aBYn3Sakv117uakHrSe4qlqprYKiQM_lGkdz1Uo5QxeMz7T2SNH9ylYsTzG0FJlERniSY4nj02SUxNTyh6DMJazRmotYRztI_dDcGnq_YD4VGjntvKxC_saIvp_9yIOaA2KGq9fQe/s640/3+jewels+crafts+17023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, it looks like we're ready for this little punk's arrival! Until then, we'll be keeping tabs on him via the <a href="http://www.irelandseye.com/leprechaun/webcam.htm">Leprechaun Watch webcam</a>. <br />
Have you ever tried to trap a leprechaun? Any tips or suggestions? What should we do with him once we snag him?Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-59544022921981349022011-03-04T05:00:00.000-08:002011-03-04T11:50:59.522-08:00Follow Me Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ontheverge6.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="badge" border="0" current="followmefriday.jpg" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l453/lydbruno/followmefriday.jpg" target="_blank" /></a></div><br />
Join me for the "Follow Me Friday" Blog Hop over at <a href="http://www.ontheverge6.com/2011/03/follow-me-friday-37.html">Still On The Verge</a>!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-48679105783812816352011-03-02T04:42:00.000-08:002011-03-03T05:56:59.156-08:00"Well Done" NecklaceIt's <b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">tough</b> raising kids! As a parent, it's often easier to dwell on a child's negative behaviour rather then focus on their positive attributes. We sometimes need to be reminded to dish out more encouraging words, to recognize even the small accomplishments and praise their good behaviour.<br />
<br />
I found these scrapbook tags at the $ store and thought it would be neat to make necklaces out of them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqMTE7Sj8px428_g17CY4Ka4MkCwhL17kxTkV69cEafbn3FAXnaJHYGiWoHUGUnnE2ZL-EmzkgbISRJU2rjHvd8FJhWPSprdbCvA760I_4dHXPsQUaIaxH-bJZV8EANv5pwL94Xx_XMlH/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+166_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqMTE7Sj8px428_g17CY4Ka4MkCwhL17kxTkV69cEafbn3FAXnaJHYGiWoHUGUnnE2ZL-EmzkgbISRJU2rjHvd8FJhWPSprdbCvA760I_4dHXPsQUaIaxH-bJZV8EANv5pwL94Xx_XMlH/s640/3+jewels+crafts+166_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
School report cards came out last week and let me tell ya, I was one PROUD mama! I wanted to recognize Opal and Sapphire's school efforts so I gave them each a handmade necklace made by Moi.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg052vJaQiAAocFqMVAuYGJ1h4EhbT5cLvLNB8_nq4HU5j-XZ5l1RPrf-UHJionMHSalDTWLQzGP_q93fPDI7O0VT2kwPbqqt13IJv1RATOzRpi_3m1WAabiRqYthVKSJVhM30N-6hepzqG/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg052vJaQiAAocFqMVAuYGJ1h4EhbT5cLvLNB8_nq4HU5j-XZ5l1RPrf-UHJionMHSalDTWLQzGP_q93fPDI7O0VT2kwPbqqt13IJv1RATOzRpi_3m1WAabiRqYthVKSJVhM30N-6hepzqG/s640/3+jewels+crafts+168.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've been hanging on to these jewelry boxes since Christmas. I knew they would be reused sooner or later. I love to hoard craft supplies as you can see!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk3zqiGA6tGRRaJeCmO8DEGqiabKqOanNaEUpicdtpczmfZbUt4KO-W0ueJYqI4LLN31pDpBfE3CpGE9Tv4jY1x-vmUtCaUCfM9YyhOIr3FAMK5E0N_wmjrQGcSkCkTc_ee2ZDj6SeIf9/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+169_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk3zqiGA6tGRRaJeCmO8DEGqiabKqOanNaEUpicdtpczmfZbUt4KO-W0ueJYqI4LLN31pDpBfE3CpGE9Tv4jY1x-vmUtCaUCfM9YyhOIr3FAMK5E0N_wmjrQGcSkCkTc_ee2ZDj6SeIf9/s640/3+jewels+crafts+169_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1661098625"></span><span id="goog_1661098626"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz279/crystalc_photo/3jewelscrafts170-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz279/crystalc_photo/3jewelscrafts170-1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
Cheers everyone, have a wonderful day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-45879312818310792232011-03-01T15:43:00.000-08:002011-03-01T16:26:57.770-08:00Kiss The Blarney Stone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPX00s0Wn3ulbwIf3fvp_W5Bqz7N-c3prVUHpeR0A84Kt-rPq-TUycoB4evQW8_h1nUMbIG_1_k7a6_bRoE8_nf5QNokSbPhp1Y7eXJO79w0csMClr2ANzp7vBcEzF5rBMty0-x1e8Rcw/s1600/blarney+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPX00s0Wn3ulbwIf3fvp_W5Bqz7N-c3prVUHpeR0A84Kt-rPq-TUycoB4evQW8_h1nUMbIG_1_k7a6_bRoE8_nf5QNokSbPhp1Y7eXJO79w0csMClr2ANzp7vBcEzF5rBMty0-x1e8Rcw/s640/blarney+2.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><br />
Legend says that anyone who kisses the <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Blarney Stone of Ireland </span>will be blessed with eloquence.<br />
Our family has no immediate plans to visit Ireland, so we decided to make our own <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Blarney Stone </span>replica. I tried to explain the word "eloquence" to my kids but they had a difficult time understanding. In the end I just told them, <b>"kiss it and you'll get lucky"</b>! Mr.Connell had obviously overheard our conversation because later on that night I had to pry his lips off the rock.<br />
He apparently he really wanted to get "Lucky"! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmbrOV6XO7Kxtidc_tK7mesbCLuOnAfJsXYrELS3LKfMPd-PYlReWBFwwcT35ovGUVY-7ee9AlUCB7aP8lk6LrgGpbXY6m1PMByjjPpKMQHBYFWS5ttwXgSLbk2CRITEkZgUNfTi8JlXM/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+160_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmbrOV6XO7Kxtidc_tK7mesbCLuOnAfJsXYrELS3LKfMPd-PYlReWBFwwcT35ovGUVY-7ee9AlUCB7aP8lk6LrgGpbXY6m1PMByjjPpKMQHBYFWS5ttwXgSLbk2CRITEkZgUNfTi8JlXM/s640/3+jewels+crafts+160_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A kiss is not a kiss without a little lip gloss!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fgdv5vff-agY0mhvZmOKJZnZMHgCrjoWbikNT-nYfSwQJGND9cSZ_ibJ-lsAB60bRwqJRSgqjY6pMkhe0jsTewqbMiDp-htRZDYqp3jo6zhE5IMHuRmR6hIDeAfWCODOkKhnpVnQqVCU/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fgdv5vff-agY0mhvZmOKJZnZMHgCrjoWbikNT-nYfSwQJGND9cSZ_ibJ-lsAB60bRwqJRSgqjY6pMkhe0jsTewqbMiDp-htRZDYqp3jo6zhE5IMHuRmR6hIDeAfWCODOkKhnpVnQqVCU/s640/3+jewels+crafts+162.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlPilYtdUWSpjbTPGRdN9owAKZUutNPLqKWvTjw2tcZ-dFwX2lyxiRsVsbHpK1lkb2Ik4wEZXDW5n8lzCohZPHozG-nbaFfTdQIrPFIzlQ0TdAKcCD5Psuqs_2dYnrh1DQ5XFjZR529ll/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlPilYtdUWSpjbTPGRdN9owAKZUutNPLqKWvTjw2tcZ-dFwX2lyxiRsVsbHpK1lkb2Ik4wEZXDW5n8lzCohZPHozG-nbaFfTdQIrPFIzlQ0TdAKcCD5Psuqs_2dYnrh1DQ5XFjZR529ll/s640/3+jewels+crafts+165.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy March 1, 2011 everyone! </span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-46420470242686415822011-02-28T10:08:00.000-08:002011-03-28T18:49:30.673-07:00Craft Your Own Spring Time Placemat From A Gift BagIt's<i> raining</i> outside today and that signals Spring is on it's way! I've had several Spring activities floating around inside my head and these ideas need to be purged ASAP, otherwise my intracranial pressure will exceed 25 mm Hg and treatment will be necessary to reduce it!<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>{Sorry, I just went all medical on you}</i></span><br />
<br />
So here's a fun activity that the kids can help you make during the March break.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Upcycled Gift Bag Placemat</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher3PWcYtnSni7Lq58JR0BzDRkBrQqAyMLxpEmEH-ThGQsZdCydnWT-TkJzWRuTaFBCXPl_pA4nKbUsNEEnN1tZfXES6n2c0pa3R43A5g8aR8Vlj70aSbvYs-vkRxTBmucmOUZfvTC0Byl/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher3PWcYtnSni7Lq58JR0BzDRkBrQqAyMLxpEmEH-ThGQsZdCydnWT-TkJzWRuTaFBCXPl_pA4nKbUsNEEnN1tZfXES6n2c0pa3R43A5g8aR8Vlj70aSbvYs-vkRxTBmucmOUZfvTC0Byl/s640/3+jewels+crafts+119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Raise your hand if you have plenty of gift bags hangin' around! *raises hand*</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love gift bags because they're reusable! This time I'm going to use one to craft a seasonal placemat. You could also use wrapping paper for this craft but I just happened to have this cute lady bug gift bag at home. {Frigg, I'm such a bad liar. Fine...I'll admit to purchasing this gift bag specifically for this craft project. Why else would I have the matching sticker decals} </span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Supplies:</span></span></b><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> large gift bag </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">11"x14" frameless picture frame (does that make sense? If not refer to the picture below)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">scissors</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">decorative stickers</span></span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGGtrYvN3bXgxzj2QWgnW19mB0IH88jnxORdKRiOZippxRGf8N6KWHADrS_GXJVNB-ekjyjDyaHve4ZJJP1Uh6nCJkVXkYSP4IJkfRl4G7TXCoq62vDrIlrUhyphenhyphenam42DpPGbc3zJ5Ge5KL/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+105_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGGtrYvN3bXgxzj2QWgnW19mB0IH88jnxORdKRiOZippxRGf8N6KWHADrS_GXJVNB-ekjyjDyaHve4ZJJP1Uh6nCJkVXkYSP4IJkfRl4G7TXCoq62vDrIlrUhyphenhyphenam42DpPGbc3zJ5Ge5KL/s640/3+jewels+crafts+105_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cut the string off the gift bag. {Don't throw out the tag because you'll use this as the name plate} Measure and cut the gift bag to fit the frame. If you don't have a frame you may be able to use a glossy paper gift bag and cut it to 11"x14". I'm pretty sure it would be easy enough to wipe down and reuse!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBcX06WpCiEY1BgyK9d_dC0cIEvbW6ACMG4hqn8gwgcqX1V-1iU7Pvmfq_gk_GG67UazlAutAI27HbHud7HtL7uwx9SyNwdcGrF-TiuvDj6s9B3VAUG5eI4smSsA3ctlgzZVBo-Les_hF/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBcX06WpCiEY1BgyK9d_dC0cIEvbW6ACMG4hqn8gwgcqX1V-1iU7Pvmfq_gk_GG67UazlAutAI27HbHud7HtL7uwx9SyNwdcGrF-TiuvDj6s9B3VAUG5eI4smSsA3ctlgzZVBo-Les_hF/s640/3+jewels+crafts+119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3K1oMvvn_fKb1AOEydEKkH72CEAa7F3k8V-vSd4c4h119vazb01YHF8liaT_VcZsojumb1FjtdaXqT2oMSqhjy6V8D8frEQ1mTKPhYbrKGr-FgRKxZ_-MjMsqTr6_aPR9E4VGJYhwtSG/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+142_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3K1oMvvn_fKb1AOEydEKkH72CEAa7F3k8V-vSd4c4h119vazb01YHF8liaT_VcZsojumb1FjtdaXqT2oMSqhjy6V8D8frEQ1mTKPhYbrKGr-FgRKxZ_-MjMsqTr6_aPR9E4VGJYhwtSG/s640/3+jewels+crafts+142_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHclL8OO5OfO0b3dH-273a6-PAFPkv8Rf2Lfxds5p5heuJGiE-iwJPSX1nms5PRHb7mUdSg0ggMWWvRw3hO6n8H7jCmU_0nc0BACMrl3rHUF5IaJaY57F4j7TfbaEXERyC3mE4Bxs_4PP4/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYX3-iG8ynLtiBO5ywCMxh-WMbcJJU3HtD7q9j1co8JPojgePHA-GoEDNCFS70O8uhTOf3NL-ewSTxFlXSoERSuZnkTVM2nDxy9S2xw04Jl3vrCVIFTALjAn_lsksG7C0cfU6DkYWjhvq/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+115_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYX3-iG8ynLtiBO5ywCMxh-WMbcJJU3HtD7q9j1co8JPojgePHA-GoEDNCFS70O8uhTOf3NL-ewSTxFlXSoERSuZnkTVM2nDxy9S2xw04Jl3vrCVIFTALjAn_lsksG7C0cfU6DkYWjhvq/s640/3+jewels+crafts+115_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wait, don't leave..... I'm not done!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">What about a 3D placemat? Yep, two crafts in one post. I'm spoiling you today!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Take a look at this Mickey Mouse Placemat that I crafted from scrapbook paper. Your kids will love eating off this three dimensional placemat. They may even be distracted long enough for you to introduce a new entree. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7T85gJgNwSJQOrjJ0OHXJb4nap3piGuAxUlStwFoT-mOvEq5VBBqOrO9KddmZJtsL2vPUxxc3haEHV1Vsw1bTymwFsAdqmWO93RQAYZVP6VjY-fo0cfuNkrejFjzwCggqtxUBIRCkYz8/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7T85gJgNwSJQOrjJ0OHXJb4nap3piGuAxUlStwFoT-mOvEq5VBBqOrO9KddmZJtsL2vPUxxc3haEHV1Vsw1bTymwFsAdqmWO93RQAYZVP6VjY-fo0cfuNkrejFjzwCggqtxUBIRCkYz8/s640/3+jewels+crafts+132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw_ZoA3ejTB3jcb7n62vSYcyCrU14Kpbe5-_G1QgWBi-zR3MNizoiew8XK9bJvqf7SGSsfw0l5p654aQtHFo0OnjXQbimWipnt0lV3tQdbNVMHXXVYkr1WFkRwdKPvBHB7YRB2LQE3VKT/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+124_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw_ZoA3ejTB3jcb7n62vSYcyCrU14Kpbe5-_G1QgWBi-zR3MNizoiew8XK9bJvqf7SGSsfw0l5p654aQtHFo0OnjXQbimWipnt0lV3tQdbNVMHXXVYkr1WFkRwdKPvBHB7YRB2LQE3VKT/s640/3+jewels+crafts+124_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Use an exacto knife to give your paper some dimension. </span> </span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7N2Hhv4Ief4uoBxJhJCU8ABkYJMVDWaj-B9Bf4thABPnU0_XLa0FSV7-7Jyqu9uohFblsL_v6TYz8jd5Hj1fYHrD8kOyt_X9UuQBz4hfc3jZO1FybLiGo6HypHOq8NyVKbbV6QUCaVXa/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+128_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7N2Hhv4Ief4uoBxJhJCU8ABkYJMVDWaj-B9Bf4thABPnU0_XLa0FSV7-7Jyqu9uohFblsL_v6TYz8jd5Hj1fYHrD8kOyt_X9UuQBz4hfc3jZO1FybLiGo6HypHOq8NyVKbbV6QUCaVXa/s640/3+jewels+crafts+128_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVB2BbXsHSOk-pK7CO9judzYgjjlrpFfMm7S0Ti7GB1s3IdhBiIzKGr0tRb0GePrCu3DLh8OQJPYddLONlbqkDVeP4nJeC5Jr0fQjnPAPwdzN_I5dgSbOpcKc-XAl54nigU9GeU_gt_uK/s1600/3+jewels+crafts+129_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVB2BbXsHSOk-pK7CO9judzYgjjlrpFfMm7S0Ti7GB1s3IdhBiIzKGr0tRb0GePrCu3DLh8OQJPYddLONlbqkDVeP4nJeC5Jr0fQjnPAPwdzN_I5dgSbOpcKc-XAl54nigU9GeU_gt_uK/s640/3+jewels+crafts+129_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
O.k., you can go about your day now! Before you go, I would love to hear about your March break plans! Thanks for stopping by and checking out today's craft idea! Be a dear friend will ya... share this craft project with all your pals on twitter and facebook! Thanks!<br />
<br />
*btw* Linking this post <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/">here</a> so head over and check out all the other creative projects.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-21045665612793203992011-02-26T08:48:00.000-08:002011-02-26T08:52:29.911-08:00Today's Confessional-My Strange AddictionSo what's today's confession? Well friends, I hate to say it but here I go, <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'm addicted to Cereal Box Games</span>!!!!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-d-lxMl3-Fz47W6n8pIwGr5eVu1ydtuLf5lxH98XTDTipsr_RwB1uog183wl_7CLg1L7fSExAmdoiPgnE7t8OkgniIUzoUo1wo9PAZDBO4-AtsScLHbNUxFpfXPXIt5jXal7op_NhKhP/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-d-lxMl3-Fz47W6n8pIwGr5eVu1ydtuLf5lxH98XTDTipsr_RwB1uog183wl_7CLg1L7fSExAmdoiPgnE7t8OkgniIUzoUo1wo9PAZDBO4-AtsScLHbNUxFpfXPXIt5jXal7op_NhKhP/s640/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yep, sad but true! My cereal selections are completely dependent on whether or not the box has a game on the side or back panel! I can't seem to recall how this strange addiction came about! Likely an oppressed memory! I wouldn't consider this addiction health hazardous, so at present I'm not overly alarmed. I mean, It's not like I'm eating toilet paper or sleeping with my hair dryer.<br />
To be honest, one time I considered taking the Special K Diet just so I had an excuse to buy more cereal!<br />
There's just something wonderful about the texture of a cereal box! I love the smell of the recycled paper. I get a total feeling of accomplishment after I finish each game! <br />
<br />
<br />
Wow, it's such a cathartic feeling to get these things off my <strike>very small </strike>chest! <br />
I thank you for letting me vent! It's all part of the purpose of owning my own blog!<br />
Anyone else want to share their strange addictions? This blog is an open forum! We can work through our addictions together! <br />
Don't worry, I won't nominate you for TLC's hit new show<i> <a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/my-strange-addiction/">My Strange Addiction.</a></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7244647444372740929.post-2039756645959366902011-02-25T06:02:00.000-08:002011-02-25T06:07:40.378-08:00Blog SpotlightToday I'm away, so I'm shining the spotlight on Rachel from <a href="http://www.bubblynaturecreations.com/">Bubbly Nature Creations</a>. Sometimes I come across a blog and blogger that I instantly fall in love with. Bubbly Nature Creations is one of those blogs. I'm sure it helps that Rachel hails from one of my favorite areas of the U.S.A,<b> Oklahoma</b>. Why Oklahoma? Well here's a little know fact about this Canadian girl, I have TONS of family in Oklahoma and I visit regularly. <i> Hey Y'all to all my family in Oklahoma! </i>Anyway, Rachel has this fabulous blog that I've been following for sometime now. She recently published a post on how to make homemade <b>Veggie Goldfish Crackers</b> and I asked her if I could share with all of you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4oyP191EKOe6w4H5d9hLk8jO_wkc2skCn7h6D60RjwWKPCeUN4D3ZFLBGrzhSsdlCnT56WOX7bBMw0NlQoS1D1ic0ilw66NmFpVlxoygXYjF6CrBnG7aNO6QnlYL9b_vj1k6xjPTqOZx/s1600/vg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4oyP191EKOe6w4H5d9hLk8jO_wkc2skCn7h6D60RjwWKPCeUN4D3ZFLBGrzhSsdlCnT56WOX7bBMw0NlQoS1D1ic0ilw66NmFpVlxoygXYjF6CrBnG7aNO6QnlYL9b_vj1k6xjPTqOZx/s640/vg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's the amazing part, not only did she make this cute snack from scratch, she actually figured out a way to make a homemade cookie cutter by using a tin can! Ok everyone say it with me, "Hello Rachel aka Little Mrs Crafty Pants"! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw3C3G4NGzrm_X3eUyG0Zx1JOFykFlzveBnBpTJe6NAm1m3VULtcM-34hJ4Ze5Ye_9Lfrt6eGPBn2C6dgwy52gPhBYS1AkZ0uwt8AscbzuLtSz68YotAaLmXS8HuekR-0Y6hhpjL0UYtt/s1600/2011_0221fall0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw3C3G4NGzrm_X3eUyG0Zx1JOFykFlzveBnBpTJe6NAm1m3VULtcM-34hJ4Ze5Ye_9Lfrt6eGPBn2C6dgwy52gPhBYS1AkZ0uwt8AscbzuLtSz68YotAaLmXS8HuekR-0Y6hhpjL0UYtt/s640/2011_0221fall0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhyGVBCXaI3ONxoxUO5HqLBEsxbCUN-0QtGDncvWN86_rD3YVD5hD4OzCMI_OJd86SNB2UMeFqGHjxnVwHT4ToAY2AT11iie-PkfP5X7aYkRKmfw8TF39Y8hSChjiqmRsxlpioF2dx6gm/s1600/2011_0221fall0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhyGVBCXaI3ONxoxUO5HqLBEsxbCUN-0QtGDncvWN86_rD3YVD5hD4OzCMI_OJd86SNB2UMeFqGHjxnVwHT4ToAY2AT11iie-PkfP5X7aYkRKmfw8TF39Y8hSChjiqmRsxlpioF2dx6gm/s640/2011_0221fall0012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vrzYVMWu71GOvqZbr5DQbDECU6wHMboEu8CeQRVCE5ZLFKUyYtbk97MWM-ZRHP2405exsPO6JwusxOGXktbkjXF1TSI1vheNcYeBMbzJr-Lm5iu21t6QbKmqM7voR3v41dCWunctzrrA/s1600/2011_0221fall0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vrzYVMWu71GOvqZbr5DQbDECU6wHMboEu8CeQRVCE5ZLFKUyYtbk97MWM-ZRHP2405exsPO6JwusxOGXktbkjXF1TSI1vheNcYeBMbzJr-Lm5iu21t6QbKmqM7voR3v41dCWunctzrrA/s640/2011_0221fall0022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For the recipe and to see this entire post, including a very adorable video of her kids helping her make them, visit Rachel at <a href="http://www.bubblynaturecreations.com/">Bubbly Nature Creations</a>.<br />
A big thank you to Rachel for letting me share this idea with you and for allowing me to post these pics! Ok, hurry over and check it out! She has the full step by step tutorial ready for printing! <br />
<br />
<div align="center"><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab75/ablogtobragabout/Crystal%20C/signature.png" /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574951658108808547noreply@blogger.com2