tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88809655964125373672024-03-15T18:09:35.448-07:00Be Book BoundFood, Decor, Crafts, and a life inspired by books.Miriam@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08226920262981438778noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-27023942668681626572014-06-13T16:46:00.001-07:002014-06-13T16:49:38.158-07:00From the Design Book: A Home Tour Fit for a Sister<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">“The ache for home lives in all of us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.<i>"</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>~ </i>Maya Angelou<i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes </i></span></div>
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Yesterday, I went on a home tour through this house. </div>
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As soon as I walked in the door, my heart began to ache because my sister Miriam (and blog partner) wasn't with me to see it. And this is why: If you took Miriam's heart and shaped it into a 10,000 square-foot residence, I'm pretty sure this would be it.</div>
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The house had a gentle and feminine soul. It was a place where old things were treasured and somehow felt new again.</div>
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I loved the antique portraits of the home owner's great-great grandparents in the front room. And that sofa--also the great-great grandmother's. Seriously.</div>
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I spied these framed family recipes in the kitchen next to Grandma's china.</div>
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And anyone who has a teacup chandelier hanging over the sink is definitely a friend of mine!</div>
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As if this kitchen needed anything to make it prettier . . .</div>
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Tile backsplash? Cabinet details? Milk glass? I can't decide which I love more!</div>
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The owner of the home said she wanted a home that combined the "old" and the "new." I think her buffet and dining area are the perfect melding of these two ideas.</div>
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But perhaps the stairway is the best example of blending the old and the new with its Victorian spindles mounted on the outside of the steps juxtaposed with a fun frame collage on the wall.</div>
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Each of the stair treads has a fun quote on it. Do you recognize any of these? Disney lovers unite!<br />
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The great room is a soothing kind of lovely with its robin egg blue, cream, and coral palette.</div>
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The adjoining craft room is a fun and fresh compliment to the aged doors that separate the two areas. And who said you had to commit to just ONE type of wallpaper? I would have never thought to put a strip of each on the wall. Brave, but beautiful.</div>
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The master bedroom is a simple and soothing space anchored by a two way fireplace and softened with ruched bedding. Drool.</div>
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And just take a look at these gorgeous sliding doors that mark the entrance to the master bath. I think I'm in love.</div>
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And while the ENTIRE house was incredible--all 10,000 square-feet of it--I had to share this teen girl suite from the upper floor. I knew Miriam would love it with its feminine lighting, Tiffany blue walls, and painted piano!</div>
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As hard as it was to walk through this house without Miriam, I think it's going to be harder to convince the owners to hand it over to her so she can live there.</div>
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Here's to all of our dream homes . . . even if we aren't the ones living in them.</div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com246tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-28620770326287344542014-05-21T08:55:00.000-07:002014-05-21T08:55:28.107-07:00From the Book of Life: Pregnancy Photos<span id="goog_1430666468"></span><span id="goog_1430666469"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"> “It is said that the present is pregnant with the future."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">~Voltaire</span></div>
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When my sister-in-law asked me to take her pregnancy photos, I laughed. Inside. Loudly.<br />
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First of all, I'm not a people photographer. I'm not really a photographer of ANYTHING other than food (and saying that I photograph food is a stretch unless you consider putting food on a plate, telling it to sit still, and snapping photos of it "real photography"). <br />
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Second of all, this pregnancy photo thing is new and perplexing to me. I guess it is because in all of my five pregnancies, I never thought to "document" my body for posterity. But then again, I'm not of the "cute-when-pregnant" variety. I'm more of the "watch-out-she's-gonna-blow!" variety.<br />
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Case in point: When I was pregnant with my first baby (not last, FIRST), I was playing the organ at church for the congregation. This was a true exercise of faith because I could not see my feet and had no idea which pedals I was pressing. After the final hymn, I heaved myself off of the bench and slowly began to waddle home. A woman at church took my elbow and told me that her elderly father had been visiting with her that day, and when he saw my belly, he exclaimed: "That woman shouldn't be playing the organ! She should be taking a nap!"<br />
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He did not say, "Oh, look how cute! She should photograph that belly!"<br />
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Nope.<br />
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Instead, I inspired pity and fear in my beholder, and the best thing he could do for me was to suggest I hide under a very large blanket for a snooze.<br />
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But for all you women who ARE photograph worthy while pregnant, my hat is off to you. My sister-in-law is certainly among your ranks.<br />
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So without further ado, here are some of the prego pix . . .<br />
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And my favorite of the bunch . . . </div>
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If I looked like a Renaissance Madonna as my sister-in-law does, I would totally jump at the chance to immortalize the scene.<br />
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As it is, I think I'd better stay right where I am in these types of photographs . . .<br />
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Out of sight. :)<br />
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<br />Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-29415720809044901372014-04-16T21:49:00.000-07:002014-04-16T21:49:34.318-07:00From the Book of Life: A Baby Shower<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">"I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">who are so fresh from God, love us." </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">~ Charles Dickens</span></div>
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I had the privilege of throwing my sister-in-law a baby shower this weekend. She is having a little girl in a few weeks, and she and my brother plan to name her Lizzie. Ah, Lizzie. Such a wonderful name. </div>
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I set out to throw her a perfectly amazing, perfectly feminine baby shower. But as a mother of five boys, when it comes to all things "girlie," I feel a bit like a fish out of water. Or my grandmother using Twitter. Or a man during labor. </div>
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So I pushed all my creative sparks aside and went with <span style="color: #a64d79;">PINK</span>. </div>
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Yep. I threw a "pink" shower. (Lame, I know. But I panicked.)</div>
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In my defense, pink IS a unique color around these parts (unless you are counting the loads of laundry my son does where he inevitably throws his red t-shirts in with his white socks, in which case "pink" is not so uncommon.)</div>
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But here is the good news: Somewhere between the refreshment table and the party favors, no one really cares WHAT the theme of the party is as long as they are well-fed and favored before they leave.</div>
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So I made sure to offer my guests a tasty brunch, including . . . </div>
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strawberry yogurt parfaits </div>
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Quiche squares with ham, spinach, red pepper, and carmelized onions </div>
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and maple bacon muffins.</div>
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The food went fast and mom-to-be was showered with generous gifts.</div>
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At the end of the day, I'd have to say I was tickled "pink" with the result. :)</div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-51349842012668020572014-04-03T10:50:00.002-07:002014-04-03T10:50:47.447-07:00From the Cookbook: Easy Easter Egg Macaroon Nests<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #76a5af;">“When we lose one blessing, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af;">another is often most unexpectedly given in its place.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af;">~ C.S. Lewis</span><br />
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<br />
I've been thinking a lot about change today. Unexpected change. That is probably because it seems to be swallowing us alive around here.<br />
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Over the weekend, my sweet baby fell awkwardly (and horrifically) on his right leg and snapped his femur bone in half. That is a sound no parent should have to hear, and a pain that no child should have to endure.<br />
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Instead of tending to weekend chores and errands, my husband and I found ourselves in one doctor's office, two different hospitals, one ambulance, and several waiting rooms.<br />
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And we got off easy.<br />
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Our toddler woke from anesthesia to find himself in a body cast.<br />
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On a normal day my baby would be running about the house in superhero costume while wielding a sword (as is his usual modus operandi). Instead, he laid in his crib and whimpered, "Oh, dear! I can't move! Oh, dear!"<br />
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At such times, it is so easy for me to descend into a dark place--one upholstered in doubt and carpeted in fear. (I love how I have the tendency to decorate--even in my neuroses.) I worry that my little boy's leg will never be the same. I worry that he is in pain. I worry that all this immobility will staunch his creativity and turn him into a screen-loving couch potato. I worry that somehow the fall is my fault.<br />
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And most of all, I worry that this will be his very first memory.<br />
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But then I look at the apricot blossoms outside and realize that perhaps the greatest beauty of spring is that it dawns after long, dark winters. Spring wields an alchemic sort of magic: grey turns to grace, branches turn to buds, and death turns to life. The hardest part of this miraculous process is to be patient through our leg-breaking winters and to look for the blessings beginning to bloom around us.<br />
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So in honor of healing femurs and abundant blessings, I'm sharing a delightful little cookie that captures the beauty of spring and the joy of emerging through adversity stronger than you were before.<br />
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I've seen versions like this one floating around the internet, but I think this one is the easiest version yet.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Easter Egg Macaroon Nests</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ingredients</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />¼ cup flour flour<br />⅔ cup sugar<br />¼ teaspoon salt<br />3 cups sweetened, flaked coconut<br />4 egg whites<br />1 teaspoon almond extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">semi-sweet chocolate chips </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Instructions</span></b></div>
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<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Combine flour, sugar, salt and coconut in a mixing bowl.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stir in egg whites and almond extract. Mix well.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Drop tablespoonfuls onto lined baking sheets and shape into even mounds with fingers or a spoon.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When macaroons come out of the oven, press down the center with your thumb or a tart shaper to make an indent where the eggs will go.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Immediately fill indents with a few semi-sweet chocolate chips. (The heat from the cookies will melt the chocolate within a few minutes.)</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Smooth softened chocolate with the box of a spoon.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Place candy eggs on softened chocolate center and let cool.</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_cVCTdshwUC1wS95CWA_XARLtUrRi-PxT_DMQzyZ7ULWyK_TtqCFAyDQDiAfDvCpN9zr6bP781T9hYMHOvtUwsO3KN5XV_JZ4KG3ZPLzvckH19K4kVSVSErm_dGbIT1BxgfF5NR0r7PJ/s1600/Easter+Egg+Macaroon+Nests+Cookie+Sheet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_cVCTdshwUC1wS95CWA_XARLtUrRi-PxT_DMQzyZ7ULWyK_TtqCFAyDQDiAfDvCpN9zr6bP781T9hYMHOvtUwsO3KN5XV_JZ4KG3ZPLzvckH19K4kVSVSErm_dGbIT1BxgfF5NR0r7PJ/s1600/Easter+Egg+Macaroon+Nests+Cookie+Sheet.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macaroon mounds on the cookie sheet before baking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeb4cuh57xxR5mfk3Pb6ifoHwcqCDY9YiLPCcg-JjW3GVr8cllqGQKmgpOkccDkWI75bLELEu4TcUFrTX0S8bbiYP8TZEh6tJ8GQeAJ8-Wlw9gqsGwu__8E7EQ1wSCt4egs56VqgTVsnRh/s1600/Easter+Egg+Macaroon+Nests+Chocolate+Filling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeb4cuh57xxR5mfk3Pb6ifoHwcqCDY9YiLPCcg-JjW3GVr8cllqGQKmgpOkccDkWI75bLELEu4TcUFrTX0S8bbiYP8TZEh6tJ8GQeAJ8-Wlw9gqsGwu__8E7EQ1wSCt4egs56VqgTVsnRh/s1600/Easter+Egg+Macaroon+Nests+Chocolate+Filling.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After being pressed in the center with a tart shaper, the cookies are ready for their chocolate centers. As you can see here, the chocolate starts to melt almost immediately after you put the chips in.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />The miracle of change is that it makes you appreciate things that you've never taken the time to notice before. Take today, for instance. Today I am totally and completely and almost tearfully grateful for two-year-old cousins and text messaging. My sweet nephew (who is just a few months younger than my son) sent a video to our house in a text. In delightful toddler style, my nephew asked my son if he liked dinosaurs and <i>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</i> and going to the potty. My son watched this video over and over again, and each time, he would laugh and wave and then give the screen a kiss goodbye. <br />
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I am so grateful for little blessings like these. I don't know if God has a favorite season, but I'm placing my bets on spring: I simply don't know of a parent who doesn't love watching great things come from small things, whether they be yellow daffodils or baby birds or small acts of kindness from one cousin to another.<br />
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<br />Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-14089522916135223572014-03-14T09:58:00.001-07:002014-03-14T09:58:45.830-07:00From the Design Book: Hankering for Change and a Mountain Home Tour<div style="text-align: center;">
I know it isn't January 1st, and that the time for making resolutions for the year is long past, but I seem to be going through this "start anew" phase in my life. I can't get away from it. Last night I dreamed that I had another baby, a beautiful little girl with red hair and blue eyes. Yesterday, I said a prayer in my heart thanking God for crocus because they are the first flowers brave enough to peek their heads out of the frozen ground around here. And when I'm not obsessing about bulbs and newborns, I'm trying to figure out how to scrap my house and start fresh on a budget of approximately $6.17. </div>
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I love my house. It's not that I want a different one. It's just that the rich and vibrant color scheme doesn't fit my life right now. We've grown apart. I'm craving something softer and calmer, something that makes the focus more on the people in the room than the room itself.</div>
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I guess that is why I fell in love with this home the moment I set foot in it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasrSUYmwlhUky9aIwxd3iAU5bPcC4DmerXHelp_pMntdflulX0dEytvdmzdTIBeMp07VgJ6WOW-BzScpa88jTWKPHsZwSE_b5muhDuDccbzo1PhjKKet6Y203uSJrMvwtZJjrtpxStS9C/s1600/_I0F9809_10_11_12_13_14_15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasrSUYmwlhUky9aIwxd3iAU5bPcC4DmerXHelp_pMntdflulX0dEytvdmzdTIBeMp07VgJ6WOW-BzScpa88jTWKPHsZwSE_b5muhDuDccbzo1PhjKKet6Y203uSJrMvwtZJjrtpxStS9C/s640/_I0F9809_10_11_12_13_14_15.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source drhorton.com}</td></tr>
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I normally adore a house whose color scheme gives me a hearty handshake and introduces themselves to me the moment I walk in the door--the exact opposite of this house. But there is something about the soothing neutrals and earthy textures that makes me want to curl up in a chair and stay a while.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnL5SlQp4j85KOr0GmAt9QcvxMYeoYXHv_CByHLW14uCZgPqU6MzxwofGlk78L39_hUz4eqlPaozl8SbLmqaMfZ6AiKBgZ1TEmK_Ew9ifabjFL6Fzcx3BaJHaA2sXC0o95KNVm2kYQG5wx/s1600/IMG_014054_55_56_57_58_59_60.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnL5SlQp4j85KOr0GmAt9QcvxMYeoYXHv_CByHLW14uCZgPqU6MzxwofGlk78L39_hUz4eqlPaozl8SbLmqaMfZ6AiKBgZ1TEmK_Ew9ifabjFL6Fzcx3BaJHaA2sXC0o95KNVm2kYQG5wx/s640/IMG_014054_55_56_57_58_59_60.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source drhorton.com}</td></tr>
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And in a world where white cabinetry seems to be the rage, I was surprised to find how much I actually liked the deep wood tones of this kitchen. (Surprise! White cabinetry after all! Just a splash of white in the corner with a built-in hutch--a perfect compliment to the dark wood.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqrqDWMmWEG3cxxHndj_kbmBLcEBc83nSkAPYTIMDrWTk89QZQL5RB6u8e-6E0ZOxlZifZ9LWJuBpDKmWMoY-J_LtmSqRIDBhSmTwFe6rC7EwM8HMbGk6kpW7zhxH7x1EmYBhYq0i1lb-/s1600/DR+Horton+Home+Dinette.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqrqDWMmWEG3cxxHndj_kbmBLcEBc83nSkAPYTIMDrWTk89QZQL5RB6u8e-6E0ZOxlZifZ9LWJuBpDKmWMoY-J_LtmSqRIDBhSmTwFe6rC7EwM8HMbGk6kpW7zhxH7x1EmYBhYq0i1lb-/s640/DR+Horton+Home+Dinette.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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It didn't hurt that this house had wallpaper on the ceiling of the entry. Oh how I love wallpaper on the ceiling . . . </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAVD1aRfACs-Wn8fnwbgIYjsd3qNaJNucbNvGQOJahaCYlPBEnXP5YA2xse54_9Ug6QTVQ3St0knioy0TiG4xmoLAmOyH2p8PlTx05pgr7TVigJl3UyQdP5fsE8E8A6CiTJpcowekmXzM/s1600/IMG_014130_1_2_3_4_5_6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAVD1aRfACs-Wn8fnwbgIYjsd3qNaJNucbNvGQOJahaCYlPBEnXP5YA2xse54_9Ug6QTVQ3St0knioy0TiG4xmoLAmOyH2p8PlTx05pgr7TVigJl3UyQdP5fsE8E8A6CiTJpcowekmXzM/s640/IMG_014130_1_2_3_4_5_6.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source drhorton.com}</td></tr>
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And how about a mudroom to die for? Seriously. Every time I see this room I get all gooey inside and I don't know if it is my heart melting or my vital organs just giving out completely.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI_LcimECigxMZ_NfDvbT1hROYrs5plCONsfPrX8C6-w6Ge19Zcw9E84a25jCmQ6rJ8BZVdttIKt0ArHMo4d6urlwLP1zR0cGTgfPwVeb7ApkfqS0VoBU80nWIsjxe-BxxmO8Bk-3I7FD/s1600/IMG_014006_08_09_10_11_12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI_LcimECigxMZ_NfDvbT1hROYrs5plCONsfPrX8C6-w6Ge19Zcw9E84a25jCmQ6rJ8BZVdttIKt0ArHMo4d6urlwLP1zR0cGTgfPwVeb7ApkfqS0VoBU80nWIsjxe-BxxmO8Bk-3I7FD/s640/IMG_014006_08_09_10_11_12.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source drhorton.com}</td></tr>
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There is also a jaw-dropping study with sliding barn doors and old English map wallpaper. Just look at that herringbone floor! It weakens my knees every time I look at it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamSbISvs6K5jiO-3D6zEjlrXb_5JPtFjtw2qR61AeyIQoyBR8OtB8irD8Oq9O7NYQdjEv-2QjzBhS9CHQ1b4x-_jjuqmz9KOb-RGPP06ni3We8Bm7DnVGYZcGKGrJBw-Bw-hn6GA-DVF1/s1600/IMG_014137_38_39_40_41_42_43.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamSbISvs6K5jiO-3D6zEjlrXb_5JPtFjtw2qR61AeyIQoyBR8OtB8irD8Oq9O7NYQdjEv-2QjzBhS9CHQ1b4x-_jjuqmz9KOb-RGPP06ni3We8Bm7DnVGYZcGKGrJBw-Bw-hn6GA-DVF1/s640/IMG_014137_38_39_40_41_42_43.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source drhorton.com}</td></tr>
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And just as I was beginning to despair for a punch of color, I walked into the master bedroom with its warm corals, soothing blues, and crackling fireplace. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uhwPXAXfhdrbUrZMFOePPbDEW9c-5JJ35wpdOmiEckt_6z9alINC3HApwqCc-26V54VoKD0rPGmuEKBci10H2hRQG-bjTRg_095NbtewFmNtoV8ODH1vHwL9QaLH8wOn65w6QEMn7xCc/s1600/IMG_014144_45_46_47_48_49_50-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uhwPXAXfhdrbUrZMFOePPbDEW9c-5JJ35wpdOmiEckt_6z9alINC3HApwqCc-26V54VoKD0rPGmuEKBci10H2hRQG-bjTRg_095NbtewFmNtoV8ODH1vHwL9QaLH8wOn65w6QEMn7xCc/s640/IMG_014144_45_46_47_48_49_50-Edit.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source drhorton.com}</td></tr>
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The master walks out to this backyard that is part zen, part untamed wilderness. (What you can't see in this picture is the mountainside of scrub oak that forms the backdrop for the yard.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicssJxAqIqUKQLyeSNyHkeXj4A1VgE8jqNWT3g-O8ID0YUXzNbFSgnMAIELyQDjayE0sXMd39wml6vajxoztj46v7PTidaEf2eOZ5uGclGITZhSZlIUZzItLlKF0dMdS0-iKKcOEGJCrEU/s640/_I0F9820.jpg" height="426" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source drhorton.com}</td></tr>
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And if whimsy is what you seek, then seek no further. This house comes with a punchy and bright Dr. Seuss-themed room. </div>
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I realize that I have absolutely no need for a house in the mountains, or for a mortgage that has 7 figures BEFORE the decimal, but sometimes one can't help but dream of a new beginning somewhere on a hillside of scrub oak . . .</div>
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Here's to all of your "start anew" ambitions!</div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-19699422984653258832013-11-19T13:24:00.002-08:002013-11-19T16:57:36.730-08:00From the Cookbook: Owl Cookies<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>A Wise Owl</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">A wise old owl</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Sat in an oak.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">The more he saw,</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">The less he spoke.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">The less he spoke,</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">The more he heard.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Why can't we be like</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">That wise old bird?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">~ Edward Hersey Richards</span></div>
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My mouth gets me into trouble. All the time. When I was little, my mother called me "frank." I thought I was being precocious. When my in-laws called me "opinionated," I thought I was just being honest. And on Sunday, when I offended that grown man at church after telling him what I really thought of his behavior, I thought I was being brave. </div>
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The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to "listen" to others, especially BEFORE we speak. For example, I have student right now who is testing me to my limits. This person is disrespectful, antagonistic, bull-headed, and sarcastic. Yep, a teacher's dream. I hoped I would warm up to them. I haven't. A few weeks ago, I arrived at my breaking point. I penned a stirring rant in my head that would force this student into humble submission after all the misery they have caused me this semester. I summoned my frankest and most opinionated and bluntest self for the delivery. </div>
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But then (uncharacteristically), I held back. </div>
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I don't know why, but I just couldn't do it. Instead, I decided to LISTEN to the student for a few days---and not just to their words, but to the "message" behind the words. I had to sift through heavy shovelings of attitude and sass, but at the bottom of the pile, I found an individual who was scared and lonely and insecure. They had come from a broken home, they didn't fit in, and they were starved for attention. I now realize that the hesitancy I felt in speaking to this person was God and a host of heavenly angels clamping my lips shut so that I would learn the virtues of listening FIRST and speaking last. This realization hasn't made my semester any easier, but it has made it more meaningful. When this student makes my day a trial, I can see it for what it is instead of what it is <i>not.</i></div>
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As a nod to the wisdom of "listening" as the wise old owl did in the famous nursery rhyme, I have decided to share these adorable little owl cookies with you.</div>
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I started with a spiced sugar cookie dough <a href="http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2009/11/brown-sugar-and-spice-cut-out-cookies.html">like this one</a> and then started to assemble my little creatures. </div>
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<li>Start by cutting a circle of dough about 1/4 inch thick. </li>
<li>Next, create two small balls of dough for the eyes. </li>
<li>Press a chocolate chip with the bottom side up into the center of each of the eyeballs.</li>
<li>Take a whole almond, turn it on its side and press it between the eyeballs.</li>
<li>Finally, take a fork and gently press it twice into the bottom of the circle to create the impression of wings or feet.</li>
<li>Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until cookies are set (not brown).</li>
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I will be honest here: I think I would have preferred peanut butter cookie dough for the base. Without icing, the sugar cookie dough was just too blah. But holy moly are they cute!<br />
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What I suggest you do now is make a batch of these, take them to a neighbor, and then just "listen" to the compliments roll in . . . :)<br />
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Sharing at . . .</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://attagirlsays.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Atta Girl Says</span></span></a></span> </span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-49970403000688263152013-11-11T15:46:00.001-08:002013-11-19T13:26:43.098-08:00From the Book of Life: A Thanksgiving Advent Banner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new."</div>
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~Ralph Waldo Emerson</div>
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I've seen it happen all over the blogosphere---where thriving blogs that I know and love just go silent. Sometimes the blogger will say something about health or family or business opportunities. Sometimes they just don't say anything at all. </div>
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When Miriam and I started blogging, we never thought we would be "one of them." But a funny thing happens when you load your wagon with a husband and kids and jobs and church and homes and holidays and laundry and life: something inevitably has to fall off the wagon to make room for everything else. Well, Miriam and I decided to keep our husbands and most of our kids, but we had to take the blog off the wagon for a while until everything shifted places and we could squeeze it into the corner. </div>
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Today I finally dug into that little corner of the wagon and found our lovely blog and its readers patiently waiting for us. Thank you. We have missed you.</div>
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While we probably aren't at full steam yet, I thought I'd give you a glimpse into the holiday hullabaloo around these parts.</div>
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Here's the thing: I look at November more as an appetizer to December. My hubby, however, loves Thanksgiving more than any other holiday. (I surmise that this is because he doesn't have to <i>cook</i> the Thanksgiving meal. Just a thought.) So while I've been playing Christmas music and wearing red all month, my husband has been pondering pilgrims and pumpkin pie and wishing everything Christmas would just wait its turn around here.</div>
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I don't always understand him, but I love him. So I did this. I dug into my fall bins and found some unused sprays of silk fall leaves. I snipped them off, wrote "Thanksgiving" on the front with some fabric paint, and clipped them to some twine with some mini-clothespins. The effect isn't quite as stunning as I would have hoped, but the best part is what you DON'T see. </div>
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On the back of each of the leaves, I have taped a piece of paper with a Thanksgiving activity written on it. Here is our line-up:</div>
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<b>T - Do a <a href="http://www.sisterssuitcaseblog.com/2012/11/thanksgiving-mad-libs-printable.html">Thanksgiving Mad Lib</a> as a family</b></div>
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<b>H - Write a "thank you" note to your teacher</b></div>
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<b>A- Give a toy or outfit to charity</b></div>
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<b>N - Do a secret service for someone in the family</b></div>
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<b>K- Play<a href="http://sunbeamsinging.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/roll-a-turkey-a-thanksgiving-activity/"> "Build a Turkey"</a> with dice as a family</b></div>
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<b>S - Make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies together and share them with another family</b></div>
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<b>G- Say only grateful prayers today</b></div>
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<b>I - Pilgrim Trivia at dinnertime</b></div>
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<b>V - Say "thank you" 10 times today</b></div>
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<b>I - Play <a href="http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/thanksgiving-bingo-board-no2-coloring-page/">Thanksgiving Bingo</a></b></div>
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<b>N - Make <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/109282728430800252/">Thanksgiving Story Bracelets</a></b></div>
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<b>G - Read a Thanksgiving Book</b></div>
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As much as I hate to say it, I think my husband was on to something. I'm glad we've paused for a least a moment or two to celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving. Our little advent of gratitude and family togetherness has been nice. Really nice. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL4rGr9PRbob90y2A4UFjcAd9wSPbM3wkKEAClI7vfNGrl9VsyASIwpIQwN93YIZvB0YVTkZbGvycHQGjNYIz0OkRg66V8v037gJJWYt0pNE4CgOlXzhyLbBoUud2m52oaVWct_vChrqR/s1600/Thanksgiving+Banner+Leaf+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL4rGr9PRbob90y2A4UFjcAd9wSPbM3wkKEAClI7vfNGrl9VsyASIwpIQwN93YIZvB0YVTkZbGvycHQGjNYIz0OkRg66V8v037gJJWYt0pNE4CgOlXzhyLbBoUud2m52oaVWct_vChrqR/s640/Thanksgiving+Banner+Leaf+Detail.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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But so help me, once we've bowed our heads in prayer and tucked into the turkey, I'll be diving headlong into tinsel and ornaments. After all, you can only keep Thanksgiving on the wagon so long . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtu_4H1O5H_obHHEW5rmxuDmLGQrLuHRdlydzE7Srp9umhpI8mY8tAY2L1NGDc03N2GaawLGpzJMQwNn1YKTIexCSODcWulL62xmiH6ueN5oXUYX5c3sEe4i2zaX8yLQu19_PcL0xJuEN/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtu_4H1O5H_obHHEW5rmxuDmLGQrLuHRdlydzE7Srp9umhpI8mY8tAY2L1NGDc03N2GaawLGpzJMQwNn1YKTIexCSODcWulL62xmiH6ueN5oXUYX5c3sEe4i2zaX8yLQu19_PcL0xJuEN/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sharing at . . .</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://attagirlsays.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Atta Girl Says</span></span></a></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-32286159114782852312013-08-20T17:05:00.000-07:002013-08-20T17:06:02.414-07:00From the Design Book: A Home Tour and Summer Success Story<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">"It's delightful when your imaginations come true, isn't it?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">~ Lucy Maud Montgomery</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Anne of Green Gables Chapter 2</i></span></div>
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My kiddos went back to school today. I would wax philosophical here about how fleeting our children's youth is and how one must savor the moments we have with them, but I'm too busy singing and skipping around my much quieter house to go into all that. </div>
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Folks, forgive me. It's been a long summer. </div>
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It STARTED OUT full of ambitious imaginings. I was going to immerse my children in the wonders of nature, read to them from 19th century classic literature, and stroll them through galleries of modern art.<br />
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Instead, we ended up watching the entire series of "Merlin" on Netflix while consuming approximately 14 boxes of corn dogs and 392 otter pops.<br />
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Oh, and we killed "Goldie," our beta fish.</div>
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It hasn't been my proudest summer.</div>
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But in spite of all failings at educating my children this summer, I was a rock star at parading through homes <strike>instead of cleaning my own</strike>.</div>
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Please indulge me as I share with you one of the FEW things I'm happy about this summer . . .</div>
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This little gem didn't look like much from the outside, but as soon as I entered the front door, I joined throngs of women gasping with delight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajCv13GFOKWLA7OViLgACmfpNQDCYqxzyvQdY-QdfkVcfUr1GxL52XTQSo-Fr_5ulTKGrs4zUuqyGdPerhsUnFYeKVSTr2LpFn24HIzawWf-W1ngJWpJTqki_CkmdUB8vIxoLjLm1MfXy/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajCv13GFOKWLA7OViLgACmfpNQDCYqxzyvQdY-QdfkVcfUr1GxL52XTQSo-Fr_5ulTKGrs4zUuqyGdPerhsUnFYeKVSTr2LpFn24HIzawWf-W1ngJWpJTqki_CkmdUB8vIxoLjLm1MfXy/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Exterior.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This house had the most fantastic mixture of textures, from the wood floors to the brick walls to the sleek kitchen tile. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H47s6ErKH8L8B0QjUwFZJP1fhz-ILRdQ7VqUc860DQZDBq4cOhytqJTPBX43ZZaIRvMjVsAzHnVEuAaDO5iin4EUSvAclOD4Xdk4PUpaISOPjzsRcw2jl5nirXd0vF0F-AypcsZZO6xv/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Great+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H47s6ErKH8L8B0QjUwFZJP1fhz-ILRdQ7VqUc860DQZDBq4cOhytqJTPBX43ZZaIRvMjVsAzHnVEuAaDO5iin4EUSvAclOD4Xdk4PUpaISOPjzsRcw2jl5nirXd0vF0F-AypcsZZO6xv/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Great+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I couldn't get enough of this family room with its classic yet comfy vibe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HQHfpTN8MFFpNl6ih6zkGrTZRPSxP8mHq7uo-IViQntm0Ziab8Dci3YX4lpmgJLfvGsffBdEJ24cRFXwZRBCN62-kYU0BgWq9rqLUzzhbnRQvNslhSf8uajHcqEA1IY8R33sT2BbtQjl/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Family+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HQHfpTN8MFFpNl6ih6zkGrTZRPSxP8mHq7uo-IViQntm0Ziab8Dci3YX4lpmgJLfvGsffBdEJ24cRFXwZRBCN62-kYU0BgWq9rqLUzzhbnRQvNslhSf8uajHcqEA1IY8R33sT2BbtQjl/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Family+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bird prints? I'll take 12. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRqprsG0OgGgZmpEEbyCR7B3gsvnJ_J5hbs1jvtWnyZ0MLRTnJNx1egW7lU1Nf-S_mtyIXMfHkQzVHF7d20pGGBzVwn2RtTlY6BipPmnUCQBOHrC0h1dW5K0lNtAIefb2zKCStXMtD36v/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Family+Room+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRqprsG0OgGgZmpEEbyCR7B3gsvnJ_J5hbs1jvtWnyZ0MLRTnJNx1egW7lU1Nf-S_mtyIXMfHkQzVHF7d20pGGBzVwn2RtTlY6BipPmnUCQBOHrC0h1dW5K0lNtAIefb2zKCStXMtD36v/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Family+Room+Detail.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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MUST get those veggie prints and that coffee table! The prints would remind my children of the virtues of vegetables, and that coffee table would hide the stains left behind when my children inevitable smear said vegetables all over the surface . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6woGiNbo-bhoR3-LJWGDUd5sZ25NmvOG5g5dH2L37oA2bRs3UfaRVD_q4bFAY0gU3UOtP5RpT4na3bLU2Cve_XQ_NPQsfeoYPwupaQza_jxmShCM4zfhuXX7ldMDc_N5v8f2FA3ooTwl/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Family+Room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6woGiNbo-bhoR3-LJWGDUd5sZ25NmvOG5g5dH2L37oA2bRs3UfaRVD_q4bFAY0gU3UOtP5RpT4na3bLU2Cve_XQ_NPQsfeoYPwupaQza_jxmShCM4zfhuXX7ldMDc_N5v8f2FA3ooTwl/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Family+Room+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sweet little kitchen with its scrumptious little schoolhouse pendants . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCib7t6OH3AiiS7u11AiNCcupT1p-mJwHoaAEOgCQ2fH-T-Alkdgco_WZTjLOF104l2IpjKlLn_JDwXCdYvaL44czPuNJqznQj16imJA4i7rnRSIedBfhxtLG2mRSN0F75bpOrYM4mMVDc/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCib7t6OH3AiiS7u11AiNCcupT1p-mJwHoaAEOgCQ2fH-T-Alkdgco_WZTjLOF104l2IpjKlLn_JDwXCdYvaL44czPuNJqznQj16imJA4i7rnRSIedBfhxtLG2mRSN0F75bpOrYM4mMVDc/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Three cheers for the rustic barstools!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG0zaQxiNehryFpWV-gaolPCFiMBMfDOYBbBtyvRMm60VtYwtxeHX0jI8aDpUsIbnZFSAjGWywzfpX3eApRLUmnRbtHg7RzKtuQuGipZ4iP6yoO-J8TSW4ztUj106jbKxVyI7rcta0xRx/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Barstools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG0zaQxiNehryFpWV-gaolPCFiMBMfDOYBbBtyvRMm60VtYwtxeHX0jI8aDpUsIbnZFSAjGWywzfpX3eApRLUmnRbtHg7RzKtuQuGipZ4iP6yoO-J8TSW4ztUj106jbKxVyI7rcta0xRx/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Barstools.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And even though I would have never thought to brick a wall in a master bedroom, I love how much more elegant the bed seems against it . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkFVV3yn95Oe4VrDxvFhNHgy25r_jg0g51pbjvI6OhyphenhyphenOcfAqpwu5_8hnS5aDPt5oIdoq7kRdueBCnsMTO8g26YbQ4kH89ezS34CUGBMplyyeTBRpeSanfNzyDDmjtb2QXpx8gYF32lxg3/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Master+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkFVV3yn95Oe4VrDxvFhNHgy25r_jg0g51pbjvI6OhyphenhyphenOcfAqpwu5_8hnS5aDPt5oIdoq7kRdueBCnsMTO8g26YbQ4kH89ezS34CUGBMplyyeTBRpeSanfNzyDDmjtb2QXpx8gYF32lxg3/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Master+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ah . . . the joys of contrast!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaH0XiqLa5dbHwQXxfrYv_ITQnDjSfErVnsIJPPSaFCiQbyxu9MP-S8Vsoo_e2ME6d5rkzWC-GFNIePwvrHHWQ2zje7slOIB4WB35rOIyLABfKjw5LqtuCO8MO2aX3VA_GUX7-GL-MghA/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Master.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaH0XiqLa5dbHwQXxfrYv_ITQnDjSfErVnsIJPPSaFCiQbyxu9MP-S8Vsoo_e2ME6d5rkzWC-GFNIePwvrHHWQ2zje7slOIB4WB35rOIyLABfKjw5LqtuCO8MO2aX3VA_GUX7-GL-MghA/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Master.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And even though the master bath was just a closet compared to some of the expansive bathrooms in the parade, it packed a precious punch with its sparkling fixtures . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxK1xGk0d2-IYbko4BjDdY6bAqQyx_hMSANHMW4o_Y5OBScVgVug7eFfxSgwwKhRSmzJ85vo9M-fREMiC3RysaeUjEr9WAaLruaEuo7qsNrJ6PsrWiHEGo1_u0tR2eyKsGnxyllmTaZHJ/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Bathroom+Sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxK1xGk0d2-IYbko4BjDdY6bAqQyx_hMSANHMW4o_Y5OBScVgVug7eFfxSgwwKhRSmzJ85vo9M-fREMiC3RysaeUjEr9WAaLruaEuo7qsNrJ6PsrWiHEGo1_u0tR2eyKsGnxyllmTaZHJ/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Bathroom+Sink.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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tiled shelves and shower insets . . . <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWB13BSVawM2cRtWAxu9tvK7ekzX8nxceXCgSGTP6IjSTHP0njeDK8IwhQKK7pFoUt5rA1hW94ekMeTw20UEfC0jw3q0Af32g8X_R0jD4ADAD3UQ3G-QiqqfcKVyE8s-thwuTJ87u2WEg/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Bathroom+Shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWB13BSVawM2cRtWAxu9tvK7ekzX8nxceXCgSGTP6IjSTHP0njeDK8IwhQKK7pFoUt5rA1hW94ekMeTw20UEfC0jw3q0Af32g8X_R0jD4ADAD3UQ3G-QiqqfcKVyE8s-thwuTJ87u2WEg/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Bathroom+Shower.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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and serene claw footed tub.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zBCs0MMaAAY460YpnhHx_r-HTUo4ZDC7x6xBZWAyP0ypLkq2PG0ZCuLQOz_e9z9EV1DOo39hDcyxreF6A5bpawLM5MqQkAhIoIhGtHT0AFdpUHrrSORJj8bhfvKAsmEFerdCTtWXku3X/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Clawfoot+Tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zBCs0MMaAAY460YpnhHx_r-HTUo4ZDC7x6xBZWAyP0ypLkq2PG0ZCuLQOz_e9z9EV1DOo39hDcyxreF6A5bpawLM5MqQkAhIoIhGtHT0AFdpUHrrSORJj8bhfvKAsmEFerdCTtWXku3X/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Clawfoot+Tub.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Upstairs was the sweetest little nursery in most perfect pinky peach paint I have ever seen. Now if only I could convince one of my boys to let me paint their room this color . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5p848VntP1X27NH9PTCfLxFET-tDhOJAMZNsspndoCQ9z2lRV8yCSvgpFnZH8-EItNCVCNNtD7XfwI6HFq9najnaIlKa3S3pep4lTMU23X9mYegevGycAAb4USaWpYT7NnCIJCol4MXw/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Nursery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5p848VntP1X27NH9PTCfLxFET-tDhOJAMZNsspndoCQ9z2lRV8yCSvgpFnZH8-EItNCVCNNtD7XfwI6HFq9najnaIlKa3S3pep4lTMU23X9mYegevGycAAb4USaWpYT7NnCIJCol4MXw/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Nursery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Crib? LOVE.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoigyMYxNK5u2QLNENRjy8vP9lngpBD4cJbU1zMIDeXNAB0ZvGQZ8Fk-XT-bLh6KWNjEUPYcCRg6M61mqnDKggVEdUR0LZcvs5d7i3CFrHF8MYtzoK89IU6obdawyfRl0BQFtdWA6sL0Zm/s1600/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Nursery+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoigyMYxNK5u2QLNENRjy8vP9lngpBD4cJbU1zMIDeXNAB0ZvGQZ8Fk-XT-bLh6KWNjEUPYcCRg6M61mqnDKggVEdUR0LZcvs5d7i3CFrHF8MYtzoK89IU6obdawyfRl0BQFtdWA6sL0Zm/s640/Daybreak+Holmes+Home+Nursery+Detail.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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So there you have it---a peek at one of the only things I have to show for this summer.<br />
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Here's hoping for a more productive <i>school year</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw_TXVdNtUXf0OKxa7a7EgYP4MRUsFNyOim6PeOCyVA36N8avir-iwCO78FNnOvjV9r_U3Oo1mJABpIZoIHYnnQ7bTNEEmelCoQH7cpUCus4lnDPtjI5OI5AgtufuIELkT86TTB_OnBZ_/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw_TXVdNtUXf0OKxa7a7EgYP4MRUsFNyOim6PeOCyVA36N8avir-iwCO78FNnOvjV9r_U3Oo1mJABpIZoIHYnnQ7bTNEEmelCoQH7cpUCus4lnDPtjI5OI5AgtufuIELkT86TTB_OnBZ_/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sharing at . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://attagirlsays.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Atta Girl Says</span></span></a></span></span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-45132495474335838252013-08-14T20:17:00.002-07:002013-08-14T20:33:26.790-07:00From the Design Book: A Virtual Home Tour for My Husband<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>"One of the reasons that women writing about homemaking a century ago were so self-possessed is that neither they nor their readers were conflicted about the importance of their subject. A Victorian woman’s home was her eminent domain, and she ruled over it with as much confidence as Queen Victoria ruled the world.<br /> </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i> ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach, </i>Romancing the Ordinary: A Year of Simple Splendor</span></div>
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One of my husband's many gifts is his enduring spirit. For example, on Saturday morning he ran 10 miles without stopping. In a few days, he will have officially survived 17 years of marriage with me with only a few thoughts of "stopping." And if life would allow it, he would watch every-stinkin'-war-documentary-episode that the History Channel ever made, back to back, stopping only for a ham sandwich. </div>
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He is my own Energizer Bunny---except when it comes to the Parade of Homes.</div>
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Something mysterious happens to my husband when we start to "parade" through homes. The feet that happily carried him 10 miles in the scorching sun on Saturday morning suddenly become fatigued with all the "walking". The eyes that can unblinkingly watch a 6-hour documentary on a civil skirmish in 18th century Albania suspiciously glaze over whenever I ask him his opinion on paint colors. And even though he has filled our marriage with love notes and flowers and thoughtful deeds, he surprisingly has NO feelings when it comes to decor.</div>
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So we've made a deal. He and I go to three homes together. Three. No more. No less. And we are both on our best behavior for three houses. I don't engage him in conversations about textures or textiles, and he doesn't puff his cheeks out and exhale bored sighs.</div>
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Marriage saved.</div>
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Unfortunately, there were 35 homes in this year's parade and my husband somehow dodged seeing my favorites. So pardon me for a moment as I bend the "Three's the Limit" rule and create a "virtual" house walk for him. Here is what I would say to him if he had walked through with me:</div>
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<b>"Honey! Look! There's house 16. Isn't that paneling great with those shingles? And I really like the blue of the front door against the grey/green of the siding."</b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="426" src="http://www.saltlakeparade.com/wp-content/themes/paradeofhomes/images/home_images/_LLC1237.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.saltlakeparade.com/?page_id=93&hcat=&home_id=72#prettyPhoto[pp_gal72157627259325820]/1/">{source}</a></td></tr>
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<b>"Oh! I love all the light in this family room! And the tufted couches?! Yes, please!"</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="426" src="http://www.saltlakeparade.com/wp-content/themes/paradeofhomes/images/home_images/_LLC1233.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.saltlakeparade.com/?page_id=93&hcat=&home_id=72#prettyPhoto[pp_gal72157627259325820]/6/">{source}</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<b>"Don't you just love how that reclaimed wood looks above the television?! It's an art piece!"</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5wti4blaqJ2O22qmafmWX15xDRA4KwqN2mR_gnm2QhjzJVMmvX6I09g1LV9NRxk7EPOhCO12JaS52bfnDjQNBw0yir6-hrOv06GDuTW94gBGqUGaNl8H6SrSaNsmpaJjfzt3IYJQo6Q0/s1600/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Family+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5wti4blaqJ2O22qmafmWX15xDRA4KwqN2mR_gnm2QhjzJVMmvX6I09g1LV9NRxk7EPOhCO12JaS52bfnDjQNBw0yir6-hrOv06GDuTW94gBGqUGaNl8H6SrSaNsmpaJjfzt3IYJQo6Q0/s640/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Family+Room.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<b>"Look at the combination of the beadboard above the cupboards and the glass tiles below. Adorable!"</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd82MxnmNzUGKsqpFzsShDD6rsF1MXf3SKqyiyNotroRTlyEP_CFML5Zzakkzw5PhqUMDue-EhUHQEUMTgb_31_YDk6VTxPFnm9WXCNoMeXaam7CwbQ8OmZnsCXrtJ-8Unky6N35DLMIll/s1600/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Kitchen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd82MxnmNzUGKsqpFzsShDD6rsF1MXf3SKqyiyNotroRTlyEP_CFML5Zzakkzw5PhqUMDue-EhUHQEUMTgb_31_YDk6VTxPFnm9WXCNoMeXaam7CwbQ8OmZnsCXrtJ-8Unky6N35DLMIll/s640/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Kitchen+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy5HOgBPhL4FZorktRgT3cHdkv9w9JUW0itIl70F4op1p_ETAQhsA2brMVFwpA3mN4-56EmJgp2t3XVWBjSNsr_LVOOGqLHQGpR0FVdmk92sHlRsoAeCW2Hb3Hxu_2HM2fIx08svNXnBy/s1600/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy5HOgBPhL4FZorktRgT3cHdkv9w9JUW0itIl70F4op1p_ETAQhsA2brMVFwpA3mN4-56EmJgp2t3XVWBjSNsr_LVOOGqLHQGpR0FVdmk92sHlRsoAeCW2Hb3Hxu_2HM2fIx08svNXnBy/s640/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>"And look, honey! An eating area other than In-n-Out that can accommodate all of our boys!"</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6Q-BM4T-Bd6CuhE7jJOS6NW7f3LKC8RTrHeVrG-WxQRs7uKcE3TiE9O6ME03unVmPQDKQi1jwEzA1wb_4nlcWrNXXkaU6LyuuD3IQezCevi-_BTVeEFbq9vf-Zes8qm4SfR6s1vHkbsp/s1600/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Dining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6Q-BM4T-Bd6CuhE7jJOS6NW7f3LKC8RTrHeVrG-WxQRs7uKcE3TiE9O6ME03unVmPQDKQi1jwEzA1wb_4nlcWrNXXkaU6LyuuD3IQezCevi-_BTVeEFbq9vf-Zes8qm4SfR6s1vHkbsp/s640/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Dining.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>"Don't you think our oldest son would drool over this room with its cool color scheme and private loft?" </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoLxJcR-iPTWmuIVLweeSBSMSm3rb2MYmt__R0w_0UuNbVoUe0hGDkrkSpzKILVYSaL_5ZApkAHG9m-3n03kFLqqB2fO9FKnCj1h9KhHwrW-szIge6JREUuI92mGK7ZlVnCX3ONs11018/s1600/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Boy+Room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoLxJcR-iPTWmuIVLweeSBSMSm3rb2MYmt__R0w_0UuNbVoUe0hGDkrkSpzKILVYSaL_5ZApkAHG9m-3n03kFLqqB2fO9FKnCj1h9KhHwrW-szIge6JREUuI92mGK7ZlVnCX3ONs11018/s640/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Boy+Room+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qq1_-Vc5s3LWUYR-BwEnu33cvfhcJvekTeBkvv_wHhc5Rm15iaplzlinBfU095wNJHhXUsDYLH62dNUuYc95rViQe1spkymUm1WEkZfBBRaL6bmPgGoU5K679rBGuSfXonAhSeLBE6Zu/s1600/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Boy+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qq1_-Vc5s3LWUYR-BwEnu33cvfhcJvekTeBkvv_wHhc5Rm15iaplzlinBfU095wNJHhXUsDYLH62dNUuYc95rViQe1spkymUm1WEkZfBBRaL6bmPgGoU5K679rBGuSfXonAhSeLBE6Zu/s640/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Boy+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>"Fun room. What a great way to utilize the space with all of those built-in cubbies. And I've always been a sucker for eaves. They make rooms so interesting."</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusnV-aeCJW1uJVxwxK6ZZ28jKFs0y7fJp4ZB5f4K-AzV75sa1byzrW4z0V2iO9DBJSAq-sQg5_B09I9nNhCzpqWv3_u3yhqgQHO17Ai3mLX4JLlyk8fGK0amvGpZkghhSgUK3iRMHAw_u/s1600/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Upstairs+Family+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusnV-aeCJW1uJVxwxK6ZZ28jKFs0y7fJp4ZB5f4K-AzV75sa1byzrW4z0V2iO9DBJSAq-sQg5_B09I9nNhCzpqWv3_u3yhqgQHO17Ai3mLX4JLlyk8fGK0amvGpZkghhSgUK3iRMHAw_u/s640/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Upstairs+Family+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>"How hard would it be hang pendant lights like that in OUR master bedroom? And what do you think of that tufted headboard? Did I mention how much I love all things 'tufted'?"</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzP4j_uXjrEb-ABeg5iXunP9yEzO2DAPJgiMp9ZILGdv-unsv5C0DQgk_vvvo42eX76iEJ13YkN_cMqYi85ZjQUFlJ_L8putS-N6UOBtPaNmMoYp2d9eI0mmKYZUDhMzBVb1TcWMX98UF/s1600/Parade+of+Homes+Herriman+Master.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzP4j_uXjrEb-ABeg5iXunP9yEzO2DAPJgiMp9ZILGdv-unsv5C0DQgk_vvvo42eX76iEJ13YkN_cMqYi85ZjQUFlJ_L8putS-N6UOBtPaNmMoYp2d9eI0mmKYZUDhMzBVb1TcWMX98UF/s640/Parade+of+Homes+Herriman+Master.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>"Holy Moly! Look at that shower (on the right). It's bigger than our garage and has floor to ceiling window slats! And those mirrors. Yum. I could get used to this place---including that walk-in closet."</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO5TQubrLlOBwCSMiPdVpQ5h9rKYftoBAKLpxQ7REjEqUzBBTa9fqbjMdUvDbPp_g9Ka290DiLYCwv4v3nK9H7rCvOXBoqrpY7h7jneAqqn5iLcGLfVRmL_-zk2hWbFJT4es2fNqZ9bDx/s1600/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Master+Bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO5TQubrLlOBwCSMiPdVpQ5h9rKYftoBAKLpxQ7REjEqUzBBTa9fqbjMdUvDbPp_g9Ka290DiLYCwv4v3nK9H7rCvOXBoqrpY7h7jneAqqn5iLcGLfVRmL_-zk2hWbFJT4es2fNqZ9bDx/s640/Parade+of+Homes+Tour+Herriman+Master+Bath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>"So what didya think, sweetie? What would you rank the house on a scale from 1 to 10? Wait. Let's make two separate rankings---one for the floor plan, design, etc., and one for the decorating. So?"</b></div>
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I'd like to think that after reading this post, my husband will have ABUNDANT feedback for me that will lead to hours of staring into each other's eyes as we discuss the virtues and vices of berber carpet, the craftsman style, and of course, tufted furniture. </div>
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Then again, maybe I should just be happy if he reads the post in the first place. After all, it would mean that I got him to see FOUR houses this year. </div>
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(Cue wicked laugh dripping with gloatful satisfaction.)</div>
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Poor thing. </div>
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He never saw it coming.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG35iiiZEl7XZRC5b-TTqdvTF_TZCOWnBqLFgDe6oe6qLasrMxX38PzMXyjOSbKybKiLinpQQAZ-8WCXnLLdDRy5f6x5m3CWJcb_6vvuIT89YeE2mKJwqcSa4JN0Lv-acEjY1t7-G3m1W/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG35iiiZEl7XZRC5b-TTqdvTF_TZCOWnBqLFgDe6oe6qLasrMxX38PzMXyjOSbKybKiLinpQQAZ-8WCXnLLdDRy5f6x5m3CWJcb_6vvuIT89YeE2mKJwqcSa4JN0Lv-acEjY1t7-G3m1W/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sharing at . . .</div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://attagirlsays.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Atta Girl Says</span></span></a></span></span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-29219660754241213892013-08-06T16:25:00.000-07:002013-08-06T21:07:16.115-07:00From the Book of Life: A Tea Party to Share<span style="color: #a64d79;">"Some people imagine that there can be no accommodations, no space in a
cottage; but this is all a mistake. I was last month at my friend
Elliott's, near Dartford. Lady Elliott wished to give a dance. 'But
how can it be done?' said she; 'my dear Ferrars, do tell me how it is
to be managed. There is not a room in this cottage that will hold ten
couple, and where can the supper be?' I immediately saw that there
could be no difficulty in it, so I said, 'My dear Lady Elliott, do not
be uneasy. The dining parlour will admit eighteen couple with ease;
card-tables may be placed in the drawing-room; the library may be open
for tea and other refreshments; and let the supper be set out in the
saloon.' Lady Elliott was delighted with the thought. We measured the
dining-room, and found it would hold exactly eighteen couple, and the
affair was arranged precisely after my plan. So that, in fact, you
see, if people do but know how to set about it, every comfort may be as
well enjoyed in a cottage as in the most spacious dwelling." </span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">~ Jane Austen, <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> Chapter 36 </span></div>
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It's my birthday this week, and I'd like to invite you all to celebrate it with me. </div>
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If you are anywhere near the Mountain West, please feel free to stop on by for some cake. </div>
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If not, here is a "virtual" birthday party for you to attend---a birthday <i>tea party</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXx0IqJMvLls9tqExt0D7nFwPhH3RkuYAQMJIJHpabywpiQGRs5oEK5wzRQsi9peSdGoWMjwuGcI9a13aR37fPtWs5ixAWh98VNGy1o3RPb_0EkaWczeLc1NCDF2hA06L5j48FAIXxTPg/s1600/Jane+Austen+Tea+Tablesetting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXx0IqJMvLls9tqExt0D7nFwPhH3RkuYAQMJIJHpabywpiQGRs5oEK5wzRQsi9peSdGoWMjwuGcI9a13aR37fPtWs5ixAWh98VNGy1o3RPb_0EkaWczeLc1NCDF2hA06L5j48FAIXxTPg/s640/Jane+Austen+Tea+Tablesetting.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Now, if you know anything about me and Miriam by now, it is that we were on the "Tea Party Committee" in heaven. We <i>live</i> for a good tea party---especially a party like this one with beautiful cucumber sandwiches . . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O8CkQ7RrlTyVUvwWEKSNQU1CxzYkmYUQ7eAO54YBqHFjLQFb5be47tObHFzgin8wjMDkzKYPTtdxC6KXMlR_xVuchzyhfq-JXYFmNBXGPvDDid5xHKpNmNeq8DSswe_EaIhHvg9fB0UH/s1600/Jane+Austen+Tea+Cucumber+Sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O8CkQ7RrlTyVUvwWEKSNQU1CxzYkmYUQ7eAO54YBqHFjLQFb5be47tObHFzgin8wjMDkzKYPTtdxC6KXMlR_xVuchzyhfq-JXYFmNBXGPvDDid5xHKpNmNeq8DSswe_EaIhHvg9fB0UH/s640/Jane+Austen+Tea+Cucumber+Sandwich.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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and buttery cream scones . . .</div>
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And of course, there must be a scrumptious array of sweets, like these colorful pastries . . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbDsGN1exkbhGrd_uRIK2_Sse7AiaI6PNZMcQAhrW96iOHX9XgIX2pis1odqD3hMQXnN4_stZBftSKXnaI7q1Pxo8M_tfjIgpLhsyrvyvJ8B_3p_qL_AcmY9dLPWGuxfNQeP5ezApR4G0/s1600/Jane+Austen+Tea+Fruit+Tarts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbDsGN1exkbhGrd_uRIK2_Sse7AiaI6PNZMcQAhrW96iOHX9XgIX2pis1odqD3hMQXnN4_stZBftSKXnaI7q1Pxo8M_tfjIgpLhsyrvyvJ8B_3p_qL_AcmY9dLPWGuxfNQeP5ezApR4G0/s640/Jane+Austen+Tea+Fruit+Tarts.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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or these individual chocolate silks . . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjDTEHccb1KKhLkJs2i2jl845-dsIu76-JLmLgpFYer3Oi2jD-FFsAhjXSXC1JDl6BszdQN2OQiUPD8U7mZwvxwxuDRlj4ozeIyLkCEhwZxAnp6x0sRzHCVqVE021o6n1hEdUMeUxixSg/s1600/Jane+Austen+Tea+Chocolate+Silks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjDTEHccb1KKhLkJs2i2jl845-dsIu76-JLmLgpFYer3Oi2jD-FFsAhjXSXC1JDl6BszdQN2OQiUPD8U7mZwvxwxuDRlj4ozeIyLkCEhwZxAnp6x0sRzHCVqVE021o6n1hEdUMeUxixSg/s640/Jane+Austen+Tea+Chocolate+Silks.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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or these dainty lavender shortbreads (in the shape of teapots, of course :) . . .</div>
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The pictures for this party came from a little soiree that my friend and I put together for our book group. It was a Jane Austen-inspired tea. Everyone came in their most Regency-looking frocks and enjoyed an evening of refreshment and diversion. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj169uP0_dTdGUjIswLlOhKJNiLH1iE6HjdeunDAk5jCwG2mx1hwePUJDFQ1l6DPDzQcu5t3N_Ty3rTJZb_zFIEdvTLz05HuNVEyRX5MljGXpMB7-SN6GD4Lt4KR3j9ydjvRv7qFGSsIJ-L/s1600/Jane+Austen+Tea+Book+Group+Watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj169uP0_dTdGUjIswLlOhKJNiLH1iE6HjdeunDAk5jCwG2mx1hwePUJDFQ1l6DPDzQcu5t3N_Ty3rTJZb_zFIEdvTLz05HuNVEyRX5MljGXpMB7-SN6GD4Lt4KR3j9ydjvRv7qFGSsIJ-L/s640/Jane+Austen+Tea+Book+Group+Watermarked.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wish you could have been there.</div>
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But at least now you have attended in spirit.</div>
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And if anyone asks . . . I'm turning 29.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGGMnfAeCCg4yt7t62GJz63Ajge9-pzFcn0z_sYcumS79oV1niT8W9wUmvNBLX-Kgo_ech39Tvp544BSPZELm4rN1iR-v8Wgkb0gHqgNzuZfuyL79LaV1iffioHXKRUQqnE2lYwj4gqnG/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGGMnfAeCCg4yt7t62GJz63Ajge9-pzFcn0z_sYcumS79oV1niT8W9wUmvNBLX-Kgo_ech39Tvp544BSPZELm4rN1iR-v8Wgkb0gHqgNzuZfuyL79LaV1iffioHXKRUQqnE2lYwj4gqnG/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sharing at . . .</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://attagirlsays.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Atta Girl Says </span></span></a> </span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-12637409841828137442013-07-30T16:52:00.001-07:002013-07-31T19:21:09.379-07:00From the Design Book: A Bathroom Makeover<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">"[Dessie's] shop was a unique institution in Salinas. It was a woman's
world. Here all the rules, and the fears that created the iron rules,
went down. The door was closed to men. It was a sanctuary where women
could be themselves- smelly, wanton, mystic, conceited, truthful, and
interested. The whalebone corsets came off at Dessie's, the sacred
corsets that moulded and warped woman-flesh into goddess-flesh." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">~ John Steinbeck, <i>East of Eden </i></span></div>
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I have a bittersweet relationship with bathrooms.<br />
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On the one hand, I have to clean them.<br />
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(And it wouldn't hurt to remind you here that I have 5 boys.)<br />
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On the other hand, bathrooms offer me a moment of honest privacy in this very public world. <br />
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The bathroom is where I close the door on the idealized bodies I see on magazines and television and Pinterest, and where I come to terms with my own, very normal, very real woman-flesh. Here is where I weigh that flesh, clean it, pluck it, shave it, paint it, scent it, dress it, and own it. That moment in the morning when it is just me and the mirror is a defining one: each day I decide to either live with what I see or change what I see.<br />
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Not long ago, I realized I REALLY didn't like what I saw in the mirror---aside from that trouble area just south of my chin and north of my kneecaps. It was everything ELSE in the mirror that troubled me. I saw yellow-striped wallpaper, builder-white walls, and non-committal brown cupboards. Yuck. It was indeed time for a change, and this time, it didn't involve a diet.<br />
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Behold.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbF4s5dRBJyqIoNoVMY7_vqB_mBGOs1qs7u9jDbmRf-TnBTX20Kdm-0Xqr5nUet43uAmwzx_IpmmIQ_MHWcflW2qzLFtWFa1LFeloGUd5RF3zAclge4zUXZlXesKOqolvE7hgdSt9lG_c/s1600/Bathroom+Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbF4s5dRBJyqIoNoVMY7_vqB_mBGOs1qs7u9jDbmRf-TnBTX20Kdm-0Xqr5nUet43uAmwzx_IpmmIQ_MHWcflW2qzLFtWFa1LFeloGUd5RF3zAclge4zUXZlXesKOqolvE7hgdSt9lG_c/s640/Bathroom+Before.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My bathroom decor was doing NOTHING to help me feel confident, happy, or skinny. So I decided to change it.<br />
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Here it is now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIdGhmZ3zouEdeYpUCMBqQ6hxYB_wn63bcIXeZPmS5rUO8uXb-gwdAgUST3UnizPwIplTn4SJMbOoQmTvZb5Y1OQ9ZxfZrfcWolUY5PmqAE4KPsChzuPSHJ6mDGpr72ZoVak97DZSln7n/s1600/Bathroom+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIdGhmZ3zouEdeYpUCMBqQ6hxYB_wn63bcIXeZPmS5rUO8uXb-gwdAgUST3UnizPwIplTn4SJMbOoQmTvZb5Y1OQ9ZxfZrfcWolUY5PmqAE4KPsChzuPSHJ6mDGpr72ZoVak97DZSln7n/s640/Bathroom+After.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Now my bathroom is soft and serene and sparkly. And while I may need a heck of a lot more vertical lines to make me look skinny in that mirror, I swear the new surroundings have completely changed my outlook in the morning.<br />
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The first thing I did was strip the wallpaper down to the bare walls and paint it a neutral tan color (Gobi Desert by Behr).<br />
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Next, I took those horrible brown cabinets and painted them white and added a brown glaze over top.<br />
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To finish off the tub area, I added a topiary and a candle chandelier.<br />
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For the sink area, my husband and I framed out the mirror with some inexpensive molding. This made a HUGE difference for not a lot of work. (Says the wife whose husband did all of the cutting . . .)<br />
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I added apothecary jars on silver trays for a little sparkle . . .<br />
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These jars looked lovely sitting across from my <a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-midsummer-nights-dream-vintage.html">vintage toiletry bottles</a>.<br />
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And then, as the finishing touch to the bathroom, I decided to use this little garage sale tray as a "towel plaque." Just a simple swipe of a white-out pen in the center of the tray, and voila!<br />
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I wish I could say that my new bathroom is self-cleaning, but it's not. But somehow cleaning a beautiful bathroom doesn't feel like such a chore. The boys' bathroom? Well, that's another story . . .<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Sharing at . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://attagirlsays.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Atta Girl Says </span></span></a> </span></div>
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<a href="http://sweetbellaroos.com/">Sweet Bella Roos</a><br />
<br /></div>
Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-1202323101822191412013-07-15T20:32:00.000-07:002013-07-16T16:58:51.040-07:00From The Book of Life: A Golden Books Birthday Party<div style="padding-left: 14px; padding-top: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-weight: bold;">A Birthday </span></span></span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 14px; padding-top: 13px; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #3c605b; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">by Christina Rossetti</span></span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; padding-left: 14px; padding-top: 20px; text-align: center;">
My heart is like a singing bird<br />
Whose nest is in a water'd shoot;<br />
My heart is like an apple-tree<br />
Whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit;<br />
My heart is like a rainbow shell<br />
That paddles in a halcyon sea;<br />
My heart is gladder than all these<br />
Because my love is come to me.<br />
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Raise me a dais of silk and down;<br />
Hang it with vair and purple dyes;<br />
Carve it in doves and pomegranates,<br />
And peacocks with a hundred eyes;<br />
Work it in gold and silver grapes,<br />
In leaves and silver fleurs-de-lys;<br />
Because the birthday of my life<br />
Is come, my love is come to me.<i> </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Isn't that the sweetest poem? I'd never read it until today, but it makes me think of the joy of motherhood; that when we are blessed to become mothers, we know our love has come to us. It has certainly been the "Birthday of my life," any time I have met one of these sweet little ladies I call my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For my youngest, I wanted to throw a little family party with a Golden Books theme. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1- because she's still young enough for me to pick the theme.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2- because I seriously LOVE golden books. Especially the old ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3- because it's pretty easy, assuming you have a printer and some golden books on hand :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx8qRIpEifQnkD7JTdJQH3_GxKJaWxnWpUCswmf-i4xzkNc2rhF6GjIYjs4Zpc0BkF5YEFUQ1QDk13kTqpLx3KLKfQSuW4GiT3tqfYO4Jdzb1StWvJVVToiI8MGNfTKXfXMFIPCpiCuoL/s1600/LittleGoldenBooksBirthdayPartyInvitation3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx8qRIpEifQnkD7JTdJQH3_GxKJaWxnWpUCswmf-i4xzkNc2rhF6GjIYjs4Zpc0BkF5YEFUQ1QDk13kTqpLx3KLKfQSuW4GiT3tqfYO4Jdzb1StWvJVVToiI8MGNfTKXfXMFIPCpiCuoL/s640/LittleGoldenBooksBirthdayPartyInvitation3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For the invites, I scanned a golden book cover into my printer, then I modified some of the words on it in Photoshop. I made the dimensions on my pics 5"x7" but you could go larger or smaller according to preference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9mZqJyUwcz-ZOuwzEpCX-ASpFAvuUN3cWZYmUbBaGWauFK70lk6ZKeDFpxeZE_P9E4Fwu43Ed2GtgzSFV3ilCSYa4QZlhvq4XLp5Y6h65t9UndOFhWcUXHTQSDA_T23gYbKGOAiC7COk/s1600/Little+Golden+Books+Birthday+Party+Invitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9mZqJyUwcz-ZOuwzEpCX-ASpFAvuUN3cWZYmUbBaGWauFK70lk6ZKeDFpxeZE_P9E4Fwu43Ed2GtgzSFV3ilCSYa4QZlhvq4XLp5Y6h65t9UndOFhWcUXHTQSDA_T23gYbKGOAiC7COk/s640/Little+Golden+Books+Birthday+Party+Invitation.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Note: if you want a font similar to the "Little Golden Book" font, and you don't want to pay $90 for it, the free font <a href="http://www.fontpalace.com/font-download/Wendy+Medium/">"Wendy"</a> is a really close substitute :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju28ZgkWWPNPDMVFJ9D7Vf3yobM3k232hMyCg6woVuQpwFy9ZuPT1HRvVBIQyUxVbWge6DwyqkC4vte3rAdBdJ9juMaPxKdxnaHzIMXP0RIP4T937htZMdkx_MkFq7ih_li48UjtoYi2xT/s1600/Little+Golden+Books+Birthday+Party+Invitation+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju28ZgkWWPNPDMVFJ9D7Vf3yobM3k232hMyCg6woVuQpwFy9ZuPT1HRvVBIQyUxVbWge6DwyqkC4vte3rAdBdJ9juMaPxKdxnaHzIMXP0RIP4T937htZMdkx_MkFq7ih_li48UjtoYi2xT/s640/Little+Golden+Books+Birthday+Party+Invitation+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Then I scanned the inside cover, and made a fake page with my little one's pic, and a silly little poem with the details of the party. I printed out both pages on separate slips of paper, and glued them together with a glue stick after I cut them out. I folded my little books and put them into envelopes, and delivered them to our family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNhDc26Dq3CEyqPWPXCDrqx5h96y7vXMdwjYTEBiKaUJfz0dilozPS4qmMPLXNJVZXkJxINCmX6UFtyFIrca7fH5vCOR46iP_yKfCQoAjD7rt89sBlU0245ZBTWctOiY0E6p-i7ystvfN/s1600/LittleGoldenBooksBirthdayPartyInvitations4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNhDc26Dq3CEyqPWPXCDrqx5h96y7vXMdwjYTEBiKaUJfz0dilozPS4qmMPLXNJVZXkJxINCmX6UFtyFIrca7fH5vCOR46iP_yKfCQoAjD7rt89sBlU0245ZBTWctOiY0E6p-i7ystvfN/s640/LittleGoldenBooksBirthdayPartyInvitations4.jpg" width="428" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For decor (Which was minimal- let's remember that the kid doesn't even realize this is about her until the presents come out), I made a super simple pennant out of pages of my torn up copy of the "Eloise Wilkin Stories" treasury. I cut triangles out of the pages, and folded over the tops, STAPLED (Classy, I know) them over a ribbon, and called it good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi465fg2crO4rzLvYrxGSJHVLSmrv2Q_gTB3i_iIvBc4OC63PWDk0NjoYZUHwpeZGqXeCKNCxdF4CrePJN_b7ZjY2OXJmsscmiD8mcp9uq_WQilT0A4pGUC9bEwVI7aBMbxW9gME_f-waiw/s1600/LittleGoldenBooksPartyPennantBannerVignette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi465fg2crO4rzLvYrxGSJHVLSmrv2Q_gTB3i_iIvBc4OC63PWDk0NjoYZUHwpeZGqXeCKNCxdF4CrePJN_b7ZjY2OXJmsscmiD8mcp9uq_WQilT0A4pGUC9bEwVI7aBMbxW9gME_f-waiw/s640/LittleGoldenBooksPartyPennantBannerVignette.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(I definitely have a second, still-intact copy of that or I would NEVER ruin it. EVERY mother of little girls should own a copy. It is such a sweet compilation, and Eloise Wilkins's illustrations are just precious!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And I made tiny cupcake toppers out of the announcement cover, just printed small. (Also, these totally didn't make it on to the cupcakes because I forgot about em by the time dessert rolled around. But we all got cupcakes, and I am pretty sure that is all that matters. In life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I displayed a bunch of books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Oidzg-36C8FUP-2y9VbX9leT4I-I0n-yEtwRtR5fk-Wj5eBelKUg1EabLAWVCachfJYjz2npj04mXFk6HampaIpa8UHuB0lUhChaejGYP9dbyac5MP8j2e91Z0VAFY8ct4VWxinBAnER/s1600/LittleGoldenBooksPartyBookPageVases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Oidzg-36C8FUP-2y9VbX9leT4I-I0n-yEtwRtR5fk-Wj5eBelKUg1EabLAWVCachfJYjz2npj04mXFk6HampaIpa8UHuB0lUhChaejGYP9dbyac5MP8j2e91Z0VAFY8ct4VWxinBAnER/s640/LittleGoldenBooksPartyBookPageVases.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And made a few cute vases out of book pages wrapped around old soup cans :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEwbkP9gsUCapEFvwuV67mRkgIh5shy9XvnFNU-06ZzmyvvKIKHq0LHGikPIFhK8CYgyGtoQxjZNherfxrl5FMUpOgNgwQisUuvrraeyCk75IMhYgUfLMi8X0RmYjLRL9WN89MeonvakX/s1600/TinCanFlowerVasesLittleGoldenBookParty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEwbkP9gsUCapEFvwuV67mRkgIh5shy9XvnFNU-06ZzmyvvKIKHq0LHGikPIFhK8CYgyGtoQxjZNherfxrl5FMUpOgNgwQisUuvrraeyCk75IMhYgUfLMi8X0RmYjLRL9WN89MeonvakX/s640/TinCanFlowerVasesLittleGoldenBookParty.jpg" width="616" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And that was IT! We served Cafe Rio/Chipotle/Costa Vida style salads/burritos, and everyone was happy :) Especially the birthday girl who has a deep love of "Beedos" (burritos). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Have a lovely weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sharing at . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span> </span></div>
</div>
Miriam@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08226920262981438778noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-37667992480467376192013-07-09T18:19:00.000-07:002013-07-10T21:08:44.276-07:00From the Cookbook: Fancy, Homemade Graham Crackers<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">"To cook for
the pleasure of it, to devote a portion of our leisure to it, is to
declare our independence from the corporations seeking to organize our
every waking moment into yet another occasion for consumption. . . . It is to
reject the debilitating notion that, at least while we’re at home,
production is work best done by someone else, and the only legitimate
form of leisure is consumption." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">~ Michael Pollan, <i>Cooked</i></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I try not to buy into TV gimmicks. I know that it is going to take more than a Swiffer to make my house immaculate, more than Grey Poupon to make me refined, and more than a bottle of beer to make me look good in a bikini. (I'm afraid an entire distillery couldn't even manage that one.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Media is full of far-fetched ideas, and for the most part, I choose not to buy into them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Except for one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Until recently, I really wanted to believe that Keebler elves spent their days in a far off tree singing jingles and making fudge-striped cookies and graham crackers. I mean, I realize that elves aren't real. Everyone knows they haven't been around since the days of Hobbits. But sometimes it's just easier to think that some products magically appear at the store. It is how I avoid the responsibility, initiative, and hassle it would take to produce something on my own. (I also like to believe that there are ground beef, Coca-Cola, and feminine product elves who are willing to produce these mysteries for me so I don't have to think more about these products than absolutely necessary.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But then my friend Johanne introduced me to her homemade graham crackers and my "elf theory" came to a screeching halt. She calls them "Fancy Grahams" because they are more than just graham crackers---they are lacy bits of delight that go uncommonly well with a glass of milk. She was kind enough to let me in on the "magic" that goes into making these little darlings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylB05Ta1ikWkIMHVWW2qhzEZLHR-O0PwlniFZcEEsO-_LANj2-Ho-_0zhN_6NmjCxTpDuuJMBAYPvHP5ZKwHVVQVqCAj5Rg5O-UZsNfIYEP_KDTRN7MGZim6VaNxd0nyL9K1QW4fAvsrW/s1600/Fancy+Graham+Crackers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylB05Ta1ikWkIMHVWW2qhzEZLHR-O0PwlniFZcEEsO-_LANj2-Ho-_0zhN_6NmjCxTpDuuJMBAYPvHP5ZKwHVVQVqCAj5Rg5O-UZsNfIYEP_KDTRN7MGZim6VaNxd0nyL9K1QW4fAvsrW/s640/Fancy+Graham+Crackers.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">First, you mix up a batch of graham cracker dough and roll it into individual balls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkuXoRv7eo6pcuDUuieRj_WfPlJ3DGcPAuU_vzmfqzdAmKgOfSBJ_arl2SGnUHzgR2i3UgqlnqeLEjVNVx-RJ644iMscmtVif6CzDu0zzzwIvTlu1Di9Gb956ZUJSxPSZZAxzzE23fwca/s1600/Fancy+Graham+Cracker+Dough+Balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkuXoRv7eo6pcuDUuieRj_WfPlJ3DGcPAuU_vzmfqzdAmKgOfSBJ_arl2SGnUHzgR2i3UgqlnqeLEjVNVx-RJ644iMscmtVif6CzDu0zzzwIvTlu1Di9Gb956ZUJSxPSZZAxzzE23fwca/s640/Fancy+Graham+Cracker+Dough+Balls.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Then you place the graham cracker dough balls onto a heated mini pizelle iron. (You can find these on Ebay or at Bed, Bath and Beyond during the holidays.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrXzSn6NdC_UJFEoCe0n0IDI9FlfjQKw4RdmiP2rop5vjAmRf7TjJu3O9UBXgIeos_pUcF-qUH56PiZJbfkyHXXzq6549eKzy65wpHCxmpuMMPwDeIDcTXfrNy2HZq2cMgQQXDPbBmQgE/s1600/Fancy+Graham+Crackers+Pizelle+Iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrXzSn6NdC_UJFEoCe0n0IDI9FlfjQKw4RdmiP2rop5vjAmRf7TjJu3O9UBXgIeos_pUcF-qUH56PiZJbfkyHXXzq6549eKzy65wpHCxmpuMMPwDeIDcTXfrNy2HZq2cMgQQXDPbBmQgE/s640/Fancy+Graham+Crackers+Pizelle+Iron.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After only a minute or so, you'll have golden and delicious graham crackers that are anything but the blase, dry versions you get at the store. These have just a hint of chewiness that makes them all the more satisfying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgormAp939L1K9jPRyFBhPmF0v2rw_UY9Ge7IvVDZA0QLevtFlT9rxCDMDI4VVR8578kOnNIaVp2Ad5w1tyQb2Jtm5APOppo0XgGz0lFt6Td02VF2bBdwubW3qiihyphenhyphenuOPfKQHWKUuGp694l/s1600/Fancy+Graham+Crackers+Pizelle+Iron+Baked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgormAp939L1K9jPRyFBhPmF0v2rw_UY9Ge7IvVDZA0QLevtFlT9rxCDMDI4VVR8578kOnNIaVp2Ad5w1tyQb2Jtm5APOppo0XgGz0lFt6Td02VF2bBdwubW3qiihyphenhyphenuOPfKQHWKUuGp694l/s640/Fancy+Graham+Crackers+Pizelle+Iron+Baked.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Johanne dolled up a batch of these for the 4th of July with white chocolate and sprinkles. Just when I thought these couldn't get any better . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDhs078fvz2LTHssT8-fkn1I9oRHhcH-cimR5ksF1FbTl56tWwtGfw0z_kTecPWbN2r0NP3llpXPjGStvb9OS8cK4MGin10oYCNgK71pf_usg9MNJDS3pxkzTn9dNQkq-w5JAgi1A6F2f/s1600/Patriotic+Fancy+Grahams+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDhs078fvz2LTHssT8-fkn1I9oRHhcH-cimR5ksF1FbTl56tWwtGfw0z_kTecPWbN2r0NP3llpXPjGStvb9OS8cK4MGin10oYCNgK71pf_usg9MNJDS3pxkzTn9dNQkq-w5JAgi1A6F2f/s640/Patriotic+Fancy+Grahams+Detail.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And all of a sudden, instead of going to bed at a decent time knowing that the elves will be hard at work creating the world's graham crackers, I find myself up into the wee hours of the night scouring the internet for pizelle irons so that I can make my own batches of these babies. Can you say s'mores?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I guess it just goes to show you that sometimes the things we see on TV aren't true, sometimes elves aren't the only ones who can cook, and sometimes homemade graham crackers are just plain better than those from a box. Especially when they are "fancy."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sorry, elves. But there it is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHEUmITXucAee3lITgUwsBSfRgDu49cOczVpd6kgYc6ZJNGo23PObH9fpuOhaJonoIWcutiGNR7quvm5ZnPLaOtH5t6YOaOV-0rk53abtLEceB5ezKY0lBGAwgZ5LJe-9yRN94WSolQ5F/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHEUmITXucAee3lITgUwsBSfRgDu49cOczVpd6kgYc6ZJNGo23PObH9fpuOhaJonoIWcutiGNR7quvm5ZnPLaOtH5t6YOaOV-0rk53abtLEceB5ezKY0lBGAwgZ5LJe-9yRN94WSolQ5F/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sharing at . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span> </span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-37374757983376389962013-07-02T16:50:00.000-07:002013-07-02T16:50:54.879-07:00From the Design Book: Updated Farmhouse Home Tour<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">“There were no clouds, the sun was going down in a limpid, gold-washed
sky. Just as the lower edge of the red disk rested on the high fields
against the horizon, a great black figure suddenly appeared on the face
of the sun. We sprang to our feet, straining our eyes toward it. In a
moment we realized what it was. On some upland farm, a plough had been
left standing in the field. The sun was sinking just behind it.
Magnified across the distance by the horizontal light, it stood out
against the sun, was exactly contained within the circle of the disk;
the handles, the tongue, the share—black against the molten red. There
it was, heroic in size, a picture writing on the sun.” </span></div>
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~<i>My Antonia</i> by Willa Cather, Chapter 14 </div>
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What is it about a farm that has such a hold on me? The idea of living off the land seems incredibly romantic to me---that is, until I actually HAVE to live off of the land and do things like touch scary things like animals and dirt. But when I read <i>My Antonia</i>, I sigh wistfully as I imagine myself in flaxen braids and calico cottons, standing in a wheat field at dusk. It's bizarre, and probably hormone related. All I know is that reading the passage above makes me feel like tying on an apron, gathering some eggs, and bottling something. <br />
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The problem is, I don't live on a farm. I live in a quiet neighborhood on a fraction of an acre. I grow children, not livestock (although by the looks of their rooms today, the difference between the species is negligible.) But luckily for me, I came across this little gem of a "farmhouse" in the local home parade and could imagine that it was mine for 20 minutes or so.<br />
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The home is an updated spin on the classic farmhouse. Set in a field against a lake, this house has all the charm of a turn-of-the-century homestead with all the amenities of modern living.<br />
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I immediately fell in love with the pendant lights along the porch and the beautiful brick steps. <br />
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To the left of the front door is this lovely entry bench.<br />
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The family room is light and bright and comfortable with wood floors, a two-way fireplace, and different textured fabrics.<br />
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The breakfast nook is just off the family room and kitchen in this windowed corner. The dark wood table looks perfectly snug against an upholstered bench and farmhouse chairs.<br />
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This room was one of my favorites in the house. This dining room is adjacent to the breakfast nook, but it is completely enclosed. The wall of windows opens up to provide open-deck dining in the summertime. And the fireplace is actually the backside of the fireplace in the family room. Such a great way to get more bang from your fireplace buck!<br />
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The bedrooms were just as charming. I loved this nautical bedroom with its accompanying pirate-themed bathroom. Ahoy, matey!<br />
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If you look closely, this bathroom not only has porthole mirrors, but wallpaper with little skulls and crossbones. Adorable!<br />
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The girls' bedrooms were just as appealing as the boys' rooms. I especially liked the cheery color scheme of this room.<br />
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Down the hall there was a cozy playroom that was ready and waiting for the kids and all of their toys.<br />
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The family room packed a comfortable punch with its orange leather chair and gray tweed couch.<br />
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Mom and Dad have a workspace of their own with this office.<br />
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And when the rigors of life just get to be too much, Mom and Dad can escape to this lovely bathroom. I wish I could have fit the whole bathroom into my lens, but my favorite part was the reading rack in the tub. <br />
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I realize that this home is a far cry from the abodes in <i>My Antonia</i>; it has nothing of the the rough-hewn, rustic living of the pioneer prairie. But for city folk like me, it's at least a step in the right (romantic) direction.<br />
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Sharing at . . .</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-17413087654092026172013-06-27T15:02:00.003-07:002013-06-27T15:08:53.300-07:00From the Cookbook: Caprese Pasta Salad<div class="bq_s">
<div class="bq_fq bq_fq_lrg" style="margin: 0px;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"A woman should never be seen eating or drinking, unless it be lobster
salad and Champagne, the only true feminine and becoming viands."</i><br />
<i>
</i>
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<div class="bq_fq_a">
<i>
-Lord Byron
</i></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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Sorry, my sweet little blog! I do still love you. My kids just needed potty training, and my job needed me to work, and my house needed to be cleaned!</div>
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None of those things actually happened, by the way; but they were supposed to. I tried.</div>
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Anyhow, I thought it was time to help Erika out and make a post! I would like share with you my BEST pasta salad recipe! <u>Caprese Pasta Salad</u></div>
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I don't like pasta salad.</div>
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That was until I met THIS pasta salad.</div>
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I got proposed to because this salad was so good.</div>
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<i>By a cousin.</i></div>
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But it still counts, right? </div>
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And it speaks to the magic deliciousness of this salad.</div>
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TRY IT! Your 4th of July guests will thank you :)</div>
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The most AWESOME Caprese Pasta Salad ever!!!<br />
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1- Boil 16 oz. of pasta (I used farfalle) until al dente.<br />
2- Meanwhile, saute 1 diced onion and 1/2 tsp of salt in a little olive oil until caramelized and golden brown. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil.<br />
3- Mix your pasta and yummy garlic onion goodness together. Add any salt and pepper needed to taste. Let cool. It's already delicious. You could stop here and just eat it, but it's going to get better...<br />
4- Put your pasta in a large serving dish, and cover with spinach leaves, pieces of Fresh Milk Mozzarella, sliced Cherry Tomatoes (1 clamshell should do it), and freshly torn or sliced Basil leaves.<br />
5- Make a simple Balsamic Dressing to pour over it: 2 TBSP Balsamic Vinegar, 1/3 C Olive Oil, 1 tsp. Dijon Mustard, 1 tsp. Honey, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix it like crazy, and drizzle over the salad.<br />
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Aaaaaaaaaand, you're welcome ;)<br />
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<br />Miriam@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08226920262981438778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-65400855384129209492013-05-14T17:05:00.002-07:002013-05-14T17:05:25.444-07:00Pride and Prejudice: A Country Wedding<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">
"Mr. Darcy's letter to Lady Catherine was in a different style; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">and still
different from either was what Mr. Bennet sent to Mr. Collins . . .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>'Dear Sir,
</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>
</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>
I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will soon be
the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as you can. But, if
I were you, I would stand by the nephew. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>He has more to give. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>
</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>
Yours sincerely, etc.'"</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>~</i>Jane Austen<i>, Pride and Prejudice Chapter 60 </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">A few weeks ago I was playing a trivia game with some women from my bookgroup. One of the questions was, "How much money does the average wedding cost?" Well, I knew what <i>my</i> barest-of-bones wedding cost, so I tripled that price tag in my head and came up with my answer: </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">328 dollars.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Boy, was I off. Apparently the average wedding costs $28,000 dollars to put on. Ouch.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I've watched enough TLC shows and read enough bride magazines to know that there are people in this world who spend that and more on their wedding. For example, Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding cost around $34 million. But that is only a drop in the bucket when compared to Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding that came in at $48 million (or $110 million when adjusted for inflation). Jiminy Cricket, folks! No wonder they were storybook weddings. ANYONE could have a storybook wedding with that kind of pocketbook. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">But I'm the kind of gal that likes a budget challenge---the kind where you have a $12 budget to pull off something magical. I guess that is why I fell in love with the sweet little country-themed wedding reception that I attended this week.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMvuTmyInjYcYhfpaPMUZsWNQBl1752gbz2EvF6VOtr1JneAIaDJzMgecpoCwVhGcTxwr60nW21EfEiJNPPU0GCc1-clks0qlUFPfX0-PjTM8BUpAog7nyVtEDjcbbepmBJfsNqn8Nu-9/s1600/Country+Wedding+Clothespin+Picture+Display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMvuTmyInjYcYhfpaPMUZsWNQBl1752gbz2EvF6VOtr1JneAIaDJzMgecpoCwVhGcTxwr60nW21EfEiJNPPU0GCc1-clks0qlUFPfX0-PjTM8BUpAog7nyVtEDjcbbepmBJfsNqn8Nu-9/s640/Country+Wedding+Clothespin+Picture+Display.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">The bride was a friend of our family and she married a "country boy", so they went "a courtin'" with the decor. They booked a reception room next to a golf course to take advantage of the green surroundings and open vistas.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfGVBpcSNpuU0on5nGOIVIXWzV0Joc7D6Mcmic5VK6FBRP7_0MfYBhcPHihVdFVS4vcuLT8MDkBSrd4j9Q7jBGeW2BsyrpQNOM7hEXd1ebkgxGY4U-1BMzAv0EgED1uvkdjuKplPBvTFe/s1600/Country+Wedding+Outdoor+View+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfGVBpcSNpuU0on5nGOIVIXWzV0Joc7D6Mcmic5VK6FBRP7_0MfYBhcPHihVdFVS4vcuLT8MDkBSrd4j9Q7jBGeW2BsyrpQNOM7hEXd1ebkgxGY4U-1BMzAv0EgED1uvkdjuKplPBvTFe/s640/Country+Wedding+Outdoor+View+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
An adorable potted signpost pointed the way to the reception's events.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeczqw3KbB3vWH54CMQ9G_yMRKbU6jeNgIykpfz8209QI12gvIywNEG6JO08qjH_H5spuKsUaWlN_s7vALYefU-zS_dxzvyPEhhI7SqUUhbnz9V2TMgtmg0OgCo99U0h1Fm02QFAm2uib/s1600/Country+Wedding+Reception+Sign+Arrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeczqw3KbB3vWH54CMQ9G_yMRKbU6jeNgIykpfz8209QI12gvIywNEG6JO08qjH_H5spuKsUaWlN_s7vALYefU-zS_dxzvyPEhhI7SqUUhbnz9V2TMgtmg0OgCo99U0h1Fm02QFAm2uib/s640/Country+Wedding+Reception+Sign+Arrows.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
They decked the indoor tables with fresh sunflowers, monogrammed wood, and mason jars wrapped in burlap and lace that were filled with old-fashioned candy sticks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqeRAUwzgNYtcroJ2uQ28g2RWVnfPz3ZUZwh95GOqvalbyLVke8PPiRMk8eRmFigIlYQEd8B_7Rdvog7xyPapzHHgNycJI5jqYPDfeOcXAa41OeaogagFwrT20cd45TrODez3fyBrnkq0/s1600/Country+Wedding+Centerpieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqeRAUwzgNYtcroJ2uQ28g2RWVnfPz3ZUZwh95GOqvalbyLVke8PPiRMk8eRmFigIlYQEd8B_7Rdvog7xyPapzHHgNycJI5jqYPDfeOcXAa41OeaogagFwrT20cd45TrODez3fyBrnkq0/s640/Country+Wedding+Centerpieces.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rJMcvPsiUoLXhBKH92zpWuESgUOqW7ssSKUbu6oHsnNmexkeKv18Ym0ktjNxD__QIcQQgaW4zGMMYjquY-0SWtWCqsCyWaYXG8ZpbO8y8mKCsJpfFlobfzVPQXEHtJluWkrkaf4XJ_m2/s1600/Country+Wedding+Centerpiece+Candy+Jar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rJMcvPsiUoLXhBKH92zpWuESgUOqW7ssSKUbu6oHsnNmexkeKv18Ym0ktjNxD__QIcQQgaW4zGMMYjquY-0SWtWCqsCyWaYXG8ZpbO8y8mKCsJpfFlobfzVPQXEHtJluWkrkaf4XJ_m2/s640/Country+Wedding+Centerpiece+Candy+Jar.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The chairs around the tables looked adorable in these burlap bows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDlCAVBVCe5LTicpbL5_i-VMqzDghA8NfIAKVlJ4dUFD3soxvRBxdhayZU-hBU0HsYf-I4jdaYH6NvrnILNSqCJmEabABvMGN22fEpHXtXLuqpGi4Xd9m2-BIl3K6zuks7USTOMNRTRE6/s1600/Country+Wedding+Burlap+Chair+Bows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDlCAVBVCe5LTicpbL5_i-VMqzDghA8NfIAKVlJ4dUFD3soxvRBxdhayZU-hBU0HsYf-I4jdaYH6NvrnILNSqCJmEabABvMGN22fEpHXtXLuqpGi4Xd9m2-BIl3K6zuks7USTOMNRTRE6/s640/Country+Wedding+Burlap+Chair+Bows.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Even the cake had rustic touches of burlap and sunflowers.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIj36FDWoZkQfdoaY5fHomablWFd0tuZhuoPKMOlTVrZHJ1YtPKsnmt91L13n70zuGW8Rn00GZwXyd9Lsqm8_DpkTwY13sPdSaqTAjm_c7cMWdPYW60M6_Wh_rhUPlcK-gYsf_WM6zl9A/s1600/Country+Wedding+Sunflower+and+Burlap+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIj36FDWoZkQfdoaY5fHomablWFd0tuZhuoPKMOlTVrZHJ1YtPKsnmt91L13n70zuGW8Rn00GZwXyd9Lsqm8_DpkTwY13sPdSaqTAjm_c7cMWdPYW60M6_Wh_rhUPlcK-gYsf_WM6zl9A/s640/Country+Wedding+Sunflower+and+Burlap+Cake.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Outside guests were invited to enjoy the s'more station. LOVE this idea! The bride and groom provided little s'more kits and skewers and miniature fire pits made of wooden boxes, gravel, and sterno set on outdoor tables for marshmallow roasting.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv53tBdbAc_w8zACcgD0l7UZsY-wdmjd-_pAtoXBlQ6qku04ziThWUnBiST5P6hKy562_GT0FLLbpRs1wYcDT7iU6XeL3JkWnFtkMxhQpNItYsz7936_GPNguiAkLM1qKr04XAqxBZz6B/s1600/Country+Wedding+Smore+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv53tBdbAc_w8zACcgD0l7UZsY-wdmjd-_pAtoXBlQ6qku04ziThWUnBiST5P6hKy562_GT0FLLbpRs1wYcDT7iU6XeL3JkWnFtkMxhQpNItYsz7936_GPNguiAkLM1qKr04XAqxBZz6B/s640/Country+Wedding+Smore+Station.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Inside the reception, guests were served gourmet cookies and cups full of strawberries and cream. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82-PW25VF1CgBQhbYsK7nV-26BbK7kAvPPdm-VLAkeJw__goZkUWxt82G2VjPn-vldi-We2RPErBqTw5vveLgM-9csupkREEKZp2U6kdFiyNUlFxouq4_xpgv9kpSlQA9n_Z95xaAr55_/s1600/Country+Wedding+Strawberries+and+Cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82-PW25VF1CgBQhbYsK7nV-26BbK7kAvPPdm-VLAkeJw__goZkUWxt82G2VjPn-vldi-We2RPErBqTw5vveLgM-9csupkREEKZp2U6kdFiyNUlFxouq4_xpgv9kpSlQA9n_Z95xaAr55_/s640/Country+Wedding+Strawberries+and+Cream.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> Some of my favorite touches were the burlap banners that decked each of the treats. Adorable.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictFfiOYMXD88UhhW-yGrK4DzypleQs5M3oLxTk1ufQ7XVKUQ-sqFTvHvV2y8Jh3SKOoCbDcKaenBlJD8I4kT-El9UF6I8FX6l7fG-AO24WSiqTmZCLyJi0_G2eBdsngitKySIGw6NBlF3/s1600/Country+Wedding+Banana+Chocolate+Chip+Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictFfiOYMXD88UhhW-yGrK4DzypleQs5M3oLxTk1ufQ7XVKUQ-sqFTvHvV2y8Jh3SKOoCbDcKaenBlJD8I4kT-El9UF6I8FX6l7fG-AO24WSiqTmZCLyJi0_G2eBdsngitKySIGw6NBlF3/s640/Country+Wedding+Banana+Chocolate+Chip+Cookies.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh4BDM630CfQ3D97WsfSayOVUcxdat_AMdboE0XvQ-HnAXflgljp0s4ZaO-lOZMtLGjC9IfBkgA_kqJK718JRkPLN9UGtxTsc3ii9z0G4PXMEzyK_uZkMuGzAiFOIqybCI7JsqPd6A3eS/s1600/Country+Wedding+Cookie+Table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh4BDM630CfQ3D97WsfSayOVUcxdat_AMdboE0XvQ-HnAXflgljp0s4ZaO-lOZMtLGjC9IfBkgA_kqJK718JRkPLN9UGtxTsc3ii9z0G4PXMEzyK_uZkMuGzAiFOIqybCI7JsqPd6A3eS/s640/Country+Wedding+Cookie+Table.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The bridesmaids looked sweet as could be with their blue dresses, brown boots, and sunflower bouquets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMfvoP3Q5z0_GpBopBFOw0m1jC8vF30x6tVcBPmbS4ymY0p_NMX5oQpoYockooww9jzkXXkez8FFrpIPAE14QQSwE_JMpatNl7PJL7vAI4ArRK-i1A89tLZeEu5Uri62ZZp1qkbg39WuT/s1600/Country+Wedding+Bridesmaids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMfvoP3Q5z0_GpBopBFOw0m1jC8vF30x6tVcBPmbS4ymY0p_NMX5oQpoYockooww9jzkXXkez8FFrpIPAE14QQSwE_JMpatNl7PJL7vAI4ArRK-i1A89tLZeEu5Uri62ZZp1qkbg39WuT/s640/Country+Wedding+Bridesmaids.jpg" width="402" /></a></div>
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And even though there isn't a smidge of "country" in me, I couldn't help but melt when I saw the vignette over the fireplace at the reception.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC_AtD2fhvHQXGLS60nhN52LEAgo5n7YqzYrbjNLWwTKZTH0hZG06MUCtry2kOQRMFnNjfizc4hpmcicsnSXVX06kMDhESirtgqJckQWGPINC9jgtD3oTG_4BmDCcjKry-eCDGbugr7Bk/s1600/Country+Wedding+Fireplace+Mantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC_AtD2fhvHQXGLS60nhN52LEAgo5n7YqzYrbjNLWwTKZTH0hZG06MUCtry2kOQRMFnNjfizc4hpmcicsnSXVX06kMDhESirtgqJckQWGPINC9jgtD3oTG_4BmDCcjKry-eCDGbugr7Bk/s640/Country+Wedding+Fireplace+Mantle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This reception reminded me of two things: 1) How grateful I am that I gave birth to boys (a move that I hope will spare me the stress of planning and finance wedding receptions); 2) A charming reception doesn't have to cost $28,000. It just takes a little creativity and the perfect couple to make a storybook wedding come true . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy4PVq2G6pAFc3G1YVI5qaGPmCbERpsHZXPiwIjN1AdW330lLja40qJ8-QZyei74Yd_jxxpmDocoyE2OnrQmnr8hOmDDYgUvpgNPCl4wnaLzVhuPqIOzlEMiAptMD0W5V1ZILfeZBS3AO/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy4PVq2G6pAFc3G1YVI5qaGPmCbERpsHZXPiwIjN1AdW330lLja40qJ8-QZyei74Yd_jxxpmDocoyE2OnrQmnr8hOmDDYgUvpgNPCl4wnaLzVhuPqIOzlEMiAptMD0W5V1ZILfeZBS3AO/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Sharing at . . .</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-5620102989495402452013-05-09T08:11:00.003-07:002013-05-09T08:11:59.652-07:00Pride and Prejudice: Designed for Each Other<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met for breakfast a few
minutes before the others appeared; and he took the opportunity of paying
the parting civilities which he deemed indispensably necessary. . . ."You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into
Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself at least that you will be
able to do so. Lady Catherine's great attentions to Mrs. Collins you have
been a daily witness of; and altogether I trust it does not appear that
your friend has drawn an unfortunate—but on this point it will be as
well to be silent. Only let me assure you, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that I
can from my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage. My
dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is
in everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between
us. We seem to have been designed for each other." </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>~</i>Jane Austen,<i> Pride and Prejudice </i>Chapter 38<i> </i></span></div>
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I don't know what it is about the color red, but "she" and I seemed to have been designed for each other. (And yes, I believe all colors have genders, as do automobiles and kitchen gadgets.) My wedding colors were black, white, and RED. The first wall I ever painted was RED. And when I take those color personality tests, I always come out as a RED.</div>
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<a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2013/03/pride-and-prejudice-toile-powder-room.html">I love red on wallpaper</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2012/08/huckleberry-finn-laundry-and-mud-room.html">I love red on doors</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2012/04/anne-of-green-gables-april-farmhouse.html">I love red on cushions</a>.</div>
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But I don't have NEARLY enough red in my yard. Each year I sprinkle my garden with the queen of colors, but only in small doses. These are pictures of my yard from last summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEP9722OgyzK0xcI4qFQNaIrJFG2SwOI5sXKFGBPKzyrdwNsq2N8ihzT3ofb7KRNwB5vZVNLm78NVW1YF-UgSbGQceBro-a3S30GIdttDu44YbuIwPiPNNMyIWD2gZRfaELBd_-PvU7o4/s1600/Front+Yard+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEP9722OgyzK0xcI4qFQNaIrJFG2SwOI5sXKFGBPKzyrdwNsq2N8ihzT3ofb7KRNwB5vZVNLm78NVW1YF-UgSbGQceBro-a3S30GIdttDu44YbuIwPiPNNMyIWD2gZRfaELBd_-PvU7o4/s640/Front+Yard+House.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Can you say restrained, timid, and BORING?<br />
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Well, this year is going to be different. This is the year to "go big or go home."</div>
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I want to have sweeping beds of red like these in front of my house . . .<br />
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<small><span style="font-size: small;">I want bursts of red throughout the greenery like these . . .</span></small><br />
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/1841850/Barnard-Residence-mediterranean-exterior-los-angeles"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/c5b1b13e00899b8a_8-6679/mediterranean-exterior.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/1764607/Paradise-Valley---Saguaro-2012-traditional-landscape-phoenix"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/e5c19480007c2d1b_8-1516/traditional-landscape.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<small><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/berghoff/berghoff-design-group" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a></small></div>
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And I want my window boxes and porches to be as stunningly scarlet as these . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxA2kAEcPEpAnvtlhSHq6l-6HhjH8y8eud1zUXLjdWFL5uFZUS9oH1hquWp0JfSYbRjviat1eCSnYZn4vVTIXMZ4fAlCJPhgUj3xVHcvURCpds6Cn_eOnI-Hzg30XtNLz7AWxnjBdVf5T/s1600/Red+Flower+Window+Boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxA2kAEcPEpAnvtlhSHq6l-6HhjH8y8eud1zUXLjdWFL5uFZUS9oH1hquWp0JfSYbRjviat1eCSnYZn4vVTIXMZ4fAlCJPhgUj3xVHcvURCpds6Cn_eOnI-Hzg30XtNLz7AWxnjBdVf5T/s640/Red+Flower+Window+Boxes.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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The only thing that could make my vibrant dream complete would be an entry like this. Be still, my beating heart . . .<br />
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/87908/Outside-Lighting-traditional-entry-miami"><img border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/8eb19e3c0ceab55f_8-1000/traditional-entry.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<small><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/capitollighitng/capitol-lighting" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a></small></div>
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Dreaming in red is the easy part. Now comes the hard work. <br />
So if you'll excuse me, I need to head out to my garden to get planting . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj9KpGBy8gvIMMjhzMgFRfgy_cj2WpIMSmpcAgsq0iJdXnDvB2tkpNHpKID55uXFHG7JOFzzZpqYbIdPKo1c8wof7q4npsfsyplJHcUjEpuVsXsOI_Y4ygdhbLySX-FCqbL2NzkG_A6Pl/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj9KpGBy8gvIMMjhzMgFRfgy_cj2WpIMSmpcAgsq0iJdXnDvB2tkpNHpKID55uXFHG7JOFzzZpqYbIdPKo1c8wof7q4npsfsyplJHcUjEpuVsXsOI_Y4ygdhbLySX-FCqbL2NzkG_A6Pl/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
Sharing at . . .<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-73262666227595166932013-04-22T11:03:00.000-07:002013-04-22T14:07:41.409-07:00Pride and Prejudice: Purchasing Wedding Clothes<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Oh! my dear brother," replied Mrs. Bennet, "that is exactly what I could
most wish for. And now do, when you get to town, find them out, wherever
they may be; and if they are not married already, make them marry.
And as for wedding clothes, do not let them wait for that, but tell Lydia
she shall have as much money as she chooses to buy them, after they are
married. And, above all, keep Mr. Bennet from fighting. Tell him what a
dreadful state I am in, that I am frighted out of my wits—and have
such tremblings, such flutterings, all over me—such spasms in my
side and pains in my head, and such beatings at heart, that I can get no
rest by night nor by day. And tell my dear Lydia not to give any
directions about her clothes till she has seen me, for she does not know
which are the best warehouses . . ." </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="background-color: white;">~ Jane Austen, <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> Chapter 47 </span></span></div>
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Maybe it is because I attended my niece's wedding last week, or maybe it is because spring is in the air, or maybe it is because I have watched WAY too many episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress," but it resulted in a revelation this week: I am getting married again. </div>
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Well, not really.</div>
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I am staying married to my darling man of 17 years and I'm keeping the ring, but I want a do-over of just about everything else---including the dress. My poor husband, sisters, mother, and dentist have all heard <a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2012/04/anne-of-green-gables-april-wedding-day.html">the sad tale of how I looked about as stylish as a pair of tube socks on my wedding day</a> in my satin sack. </div>
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So instead of perpetuating the wedding-dress-gone-wrong-story for another 17 years, I've decided to write a new story---a story about a happily-married mother of five who decides to throw a small, elegant party for friends and family the way she should have done all those years ago. There will be good food, twinkle lights, a string quartet, and a real photographer. Oh, and she will be wearing the PERFECT dress.</div>
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But what should it look like? I don't want a train or a veil since I will most likely be needing to chase my children and/or break up their wrestling matches during the event. Besides, I've already worn those once and this isn't <i>really</i> a wedding.</div>
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But I DO want my dress to be reminiscent of these . . .</div>
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How could you go wrong with the elegance of Grace Kelly's gown or the flattering lines of Audrey Hepburn's tea length ensemble? (You know what? Forget the dresses. I just want their waistlines.)</div>
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So with these inspirations in mind, here are some dresses that I've stumbled across and I'd love to have your input. Which one would you vote for?</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#1</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#2</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeOLX2JqlAKCYN4b6iICiH8jtVzpXrCaf58nHB9PNz0p-eGW0Mt36JZml4JONGpJmYVUCWNwmXjJzw3zm9_as41QRZqMTvZ9PTIVg9rNOnByn4av6mkx5OxkODOcZbjc-KD5qPwLZVaPg/s1600/bateau-neckline-lace-overlay-skirt-a-line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeOLX2JqlAKCYN4b6iICiH8jtVzpXrCaf58nHB9PNz0p-eGW0Mt36JZml4JONGpJmYVUCWNwmXjJzw3zm9_as41QRZqMTvZ9PTIVg9rNOnByn4av6mkx5OxkODOcZbjc-KD5qPwLZVaPg/s640/bateau-neckline-lace-overlay-skirt-a-line.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#3</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEy4ZU9Me9nj2yl362md8BCtKs5XM_hebm3EdWKvMlMTGrVkwaVOUNPd672etBfHGvdwSYCxW8kN_6fZhYrw8yMNvIJ3RK8P1BuOfrDjgZlKRv5qZxtRNt2Kzp_f6g3D7-8PtaeuILZgw/s1600/Tea-Length-A-Line-Short-Sleeves-Chiffon-Girl-Skirt-Custom-made-Wedding-Dress-SMT139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEy4ZU9Me9nj2yl362md8BCtKs5XM_hebm3EdWKvMlMTGrVkwaVOUNPd672etBfHGvdwSYCxW8kN_6fZhYrw8yMNvIJ3RK8P1BuOfrDjgZlKRv5qZxtRNt2Kzp_f6g3D7-8PtaeuILZgw/s640/Tea-Length-A-Line-Short-Sleeves-Chiffon-Girl-Skirt-Custom-made-Wedding-Dress-SMT139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#4</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVy-YmLRrfePTWTjetIwGZp1qOiHoNmC7_HlCRRugPhsxFvabNENPhREuB-vzljG_xjnPYiPYk_Sz5-JF1wHQxmBOX0hkBtqMFXApI4pcBuuwN4UPEM-tKqc-pfAXH9c30px053jGjpo5/s1600/Tea+Length+Wedding+Dress+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVy-YmLRrfePTWTjetIwGZp1qOiHoNmC7_HlCRRugPhsxFvabNENPhREuB-vzljG_xjnPYiPYk_Sz5-JF1wHQxmBOX0hkBtqMFXApI4pcBuuwN4UPEM-tKqc-pfAXH9c30px053jGjpo5/s640/Tea+Length+Wedding+Dress+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#5</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57nWjotY93gWjaVoHjKf3whpNdaihE4EYfkw0nHw6bp-hYRTx9dHX26LSaPYC0r-YM4jBgOTtCzgXAZyOthXWTPkaPQsGPRmLUfB0ss6loRBDdOyqP7XOVR0wFkzaXj7gKpXTY_Nl0Mqs/s1600/tea-length-embroidered-wedding-dress-bitsybride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57nWjotY93gWjaVoHjKf3whpNdaihE4EYfkw0nHw6bp-hYRTx9dHX26LSaPYC0r-YM4jBgOTtCzgXAZyOthXWTPkaPQsGPRmLUfB0ss6loRBDdOyqP7XOVR0wFkzaXj7gKpXTY_Nl0Mqs/s640/tea-length-embroidered-wedding-dress-bitsybride.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#6</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K9GvyMCcBDIx98_tVrkA9C5msLohux0Xc60mcsfGW_oRELRHnMovACyMqu1csXQzaELgDRAI8U5PEWwbVEuhjGfDwxk7wLM1_95mGGEl5AeCDiTGQPN-AqSQ0cXldOY4stiCaUjwcUHp/s1600/Tea+Length+Wedding+Dress+%25235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K9GvyMCcBDIx98_tVrkA9C5msLohux0Xc60mcsfGW_oRELRHnMovACyMqu1csXQzaELgDRAI8U5PEWwbVEuhjGfDwxk7wLM1_95mGGEl5AeCDiTGQPN-AqSQ0cXldOY4stiCaUjwcUHp/s640/Tea+Length+Wedding+Dress+%25235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#7</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8w5mLaiie_BFQg6ZvPR8qkq4B9IefDuO4Tr7LgNfYBBOUYP6ecrryzJWSzNBhn8hxskporDysO0w3JI22iG-8QUmaFojCEn7IpxoupCzrJ_2hNpVzNRLQaflWK8llbTT0_dK-TamAAt2/s1600/Tea+Length+Ian+Stuart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8w5mLaiie_BFQg6ZvPR8qkq4B9IefDuO4Tr7LgNfYBBOUYP6ecrryzJWSzNBhn8hxskporDysO0w3JI22iG-8QUmaFojCEn7IpxoupCzrJ_2hNpVzNRLQaflWK8llbTT0_dK-TamAAt2/s640/Tea+Length+Ian+Stuart.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#8</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbbaahir1Vkk6zlQ6UhL5ZEKiwrx-8PayQo-1Dxsc0fa1DVWbii3G4O5ojgEKwx7IMe7WinmPMtZHEsvPKXgvl7mwRT3KWtPgpCb0xZoasP378zvf5D4MnsOJckXe1WBGJF4n2qXOkusO/s1600/Tea-Length-Wedding-Dress-noviamor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbbaahir1Vkk6zlQ6UhL5ZEKiwrx-8PayQo-1Dxsc0fa1DVWbii3G4O5ojgEKwx7IMe7WinmPMtZHEsvPKXgvl7mwRT3KWtPgpCb0xZoasP378zvf5D4MnsOJckXe1WBGJF4n2qXOkusO/s640/Tea-Length-Wedding-Dress-noviamor.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#9</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjIFTzQEByeoBZar1SX31-LsK8KMmnDZU9FTFk-eYTLtDV2wKBJRsSaTJpy6MakJA1SywWyKj_wswUygQcpURC7t_RF7pIEVuh7WGK6L2yo89aYCllEePAAud07Pf-vx5RyP8dzsgMtjD/s1600/Tea-Length-Wedding+Dress-dododresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjIFTzQEByeoBZar1SX31-LsK8KMmnDZU9FTFk-eYTLtDV2wKBJRsSaTJpy6MakJA1SywWyKj_wswUygQcpURC7t_RF7pIEVuh7WGK6L2yo89aYCllEePAAud07Pf-vx5RyP8dzsgMtjD/s640/Tea-Length-Wedding+Dress-dododresses.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#10</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJjWQaGgqtN8kiojAu1K4uYrC3kj9CoUCLmn1SxiXllSE_ySzFwLjGIyP1XahH6s5A3qfxI9XpfxnR2TLOUxyaF31OasmBIU71yVejiv0ZJeTwGOjCG79JhXxTDKoNJ0dhG22si8v8M14/s1600/Tea+Length+Tulle+Lace+Middle+Sleeves+V+Neck+White+Bridal+Skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJjWQaGgqtN8kiojAu1K4uYrC3kj9CoUCLmn1SxiXllSE_ySzFwLjGIyP1XahH6s5A3qfxI9XpfxnR2TLOUxyaF31OasmBIU71yVejiv0ZJeTwGOjCG79JhXxTDKoNJ0dhG22si8v8M14/s640/Tea+Length+Tulle+Lace+Middle+Sleeves+V+Neck+White+Bridal+Skirt.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#11</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVDCRV8RKW69hDPHT6S1MN2uUOaB15RNR8IWdIf89sB1CkCiWz7DOSnJfJr77u15UlisCyNWZ0Zs9aSnYIDCkiD1xjxymnXXNaN9LmaI3OPJl3WsMkrtj5Do3uCHWZBnUc2ZTjHEVN_0U/s1600/Vintage+Tea+Length+Lace+Overlay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVDCRV8RKW69hDPHT6S1MN2uUOaB15RNR8IWdIf89sB1CkCiWz7DOSnJfJr77u15UlisCyNWZ0Zs9aSnYIDCkiD1xjxymnXXNaN9LmaI3OPJl3WsMkrtj5Do3uCHWZBnUc2ZTjHEVN_0U/s640/Vintage+Tea+Length+Lace+Overlay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#12</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1szJGg0Ea-U9c5SytzlFEFdRihGYzFjzSHm3WZ6oNnM7D_JpcL84mkrM_3Ggl35Sl6L8T6DWKtQzvWYoQ-DjLKheUhXWiLSDTHI5Vdb0O1qRyjop_rF7pyAVbUblb0m54yklPz1HSu0N/s1600/lace-mermaid-wedding-dress-with-a-3-4-sleeves-illusion-bolero_1358454914429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1szJGg0Ea-U9c5SytzlFEFdRihGYzFjzSHm3WZ6oNnM7D_JpcL84mkrM_3Ggl35Sl6L8T6DWKtQzvWYoQ-DjLKheUhXWiLSDTHI5Vdb0O1qRyjop_rF7pyAVbUblb0m54yklPz1HSu0N/s640/lace-mermaid-wedding-dress-with-a-3-4-sleeves-illusion-bolero_1358454914429.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#13 </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunXvXQz-moxt3fWTvaZVFX9stsEJ4wUfz6wA_EWE9DP1H37iswHPYkSAbvdHOplMJP25oRMzVIkiDlkzOX5O87pBJ8H9lkvpvaIBXftQOLTlCsBJPKCIEV1cZvryMoSD8Dpf8VBWx_zn-/s1600/eb672fd34540ba6ef2816cd50e0cef04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRzmKqmR3HwPN4lLFSsuStu9iG5elYTNEp35YKzNQmMth1rA-RfMWncFGSx5LCNNZYisVmTBL4fTXGp0NhgDx6lQR21ri6gT2hMs4WrUM-9t8_ZTWAt2ReQ_sWYDFKeuibS628xo6vV1T/s1600/bridal-suit-wedding-emmacmillerblogspot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRzmKqmR3HwPN4lLFSsuStu9iG5elYTNEp35YKzNQmMth1rA-RfMWncFGSx5LCNNZYisVmTBL4fTXGp0NhgDx6lQR21ri6gT2hMs4WrUM-9t8_ZTWAt2ReQ_sWYDFKeuibS628xo6vV1T/s640/bridal-suit-wedding-emmacmillerblogspot.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#14</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDkvLvt9XOlMGP11HjJ56RlEpJTga36i8UuKWYJtt1sqVHtaI0X_ujaRqqqcfOw6lmeXOOQwyo3N39_jOYxRrhSAMnbcsMd6-PUuPGvcjkqHTHyEXmhvkcncTVfxcDV5THXfCu__QrhUp/s1600/6eab479ecc8d1163e3f0629ae309b227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDkvLvt9XOlMGP11HjJ56RlEpJTga36i8UuKWYJtt1sqVHtaI0X_ujaRqqqcfOw6lmeXOOQwyo3N39_jOYxRrhSAMnbcsMd6-PUuPGvcjkqHTHyEXmhvkcncTVfxcDV5THXfCu__QrhUp/s640/6eab479ecc8d1163e3f0629ae309b227.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#15</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsxBIhzecht69NXVp0D149Dm3rSTq3tXcwp9Ea7FJnTFQ_6-tA-A-zRVV4I2vd3dhI3mQr3fmEimsdgmzTtu8m9_qiYi2o6KrJqJn-CPpdqs7tH7C3M9j0uP1AKlizpqgvxOfTqHjsdhp/s1600/eb672fd34540ba6ef2816cd50e0cef04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsxBIhzecht69NXVp0D149Dm3rSTq3tXcwp9Ea7FJnTFQ_6-tA-A-zRVV4I2vd3dhI3mQr3fmEimsdgmzTtu8m9_qiYi2o6KrJqJn-CPpdqs7tH7C3M9j0uP1AKlizpqgvxOfTqHjsdhp/s640/eb672fd34540ba6ef2816cd50e0cef04.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>#16</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl8humSZYdpx2dE-D26jcbzzLVaQG3KzXahj8byiSJslu0IPPT9obHB4rTt50OOs6GYFBhhS6dyS_qzXXa_k1qPQTrNXRLiU9wnjuAEWJfJkaO0PUghhM2w2YFZIVHKHM1l8M8n_qIpB3/s1600/1774119a03a5d29cd6df9581bb1aa318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl8humSZYdpx2dE-D26jcbzzLVaQG3KzXahj8byiSJslu0IPPT9obHB4rTt50OOs6GYFBhhS6dyS_qzXXa_k1qPQTrNXRLiU9wnjuAEWJfJkaO0PUghhM2w2YFZIVHKHM1l8M8n_qIpB3/s640/1774119a03a5d29cd6df9581bb1aa318.jpg" width="508" /></a></span></b></div>
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Who knows? Maybe someday I'll actually be able to post a picture of me in one of these gowns---looking happy, looking redeemed, and looking nothing like the Amish Bridal Runway Model of 1996.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV42Wtq-gZE5io0H2fdnt9NKpMMhoBajZchskj84os3tLX884akjFeIEyOlMFT5FUzOacW6o6Y5doZXYc4fOPt-gTvDjwCudcMjpBO4DJKO8oJwa2lKoc9GHWWe5YLqD98zv1i-ZRvuZi/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV42Wtq-gZE5io0H2fdnt9NKpMMhoBajZchskj84os3tLX884akjFeIEyOlMFT5FUzOacW6o6Y5doZXYc4fOPt-gTvDjwCudcMjpBO4DJKO8oJwa2lKoc9GHWWe5YLqD98zv1i-ZRvuZi/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Sharing at . . .<br />
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-5920762905099819842013-04-06T22:12:00.000-07:002013-04-06T22:13:56.651-07:00Pride and Prejudice: A Local Pemberley<div style="text-align: center;">
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"Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of
Pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length they turned in
at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter. . . . They gradually ascended for
half-a-mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable
eminence, where the wood ceased, and the eye was instantly caught by
Pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of a valley, into which the
road with some abruptness wound. It was a large, handsome stone building,
standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills;
and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into
greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither
formal nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a
place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so
little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in
their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of
Pemberley might be something"</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a64d79;">~Jane Austen, </span></i><span style="color: #a64d79;">Pride and Prejudice</span><i><span style="color: #a64d79;"> Chapter 43 </span></i></div>
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I've often wondered what draws me most to Pemberley House (aside from Mr. Darcy, that is). Is it the stone exterior? The expensive furniture? The glorious gardens? The melodious pianoforte or historic portraits? </div>
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Nope.</div>
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What I love most about Pemberley House is the housekeeper. </div>
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Really, who wouldn't want a small-bodied, well-mannered, crazy-efficient woman who has nothing but good to say about you even though she spends her life cleaning up your messes and keeping the home fires burning when you are off on a hunting party or in London on business. </div>
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I'm telling you. Elizabeth Bennet had no idea what she was missing out on when she first refused Darcy's proposal.</div>
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When I saw this house on a home tour, it reminded me of a smallish Pemberley House with its handsome exterior, manicured gardens, and verdant setting.</div>
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I love the details on this house, from its scrolled iron work and rustic bricks, to its elegant lanterns and stone quoins.</div>
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My heart feels all melty inside when I see boxwood hedges . . .</div>
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especially when they frame white rose bushes.</div>
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I love any homeowner who uses a rustic brick wall as a backdrop for a vibrant flower bed.</div>
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And what garden is complete without the refreshing sound of trickling water?</div>
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The water feature in the back yard is even more impressive. An actual river winds its way through the property.</div>
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It's hard not to fall in love with beautiful houses and grounds like Pemberley and this lovely house above. </div>
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But somewhere beneath all the initial "oohs" and "ahhs", there is a special place in my heart for the talented hands that keep it looking that way.</div>
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So if you are a housekeeper (or gardener), my hat is off to you. </div>
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And now, I have two questions for you:</div>
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1. What would the Pembereleys of the world be without you?</div>
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and </div>
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2. Why can't you come to my house?</div>
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Sharing at . . .</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-87579655260147737482013-03-29T20:48:00.001-07:002013-03-29T20:53:36.362-07:00Pride and Prejudice: Afternoon Tea<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Mr. Collins's triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was complete.
The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering
visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his
wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity of doing
it should be given so soon, was such an instance of Lady Catherine's
condescension, as he knew not how to admire enough.
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">"I confess," said he, "that I should not have been at all surprised by her
ladyship's asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the evening at
Rosings. I rather expected, from my knowledge of her affability, that it
would happen. But who could have foreseen such an attention as this? Who
could have imagined that we should receive an invitation to dine there (an
invitation, moreover, including the whole party) so immediately after your
arrival!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">~ Jane Austen, <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> Chapter 29 </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">At a family dinner last weekend, I expressed some of the wishes I have for the food at my funeral. No---I am not mortally wounded, I am not chronically ill, I am a pretty careful driver, and I always pay attention to the flight attendant when she is going over the safety instructions. My death is anything but imminent. But why leave things to chance---especially when food is on the line?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I announced to my family that if they tried to serve anything "buffet style" in a casserole dish that I would haunt them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Instead, I wish my life to be celebrated with a tea party.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">And this is why.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">These are pictures from my recent trip to the Grand America Hotel where I took afternoon tea with some of my sisters and my grandmother.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> And if the lobby isn't stunning enough for you, here is a view of the hotel patio. </span></span><br />
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Our elegant table was happily situated next to a window where we could watch the dancing fountains.</div>
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We started our afternoon with a tantalizing dollop of fresh berries and cream.</div>
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We then ordered steaming pots of berry tisanes and mint-lemongrass herb tea to accompany our trays of jaw dropping sandwiches and savories.</div>
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The mango chicken salad sandwich and the pecan crepe with smoked salmon still visit me in my dreams (where I rapidly devour them while still managing to lose weight).</div>
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It's hard to believe that it tasted as good as it looked!</div>
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We then savored some buttery currant scones.</div>
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I slathered mine with strawberry jam and clotted cream (as if they needed it . . .).</div>
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And just when I thought I would have to roll myself out to the car, our server brought out a dessert tray stacked with candies, cookies, and cakes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8pLKUg8vvE7eDrMgYKqJsOfjm3sDbMQYTVMwkb8Ronxm8X4Y3XQc6f1NYguhOaH3xAXxo5YJHwd-OBsuutKjlrH7yAWwHe_BCPIyRkQdaSjeKg6reFFyLs6NRz8wZbvRauWrRzxpWJcR/s1600/Afternoon+Tea+Cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8pLKUg8vvE7eDrMgYKqJsOfjm3sDbMQYTVMwkb8Ronxm8X4Y3XQc6f1NYguhOaH3xAXxo5YJHwd-OBsuutKjlrH7yAWwHe_BCPIyRkQdaSjeKg6reFFyLs6NRz8wZbvRauWrRzxpWJcR/s640/Afternoon+Tea+Cakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Don't you just love this adorable little s'more tart? The crust is made of graham crackers and the dome is filled with chocolate fudge and marshmallow creme. Yum.</div>
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Some days it is hard for me to remember what life is like outside of chicken nuggets, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese.</div>
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But when I sit down to a tea party, I am reminded that life is brimming with small yet beautiful, exciting moments. And sometimes, we even get to eat them.</div>
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So I ask you: What better way is there to celebrate a life well-lived than with a tea party?</div>
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In 50 years (knock on wood), when that fateful day arrives, I want you to know that you are all invited to my funeral tea. Bring your shiniest pearls, your loveliest hats, and fanciest heels. </div>
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But PLEASE . . . Leave the casseroles at home. (Or I'll have to haunt you, too.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuB6xJDwnJhBU4a_wb72tZnIkdAfBISJ03TzinEsRXIJBgOzQaIZkcCm4IFjvw5tQQUzrGRgoYXq9ccoFL-81d7kB4mHDAu2Y3389xILz0_17Oj6Af_kj2ctivT6Pk2QU0av-AuUGvU3xW/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuB6xJDwnJhBU4a_wb72tZnIkdAfBISJ03TzinEsRXIJBgOzQaIZkcCm4IFjvw5tQQUzrGRgoYXq9ccoFL-81d7kB4mHDAu2Y3389xILz0_17Oj6Af_kj2ctivT6Pk2QU0av-AuUGvU3xW/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sharing at . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span> </span></span></div>
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</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span></span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-85095653117757724242013-03-26T15:05:00.000-07:002013-03-27T17:16:43.999-07:00Pride and Prejudice: A Toile Powder Room<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">"How nicely we are all crammed in," cried Lydia. . . ."Dear me! we had such a good piece of fun the other day at
Colonel Forster's. Kitty and me were to spend the day there, and Mrs.
Forster promised to have a little dance in the evening; (by the bye, Mrs.
Forster and me are <i>such</i> friends!) and so she asked the two
Harringtons to come, but Harriet was ill, and so Pen was forced to come by
herself; and then, what do you think we did? We dressed up Chamberlayne in
woman's clothes on purpose to pass for a lady, only think what fun! Not a
soul knew of it, but Colonel and Mrs. Forster, and Kitty and me, except my
aunt, for we were forced to borrow one of her gowns; and you cannot
imagine how well he looked! When Denny, and Wickham, and Pratt, and two or
three more of the men came in, they did not know him in the least. Oh how I laughed! and so did Mrs. Forster. I thought I should have died. And
<i>that</i> made the men suspect something, and then they soon found out
what was the matter." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">~ Jane Austen, <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> Chapter 39 </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I never get tired of toile. I love it in <a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-with-new.html">bedrooms</a>. I love it in <a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-table.html">kitchens</a>. And I especially love it in bathrooms. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">There is something about toile in a little powder room that feels perfectly feminine, fancy, and even indulgent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Here is a peek at my own little corner of toile heaven.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4Xxpd6md6SVCUQDIeqPoYGW-oQLEPopR1XW-yI9SfKKn5u8eBLhlKHttqI00FRnCYmycX4QbBwIbdORbbunA0ZO3Wb5y4kM1Q7B3PkhvYXS3JNnnC41yNMAeueZeh_l21fI4Cz8F5bcu/s1600/Toile+Bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4Xxpd6md6SVCUQDIeqPoYGW-oQLEPopR1XW-yI9SfKKn5u8eBLhlKHttqI00FRnCYmycX4QbBwIbdORbbunA0ZO3Wb5y4kM1Q7B3PkhvYXS3JNnnC41yNMAeueZeh_l21fI4Cz8F5bcu/s640/Toile+Bathroom.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35UOiHytuHOr3mtPRNyVsZ2MGLdjPTbO9IfmtjZcVc-OPxzL7NPwG6Ghx2m9dnhbgyT98w3pHd6gCeBxvBY4iCTfnL-1UIRjjgPxxc8gR2mHB7rXD7_9rpgXMtg1a4VGdtVNDQini76hx/s1600/Toile+Bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">This is the powder room off of the living room and kitchen. It is truly a water "closet" in size: it is only about 3 feet wide and 5 feet long. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQio5eJa6Y-fOsaUEoMRqyl89i0MVp6ipn1W7qL4W-gJ-zucvAgp5EFm_o_CQ5r81gKqljVsR5RTmLcjG_KtwHHibJYk3egwUT7ksk3KbqPKSxrrM_BGTBRZ_6SjLSAaQu9IMR63ss3hSD/s1600/Toile+Bathroom+Topiary+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQio5eJa6Y-fOsaUEoMRqyl89i0MVp6ipn1W7qL4W-gJ-zucvAgp5EFm_o_CQ5r81gKqljVsR5RTmLcjG_KtwHHibJYk3egwUT7ksk3KbqPKSxrrM_BGTBRZ_6SjLSAaQu9IMR63ss3hSD/s640/Toile+Bathroom+Topiary+Detail.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> And while this little room's dimensions force me to take it easy on the <a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2013/03/pride-and-prejudice-raspberry-blackout.html">Raspberry Blackout Cake</a> and <a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2012/02/jane-austen-month-day-17-scones-anyone.html">Blueberry Scones</a>, its small size makes it the perfect candidate for patterned wallpaper.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCgxA5j-1t0yPxjph4psbpmfDkua5VRSpZOdv4oXmOM4xuENiiFNHFVMZB1etxyJGL_UDu6aMwrYCgw5zdd1LKXVAT_r3vKQu2-d79wJTVLM-G65ncFKaaCBEqXp3rMCb7pltstQyMmel/s1600/Toile+Bathroom+Austen+Era+Prints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCgxA5j-1t0yPxjph4psbpmfDkua5VRSpZOdv4oXmOM4xuENiiFNHFVMZB1etxyJGL_UDu6aMwrYCgw5zdd1LKXVAT_r3vKQu2-d79wJTVLM-G65ncFKaaCBEqXp3rMCb7pltstQyMmel/s640/Toile+Bathroom+Austen+Era+Prints.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> In honor of our <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> theme this week, I hung these framed prints of Regency era clothing above the towel rack.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJqCPp6NKt3tbEdC8lqhYWby8nFbE5ck6nTmg2HVyWsakeurWQinLkdLNrnGEmpC6_NV93L1pwJP__gr5gYX5CyMep0OfzihNC_gG94YSru0FtntID2WG9gJA26NAjlNw0HzUCMYrndYu/s1600/Toile+Bathroom+Regency+Prints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJqCPp6NKt3tbEdC8lqhYWby8nFbE5ck6nTmg2HVyWsakeurWQinLkdLNrnGEmpC6_NV93L1pwJP__gr5gYX5CyMep0OfzihNC_gG94YSru0FtntID2WG9gJA26NAjlNw0HzUCMYrndYu/s640/Toile+Bathroom+Regency+Prints.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I think I love the frames almost as much as I love the prints . . . if not more! (Thank you, dear Hobby Lobby, for having a 50% off sale!)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-g44S3IRwwzLg0SPKI-_PesYTREOAGvsGq5rtoZVO2XYzaUN0_1zb2jlLIFOSDhJAkhPiKZAU9qfc045K-qldaK_VX3Lh-BzK7woJjpCPoGQNFrUA4NhU639Eg643FSSuVmjX0tZrDMk/s1600/Toile+Bathroom+Regency+Print+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-g44S3IRwwzLg0SPKI-_PesYTREOAGvsGq5rtoZVO2XYzaUN0_1zb2jlLIFOSDhJAkhPiKZAU9qfc045K-qldaK_VX3Lh-BzK7woJjpCPoGQNFrUA4NhU639Eg643FSSuVmjX0tZrDMk/s640/Toile+Bathroom+Regency+Print+Detail.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I chose this print in particular because the woman's coat perfectly matches the cranberry shade of the wallpaper. (I also like the pose the cherub is pulling on that pedestal. It looks something akin to a disco move. A touch of whimsy, I say.)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo2nTx-ClymJKOlHhxMpe4U4D6y3vpXMwGwBWJvFyGAoQikzJNHAKxS__-Drrx2iJtyK8K-3Pm38ncV8nYPAYQU_bffrzQS7r24lpJ16GomjrCO-QK-CWk2Fz35RubYb0RFhPtCeVE1bw/s1600/Toile+Bathroom+Monogrammed+Hand+Towel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo2nTx-ClymJKOlHhxMpe4U4D6y3vpXMwGwBWJvFyGAoQikzJNHAKxS__-Drrx2iJtyK8K-3Pm38ncV8nYPAYQU_bffrzQS7r24lpJ16GomjrCO-QK-CWk2Fz35RubYb0RFhPtCeVE1bw/s640/Toile+Bathroom+Monogrammed+Hand+Towel.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">And as the finishing touch to my Pride and Prejudice-inspired powder room, I hung this monogrammed towel on the rack. Yes, it does happen to be the letter of our last name, but I like to think that the "P" stands for "Pemberley"!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">If you are looking for a touch of Pemberley for your own powder rooms, here are some adorable prints you could use. I wish I could have hung ALL of them in my powder room. Alas, 3 feet by 5 feet doesn't allow for more than just a few.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> {These prints all came from <a href="http://www.ekduncan.com/2011/07/regency-era-fashions-ackermanns.html">this website</a>}</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Three cheers for girly bathrooms and toile walls and regency gowns! May all of your powder rooms be your own little corners of Pemberley heaven . . .</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Sharing at . . .</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> <span id="goog_21210931"></span><span id="goog_21210932"></span></span> </span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-30326717208194194772013-03-23T13:46:00.001-07:002013-03-27T17:16:19.845-07:00Pride and Prejudice: Fordyce's Sermons<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>After some deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia
gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous
solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted him with,</i></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>"Do you know, mama, that my uncle Philips talks of turning away
Richard, and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me
so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more
about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but Mr. Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>"I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by
books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It
amazes me, I confess; -- for certainly, there can be nothing so
advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my
young cousin."</i></span></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>-"<u>Pride and Prejudice</u>," Jane Austen, Chapter 14 </i></span></div>
<br />
Some days you need a sister. Some days, you need to have someone call just to shoot the breeze, and then you need to take that opportunity to have a COMPLETE MENTAL BREAKDOWN on them. I had one of those days earlier this week. (Erika, you're welcome.)<br />
<br />
I can't even pinpoint why, but everything just started to feel heavy.<br />
<br />
Let me assure you: my burdens are small. I have nothing to complain about right now, other than a busy life.<br />
<br />
So having the wonderful sister and blogmate that I have in Erika, I basically started freaking out about all the things I SHOULD be doing; all the things I HAVE to do that aren't getting done; and all of the things I WANT to do that I haven't even been able to think about for weeks. And how no matter how much effort I put in, I just feel like I am failing at all of it.<br />
<br />
She listened like a good sister, and she made me feel better like she always does. After I hung up the phone, I remembered a scripture that's been running through my mind this month:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEgNPANtKoUdu9-kSGkuObmxJ88rqLNiYCtDdyzyuzWNgLkhhang9rB8A3Y3yhb0kUhVVQYxi8Crql3HsJ3gTrsL7Cs5xbqFYBXgX5V4lo1Sm97iUJhSTpU4DhqwF1c23d_7ZfFKU2EAc/s1600/Come+Unto+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEgNPANtKoUdu9-kSGkuObmxJ88rqLNiYCtDdyzyuzWNgLkhhang9rB8A3Y3yhb0kUhVVQYxi8Crql3HsJ3gTrsL7Cs5xbqFYBXgX5V4lo1Sm97iUJhSTpU4DhqwF1c23d_7ZfFKU2EAc/s640/Come+Unto+Me.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meed and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Matthew 11:28-30</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
I had been wanting to print it out for my nightstand as a good reminder to pray and study scriptures at bedtime, but hadn't found the chance. So I finally had a few moments around 2am a couple of nights ago, and whipped up the printable. I didn't have time to pick up a copy from the photo lab, so I just printed it out, which is why my copy is kind of purple.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZxq93l1Ct0xjtrPuViQe3utc0iuy1DBw3tel2FxOyXdyKVLIFpri8VP1ewDT9X0Trsiy9WojOb4Tjc023_BQtVqcAIVTdbsnbZwPPloRvJ_ds56wIyqRNO4k5V231F_itV_VX-Zp6Fqy/s1600/ComeUntoMeFramed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZxq93l1Ct0xjtrPuViQe3utc0iuy1DBw3tel2FxOyXdyKVLIFpri8VP1ewDT9X0Trsiy9WojOb4Tjc023_BQtVqcAIVTdbsnbZwPPloRvJ_ds56wIyqRNO4k5V231F_itV_VX-Zp6Fqy/s640/ComeUntoMeFramed.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I love knowing I can come to my Savior with the little problems that feel so big to me. And I love that He gave me a sister who is so willing to help me carry them. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Easter Season!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sharing at . . .</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Miriam@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08226920262981438778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-18437674434490621032013-03-16T09:36:00.002-07:002013-03-16T09:37:30.028-07:00Pride and Prejudice: Lemon Crinkle Tea Cookies<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>
"Good gracious!" cried Maria, after a few minutes' silence, </i></span><br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>"it seems but
a day or two since we first came! and yet how many things have happened!"
</i></span><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>
</i></span><br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>
"A great many indeed," said her companion with a sigh.
</i></span><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>
</i></span><br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>
"We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there twice! </i></span><br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>How much I shall have to tell!"
</i></span><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>
</i></span><br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i> Elizabeth added privately, "And how much I shall have to conceal!" </i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">~ Jane Austen, <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> Chapter 38</span><br />
<br />
I had the most inspiring talk with a friend today. She told me that her "word for the year" was <b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">AUTHENTICITY</span></b>. Authenticity, inside and out. I don't know why this idea comes as such a revelation to me. After all, I'd like to think that I am already an authentic person: I say what I think (sometimes), I am a natural blond (mostly), and I wear minimal makeup (but only because I don't want to spend the time or money to wear <i>lots</i> of makeup).<br />
<br />
But who am I <i>really</i>? Sure, I dream of discovering that I am really a Pulitzer Prize writer with the heart of Gandhi who has the coordination of a Russian gymnast and the legs (and knee caps) of a Princess Barbie. But that's not <i>really</i> me. So, if I were being authentic to my <i>true</i> self, what would I do with my time? What choices would I make? How would I treat others? How would I treat myself?<br />
<br />
I'm realizing that in order to answer these questions, I am going to need a lot of heart-to-hearts with myself, God, and a really affordable therapist.<br />
<br />
But here is one thing I <i>do </i>know: I am girl who loves a beautiful tea cup. There is something about the graceful curve and melodious "clink" of a china cup that makes my heart flutter. Maybe it's because I have three liters of English blood pumping through my veins. Or maybe it is because I am going through "Downton Abbey" withdrawals. Or maybe it is just because it is who I am--no explanation needed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NUFUwjgPVyXiu7h-1u4Dq3D742mfpJSZPc05K4Qj-t5rU6t3RW9MZzN0o0rKQJQSlwzVSJ3XEa26ukZO9ZEddxi4vwarFR34XrBJn9YHmkIOV5SXNc5iKeQeU0r-g29_J4-lcGqnCIt1/s1600/Lemon+Crinkle+Cookies+Tea+Cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NUFUwjgPVyXiu7h-1u4Dq3D742mfpJSZPc05K4Qj-t5rU6t3RW9MZzN0o0rKQJQSlwzVSJ3XEa26ukZO9ZEddxi4vwarFR34XrBJn9YHmkIOV5SXNc5iKeQeU0r-g29_J4-lcGqnCIt1/s640/Lemon+Crinkle+Cookies+Tea+Cup.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So in an effort to be "authentic" today, I bypassed the water bottles and the mismatched plastic tumblers in the cupboard and treated myself a drink from a blue chintz tea cup instead. I could have sworn that while I held its delicate handle in my fingers, I was nicer, thinner, and smarter than I had been without it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlmb8pDd4jUexBfOahG0CBGm_wIqGNchzpwWP6FDsWom0gHtRBZfsdDtOtCEh_NgcgdUwzEl1Y7N_Pa6gRl2aCC2555VZbj1Imig5uGzRnDaF5u7YEQBzsD29u1WqV8juy_vpVJ741uvA/s1600/Lemon+Crinkle+Tea+Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlmb8pDd4jUexBfOahG0CBGm_wIqGNchzpwWP6FDsWom0gHtRBZfsdDtOtCEh_NgcgdUwzEl1Y7N_Pa6gRl2aCC2555VZbj1Imig5uGzRnDaF5u7YEQBzsD29u1WqV8juy_vpVJ741uvA/s640/Lemon+Crinkle+Tea+Cookies.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The best part is that I paired my cup of passion fruit herbal tea with this lemon crinkle cookie. These are a fresh, delicate, and zesty cookie that are the PERFECT accompaniment to ANY cup of tea.<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Lemon Crinkle Cookies</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1 stick of butter</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1 cup of sugar</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1 egg </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1 tablespoon lemon juice</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1/2 teaspoon vanilla</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1-2 teaspoons lemon zest</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1/2 teaspoon salt</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1/4 teaspoon baking soda</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1/4 teaspoon baking powder</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups flour </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1 cup powdered sugar (in separate bowl)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, vanilla, lemon juice and zest. Mix in dry ingredients. Form into 1 inch balls and roll in powdered sugar. Place on a cookie sheet at bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until the bottom of the cookie is golden brown and the top of the cookie has a matte (not glossy) finish. When cool, dust with remaining powdered sugar (I hate to waste it) and serve with your favorite cup of tea.</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
So if whatever it is that your "authentic" self loves---whether it be <b><a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2013/02/pride-and-prejudice-tea-party-placecards.html">tea parties</a></b> or <b><a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2012/07/little-house-on-prairie-apple-pie-in.html">picnics in the orchard</a></b> or <b><a href="http://bebookbound.blogspot.com/2012/05/anne-of-green-gables-feminine-guest.html">feminine bedrooms</a></b> --- <b>EMBRACE IT</b>! As for me, I'm going to go embrace another cup of herbal tea and a Lemon Crinkle Cookie (or two).<br />
<br />
Here's to <b>AUTHENTICITY</b>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxif-Rtoln126x_Z3ocF1H2zwCSLQg9fH2p8AKwEKT02JDsuBZrSeVIeFN8csPEifAJNeIk5L7G31z9sJ-msWW4bPPXdBST-ZTVGwnsho78lr3oT8njS8J1-855fxs828z93bMdM31WDKC/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxif-Rtoln126x_Z3ocF1H2zwCSLQg9fH2p8AKwEKT02JDsuBZrSeVIeFN8csPEifAJNeIk5L7G31z9sJ-msWW4bPPXdBST-ZTVGwnsho78lr3oT8njS8J1-855fxs828z93bMdM31WDKC/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
Sharing at . . .<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black;">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-13506464605696992512013-03-12T21:44:00.002-07:002013-03-18T19:10:48.172-07:00Pride and Prejudice: A Handsome Home Tour<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">"The rooms were lofty and
handsome, and their furniture suitable to the fortune of its proprietor; </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">but Elizabeth saw, with admiration of his taste, that it was neither gaudy
nor uselessly fine; </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">with less of splendour, and more real elegance, than
the furniture of Rosings. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #c27ba0;"> "And of this place," thought she, "I might have been mistress! </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">With these
rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Instead of viewing them
as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">and welcomed to
them as visitors my uncle and aunt."</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Chapter 43 </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently read an article on the internet wherein the author enumerated the ups and downs of blogging. She said that blogging has taken a lot of her time, but that her "house has never looked so good." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hmmm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Never looked so good? Seriously? Every time I sit down to blog, I steel myself because I know that as soon as I hit "publish" on my post, I will return to a houseful of disasters, from lipstick smeared on the shower, to rolls of Charmin in the toilet, to mysterious pools of liquid in the upstairs hallway. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And yes, all of the above mentioned surprises have indeed happened here this week. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Miriam and I have been blogging for over a year now, and at times, it seems that our homes have never looked WORSE. But then again, we're in the thick of this child-rearing/toddler-wrangling stage. We do our best, but sometimes kids and blogs just don't mix.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is why I am not going to show you my home today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Unless you were REALLY hoping for a visual feast of gym socks, Legos, and smashed pears.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instead, I am going to show you a <a href="http://www.ivoryhomes.com/">fair-prospect-of-a-model-home</a> that I have taken the opportunity to visit SEVERAL times in the past few months.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is nothing special from the outside, but as soon as you enter the front door, you can't help but fall in love with its soothing and comfortable living room . . .</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVrcjZXXBS8G8vYr47y7NQo9ABDIIrGOBNEoxijl7ZHfHPvOUHv7jANEOfy4HGXLwmSJsjdq_kJlqvsHiClMgOc1ASBlnoBU3rv-f7CT9YdSTGOAAmIx6_yxpP_Dqtw1uRCRFBU988vbL/s1600/Ivory+Home+Cream+Living+Room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVrcjZXXBS8G8vYr47y7NQo9ABDIIrGOBNEoxijl7ZHfHPvOUHv7jANEOfy4HGXLwmSJsjdq_kJlqvsHiClMgOc1ASBlnoBU3rv-f7CT9YdSTGOAAmIx6_yxpP_Dqtw1uRCRFBU988vbL/s640/Ivory+Home+Cream+Living+Room+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0pu7C8u1oRlEkc4bkVc8Vb6xJ6mkF38Fr1wBIyVhFZW6JsssGIQMDoJlZbfzIPVpFJABBLLaZakwUA5qI9-FyV5-cH7qJUbyzzFJzcp_7_PFKvwDjyEMXFRZqTB8PmvX3KEjjx_N8dCE/s1600/Ivory+Home+Cream+Living+Room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0pu7C8u1oRlEkc4bkVc8Vb6xJ6mkF38Fr1wBIyVhFZW6JsssGIQMDoJlZbfzIPVpFJABBLLaZakwUA5qI9-FyV5-cH7qJUbyzzFJzcp_7_PFKvwDjyEMXFRZqTB8PmvX3KEjjx_N8dCE/s640/Ivory+Home+Cream+Living+Room+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
and its rich and inviting dining room.</div>
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I would have never thought to pair satin celadon draperies with this wallpaper. So daring! So fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSMBeG9GdjC0rNCL6lq-cTviUNT1OU5kAWGqw6DfuI97niIMQBJpYgrm1UKDx3H_XJW5V2ZUL-_iP5Z-FNks_8Mzqry8q2VHdn-ngHxQxSPxsaVKI02SvxXdJxJdqaqiEWiYcP3uig12g/s1600/Ivory+Home+Dining+Room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSMBeG9GdjC0rNCL6lq-cTviUNT1OU5kAWGqw6DfuI97niIMQBJpYgrm1UKDx3H_XJW5V2ZUL-_iP5Z-FNks_8Mzqry8q2VHdn-ngHxQxSPxsaVKI02SvxXdJxJdqaqiEWiYcP3uig12g/s640/Ivory+Home+Dining+Room+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The kitchen is clean and sleek, but just traditional and cozy enough that I could see my family gathering here for an after-school snack.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOl-lY4e0GFtM4xbNmodnny3pKXVomeYu1zc2n_Q6IUwHz_YOIjYzlYIz5ghyfI4yCpRLdg-DI34yoNKj2vwDa9ZSbl-xSE_8ksEIpP0dDjnDG3cAhOPrJaU3p4TJshlrpxpPhuWkbynj/s1600/Ivory+Home+Kitchen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOl-lY4e0GFtM4xbNmodnny3pKXVomeYu1zc2n_Q6IUwHz_YOIjYzlYIz5ghyfI4yCpRLdg-DI34yoNKj2vwDa9ZSbl-xSE_8ksEIpP0dDjnDG3cAhOPrJaU3p4TJshlrpxpPhuWkbynj/s640/Ivory+Home+Kitchen+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The family room is the perfect fresh and organic complement to the rest of the house.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriz6f_xQvVQJcoNbfEYtxs3B_YXpO-ijBCNJlzWYmrSu95DLnCDOZxRL2NASdHFmbSU8OFj2j26Up9celr-sutqZbh_nHopLVgLjRA5NLxq3KneQbXhmgyN3DuQPm36lXnimL0uVVVdiX/s1600/Ivory+Home+Living+Room+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriz6f_xQvVQJcoNbfEYtxs3B_YXpO-ijBCNJlzWYmrSu95DLnCDOZxRL2NASdHFmbSU8OFj2j26Up9celr-sutqZbh_nHopLVgLjRA5NLxq3KneQbXhmgyN3DuQPm36lXnimL0uVVVdiX/s640/Ivory+Home+Living+Room+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcZQL__1OOJAgGq72R6GgKNEChacYM28D3m2yfFnXntCIFI1Pn2SOgZihFyof8dCSLxekWHxPHhVWTpBQaegeAlDY4ejlrFeSg1QInhBaByD16KxRJmxcoiBnd-FpRA9cRfCgjaJQpHRZ/s1600/Ivory+Home+Living+Room+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcZQL__1OOJAgGq72R6GgKNEChacYM28D3m2yfFnXntCIFI1Pn2SOgZihFyof8dCSLxekWHxPHhVWTpBQaegeAlDY4ejlrFeSg1QInhBaByD16KxRJmxcoiBnd-FpRA9cRfCgjaJQpHRZ/s640/Ivory+Home+Living+Room+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And who wouldn't love a slightly bohemian master bedroom with a stunning four-poster bed? (I sometimes like to call my own bedroom "bohemian", but in those cases "bohemian" is really just a code word for "strewn with wrinkled laundry.")</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKj3FihuSiL8FM2h6_7U0xgh5PrptLsEb6540DHNQBXtX_QI6uQecEI8hSOjV2CQLbUuYKWlMRcz-Kjk6raJZ_XuIUKulKlU1pfYRUgbfBNj882S7Atgx8Tee8UJ4VDD60sHrQU3JEYHYa/s1600/Ivory+Home+Master+Bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKj3FihuSiL8FM2h6_7U0xgh5PrptLsEb6540DHNQBXtX_QI6uQecEI8hSOjV2CQLbUuYKWlMRcz-Kjk6raJZ_XuIUKulKlU1pfYRUgbfBNj882S7Atgx8Tee8UJ4VDD60sHrQU3JEYHYa/s640/Ivory+Home+Master+Bedroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just writing this post inspires me to make my own house look better than it has ever looked before. And I promise I'll get to it someday. But for right now, you'll have to excuse me. I just spied my toddler drawing on a ceramic centerpiece with a purple crayon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzEKW3tEvbkQRfpZ4eotTz98R6CjJUupeMlrGeeObj4V7dT2o7QECwXr4S29aYFraS2h1CprQu2jasYWiRpybYJB4zbwLHWsfb2pAo6BtuQwCB22fsHuVwPoTRNIUJ2A5XFbKzZk5COOi/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzEKW3tEvbkQRfpZ4eotTz98R6CjJUupeMlrGeeObj4V7dT2o7QECwXr4S29aYFraS2h1CprQu2jasYWiRpybYJB4zbwLHWsfb2pAo6BtuQwCB22fsHuVwPoTRNIUJ2A5XFbKzZk5COOi/s1600/D8EE92B2AE39EDF9CAC8D9C23AEADC2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sharing at . . .</div>
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<a href="http://cedarhill-ranch.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_PEhwFEK0AQNSgJ4pAvaiacj3bHnhWG1AwtAsZsFZdY_5EQ_zmf9ZSUWcV96i70Hmz_U3IQIOSHC9qAa7JiY8Ts-U5tb2R9xhJUGTEiBFnVVFCy9wwQZ5r4kekdkusmi0y9XLvniy3K9/s1600/The+Scoop.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/">It's Overflowing</a> </span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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Erika@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597134826976018288noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8880965596412537367.post-68730623281590224982013-03-07T10:44:00.001-08:002013-03-18T19:11:32.866-07:00Pride and Prejudice: Happiness Printable<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i>Dear Goodreads: You need a 'Report' button on your quotes page so that people like me who are obviously book nerds to the extreme can report when quotes submitted are not actually from the book, but the movie instead. And yes, I do have time to worry about these things. </i></div>
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<i>Sincerely, </i></div>
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<i>Probably should be cleaning my house right now. </i></div>
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Yep, That seriously gets on my nerves. But come on, people! "Scars help us know that our past was for real." doesn't even sound like Jane Austen. I don't even know what movie version that must have come from, but I KNOW it's not in Pride and Prejudice. I even searched the text in case I was crazy. Probably should have been doing laundry.</div>
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However, let me state that I love me some movie quotes too. "You have bewitched me, body and soul," anyone? And many of them deserve repeating. This one, for example: </div>
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"I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G9IEKvMW0YX8KjDPtMCxFQioWsNLRYPqQygeljANOVwJzFU03KjK_NDDxWWiCjZesD6yG9NH4d0yEdZPD35Uhy7gppo8kiQnfpCKOFwSY06s9-6Ecd4OeGfm-WSy6x2R4fhFgD531xBM/s1600/HappierThanIDeserve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G9IEKvMW0YX8KjDPtMCxFQioWsNLRYPqQygeljANOVwJzFU03KjK_NDDxWWiCjZesD6yG9NH4d0yEdZPD35Uhy7gppo8kiQnfpCKOFwSY06s9-6Ecd4OeGfm-WSy6x2R4fhFgD531xBM/s640/HappierThanIDeserve.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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I think I needed this quote this week to remind myself of how undeserving I am of the many blessings in my life. We all need that reminder when three of our kids have the stomach flu. ;) So here's a happy little reminder from the Pride and Prejudice film, and you can feel free to use it, print it, whatever :)</div>
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Erika and I both have some really fun Pride and Prejudice projects in the works, so we will see you soon!<br />
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Sharing at . . . <br />
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<a href="http://cedarhill-ranch.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_PEhwFEK0AQNSgJ4pAvaiacj3bHnhWG1AwtAsZsFZdY_5EQ_zmf9ZSUWcV96i70Hmz_U3IQIOSHC9qAa7JiY8Ts-U5tb2R9xhJUGTEiBFnVVFCy9wwQZ5r4kekdkusmi0y9XLvniy3K9/s1600/The+Scoop.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/">Cedar Hill Ranch</a><br />
</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch </a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";">Homestories A to Z</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/">StoneGable </a></span><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/">From My Front Porch to Yours </a><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://stuff-and-nonsense.net/">Stuff and Nonsense </a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style </a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://itsoverflowing.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif";">It's <span style="font-size: x-small;">Over<span style="font-size: x-small;">flowing</span></span> </span></span></span></a> </span></span></div>
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Miriam@BeBookBoundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08226920262981438778noreply@blogger.com4