tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94260852024-02-07T19:55:51.929-05:00FishFeetRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-54682400525321854362009-07-07T19:26:00.007-04:002009-07-09T22:05:34.245-04:00Local Yokel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVqI2vyBZqnYzJk6tyWX_RQdMiYwnsCpMc_0Z-EqkPehO9h9xmUztsXrix3fxpR3TQQygSVZxGDDEOLaBf7N3Z4US0vxqS8JWqnq0_HPa7pMlm2Nkb4sqxiJa1jigIudxMHN4/s1600-h/IMG_0150%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVqI2vyBZqnYzJk6tyWX_RQdMiYwnsCpMc_0Z-EqkPehO9h9xmUztsXrix3fxpR3TQQygSVZxGDDEOLaBf7N3Z4US0vxqS8JWqnq0_HPa7pMlm2Nkb4sqxiJa1jigIudxMHN4/s320/IMG_0150%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356646261779825026" /></a><br /><br />You might be wondering why I'm spending so much time talking about local eating. "Who cares, anyway?"...."Just another silly 'hippie/yuppie' trend" you may be thinking. Which may be so, but I ask you to think about this: An average dinner travels approx. 1500 miles from 'farm to fork'. Given today's high fuel prices (albeit, lower than this time last year) and the rising global demand for oil, many people are looking at what they can do to help reduce their 'carbon footprint' and minimize our nation's dependency on oil. It seems that everyone I know is looking for 'greener' alternatives, from reusable shopping bags to hybrid vehicles. Sometimes the solution can be as easy as looking in your own backyard (or maybe your neighbors). <br />For me, there were many factors that began my path towards the 'locavore' lifestyle.<br /><br />1) The Environmental impact - My 'carbon footprint' is big enough between the 70 mile round-trip commute (although I do carpool most days) and the amount of air travel I do. Why not try to reduce the amount of oil 'in' my food?<br /><br />2) Supporting my local farmer(s) - I am fortunate to live in a suburban area that still has a lot of family farms. Harleysville has not yet been completely developed, sub-divided and taken over by strip malls. One of the reasons we loved this area so much was because it still had a "small town" feel. In order to keep it that way, I feel, it's important to keep the small farmers and gardeners in business. On average, $0.21 of your supermarket food dollar actually goes to the farmer. The rest of the $0.79 is used for marketing, distribution and other assorted costs. When possible, I prefer to put that whole dollar, directly into the hands of the farmer who grew it.<br /><br />3) Rethinking consumerism - In this economic environment I've really started to think about the lasting affects of a consumption based society. I consider myself lucky that Jake and I are both gainfully employed and haven't been impacted by the economic crisis like so many other people we know. That said, I have really started to think about my spending differently. Trying to eliminate wasteful spending and really taking a look at the business models we support by our consumerism. Right now, our country is in an economic restructering period. We have really been trying to support the businesses whose ideals we agree with, rather than what's sold cheaply in the 'big box' stores. <br /><br />4) Food appreciation - I've noticed that the week's I go to the farmers market and bring home fresh ingredients, I am more inspired to break out my cookbooks and do something that brings out the flavors of what I've purchased. It also forces me to think about what's in-season (which is easy to forget when cucumbers and strawberries are available in most grocery stores year-round). By thinking more creatively about what's for dinner makes cooking much more enjoyable...not to mention we eat a lot better.<br /><br />Now is the best time of year to try and become a 'locavore'. While I don't want to sound too 'preachy', I would like to encourage everyone to visit their local farmers market to see what's available locally and meet the people who grow it. If you don't know where to find one, check out www.localharvest.org<br /><br />Speaking of local meals, here are a couple of the local dinners we made last week:<br /><br />Turkey sausage and cauliflower stuffed peppers:<br />The first green peppers were available at the farmers market last weekend (they had to have been started in a green house, since we've had so much rain lately).<br />We stuffed them with browned turkey sausage, green onions, mushrooms, carrots, and steamed cauliflower (instead of rice). They were very tasty!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-R0Xgq71kwQ_bRzOT5g5eDVuHw9ovskGouE23o3zMdFusxTrgS1Xvb0eV1rPJyqiDGCiq_Jku_eXnwZsOrw8BRMLutQHFqAS2ZYmELh5Yx9UfbDnKdRSekdzUDo-lhyphenhyphendy0WS/s1600-h/IMG_0145.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-R0Xgq71kwQ_bRzOT5g5eDVuHw9ovskGouE23o3zMdFusxTrgS1Xvb0eV1rPJyqiDGCiq_Jku_eXnwZsOrw8BRMLutQHFqAS2ZYmELh5Yx9UfbDnKdRSekdzUDo-lhyphenhyphendy0WS/s320/IMG_0145.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356646251900763362" /></a><br /><br />I also made Halupki (stuffed cabbage rolls). I've never made it before and let me tell you it is a PRODUCTION! This was a total impulse purchase - the farmers market had the biggest, most beautiful heads of cabbage I've ever seen (pictured at the top of the page). I had to buy one. we served our cabbage rolls (stuffed with local ground pork and non-local organic rice). Served with green beans -which were picked that morning- and boiled red potatoes all purchased from the farmers market...delicious.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEh0WQiEi-345YO7jkbxl6wS0Zj1Hp2Seq1UGUcSxoDsDKPGE7lb7ke2Yo6fvLOgdw4CZ09Sz7nzWvcjMbZpYi9anWmLnbtPnwfQrsufsdAVPqvAe2AS3Kl1TpQf8CBdhkF3S1/s1600-h/IMG_0158%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEh0WQiEi-345YO7jkbxl6wS0Zj1Hp2Seq1UGUcSxoDsDKPGE7lb7ke2Yo6fvLOgdw4CZ09Sz7nzWvcjMbZpYi9anWmLnbtPnwfQrsufsdAVPqvAe2AS3Kl1TpQf8CBdhkF3S1/s320/IMG_0158%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356646256900714962" /></a>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-1976931077184251432009-06-28T20:10:00.003-04:002009-06-28T21:02:09.382-04:00Wine Weekend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_OTg-8d3ISJov2HNkCRT0dijytBsDzfadRQHalkCbZmhB9jBPHwslVThf31cOsN-OllEhRlG9fi8BL7REF3de9IibMB-n1fmGtCzYUI0bVLGGAt3HI77tyDuqFUF1NuppRq2/s1600-h/IMG_0141%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_OTg-8d3ISJov2HNkCRT0dijytBsDzfadRQHalkCbZmhB9jBPHwslVThf31cOsN-OllEhRlG9fi8BL7REF3de9IibMB-n1fmGtCzYUI0bVLGGAt3HI77tyDuqFUF1NuppRq2/s320/IMG_0141%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352546067285441746" /></a><br />It's officially summer...and that means vacation time! In our house, we rarely take a "real" vacation...usually opting for long weekends of traveling and/or camping. We have fallen in to this routine after years of having different work schedules and family obligations (I used to spend my time traveling back to Seattle, while Jake had to work). <br />This year, due to the amount of travel I've been doing for work, the thought of getting on an airplane (or even just going to the airport) was about as appealing as a root canal. Instead, we decided that a camping weekend was just they kind of R&R we were in the market for. The original plan was to head down to Virginia...however the weather forecast was not cooperative. We didn't think that 90 degree temps and 60% humidity sounded like our idea of a good time. Although our "camper" (see picture below) has A/C - I don't think German engineering can combat a triple digit heat index. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5H4umJo9GTW4Ic3A0-Qs6ondTzM1PvBgdQ_2yWuwCT9jqK9JoYT8cSy5i3h1hJEUaF6Kqgbr_x-0VYIEiEhCgofwRka0WfzhJeQhGuQx0Nx-HCe-YlSl9UCG7JEkTEGX_jGG/s1600-h/IMG_0137%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5H4umJo9GTW4Ic3A0-Qs6ondTzM1PvBgdQ_2yWuwCT9jqK9JoYT8cSy5i3h1hJEUaF6Kqgbr_x-0VYIEiEhCgofwRka0WfzhJeQhGuQx0Nx-HCe-YlSl9UCG7JEkTEGX_jGG/s320/IMG_0137%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352546059434679202" /></a><br />So we decided to head north - to the NY Finger Lakes, instead of south to Virginia. What a great decision it turned out to be. After driving thru a little bit of lightning and hail on Friday morning, we ended up having a glorious weekend. It was sunny and in the high 70's all weekend. <br />For those of you who have never heard of the Fingerlakes, it is essentially NY's "Wine Country". It is a gorgeous area of upstate New York with beautiful lakes, nice state parks and a fabulous wine trail. Those of you who live on the West Coast will need to temper yourselves...remember that the Mid-Atlantic states do not have the same length of growing season as California, Oregon and Eastern Washington. However, there are some really terrific wines that can be produced in a colder climate - particularly Riesling's. <br />One of our favorite New York winery, at least prior to this trip was <a href="http://www.drfrankwines.com/">Dr. Konstantin Frank's</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKGbooX6uh2gpXQqPtszsqoHek13CleEsbryEQwE0P5PIaQRY4-I9alMP3azdhSm4RjwKH-fuO7Pa43c1_AizMFTNS8JXeYLPnI7mo5h7KXoXnp-O4J7k7yuJXOLJksxO_IkZ/s1600-h/IMG_0139%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKGbooX6uh2gpXQqPtszsqoHek13CleEsbryEQwE0P5PIaQRY4-I9alMP3azdhSm4RjwKH-fuO7Pa43c1_AizMFTNS8JXeYLPnI7mo5h7KXoXnp-O4J7k7yuJXOLJksxO_IkZ/s320/IMG_0139%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352546060558328610" /></a><br /> They really don't make a bad wine and the view of Keuka Lake from the tasting deck is beautiful (not sure that we got a picture). The diamond in the rough of the trip had to be <a href="http://www.mcgregorwinery.com/">McGregor Winery</a>...there wines are wonderful and the winery was so welcoming. McGregor is our new favorite NY winery. If you ever get a chance to visit - I highly recommend it!<br />I don't think I had realized how much I needed a little quiet time...thankfully Jake did. Before we left, all I could think about was, between work and home, how much I had to do. I was still thinking about postponing the trip until things were a little calmer...fortunately my husband wouldn't let me. Jake recognized that I needed a break, more than I did...and for that I am grateful. The weekend of relaxing, wine tasting and nature was just what I needed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWPadOadzOStvMNMU7KNlmq4CzTYCtN0v6zX2EBq3CeisL1NFnon-3mAMYN9Kqxh2SJGztnr6rZQy9AuJA3wJDMSJ0XD8PS2LvTHGrXbB4YXzhkZpEIWvRavcoI63UVHXSmn7/s1600-h/IMG_0140%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWPadOadzOStvMNMU7KNlmq4CzTYCtN0v6zX2EBq3CeisL1NFnon-3mAMYN9Kqxh2SJGztnr6rZQy9AuJA3wJDMSJ0XD8PS2LvTHGrXbB4YXzhkZpEIWvRavcoI63UVHXSmn7/s320/IMG_0140%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352546064571878018" /></a><br /><br />Oh, and as an aside....you can even eat locally on vacation!...below is my burger and fries from Rooster Fish brewing (after a day of wine tasting - we decided to have dinner at a brewery!) The hamburger is from locally raised cows and the bread baked fresh daily. Served with handcut fries and beer made from NY cascade hops....delicious!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQBj9YWGrRQ3uYDKYK3-PhxDLeVku-0lvyg4xVodczLq9j2dhKIubWPxsMrcYoYnnWwEts1lwwIxY7iRkxB1TmxYveEqgfDuO1hkoMbzBfGyc1rnze11DFDmhyOI3vG2ydKv9/s1600-h/IMG_0135%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQBj9YWGrRQ3uYDKYK3-PhxDLeVku-0lvyg4xVodczLq9j2dhKIubWPxsMrcYoYnnWwEts1lwwIxY7iRkxB1TmxYveEqgfDuO1hkoMbzBfGyc1rnze11DFDmhyOI3vG2ydKv9/s320/IMG_0135%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352546078249830770" /></a>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-87825117885378761962009-06-21T20:02:00.005-04:002009-06-21T20:33:22.452-04:00One Local Summer - Week's 2 & 3As summer gets closer (today, Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year) eating locally becomes more enjoyable. The farmers markets in the area are starting to open and more green veggie options are beginning to fill the stall's.<br />I was unable to post our local meal from week 2 because I left for the airport right after we finished eating. <br /><br />Week Two's Dinner:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhJ8BqjOEQIVPkDCn4G9dOQ3_wiXddQxGDaVBvQnkH3TbCcg8U52H0377HdoqBqI6xDkWHL-UWMG4TooOyAf96vngfyLriTv-vjOseklzjmfQ_Z8_eydz3uf2-72rDZt5QI-i/s1600-h/P6140064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhJ8BqjOEQIVPkDCn4G9dOQ3_wiXddQxGDaVBvQnkH3TbCcg8U52H0377HdoqBqI6xDkWHL-UWMG4TooOyAf96vngfyLriTv-vjOseklzjmfQ_Z8_eydz3uf2-72rDZt5QI-i/s320/P6140064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349938631686615202" /></a><br />Grilled Chicken Thighs with Rosemary and Olive Oil<br />Braised Sugar Snap Peas and Spring Onions<br />Mashed Turnips<br />Heirloom Tomatoes (Organic - grown in a Greenhouse in Lancaster) and Basil from my garden<br /> <br />While we try to produce most of our meals from local ingredients - in the weeks during the "one local challenge" I am trying to make a weekly Sunday dinner from purely local ingredients. Tonight's dinner (Week 3) was inspired by Barbara Kingsolver's book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" (which I'm rereading for the third time).<br /><br />Week 3's Dinner:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5u3a2Zg15zRfvyRhfTeD15gqK8X-Tdu17LCDFz8_MsxxmmVr5NdZfUezNztQNsL22Qo-k0DGSjXruEY26JyBYDfEagZRj34_IXLc7N0dgviXXgsM2HQXRDH-pk-pPJ9tXMon/s1600-h/P6210067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5u3a2Zg15zRfvyRhfTeD15gqK8X-Tdu17LCDFz8_MsxxmmVr5NdZfUezNztQNsL22Qo-k0DGSjXruEY26JyBYDfEagZRj34_IXLc7N0dgviXXgsM2HQXRDH-pk-pPJ9tXMon/s320/P6210067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349941012447771122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-u3El7Ow7BYWSu521eEpwIi2aI2IgC-iodmWXcq_objoRF_S2ZRXycwhqybj8iI1aNSbguE6w38SIsduQ075CKiObp7Z4tmal_UUwGXoszpUqwTvNK-UIfUMs4BHEztZNCL5/s1600-h/P6210069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-u3El7Ow7BYWSu521eEpwIi2aI2IgC-iodmWXcq_objoRF_S2ZRXycwhqybj8iI1aNSbguE6w38SIsduQ075CKiObp7Z4tmal_UUwGXoszpUqwTvNK-UIfUMs4BHEztZNCL5/s320/P6210069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349941017049528530" /></a><br />Roasted Vegetable Panini's<br />Roasted Onion, Zuccini & Yellow Squash from Landisdale<br />Tomatoes - Lancaster County<br />Bread - Souderton<br />Mozzarella - bought from Willow Creek -not sure where locally they get it.<br />Parm. Cheese - ok, not local...but I brought it back with me from Italy - where it is made locally. I think that still counts.<br /><br />And for dessert....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpIbbgbA9PMdc200X8PiWiy1VJQpHptJ3_jHN250xpeMzfXHdcUAa8r55ylJf06BbvbWkQSjH0KHNt8ztM5X4hOOuK22QNCuTZABCEwlDDV2FMfOCg1lgiCsdiN3GrAQYdReH/s1600-h/P6210072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpIbbgbA9PMdc200X8PiWiy1VJQpHptJ3_jHN250xpeMzfXHdcUAa8r55ylJf06BbvbWkQSjH0KHNt8ztM5X4hOOuK22QNCuTZABCEwlDDV2FMfOCg1lgiCsdiN3GrAQYdReH/s320/P6210072.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349941020967477138" /></a><br />Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream - using the last bit of strawberry jam we made this afternoon (more on that tomorrow) and local cream.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-27144124138308907622009-06-09T20:03:00.006-04:002009-06-21T20:02:22.858-04:00Scotland PicturesDuring my last trip to the UK I was finally able to do some sightseeing....<br /><br />The city of St. Andrews:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuAqcNZ1a2a7VdewC90aqlT_TRBjL3yV6GG5ZUNj2tr_V_qfOP4np7TCVLNrGQ1R6eLJFmMU5LWVm5RZweE6VcsOLKE6sdvMkqwH7xJXw0QJUaJMdyOic6GCss8EaKUZPf6kf/s1600-h/IMG_0085%5B1%5D"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuAqcNZ1a2a7VdewC90aqlT_TRBjL3yV6GG5ZUNj2tr_V_qfOP4np7TCVLNrGQ1R6eLJFmMU5LWVm5RZweE6VcsOLKE6sdvMkqwH7xJXw0QJUaJMdyOic6GCss8EaKUZPf6kf/s320/IMG_0085%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349933163076745794" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONyR34DT3ngL3dau4BKIRU1RszmLSmLiizZpyzveHvKBezHLm0ekwQC9ExvqCqFG0ou7Rd06FQkpiCF3bumuQQ5qStOe052EhtbuaVEhP0D8pnCxMnyD4asLIDhLupC_0h8fb/s1600-h/IMG_0096%5B1%5D"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONyR34DT3ngL3dau4BKIRU1RszmLSmLiizZpyzveHvKBezHLm0ekwQC9ExvqCqFG0ou7Rd06FQkpiCF3bumuQQ5qStOe052EhtbuaVEhP0D8pnCxMnyD4asLIDhLupC_0h8fb/s320/IMG_0096%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349933167713073858" /></a><br /><br />The Castle of St. Andrews:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerJlGLfi4D9dvdqLifLxc70Bdy7F7nwipbgpNtjZcDz7-TUPK2SpB9eL4mWlv8htkaTKA5QCgoHXrEKZJl_r_uD6rcqZTlqgbX45MNmdhjmMzgPbgPm-J2kZ7lpuyMzSq5SRF/s1600-h/IMG_0068%5B1%5D"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerJlGLfi4D9dvdqLifLxc70Bdy7F7nwipbgpNtjZcDz7-TUPK2SpB9eL4mWlv8htkaTKA5QCgoHXrEKZJl_r_uD6rcqZTlqgbX45MNmdhjmMzgPbgPm-J2kZ7lpuyMzSq5SRF/s320/IMG_0068%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349933157548545570" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAx7WX0QR93ZZsq3kjdlRTtieVRhR9VGFTKfEF5O289FG8hxRR1jUesGsuuHEEWLPR5gtNPiR-gDzTAwZtyNJE1p0imNJRWFi9Tx_OVmAeTHCN3cMawBqyuN3msfUO4-GFgNd1/s1600-h/IMG_0065%5B1%5D"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAx7WX0QR93ZZsq3kjdlRTtieVRhR9VGFTKfEF5O289FG8hxRR1jUesGsuuHEEWLPR5gtNPiR-gDzTAwZtyNJE1p0imNJRWFi9Tx_OVmAeTHCN3cMawBqyuN3msfUO4-GFgNd1/s320/IMG_0065%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349933156706370178" /></a><br /><br />St. Andrews Cathedral:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdh1qYOz2Sm5hP84EUM3M537BsHYZ9V4dh-UblMzqJJslo66IqlJBVwEnlkFC0FL8uejaRQC0Yraqd5IThx1BaoNBjLT3BARXl0gW5Mo4PDpGuyws6grjo2hsijTOHILy8EERa/s1600-h/IMG_0074%5B1%5D"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdh1qYOz2Sm5hP84EUM3M537BsHYZ9V4dh-UblMzqJJslo66IqlJBVwEnlkFC0FL8uejaRQC0Yraqd5IThx1BaoNBjLT3BARXl0gW5Mo4PDpGuyws6grjo2hsijTOHILy8EERa/s320/IMG_0074%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349934807871153890" /></a><br /><br />The Scottish Countryside:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBeHy0VyFhwkZzMHHkDrMWIRxb1K743v7w5AsbUx-ydMPXTya7ejV6LoT35H0EP1cgp4zYPl2x9jVFI4AwhJAtjowv9-vJHXjqa7pZ8ws64aXqWO6mvPwEwoKEujN-P28o3R0/s1600-h/IMG_0100%5B1%5D"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBeHy0VyFhwkZzMHHkDrMWIRxb1K743v7w5AsbUx-ydMPXTya7ejV6LoT35H0EP1cgp4zYPl2x9jVFI4AwhJAtjowv9-vJHXjqa7pZ8ws64aXqWO6mvPwEwoKEujN-P28o3R0/s320/IMG_0100%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349934804995017314" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcysCdobvnwcz533bEX7mhn392-2xjQwv8E-8gb4Dw4XblRXJp9UC421B592nl6LxGPAVufzn8KJtyHg8Bq_D-na-zbYZw1QiLTRpTfq6vLYeXlVvZ4nPilDBzIf6-oao77ir/s1600-h/IMG_0113%5B1%5D"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcysCdobvnwcz533bEX7mhn392-2xjQwv8E-8gb4Dw4XblRXJp9UC421B592nl6LxGPAVufzn8KJtyHg8Bq_D-na-zbYZw1QiLTRpTfq6vLYeXlVvZ4nPilDBzIf6-oao77ir/s320/IMG_0113%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349934811192661570" /></a><br /><br />I will say...Scotland is stunning. If you ever get the chance, visit.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-75731012823040349312009-06-07T21:56:00.003-04:002009-06-07T22:03:59.824-04:00Eat Local - Week 1My welcome home dinner (after spending the last two weeks in the UK for work, consisted of:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr2Sb3ulhQiCgQjd4EErDFxKIY1LKP83tkNscLWlBg2K-FL_cf0JbnyO0VcMEUAHbS8iqZ4wrp5ZzjWpqfopPL6ChhGesas0s3LeaMJDGf9zW4j7Kq25aJFXdyx0PIgrolESq/s1600-h/IMG_0115%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr2Sb3ulhQiCgQjd4EErDFxKIY1LKP83tkNscLWlBg2K-FL_cf0JbnyO0VcMEUAHbS8iqZ4wrp5ZzjWpqfopPL6ChhGesas0s3LeaMJDGf9zW4j7Kq25aJFXdyx0PIgrolESq/s320/IMG_0115%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344771064047958834" /></a><br />Grass fed steak<br />Steamed broccoli<br />Sauteed spring green onions and mushrooms<br />Asiago bread (from a local bakery)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRRDL3O6ZlsmMjFbjcy8RBUKP9j0sXEi7daIaE6-Q_nQlR_seTCyLcNcEjDJtNx-6KB57sf0NUXEuU7ifHHF5GNHw7YQ5yxASe2tMYoag-Q7ks0IKZchJ6aWTWTCjNelAY27V/s1600-h/IMG_0118%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRRDL3O6ZlsmMjFbjcy8RBUKP9j0sXEi7daIaE6-Q_nQlR_seTCyLcNcEjDJtNx-6KB57sf0NUXEuU7ifHHF5GNHw7YQ5yxASe2tMYoag-Q7ks0IKZchJ6aWTWTCjNelAY27V/s320/IMG_0118%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344771071967381682" /></a><br />And for dessert...strawberries and cream with fresh baked shortbread.<br /><br /><br />All from local sources....(purchased from <a href="http://www.willowcreekorchards.com/">Willow Creek</a>)Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-19293946798284668392009-05-25T15:04:00.004-04:002009-06-07T21:55:36.417-04:00One Local Summer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO_TO7i-rF-m9RPadhljMxoOpAnu8lym6KS6eEj0OpZXbgUMM6EF8ut05WHFxHIiDF9Mfhtxpb0V-CmvJ0hNvdWk5DJKoFKWtZkBLg31geI015XHl4Vom5JER4p1u2lF_dBKh/s1600-h/Eat+Local+Challenge.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO_TO7i-rF-m9RPadhljMxoOpAnu8lym6KS6eEj0OpZXbgUMM6EF8ut05WHFxHIiDF9Mfhtxpb0V-CmvJ0hNvdWk5DJKoFKWtZkBLg31geI015XHl4Vom5JER4p1u2lF_dBKh/s320/Eat+Local+Challenge.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344767109575292978" /></a><br /><br />For the past few years now, I have become an advocate for the "Eat Local" movement. Even before I was aware that there was an actual "movement" I tried to cook from organic, local ingredients. I feel so much better about what I eat when I know where my food comes from...the asparagus we ate tonight was picked yesterday (not weeks ago and trucked hundreds of miles to our supermarket). Jake and I are fortunate enough to live in an area where we can drive less than 8 miles and be at a <a href="http://www.willowcreekorchards.com/">market</a> that sells a wide variety of local goods or go out to the actual farm and meet the people who grow what we eat (which is the case when we go out to <a href="http://www.hendricksfarmsanddairy.com/">Hendricks</a>). <br />This year, I've decided to take part of the <a href="http://farmtophilly.com/">"Eat Local Challenge"</a> mainly because I would like to show an actual commitment to eating within my region and partly because I would like to invite others to join me. While I don't want to sound too "preachy" I would like to encourage everyone to check out the website for some good information and tips about eating locally (<a href="http://www.eatlocalchallenge.com/">www.eatlocalchallenge.com</a>). Local Harvest (www.localharvest.org) is another good resource for finding farms and farmers markets in your area. Lastly, if you are interested in the subject I would HIGHLY recommend Barbara Kingsolver's book "<a href="http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</a>".Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-59000959014975261462009-05-03T13:49:00.010-04:002009-05-16T16:12:46.825-04:00Maryland Sheep & Wool<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenK_VZdX-XXuPLIKMUyo5ghNlAwTGEqLBIjG_JvNOJvUFNAv9_BhfAM9nxZbOwsF5rbZ8yUHfUDO1unvrNbtKWp0LmRhyI4HPN_KU8wvmy6Si_yMaLquE50L_J_eU1lv0SC9x/s1600-h/Mug&Yarn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenK_VZdX-XXuPLIKMUyo5ghNlAwTGEqLBIjG_JvNOJvUFNAv9_BhfAM9nxZbOwsF5rbZ8yUHfUDO1unvrNbtKWp0LmRhyI4HPN_KU8wvmy6Si_yMaLquE50L_J_eU1lv0SC9x/s320/Mug&Yarn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336515232944017010" /></a><br />Last weekend Jake and I trekked down to the Maryland Sheep and Wool (MDS&W) festival. This is always such a fun outing for me...and despite his allergies, even Jake has a good time. This year I vowed not to come home with a lot of yarn - I'm really trying to knit down my stash. I was good...only bought two balls of yarn, one ball of Malibrigo <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6nBxz9-P5AX6FKZCFT0-wGShMM7C4cmCa1AszwTHhR0JhHaxXqqgpOc9Tgy5lZWugJZ9GLoCkgVDLSvEvDgRe8Mvsn2mF8tP6dK19fHAvpDq-_DqjSc0H9GCVss2V4qYGrcO/s1600-h/Malabrigo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6nBxz9-P5AX6FKZCFT0-wGShMM7C4cmCa1AszwTHhR0JhHaxXqqgpOc9Tgy5lZWugJZ9GLoCkgVDLSvEvDgRe8Mvsn2mF8tP6dK19fHAvpDq-_DqjSc0H9GCVss2V4qYGrcO/s320/Malabrigo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336514583245838386" /></a><br />- b/c I couldn't resist the color or the price, and a ball of sock yarn by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5518212">March Hare </a>dyed in "ruby slipper" colorway (no Wizard of Oz fan could pass that up).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWgXZSv961YpUuXYiVHdKt4u3jU4DhFGIjLORF2pygh10XCfbfygSQeNcyH1fre_uyZqV6TpSIkL4xnfGlkQjlPMebKq848vEnccIrxbxeawiCKUU-L6baIxI7Of2CvOQG0Yd/s1600-h/March+Hare.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWgXZSv961YpUuXYiVHdKt4u3jU4DhFGIjLORF2pygh10XCfbfygSQeNcyH1fre_uyZqV6TpSIkL4xnfGlkQjlPMebKq848vEnccIrxbxeawiCKUU-L6baIxI7Of2CvOQG0Yd/s320/March+Hare.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336514932061268562" /></a><br /> Despite being a little grey, the weather held off and didn't rain (we went Saturday - I heard the Sunday festival goers weren't so lucky). <br />While we were there, I met Heather of <a href="http://craftlit.blogspot.com/">Craftlit</a> - a podcast that I love listening to while I knit, drive, work, etc. We also met Amy of <a href="http://www.knitty.com">Knitty</a> and <a href="http://www.jenniethepotter.com/">Jennie the Potter</a> - whose mugs I L-O-V-E!<br />We almost came home with an angora bunny - it was so adorable and only 6 weeks old! I REALLY wanted it...and almost resorted to begging. Jake, squashed my dreams of spinning angora fiber from my very own rabbit. His reasons:<br />#1 - I don't spin. I don't have time to knit as much as I would like, let alone start learning how to spin.<br />#2 - where would we keep a rabbit?<br />#3 - I'm not home enough to take care of the dog that we have, and he would be the one, cleaning out rabbit cages while I was traveling. <br />So, sadly, we didn't leave MDS&W with a bunny. But it really was CUTE! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GJQLhc5564zNMfQ3FdtqqZfcPOc45vFGDvJL4ywr3lf27cpykOp_Y2TQxERSDChYeMvlndoYwijJIn5rLYsec5iByQ8EjtgP7_zkamNEuGoOSrlSyEnBF_JyUL4cU7gkA8ZB/s1600-h/Bunny.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GJQLhc5564zNMfQ3FdtqqZfcPOc45vFGDvJL4ywr3lf27cpykOp_Y2TQxERSDChYeMvlndoYwijJIn5rLYsec5iByQ8EjtgP7_zkamNEuGoOSrlSyEnBF_JyUL4cU7gkA8ZB/s320/Bunny.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336516971490442594" /></a><br />(Ignore the bad picture of me - the humidity from the rain we had the past few days made my hair incredibly flat)Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-52371638317967953682009-05-03T13:49:00.005-04:002009-05-16T15:36:21.849-04:00Charmed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWyU28zJTs10tPFBTZkj6J9OP6Tt4HORIudEQOA1qg8YkyLXXhqrP8YMaCdA3S4Kq-MqF0p6UzZLmZi4rRNUOU7UzUgj_uFkDvkegH5LVjyJObZ6-RbVbSf4hsipfAzBAZCRL/s1600-h/winecharm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWyU28zJTs10tPFBTZkj6J9OP6Tt4HORIudEQOA1qg8YkyLXXhqrP8YMaCdA3S4Kq-MqF0p6UzZLmZi4rRNUOU7UzUgj_uFkDvkegH5LVjyJObZ6-RbVbSf4hsipfAzBAZCRL/s320/winecharm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336507207549466514" /></a><br />A couple of weeks ago, we hosted a wine party at our house. We made up a bunch of little wine charms for the occasion. Here's a closer shot of a couple of them. They were VERY easy. Couple of beeds and a charm on earring hoops.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3YADX9NthMN3IYv6kpftwvM5m9KJQmSaK9pXLqbNI29gOoKIkXoPWDoqexl_hYOSR0UyumCTNftQJ6Cuz2uCBPo_r0cIbuYqSxaEDdRlXbgII830kH0gaYsuDcP9L_xfbnH6/s1600-h/winecharm_dice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3YADX9NthMN3IYv6kpftwvM5m9KJQmSaK9pXLqbNI29gOoKIkXoPWDoqexl_hYOSR0UyumCTNftQJ6Cuz2uCBPo_r0cIbuYqSxaEDdRlXbgII830kH0gaYsuDcP9L_xfbnH6/s320/winecharm_dice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336507211391180786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_TZQs7wIFsvj6A5lh6luVZ71XwIBQryoz226oYL5lglCUv0_Rqiao0yh_QEk__gmaKq_CLh0x8jGzJUT1c80x_DFaboPsY5v0m6BPYV4UZAM6jf7U-0BKXPW05UJA58K3HMc/s1600-h/winecharm_sun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_TZQs7wIFsvj6A5lh6luVZ71XwIBQryoz226oYL5lglCUv0_Rqiao0yh_QEk__gmaKq_CLh0x8jGzJUT1c80x_DFaboPsY5v0m6BPYV4UZAM6jf7U-0BKXPW05UJA58K3HMc/s320/winecharm_sun.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336507209281701970" /></a><br />Wine Charms made by Jake & RaeRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-55181194023423597092009-04-18T16:45:00.011-04:002009-04-18T17:34:06.013-04:00Before and After<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaPebgeVmvkQay4Ad4sl1klNmVzZVtNsUzOulMgEdYIZZeor_R71LEbzvglkRxYzi_lhGaAHUAYM3Txe7RuKfzuR-u5zA0cvu0aKqfQ_Gr3i6MzBAxCQdVmuP4nd7JFyHUNWW/s1600-h/P8220334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaPebgeVmvkQay4Ad4sl1klNmVzZVtNsUzOulMgEdYIZZeor_R71LEbzvglkRxYzi_lhGaAHUAYM3Txe7RuKfzuR-u5zA0cvu0aKqfQ_Gr3i6MzBAxCQdVmuP4nd7JFyHUNWW/s320/P8220334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326139218370955554" /></a><br /><br />Looking back I don't think I've posted many pictures of the house Jake and I purchased last November. In order to catch everyone up, we purchased a 70 year old little brick house on almost half an acre. The house has been taken care of pretty impecibly, however the decor hasn't really been updated in the past 20 years. Here is the progress so far...<br /><br />Before we moved in we painted the living and dining room...<br />Living room (Before)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kDqddSLjfQlYtI04LHt9HKMvPEiuecNPKZj09MBsPetYOqZ5nC9Q4VLdIzyyFSVTz0sXD9dtm1370_v4Au-zcfPXpDtBWupHqmRn0YKMaFcD8M2uq5DT8H5T68sYSAzUcQUm/s1600-h/P8220310.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kDqddSLjfQlYtI04LHt9HKMvPEiuecNPKZj09MBsPetYOqZ5nC9Q4VLdIzyyFSVTz0sXD9dtm1370_v4Au-zcfPXpDtBWupHqmRn0YKMaFcD8M2uq5DT8H5T68sYSAzUcQUm/s320/P8220310.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326139861568505394" /></a><br />Living room (After)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUAhHdrEEDKnYWHlbbcoqyM12-K9NXPeGklkvC-4yD7VrFLskka8P4C8jiO6DNaRERcaSDh8o3q4bj9z04hRpiWvqiMddFNFtdn3Bo_7YkmWMIDDtjZt0w_kfty3BWPqBR-p1/s1600-h/IMG_0038%5B1%5D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUAhHdrEEDKnYWHlbbcoqyM12-K9NXPeGklkvC-4yD7VrFLskka8P4C8jiO6DNaRERcaSDh8o3q4bj9z04hRpiWvqiMddFNFtdn3Bo_7YkmWMIDDtjZt0w_kfty3BWPqBR-p1/s320/IMG_0038%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326140263128974866" /></a><br />Dining room (before)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkdp1f_dm_FC3FseuhymVvnPVk4htB_uYKc2uIL60CD_s5WGRIMTDTYtHLeEb9hLmfmeKcQzGoNqKtHlTyqqs06XhZAUd6yA04vQqfmdYtwofzUd4Jgh6HctWAQlthFPEOSv-/s1600-h/PB010343.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkdp1f_dm_FC3FseuhymVvnPVk4htB_uYKc2uIL60CD_s5WGRIMTDTYtHLeEb9hLmfmeKcQzGoNqKtHlTyqqs06XhZAUd6yA04vQqfmdYtwofzUd4Jgh6HctWAQlthFPEOSv-/s320/PB010343.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326141057900448370" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxsQBTDkCz_mSQvhH-qupvqEm2mKG9Qmbq1EIVcNu-rCx19WIMCI4OX7aOol8PtjuwhRpr_KuHAZNO6bDEbxnanBdp8ka698fQXWtXiak4oUWL0vHF-et71mYBEoaaz1DARnz/s1600-h/PB010345.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxsQBTDkCz_mSQvhH-qupvqEm2mKG9Qmbq1EIVcNu-rCx19WIMCI4OX7aOol8PtjuwhRpr_KuHAZNO6bDEbxnanBdp8ka698fQXWtXiak4oUWL0vHF-et71mYBEoaaz1DARnz/s320/PB010345.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326141063338270962" /></a><br />Dining room (after)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS3kVY3OsrG_pNsdeFetMbnda4i-2N9bvYPRYXuP-vmtPpteJcQxcncCIJjbx_Wg0pN7lY71z8-HIS6emr-9y2-VsPH6dsJ6H_NgCA83fHgPj2fJMLRn2-oy1AIkPXivGnYoK/s1600-h/IMG_0037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS3kVY3OsrG_pNsdeFetMbnda4i-2N9bvYPRYXuP-vmtPpteJcQxcncCIJjbx_Wg0pN7lY71z8-HIS6emr-9y2-VsPH6dsJ6H_NgCA83fHgPj2fJMLRn2-oy1AIkPXivGnYoK/s320/IMG_0037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326142329425760034" /></a><br /><br />Just last week we painted our downstairs powder room (we've now scraped wallpaper in two rooms - the $40 steamer was well worth the investment).<br /><br />Downstairs bathroom (before)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNOs6RtfERg0rDKjm1myvrljMPzdyF6XA5z6UA2xRuo86XZfDL3wdV_CySbmFWfRq56yZhm0S8UlS331b4_dYzqziE8kyPZf67yRHwzlc6KDNoNFsw_9VBb1IHOed5xdr81Rq/s1600-h/IMG_0019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNOs6RtfERg0rDKjm1myvrljMPzdyF6XA5z6UA2xRuo86XZfDL3wdV_CySbmFWfRq56yZhm0S8UlS331b4_dYzqziE8kyPZf67yRHwzlc6KDNoNFsw_9VBb1IHOed5xdr81Rq/s320/IMG_0019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326143106407624722" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWI740fvvvc41jgxCPioeGkntxyxhapGgFWD0tYMYUTAg1DneD4xz5Qpc7Oft3FfIpJgy_L7wAekeIQYw8Q7aKA5jn-sI4c9_OupQKqPz0ojjv5dkkI5q2VzcfxXUJA8q5y5-n/s1600-h/IMG_0020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWI740fvvvc41jgxCPioeGkntxyxhapGgFWD0tYMYUTAg1DneD4xz5Qpc7Oft3FfIpJgy_L7wAekeIQYw8Q7aKA5jn-sI4c9_OupQKqPz0ojjv5dkkI5q2VzcfxXUJA8q5y5-n/s320/IMG_0020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326143111759826610" /></a><br />Yes, those are gold sea shells stenciled on the wall (we painted over a lot of stenciling): <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6vUqC8q_xOZbKP90SfFg5HEF3joaz5y_R4VVJvPvWSeKhqsOM4DQNoxgCWFNwt89Pj90-GtmWF57cryWN5vZuL5GDi6F5Jfgko3IKMVNq1_uiDBXApFs2EJqOupL48rK6p6q/s1600-h/IMG_0022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6vUqC8q_xOZbKP90SfFg5HEF3joaz5y_R4VVJvPvWSeKhqsOM4DQNoxgCWFNwt89Pj90-GtmWF57cryWN5vZuL5GDi6F5Jfgko3IKMVNq1_uiDBXApFs2EJqOupL48rK6p6q/s320/IMG_0022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326143114119025858" /></a><br />Downstairs bathroom (after)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc6V1XLrdWPkbtziKBJSTWQcZ-W5PORnDMSxYsKArzZdd1dkHHuIoFuWQIfGMeKg_Ov-_gZuqdQMmZcV83_PPo2A72ZIU4GWu1XstUdPUbu_8rPDu-Jei5ic7GuI6MvgpgnKn/s1600-h/IMG_0034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc6V1XLrdWPkbtziKBJSTWQcZ-W5PORnDMSxYsKArzZdd1dkHHuIoFuWQIfGMeKg_Ov-_gZuqdQMmZcV83_PPo2A72ZIU4GWu1XstUdPUbu_8rPDu-Jei5ic7GuI6MvgpgnKn/s320/IMG_0034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326143700080654946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb783NSoVj9FvcQ8I3y7wtZIVvjMUxPYlpAUawAAkQFjJE-hTF2zZMQSm-famJUsdOFXNQsPGKhZ_PbRGttHFf_CjwVgnymwVlkzSAR_gVfvjgwKLfs3mxrgCK9cUdEfcqLsT1/s1600-h/IMG_0033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb783NSoVj9FvcQ8I3y7wtZIVvjMUxPYlpAUawAAkQFjJE-hTF2zZMQSm-famJUsdOFXNQsPGKhZ_PbRGttHFf_CjwVgnymwVlkzSAR_gVfvjgwKLfs3mxrgCK9cUdEfcqLsT1/s320/IMG_0033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326143696496420418" /></a><br /><br />I think the most drastic thing we have done so far also happened last week. We had eight trees taken down last week, some of them had lived here for a very long time. In the past 3 days we've had 2 separate instances where random people walking by have stopped us to comment on how much better the house looks. <br /><br />Backyard (before)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_xeBARj6chHuZdwMl7XC5OnMwPYNIs2p5WOIWFhZ8WbLNIPdCrpzeyIhAvjhqPkV1xRZKMTn-y_xYmzE7HfmFw90rYXPAs-6QzYLf0rwPtxr6ZoPypqcfVMCt5AtWwCpyPtS/s1600-h/P8220330.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_xeBARj6chHuZdwMl7XC5OnMwPYNIs2p5WOIWFhZ8WbLNIPdCrpzeyIhAvjhqPkV1xRZKMTn-y_xYmzE7HfmFw90rYXPAs-6QzYLf0rwPtxr6ZoPypqcfVMCt5AtWwCpyPtS/s320/P8220330.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326146565974670274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyqqH8M4GgH71iYjmq96FRuo2JDBSEN472JigYUELhs1qMuGlMSSK-axR59pAVcqXs1-nqnM7RCSrdLOuWTN6OUJGBVEF7Qt7nGiC1fYVUk8O8FAWQnjOTJg8DsKn-UvS6RGw/s1600-h/P8220325.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyqqH8M4GgH71iYjmq96FRuo2JDBSEN472JigYUELhs1qMuGlMSSK-axR59pAVcqXs1-nqnM7RCSrdLOuWTN6OUJGBVEF7Qt7nGiC1fYVUk8O8FAWQnjOTJg8DsKn-UvS6RGw/s320/P8220325.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326146568961108866" /></a><br />Backyard (after) - It looks a little sparse because the trees on the left have not bloomed yet - we really only cut down the trees on the right hand side. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9jD99TvCRvnyJ16OqhE9638oWftVh2UvKT_ORQXoBWvwjBkt58fHcBMvp4AmPNRvdfoX-LcUa4jw2GcjqNh4tV0KggmCF9SJdNBD2kVHwAXy61ef5aj68MCklJxQVcQXiXQW/s1600-h/IMG_0029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9jD99TvCRvnyJ16OqhE9638oWftVh2UvKT_ORQXoBWvwjBkt58fHcBMvp4AmPNRvdfoX-LcUa4jw2GcjqNh4tV0KggmCF9SJdNBD2kVHwAXy61ef5aj68MCklJxQVcQXiXQW/s320/IMG_0029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326145466244925170" /></a><br /><br />We're hoping that this tree removal, along with our relocation program, will reduce the number of squirrels in the yard (here's hoping). For those counting, below is a picture of POW number 005. In trying to chew his way out, he got his head stuck in the bottom corner of the cage...he was a little angry. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLlMFNAzO4ZbE-_tALu6qmgj1NpLEOGrYNuT5oRVW0oTLZGdT2UJ1vWiFtJz5iMlM4KZzwJ9AGN4SEIvJQhHaguUVDaMlDR2qgRPuJZeIuJ2N3cevpMJq6EtOtHW8R5BA7kh_/s1600-h/IMG_0028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLlMFNAzO4ZbE-_tALu6qmgj1NpLEOGrYNuT5oRVW0oTLZGdT2UJ1vWiFtJz5iMlM4KZzwJ9AGN4SEIvJQhHaguUVDaMlDR2qgRPuJZeIuJ2N3cevpMJq6EtOtHW8R5BA7kh_/s320/IMG_0028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326145472681102962" /></a>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-3824084540677777262009-04-02T18:11:00.005-04:002009-04-03T16:50:44.250-04:00Caught!Well, after 3 days Jake has outwitted a squirrel. We've had 2 days of false alarms (trap launched, no squirrel) and one of no activity. But today, after a long day at work, Jake could finally claim VICTORY. One little, furry beast was in the trap when we got home. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rVa0Kl9n2_hu2Ehlns35U6OgJjMSvb4-rbeeRddetuL89bB3xSd6lhffTY1FntEo00FHenr8XPbme7tLh9Fr8v3Sf1GhbMAQKpQGJwxiUKaF37Hc30Ae6dsGh7e-0RdIVpOc/s1600-h/Iphone+Pictures+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rVa0Kl9n2_hu2Ehlns35U6OgJjMSvb4-rbeeRddetuL89bB3xSd6lhffTY1FntEo00FHenr8XPbme7tLh9Fr8v3Sf1GhbMAQKpQGJwxiUKaF37Hc30Ae6dsGh7e-0RdIVpOc/s320/Iphone+Pictures+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320570181619565730" /></a><br /><br />It's a zoo here right now. The squirrel is freaking out and the dog is going crazy. CRAZY. She's been chasing squirrels all winter and now she is able to come nose to nose. And did you know that squirrels growl? Today I learned that when in a cage face to face with a black lab, a squirrel will growl.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0p7VNUQv9VTN8Z7YZ-VX5tAg65arLEnNbyv7hmDXOGgamNwwm8GXdRsnbkG7QyCstJ4usYCU78L12H4KMA_V4LAQftRBPPFgy2fmZnNHzCCSDXLhVaZcGgLWnIt5j10k-dnye/s1600-h/Emma+and+squirrel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0p7VNUQv9VTN8Z7YZ-VX5tAg65arLEnNbyv7hmDXOGgamNwwm8GXdRsnbkG7QyCstJ4usYCU78L12H4KMA_V4LAQftRBPPFgy2fmZnNHzCCSDXLhVaZcGgLWnIt5j10k-dnye/s320/Emma+and+squirrel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320570181915846978" /></a><br /><br />Next comes the question of what to do with the little bugger. First, let me say...I HATE rodents (When I was 5 and saw a rat on the woodpile in our back yard, I screamed so loud that my dad came running out of the house with a shotgun). I hate rodents and really, squirrels are rats with tails. That said, I really don't want to KILL them - which is Jake's first solution. If he had it his way, he would be shooting them with a bebe gun. But, I don't want all those deaths on Jake's conscience - or that karma at our house. So, tonight we are going to try the relocation method. Hopefully that will work out best for all parties. <br /><br />On the topic of squirrel relocation....someone (on the internet - the source of all things true) said that you have to drive them 30 miles away, so they don't find there way back. I would like to ask that person, how they know it's the same squirrel. Are these people tagging squirrels to identify which ones are on their property? I've personally seen 5 squirrels at once in my yard...they all look the freaking same. We're going to take this squirrel to the park 5 miles away, and hope it's not industrious enough to run back 5 miles (crossing roads and a river, I might add).Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-12350002131507269622009-03-29T19:08:00.004-04:002009-03-29T19:44:40.700-04:00Spring has SprungHappy Spring!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0aaI4kvBbqnETomP0Qutn9cFY-qSLHcKCLnEpcPLoZKp4sztCgt_kvbF7o_Aq4sxYV0W0vaEKDXXx3N1AYzwMW1VVcggCwGP1G8RJwIK38Y4FYFUe84EiCowBkOT1nbTQTIE/s1600-h/Daffodils.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0aaI4kvBbqnETomP0Qutn9cFY-qSLHcKCLnEpcPLoZKp4sztCgt_kvbF7o_Aq4sxYV0W0vaEKDXXx3N1AYzwMW1VVcggCwGP1G8RJwIK38Y4FYFUe84EiCowBkOT1nbTQTIE/s320/Daffodils.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318759717043801298" /></a><br />I'm so ready to get rid of the cold ugliness of winter and move into the warm, longer days of spring. Here at Casa del Jake & Rae we are shifting into gear. This weekend the spring cleaning (and unpacking) started in the basement and the upstairs bedrooms. We're trying to finish the "moving in" process by unpacking the boxes that were stashed just in time to welcome the holidays. Also, we've been itching to get outside into the yard. The daffodils and other bulbs are starting to sprout. It's kind of fun going around the yard and trying to identify the plants that have lived here longer than we have. Also, the vegetable seeds arrived and are now in their starter cups. General weeding and backyard clean-up has begun. <br />Today, Jake declared war on the family of squirrels that have been ravishing our bird feeders and driving the dog crazy all winter. The last straw was the destruction of a bird feeder and garbage can lid.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQUuQSjL0s2ABwHXMnfDLWrDIVJkqUjP_rLHzWswNo6d1oD0WabWwiQrrDIAzb1Nd1aSUv2ChkhEjUyF3oxJhvMx21wGGosMvJbwWxSEoBPJtJaKfeGsbI3nQsWIz7TwwtOpZ/s1600-h/Garbage+Can+Lid.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQUuQSjL0s2ABwHXMnfDLWrDIVJkqUjP_rLHzWswNo6d1oD0WabWwiQrrDIAzb1Nd1aSUv2ChkhEjUyF3oxJhvMx21wGGosMvJbwWxSEoBPJtJaKfeGsbI3nQsWIz7TwwtOpZ/s320/Garbage+Can+Lid.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758809348455794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu0wJM0GK1Jodt0vrZuIS0383IkNwCJsRq-H1KgeM3OIQlKMTETUkkgk7zKZUnJ8t1ISLqkhTykNA-QDF7d4tqxMIDMoKQ1eHbYSJi-PBcZCwEXvStP3rch54ehR3lMUypHUs/s1600-h/Bird+Feeder.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu0wJM0GK1Jodt0vrZuIS0383IkNwCJsRq-H1KgeM3OIQlKMTETUkkgk7zKZUnJ8t1ISLqkhTykNA-QDF7d4tqxMIDMoKQ1eHbYSJi-PBcZCwEXvStP3rch54ehR3lMUypHUs/s320/Bird+Feeder.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758808020949634" /></a><br /><br /> This morning, dressed in camouflage, Jake left for the hardware store. He returned with his "solution" to the squirrel problem. Living in the middle of town, sniping is out of the question. As is poisoning the menaces, since Emma spends a lot of time sniffing around the yard. Instead, he's decided that he is going to "relocate" the little rodents.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7kHDrKxAlrUF_DsY1Z01yG9HGSv7RYVa1PJl-zKLEtg7riL3WTqnN7XGqOh_phefttq3_KRW31fixCEaBqAEtq7LsoElJNFHHoHGhyR3OhB5Gx05ZygNrQ7td8xFqAWzAWcg/s1600-h/Trap.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7kHDrKxAlrUF_DsY1Z01yG9HGSv7RYVa1PJl-zKLEtg7riL3WTqnN7XGqOh_phefttq3_KRW31fixCEaBqAEtq7LsoElJNFHHoHGhyR3OhB5Gx05ZygNrQ7td8xFqAWzAWcg/s320/Trap.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758810003048258" /></a><br />I can't imagine this ending well on either side, meanwhile visions of Caddy Shack are dancing in my head. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_HhH-utlZR0HG_vTM5TQyENEIwb4-yAqlglyxdePTHoqcXmRKukRW40c6xYCn6H5RWkZIUphilmBzPmxt90MnUj_YLc9PU-_pIlKKQw4vUXZHUTrYEC1Ax6mUw5kJpELqzfr/s1600-h/PC190405.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_HhH-utlZR0HG_vTM5TQyENEIwb4-yAqlglyxdePTHoqcXmRKukRW40c6xYCn6H5RWkZIUphilmBzPmxt90MnUj_YLc9PU-_pIlKKQw4vUXZHUTrYEC1Ax6mUw5kJpELqzfr/s320/PC190405.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758815174751202" /></a>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-22769565707411126432009-03-28T16:45:00.002-04:002009-03-28T17:02:12.893-04:00iLove<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmupVqiwP1fzFBYUepmrIt7m_wU3xMV-VBGIG0_keZPo3UQOIhssjNmrmGa56se9dG5W-3aY1D4VQpGChkJe7mQQynXO_HPNcGEKrwCJG8wKbSwXsoWnAwPXjYkdKZfy9_5Ru/s1600-h/iphone&bag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmupVqiwP1fzFBYUepmrIt7m_wU3xMV-VBGIG0_keZPo3UQOIhssjNmrmGa56se9dG5W-3aY1D4VQpGChkJe7mQQynXO_HPNcGEKrwCJG8wKbSwXsoWnAwPXjYkdKZfy9_5Ru/s320/iphone&bag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318346759559890098" /></a><br />We just recently upgraded our phones to iPhones and I have to say - I LUV my new toy! These devices are really amazing - internet, phone, camera, ipod, and much more all in one tiny device. It has really freed up a lot of space in my travel bag. Speaking of travel bags...see my new Kate Spade laptop bag/carry-on next to my iPhone - this was a birthday gift from my wonderful husband and it's fabulous! (I'm a very spoiled girl)Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-5449252813428408052009-03-09T17:45:00.008-04:002009-03-09T18:29:41.150-04:00Holy Crap it's March!I really can't believe it's already March, where has 2009 gone? My head truly is spinning. Two business trips abroad - Italy in February (below is a picture of the view from my hotel in Stressa) and the U.K. this month - have put my day to day routine into a bit of a tailspin. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoJvAAjJNjQmAVbB3hxN8gtLEN_d98Lp7gloOB4jTduMAz5o8-c7rLBv0Tc4iAP3Vt0vfepbWYhktKTTOzBKxpfTYOpc8FeOq_ytQ46kt7U9zJDYMueey5FUAlx10EFTNySh9/s1600-h/DSC00009.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoJvAAjJNjQmAVbB3hxN8gtLEN_d98Lp7gloOB4jTduMAz5o8-c7rLBv0Tc4iAP3Vt0vfepbWYhktKTTOzBKxpfTYOpc8FeOq_ytQ46kt7U9zJDYMueey5FUAlx10EFTNySh9/s320/DSC00009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311315607025438690" /></a><br /><br />I'm not doing too well with the New Years resolutions - I've only been to knitting once and haven't made one book group. In all fairness, I haven't been particuliarly motivated to read the books for book group because I was sucked into the <a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight.html">Twilight</a> chronicles (I really could barely think of anything else, let alone start another book I really had no interest in). I haven't forgotten any birthdays, however I am very delinquent in mailing my grandmother's birthday gift (why does the Post Office have to close at 4?) <br /><br />I am trying to achieve a better work/life balance - easier said than done. For instance, the reason I have time to post to this blog is because I got stuck at work to late to get home in time for yoga...did I mention I've been going to <a href="http://moyo-yoga.com/">yoga</a>? Anyway, aside from the craziness, things are going well with us. The weather this weekend was so nice, we were able to get out and work in the yard for the first time. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocE2gxB1flxN4m00BT7UGVba20aUEiAYePKxxjFzkzazA_-MvQGvANDHI2cuCWE9-gqhSVrY-t_7mQSuGuS08zNURlj0cUv5UUqZmlvCpfBa1jQsJ20PXhqMjm_d9KqQ6_yvk/s1600-h/Emma+in+snow.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocE2gxB1flxN4m00BT7UGVba20aUEiAYePKxxjFzkzazA_-MvQGvANDHI2cuCWE9-gqhSVrY-t_7mQSuGuS08zNURlj0cUv5UUqZmlvCpfBa1jQsJ20PXhqMjm_d9KqQ6_yvk/s320/Emma+in+snow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311316682766793746" /></a> Funny, because last Sunday (March 1st) I had to fly out of Philadelphia in a blizzard (seriously, Jake said we got about 8 inches of snow between Sunday night and Monday). <br /><br />Trying to think of what else has been happening during the past two and a half months, but it all seems like a blur. I'm not going to promise more frequent posts, but I will say that I do hope to post more frequently...it seems the best way to keep everyone up to date. Drop me a note and let me know how you're doing - for those of you I haven't heard from in awhile. Cheers!..Ciao<br /><br />In closing, I would like to take a moment to recognize the passing of Popeye, my parents Silky Terrier. Popeye had been a member of the family for the past 14 and a half years. He will be missed greatly. (This is him asleep, btw..just in case you were wondering)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfmuideyIwyx2oLJoeMyAO-xaKcbW9r2Xki1oM9HqYLaNv40hKFtvleMQmQKf3TwZy-NloRPGaHHk2mLODx-Z0C2ovCp2AlUV3MkA5dTCultesjcIgtBkqJJPkmbdFZrBdqee/s1600-h/Popeye.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfmuideyIwyx2oLJoeMyAO-xaKcbW9r2Xki1oM9HqYLaNv40hKFtvleMQmQKf3TwZy-NloRPGaHHk2mLODx-Z0C2ovCp2AlUV3MkA5dTCultesjcIgtBkqJJPkmbdFZrBdqee/s320/Popeye.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311317338624699618" /></a>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-60500462659577301402009-01-07T12:18:00.000-05:002009-01-07T12:19:54.998-05:00Happy New YearReflection.<br /><br />In the wake of the new year it’s always nice to pause for a moment and reflect on the events of 2008. For me and my family, 2008 was a year of firsts – Jake and I celebrated our 1st anniversary by buying our first house. We decided to set down some roots in the little town of Harleysville – just north of Philadelphia. Our 75 year old home has a lot of character – both good and bad. It has the woodwork and details you would expect from a craftsman-style home, however the décor from the past 20 years could stand some updating. We are in the slow process of removing the floral wallpaper and garish paint schemes – I see a lot of painting in my future. <br />Spending the holidays in our new home was a welcome first, it was the first Christmas that we had both of our families all under one roof. My parents and brother were our first houseguests, and despite terrible weather in the Pacific Northwest, they arrived Christmas morning. We also welcomed the arrival of our first nephew in 2008 – Gregory was born the beginning of December to jake’s sister and brother-in-law. <br />Although 2008 was not without its share of struggles and heartbreak, we feel very fortunate for who and what we have.<br /><br />Looking forward.<br /><br />I am a new year’s resolution junkie. I love the feeling of having a clean slate to start the year. While I try not to make empty resolutions that will be forgotten by Valentines day, I try to think about what I would like to focus on this year. For me, given the state of our nation, I plan to spend 2009 focusing on people not things. The health of me, my family and the planet is an area I would like to try and improve in the upcoming year. The other “resolution” I have was to spend more time on my relationships…2008 was a busy year for me, between the house, an overwhelming job, which I ended up leaving, to starting a new position and traveling for that position. In all the shuffle, I feel like I lost sight on what was truly important – Family and Friends. This year, I would like to resolve to recognize birthdays, anniversaries and other important milestones in people’s lives – rather than let them slip by forgotten or unannounced. I also plan to return to my social networks, in my hiatus from knitting and book group I have come to realize how much these weekly/monthly meetings meant to me. Nurturing the relationships we have with our family, friends and neighbors brings more meaning and purpose to life. <br /><br />That said, I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2009.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-44206674750552917792008-11-02T06:34:00.012-05:002008-11-03T16:37:28.267-05:00September Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprx0f8dg2SL1PUvJFhAd9kyrM7vM18Z8WHDWoExx_iA5UFidtzliSv730WNfTRwpAvr-MMZ6ODln6C4OIsjXiKfNA1JfFb4u_00ZXovedxoUqDUK4WcKWFp2P_Xsw2xv7afX4/s1600-h/DWCastle.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprx0f8dg2SL1PUvJFhAd9kyrM7vM18Z8WHDWoExx_iA5UFidtzliSv730WNfTRwpAvr-MMZ6ODln6C4OIsjXiKfNA1JfFb4u_00ZXovedxoUqDUK4WcKWFp2P_Xsw2xv7afX4/s400/DWCastle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264032918882686578" /></a><br />So much has been going in the last two months that I figured I would use a couple of posts to bring everyone up to speed. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Jake and I put an offer in on a house at the beginning of the month. At the same time, I traveled to London on business. Poor Jake, he always gets stuck with messes while I'm gone. Actually it wasn't too bad, the offer was accepted and we had done all of the loan paperwork, it was really just scheduling inspections and watching interest rates. Speaking of interest rates, leave it to us to to make the biggest financial decision of our marriage (so far), during a time when the banking and lending industry was in collapse. Luckily for us our bank wasn't taken over or merging during this or I might have had a stroke. Even still I was on the phone with our loan officer almost daily checking rates and making sure we were still getting our mortgage. She has the patience of a saint ;)<br />Also during September, Jake and I went to Florida. After a very brief visit we set off in their old, but our new Volkswagon Vanagon. We took a 3 day road trip back from Florida to Pennsylvania in a 1987 VW Camper van. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0bob3I1NDCVDrI3LuJXjbY_kUIwUnZCsYN-SfuBUd79EOTSAYx5eP6h9g7ZckV70Q-X7sBx8eci_-7zD2BuG9vt9jPpybqDd9L3H3efa7w8CmVsscYS2eDXiafM1c2GxW4To/s1600-h/Disney.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0bob3I1NDCVDrI3LuJXjbY_kUIwUnZCsYN-SfuBUd79EOTSAYx5eP6h9g7ZckV70Q-X7sBx8eci_-7zD2BuG9vt9jPpybqDd9L3H3efa7w8CmVsscYS2eDXiafM1c2GxW4To/s400/Disney.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264029798740586322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOPBPNCZAfHr6wVlQJoi_OQiNmMX6up7sPdXAaoRDdFDt6OjQ_3ZbIUZ-zmzpewfgpdEaDq4BXhN3GFhzAdDoyn_L65ojzBxmLckDnblPjM1STotyFeWIxInVsJh0kctnKhqi/s1600-h/Georgia.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOPBPNCZAfHr6wVlQJoi_OQiNmMX6up7sPdXAaoRDdFDt6OjQ_3ZbIUZ-zmzpewfgpdEaDq4BXhN3GFhzAdDoyn_L65ojzBxmLckDnblPjM1STotyFeWIxInVsJh0kctnKhqi/s200/Georgia.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264031648857579602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPRhYS5VyCvNXL_Er1GQJtRvUFGMQO3Fr0WjjUXM4fJ-TY1PoqdnwdpLuXYBAvtmSjrencr2z3KWb9CSsBanoVibqCKM15V9tkwkRgFaz5eZYXhE1iUE60cpdcvPqPpSde7hl/s1600-h/South+Carolina.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPRhYS5VyCvNXL_Er1GQJtRvUFGMQO3Fr0WjjUXM4fJ-TY1PoqdnwdpLuXYBAvtmSjrencr2z3KWb9CSsBanoVibqCKM15V9tkwkRgFaz5eZYXhE1iUE60cpdcvPqPpSde7hl/s200/South+Carolina.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264031402486539826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyavFXnpXEg9mp-_-ThUrSMA7Uzn9wzejBj8BBoJzccKlPFpzMaD9Gdk8F4tyAnCh6xjyUhswXb4GZFLNa-vXRQt1wh6L6eIb2Pr2j__676Hk_iN3o245eWIsFc_EmKE9Wnqq/s1600-h/Virginia.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyavFXnpXEg9mp-_-ThUrSMA7Uzn9wzejBj8BBoJzccKlPFpzMaD9Gdk8F4tyAnCh6xjyUhswXb4GZFLNa-vXRQt1wh6L6eIb2Pr2j__676Hk_iN3o245eWIsFc_EmKE9Wnqq/s200/Virginia.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264031403576294226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Jh4p9cUT-1A6E4URea20HpsDzokY6OPr9N6UtEOO4kGH5EQVsfutqzb9QzCL-u-Nrup9proRivsPxQxivgdw-IMnZqjfwAcNurdnLRzMUDRuQumMXuo0IEnrrros7QZMrkel/s1600-h/Maryland.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Jh4p9cUT-1A6E4URea20HpsDzokY6OPr9N6UtEOO4kGH5EQVsfutqzb9QzCL-u-Nrup9proRivsPxQxivgdw-IMnZqjfwAcNurdnLRzMUDRuQumMXuo0IEnrrros7QZMrkel/s200/Maryland.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264031394020015298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihk4bj5DZrg71VUqOCUkxniaHbTgcUPy1vl47BPQhw_zXYpMaV-gNAnzYHJn-3GVcukDifNNY_TkZk5caBFjMkoiS4yneTlWkQrVdsO2pNZsTNhBRfxZ8ARoehpfJ-yejmUEEt/s1600-h/Delaware.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihk4bj5DZrg71VUqOCUkxniaHbTgcUPy1vl47BPQhw_zXYpMaV-gNAnzYHJn-3GVcukDifNNY_TkZk5caBFjMkoiS4yneTlWkQrVdsO2pNZsTNhBRfxZ8ARoehpfJ-yejmUEEt/s200/Delaware.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264031394401179394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lto9WlbzgbLkMIujrWJcaJfkJwDVWa_XgDhB6NEkPmnip_FXUBCByvp8mPKmHfEXkL_IADJDcexh-PQYaln-_ov3kkOnG_58TkoI-JGQhnZDzGhsu0hdu4cp04S0xfhVNbJn/s1600-h/Pennsylvania.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lto9WlbzgbLkMIujrWJcaJfkJwDVWa_XgDhB6NEkPmnip_FXUBCByvp8mPKmHfEXkL_IADJDcexh-PQYaln-_ov3kkOnG_58TkoI-JGQhnZDzGhsu0hdu4cp04S0xfhVNbJn/s200/Pennsylvania.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264031387243004658" /></a><br />The first of many adventures! Those of you who are up on your East Coast geography may have noticed that there was no North Carolina sign. Well, we were distracted by <a href="http://www.pedroland.com/">PEDRO</a><br />That pretty much wraps up the month of September. Check back soon for the October update.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-40991625078630536412008-10-13T21:01:00.003-04:002008-10-13T21:03:29.228-04:00One Year Ago...Today we celebrate our one year wedding anniversary.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4GCLOXdvfR8n3wWHHXXuehKhm5ABf-d2FGD_86rmlb8jRz9er3ciD0ud2mtMzrfxMR8nl6I0JO0K0HHaLGXwYQCGtqc-jU-B1eABuA7WPcErQYN9A-ZZXfBaTXKQ73D9nD0l/s1600-h/VegasWedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4GCLOXdvfR8n3wWHHXXuehKhm5ABf-d2FGD_86rmlb8jRz9er3ciD0ud2mtMzrfxMR8nl6I0JO0K0HHaLGXwYQCGtqc-jU-B1eABuA7WPcErQYN9A-ZZXfBaTXKQ73D9nD0l/s400/VegasWedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256808831957205858" /></a>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-41726315998342816232008-08-31T08:21:00.002-04:002008-08-31T08:36:48.025-04:00Buying a HouseIf the posts have been a little sporadic lately, it's because we have a lot going on in the S-K household. We have decided to put an offer in on a house and have been bogged down with going thru our stuff, filling out mortgage applications and just general running around. All of this in conjunction with working and trying to get outside and enjoy the rest of summer (August in the Northeast has been wonderful - sunny and hot, but not too hot). I will try to do a better job in the upcoming months of posting more frequently. Until then, enjoy this picture of Emma...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw9nhci_eevb3we5E3N9No5Wq70ilq_6m9BetiLNYWNSqRtAD0vpY7WzOvyhl_aWAKso-2QK-WsXWnhQaogbLvlGRbN4Dp_QB5nrsnjNGu7yfnNjWp5a_eM9wl3oy7-BkOhzm/s1600-h/Peanut.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw9nhci_eevb3we5E3N9No5Wq70ilq_6m9BetiLNYWNSqRtAD0vpY7WzOvyhl_aWAKso-2QK-WsXWnhQaogbLvlGRbN4Dp_QB5nrsnjNGu7yfnNjWp5a_eM9wl3oy7-BkOhzm/s400/Peanut.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240659744477919986" /></a>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-11469298213744983642008-08-13T17:24:00.005-04:002008-08-31T08:21:29.803-04:00Jammed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga86FJbYi7ChvMpeLJybRbtupuUMeEsMOCJ0404YuOg9Q2VtwQXAXEW7qCwgG0FPy2MPrqxor7172CCnIUbv7_HysUvAnskzhWl6nyOrdJq0lRBdRQ0rAVmF8VQ_yCDjo3IaS0/s1600-h/Blackberries.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga86FJbYi7ChvMpeLJybRbtupuUMeEsMOCJ0404YuOg9Q2VtwQXAXEW7qCwgG0FPy2MPrqxor7172CCnIUbv7_HysUvAnskzhWl6nyOrdJq0lRBdRQ0rAVmF8VQ_yCDjo3IaS0/s400/Blackberries.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240655260684887298" /></a><br /><br />The summer harvest continues. My tomatoes are coming in beautifully - we've enjoyed several Tomato and Basil salads this summer fresh out of the garden. Today I ventured out to <a href="http://www.willowcreekorchards.com/default.aspx?">Willow Creek Orchards</a>. They have a beautiful selection of produce and other locally produced food. I picked up some peaches, coffee and locally raised buffalo. While I was there I decided to pick some blackberries...enough blackberries to make some jam. How many blackberries do you need in order to make jam? I wasn't really sure either, but I knew you needed a lot. So I picked A LOT. 2 baskets full of blackberries. <br />The biggest challenge to making jam is not picking the berries, but finding pectin in our grocery stores. I had to go to the Menonite market and still had trouble finding it.<br />At the end of the day I was able to make about 8 cups of blackberry jam still with lots of blackberries to spare. Now...what to do with the leftover blackberries...Any ideas?Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-16717505180770264712008-07-01T19:31:00.004-04:002008-07-04T16:31:23.511-04:00Growing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAamQm5sj8PNyhq96LBxJn9sS16P-UgSEuQzc69ZERtXjRYrbVN_rF-h97D1FLraC4KE0Y9pywPFMExkuaMBZpWSZlUEUqcMgiZti_Ig5huaStxN285Tjr_Dp6SiDWSinfvmb/s1600-h/lettuce.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAamQm5sj8PNyhq96LBxJn9sS16P-UgSEuQzc69ZERtXjRYrbVN_rF-h97D1FLraC4KE0Y9pywPFMExkuaMBZpWSZlUEUqcMgiZti_Ig5huaStxN285Tjr_Dp6SiDWSinfvmb/s400/lettuce.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219258302369559522" /></a><br /><br />My container garden is loving the sun and heat of the past few weeks. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI-LVOaHsmRnYditT-5JX6lIU5r-gOSlTh3KeqWxlX9oK4ZI8RHTOQ5tUBYA87i5V5JEMKd1qxZ8sEE8ah7NbKa8zAOVvk-vXQAbgxw1HKJCj8fisyPb2c7pf59y8oAMxmUT9/s1600-h/Tomato2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI-LVOaHsmRnYditT-5JX6lIU5r-gOSlTh3KeqWxlX9oK4ZI8RHTOQ5tUBYA87i5V5JEMKd1qxZ8sEE8ah7NbKa8zAOVvk-vXQAbgxw1HKJCj8fisyPb2c7pf59y8oAMxmUT9/s400/Tomato2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219258308377641954" /></a><br />Everyday I notice another small, green tomato beginning to grow. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJeZJi8GzWNHr4dObY1FKzy7un99QlWalFzI-oQpthzbaEh3Ar6e8Hw-xQdLjw9ILwSMZTcsbvwKP27qhwJTXDakF1H4Qgc5PQawpsS_MCYRO0i9GpL0Ox-8Do_fR62Q4RGBp/s1600-h/Tomato1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJeZJi8GzWNHr4dObY1FKzy7un99QlWalFzI-oQpthzbaEh3Ar6e8Hw-xQdLjw9ILwSMZTcsbvwKP27qhwJTXDakF1H4Qgc5PQawpsS_MCYRO0i9GpL0Ox-8Do_fR62Q4RGBp/s400/Tomato1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219258307371539858" /></a><br />Today I saw a couple of small pepper buds and to my surprise a pretty sizeable pepper. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwArLap8GLFmv6xvSVZEPS-LZ4G_zfWccLc49JD7tE2-VC_YGg1WiY78HCmkl8Lvv7fTeODjFSmrfl_BeXLPD4WGzyxWmqq0Lxf8ZZQDD56NUqndLREvAHsTfMF4VOXRkSbSEd/s1600-h/Pepper1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwArLap8GLFmv6xvSVZEPS-LZ4G_zfWccLc49JD7tE2-VC_YGg1WiY78HCmkl8Lvv7fTeODjFSmrfl_BeXLPD4WGzyxWmqq0Lxf8ZZQDD56NUqndLREvAHsTfMF4VOXRkSbSEd/s400/Pepper1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219258294986797858" /></a><br />The resident spider is keeping away the small pests - if only he could do something about our nemesis the squirrel - which is reeking havoc on the strawberries.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-47175905266575865752008-06-28T10:04:00.008-04:002008-06-28T12:21:25.173-04:00Photo meme<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/69521576@N00/2618622182/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/2618622182_71ac659e06.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I normally don't get around to doing any MEME's, but I liked this one (which I saw on <a href="http://skrillaknits.wordpress.com/">Skrilla Knits</a>, and she borrowed from <a href="http://katywhumpus.blogspot.com/2008/06/games-are-fun.html">Katywhumpus</a>.<br /><br />The Rules:<br />a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.<br />b. Using only the first page, pick an image.<br />c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker).<br /><br />the questions:<br />1. What is your first name?<br />2. What is your favorite food?<br />3. What high school did you go to?<br />4. What is your favorite color?<br />5. Who is your celebrity crush?<br />6. Favorite drink?<br />7. Dream vacation?<br />8. Favorite dessert?<br />9. What you want to be when you grow up?<br />10. What do you love most in life?<br />11. One Word to describe you.<br />12. Your flickr name.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-28169019580469650562008-06-15T10:11:00.001-04:002008-06-28T10:03:54.841-04:00Hot Child in the CityIt's been about 90 degrees with about 90% humidity the past few weeks - and both weekends we decided it would be a "great" idea to hang out in Philadelphia. Sticky can only begin to describe it...the only saving grace was that we were able to get into A/C by bar hopping ;)Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-54011014991651024592008-06-02T21:32:00.007-04:002008-06-27T17:48:47.119-04:00Assateague 2008<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_HuSsXAq5PjxzgvvRYTr-qvket1RcbJaryN8u8vIsQLJnkF2WapZZlKY4jt4PQAZD7Kf9F4VARC6jQXcMbxglZOi13i0dBSAQ7mdAXtAER697MijocNT2n3JHjgwIrUfoiQ5/s1600-h/P5290215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_HuSsXAq5PjxzgvvRYTr-qvket1RcbJaryN8u8vIsQLJnkF2WapZZlKY4jt4PQAZD7Kf9F4VARC6jQXcMbxglZOi13i0dBSAQ7mdAXtAER697MijocNT2n3JHjgwIrUfoiQ5/s200/P5290215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216681512325277490" /></a><br /><br />On my summer vacation camped at the beach in Assateague Island (Maryland). <br /><br />We ate Maryland Blue Crabs in Ocean City, MD:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07ZtaAeJKTXM5sgm8SwtenWfapSw_3qY0y39C5zlT3q6yg67cj96YVScUq7VU8yA6wuvPneek7NY7WMlMI59k9175T6ngcx9WXUah2NPbVFwhyfrP8SbgjF4KuCy7vyMZ69Kz/s1600-h/P5290209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07ZtaAeJKTXM5sgm8SwtenWfapSw_3qY0y39C5zlT3q6yg67cj96YVScUq7VU8yA6wuvPneek7NY7WMlMI59k9175T6ngcx9WXUah2NPbVFwhyfrP8SbgjF4KuCy7vyMZ69Kz/s200/P5290209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216677187220031234" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iZNAnxonMeOH8EQhtFwz7rqYYKM_079pJthMaNL23vO0Lx7wKJ6nI4xFx1jplniqMjFc2lVxKg065ru3y06HXHgeVysRd-8GCBpuhFutwvoOIsvU8bxTrM0VR3X7EEESMgJZ/s1600-h/P5290211.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iZNAnxonMeOH8EQhtFwz7rqYYKM_079pJthMaNL23vO0Lx7wKJ6nI4xFx1jplniqMjFc2lVxKg065ru3y06HXHgeVysRd-8GCBpuhFutwvoOIsvU8bxTrM0VR3X7EEESMgJZ/s200/P5290211.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216677202777793378" /></a><br />We flew kites on the beach:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwzb1TeNXGIekKk_ig2ebtkHBrBLGIPmtY8TdBZo6l1hL-OjCzsKbg12KZ0-qJjCR9JBNboAWB-uKnjnWMN1ljcr9SKd6-BQUD6Is0wv3r5cc940EfaXj945uUnnskBGLAk47/s1600-h/P5300263.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwzb1TeNXGIekKk_ig2ebtkHBrBLGIPmtY8TdBZo6l1hL-OjCzsKbg12KZ0-qJjCR9JBNboAWB-uKnjnWMN1ljcr9SKd6-BQUD6Is0wv3r5cc940EfaXj945uUnnskBGLAk47/s200/P5300263.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216677751887392210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pMR0xG09fIROAX1E46X81MPSK1TtfbTTelV3CP0-E8nGDavodsdvBDF5w3l8xaKFRJFt-EQTkUALiSIISB3nL7y4aXwkdyW9Yf5gUZ24GN9jpgIRC23Xxp9rfMac1-1XyXtz/s1600-h/P5300262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pMR0xG09fIROAX1E46X81MPSK1TtfbTTelV3CP0-E8nGDavodsdvBDF5w3l8xaKFRJFt-EQTkUALiSIISB3nL7y4aXwkdyW9Yf5gUZ24GN9jpgIRC23Xxp9rfMac1-1XyXtz/s200/P5300262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216677772312412738" /></a><br />We canoed around the bay:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLjrOYbO-LCZwec2itsYQUCVYbaVqB90ujynVQoG1DL8Zjpp-SwCep0RdS7UCx_IoLXud2wpraitBq9ZZqybSOmgE_jFcO5BR2jcbttG54wR1dxCZMhusrANpH80RuKOPKv7k/s1600-h/P5290246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLjrOYbO-LCZwec2itsYQUCVYbaVqB90ujynVQoG1DL8Zjpp-SwCep0RdS7UCx_IoLXud2wpraitBq9ZZqybSOmgE_jFcO5BR2jcbttG54wR1dxCZMhusrANpH80RuKOPKv7k/s200/P5290246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216678073743332946" /></a><br />We saw wild ponies:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbtxcbVrrdz51WgDB1qdVpzfTGY7YrOiXI6uAUMgnvFWcmI9wgV9Dzx7ksBMxcGEoFE2FE83-ni8SkrSXoRv4xof-hYytxoh-iXbYkO1QiSbcLn8XNgnxFdn37ziZHpSTSyXj/s1600-h/P5290259.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbtxcbVrrdz51WgDB1qdVpzfTGY7YrOiXI6uAUMgnvFWcmI9wgV9Dzx7ksBMxcGEoFE2FE83-ni8SkrSXoRv4xof-hYytxoh-iXbYkO1QiSbcLn8XNgnxFdn37ziZHpSTSyXj/s200/P5290259.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216678857203091698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5T8l6C3nlGoi9rbM9tXnmcjir93VPYu5K3zF-jt5FhLMujfLP7rSWFrl_lRnNUsIyt5Q3j1hERTmZz-cdzkXH_7fcPy-zjqTzzlp6Hw7m12mAGF6ABN1sUYw0n2ebWcSNlBX4/s1600-h/P5310278.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5T8l6C3nlGoi9rbM9tXnmcjir93VPYu5K3zF-jt5FhLMujfLP7rSWFrl_lRnNUsIyt5Q3j1hERTmZz-cdzkXH_7fcPy-zjqTzzlp6Hw7m12mAGF6ABN1sUYw0n2ebWcSNlBX4/s200/P5310278.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216678870473888706" /></a><br />We got sandblased on a hike down the beach in 35mph winds:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rsDoCpBCpWh_1HA1xIqjN4fBs7VAqeeSdi9YXAKudOoZF8ISp-RT_PFfFH5Rd0L0CR_X1awNCz8-yXCdvAGVu9SEX1Jpay77Nf9WEMsPGVgtfnNlCPEHx6vx40g5JCWSA-0P/s1600-h/P5300275.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rsDoCpBCpWh_1HA1xIqjN4fBs7VAqeeSdi9YXAKudOoZF8ISp-RT_PFfFH5Rd0L0CR_X1awNCz8-yXCdvAGVu9SEX1Jpay77Nf9WEMsPGVgtfnNlCPEHx6vx40g5JCWSA-0P/s200/P5300275.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216679229602342562" /></a><br />Unfortunately we had to leave a day early, because I'm too chicken to sleep in a tent during a lightning storm with forecasted 70mph winds...but we had fun.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-5713544279035010762008-05-05T19:37:00.011-04:002008-05-05T20:48:47.937-04:00Fiber and Farm Animal Festivities<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYns6uWuSo8w9ax2UBtUwEmqShPE7vw7ZEPpEKC26vzvvcibNiw1q44XWrocHF50hn0RHwgEefEVWP2DQwMN-RPb807i_AbOz7zvn0ZD-KNer_qdu4GHSD5yiGxpeXiOIOCkXq/s1600-h/goat1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYns6uWuSo8w9ax2UBtUwEmqShPE7vw7ZEPpEKC26vzvvcibNiw1q44XWrocHF50hn0RHwgEefEVWP2DQwMN-RPb807i_AbOz7zvn0ZD-KNer_qdu4GHSD5yiGxpeXiOIOCkXq/s320/goat1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197059599961339554" /></a><br />This weekend was filled with a lot of farm animal fun! On Saturday Jake and I went down to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival<a href="http://www.sheepandwool.org/"></a>. We woke up early and made the two and a half hour pilgramige down to the biggest fiber festival I have ever seen. I knew it would be big, but I had no idea just how overwhelming it would be. There were thousands...no really THOUSANDS, of knitters, spinners and fiber enthusiasts at the Howard County Fairgrounds, not to mention the hundreds of farmers and shephards (?) that were there showing, shearing and selling their sheep. For those non-knitters, it is hard to imagine all the excitement, so I am posting evidence of the frenzy.<br />Here is a picture of the parking lot:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjReSg-9dV_3vohwFmjFPNI-nzERYpWjymiPYpIuy7bIvmMzk-W8pTgStFpt108KFzd1IhzV0gQiN8nu8IIUEcBrnDs_TEZ0URYXf01l39P1l42YM-_kXNUI9D0RO4_bi9L5PZ/s1600-h/ParkingLot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjReSg-9dV_3vohwFmjFPNI-nzERYpWjymiPYpIuy7bIvmMzk-W8pTgStFpt108KFzd1IhzV0gQiN8nu8IIUEcBrnDs_TEZ0URYXf01l39P1l42YM-_kXNUI9D0RO4_bi9L5PZ/s320/ParkingLot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197050464565900818" /></a><br /><br />...and the crowd:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFF-9loqSE7IvogYQlkfruFTTA80CF2vwJT8Wy0Ym62ClpYhIJNDtfmu8M1lNRZQRVshyphenhyphen628PDjq3d_nJe-0GSru3Rq-VbgyyYEU2KJFxtywFdVaD5grdwlCqfWTGhV0oMAhZ/s1600-h/crowd.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFF-9loqSE7IvogYQlkfruFTTA80CF2vwJT8Wy0Ym62ClpYhIJNDtfmu8M1lNRZQRVshyphenhyphen628PDjq3d_nJe-0GSru3Rq-VbgyyYEU2KJFxtywFdVaD5grdwlCqfWTGhV0oMAhZ/s320/crowd.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197050687904200226" /></a><br /><br />I met up with other <a href="http://www.ravelry.com">Ravelers</a> at the Ravelry party:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQYRDBjrCrgDRxZhRzoJRUj2pe1URWEGOvEPV4exnJ17GT3eALAsUYbqS0PvqWCazVJ_BcwTuQGK4g_KQhg5uuNDhtodN1Sw99zrTFPoXaIR8Z6j92HEd4EwFAsGtTk98__Oo/s1600-h/ravelrytent.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQYRDBjrCrgDRxZhRzoJRUj2pe1URWEGOvEPV4exnJ17GT3eALAsUYbqS0PvqWCazVJ_BcwTuQGK4g_KQhg5uuNDhtodN1Sw99zrTFPoXaIR8Z6j92HEd4EwFAsGtTk98__Oo/s320/ravelrytent.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197051052976420402" /></a><br /><br />I even got to meet Jess and Casey, the founders of Ravelry:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwuqiEPPmqFjPYNBfdd8JkFlKi-9s1S58s2cHgY7NqJf30gWq5S0PszO50DrGAC-lZxBuAmaTNoZxHHFzSRqqzElLUbNrlAMskVvqME4MdN3xSULW5sOQu0CkouToCFKJKGyq/s1600-h/RavelryPic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwuqiEPPmqFjPYNBfdd8JkFlKi-9s1S58s2cHgY7NqJf30gWq5S0PszO50DrGAC-lZxBuAmaTNoZxHHFzSRqqzElLUbNrlAMskVvqME4MdN3xSULW5sOQu0CkouToCFKJKGyq/s320/RavelryPic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197051272019752514" /></a><br /><br />There were Sheep Dog Trials:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNFQF2dTRvTAuvgUF11XIAfV_RyCVIOjIsx70jR3GUGrrUCPeD8P4QgC2medb_Xm1MqAtmUVRTW0wjUV5YpHYgsneEy5o3czRxH2JwMpTOh1YjGNb4yPtFQotITHWGtkDI39O/s1600-h/Sheepdog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNFQF2dTRvTAuvgUF11XIAfV_RyCVIOjIsx70jR3GUGrrUCPeD8P4QgC2medb_Xm1MqAtmUVRTW0wjUV5YpHYgsneEy5o3czRxH2JwMpTOh1YjGNb4yPtFQotITHWGtkDI39O/s320/Sheepdog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197051538307724882" /></a><br /><br />...and Sheep, of course:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkQ6wLrsLbSKsUgmDIdu9lLomOUdG4fIQVGFNJ2K6q7k8j_6xKtXWQ5tqFtqzXsJlWOHE_i5gtkOprFBzLK4bXu2kcSrzFn-qKjXfSFZ4v1KxDPQHIPOXPwktscgHliP715-d/s1600-h/Sheep.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkQ6wLrsLbSKsUgmDIdu9lLomOUdG4fIQVGFNJ2K6q7k8j_6xKtXWQ5tqFtqzXsJlWOHE_i5gtkOprFBzLK4bXu2kcSrzFn-qKjXfSFZ4v1KxDPQHIPOXPwktscgHliP715-d/s320/Sheep.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197052796733142626" /></a><br /><br />Even Jake found a favorite Sheep:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW9rX0K5qNChUm8HPqtqyN3NXe_5Z6UHNUflI8OughXAb6dQ7bEpNOeUCuxfV_ExauP4FBPlA_NXB_KfGYHYyF63b50RBJiuNC_xiDWAfpaE2jgXcUvMAbdJo0PvYwbQd2lZu/s1600-h/Jacobsheep.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW9rX0K5qNChUm8HPqtqyN3NXe_5Z6UHNUflI8OughXAb6dQ7bEpNOeUCuxfV_ExauP4FBPlA_NXB_KfGYHYyF63b50RBJiuNC_xiDWAfpaE2jgXcUvMAbdJo0PvYwbQd2lZu/s320/Jacobsheep.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197052796733142642" /></a><br /><br />There were even baby Emu's:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxRS6yCzAtqV83YItqCPFzg3mNGYAba7C3s7h0kwHkVgaehjn_BHtpIkzqiw4WM_I72Y_8PScv_EBFMtbU2EdQoCmTC-k_Bcl6JXN7favqPEK1LqjfbjIIwnotp1Y1Ls1FFgq/s1600-h/Emu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxRS6yCzAtqV83YItqCPFzg3mNGYAba7C3s7h0kwHkVgaehjn_BHtpIkzqiw4WM_I72Y_8PScv_EBFMtbU2EdQoCmTC-k_Bcl6JXN7favqPEK1LqjfbjIIwnotp1Y1Ls1FFgq/s320/Emu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197052801028109954" /></a><br /><br />I had so much fun (and didn't even break the bank!). I did purchase a ball winder and swift, and some Natural colored wool (which I don't have pictures yet...I will post later) and a T-Shirt. <br /><br />And as if that weren't enough...<br /><br />Sunday, Jake and I went to the Annual <a href="http://www.slyfoxbeer.com/calendar/cal/event.asp?ID=871">Sly Fox Bock Festival and Goat Race</a>. This is always such a fun event, and this year was no exception. The weather was beautiful and the beer was delicious. Who wants to go to the Derby when you can go to the goat race? Not Me. <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb7bBvuRskagf1nSfQwfuT4DxN-4ZXKJU8FGEajpjKR0i2gqNepCq-OW3yXJ1Vw2sHSfl2RQ_uUvPBG7dKjVZ4FGxz0_wfwSPNHhHMb1kZZs56EAg5jnK3LavsfQU-RkW_5TL/s1600-h/baby+goat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb7bBvuRskagf1nSfQwfuT4DxN-4ZXKJU8FGEajpjKR0i2gqNepCq-OW3yXJ1Vw2sHSfl2RQ_uUvPBG7dKjVZ4FGxz0_wfwSPNHhHMb1kZZs56EAg5jnK3LavsfQU-RkW_5TL/s320/baby+goat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197059595666372242" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucpiwAPxC6et1Ui9aGXWo9gh2hI-h04codAVPpeHH68PpbmcV4MVBeqcB_MLkmQT_RAcw8bAHLqW7D20-OyH-3X_oJqZIlpr3vGvw8bCGWXchh6bLcSqJv1WOiZET_Tierzog/s1600-h/goatrace.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucpiwAPxC6et1Ui9aGXWo9gh2hI-h04codAVPpeHH68PpbmcV4MVBeqcB_MLkmQT_RAcw8bAHLqW7D20-OyH-3X_oJqZIlpr3vGvw8bCGWXchh6bLcSqJv1WOiZET_Tierzog/s320/goatrace.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197059604256306882" /></a><br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDpO50ubtzmrQxBnSEDZbcA_kpjKSr3qqZkDVVpevDJKuZt_0CFrPiDnNTvzqjRZpGHfYUOj0SGu0D0FBwA4HHME9njD4JCqlMlnPdmvqgh4-TvtIBZh4tbXHfHReGD2fIwM4/s1600-h/goatkisses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDpO50ubtzmrQxBnSEDZbcA_kpjKSr3qqZkDVVpevDJKuZt_0CFrPiDnNTvzqjRZpGHfYUOj0SGu0D0FBwA4HHME9njD4JCqlMlnPdmvqgh4-TvtIBZh4tbXHfHReGD2fIwM4/s320/goatkisses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197059599961339570" /></a>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-86770552078916049692008-04-27T17:23:00.007-04:002008-04-27T20:01:32.190-04:00Celebrity Sightings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffvoJj5q_phZvsorh1Ad279VhSxsJp1QUEcONvtE-IdNqhckYzAgpqjUXWIqbfdQ9OOQyjevIKpJXjUKRC6vOIZNLy6bgTHzVEliYWhTqvYiuz9Gv1LOYKXnElh3yK2OEYl_5/s1600-h/jakeandraewrooster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffvoJj5q_phZvsorh1Ad279VhSxsJp1QUEcONvtE-IdNqhckYzAgpqjUXWIqbfdQ9OOQyjevIKpJXjUKRC6vOIZNLy6bgTHzVEliYWhTqvYiuz9Gv1LOYKXnElh3yK2OEYl_5/s320/jakeandraewrooster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194078604895106530" /></a><br /><br />I'll start off with apologies...sorry that the posts have been so sporadic lately. I've been working A LOT and when I come home the last thing I feel like doing is updating my blog. I'm hoping to get better about regular posting (no promises, though). I'm not going to write a ridiculously long post filling you in on all of the happenings of the last few months. Suffice it to say that I've been busy working, going out with friends, sampling Delicious libations and knitting. Now back to the present....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfSO1v1xPza1Mkhodhmwktynow6eKk8a76E3Yl0Fb_M0dFzMEdMAXEY57OaUtOKlrnjtaDKLeUXFs-woOKBMw5yrBOgERyzyZrIlChZ0rSVej10ExeFoNCQUQXm5icqAMEG4N/s1600-h/fhwme.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfSO1v1xPza1Mkhodhmwktynow6eKk8a76E3Yl0Fb_M0dFzMEdMAXEY57OaUtOKlrnjtaDKLeUXFs-woOKBMw5yrBOgERyzyZrIlChZ0rSVej10ExeFoNCQUQXm5icqAMEG4N/s320/fhwme.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194078622074975746" /></a><br /><br />Last weekend Jake and I took a pilgrimage to a yarn shop in Kennett Square so that I could partake in <a href="http://1000knitters.blogspot.com/2007/07/what-is-1000-knitters-project.html">Franklin Habit's 1000 Knitters project</a>. I couldn't believe how many knitters had come out. We arrived late, due to bad directions by Google (<em>aside: I've noticed that Google Directions have become increasingly bad lately. So much so that I've started to wonder if they merged with Mapquest</em>.), and I wasn't sure if we should wait around. Jake convinced me to stay and wait, especially since we had made the trip and I am a big fan of Franklin's blog. I put my name in and we went across the street to have a beer and kill some time. For those who have not been to the <a href="http://www.woolgathering.com/">Wool Gathering</a> in Kennett Square and live in the area, it is well worth the trip. The shop is very nice, with a large selection. Also, the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. They especially seemed familiar with popular patterns and designers, which makes me think that they are aware of the online knitting community (<em>another aside: I often find shops that are not familiar with the presence knitting has online- which suggests to me that they are out of touch with a very large market demographic</em>.) Anyway, Franklin was a pleasure to meet and I was very happy to be part of the project.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWsNloeCY1iTf6Yi3D2nw8zWmD4qSWXSx5Ljd-BA-ZHFDWx1ze1RqhyExey1EDcVhLHRSo3O0WUrRrZGAbtq7oxaCQgNkFG7PD7Aq95y6UsF_LBrWoYIbWQX5kWKpXOECzruN/s1600-h/deadliest+catch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWsNloeCY1iTf6Yi3D2nw8zWmD4qSWXSx5Ljd-BA-ZHFDWx1ze1RqhyExey1EDcVhLHRSo3O0WUrRrZGAbtq7oxaCQgNkFG7PD7Aq95y6UsF_LBrWoYIbWQX5kWKpXOECzruN/s320/deadliest+catch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194078613485041138" /></a><br /><br />The second celebrity sighting of the week was even more exciting (sorry Franklin). A local book store was hosting a book signing for <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/">Discovery Channel's </a>book about the show "<a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/deadliestcatch/deadliestcatch.html">Deadliest Catch</a>". Three of the Captian's were in town on the promotional tour - Sig Hansen and brother Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand (with a book of their own). We arrived just as their limo pulled up. We got to see them exit the limo, they said hi and headed into the bookstore. What we were not expecting was how crowded the store would be! There had to be about 1000 people waiting to get books signed. We listened to them answer questions but did not wait to get anything signed (plus, the shop had run out of books). It was fun to get to see the people from our favorite show on television (the only show Jake and I watch regularly).Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9426085.post-90668690496340051322008-04-07T20:15:00.001-04:002008-04-27T18:16:13.273-04:00Out with the old....And in with the NEW CAR! Last month I upgraded my poor, old 1995 Subaru Impreza for it's younger, sportier sister. I only feel slightly guilty. My old car had treated my well, its' Carribean Metallic Green exterior was easy to spot in any parking lot, the absent cup holder increased my dexterity and coordination while shifting gears and the lack of power windows and door locks made me feel like I was "roughing it". Yet, even with all of it's endearing qualities, it was time for me to get a "grown-up" car. A car that looks like an adult with a paycheck drives it, not a poor college girl. Say hello to my new ride...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW50NMzVJ0Rvd2X68l5M_0rg2HfWarlpDYW1K26n2860hzHlQxKMBwTsU0UBlZCXUUWhlmZ7i-ZQ_Ve9BL2ymOkdR-6SGMGTukZB2GJgG1JUcaAx1quR5W-qUEDWgBi6kaZ-N/s1600-h/Subie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW50NMzVJ0Rvd2X68l5M_0rg2HfWarlpDYW1K26n2860hzHlQxKMBwTsU0UBlZCXUUWhlmZ7i-ZQ_Ve9BL2ymOkdR-6SGMGTukZB2GJgG1JUcaAx1quR5W-qUEDWgBi6kaZ-N/s400/Subie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194052302515385810" /></a>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631506998126277398noreply@blogger.com0