tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13291131643968260602024-03-13T16:01:04.064-04:00Mrs. B Takes On...Taking on womanhood one project at a time.Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-34054648068834577372019-11-11T11:21:00.001-05:002019-11-11T11:54:26.476-05:00The Birth of Baby Rose<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I get into Rose's birth, here's a little back story with links to my other birth stories (in case you have nothing better to do). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was pregnant with my first daughter, Grace, we planned to have a <a href="https://mrsbtakeson.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-birth-of-baby-grace.html" target="_blank">home birth</a> which ended in a hospital transfer and c-section due to "failure to progress". With Eddie's <a href="https://mrsbtakeson.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-birth-of-baby-eddie.html">birth</a> I thought I was destined for another surgery but was able to have a successful and redemptive vbac at a birth center with amazing midwives and a chiropractor who got him into the right position! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNGCVKKKfTTgg3-4GMoxIuUfRk3l8lBzQiztBsOk1fL5CC9z-Unw8rtbgdEMIhS7-2BEMU44IX9QAMbKZldG1Z_Ozf7V1IwgATMi0fOmvruy-PyRjdoubJkirJ6GCuzJr0nONmhFAGCtr/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNGCVKKKfTTgg3-4GMoxIuUfRk3l8lBzQiztBsOk1fL5CC9z-Unw8rtbgdEMIhS7-2BEMU44IX9QAMbKZldG1Z_Ozf7V1IwgATMi0fOmvruy-PyRjdoubJkirJ6GCuzJr0nONmhFAGCtr/s320/IMG_0388.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One week from birth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we moved to Texas and I found out I was pregnant with my third baby, I was somewhat undecided on how I wanted to deliver. While I had had an amazing experience with my son, I didn't know any midwives in the area and to be honest, I felt like the pressure was off to go that route since I had a successful vbac under my belt. I scheduled an appointment with my obgyn and began to discuss my preferences for birth. I was quickly reminded that because I was "advanced maternal age" and attempting another vbac, that I would be considered "high risk" - insert all the eye rolls here - and therefore not allowed to labor in the tub, would need continual fetal monitoring, had to deliver by their cutoff date and so on. I was disappointed but not surprised by these restrictions. I told my doctor that with Eddie's birth I had delivered him on my hands and knees and wanted to know if I would have the freedom to decide what position I wanted to deliver this baby in, to which he smugly replied "oh, I don't catch babies that way". I left my appointment and found a midwife. I wouldn't allow this man to dictate every aspect of my birth. I made up my mind to try for the home birth I had set out to have 5 years earlier. Thankfully, I found my amazing midwife Monica and after our first phone conversation (it was almost an hour long!) I knew she was exactly who I needed to help bring my baby earth-side!</span><br />
<div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My two previous pregnancies had both gone postdate (my daughter was almost 42 weeks!) so it was no surprise when I woke up on the morning of week 41 still pregnant. The night before I had asked Monika if she would feel comfortable sweeping my membranes and trying some natural methods of induction. She agreed and said she would be over the next morning. Before she arrived, I had my first sign that labor was nearing, I had some show and lost my "plug". This hadn't happened with my two previous labors so I was excited to know that my body was already doing work. When she got to my home she did a check and told me I was about 2cm. She did the sweep, I took some homeopathic tinctures, walked and did breast pumping cycles for a few hours. I was having strong Braxton Hicks contractions but couldn't say that they felt like labor yet. Monika decided to leave for a little while to give me some time to relax and see if my body would "tip over" and start labor. Before she left, she checked me one more time and I was at a solid 3cm. This was encouraging since I had never dilated that much before my water breaking. I made dinner and got the kids ready for bed all while having intermittent contractions about 10 minutes apart but they weren't getting stronger or more intense. My parents live on the same property as we do and they offered to take the kids for the night "just in case" which was a huge blessing to not have to worry about them. I talked to my midwife again after sending the kids next door around 8:00 pm and she told me to relax and we would reassess in the morning. Rich and I watched a movie and my contractions spaced out even further and were now 15-20 minutes apart. By this point I was disappointed that we had done all of that work earlier in the day only to have things fizzle out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About 11:00 pm we went to bed. I had been laying down for maybe 5 minutes when I had a strong contraction that felt much more intense than what I had been experiencing during the day. For the next hour my husband and I timed the contractions and waited to see if they would slow down. They didn't. I called Monika at midnight and told her things were picking up. She said she would get on the road right away. We also called my mom to let her know what was happening so she could join us.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPL-ph7YAbWQIMzM19udioY7GizT_o26dy2MVDoB6-9xEXRw1apYiUX6ppKnsLi4eCwE1wW9EpWO9NYlIkpbHLlNLtPTMLYbjZkXmyCasRgx1qh7itXYdDJDUEz75o4FH7ujWkYp4feZH/s1600/bd3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPL-ph7YAbWQIMzM19udioY7GizT_o26dy2MVDoB6-9xEXRw1apYiUX6ppKnsLi4eCwE1wW9EpWO9NYlIkpbHLlNLtPTMLYbjZkXmyCasRgx1qh7itXYdDJDUEz75o4FH7ujWkYp4feZH/s320/bd3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When she arrived at my house an hour later, and I knew I was definitely in active labor. I was still walking around, in fact managed to put on a pot of coffee for the her but things were starting to get pretty intense. I remember having a contraction in the kitchen that put me on my knees and thinking "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ok, it's really happening". I didn't think the contractions I had been having earlier were doing much but when Monika checked me I was already at 5cm! I was so excited to hear that news, I was halfway there! She suggested that I get into the tub and labor there while she got set up and called the rest of the team to come. I have to add this to my story, I've always read that getting in the tub too early can potentially stall out labor, so when she suggested I get in I was a little skeptical. I thought, it's too early, I shouldn't be getting in yet, what if things slow down. HA! Things did NOT slow down but they did feel about a million times better in the hot water. I labored in the tub for around an hour but started feeling really nauseous. Poor Rich earned bonus husband points that night for holding a trash can for me to get sick in!! I'd never gotten sick during labor before and I knew it's usually a sign of transition but I was in total denial because I had only been having "real" contractions for less than two hours. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLNAdzG5oi3Am9FxkLL5FA1oV2o1qx8PQZQGYcxSDFvEsNhq6WmTmdIhONol-klASH4RAAJhgdsdmZffId8ZoMpaFe8QY0kPFgEeBRh9dzWp1MjvMp4WEAGJI24JbSmZ1_M_DA8Abjs0D/s1600/bd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLNAdzG5oi3Am9FxkLL5FA1oV2o1qx8PQZQGYcxSDFvEsNhq6WmTmdIhONol-klASH4RAAJhgdsdmZffId8ZoMpaFe8QY0kPFgEeBRh9dzWp1MjvMp4WEAGJI24JbSmZ1_M_DA8Abjs0D/s320/bd2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got out of the tub and decided to labor sitting on the toilet for awhile. I had done this during my son's birth and if there was one bit of advice I could give to moms during birth, it would be to get on the toilet. It puts you and baby in such a great position and allows you to "labor down". And ladies, less pushing time is a GOOD time! Then, I moved to the bed and tried to find a comfortable position but by then that wasn't happening. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These were the hardest contractions of the labor. I can remember laying on my side with Monika laying towards me speaking calming words, my husband kneeling next to the bed rubbing my back and my doula at the end of the bed massaging my feet. The contractions were right on top of one another and I felt like I couldn't even catch my breath between them. I really struggled to relax during them and found myself arching up and squeezing a washcloth as hard as I could as they hit. I don't know how long I was on the bed, this part of labor gets a little fuzzy. They say you "go inside yourself" and this is exactly what was happening. I could see things going on around me but it was like I was in a different realm. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeAbiLhlQQbUtQrbs_gvr0e4FYuYtBH8i9J5BhscZZl0rxwyPVr_zK_kg2_Nu_E-LKCk1IKHEKnYt55WYIWShDaVzHrOAKgYPmfu6ZY4_o9KfoanX_sJXXqc3uCsCeJnFvWR_9vJ9m7m2/s1600/bd6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeAbiLhlQQbUtQrbs_gvr0e4FYuYtBH8i9J5BhscZZl0rxwyPVr_zK_kg2_Nu_E-LKCk1IKHEKnYt55WYIWShDaVzHrOAKgYPmfu6ZY4_o9KfoanX_sJXXqc3uCsCeJnFvWR_9vJ9m7m2/s320/bd6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I started to feel "pushy". I felt my body wanting to bear down but my mind couldn't comprehend that it was time yet. I got up and went to the bathroom again. I felt the most relief in that position and the urge to push got stronger too. Monika encouraged me to listen to my body and so I began to put force behind the contractions. A few contractions later, there was a loud "POP", my water broke! Another benefit of laboring on the toilet, no mess! At this point, I heard Monika say to me "ok, time to get up, we don't want to have baby here" but I couldn't quite bring myself to move yet. I stayed through a few more contractions and then finally mustered up the determination to get back on the bed.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4mSgwgNgorPdhQ_VBIXM55YzZGMopSGsmjvmTbUeD_S1w_09i9oIxZ_VIA7UfJMZkRNle_2zRj5NUxTF_-c8h8w8lmB8arvcCoBJfbk84CqfsAmjrJ-XGcmXsgMyOL68eNtDV0bULlQo/s1600/bd8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4mSgwgNgorPdhQ_VBIXM55YzZGMopSGsmjvmTbUeD_S1w_09i9oIxZ_VIA7UfJMZkRNle_2zRj5NUxTF_-c8h8w8lmB8arvcCoBJfbk84CqfsAmjrJ-XGcmXsgMyOL68eNtDV0bULlQo/s320/bd8.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tried pushing on hands and knees (like with Eddie's birth) but I couldn't seem to get any "traction" and felt my pushing wasn't doing much. Then, I tried pushing</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> while</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> lying on my side and finally wound up on my back, with Rich next to my head whispering encouragement and holding me. I felt Rose moving down during these pushes and soon I could reach down and feel her head.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJjKk-wfWWC2pTr5NQlt078egWFjpcDew99smN2UAyX-MwLHmswuSMbDYaXhN0VfhVOro9xZ16rfVer8re6doBVVrjS6GAtpipKTwxBI0NGPMz9-LkwN0l3y-5MfQwF7XKxvHvhkU8nnm/s1600/bd7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJjKk-wfWWC2pTr5NQlt078egWFjpcDew99smN2UAyX-MwLHmswuSMbDYaXhN0VfhVOro9xZ16rfVer8re6doBVVrjS6GAtpipKTwxBI0NGPMz9-LkwN0l3y-5MfQwF7XKxvHvhkU8nnm/s320/bd7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By this point I was D.O.N.E. with labor and ready to get my girl OUT and on the next contraction she crowned! Without waiting for another, I pushed again and she was HERE!!!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpMcAPylb1_koJ_OE96QsqAbMYbK584DTzAMviZ4QueLD9sD4X7psXGOzQqv51jM0vUhtzSMpJzWMW_Vgp-065xE1xS1sGCTj5irszD6E62YdL7UWqM8nObIIbi1wfoGM_Pf9iAPXYtIF/s1600/bd10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpMcAPylb1_koJ_OE96QsqAbMYbK584DTzAMviZ4QueLD9sD4X7psXGOzQqv51jM0vUhtzSMpJzWMW_Vgp-065xE1xS1sGCTj5irszD6E62YdL7UWqM8nObIIbi1wfoGM_Pf9iAPXYtIF/s640/bd10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best feeling in the world!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rose Evelyn Faith came out pink and squalling and perfect at 4:06am (<b>FOUR HOURS</b> after I called Monika) 11/11/18, 7lbs 12 oz and 20.5" long.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqINXnqgLIgqq_QrSf9Xt7jhIYAvqy0PQlpldgvd9AoKxOu5fK_ycsCw6Ot5c3_jiCt2dNJw5ST3jvPL7dmtW-cE4Hu0CuvH2GIgxl3cuzp222nDg6JA3916vU7CdmGNlebwhRWI9MYjSG/s1600/bd18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqINXnqgLIgqq_QrSf9Xt7jhIYAvqy0PQlpldgvd9AoKxOu5fK_ycsCw6Ot5c3_jiCt2dNJw5ST3jvPL7dmtW-cE4Hu0CuvH2GIgxl3cuzp222nDg6JA3916vU7CdmGNlebwhRWI9MYjSG/s640/bd18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is so incredible how you can go from the most intense pain you've ever experienced to pure joy and relief in a matter of seconds and that is exactly what happens in those last moments of labor. There was such a beautiful presence that filled the room the moment she was born. It was sacred and emotional and above all PEACEFUL. I brought her to my chest and we all rejoiced in the wonder of the new life God had blessed us with. With my husband holding me and my mom standing close by, happy tears were shed by all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gEHR-vJL7I4fxxTEzvWk_VZvatDlMy_HCQQPdcTdlloMGd2ZYoLqgoO8yRhCoFSNXKfCXwFm1NC5YNeW3b1HVVMY1WcGuyLbDi5kibklKMpg8RZNhkMC-9xoCq8QuxDz_GQa45HodEgK/s1600/bd12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gEHR-vJL7I4fxxTEzvWk_VZvatDlMy_HCQQPdcTdlloMGd2ZYoLqgoO8yRhCoFSNXKfCXwFm1NC5YNeW3b1HVVMY1WcGuyLbDi5kibklKMpg8RZNhkMC-9xoCq8QuxDz_GQa45HodEgK/s640/bd12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The postpartum activity was purposeful but unhurried and my husband and I relaxed on the bed as my midwife and team completed their tasks. After a short time, my mom went next door and woke up Gracie. She was able to meet her baby sister minutes after she arrived and witness her mother during her strongest moment. She was beaming as she held "her baby". Monika and the team stayed with us a few more hours to ensure all was well with Rose and me, then they were ready to be on their way. They tucked us into bed, said goodbye and left us to rest with our sweet girl until their followup that afternoon.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKXUwUHhdVbHI2S4zOGtc2kYO4jcXyb5M3lKtmCEKKajHFTd9u9lqUfzSsTsctTpf81EGl6tx1cUemzkhC1Lm2Mq3MGxgzNyDQ5Arrbv0-clgF0NIq6jLCPWe0wVDOWYgNyWVRbC5lc6-/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKXUwUHhdVbHI2S4zOGtc2kYO4jcXyb5M3lKtmCEKKajHFTd9u9lqUfzSsTsctTpf81EGl6tx1cUemzkhC1Lm2Mq3MGxgzNyDQ5Arrbv0-clgF0NIq6jLCPWe0wVDOWYgNyWVRbC5lc6-/s640/IMG_0473.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 hours postpartum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QAZ2-vwDosH-iXRxtMvofZoV2Y18Gsj3IUEeNoqI4JuBpfIbw45wRC9dBQ08gfQgE-AxzSdhCyT2j2ixtjqTaLKW_-RNzhhhqM1qtObfaRDZgxUsTbwY7v6OZWiDDgp4QmhqlG1Av3R6/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1080" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QAZ2-vwDosH-iXRxtMvofZoV2Y18Gsj3IUEeNoqI4JuBpfIbw45wRC9dBQ08gfQgE-AxzSdhCyT2j2ixtjqTaLKW_-RNzhhhqM1qtObfaRDZgxUsTbwY7v6OZWiDDgp4QmhqlG1Av3R6/s200/IMG_0528.JPG" width="200" /> <img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP0Pl9Kr5QHuo_My3TxRZ4jsypHBDBnZjtNBaE9EscTy84kZiBBD1IzKvM_JHCpZq_PQyZuD9fa6SHiYT7uSLYdTuFJxs_qjpKcyNkeKmFPjpoQiaK1TX6nK6c956OhwkXE04ckZUGgkD/s200/bd25.jpg" style="color: #222222;" width="200" /><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRf12hOxG7YI_fSqCz9_-DkkSSrttwPaeKPZyImQ8GFEfi_qlA6KHxqIS8GBh_0vXtv0wUoph7lMn95v2FeYW0w7Clc9GXIGUgcjcgw8lGpe7eBW3UpTYKm02PZ_C-BTdcyblmjXcGRMQI/s200/IMG_0436.JPG" style="color: #222222;" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSuXoOSW75dUFeuEUTWo1ROl_a-ZjxZci-9sMMdGhcf7fxCERQUZh9GGOYojiZSvWeu0NpvzU90qqhQINrW8n5p0EtikasWGUR10SPIKteSpNegbZ7Bl3Juh0dZREWoFIFGDZ8e2iVXE0/s1600/IMG_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmtkQdUs7bmQlaXI9vM-BOzW5KmkZJYWiPrB3AOWqcV92IeOERDb2EdTr9YMSamiFwPwHJwTQvXYkAAgd4r4sh1W-d1t77HMeL3OA6v0E2UH_CkKCC97Qi6NHa2QP1e9ypZEFKZRr1MD2/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmtkQdUs7bmQlaXI9vM-BOzW5KmkZJYWiPrB3AOWqcV92IeOERDb2EdTr9YMSamiFwPwHJwTQvXYkAAgd4r4sh1W-d1t77HMeL3OA6v0E2UH_CkKCC97Qi6NHa2QP1e9ypZEFKZRr1MD2/s320/IMG_0491.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSuXoOSW75dUFeuEUTWo1ROl_a-ZjxZci-9sMMdGhcf7fxCERQUZh9GGOYojiZSvWeu0NpvzU90qqhQINrW8n5p0EtikasWGUR10SPIKteSpNegbZ7Bl3Juh0dZREWoFIFGDZ8e2iVXE0/s320/IMG_0493.JPG" style="color: #222222;" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4CTBdSaKb7HsRuOmkBtb6CQQB5tmX1Ueni66S7ll-Qw1AdNLeJqkzUU50E2JiAstpIESfJ2jgyQO4YfR4UyIPWRO4vSpMqcCmLqMhbc4I3c9bRYhYMjVbp9QTBkYNH0oeIR_y5gEhh3p/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4CTBdSaKb7HsRuOmkBtb6CQQB5tmX1Ueni66S7ll-Qw1AdNLeJqkzUU50E2JiAstpIESfJ2jgyQO4YfR4UyIPWRO4vSpMqcCmLqMhbc4I3c9bRYhYMjVbp9QTBkYNH0oeIR_y5gEhh3p/s320/IMG_0526.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4CTBdSaKb7HsRuOmkBtb6CQQB5tmX1Ueni66S7ll-Qw1AdNLeJqkzUU50E2JiAstpIESfJ2jgyQO4YfR4UyIPWRO4vSpMqcCmLqMhbc4I3c9bRYhYMjVbp9QTBkYNH0oeIR_y5gEhh3p/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4CTBdSaKb7HsRuOmkBtb6CQQB5tmX1Ueni66S7ll-Qw1AdNLeJqkzUU50E2JiAstpIESfJ2jgyQO4YfR4UyIPWRO4vSpMqcCmLqMhbc4I3c9bRYhYMjVbp9QTBkYNH0oeIR_y5gEhh3p/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The home birth I had longed for for five years had happened! It happened quickly, it happened peacefully and it happened without fear! It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. There was pain and intensity but it was overwhelmingly beautiful, spiritual and life changing and I thank God He allowed me to experience it!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0M0RukvAUEl9kvh5A4djCCb60XlxbzuI1gndcQjvus8IXkL916dA3EPj4bulcXbYnSr4X4Cc_dRMAwgY900bYg_qUANd6X_DF1s511XAVIvfDW9VSEqp7vcflAbI4iOlEurL0QMBIf4K/s1600/bd24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0M0RukvAUEl9kvh5A4djCCb60XlxbzuI1gndcQjvus8IXkL916dA3EPj4bulcXbYnSr4X4Cc_dRMAwgY900bYg_qUANd6X_DF1s511XAVIvfDW9VSEqp7vcflAbI4iOlEurL0QMBIf4K/s320/bd24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
XOXO,<br />
Mrs. B<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-35807289316171742552019-05-15T10:35:00.000-04:002019-05-15T10:35:14.279-04:00Baby Grace<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitntmuCh2bQqydZkB8cqXkui59lB1JM94yn71c_Hz4yW7jgIY953Knqg04MfIBO3cROYJ77q7bYtIJAZMTXgX19eIBJSqxp8DbzBf2uPGCn8igekebPYbU1lqq6RM4AoBP8q223YuD-9ev/s1600/1-IMG_4238-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitntmuCh2bQqydZkB8cqXkui59lB1JM94yn71c_Hz4yW7jgIY953Knqg04MfIBO3cROYJ77q7bYtIJAZMTXgX19eIBJSqxp8DbzBf2uPGCn8igekebPYbU1lqq6RM4AoBP8q223YuD-9ev/s640/1-IMG_4238-001.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b>Proverbs 3:5-6</b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And lean not on your own understanding;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And He shall direct your paths.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I woke up at 5:30am on August 22, 2013 praying that it would be the day I would meet my daughter. I was 41 weeks and 4 days pregnant and running up against the dreaded 42 week "PAST DUE" mark, the generic expiration date for pregnancies in the U.S. The previous week had been spent trying to initiate labor. Long walks around the National Mall, acupuncture, cervadil and a Cook's catheter (look it up if you aren't familiar, eeek), followed by castor oil and much intestinal protest. That day I would face another round of cervadil if nothing happened on its own. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From the day I found out I was pregnant, I felt compelled to have as close to a natural birth as possible. I researched and planned and read birth stories and watched documentaries and just <i>knew </i>that a home birth was the route that I should take. Mr. B and I took classes on natural childbirth. I studied self hypnosis for pain management. For nine months I treated my pregnancy and upcoming labor as a job and did everything I could to prepare for the the perfect home birth.<br />
<br />
As I lay in bed that morning praying for God to grant me my wish and start my labor, I felt my daughter jolt twice. Not only did I feel it but I thought I HEARD it. That was odd but it was early in the morning and I could have just imagined hearing it. A few minutes later I knew it wasn't my imagination. I rolled over and felt the "gush" I'd heard so much about. My water had broken!!! "This is it! Praise God!!" I pretty much squealed. He had answered my prayer so definitively I couldn't believe it happened just like that! I woke up Mr. B with the good news and we waited for labor to begin.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1eB34A6Vc3r0Dc9SYOy1mErBzqMLaFKaYkL5sDIpbODerNGWzijkEX1e9CQc7Zn1XgjGd1K1EnOkp9-J0Gqszavr69wE63g94gai7oXkiWpMjSRSQ08rGL2zGynt-7P7fBNr6lCyqWlp/s1600/01-IMG_4178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1eB34A6Vc3r0Dc9SYOy1mErBzqMLaFKaYkL5sDIpbODerNGWzijkEX1e9CQc7Zn1XgjGd1K1EnOkp9-J0Gqszavr69wE63g94gai7oXkiWpMjSRSQ08rGL2zGynt-7P7fBNr6lCyqWlp/s640/01-IMG_4178.JPG" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anticipating the beginning of the end of my pregnancy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We waited, and we waited, and we waited. By noon, contractions still hadn't begun. I called my midwives who suggested I come in to be checked and possibly start the cervadil after all. We arrived at the birth center around 4pm. I was dilated to 3cm, which was where I had been since the Cook's catheter two days earlier. Since my water had now been broken for almost 12 hours, the midwives wanted to start the cervadil to get things going. If you aren't familiar with how all this works, once your water breaks, you need to be in active labor and progressing well by 24 hours or your risk for infection becomes a big issue. After a couple hours of being monitored at the birth center, they sent us home to wait for labor to begin. The cervadil kicked in and I began to have regular contractions. They weren't terribly strong but they were happening and I was excited.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8L9LU3ziYWxhlywadoumku4WVl_hyphenhypheno7ICb79YRI77sL4svL_CincNvqny0unX2i385zBYSwqecr9phf6Zg0MIj6rzm3PAKKyyO504JwZJgXzE9TXEX-Hr9j43fF4COBHHEAszqcSpz2g/s1600/02-IMG_4182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8L9LU3ziYWxhlywadoumku4WVl_hyphenhypheno7ICb79YRI77sL4svL_CincNvqny0unX2i385zBYSwqecr9phf6Zg0MIj6rzm3PAKKyyO504JwZJgXzE9TXEX-Hr9j43fF4COBHHEAszqcSpz2g/s640/02-IMG_4182.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom helping me work through a contraction before the midwife arrived</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Around 11 pm, I decided to call the midwife to see if she would come over. Interestingly, at 10pm the midwives had changed shifts and the midwife who was now on call was the midwife I had been praying would attend my birth. She said she would be over shortly to check me, even though I didn't feel like I was in "active" labor yet. She wanted to see if the now six hours on cervadil had helped me to progress beyond 3cm. We called the birth assistant and my bestie, Mrs. S, to let them know the midwife was on her way. About an hour later everyone descended on our place. The midwife promptly ushered me into our bedroom for the moment of truth.<br />
<br />
<b>NOTHING</b>, nothing had changed. I was <b>still</b> a 3 and my water had been broken for 17 hours! In an instance my hopes for a tranquil, candle-lit, water birth were gone. I would need to transfer to the hospital. The midwife made no bones about it, I was not progressing and would need something stronger, pitocin. I know it sounds silly but that word broke my heart. My entire pregnancy I had focused on avoiding medical augmentation to escape the dreaded "cascade of interventions" that so many women become caught up in and too often wind up with a cesarean. I could no longer hold back my tears. I lost it. So much for being calm and composed. Everything became a blur. The midwife on the phone with the hospital, my husband frantically trying to pack the bag we were so sure we wouldn't need. Mrs. S directing us on what we would need and helping to keep my mom focused and calm. I sat on the bed stunned, crying. I was a mess.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r4NeZz9dzd8H-aqbuL2SKMGr4FNObe1twrGoLteU7Ncyd01TONHz41LQDQd2GrgaamIRRIp1H-Z9wqqKsHa4NF0y7iCnuarkfUQ-XNlWDuHCox2uSckyhM803MN82oswifMbOmfVXsIQ/s1600/03-IMG_4183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r4NeZz9dzd8H-aqbuL2SKMGr4FNObe1twrGoLteU7Ncyd01TONHz41LQDQd2GrgaamIRRIp1H-Z9wqqKsHa4NF0y7iCnuarkfUQ-XNlWDuHCox2uSckyhM803MN82oswifMbOmfVXsIQ/s640/03-IMG_4183.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding humor through all the craziness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By the time we were admitted to our room it was after 1 am. 21 hours since my water broke but since we were now in the hospital and in a "sterile" environment, the pressure to be delivered by 24 hours was not as urgent anymore. The interventions began. First with an IV. It took <b>FIVE</b> tries to insert my IV! My arms are still black and blue. Then they began Pitocin. They were only able to take it up to a level 2 before the baby started to show decelerations, aka her heart rate was dropping during the contractions. They stopped the pit to give us both a rest. I was exhausted. It had been over 24 hours since I slept and creeping up on 12 hours since I last ate. The best I could do was sneak in a few bites of granola bar here and there. As the morning wore on, I resigned myself to the inevitable. I was going to have a c-section. Then something great happened. The doctors changed shifts and two new physicians came to meet me.<br />
<br />
I have to add in here that I was blown away by hospital staff. I was terrified that I would be treated poorly because I had transferred in at the last minute having never seen a doctor there or even taken a hospital tour. What I found was the opposite. The entire staff was so kind, compassionate and helpful. They took copies of my birth plan (or what remained of it) and really tried to adhere to it. They showed us respect for trying to have a home birth and sympathy that the plan had not worked. That was definitely a pleasant and welcome surprise. The new doctors were no exception. After I was checked again and <i>still</i> at 3cm, I just KNEW they were going to call it. I told the doctor "ok, I'm ready, let's just get on with it." He actually told me no. I was floored. He said your birth plan is to have a vaginal birth and I'm going to do everything I can to get you that.<br />
<br />
The next plan of action was to get an epidural (hey, at this point, WHY NOT?!?) and try the pitocin one more time. An hour later I was feeling good, baby girl was doing great and my contractions were ROCKING off the monitor and coming every two and half minutes. We were in business, things were going great. I might avoid the cesarean after all! Mrs. S and Mr. B kept me company and we even managed to have some fun during this time. Mostly joking about me sneaking food and being delirious from lack of sleep.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccYWM3BoNslzn3xpkfOehB4HAWGYwm_5BoscgSgbnetntXhPMzUaFmqyGvTcf_YCjxyLVRE4TxsZIsATMAuXXLS0xxaelZQRbwEfUBu0S2MMBE8IiQocd6vDuLsA-WU40Gk7d_OLGKIpJ/s1600/04-IMG_4198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccYWM3BoNslzn3xpkfOehB4HAWGYwm_5BoscgSgbnetntXhPMzUaFmqyGvTcf_YCjxyLVRE4TxsZIsATMAuXXLS0xxaelZQRbwEfUBu0S2MMBE8IiQocd6vDuLsA-WU40Gk7d_OLGKIpJ/s640/04-IMG_4198.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to enjoy the situation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eCAXm2v_Ywj5F0R_wkabS7WreYeQ8-xEv-S8-Qaxb4SedwbRaeNnmRSWBA8bCHlTo5Wnq9U0_RnZDxlTKt4b0lp3N5RR4df3r9dG-LtRtgoV0_mM9eliC8FZvfpejM1ICPWF4u2k3JsZ/s1600/05-IMG_4205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eCAXm2v_Ywj5F0R_wkabS7WreYeQ8-xEv-S8-Qaxb4SedwbRaeNnmRSWBA8bCHlTo5Wnq9U0_RnZDxlTKt4b0lp3N5RR4df3r9dG-LtRtgoV0_mM9eliC8FZvfpejM1ICPWF4u2k3JsZ/s640/05-IMG_4205.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. S analyzing my contractions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I spent around four hours with the epidural and pitocin before the doctor checked me again. I just knew I would be at a 7 or maybe even an 8 by the way the contractions were coming. The look on his face said it all. I had only progressed to a FOUR and to make matters worse, the baby's head was not in the right position. My body wasn't opening. Failure to progress. My water had been broken for almost 30 hours. We had tried cervadil, pitocin, an epidural and time. We had run out of options. I was going to have a c-section. I could tell you that I was strong, that I knew everything was going to be ok but that would be a lie. I was scared. I was exhausted. I was hungry. I was mentally and emotionally drained unlike anything I had ever experienced. I had no choice but to pray and ask for God's protection for my child and me and for wisdom and skill for the surgeons. There was a flurry of activity as they prepped me for surgery, I zoned out. I felt numb, and then I REALLY felt numb as they increased the medication and my body lost feeling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91ZXeJl-hjz6ZLPcqEul7mmbnVbrkYiYHWHWFVBSwEsti_y6In39WBZbDJwcsAXwprDTTensqjFQMeJqW9w2XJY60OMC8pqK0uSorsN74uJeOE8DEbEfgmozcp24fiu21JrJ48tV4Of0T/s1600/06-IMG_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91ZXeJl-hjz6ZLPcqEul7mmbnVbrkYiYHWHWFVBSwEsti_y6In39WBZbDJwcsAXwprDTTensqjFQMeJqW9w2XJY60OMC8pqK0uSorsN74uJeOE8DEbEfgmozcp24fiu21JrJ48tV4Of0T/s640/06-IMG_4211.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepped and waiting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once I was in the operating room, I focused all my energy into staying calm and trying to enjoy the fact that this would all be over soon and in a few precious moments, I would see my daughter. Mr. B was ushered in the room and the surgery began. It was fast but it felt like an eternity. I kept waiting to hear her cry and not to think about what was being done to my body on the other side of the blue tarp. I quietly sang the chorus to "How Great Thou Art" and squeezed my husband's hand to keep from crying. There was no pain but there was incredible pressure, at one point I really thought the doctor was going to crack one of my ribs. Then, all at once, there was a collective sigh in the room and a strong, healthy wail of new life! She was here!!! She was crying!!! She was ok!!! This was the most bittersweet moment of my life, my daughter was born but I couldn't hold her, I couldn't even see her. She was being held and cleaned and toweled off by strangers across the room. I would never have that moment again, never have the experience of being the first person to hold her.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdZLDPLJVWjGSW56yoIbXDbs65EYTofQnR85eKrofTh1P1F8fxAmemoqZLcivUDVt-1ImBd_hlXrMfE5B6Wzf9qmnfRlitP6LmZPI1w-tz5Bq-q1AadUjLIew05rwbjXEZ2TevUud0fMm/s1600/08-IMG_4238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdZLDPLJVWjGSW56yoIbXDbs65EYTofQnR85eKrofTh1P1F8fxAmemoqZLcivUDVt-1ImBd_hlXrMfE5B6Wzf9qmnfRlitP6LmZPI1w-tz5Bq-q1AadUjLIew05rwbjXEZ2TevUud0fMm/s640/08-IMG_4238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "short" baby girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mr. B was able to be with her, though. I could hear him tell me with an emotion filled voice that she was perfect. After what felt like an eternity, he brought her over to me. She was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I tried to kiss her but there was too much equipment in the way, all I could manage was a numb hand brushing against her cheek. Waiting for the surgery to be complete was torture, at one point, the anesthesia began to creep up my chest and I felt like I couldn't breathe. It was a horrific feeling. I tried not to panic. Thankfully, the anesthesiologist only had to raise my head up slightly and soon the feeling faded but my arm stayed numb for at least an hour. This is NOT ok when you're left handed and all you want in the whole world is to hold your new daughter. That was it, it was finished. After the surgery was complete, I was wheeled to recovery with Mr. B and baby Grace by my side. I am eternally grateful that they kept her with me the entire time, I couldn't have handled them taking her from me after all that!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdpTaeUbkT3XuTBph39ZQJJ7fd7yzcmQxpBY9kS6DlEZeX-T99rytmsSl75Rv2yhNzHXljdKx8HGxVsHxKErz8fHHhvFHLFjyfJUB7UQPLimNYFUXEPL_rYjuZ8ijNrwLvyPdvgpB7vaG/s1600/09-IMG_4244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdpTaeUbkT3XuTBph39ZQJJ7fd7yzcmQxpBY9kS6DlEZeX-T99rytmsSl75Rv2yhNzHXljdKx8HGxVsHxKErz8fHHhvFHLFjyfJUB7UQPLimNYFUXEPL_rYjuZ8ijNrwLvyPdvgpB7vaG/s640/09-IMG_4244.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally able to hold my daughter. The best moment of my life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't tell this as a "horror" birth story. It wasn't. Extremely disappointing, nerve wracking, and exhausting? Yes, but neither of us were ever in an emergency situation. Although I experienced the exact opposite birth of what I had wanted, I know that God had his hand in it all. How do I know this you might ask? This is why. After the surgery, the doctor came into my recovery room to tell me that he now knew the reason my labor wouldn't progress. Baby Grace had moved into a position where her head was presenting on its side, meaning the top of her head was not pushing on my cervix to open it up. The reason why she couldn't get her head in the right position was that her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck TWICE and was too short to allow for her to descend. She was literally suspended in the womb and would never have been able to be born vaginally. Had my water not broken and put us on a timeline and the midwife not been wise and proactively sent me to the hospital, things could have been bad. There most likely would have been a true emergency. I grieved the loss of my ideal birth. The day after we got home I had a good long cry. It still breaks my heart that I was unable to give birth naturally BUT nothing can take away from the fact that the most angelic face is staring up at me from her sling as I'm writing this. My daughter is healthy. I am recovering. This is the happy ending. This is what matters. This is what I choose to focus on. There was a lesson to be learned.<b> </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I can make my plans but ultimately I am not in charge of my future. The only thing I had left to hold on to through all of this was faith that the Lord would see us safely through to the other side. </b><br />
<br />
Recovery has been hard but made much easier because my Gracie is here. She is already the joy of my life. I can't stand how much I love her. She is the biggest blessing I have ever received.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFgOIZ9J0n455dzzd_wBpKNsWXkMUx33ylbenRwJmHHcerjKsgmU_EwGIAqWM96hmxziloSUp1RX0Yix52Tp8xvPX1iR0LvkPo-AANXFVUhDELILxe5mZZGosxYHgHAGtyn7zohdkh314/s1600/10-IMG_4304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFgOIZ9J0n455dzzd_wBpKNsWXkMUx33ylbenRwJmHHcerjKsgmU_EwGIAqWM96hmxziloSUp1RX0Yix52Tp8xvPX1iR0LvkPo-AANXFVUhDELILxe5mZZGosxYHgHAGtyn7zohdkh314/s640/10-IMG_4304.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My IV battle wounds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya0Kp457C77tyx8gzlyRAHnlhoUBNK0wHjBriz35UNpDQPZvK9fD-qUI_uoZupBY6WJo8ZY4nPpWN9Dvus_QPuZTnIc5kUvicI_xnZeChMs3CEBBzOXSHWWqmEQuXnFRKKwOkOScVm3_e/s1600/11-IMG_4320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya0Kp457C77tyx8gzlyRAHnlhoUBNK0wHjBriz35UNpDQPZvK9fD-qUI_uoZupBY6WJo8ZY4nPpWN9Dvus_QPuZTnIc5kUvicI_xnZeChMs3CEBBzOXSHWWqmEQuXnFRKKwOkOScVm3_e/s640/11-IMG_4320.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to go home. BIG YAWN!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MM5GU69xzXJoZyivKupXJMazKsPobXAVtdolIndMExsI8StTPBE6pmDJVED2UfdlRZX7NowYyX94eg11RkX5-2NEekdyFVoPnoY4z6HsTeuqNGwZgNd2Wlh3oUr5fiwHqW2BGe7ltVix/s1600/12-IMG_4369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MM5GU69xzXJoZyivKupXJMazKsPobXAVtdolIndMExsI8StTPBE6pmDJVED2UfdlRZX7NowYyX94eg11RkX5-2NEekdyFVoPnoY4z6HsTeuqNGwZgNd2Wlh3oUr5fiwHqW2BGe7ltVix/s640/12-IMG_4369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First family photo! Um, it's cruel what three days of IV fluids will do to your face, HELLO PUFFY!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVcHk1umSC1kCe8dJDPxQxVspN0uvqcJqmHNJ9xN96MoZ5uwtNir3PYP-wzOPL3HyOEOIeLP31sEn6crj8-IZUmYOmimSIQV8TEHUVnx7TRnWW09gSLe4LiKbdRaP5rnzYOVXID5xaM7V/s1600/13-IMG_4376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVcHk1umSC1kCe8dJDPxQxVspN0uvqcJqmHNJ9xN96MoZ5uwtNir3PYP-wzOPL3HyOEOIeLP31sEn6crj8-IZUmYOmimSIQV8TEHUVnx7TRnWW09gSLe4LiKbdRaP5rnzYOVXID5xaM7V/s640/13-IMG_4376.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally going home!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazWFgXvscTsjEfVViI7AIAQwa4hOBTA6oYPzFcK3DmULrVy9Pdcc5kmSqqb4kDwT9Bm25GOGrDSCqt1QZAIr2nJ1KM82yR5Z2vRNQL0bsWJFMKmxQ9rvQH8CMA4mVAhoB12BFenaw7xeo/s640/blogger-image-49446116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazWFgXvscTsjEfVViI7AIAQwa4hOBTA6oYPzFcK3DmULrVy9Pdcc5kmSqqb4kDwT9Bm25GOGrDSCqt1QZAIr2nJ1KM82yR5Z2vRNQL0bsWJFMKmxQ9rvQH8CMA4mVAhoB12BFenaw7xeo/s640/blogger-image-49446116.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Baby Grace was born on August 23 at 4:35pm. She weighed a "whopping" 6lbs 15oz and was 20 3/4" long.<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. B</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-25362263776593622322016-08-22T14:27:00.002-04:002016-08-22T15:16:32.064-04:00The Birth of Baby Eddie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyZzt93sSHyzJ9pYJXTg4vqFfIm0Mg02nbFHvrmrzje6_DzORE13O7qYUO64upQJgnUJ-i8qSlDtC-RbpkCSmzEPywObo28cBHVfQYgTK-l-dpWHhxTopYSL0roNPP4LW67YBk4dkdm6X/s1600/Eddie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyZzt93sSHyzJ9pYJXTg4vqFfIm0Mg02nbFHvrmrzje6_DzORE13O7qYUO64upQJgnUJ-i8qSlDtC-RbpkCSmzEPywObo28cBHVfQYgTK-l-dpWHhxTopYSL0roNPP4LW67YBk4dkdm6X/s400/Eddie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Almost ten months have passed since my son was born. Ten months of sleepless nights, endless diapers, non-stop nursing (22lbs already, ahem) and ten months of an ever growing love for my adorable baby boy. It's also been ten months since my VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). If you've followed my blog, you know that my daughter was born via csection 36 hours after my water broke and how heartbreaking it was for me to miss out on the home water-birth I so excitedly planned. From the moment the doctor made the incision, I was already planning for my next birth. I felt let down. I felt that I had been robbed of experiencing the defining moment of motherhood. As crazy as it sounds, I was sad I never got to feel real labor pains and so I set out, determined to get my VBAC.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I found out I was pregnant in February of 2016, the first thing I did was decide on a provider. I was under the care of Certified Nurse Midwives, up until I transferred to the hospital during Grace's labor, but I have to say I felt pretty disappointed in my experience with them. I expected them to have some special tricks and pull out all the stops when my labor stalled. Instead, they offered me low-level, medical interventions that did nothing to reposition my baby and after several hours with no progress, they basically gave up and sent me to the hospital. At the time, I didn't feel that they let me down. I really thought everything that could be done had been. Then I experienced labor with a Certified Practical Midwife, a doula and perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle, a chiropractor who specializes in supporting pregnancy and labor. Because I was adamant about VBAC-ing, I did a lot of research to find out if any OBs in my area would be a good option and I was saddened to learn that most local hospitals had about a 3-5% VBAC rate. Absolutely tragic. Learning this led me to look outside the (hospital) box and into a freestanding birth center, which just happened to be located minutes from our new home! From my first visit to the BC, I felt completely at home. In fact, at the information session, the midwife speaking, told us she herself was a "VBAC mama" and I had come to the right place. After mulling it over with my husband, we decided to have an out of hospital VBAC. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The prenatal care I received during my second pregnancy was outstanding. To this day I still consider the women who work there family.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When women become pregnant after having a csection, one of the major deterrents their doctors will use to ensure a scheduled, repeat section is that of uterine rupture. It's scary. The part of the uterine wall that is scarred from the previous csection can come apart and the results <i>can</i> be deadly for mama and baby BUT here's the kicker, rupture happens in less than 1% of births and catastrophic (fatal) ruptures happen even less often than that! Pregnant women are particularly emotionally vulnerable and when a doctor, who obviously knows more about birth than you do, tells you you are risking your life and your baby's life by attempting a VBAC why would you even consider it?!? I'll tell you why. There are higher risks associated with a repeat csection than there are with TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean) and VBAC. It's MAJOR abdominal surgery. The recovery process is hard the first time around and I imagine even harder when you're caring for a toddler. The cost of a csection is also something to consider, even though most of us have insurance to cover things, it's still expensive. We paid over $5k out of pocket for G's birth. There are valid reasons for having a repeat C but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the healthy mama who has no complications and a desire to experience vaginal birth. <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Ok, but on to the action. My due date came and went this time around the same as it did with G, completely uneventful. I had hoped I wouldn't be "late" again because the sonographer had already pushed my due date back five days at the beginning of my pregnancy and I thought for sure I would be holding a baby by the new date. Hahaha, my body is hilarious. In the middle of the night on the first day of week 41, my water broke. My first thought was "you have got to be kidding me". This was exactly how Grace's labor began, even down to the day, had they not changed my due date. I called my doula and midwife, both of whom told me to try and rest. Hilarious. I laid in bed trying to fall back asleep but with every movement of the baby, I felt myself hoping to feel pain, contractions, cramping, anything! Mostly I just felt annoyed. I stayed in bed until 7am then got up and made pancakes. By 10am, I was still not having any regular pattern to my contractions so I called the midwife back to check in. She told me I should pack up and come in to the birth center where we would try to kickstart labor with a "stim" kit. For some reason, I felt totally defeated already. So far, this birth was following the EXACT same path as Grace's and I had little confidence that I would experience the birth I so wanted.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">When I arrived at the birth center, I got settled in to my room, a spacious birthing suite with a queen size four poster bed, deep soaking tub, private bathroom, sofa and recliners. My midwife checked my progress. I was only dilated to 2cm. She then got me going with the Labor Stim kit she had mentioned on the phone. The kit is a circuit of homeopathics, tinctures, breast pumping and walking but starts with a dose of the oh, so pleasant castor oil. It's an hour long circuit done four times, so that took up the rest of the morning and early afternoon. I did a lot of walking and squats and bouncing on the exercise ball to induce contractions but things were slow going. We ordered pizza. Can I take a moment to say what a big deal this was for me? During G's birth, I was famished. I finally consented to the csection because I had zero energy to wait her out a minute longer. I couldn't eat much of the pizza we ordered but even just having it in the room was a big morale boost to me... yes, I just called pizza a morale booster, you can judge all you want. I saw my chiropractor (just down the hall from my suite). We watched YouTube. We <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-50GjySwew" target="_blank">Prancercised</a> down the hallways - look it up - I'm not joking, we did this. Occasionally, my midwife or the student midwives would pop in, listen to vitals, tell me to keep doing what I was doing and then leave me alone to hang out with my husband and my mom. Everything around me was calm and un-rushed but inside, I was experiencing so many emotions. One minute, I would be relaxed and confident that it was just a matter of time. After all, my contractions HAD begun to pick up some. The next, I was tearing up and mentally preparing for a repeat C. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeDgUkdIKKc2BcxJ5mAfmmNwOPTiIpCIyk_QLn04rU33P2wPbUJtPU8E8oRVy2By3UZb3nKpblf8PyXUZuOp6I29UnSuJhPVCDSbyy2aJW6jPeDj-xCuEdh_-HikmfLmNM6cEdKnAPBuP/s1600/IMG_6204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeDgUkdIKKc2BcxJ5mAfmmNwOPTiIpCIyk_QLn04rU33P2wPbUJtPU8E8oRVy2By3UZb3nKpblf8PyXUZuOp6I29UnSuJhPVCDSbyy2aJW6jPeDj-xCuEdh_-HikmfLmNM6cEdKnAPBuP/s640/IMG_6204.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the Papa John's box on the tub ledge... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">In the evening, my mother-in-law brought Grace to visit. I missed my girl and she lightened my mood so much. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE5xsZBKQ_2s51ctOY2H3LZ3q4M5o4nRRn3ijv8CuUQo1akEGdrnIYqXE504CCamIdQoV7Y8EG66lny8utXN-rYGkIjxkZmn_ttAF0aQ-C_OgiCpXAxJ7VIZu-ZB9UtciWjytLKTk_ymw/s1600/IMG_6214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE5xsZBKQ_2s51ctOY2H3LZ3q4M5o4nRRn3ijv8CuUQo1akEGdrnIYqXE504CCamIdQoV7Y8EG66lny8utXN-rYGkIjxkZmn_ttAF0aQ-C_OgiCpXAxJ7VIZu-ZB9UtciWjytLKTk_ymw/s640/IMG_6214.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">This was around 6pm. My water broke at 2am the night before. As with G's birth, the pressure to have the baby before 24 hours of the water breaking was looming large. I just didn't see how things were going to change in time. I was definitely NOT in active labor. A contraction here or there would be hard to talk through but for the most part I was not even uncomfortable. I had hired an RN to attend my birth since she could administer IV drugs and since there is a small risk of uterine rupture, it made me feel more secure knowing I would have pitocin (to stop hemorrhaging) if something went wrong. As we were playing with Grace, my midwife and the RN came in. They suggested that since my water had been broken for so long, I should start an IV of antibiotics to prevent any infection. Then, my midwife told me something that was a HUGE emotional win for me. She told me that by getting the drip, I would have an additional 24 hours before we would need to transfer to the hospital for failure to progress. I don't think I have ever been so excited for someone to stick a needle in my arm! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcAjC7Gjd1UmFTYKJeHy8CHrwT84q4SI3NfVD46lyPKDG5SgrUR7mNZOcgg0P33cCc5wx7rAuVd0eDml9d-344PiMZkGbRAP9zqu__2s1f8phZSF7Af6HbD2GF83yjlAEb8gNhCH36CJk/s1600/IMG_6205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcAjC7Gjd1UmFTYKJeHy8CHrwT84q4SI3NfVD46lyPKDG5SgrUR7mNZOcgg0P33cCc5wx7rAuVd0eDml9d-344PiMZkGbRAP9zqu__2s1f8phZSF7Af6HbD2GF83yjlAEb8gNhCH36CJk/s640/IMG_6205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST8ZNBqlEB2nB8faT49x7VADYIvGPzNQQNEsd7Iwv_FFCDE9D3I6B4HdRC_iAf6LKK0_cogubMesPFtCQur79bT6FOE6HFt0QV6SnnMxa_zZJfji5XSC8QjI9qzZwoNAWJbDWvpBiSmkz/s1600/IMG_6209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST8ZNBqlEB2nB8faT49x7VADYIvGPzNQQNEsd7Iwv_FFCDE9D3I6B4HdRC_iAf6LKK0_cogubMesPFtCQur79bT6FOE6HFt0QV6SnnMxa_zZJfji5XSC8QjI9qzZwoNAWJbDWvpBiSmkz/s400/IMG_6209.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">About this time, my chiropractor finished up with her last client of the day and came in to check on me. Seeing that my contractions were still about 10 minutes apart, she suggested that we try the Spinning Babies <a href="http://spinningbabies.com/learn-more/techniques/other-techniques/walchers-open-the-brim/" target="_blank">Walcher's</a> technique. She had me lay on her table with my legs dangling off the end (with support between contractions) for 10 contractions. It was during this time that I started to really notice a change. Suddenly, my contractions became very different. I could physically see a change in the baby's position in my belly as well. After what felt like an eternity on the table, I made it through 10 contractions and went back to walking the halls. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-TRriZ-LL5KQzF2wSa0TwOwfkQ1AtOqubI6zDLx18IZ6DRcAp9qAGxxh-5em-1Qw3s5hFrhjaY9DVobK2LPcspCJYtRyBp50bu0sImgYAFbTxgFx9m8189NNzPkwEMrTIfVJH_w9hfwZ/s1600/IMG_6213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-TRriZ-LL5KQzF2wSa0TwOwfkQ1AtOqubI6zDLx18IZ6DRcAp9qAGxxh-5em-1Qw3s5hFrhjaY9DVobK2LPcspCJYtRyBp50bu0sImgYAFbTxgFx9m8189NNzPkwEMrTIfVJH_w9hfwZ/s400/IMG_6213.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPWkqNy31nSXBLzRPX2Jr_wFCAeIL_8JUJCS0V1vbJoBNKKPLBbZK9nDh0RImDOjqrbGpym0uX7YQItDC9YvDBR148RendAmbOViPoAt7R6yJGZiplA7ZVlRvFmbd2jpEKrn9-pznPR_k/s1600/IMG_6212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPWkqNy31nSXBLzRPX2Jr_wFCAeIL_8JUJCS0V1vbJoBNKKPLBbZK9nDh0RImDOjqrbGpym0uX7YQItDC9YvDBR148RendAmbOViPoAt7R6yJGZiplA7ZVlRvFmbd2jpEKrn9-pznPR_k/s400/IMG_6212.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">My doula arrived and my sweet husband decided it was a good time to run out and grab us a bite to eat before things ramped up any more, I agreed. About 10 minutes after he left, I could no longer joke around like I had been. My contractions were starting to require all my attention. I remember during one particularly strong one, Grace started rubbing my back saying "just breathe, mama" ahhhh, that girl! I kissed her goodbye and sent her and my mother in law back home. By now, it was after 9pm and I was tired. I had been on my feet all day trying to walk this baby out. I asked my doula if I could lay down for a bit. She suggested we try another Spinning Babies technique, the <a href="http://spinningbabies.com/learn-more/techniques/the-fantastic-four/sidelying-release/" target="_blank">side-lying release </a>position. She turned on my Hypno-Babies track, dimmed the lights, attached her TENS Unit to my lower back to help me through the contractions and proceeded to hold me up as I laid on my side with my top leg hanging off the bed. Within two minutes of being in this position, I was in another world. I didn't realize it at the time but transition had hit. Wave after wave, the contractions pounded me. I didn't get a break. I remember asking her if the TENS Unit was turned up too high and maybe that was the problem. She softly laughed and said something to the effect of "No, hun, this is your labor. It's happening". I had no concept of time. I could have laid there for 5 minutes of 5 hours and it would have felt the same. I just remember praying. Calling out to Jesus and moaning deeply. I read about that low moaning sounds will help your body open and that's what I did. Mr. B came back at some time during this and returned to find everything had changed. The poor guy wolfed down his dinner and then did his best to comfort me. As I was laying there I feel the need to use the restroom. I know, I know, EVERYONE says having a baby feels like you have to go to the bathroom. That may be, but I was NOT taking any chances, so I made them help me to the toilet. This is where ish got real. Sitting down lined everything up and labor became so intense at this point I literally could not move. Laboring down is a THING. I was clinging to the handicap bar (thankfully, someone gave me a pillow but not before I bruised my forehead pushing it into the bar!) when I suddenly felt my body push! Let me explain, <b><i>I</i></b> did not push, <b><i>my body</i></b> did, all on its own. I told my doula "I'm pushing!! I'm PUSHING!" she looked to Mr. B and very calmly directed him to find the midwife and tell her to get in here NOW. The next thing I know, there were like 10 people in the small bathroom space. My midwife checked me (this was the only time since I had arrived that she checked me, so I had zero clue to my progress) then she said <b>THE </b>most beautiful thing I've ever heard "You're complete! I can feel his head right there" then she asked me if I wanted to have my baby on the toilet! LOLZ!!! UM, NOOO!!! I do not want to have my sweet, perfect babe on the toilet! She told me I needed to get back to the bed immediately or I wouldn't have a choice. With Mr. B's help I made it on to the bed and my midwife told me to get on my hands and knees. Huh? Ok. Who am I to argue? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7BBQQyRkXZP_AZ45jjYdXq-6oAFsFAkOZTKngUnpMJujkHC5DcxjPybtHBVMmz4CaQtiyOflIMf2jZ7xeilUnSYNNiKWE7wM8Ji4pNTvJok7XGUsRvuXCTeZC4aSD2_iAUQNoeoDQMBO/s1600/IMG_6217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7BBQQyRkXZP_AZ45jjYdXq-6oAFsFAkOZTKngUnpMJujkHC5DcxjPybtHBVMmz4CaQtiyOflIMf2jZ7xeilUnSYNNiKWE7wM8Ji4pNTvJok7XGUsRvuXCTeZC4aSD2_iAUQNoeoDQMBO/s640/IMG_6217.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seconds away!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Then it came time to push. This was my favorite part of the entire labor. Now, I could actually DO something. I have never considered myself a very strong person until that moment but let me tell you, I. AM. STRONG. Some crazy, Amazonian warrior princess got turned loose inside of me and six pushes later, baby Eddie was born!!! All 8lbs 6oz of him. He was a pound and a half bigger than his sister and I did it! I got my VBAC! It was the most empowering moment of my life. It took about three hours from the time we finished the Walcher technique until I was holding my son in my arms. I am convinced that had I been under the care of a chiropractor or midwives who practiced the Spinning Babies techniques during Grace's labor, I would not have ended up having a csection. The technique coupled with the mental release from knowing I was no longer trying to beat the clock, allowed my body to do what it was supposed to do and fast! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_490v1wMhNZWtWTE8aRvnqtLg2cx85GXy6yV-sL5V63ZWk_DgOnGt6VuyNdTNioQva_pkcX6iq4InknmcNrQm_y_hYH-Nh4X6jUlrzUMFu_jcTdXwPkXV2nxBJ6TkphBCANQ3pwe4_6Y/s1600/IMG_6232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_490v1wMhNZWtWTE8aRvnqtLg2cx85GXy6yV-sL5V63ZWk_DgOnGt6VuyNdTNioQva_pkcX6iq4InknmcNrQm_y_hYH-Nh4X6jUlrzUMFu_jcTdXwPkXV2nxBJ6TkphBCANQ3pwe4_6Y/s640/IMG_6232.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the world Baby E!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqUz2AR22IGX1crRwQlgexkxXclTfI460K-gF4P7bYWrrRgs8GUBULjDRXNEOR_Lq4eTKP4F2VNQcZSCT2aNckbbMYyqjXSYqIfUvqataC0LGQaFJgGm_ORvU0cQ_G-l2jCdrFHGCybc5/s1600/IMG_6233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqUz2AR22IGX1crRwQlgexkxXclTfI460K-gF4P7bYWrrRgs8GUBULjDRXNEOR_Lq4eTKP4F2VNQcZSCT2aNckbbMYyqjXSYqIfUvqataC0LGQaFJgGm_ORvU0cQ_G-l2jCdrFHGCybc5/s640/IMG_6233.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Eddie was born just after 11pm. We stayed overnight and came home around 7am the next morning. I felt incredible. Slightly sore but incredible. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhyphenhyphen7ItiQF2zI6wApwdB_KLHfngL3XkJeda1fTM21e3bVkEPEKpJNFc0qqeJkfMbdhRwNRE_gZwMGFLI8MPENSCXACLjvD1N_MM2WDPPfRAo0Xka3tNzLxggL_KCq3-6z4w8drzA4VLtxj/s1600/IMG_6246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhyphenhyphen7ItiQF2zI6wApwdB_KLHfngL3XkJeda1fTM21e3bVkEPEKpJNFc0qqeJkfMbdhRwNRE_gZwMGFLI8MPENSCXACLjvD1N_MM2WDPPfRAo0Xka3tNzLxggL_KCq3-6z4w8drzA4VLtxj/s640/IMG_6246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkugFFQGF60ez6qjX2ELp20jDekro2PbHGWHqcig1QODTP8B7v5qAS5yooOmE8UcYvGgzIxeLiLG8Aag7hdrfe88tGn6J0WY0wJiRX8-rve7LB48j3ASQmBy-14qnCVM7-eS4F1w-pPrm/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkugFFQGF60ez6qjX2ELp20jDekro2PbHGWHqcig1QODTP8B7v5qAS5yooOmE8UcYvGgzIxeLiLG8Aag7hdrfe88tGn6J0WY0wJiRX8-rve7LB48j3ASQmBy-14qnCVM7-eS4F1w-pPrm/s320/IMG_6244.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">The recovery from this birth was night and day from my first experience. I still can't believe that three days after he was born we went to a neighbor's Halloween party and then took G trick or treating (granted my stay was pretty short but hey, I still went!). </span>My midwife and doula both paid me home visits to make sure we were both healthy and thriving. My whole family, and some of my neighbors, still see my chiropractor on a regular basis and if I become pregnant again, I will undoubtedly give birth with my midwife.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaJVBgWc4MfQ8eH26-0m3qU3a3o9zPeUAx1BxYZadeaSlmj3HP0GHaY_xaZ7aLeO0doMxW5wodoikdi46SqGleqs38wRYrf1KgWJkXdGNKHYgXhQF6bxibgJXBe7FbsekqKEuQ8LtFeh2/s1600/IMG_6303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaJVBgWc4MfQ8eH26-0m3qU3a3o9zPeUAx1BxYZadeaSlmj3HP0GHaY_xaZ7aLeO0doMxW5wodoikdi46SqGleqs38wRYrf1KgWJkXdGNKHYgXhQF6bxibgJXBe7FbsekqKEuQ8LtFeh2/s640/IMG_6303.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting baby brother the next morning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know that the style of birth I chose is not for everyone but it is for some and <i>some</i> of you reading this don't even know it's your style yet. Before becoming pregnant, I had never even thought about an out of hospital, much less an unmedicated, birth but I'm here to tell you, you can do it. I don't like pain. I don't have a high pain tolerance. If I stub my toe you'll hear me holler throughout the house. Labor was <b>INTENSE </b>but once it over it was over and it was exhilarating to fully experience childbirth. My final thoughts on birth and VBAC are this: If you're a first time mama, research the heck out of how birth is done in the U.S., read the books, watch the documentaries, EDUCATE yourself, know your options. If you have had a csection (or two), don't automatically think you'll never be able to give birth naturally. Talk to different providers, find the right fit for what YOU want. Don't let yourself be coerced into doing what's easiest for the OB, know the ACOG stats. If a VBAC is what you want, find a VBAC supportive, not tolerant, OB or better yet find a midwife. Hire a doula and mentally prepare yourself for whatever the outcome may be. Make peace with the fact that you <i>might</i> end up with another csection but most importantly, believe in your body's ability to give birth naturally and find providers who will help you accomplish this!<br />
<br />
Thank you for taking the time to read my birth story. I know it was long and preachy and full of TMI but that's the beauty of childbirth and womanhood, we all have unique stories to tell and hopefully, in sharing them, we can help each other have better births!<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. B<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-35928368142260406492015-10-03T12:50:00.003-04:002015-10-03T12:51:28.942-04:00Dresser Redux<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmATejXL-nj4yVEN0oIdJYlYyA0RkH5StRg1CImmRA21YGBz3dlgsYVb3CbKDjr1c-RkS1ndXJKOamXQ4j9pOgvj5tCupD9joljD2MA_c6ZfqYlBaws-YtIiLZZ2v4i79KBYz295KPWP3/s1600/7-IMG_6200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmATejXL-nj4yVEN0oIdJYlYyA0RkH5StRg1CImmRA21YGBz3dlgsYVb3CbKDjr1c-RkS1ndXJKOamXQ4j9pOgvj5tCupD9joljD2MA_c6ZfqYlBaws-YtIiLZZ2v4i79KBYz295KPWP3/s640/7-IMG_6200.JPG" width="384" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's finally blog-thirty again! I've been so, so, so busy the last few months but haven't documented a whole lot. I knew this project would be worth snapping some before and afters, though! Baby boy is due to make his appearance sometime this month and I'm kicking into high gear to finish up the nursery. One major missing piece was a dresser for all those adorable onesies. Down in the garage we had one of Mr. B's old chest of drawers collecting dust. It was well-made but outdated and I wasn't sure if we'd ever do anything with it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFZegZQY12cT2k60BmYTUbF-Mbb742u_2b0Ft_l0YXngJ4OXfpIKpxyyoqvLbP4yVUNmfqoS8H-SmdNri6ejGjVGzrx2JRC18mwIL1R0-skQraUdCgHPdw9SSeqp_q8cx2MuTcwuMaKGm/s1600/1-IMG_6191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFZegZQY12cT2k60BmYTUbF-Mbb742u_2b0Ft_l0YXngJ4OXfpIKpxyyoqvLbP4yVUNmfqoS8H-SmdNri6ejGjVGzrx2JRC18mwIL1R0-skQraUdCgHPdw9SSeqp_q8cx2MuTcwuMaKGm/s640/1-IMG_6191.JPG" width="506" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
After getting the glider and crib and leaving the daybed in place for extra guests, the nursery was starting to fill up. I knew a six drawer dresser was probably not going to work but then I remembered the chest! I'm styling the nursery in a vintage cowboy/southwest/Indian vibe and had seen a cool painted piece on Instagram that sparked an idea for a dresser redux.<br />
<br />
I searched Etsy and Ebay for the right stencil, and finally found one I liked, a simple and somewhat masculine Indian design. Then, I needed to decide on paint and the color. I landed on Renaissance chalk paint in Old Linen. I had never used chalk paint before but I'm totally sold now. No priming, no sanding and the coverage is awesome! The only extra step is to do a finishing paste after you paint to seal it. It's a little tedious but waaaaay better than sanding and priming!!! For that, I used Minwax Finishing Wax Paste.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcww-Zj7vBhgQxEPl2THeWOib6_DWrLF8tNnB7pwUtnahCNDzEiZS9AongROwuqjA4OQvKIj2IPeuHAKTCgboVQcNHYLxfDodmRoazD70dJyzW5HPGSCG8WFS9_9Fga2TCWQ9rQpX_ICT/s1600/2-IMG_6192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcww-Zj7vBhgQxEPl2THeWOib6_DWrLF8tNnB7pwUtnahCNDzEiZS9AongROwuqjA4OQvKIj2IPeuHAKTCgboVQcNHYLxfDodmRoazD70dJyzW5HPGSCG8WFS9_9Fga2TCWQ9rQpX_ICT/s640/2-IMG_6192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I started by painting the body of the dresser and leaving the drawers as is. I still hadn't made up my mind on how I was going to paint them, if I would use the same color as the body of the dresser and stencil on another color or if I should just stencil the Old Linen color right on the original finish. Since I could paint over the stencil if I didn't like the results, I went that route first. I also distressed the body of the dresser slightly so some of the original color peeked through and tied in with the drawer fronts.<br />
<br />
I knew after the first drawer that I liked the look of the stencil on the original finish and lucky for me, that was the easiest option, too! The top drawer was a bit smaller than the others so I used the second pattern on the stencil for it. To finish the new look, I found some cool drawer handles at Lowe's that had just a touch of rustic, western flair.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_kX-0cPthu8XnFY4LYyZp81zrgd6X9xHhVw6RedktR5YHkIMVRBtMB0mksk90K6rSYYsPqn0Ia8rldY5B9QrY290Jdiqr7rXprAOzpmASxqlHh4gAhvYUtMXMoV-1NlLqRAYVNjlfLHn/s1600/3-IMG_6195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_kX-0cPthu8XnFY4LYyZp81zrgd6X9xHhVw6RedktR5YHkIMVRBtMB0mksk90K6rSYYsPqn0Ia8rldY5B9QrY290Jdiqr7rXprAOzpmASxqlHh4gAhvYUtMXMoV-1NlLqRAYVNjlfLHn/s640/3-IMG_6195.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nc-3VeGRayPIhyphenhyphenoq8diqao3HgztRJ_4AO6r0q6cDsvl-z4jWccsqj0qVcu6pwKRQOR943eZQdMBF3pGXGyY46ANQTX8OnblgNyXIVnUn2Dw9rISFTjDu7vYBvEbDLTUdlLl3ata_Fhip/s1600/4-IMG_6197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nc-3VeGRayPIhyphenhyphenoq8diqao3HgztRJ_4AO6r0q6cDsvl-z4jWccsqj0qVcu6pwKRQOR943eZQdMBF3pGXGyY46ANQTX8OnblgNyXIVnUn2Dw9rISFTjDu7vYBvEbDLTUdlLl3ata_Fhip/s640/4-IMG_6197.JPG" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOcjblWxMXFXFpnlxfOpvYyz-EmxmRjbAwwTQntdgEXhSqs8dFE9tQ4PbdA98DWlgML1Y6t9IvjEF-hVt7Zh3BTJcx4tBOnX0dSnahoTYrhgPQgEojWFE-oU9R4AqbWJXbN1h8Y1Z5gKj/s1600/5-IMG_6198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOcjblWxMXFXFpnlxfOpvYyz-EmxmRjbAwwTQntdgEXhSqs8dFE9tQ4PbdA98DWlgML1Y6t9IvjEF-hVt7Zh3BTJcx4tBOnX0dSnahoTYrhgPQgEojWFE-oU9R4AqbWJXbN1h8Y1Z5gKj/s640/5-IMG_6198.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBrs-3ey_Ff9f9V2HE1dg2x8z0L-YsLwFUfqbhOTxhvws8bzXmjQTVi-1kYdaguk1kaorPWC3EvXWIjSrkCwwq9IRL7eriydb8BP6Fjn7ESUfNbn9Tak_FMv91c3nShvbr3IRwBlukI54/s1600/6-IMG_6199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBrs-3ey_Ff9f9V2HE1dg2x8z0L-YsLwFUfqbhOTxhvws8bzXmjQTVi-1kYdaguk1kaorPWC3EvXWIjSrkCwwq9IRL7eriydb8BP6Fjn7ESUfNbn9Tak_FMv91c3nShvbr3IRwBlukI54/s640/6-IMG_6199.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
This project turned out so much better than I expected and I am IN LOVE with the results. I am seriously jealous of my son's furniture and it's definitely a piece that can grow with him.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to show off some of the other details from Baby Eddie's nursery and more importantly, to MEET HIM and introduce him to everyone. It's hard to believe in a few short weeks I'll be a mommy to TWO beautiful babes and be emerged in the whirlwind of the newborn world, only this time I'll be chasing a two year old around, too!!!<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. B<br />
<br />Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-56508351586351762892015-08-18T13:41:00.001-04:002015-08-18T13:42:28.065-04:00Ridiculously Easy "Cheesecake"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEB7PSF-BgYtBBGVg-LYfVOmj-CVPw8jEh9rvtoNZ2wnwb2EddakxbC-S1q2iDke27W59eWZTXY3zoXIPMEgWCsDSmcGYF4lL8IWGG9kBlhpz0fsWbhCKiEcGVtytQtcfvS9p5J8lZ6Ry/s1600/IMG_6010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEB7PSF-BgYtBBGVg-LYfVOmj-CVPw8jEh9rvtoNZ2wnwb2EddakxbC-S1q2iDke27W59eWZTXY3zoXIPMEgWCsDSmcGYF4lL8IWGG9kBlhpz0fsWbhCKiEcGVtytQtcfvS9p5J8lZ6Ry/s640/IMG_6010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When Mr. B casually asked me the other night, "Are you still blogging?", I felt a twinge of guilt as I realized I've pretty much stopped. Life gets crazy when you have a toddler and a new home and a baby on the way but I'm no different than the gazillion other women out there keeping up on their blogs and besides, it's is a great outlet and something I want to do. So, this morning, I decided to stop stalling and blog, even if it's just a quick recipe.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcyN65v-pws-chymm7lhrauC0s_103gHyenPCvzXJeuyFYp4WmVQHpMK7JvvESiKdTy8DR4vitsywuXZSMXW4PNzPk5lbht940KQWoiinEiM9RDhlDrgshBhP6LmE1VhXIUUrR8Jhfpyt/s1600/IMG_6006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcyN65v-pws-chymm7lhrauC0s_103gHyenPCvzXJeuyFYp4WmVQHpMK7JvvESiKdTy8DR4vitsywuXZSMXW4PNzPk5lbht940KQWoiinEiM9RDhlDrgshBhP6LmE1VhXIUUrR8Jhfpyt/s640/IMG_6006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I know, the chocolate chips have "bloomed" and would look so much prettier if they were out of a fresh bag but I was working with what I already had in my pantry and what I already had happens to be a giant Costco sized bag of chips that will probably take me a year to use up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last night, while Mr. B was putting baby girl to bed, I got hit with a serious sweet tooth! Normally, I would just have some Oreos or a bowl of ice cream and call it good but I was feeling creative. I ended up making one of the easiest and tastiest desserts I've had in awhile and it was all from things I found in my pantry! Added bonus, I was finished making it by the time he came back downstairs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qULibuSlNCLy11dvRKHxIFDWexZvsKpCDAnCYfNbFk-ismfJZ-wfI8SwpQfxeJgvq8HTAYotVgB1EsbcG870uqNQBBElAFjpQfV6DhgVfYgZDUkfgf7W63SAiPlUYLzlfDTnLFIxQtyw/s1600/IMG_6003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qULibuSlNCLy11dvRKHxIFDWexZvsKpCDAnCYfNbFk-ismfJZ-wfI8SwpQfxeJgvq8HTAYotVgB1EsbcG870uqNQBBElAFjpQfV6DhgVfYgZDUkfgf7W63SAiPlUYLzlfDTnLFIxQtyw/s640/IMG_6003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So, if you want to whip up something yummy and rich and be eating it in no time, try this out!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XXX_6YoWnAjxc6yHO30n3TaZDhAUsUPXqwrhIy0cPb0gVPBOUxaF-c-3cjG3lPDDH-JXfTysTao-iUUXUzR1s4n0iFtk1D9c2zSaTk9TX423qnGojFipVzJCo0p6lEtkBPRqQmzw5chV/s1600/IMG_6005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XXX_6YoWnAjxc6yHO30n3TaZDhAUsUPXqwrhIy0cPb0gVPBOUxaF-c-3cjG3lPDDH-JXfTysTao-iUUXUzR1s4n0iFtk1D9c2zSaTk9TX423qnGojFipVzJCo0p6lEtkBPRqQmzw5chV/s640/IMG_6005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Ingredients: </b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>1 Sleeve Graham Crackers</b></li>
<li><b>1 Stick Melted Butter</b></li>
<li><b>3/4 C Chocolate Chips (plus more for topping)</b></li>
<li><b>1 Jar (approx. 1 cup) Dulce de Leche</b></li>
<li><b>1 Pkg Cheesecake Flavored Pudding</b></li>
<li><b>1 3/4 C Milk</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMdWgR2WUGh72RSqyNGRT8uaaRlP3Ld7X-cYDfUMP7uyAFK5_r5HJ_G6xP05EBksMF5zEbGqMVrDnpGxVxRrespROBBctVfOg7YtmCWGqBRwv8WRSI0SBEjamSAqaig_wO_8kb8JXn_PI/s1600/IMG_6007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMdWgR2WUGh72RSqyNGRT8uaaRlP3Ld7X-cYDfUMP7uyAFK5_r5HJ_G6xP05EBksMF5zEbGqMVrDnpGxVxRrespROBBctVfOg7YtmCWGqBRwv8WRSI0SBEjamSAqaig_wO_8kb8JXn_PI/s640/IMG_6007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Directions:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Preheat oven to 400°F</li>
<li>Crush graham crackers into pie plate then pour melted butter over the top and sprinkle on chocolate chips</li>
<li>Bake for 8-10 minutes until crust begins to brown and chips start melting</li>
<li>As crust is cooling, spoon the dulce de leche over the top, the heat will help it spread</li>
<li>While crust is cooling, mix pudding and milk together </li>
<li>After crust has cooled, top with pudding</li>
<li>Sprinkle with chocolate chips, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour (or if you can't possibly wait an hour, freeze for 15 minutes)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyRzSKz1LfxgmgqGIP4M9LOKE5Bv09_m41lbgGakap0WphB3mGvPB7sLLL8FgZSK1jSa_8nIfSg3a2mJbzqd4kHZCwsBbn0z9JZoMP3WiJCz82cBQ7PxrwurChfjYtfQyZo5yPqDGLDpA/s1600/IMG_6008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyRzSKz1LfxgmgqGIP4M9LOKE5Bv09_m41lbgGakap0WphB3mGvPB7sLLL8FgZSK1jSa_8nIfSg3a2mJbzqd4kHZCwsBbn0z9JZoMP3WiJCz82cBQ7PxrwurChfjYtfQyZo5yPqDGLDpA/s640/IMG_6008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So good. So easy.<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. BMrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-14429115552045238222015-02-21T18:00:00.001-05:002015-04-16T17:03:35.360-04:00Arm Chair Refresh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOnhDg9T89M5vjRgQJW5rRWfUMqVJWKa-jJXzW1NIn2jWKRq7JsAEs3xNncL0CgfGqioDDgeMDzRDaE2hRkFNiRXfgAAqSUUB80TSEnQ148WUobgzJp9kMKTetGvKnzYpHmTgzieTX00x/s1600/IMG_5880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOnhDg9T89M5vjRgQJW5rRWfUMqVJWKa-jJXzW1NIn2jWKRq7JsAEs3xNncL0CgfGqioDDgeMDzRDaE2hRkFNiRXfgAAqSUUB80TSEnQ148WUobgzJp9kMKTetGvKnzYpHmTgzieTX00x/s1600/IMG_5880.JPG" height="446" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm so excited to finally be posting this! It's always nice to finish something that's been on the back burner and this project was no exception. Over a year ago, I came across some vintage chairs on Craigslist. I loved their shape but they were a funky avocado green color. I mean, it wasn't awful but it definitely wasn't what I wanted for the long haul. I thought since I could buy the chairs for a pretty good price, I would reupholster them to my liking and be done with it, NBD!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br />
Once I got the chairs home and started inspecting them, I lost my enthusiasm. See, I've never reupholstered anything and when I started googling how-tos I got real intimidated, real quick.<br />
<br />
Since I was nervous to pull off the cording to see how the chairs were assembled and then be forced to reupholster them, I was stuck. I ended up doing nothing with the chairs until a few weeks ago. I knew that I wanted the wood black so I was just going to tape off the fabric and paint. I got one chair about halfway taped and got a burst of confidence (probably because my mother in law was visiting and she's an expert seamstress who could guide me along).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsy_92oTvhwaAZjfeSYENFdyxNrRr8r7hPIjaoAZWtEeWc0R10zqlAUAVVXp15D97P2BB-lDFDcvbZ9xAl9OitPUSjgpiOA66AQUDBGDAY42EDnYzMYjAYX_LWSUq9GCwxk4dZeo88H0m/s1600/IMG_5843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsy_92oTvhwaAZjfeSYENFdyxNrRr8r7hPIjaoAZWtEeWc0R10zqlAUAVVXp15D97P2BB-lDFDcvbZ9xAl9OitPUSjgpiOA66AQUDBGDAY42EDnYzMYjAYX_LWSUq9GCwxk4dZeo88H0m/s1600/IMG_5843.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
I started by pulling off the bottom covering and unscrewing the base.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5M4qZcybkxgGJJ7yIgVGiBCaP6vLCnxHnj5pDiHqzegqGUQuG_oxQglxANgs8Zp4LsazR5bFKYgry2KdZ1OWPoTaBzC1IBcPWGtwtqJOhT_uACfK7PDQKtzDmJyR4oBblsIX44ltcRLA/s1600/IMG_5844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5M4qZcybkxgGJJ7yIgVGiBCaP6vLCnxHnj5pDiHqzegqGUQuG_oxQglxANgs8Zp4LsazR5bFKYgry2KdZ1OWPoTaBzC1IBcPWGtwtqJOhT_uACfK7PDQKtzDmJyR4oBblsIX44ltcRLA/s1600/IMG_5844.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Then I took some needlenose pliers and started pulling staples. Whoever upholstered these chairs was REALLY trying to make sure that fabric stayed put. There must have been a 100 staples on the base alone!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCpVdK-vezCzNRD9XVxEiByb3z7qeD36oyvTn0Gju0uc4YuNFQML6EGvMmii82oTr7CusbedOBwdfP9kLPyUS7xhBoHu6PBv9Klh1hoPrTuq5fgKEQPioUVJXa_E4Dh9bSCXrG8ZMAcXz/s1600/IMG_5845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCpVdK-vezCzNRD9XVxEiByb3z7qeD36oyvTn0Gju0uc4YuNFQML6EGvMmii82oTr7CusbedOBwdfP9kLPyUS7xhBoHu6PBv9Klh1hoPrTuq5fgKEQPioUVJXa_E4Dh9bSCXrG8ZMAcXz/s1600/IMG_5845.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Look at all those staple holes!<br />
<br />
After we removed all of the fabric, being careful to keep it as intact as possible, we used it for a pattern for the new upholstery. I saved the buttons and the cording to use with the new fabric.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYqj3jHlOmeL-0-EDht3QrZ2cCpNG7Lkx3CsSfRur8psb75zT1DGCTOlRAORP78rPv9spYvKsKxgu1H7iIW2jFeM1OhdDTR5Fj6Ls5W_g5jje4pYo2ZGIbu-GVAFfR1oGJAybq0JWPbGn/s1600/IMG_5849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYqj3jHlOmeL-0-EDht3QrZ2cCpNG7Lkx3CsSfRur8psb75zT1DGCTOlRAORP78rPv9spYvKsKxgu1H7iIW2jFeM1OhdDTR5Fj6Ls5W_g5jje4pYo2ZGIbu-GVAFfR1oGJAybq0JWPbGn/s1600/IMG_5849.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
While my MIL cut out the pattern for me, I sanded and painted the chairs black.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGeQ73k-JkgngLCMMU5edCL9YHNMt1lSFNckvpl6HbbbfYy-sbTcNNAbjI37Y6QXqOhrmKcT_O_aplnn9KzroiBsiZFhszMl0wTQk9ocNTIsDANzG5SBhVTWqvQFSWDTWHa4H8O-Svd8R/s1600/IMG_5855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGeQ73k-JkgngLCMMU5edCL9YHNMt1lSFNckvpl6HbbbfYy-sbTcNNAbjI37Y6QXqOhrmKcT_O_aplnn9KzroiBsiZFhszMl0wTQk9ocNTIsDANzG5SBhVTWqvQFSWDTWHa4H8O-Svd8R/s1600/IMG_5855.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsuY7EtodXvV5r9s07L1UZWV2AwWxtX3MDMFLth2JvKGp57LZGbxb-Fp7j8GeLxBAYFzaf5BXWJ318ddbA2-J0mmhgp8ULNMGTEbKAwIW9b69v1_odiESDbX2nEEh5wA75lCzqlOGGeCV/s1600/IMG_5853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsuY7EtodXvV5r9s07L1UZWV2AwWxtX3MDMFLth2JvKGp57LZGbxb-Fp7j8GeLxBAYFzaf5BXWJ318ddbA2-J0mmhgp8ULNMGTEbKAwIW9b69v1_odiESDbX2nEEh5wA75lCzqlOGGeCV/s1600/IMG_5853.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the chairs were painted and the new fabric was cut, I stitched some of the padding to the chair base. This was thankfully the only sewing that had to be done!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU2zP6ErjXjIE-E552LDdAacIWzHLnkzpK4wofMQ21GeEv2h6AuT3G41AdteXE9c_QvB6xhYdzyzTXqHq9_hYM8nA343NvlSt5FeXMzk0ZsQwvDqKTMNMuJxcqLus-oFyOx_X05aHHjkD/s1600/IMG_5858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU2zP6ErjXjIE-E552LDdAacIWzHLnkzpK4wofMQ21GeEv2h6AuT3G41AdteXE9c_QvB6xhYdzyzTXqHq9_hYM8nA343NvlSt5FeXMzk0ZsQwvDqKTMNMuJxcqLus-oFyOx_X05aHHjkD/s1600/IMG_5858.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we took the fabric and laid it on the foam back, pushing it down into the pre-cut tufts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbMwoVsEqEY5fbxGVIzBXD5b0-IsRjU7y_lCINsw3dWZelFwnqahsuBYKw4y7qhteXE85Jkd-cWQ7Utz3V4ipCINdDsmlpqz3Ja6Q1GG-LuNAGr64Zo3uK1dlg0VK7Kc5eoFd846baK4t/s1600/IMG_5859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbMwoVsEqEY5fbxGVIzBXD5b0-IsRjU7y_lCINsw3dWZelFwnqahsuBYKw4y7qhteXE85Jkd-cWQ7Utz3V4ipCINdDsmlpqz3Ja6Q1GG-LuNAGr64Zo3uK1dlg0VK7Kc5eoFd846baK4t/s1600/IMG_5859.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Using the original buttons (they were on metal brads), we made slits in the fabric pushed them through.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXr43CQhBk0wmhEArDjtaYbIXcSI-zRox-9pisGzHDWAo8duR0sgdPky-hO5UGTtpWgeeO3BAa5f9kRNpID9d3pTvl7QPgA9Lfleqf1gmTm5Efz4HN-ooSHJoCbpoWoV9nfd_hW7ltR8M/s1600/IMG_5865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXr43CQhBk0wmhEArDjtaYbIXcSI-zRox-9pisGzHDWAo8duR0sgdPky-hO5UGTtpWgeeO3BAa5f9kRNpID9d3pTvl7QPgA9Lfleqf1gmTm5Efz4HN-ooSHJoCbpoWoV9nfd_hW7ltR8M/s1600/IMG_5865.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, I secured the back fabric to the chair with a staple gun and laid the backing on top of that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK7rKllMVcsy7q8GtGaS2Hu0ACZjis59gwKGAlXW-KVc3jLmpMPiETaaEmLewmSFDMWEkBRNcFF-YwejwbM2_1AQfIbWF-zv6InYx-Oq9_xsMEgtn_8b0hksonqxAY8XMCQmkwTUXsaRy/s1600/IMG_5867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK7rKllMVcsy7q8GtGaS2Hu0ACZjis59gwKGAlXW-KVc3jLmpMPiETaaEmLewmSFDMWEkBRNcFF-YwejwbM2_1AQfIbWF-zv6InYx-Oq9_xsMEgtn_8b0hksonqxAY8XMCQmkwTUXsaRy/s1600/IMG_5867.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb_HsHP99kNLM6wAUGNF-ugJPLqjzNuUX5PDsH6d2gqXNrBiEZPqIamYowcvmqN6MG95ocKngm43VeELZfdKrncNH0a3Gv-DjSOkI-VJB1AN_t29JpmX94hQSnuXmjvsKhCB85vK63oMy/s1600/IMG_5878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb_HsHP99kNLM6wAUGNF-ugJPLqjzNuUX5PDsH6d2gqXNrBiEZPqIamYowcvmqN6MG95ocKngm43VeELZfdKrncNH0a3Gv-DjSOkI-VJB1AN_t29JpmX94hQSnuXmjvsKhCB85vK63oMy/s1600/IMG_5878.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQFTsrhf3RyVjiJMIvrQjlMEfys-nBSOVNDqou8IVBmBT1YxM2hJKfCyUw-P4m3SlCJEos_Ji_MCIBGg78wnATnFC5mg7WAuO04dYfsw-sYGC1W763PEUYqw_3QgH2Pzi17SEjctYoVTR/s1600/IMG_5868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQFTsrhf3RyVjiJMIvrQjlMEfys-nBSOVNDqou8IVBmBT1YxM2hJKfCyUw-P4m3SlCJEos_Ji_MCIBGg78wnATnFC5mg7WAuO04dYfsw-sYGC1W763PEUYqw_3QgH2Pzi17SEjctYoVTR/s1600/IMG_5868.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I placed the cushion over the back<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqvXEbCzkKBeIvNa-Hco3V1i4P_zJMmARj_O3wnlOwaen1XJbI84g7AP4UxJYP8R7x4BAPOV1CWYvXJ6jjT5FEt7umlpj3GX_KWVwqCoWAa9K6lAA3Rn2cU3P3VNv8b6hmy1HF47at5yS/s1600/IMG_5869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqvXEbCzkKBeIvNa-Hco3V1i4P_zJMmARj_O3wnlOwaen1XJbI84g7AP4UxJYP8R7x4BAPOV1CWYvXJ6jjT5FEt7umlpj3GX_KWVwqCoWAa9K6lAA3Rn2cU3P3VNv8b6hmy1HF47at5yS/s1600/IMG_5869.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and pulling the fabric taut, used a hot glue gun to secure it into the groove.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXVm6VMZ8CKeCjCiuVXHqbJlVCfbR6p4E6SjZhBHAYqK2nvrPp21CFAeTmTMnuWAjZGg-8Eor2j16Eycp3J4h_pxEeg6Bg-0Xl51NuPpXwpupNq9YNacZa0c88_dlmEJM8xGpbHgbJRcA/s1600/IMG_5870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXVm6VMZ8CKeCjCiuVXHqbJlVCfbR6p4E6SjZhBHAYqK2nvrPp21CFAeTmTMnuWAjZGg-8Eor2j16Eycp3J4h_pxEeg6Bg-0Xl51NuPpXwpupNq9YNacZa0c88_dlmEJM8xGpbHgbJRcA/s1600/IMG_5870.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Like so.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4KefGxx9lsG7bndCIcRIvmmbnY1woUac-7fI__zaG-v-7cVhn4FJ1tBVlBn82WXnv7Vc6DjyIEC2GdrpJq_234YBxVW1oGYZXIEeEBlAGg7ZxyslS3KMWOv3TDiJ1vDl8zf_QQZeVSol/s1600/IMG_5872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4KefGxx9lsG7bndCIcRIvmmbnY1woUac-7fI__zaG-v-7cVhn4FJ1tBVlBn82WXnv7Vc6DjyIEC2GdrpJq_234YBxVW1oGYZXIEeEBlAGg7ZxyslS3KMWOv3TDiJ1vDl8zf_QQZeVSol/s1600/IMG_5872.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Once I finished gluing down the fabric, I glued the cording in place over it. Word to the wise, try to NOT get glue all over your chair as it is a royal pain to get off later.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFqeg5_ZYJjMyaox7_RHR7SsDFNhNPF3edJS94rs-MPOAGxBY43-nQ5efeKx5Y057138CcKRLlbIB1H9jrafbM2aU_LazrniFMfR77i2SuUd2nWQ0gQ1vmcu1WOLUk94Puk91-eKuTJGH/s1600/IMG_5874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFqeg5_ZYJjMyaox7_RHR7SsDFNhNPF3edJS94rs-MPOAGxBY43-nQ5efeKx5Y057138CcKRLlbIB1H9jrafbM2aU_LazrniFMfR77i2SuUd2nWQ0gQ1vmcu1WOLUk94Puk91-eKuTJGH/s1600/IMG_5874.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I secured the base on the chair.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jn95YU_wemtYkF6aDkESyTk9P58XIBp_2RW0JWdb6tyoNFtIj6sUAZXNs1q-7MkHz8GlJqPAwhQJTTc6m4S-k_x80MbGSJTBLVXXl4sVjcokhhaGhzMViYbRWf6YMt14bm5Hl4tjK7qY/s1600/IMG_5876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jn95YU_wemtYkF6aDkESyTk9P58XIBp_2RW0JWdb6tyoNFtIj6sUAZXNs1q-7MkHz8GlJqPAwhQJTTc6m4S-k_x80MbGSJTBLVXXl4sVjcokhhaGhzMViYbRWf6YMt14bm5Hl4tjK7qY/s1600/IMG_5876.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I used a razor to remove excess glue and touched up the paint where needed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviD3queqs-EafydOdgUafeQKEL_-4uxoneyRloquWnT2ox5-HeRpB7N6s2A0lfo2CX98Pb-OlCYBnb-E4g-guy23EjVcWIzpjSQZIPhTN4aSe2WJ9vsukySLGcTdZA7kwAeTUeXkHRyGJ/s1600/IMG_5877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviD3queqs-EafydOdgUafeQKEL_-4uxoneyRloquWnT2ox5-HeRpB7N6s2A0lfo2CX98Pb-OlCYBnb-E4g-guy23EjVcWIzpjSQZIPhTN4aSe2WJ9vsukySLGcTdZA7kwAeTUeXkHRyGJ/s1600/IMG_5877.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I kept the original cushion, mostly because I didn't feel like sewing a new cover but also because I like the contrast.<br />
<br />
That's it! It didn't take long to totally transform these chairs and if I hadn't been trying to get it done during toddler naps, I'd say I could have finished them in a day, day and a half tops.<br />
<br />
The chairs were a daunting project at first but they were actually relatively simple to reupholster! No joke, I think the hardest part was pulling all the staples.<br />
<br />
If you're wanting to try your hand at it, find a chair on Craigslist or in a thrift store that you don't have to spend a lot on and experiment! These chairs turned out so cute and they were actually really fun to take on!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OQ6tRJU3YlQls148Nz5ZDyvf31U7RAHGwKwpvpwSdFVrQePlT_QegSLL49ijw_RYNb07KyKZaF_ENDZhJb1ywVRBxzBTTsBzkb4GkdT1BoxZdObc1u8LGf0eDbdgXdz_r8uUf2rW0C8u/s1600/IMG_5883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OQ6tRJU3YlQls148Nz5ZDyvf31U7RAHGwKwpvpwSdFVrQePlT_QegSLL49ijw_RYNb07KyKZaF_ENDZhJb1ywVRBxzBTTsBzkb4GkdT1BoxZdObc1u8LGf0eDbdgXdz_r8uUf2rW0C8u/s1600/IMG_5883.JPG" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. BMrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-58801784883660068502015-01-05T12:59:00.002-05:002015-01-05T14:52:15.662-05:00Vintage Ficks Reed Sofa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIsiIdEmMCPVpbYdva-KhT-SxJeJg70NAwfpMW10LV3ha2JAXmwTqvS8s-mBNEYEwHJP6ok4S8oOv0VbEQkHDw-FZQEBGXX2uca-Y-Usfxv3VhsTiam_w_SD5Jd08UklwbryuSG8TAWB4/s1600/IMG_5833.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy 2015, friends! Now that the rush of the holidays is over, I can finally sit down to blog. It's been a pretty crazy season and I'm happy to be in the new year. I realize how long it's been since I last wrote, we weren't even in our new house (!!), but I've had lots of little projects going here and there and need to just write about them already! I figure my sofa flip is as good a place to start as any.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We moved into the new house around the end of October. So far, we've updated tile and paint and I've been busy trying to decorate a house that's twice the size of our old townhouse in the city (hooray for the burbs!). I think I'll make another post about all the remodeling projects we've done, as the "before" and "afters" are pretty great. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4r6gnuXtLXCA4GUTO2Gdz9AbDqUZiM0ZTdLO18oqMMzurwkFbY0wKN7Rw00DZwUD8CeMV9mTu0oLvRD0WGZORWymxmQAJaz73i6dnWio_rf6rRvyd4SRmJh8JOjBxzRhjmt8WdVR55kw/s1600/2014-12-07+17.23.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4r6gnuXtLXCA4GUTO2Gdz9AbDqUZiM0ZTdLO18oqMMzurwkFbY0wKN7Rw00DZwUD8CeMV9mTu0oLvRD0WGZORWymxmQAJaz73i6dnWio_rf6rRvyd4SRmJh8JOjBxzRhjmt8WdVR55kw/s1600/2014-12-07+17.23.00.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new nest!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The old townhouse had one living space and a combined kitchen and dining room, so decorating was pretty simple and I kept it somewhat neutral. The new house has a formal living room, formal dining room and the kitchen flows into the breakfast nook and great room. I LOVE the layout since it's great for entertaining and the formal rooms give me a chance to get creative. I've dubbed the formal living room the "Lady Cave". Mr. B let me go wild with paint colors, too. I chose a bright aqua (Sherwin Williams Spa) for the walls with black trim and crown molding. That opens into the dining room where the black trim continues but the walls are SW Blue Nile, an intense, dark teal. It feels like being in a swanky restaurant... at least that's what one of my girls' said *squeals with delight!*</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, now I have this awesome room with beautiful paint and no furniture... Moving is expensive, painters are expensive, tile and tilers are ridiculously expensive, you get the gist. As much as I'd love to, I'm not popping into Arhaus to pick up a new living room set anytime soon. Does this depress me? <strike>Yes</strike> Of course not! Why? Because I don't look at it like "poor me, I can't go buy that beautiful but ridiculously overpriced (blank)" but I sure as heck am not filling this beautiful home with cheap junk. What's a girl to do? I step outside the box, I dig around, I get creative, I hunt and search and I work hard to find beautiful treasures. And you know what ends up happening? Not only do I find one of a kind pieces for my home but I get this crazy rush from the whole process. It is SO satisfying to find a diamond in the rough, something that most would look past without a second thought, and turn it into a "Wow!". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A couple months back, I was scrolling through a furniture site looking for ideas for the lady cave. I had already splurged on a Zebra hide rug and I needed a sofa that would compliment it. I came across this beautiful gold rattan daybed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J7c4Yb8feh3u1XmnidC3-b4_jHqBbkiorfzaS4GNUkjlfY_uBGTjpTEg8O4yyMA8ppvYIEbqd3anrpzeNcUdwHSMyKGRMvRIbeThtzcgoC9yGhsxThyp9w9eCMd5jKCYQZhTEsmtvBe0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J7c4Yb8feh3u1XmnidC3-b4_jHqBbkiorfzaS4GNUkjlfY_uBGTjpTEg8O4yyMA8ppvYIEbqd3anrpzeNcUdwHSMyKGRMvRIbeThtzcgoC9yGhsxThyp9w9eCMd5jKCYQZhTEsmtvBe0/s1600/1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I thought, wow, that is beautiful AND over $2k! Not gonna happen but I couldn't get it out of my head. I loved the look. My wheels started turning. I googled around but couldn't find anything that had the right feel. So, I tried my best buddy, Craigslist. I searched for "rattan", "daybed" and "sofa" and within about five minutes, THIS popped up!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLlnfzT-CoZQvDaK3NKE1yfcc0l-oVoSf_BFb9iDHXF0WKNjLBG3Hs0xcaD3CYdgn5bqYR82vkCryWMQh71VJQE7fwhkh2-H-8imbOMcU-sTpzSm5D73LR1MYvLyVnwmgev30mG5Br4__/s1600/IMG_5686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLlnfzT-CoZQvDaK3NKE1yfcc0l-oVoSf_BFb9iDHXF0WKNjLBG3Hs0xcaD3CYdgn5bqYR82vkCryWMQh71VJQE7fwhkh2-H-8imbOMcU-sTpzSm5D73LR1MYvLyVnwmgev30mG5Br4__/s1600/IMG_5686.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Had I not already been looking for the rattan style, I may not have even paused at this listing (uh, where are the cushions?) but I did and I couldn't believe how perfect it was! Well, not perfect yet, but it was GOING to be! Then I read the ad and knew it was meant to be. It was for sale less than 5 miles from my house and she wanted $180 for it! So I emailed her right away and offered her a hundred bucks. She came back with $140 and it was sold! My dad and I drove over to pick it up. I was impressed by the condition, aside from the ugly paint, it was almost like new. The woman told me it was a "Ficks Reed" sofa and that they had somehow lost the cushions during a move. I'd never heard of Ficks Reed but whatever, cool. Thanks for the sofa, have a nice day! I looked up Ficks Reed on the drive home and I found the same sofa I just threw in the back of my dad's Dodge had sold on a couple sites for well over $1,000!!! Cue happy dance. The frame was a big score! Now, to find some cushions. I figured this would be no big deal. I wasn't exactly right. Turns out, you can't just order custom sofa cushions, a custom sofa, yes, just the cushions, not so much. At least not for what I was willing to shell out. I was annoyed. I searched around about a week and then decided on a plan. I found a foam company in Florida who would cut and ship foam for a pretty decent price. I spoke to the owner and he was super helpful on the different thicknesses and what size I would want. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJsK95ZCAwpv-jOJDIieoBNoL1UX6PU7nU3TWc1D3pIWymWzlrlgTe-WpJfLaHqC7y8eFDEWflh31FdLljdmJFRb04a7xuA3HP3BLQYqk4AHyZw6syxZRSrl6HMLYsps_RJLOPylSeZWV/s1600/IMG_5683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJsK95ZCAwpv-jOJDIieoBNoL1UX6PU7nU3TWc1D3pIWymWzlrlgTe-WpJfLaHqC7y8eFDEWflh31FdLljdmJFRb04a7xuA3HP3BLQYqk4AHyZw6syxZRSrl6HMLYsps_RJLOPylSeZWV/s1600/IMG_5683.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The custom cut foam cushions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Foam ordered, I moved on to fabric. I shopped around local fabric stores but was not impressed with the quality of the velvet. Oh, yea, I wanted black velvet cushions. Etsy to the rescue! I found a company in India that had beautiful cotton viscose velvet in upholstery thickness but before I placed my order I had one BIG decision to make. How were these cushion covers going to be made?? Clearly, my sewing skills are lacking. I mean, I could PROBABLY get it done but it would take me forever. I called a few upholstery shops and rolled my eyes when they told me how much they wanted to charge. It's highway robbery! I turned back to my old pal, CL. I searched "seamstress". Bam! Several ads came up. I phoned a woman named Ellen, who answered the phone sounding like she had eaten Marlboros for breakfast (she assured me her voice always sounds rough in the morning). Something about her scratchy voice, Middle Eastern accent and the way she said "Honey, I do this for you." and "Do you have curtains, yet? No, I didn't think so. I make them for you someday." endeared her to me. That and the fact that her price was actually reasonable! So, I ordered the fabric and hired Ellen.<br />
<br />
Now to tackle the frame!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdql2XnPQA8LjI5fOlgHO4xk0DFLM3mu-JQ1axN9L4YL9ejUsonNt5RQaEjvZz8c9OuUC73N0qwmgfrVGo3zgJ7F_IjO1EyOGhiqR6ThuXLT1lviKB2hB98opnUbIxa79KxMfEqBo6RXF/s1600/IMG_5684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdql2XnPQA8LjI5fOlgHO4xk0DFLM3mu-JQ1axN9L4YL9ejUsonNt5RQaEjvZz8c9OuUC73N0qwmgfrVGo3zgJ7F_IjO1EyOGhiqR6ThuXLT1lviKB2hB98opnUbIxa79KxMfEqBo6RXF/s1600/IMG_5684.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
I love gold spray paint!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OHs1LulRNDrS8iXRNKDHjN-3vrCwqtNY8kaKqBjSB6YKsg108DAB68_J6tbKUtDmya59LJa00u9Q_zNiyYZKZemYlGMC0ET6Ah2OzATQP71Q6E9KbdwI57SYyITr1bu45oTiwbuFgmR-/s1600/IMG_5687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OHs1LulRNDrS8iXRNKDHjN-3vrCwqtNY8kaKqBjSB6YKsg108DAB68_J6tbKUtDmya59LJa00u9Q_zNiyYZKZemYlGMC0ET6Ah2OzATQP71Q6E9KbdwI57SYyITr1bu45oTiwbuFgmR-/s1600/IMG_5687.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I did a rough sand of the sofa and wiped it down with a tacky cloth then sprayed away!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcSRAobbakT01BmGepi8OZGO0Ar9jEY2J7IGDuCeBfU5JfWiTfbCOoK5HbmNY9Ixlbp5XIj5fGW7DN8DA-DnQr55OIYoLP88CPsEVCodP1rwe0MDD9aXtmxIsz2nSxQxCbzhdwP8PsF0L/s1600/IMG_5689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcSRAobbakT01BmGepi8OZGO0Ar9jEY2J7IGDuCeBfU5JfWiTfbCOoK5HbmNY9Ixlbp5XIj5fGW7DN8DA-DnQr55OIYoLP88CPsEVCodP1rwe0MDD9aXtmxIsz2nSxQxCbzhdwP8PsF0L/s1600/IMG_5689.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Action shot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The frame turned out really lovely. The gold wasn't too bright and all the details of the bamboo just jumped out in the metallic hue. About two weeks later, Ellen called to tell me the cushions were ready for pick up. The moment of truth had arrived!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdl2ACv8GX2CKmI3UFfUzEXQ42jxfxrlnSZhPZyEmtSP4-zkV8zPfzHqGcc7Jfk-x8A3tWYaXWOdc7pYDgSWvWNQf6xu0g7nfkR50ed-F0FWpPYq0Weg4fC4_XGEeiHd6tjZdqnpyrwymh/s1600/IMG_5832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdl2ACv8GX2CKmI3UFfUzEXQ42jxfxrlnSZhPZyEmtSP4-zkV8zPfzHqGcc7Jfk-x8A3tWYaXWOdc7pYDgSWvWNQf6xu0g7nfkR50ed-F0FWpPYq0Weg4fC4_XGEeiHd6tjZdqnpyrwymh/s1600/IMG_5832.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I accented it with chartreuse throw pillows and a floral one to tie in the turquoise of the walls and pops of fuchsia. I'm still piecing the room together and might end up switching out the end tables for something more chunky but they work for now. Mr. B actually picked out the trunk, which I think adds a nice masculine touch and, bonus, it's padded for lil G! Speaking of...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3zgN1RMEIRT6cNyEaClq9iJ3qRTBPlu1WHr7nKG1mvdHtP2LWj6uz1EAOkIMYq5ME2_F6jBTGYnw9_LD1Jttr8dMRe0ojyQPn_26xHgFudxDhKya-0BiOgLou9klZgfZ-7Nj7H4YU_uV/s1600/IMG_5815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3zgN1RMEIRT6cNyEaClq9iJ3qRTBPlu1WHr7nKG1mvdHtP2LWj6uz1EAOkIMYq5ME2_F6jBTGYnw9_LD1Jttr8dMRe0ojyQPn_26xHgFudxDhKya-0BiOgLou9klZgfZ-7Nj7H4YU_uV/s1600/IMG_5815.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, heeeey vintage lamp! Fancy seeing you here ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Baby Break!!!</b><br />
<br />
16 months! I can't believe it *sniffle*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWDh6ZSzRUf4_KposCJbGIWts84sbm-sk-GvAmZCTGGhrTs-iT0PiQySgsyBNuthQ7ujPY1LnOEmUb4OuxwanQ09hs8l3NTq45_nP6tPTTzJzE_khr-v2e5Lh0NPVLSy1G6WOQkzne8ec/s1600/IMG_5819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWDh6ZSzRUf4_KposCJbGIWts84sbm-sk-GvAmZCTGGhrTs-iT0PiQySgsyBNuthQ7ujPY1LnOEmUb4OuxwanQ09hs8l3NTq45_nP6tPTTzJzE_khr-v2e5Lh0NPVLSy1G6WOQkzne8ec/s1600/IMG_5819.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyxVK_S_QXGQ65e820_HhLNfvEKBFxoeBReaT0-O1PSp31FMeVJ7X3AQdiKtD7Px4ksvob90Ic-CyI_IKlNjgciQSfPU_lf2cpxGPNKKmwR3TBIvwLRuJ8RcL2XcLJe0Z3L-Ox6m0Doqi/s1600/IMG_5822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyxVK_S_QXGQ65e820_HhLNfvEKBFxoeBReaT0-O1PSp31FMeVJ7X3AQdiKtD7Px4ksvob90Ic-CyI_IKlNjgciQSfPU_lf2cpxGPNKKmwR3TBIvwLRuJ8RcL2XcLJe0Z3L-Ox6m0Doqi/s1600/IMG_5822.JPG" height="363" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGLBnqs6e60HOZRxXRRddXWO92a2-I7vvFQcR-RT8uik7MDbPe-F1bV6FXfvGA1UNtTsDyqqj1PkTj_MpqdtQ6daND4jAB-7ETQPTDRfa_06fRHJk0SX9G8WIY-aduZ_i11P9g-OIgXvA/s1600/IMG_5829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGLBnqs6e60HOZRxXRRddXWO92a2-I7vvFQcR-RT8uik7MDbPe-F1bV6FXfvGA1UNtTsDyqqj1PkTj_MpqdtQ6daND4jAB-7ETQPTDRfa_06fRHJk0SX9G8WIY-aduZ_i11P9g-OIgXvA/s1600/IMG_5829.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ok, back to a couple more detail shots.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8XaULohf-rC8WzPCYpk1OVhTFXUDqjwmERBY9_U1uERrkVB1sStEAYUCZ5am0pB3BIOExr02g0m978JHf1FIeoOjWOxY7mUwFTBThOX-a2VDnS9MgMRa-F7hcT_sujH3jYfNZIzCd6XZ/s1600/IMG_5827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8XaULohf-rC8WzPCYpk1OVhTFXUDqjwmERBY9_U1uERrkVB1sStEAYUCZ5am0pB3BIOExr02g0m978JHf1FIeoOjWOxY7mUwFTBThOX-a2VDnS9MgMRa-F7hcT_sujH3jYfNZIzCd6XZ/s1600/IMG_5827.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ07Pl9Zc4x_p2k0iiC0ErBUONPIOwoCFcZyf0W6LG1IjwQs0dk3svYRFSyaIYYXgSA78PSd86QPgLoAf7U7buFOWCXtCiWvJfG3Exb_5l8Pf73MODkvyh2f9HdK10YngYRO8DLOTeaJRx/s1600/IMG_5817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ07Pl9Zc4x_p2k0iiC0ErBUONPIOwoCFcZyf0W6LG1IjwQs0dk3svYRFSyaIYYXgSA78PSd86QPgLoAf7U7buFOWCXtCiWvJfG3Exb_5l8Pf73MODkvyh2f9HdK10YngYRO8DLOTeaJRx/s1600/IMG_5817.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After it was all said and done, this sofa cost me FAR less than it would have to just go out and buy something like it. I know this is not everyone's style. It's funky. It's bold. It's metallic and velvet. I love it. In my book, uniqueness always wins and if you get bring a vintage piece back to life, double win!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
XOXO, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mrs. B</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-7822775727673615572014-10-23T22:36:00.003-04:002014-10-23T22:52:17.663-04:00Vintage Lamp Revamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhab761TbjMfAP9AbBEyFpoo_WleNv6JcOMizQmhmrvFmZ2yoyYQ9k934t-Iqv2dl-LdaeBn-tUVIFvMdD9HwSV6AF0qoMXsMbF9FbmszU9FJLPgvXE1vZGdxqhazOo6uxHlfJXYUlcMboa/s1600/IMG_5561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhab761TbjMfAP9AbBEyFpoo_WleNv6JcOMizQmhmrvFmZ2yoyYQ9k934t-Iqv2dl-LdaeBn-tUVIFvMdD9HwSV6AF0qoMXsMbF9FbmszU9FJLPgvXE1vZGdxqhazOo6uxHlfJXYUlcMboa/s1600/IMG_5561.JPG" height="640" width="380" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm baaaaaack! Wow, it's been a long time since I last blogged and I really have no excuse. Ok, I might have a small excuse. We sold our D.C. house back in August and while we looked for a new home, moved to the Virginia countryside with my parents. You would think that being away from the madness of the city and having my mom to help with the wee babe would prompt me to really ratchet up my craftiness but it's kind of had the opposite effect. It's not that I haven't been doing any projects, it's just that I've had zero interest in documenting them. It's been a long couple months with a lot going on. My parents bought an old farmhouse that needs loads of work and Mr. B and I have been getting our fill of stacking wood, clearing brush, painting walls, sanding floors and yard sales but the house is coming along day by day. Between the fixer upper and my not so little baby girl (she's already ONE!!!) keeping me oh so busy, I've found myself not wanting to blog. I guess I've felt in limbo, waiting to know where we are going to land before "taking on" anything new to write about. It's been a sweet time spent with family and I'm thankful for it but all good things must come to an end and it has, which can only mean one thing... WE FOUND A HOUSE! YAAAAAAY! A lovely four bedroom, 3.5 bath, open kitchen with a wall of windows and a great backyard HOUSE!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ohhhhh, I am so excited! We've already closed on the property but don't take possession for another four days. I would say these are going to be the longest four days EVER, but, then again, I've experienced watching the clock tick for 12 anxious days past my due date. Four days are nothing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Having a new home on the horizon has gotten me out of my little funk and I've been excitedly lining up new post ideas. One of the HUGE advantages of living in the country again has been the steals on Craigslist and in thrift stores. You can find all kinds of goodies without the jacked up city prices. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This brings us to today's post! A few weeks back, my mom and I were checking out a picker's warehouse (oh, the joy!) and I noticed a quirky lamp tucked back in a corner. It was dirty. It was rusty. It was patina-ed. It was perfect. The base has this gorgeous chartreuse glass globe with a nightlight in it and when the warehouse owner dared the cobwebs and plugged it in, both lights worked. I took it home for $20! (insert winky-face emoji)</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3CtB3cOQZhaUUxjbaYrXfiLBYFOGYpzYcU9Zfaw3D9Asb3QJTOfiLoXuhjQo7L5croviOeh6lH-d2hwkEQx2QpNuTg2c6W9uEg2KRxrWZX1_kyRUIedG-1SQOAIhO88f5EB7CclA_u2E/s1600/IMG_5562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3CtB3cOQZhaUUxjbaYrXfiLBYFOGYpzYcU9Zfaw3D9Asb3QJTOfiLoXuhjQo7L5croviOeh6lH-d2hwkEQx2QpNuTg2c6W9uEg2KRxrWZX1_kyRUIedG-1SQOAIhO88f5EB7CclA_u2E/s1600/IMG_5562.JPG" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc53KodyC3uH3_crYCwiUS9uZb3q_yHltDJCFqGHLxXcQeuABidaSopieBBetFdDOFFYdHs_V-y6IV3ZQoOR3K4HJd-Qycuj3cQALzIhscOHhm0k0n8QnfYrb0Qrssoqyv4IJLASdscU3/s1600/IMG_5563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc53KodyC3uH3_crYCwiUS9uZb3q_yHltDJCFqGHLxXcQeuABidaSopieBBetFdDOFFYdHs_V-y6IV3ZQoOR3K4HJd-Qycuj3cQALzIhscOHhm0k0n8QnfYrb0Qrssoqyv4IJLASdscU3/s1600/IMG_5563.JPG" height="640" width="362" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVBno8XRfVm2psx9c4UzeXv79pzow3Y47nBKncf1zAQq4or8yPnLpxbCoW_OAc1xWBy4DMXhlVm5bP92E5YS9k2eNXqMY9Jg8_J4vpI8grwaMWfiWAEtNJy0XxMrk9_mpIs7vWczk559x/s1600/IMG_5564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVBno8XRfVm2psx9c4UzeXv79pzow3Y47nBKncf1zAQq4or8yPnLpxbCoW_OAc1xWBy4DMXhlVm5bP92E5YS9k2eNXqMY9Jg8_J4vpI8grwaMWfiWAEtNJy0XxMrk9_mpIs7vWczk559x/s1600/IMG_5564.JPG" height="640" width="614" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I started out by disassembling the lamp to see what I had. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQo1axN-BJPnUK7Pc-KA0TKuUIr2VmEvILbdm1aka_r-yMzWbrARg1zwBCwpHiyVKB-GEyqAzSZtK9H0mD44p_-_jPjB4ij27SgYuJw3n9e27gTMuh2oObthlbJPAOu1svtLRR7kqnrMq/s1600/IMG_5565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQo1axN-BJPnUK7Pc-KA0TKuUIr2VmEvILbdm1aka_r-yMzWbrARg1zwBCwpHiyVKB-GEyqAzSZtK9H0mD44p_-_jPjB4ij27SgYuJw3n9e27gTMuh2oObthlbJPAOu1svtLRR7kqnrMq/s1600/IMG_5565.JPG" height="378" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oy, it was a dirty, rusty mess. Inside the old socket, I found a dried out and thankfully dead, spiders' nest. Complete with baby spider skeletons. I might have screamed a little. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW8hp0Iu9BthfRl53IZHJbST02dUK9BotOQ25h4gxSyyc6614oyznXzTnUR_t_9ix7RmbCjpVI0Jt9Lgoc6Y8TrAX26qA0bSe_7wo7SkYAOwzO82g8Jcr6PrQX0f2klqvAitzvyZ_-c8d/s1600/IMG_5566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW8hp0Iu9BthfRl53IZHJbST02dUK9BotOQ25h4gxSyyc6614oyznXzTnUR_t_9ix7RmbCjpVI0Jt9Lgoc6Y8TrAX26qA0bSe_7wo7SkYAOwzO82g8Jcr6PrQX0f2klqvAitzvyZ_-c8d/s1600/IMG_5566.JPG" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have to admit, the thought of rewiring a lamp intimidated me but the thought of my new house burning to the ground was enough motivation for me to give it a try. I bought a rewiring kit on Amazon for about $10. The instructions in the kit are pretty straightforward but unfortunately, my double light lamp would not be so easy. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96TUx8W18HDTmwA4x1nI9ZtnCS5glTIg3oWvDHPZ7nguLGTF7tLYijywUKbej20X2xmq31lkNBvZ4cKZnToFkphZ2977CoGHqM7VJ5O8H7yPSrRjNaLSh6di6pFe7VwLwVh3mgYOD93ob/s1600/IMG_5567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96TUx8W18HDTmwA4x1nI9ZtnCS5glTIg3oWvDHPZ7nguLGTF7tLYijywUKbej20X2xmq31lkNBvZ4cKZnToFkphZ2977CoGHqM7VJ5O8H7yPSrRjNaLSh6di6pFe7VwLwVh3mgYOD93ob/s1600/IMG_5567.JPG" height="640" width="488" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The wires for the nightlight weren't long enough to fit on the new socket once I had cut them from the old one, so I needed to splice them to a new piece of wire. Cue helpful father to calm the nerves and explain how to splice... it's easy just strip the wires, twist the old and new together, and wrap it in electrical tape. Voila! Spliced wires.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ww2lhR_6B3ndaXaV3EF2V_8aXhvUJSth-6UDve_oJczQvu32PDCBqQoylTdvhwwCg366qk6eSvhPWfbvmXs1svG6xYhAq7zvSXlSOBRX2CWEJbkXWxx1ls-dc7YPv5xJZvLLwpYjVSy0/s1600/IMG_5569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ww2lhR_6B3ndaXaV3EF2V_8aXhvUJSth-6UDve_oJczQvu32PDCBqQoylTdvhwwCg366qk6eSvhPWfbvmXs1svG6xYhAq7zvSXlSOBRX2CWEJbkXWxx1ls-dc7YPv5xJZvLLwpYjVSy0/s1600/IMG_5569.JPG" height="558" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't mind the rustiness, this picture was taken before I finished "finishing" it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And when splicing makes your wires too thick to thread through the opening, unsplice and add one of these thingys. You crimp it onto the wire and it fits right into the socket screw! Pretty easy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kt3DOTxU2NedQIxG0-UrMk0aE0H9FYGxGiNFQGCH-FrgqGseRIXsSrGpnJqZpapUxb1Y69-AlAIRrhG8U1X0tTpByu072rvpDyU3JR8VcqBrvt5BJwMlu0ZS5B9GwGvkqIN4zKM_ZlqT/s1600/IMG_5570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kt3DOTxU2NedQIxG0-UrMk0aE0H9FYGxGiNFQGCH-FrgqGseRIXsSrGpnJqZpapUxb1Y69-AlAIRrhG8U1X0tTpByu072rvpDyU3JR8VcqBrvt5BJwMlu0ZS5B9GwGvkqIN4zKM_ZlqT/s1600/IMG_5570.JPG" height="640" width="564" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then put your lamp back together and plug it in! AND TRIP THE BREAKER AND MAKE SPARKS!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcdtfLWBWs5QTvMEYv3qW_rrRt1X8zn7m4SjQwWBZqwWGopol_bh4Idy5cXdNqCWmfEP3BZix0_YA9VM7QFUmBAUs9_k6KuGeb9M6aig3U6yQdBO9ZU9ZprdjVNgV8B8ioRI1hLG8dGD2/s1600/IMG_5571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcdtfLWBWs5QTvMEYv3qW_rrRt1X8zn7m4SjQwWBZqwWGopol_bh4Idy5cXdNqCWmfEP3BZix0_YA9VM7QFUmBAUs9_k6KuGeb9M6aig3U6yQdBO9ZU9ZprdjVNgV8B8ioRI1hLG8dGD2/s1600/IMG_5571.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Uh, yeah, turns out I didn't have the right socket for this lamp. I needed a three way lamp socket to account for the nightlight. The other one left a wire touching metal... if you didn't know, that's a no-no when it comes to electricity. Once I bought the correct socket and re-installed the wires and it worked like a charm! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDxE8KToiw-J7InMCcj1z_iYGQTSAidUiVSvDreT-UgLSb_AjiNqHQnuVYy83c97NaEo5SU5TdMq63frylj9pEwUQWQl6PHG3QHoy-NDxQDsqBVaO0cddNljmp6seg9LHzmkYtzW8mYRh/s1600/IMG_5578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDxE8KToiw-J7InMCcj1z_iYGQTSAidUiVSvDreT-UgLSb_AjiNqHQnuVYy83c97NaEo5SU5TdMq63frylj9pEwUQWQl6PHG3QHoy-NDxQDsqBVaO0cddNljmp6seg9LHzmkYtzW8mYRh/s1600/IMG_5578.JPG" height="640" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I topped it off with a cool burlap shade I found out in the garage, a leftover of the previous owner. I think it gives the lamp a more modern/casual feel. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSPz4cuHVdE-_0GW_bDn_EgFd0feL7-iUfzOXTKeWdzRNk_uTPFpmVyB31hTqBdWCtvVYPgWr-Bx5IQWipEqCmFOsuSek2qF_erMtOyCRYRi5gNzDOv5fdpjroWRh_8ZknfB_p8v-z-Nb/s1600/IMG_5579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSPz4cuHVdE-_0GW_bDn_EgFd0feL7-iUfzOXTKeWdzRNk_uTPFpmVyB31hTqBdWCtvVYPgWr-Bx5IQWipEqCmFOsuSek2qF_erMtOyCRYRi5gNzDOv5fdpjroWRh_8ZknfB_p8v-z-Nb/s1600/IMG_5579.JPG" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMTXL7ZWWetHjZ9uSdg4FWwV6aXS9am1m_B5GTHppAhmzHevzgjcWVW8qGG4nyMLNEG6GDidWY54M3IZEgkyWCY01DBbqTWnzBxWU8CMDuhOwJP3W0flzRW3JaxfpjkBkoaJJCKit5TWu/s1600/IMG_5580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMTXL7ZWWetHjZ9uSdg4FWwV6aXS9am1m_B5GTHppAhmzHevzgjcWVW8qGG4nyMLNEG6GDidWY54M3IZEgkyWCY01DBbqTWnzBxWU8CMDuhOwJP3W0flzRW3JaxfpjkBkoaJJCKit5TWu/s1600/IMG_5580.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There you have it, a rewired, revamped lamp that I can't wait to see lit up in our new house!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
XOXO,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mrs. B</div>
<br />Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-61874086140189780282014-06-20T22:54:00.004-04:002014-06-20T22:55:41.134-04:00My Favorite Health & Beauty ProductsA few of my favorite health and beauty items:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ol>
<li>Conair Infinity Pro Spin: I've sung this tool's praises before and I'll do it again. It's the fastest way to get a salon blowout look without going to the salon. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQm8eDgkjqT-qUrY4MVHLDblpDEGk2o3BMUVd91CFDOQDy19J-oakMChex45UbtokwGkAYOFtfiwjSKjMfI2-a04W7M_SCq1novD-Dyv5ni0KmEe2_4N1cM3GN7L6_TyDTnKon2zvBZcL/s1600/Conait+Infiniti+Pro+Spin+Brush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQm8eDgkjqT-qUrY4MVHLDblpDEGk2o3BMUVd91CFDOQDy19J-oakMChex45UbtokwGkAYOFtfiwjSKjMfI2-a04W7M_SCq1novD-Dyv5ni0KmEe2_4N1cM3GN7L6_TyDTnKon2zvBZcL/s1600/Conait+Infiniti+Pro+Spin+Brush.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></li>
<li>CeraVe SA Renewing Lotion: This lotion will make your skin baby soft and packs a powerful punch for an over the counter lotion. I noticed results within 48 hours. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPozUmd2a2SHZtQJsOFQA62W8Wu51TZPF2eufvH87wlkYSVQBK9j2IdFU6drX-qfqzD-ADekSzdUUdFC85_XDPNJ4yEPm7EOZ5g_ExdfDFHOcKMZPOIvaUQ_St7H2QU8HI7C_teQby4-cB/s1600/CeraVeSARenewing_Lotion_Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPozUmd2a2SHZtQJsOFQA62W8Wu51TZPF2eufvH87wlkYSVQBK9j2IdFU6drX-qfqzD-ADekSzdUUdFC85_XDPNJ4yEPm7EOZ5g_ExdfDFHOcKMZPOIvaUQ_St7H2QU8HI7C_teQby4-cB/s1600/CeraVeSARenewing_Lotion_Large.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></li>
<li>EOS Lip Balm: The first of two lip balms that made my list. I LOVE the flavors and the shape of this chapstick. I know it sound silly, but the shape makes it super easy to find in the bottom of your purse. Any of you ladies who struggle to find things in the "abyss" will thank me! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T2CX6SOJl8G_nqEdn3KLM3VN6gvsqXvpbt-qlrPoOMsUdEZ4joA5IoUzE0cDFhJNExEMUANl1NvCY8mTLw8BuyN4CGRkNRae7R8nkpWugdnn1IL1L6w8Tmez2B8PwJS9RJxjdiSYZm0s/s1600/0089299200239_500X500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T2CX6SOJl8G_nqEdn3KLM3VN6gvsqXvpbt-qlrPoOMsUdEZ4joA5IoUzE0cDFhJNExEMUANl1NvCY8mTLw8BuyN4CGRkNRae7R8nkpWugdnn1IL1L6w8Tmez2B8PwJS9RJxjdiSYZm0s/s1600/0089299200239_500X500.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></li>
<li>L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow: This eyeshadow Does. Not. Smudge. Put it on in the morning and it's still working hard by dinner time. I love the soft, shimmery colors and inexpensive price! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnBRDPYgtw0YT1gs52fqRvDjWtlyq9Gx691ddZBdPAM5CcmrV8zwKrvzNB8xbpUO0i9pt6FSrKrHDklcg2KBrNz__O0yqOwSQW5IxUG16F2EDIODufRPkU1RtkAp2_L1CL8MecLm6MEuz/s1600/LOreal-Infallible-Eyeshadow-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnBRDPYgtw0YT1gs52fqRvDjWtlyq9Gx691ddZBdPAM5CcmrV8zwKrvzNB8xbpUO0i9pt6FSrKrHDklcg2KBrNz__O0yqOwSQW5IxUG16F2EDIODufRPkU1RtkAp2_L1CL8MecLm6MEuz/s1600/LOreal-Infallible-Eyeshadow-4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Trader Joe's Lavender Sea Salt Scrub: Summer is hard on your skin but this is the perfect exfoliant to leave it smooth and moisturized. The fragrance is divine, as well!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVFC1n-O_qGh4B5Dld6MVFogrt9tfaORSxfjFqQOYD05v221hq43lD7KeBIDv3txqWLyaBVgf56x7fj77pCpPSXhh9Pd80FQBELHTYv4CqqmgdkQiNBrwMB-o5L2O8LSLb3pEMyqCQQBk/s1600/Scrub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVFC1n-O_qGh4B5Dld6MVFogrt9tfaORSxfjFqQOYD05v221hq43lD7KeBIDv3txqWLyaBVgf56x7fj77pCpPSXhh9Pd80FQBELHTYv4CqqmgdkQiNBrwMB-o5L2O8LSLb3pEMyqCQQBk/s1600/Scrub.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>Mega Foods Blood Builders : These pretty much saved me during pregnancy. I was very anemic and I could take SIX of them a day, even on an empty stomach, and they never made me sick. I totally give them credit for boosting my energy levels and I still take two a day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYAe1I8_MRlGKhuJO7Qt8tW6mFer1KhOJOylFQzzA_e4hyZWtIEWQKUmXSB8pnnBlrTQwsoMBLdU1P6tnleO2ZmPw05Rl-ojEClrwxBIoilNP-JGiOWL4xtpQwFV3h-UJLrVZEjVLDjWy/s1600/MegaFood-DailyFoods-Blood-Builder-051494101957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYAe1I8_MRlGKhuJO7Qt8tW6mFer1KhOJOylFQzzA_e4hyZWtIEWQKUmXSB8pnnBlrTQwsoMBLdU1P6tnleO2ZmPw05Rl-ojEClrwxBIoilNP-JGiOWL4xtpQwFV3h-UJLrVZEjVLDjWy/s1600/MegaFood-DailyFoods-Blood-Builder-051494101957.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></li>
<li>Cala Silky Glide Pro Callus Remover: My feet have never felt smoother! Bonus, and this is totally gross, it has a plastic guard underneath to catch all the dead skin it files off! Prepare to be amazed at how much skin will come off your feet... omgosh that is so nasty.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaY0tr0x0UzPS6YDxTFPM9IS6Vxl0siptmDkcY_bNvtfM7apeJ7z9NSUxEvUafHsxIGq-lKbEUe9cV57D6F9B7xsr0-4DMljktgzwQIeSuJObeTrQT5VLSJ0vR6aC6Q7_7Kh_iPg_cA5W/s1600/calasilkyglide__08358.1398463723.215.215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaY0tr0x0UzPS6YDxTFPM9IS6Vxl0siptmDkcY_bNvtfM7apeJ7z9NSUxEvUafHsxIGq-lKbEUe9cV57D6F9B7xsr0-4DMljktgzwQIeSuJObeTrQT5VLSJ0vR6aC6Q7_7Kh_iPg_cA5W/s1600/calasilkyglide__08358.1398463723.215.215.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></li>
<li>Turbie Twist (yes, really): I love being able to wrap my wet hair up securely and easily in this microfiber towel while I get dressed, do my makeup, or dress the babe. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpODXRqR_Hze93IL9JNPjAwG_2Nvwufq4VEeOWesatlgTANyGIgvht3DM7RTIO7KSAfrJbBS45nIlMEo6xd1-ok-7A06lI4oUR2GlH87Iu7rGtRXpRW_92J7lXSF_vKR9e6OEbJwuTqhVu/s1600/TurbieTwist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpODXRqR_Hze93IL9JNPjAwG_2Nvwufq4VEeOWesatlgTANyGIgvht3DM7RTIO7KSAfrJbBS45nIlMEo6xd1-ok-7A06lI4oUR2GlH87Iu7rGtRXpRW_92J7lXSF_vKR9e6OEbJwuTqhVu/s1600/TurbieTwist.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></a></li>
<li>Coola Peppermint +<span style="text-align: center;">Vanilla Lip Gloss: The second lip balm to make my list, my lips have never felt so smooth! It's 100% natural, has UV protection, is organic and smells incredible. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXCPbIOnvkgsOQqMKEnTCNwVHH3A0jbFF6MWjDl9eXOs8mdnFwPMeWmDGO-c4jMtEEvYXmVyyOpIHh16upNs_dwhhJWJMwh9tQz3st5g6f4fe00HdkIS3SVhRpOdkm0pC0fPAZwwDnl3y/s1600/LipLuxSPF15_VanillaPeppermint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXCPbIOnvkgsOQqMKEnTCNwVHH3A0jbFF6MWjDl9eXOs8mdnFwPMeWmDGO-c4jMtEEvYXmVyyOpIHh16upNs_dwhhJWJMwh9tQz3st5g6f4fe00HdkIS3SVhRpOdkm0pC0fPAZwwDnl3y/s1600/LipLuxSPF15_VanillaPeppermint.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></li>
<li>Trader Joe's Speculoo's Cookie Butter: This has absolutely NOTHING to do with health or beauty but I just discovered it and decided that it needed to be on a list IMMEDIATELY!!! It ranks right up there with Nutella and if you put it on your pancakes, you will never be the same.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaCUzvctXbP1objiq4o6lqkyA8DrtU1XpQ5vOxgtsr3ntilR3yDHHVQph2DHLCV0tq8NIHZ95TfQVBieHkO6ZFZNsjwZMR-ULaFwl2xY4TIfh3xQFwE_dwaaY2tlMLxB0CQpr_SUo3EG2/s1600/Trader-Joes-Cookie-Butter-400x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaCUzvctXbP1objiq4o6lqkyA8DrtU1XpQ5vOxgtsr3ntilR3yDHHVQph2DHLCV0tq8NIHZ95TfQVBieHkO6ZFZNsjwZMR-ULaFwl2xY4TIfh3xQFwE_dwaaY2tlMLxB0CQpr_SUo3EG2/s1600/Trader-Joes-Cookie-Butter-400x300.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></li>
</ol>
<div>
Hope you enjoyed my little list! Let me know if you try any of these out and what you think.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
XOXO,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mrs. B</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-29669325941394315662014-06-11T21:20:00.001-04:002014-06-11T21:35:09.692-04:00Thai Pizza with Peanut SauceYesterday, I posted a picture of my dinner on my Instagram account (Hey! Follow <a href="http://instagram.com/mrsbtakeson" target="_blank">ME!!!</a> ) and one of my friends requested that I blog the recipe, so here goes!<br />
<br />
Dinner time was fast approaching and I was at a loss for ideas. So, I started digging around in my freezer and found some Trader Joe's pizza dough, ground beef and mangos. That was enough to give me an "Ah-ha" moment and a delicious dinner was born!<br />
<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
<br />
For the Pizza:<br />
<br />
- Pizza Dough (I like TJ's!)<br />
- 1 lb Ground Beef<br />
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheese (I used cheddar)<br />
- 1/2 Cup Cilantro<br />
- 1/2 Cup Scallions (add these after you cook)<br />
- 1/2 Cup Chopped Onion<br />
- 1 Cup Chopped Mango (if frozen, thaw in hot water for 10 mins)<br />
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Carrots (I didn't have any but if I had, they would have been on there!)<br />
<br />
For the Sauce (measurements are a guess, I just tossed things in until I got the right consistency and flavor, so feel free to change the amounts to suit you):<br />
<br />
- 3/4 Cup Peanut Butter<br />
- 1/4 Cup Sesame Oil<br />
- 3 Tbsp Rice Vinegar<br />
- 2-3 Tbsp Oyster Sauce<br />
- 1 Tbsp Crushed Garlic<br />
- 2 Tbsp Fig Jam (or honey, or agave)<br />
- A Pinch of Chopped Kaffir Lime Leaves (if you don't have these, don't stress)<br />
- Sriracha to Taste<br />
- Salt to Taste<br />
<br />
Follow the crust directions, mix up the sauce ingredients, cook the burger in a little sesame oil, slap it all together and then comment below to let me know how you liked it!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsKlDRd7O6m2pAzY_KJo6ywb7MhoCVqwN0KCFvvjBn5xeBicgV19PeGtaYrySb7m8YtV0Rn7PddfrrGnKEksFA1LtnwKwD3BwLHEu2UtqVshyfAhNTvRVJD30xTg5Za1-08UAu0N280N0/s640/blogger-image--51475511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsKlDRd7O6m2pAzY_KJo6ywb7MhoCVqwN0KCFvvjBn5xeBicgV19PeGtaYrySb7m8YtV0Rn7PddfrrGnKEksFA1LtnwKwD3BwLHEu2UtqVshyfAhNTvRVJD30xTg5Za1-08UAu0N280N0/s640/blogger-image--51475511.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2q4sU7qeFRVjfb-zmzf6d21mDmwcTqkOQeSYxgDSRTh7ik_jcwCeu3y-ro7ga-Ch9QxETL_2rcDj0zM-12kUGD9qCz3gBQ0P1o3voLhWtqTB0U8c4ZvJqgnjIOUZqu-gwHOvFkavawff/s640/blogger-image--781998553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2q4sU7qeFRVjfb-zmzf6d21mDmwcTqkOQeSYxgDSRTh7ik_jcwCeu3y-ro7ga-Ch9QxETL_2rcDj0zM-12kUGD9qCz3gBQ0P1o3voLhWtqTB0U8c4ZvJqgnjIOUZqu-gwHOvFkavawff/s640/blogger-image--781998553.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mr. B wanted me to tell you all "This is the best pizza he's ever had." Now, that's saying something!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
XOXO,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mrs. B</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-62261412285380017512014-06-09T10:47:00.002-04:002014-06-09T10:47:48.656-04:00Sleep Training: UpdateIt's been a little over a month since my last sleep training post and I thought I'd let you all know how it's been going.<br />
<br />
When I last left you, G had been doing pretty well with the CIO method but still waking up pretty early and then going back to sleep. Well, I am HAPPY to report that within a week of my last post, she began sleeping the WHOLE night through! She now goes to sleep between 7 and 8pm and wakes up around 7am! Every. Single. Night. We even went on vacation about three weeks in and she stayed with my parents. I was worried, to say the least, that being in another environment and away from us would throw her off schedule and we would be back to square one but nope, she never skipped a beat! My parents were amazed at how easy it was to put her to sleep and the four nights they spent with her were a breeze.<br />
<br />
It's been so great to get uninterrupted sleep, again. I'm happier and feeling much more rested and G is benefitting from the long sleep stretches too.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7kjFcvelIplNKyKvZ1lhDseN3KZf9Ieu4h__V6Q2UC-qC9AA7h6-5lLJ3-tsOYyfYRj-7nO8qOt3BJQqdx1bFeAEseHPOX6tekuUcDclImhjhECqc7Z7brXEaPc_uIy_2jsF9tyOk1ny/s640/blogger-image--805179942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7kjFcvelIplNKyKvZ1lhDseN3KZf9Ieu4h__V6Q2UC-qC9AA7h6-5lLJ3-tsOYyfYRj-7nO8qOt3BJQqdx1bFeAEseHPOX6tekuUcDclImhjhECqc7Z7brXEaPc_uIy_2jsF9tyOk1ny/s640/blogger-image--805179942.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I know there is a lot of controversy surrounding CIO and Dr. Ferber's method but I am 100% sold! She sleeps so well now, I wish I would have thought to implement it earlier. I know that every baby (and mom) is different and it's not the right solution for everyone but if you're tired of being tired, it's definitely worth trying!<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. B</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-69284850860517529322014-05-02T12:20:00.001-04:002014-05-02T12:20:56.499-04:00Sleep Training: Night 3Ok, so, this will be my last nightly update on the sleep training progress. I realized yesterday that I didn't have a clear idea of how long I wanted to do the breakdowns of baby girl's progress and three posts is probably more than enough. I'll circle back in a couple weeks and let you all know how things turned out.<br />
<br />
Sleep training: Night 3<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>7:30pm: Lil Bug racked out a little earlier than usual but it made sense because we ran around all day and she had to catch her naps in the carseat between errands. (This is the ONLY time I am thankful for DC traffic)</li>
<li>10:15pm: She woke up and fussed around, so I set the timer (10 minutes for night 3). She was back asleep on her own by about 7 minutes. </li>
<li>2:30am: I woke up and looked at the monitor. She was sitting cross-legged in the crib quietly examining her pacifiers... for some reason, I find this slightly creepy. Apparently, she found the right one, laid down and was back asleep in a few minutes. ***Side Note*** She has never been able to push herself into a seated position from lying down. Who knows what else she's been doing when she thinks no one is watching!</li>
<li>5:35am: She wakes up and is ready for breakfast. Since I hadn't nursed for close to 10 hours, I was beyond ready to accommodate her, YOWZA!!! She eats for about 20 minutes and is ready for sleep again.</li>
<li>8:00am: Happy baby girl, ready to start the day!</li>
</ul>
<div>
I should mention a couple things that I forgot to in my previous sleep training posts. First of all, Grace has been doing a form of CIO for quite awhile now, I just didn't realize it. I've been putting her down in her crib while she's still awake for months. Apparently, that's a huge part of the process and one that causes parents mucho grief. Ferber mentions that if you are already doing that, eliminating middle of the night wake ups will be relatively simple. If I'd have known just HOW simple, I would have started it a long time ago! The other thing, is that I would normally bring her to bed with us in the early morning, i.e. 4:00am and on. He says that this is a no-no as you want your little one to associate one place with sleep. This makes me kind of sad because I love cuddling with her but if it means a solid night's sleep, we'll figure out another way to get our cuddle time in!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm kind of astonished at how well this process is working, so far. I expected to have at least a few nights of the up and down crying bouts. So, if you have been thinking about trying the method but were hesitant because you weren't sure if you could handle it, I would say try it! Of course, not every child is going to respond the same way but you never know, you might be three nights away from 10 uninterrupted hours of sleep!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
XOXO,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mrs. B</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-69557726193407072312014-05-01T15:48:00.002-04:002014-05-01T15:48:38.617-04:00Sleep Training: Night 2Sleep training with the Ferber Method started two nights ago. You can read about night one <a href="http://mrsbtakeson.blogspot.com/2014/04/sleep-training-night-1.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
Here's my rundown of Night 2:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>4:00pm: Wake up from the second two hour nap of the day. <i>Must be nice, huh?</i></li>
<li>7:30pm: Start bedtime routine, bath, story, nurse, crib.</li>
<li>8:15pm: Baby girl enters Land of Nod.</li>
<li>9:00pm: I crawl into bed, still feeling the effects of the previous night's cryfest. </li>
<li>10:00pm: I look at monitor, sure she will be awake any minute.</li>
<li>10:15pm: I look at monitor, sure she will be awake any minute.</li>
<li>10:30pm - 11:45pm: I look at monitor, sure she will be awake any minute. </li>
<li>12:00am: I finally drift off, certain I will be rudely awakened the second I am in deep sleep.</li>
<li>4:35am: I am not-so-rudely awakened by a small "mom, can you come get me, please?" cry.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Did you read that? 4:35am!!! She slept almost SEVEN hours straight!!!</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>5:00am: Nursed, changed and back in her crib, she's asleep before I'm back in bed.</li>
<li>7:30am: "GOOOOOD MORNING, Mommy!"</li>
</ul>
<div>
This is either beginner's luck or I have been putting myself through MONTHS of needless wakeups!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stay tuned...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
XOXO, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mrs. B</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-27358804471039945492014-04-30T12:02:00.002-04:002014-05-01T15:48:13.582-04:00Sleep Training: Night 1G has always been a great sleeper. She started sleeping in her nursery at three weeks old, was sleeping six to eight hour stretches by four months and went down for her naps without much of a fight. I was pretty sure my baby was perfect.<br />
<br />
I didn't really notice that her night wakings/feedings were increasing until about two months ago but I chalked it up to a growth spurt or some other temporary thing. It wasn't until a few weeks back that realized just how out of whack things had gotten. She'd go down around 8:00pm with no problem, maybe 10-15 minutes of squawking, tops, but then she would be up again somewhere around midnight, then 2:00am, and again around 5:00am, before she was finally up for the day around 7/8:00am. It was definitely a gradual regression because had I realized I was getting up three to four times a night consistently for two months I would have done something sooner! Here's the thing, when you're tired, your mind doesn't process the same and I am definitely TIRED these days!<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br />
<br />
I started researching different methods and reading what has worked for other moms. I reread a blog from my girlfriend in PA who went through the wringer with her little guy (she's hilarious, read about her experience <a href="http://benditlikebecker.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/the-attached-parents-guide-to-crying-it-out/" target="_blank">HERE</a> ). I kept coming back to the Ferber Method aka Cry it Out (CIO). I have to admit, like most loving moms, I was hesitant to try a method that seemed to encourage crying but I also trust my mommy friends who have used it with much success and sing its praises. A lot of the message boards warned about trying the method without reading the book and getting all the facts, which sounds like some solid advice so I ordered the book.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FXTujOV0L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FXTujOV0L.jpg" height="400" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was delivered yesterday and I dove in. One thing I appreciated immediately is the chart showing an infant's sleep cycle and when in it that cycle they typically wake up. The chart also shows you what chapters relate to your specific sleep issues! GENIUS. I suppose they knew that groggy mamas and daddies don't have the mental capacity to read through the chapter index like the rest of society. Our problem is not falling asleep initially but being able to return to sleep when she wakes up after a sleep cycle and also, a dependency on the boob for late night snacks. See chapters 4-6. Perfect! Here we go.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I began reading after I put her down for her evening nap (4:30ish) and immediately came across my first mistake. No naps after 4:00pm! I got her out of the crib and brought her down for some playtime. I fed her a BIG dinner since one of my concerns is that she's waking up hungry and not just out of habit. Then we did our nighttime routine, bath, story, nurse, crib. Dr. Ferber also suggests keeping your wee babe up a little later than normal to help them sack out hard. She was out like a light in 5 minutes. <i>So far, so good. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
11:00pm: She fussed and cried for a bit but went back to sleep without me needing to go in and comfort her. <i>Piece of cake</i>. I even started to think she might just sleep through the night on her own. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
12:45am: It begins. She started really crying and was fully awake, so I went in to comfort her and begin the separation intervals (3, 5, & 10 minutes). She lasted until the 10 minute interval then drifted off. <i>She is the perfect child, this is SO easy.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1:15am: What's that I hear? She's crying harder than before... screaming, if you will. <i>No, baby go back to sleep! You are perfect, remember???</i> Start the intervals over. She falls back asleep by the 10 minute one, again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1:40am: And we're crying again. <i>Is this going to work? She's starving to death! I need to hold her! I am the worst mother alive!! She's going to hate me. Why am I doing this to my sweet baby??</i> She's asleep by the 5 minute interval this time. <i>Progress!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had predetermined that I was going to feed her at 2:00am, unless, of course, she had already trained herself and was sleeping soundly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2:05am: MOOOOMMMMMMYYYYYYY, I NEEEEEEEEEEEED YOOOOUUUU!!!! (Loose translation). I pick her up, nurse her for a shorter period of time than usual and put her back in the crib while still awake. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2:25am: The child slumbers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2:30am: The mother slumbers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>8:20am: I wake up and realize it's 8:20am (cue happy dance)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
8:25am: I peek in to find baby girl starting to stir. She's happy to see me and we get up to start the day feeling relatively rested and dare I say, optimistic about tonight!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I put her down at 10:20am for her morning nap, it's 11:50am as I'm writing, and she's still out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The goal tonight is to increase the length of the intervals for checking on her and to delay nursing half an hour. I'll be writing again tomorrow with the results! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Please say a prayer for my sanity, if you get a chance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
XOXO, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mrs. B</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-13098058214255633442014-04-12T14:55:00.001-04:002014-04-12T14:55:42.530-04:00The Cherry Blossoms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Turns out that having a baby means there's pretty much no time (read energy) to do awesome craft projects for blogging, hence, the lack of posts this year. So, to at least get an entry in the books this spring, here's a bunch of photos from our trip down to the Tidal Basin to see the famed cherry blossoms! It was a stunning spring day and even though the crowds were annoying, it was worth it to take lil G down for the photo ops. Enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gGIwhtECW-As8WANCuhJc7bh44dLm7hlnboqwcsVggeyuFZ62uRXBcPctkQ5nOCY37WKYJVkDsjJ0UU9yn4LbTtmtrrojehhYTcQHZAc8VScQJN-mt-K1NXbEyAKucY5X2a4MZ38WBQ8/s1600/IMG_5234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gGIwhtECW-As8WANCuhJc7bh44dLm7hlnboqwcsVggeyuFZ62uRXBcPctkQ5nOCY37WKYJVkDsjJ0UU9yn4LbTtmtrrojehhYTcQHZAc8VScQJN-mt-K1NXbEyAKucY5X2a4MZ38WBQ8/s1600/IMG_5234.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for the big outing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtFwV1MjH44XrinXvvYq8-TsOLAwhCvGD13HNXSagsinPT_OdnIptixDI3Oo2_chksYZvuqBYl9Jxm6fXcz8Rix5k-UZYzdxbDm1pxzmFJ2Kbye9guoIASnA0H9dvhegrp19LsGmPl734/s1600/IMG_5239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtFwV1MjH44XrinXvvYq8-TsOLAwhCvGD13HNXSagsinPT_OdnIptixDI3Oo2_chksYZvuqBYl9Jxm6fXcz8Rix5k-UZYzdxbDm1pxzmFJ2Kbye9guoIASnA0H9dvhegrp19LsGmPl734/s1600/IMG_5239.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81RZcCFOi4sLrT9ZeIINdNsVO0u6EwSANFSFDmDz2-1ZGEzxOpAqCy8QDeKMoSM3FW8Hry3skcLhQi2QXOjkHPMcshbhLXaHuK2-RODLzDXQtkxyqr7cdYIL0E7RwewsGOy9LtFAt6ggS/s1600/IMG_5240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81RZcCFOi4sLrT9ZeIINdNsVO0u6EwSANFSFDmDz2-1ZGEzxOpAqCy8QDeKMoSM3FW8Hry3skcLhQi2QXOjkHPMcshbhLXaHuK2-RODLzDXQtkxyqr7cdYIL0E7RwewsGOy9LtFAt6ggS/s1600/IMG_5240.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Jefferson Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLbj5qOPqrkyTftCqwIpPljFylI3M8HvPEntX5DNpJkxifuQfyx3B4oXwrWGC6AzUd5coFh2jIQzSLBxpmk5Uusgfjwsyc54CwTxe1DCfLmhzhVswjDw3cy9xIit2uuTJzHSCyqZvB2tN/s1600/IMG_5241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLbj5qOPqrkyTftCqwIpPljFylI3M8HvPEntX5DNpJkxifuQfyx3B4oXwrWGC6AzUd5coFh2jIQzSLBxpmk5Uusgfjwsyc54CwTxe1DCfLmhzhVswjDw3cy9xIit2uuTJzHSCyqZvB2tN/s1600/IMG_5241.JPG" height="194" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSxUDKgeDGIV_nen1cw-LReX_BM03gmwTtenI6CEE3zsYz_qlW5ggosmxHsgwErIff0x7TKj4FN9ps1Jqvepeb4YpaHBeOUiQPHVMJVTjufs8jsgtUtAIaXupiYCKVe9UiOCKq-_e3Gim/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSxUDKgeDGIV_nen1cw-LReX_BM03gmwTtenI6CEE3zsYz_qlW5ggosmxHsgwErIff0x7TKj4FN9ps1Jqvepeb4YpaHBeOUiQPHVMJVTjufs8jsgtUtAIaXupiYCKVe9UiOCKq-_e3Gim/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWshx9bQ8cSj4XeznP3haErG4PzU1AQw9-mCdhne6mQsUJ6ZIRkPr3SxfqBfFeFfqhhquj06KSSzoSircMq1LAkvZqc7J2tU6SH3GDOq_aTNOB536HsOWXC6kb6SWwbIhratThcZ1lu0e/s1600/IMG_5246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWshx9bQ8cSj4XeznP3haErG4PzU1AQw9-mCdhne6mQsUJ6ZIRkPr3SxfqBfFeFfqhhquj06KSSzoSircMq1LAkvZqc7J2tU6SH3GDOq_aTNOB536HsOWXC6kb6SWwbIhratThcZ1lu0e/s1600/IMG_5246.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really enjoying the sites.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOulIkoEgNf_QPJs1IhSR17gnCbJrZ58B_5htxM1w_f84OE9Vwm6mFA2KMBKML4Y1Z0xL-8dUJKcuepL8NJSnx9IXQgzTkL6UaL9X_vMOXQTwoeBnc7U8WXxNIytUVlv2eEE5Oci1g6_g/s1600/IMG_5250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOulIkoEgNf_QPJs1IhSR17gnCbJrZ58B_5htxM1w_f84OE9Vwm6mFA2KMBKML4Y1Z0xL-8dUJKcuepL8NJSnx9IXQgzTkL6UaL9X_vMOXQTwoeBnc7U8WXxNIytUVlv2eEE5Oci1g6_g/s1600/IMG_5250.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fam!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g3DfwSMyiR6_i8bAcBwIsZNKW3O5iBwLChVqmjjmdSUm0XPUsiQIKaHsKnlo868_noNUaqMgauHmfwYiWYZ9hphhP6Z4ktQ5w8QK8WxrfyOt3g_KlAl-aW-3NLZAt-r6POqIu1-SIkKA/s1600/IMG_5251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g3DfwSMyiR6_i8bAcBwIsZNKW3O5iBwLChVqmjjmdSUm0XPUsiQIKaHsKnlo868_noNUaqMgauHmfwYiWYZ9hphhP6Z4ktQ5w8QK8WxrfyOt3g_KlAl-aW-3NLZAt-r6POqIu1-SIkKA/s1600/IMG_5251.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3_tChsg7Pw4xb1teyeOKx_BYFCel3uLS_UEDkfqt2y30JNST0gWVtXMhFRPHEPaji9gO-lMz8CJFnIW8x3iuWAqKpLM4Fnr5_uQ2wjv8qhUwfTg1zGE5680-BZ10ILm0q0DaBCWHslU7/s1600/IMG_5253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3_tChsg7Pw4xb1teyeOKx_BYFCel3uLS_UEDkfqt2y30JNST0gWVtXMhFRPHEPaji9gO-lMz8CJFnIW8x3iuWAqKpLM4Fnr5_uQ2wjv8qhUwfTg1zGE5680-BZ10ILm0q0DaBCWHslU7/s1600/IMG_5253.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHX35Jknzlj87mQBBtfL7x19ARXHYGWOadEIK9rOlzNL3SAo7wR6m7b0HGt8uFoAeT14HOXSmDjtENF6hTaoVDk8EceCt7JeTqMflF8jJJaubeEMv0A0_A9t_DlEO8PADovKCb1pE6F7pF/s1600/IMG_5255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHX35Jknzlj87mQBBtfL7x19ARXHYGWOadEIK9rOlzNL3SAo7wR6m7b0HGt8uFoAeT14HOXSmDjtENF6hTaoVDk8EceCt7JeTqMflF8jJJaubeEMv0A0_A9t_DlEO8PADovKCb1pE6F7pF/s1600/IMG_5255.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosslyn Skyline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon53scDNgkGUbdl2tQ5CUgvGa73CViG0YVf2E_qDxiRTjzWhffBbjzW5nP1hMrhbdbHtsxUNP-Zdpz8SWSW2ydgeeD_Aes36i9JNsvr-o-J5JKzoNICDcrKe5mXuPdhGsvYyBIQRXJnVi/s1600/IMG_5264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon53scDNgkGUbdl2tQ5CUgvGa73CViG0YVf2E_qDxiRTjzWhffBbjzW5nP1hMrhbdbHtsxUNP-Zdpz8SWSW2ydgeeD_Aes36i9JNsvr-o-J5JKzoNICDcrKe5mXuPdhGsvYyBIQRXJnVi/s1600/IMG_5264.JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2kWEouXehv0xQxq0F1GaG0HPpJcyDV3UVyTOOAvp549RyZLHL_CoWb54P_uu5h_cHwB8WpXCemYzBGly4dMHnpckfeeYuTe4UEOPDNJDbbLYsXrDtwN_6H1Doy0SCJ30B1Su6Ni8-kM3/s1600/IMG_5266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2kWEouXehv0xQxq0F1GaG0HPpJcyDV3UVyTOOAvp549RyZLHL_CoWb54P_uu5h_cHwB8WpXCemYzBGly4dMHnpckfeeYuTe4UEOPDNJDbbLYsXrDtwN_6H1Doy0SCJ30B1Su6Ni8-kM3/s1600/IMG_5266.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueWDxnhfxEL1pCXRkshodK475UAioX09yGlowIIITZYw4LZKE_huLDGVB8V3UtUKWYTmsQGqB3CQ71vEZwUAZg8C5HwMuywvbym7R0E3i8PbB0kO7dUXoQqUrhJvvwZp-FksE2EiZonnJ/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueWDxnhfxEL1pCXRkshodK475UAioX09yGlowIIITZYw4LZKE_huLDGVB8V3UtUKWYTmsQGqB3CQ71vEZwUAZg8C5HwMuywvbym7R0E3i8PbB0kO7dUXoQqUrhJvvwZp-FksE2EiZonnJ/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8vMWiC0LA0oqN590X2hSOMIGysocoCAay1jl3l4Dx40sxiIzva9oWySIehDB6ApDhyphenhyphenp8yww3UXxl-p4IMM7m3vm4oVJ0VNArRo0GC_vgJsNn0YW0AYZvKgv_VKlHTotHLHPoGXwyXzt1/s1600/IMG_5272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8vMWiC0LA0oqN590X2hSOMIGysocoCAay1jl3l4Dx40sxiIzva9oWySIehDB6ApDhyphenhyphenp8yww3UXxl-p4IMM7m3vm4oVJ0VNArRo0GC_vgJsNn0YW0AYZvKgv_VKlHTotHLHPoGXwyXzt1/s1600/IMG_5272.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFNUhgQzRtxMr87s_SqxiN9U9ht3IrHSbpSRVmkYVpiK5Avn9DzpYY5VnSD6PIObw3jDIV5JKM5FYfAvb97Ifyg-VTnXVOHgLEVF3pQCuVJrKceQHC_txf-3L7fF5DqB7nKYoh6ErFKnE/s1600/IMG_5274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFNUhgQzRtxMr87s_SqxiN9U9ht3IrHSbpSRVmkYVpiK5Avn9DzpYY5VnSD6PIObw3jDIV5JKM5FYfAvb97Ifyg-VTnXVOHgLEVF3pQCuVJrKceQHC_txf-3L7fF5DqB7nKYoh6ErFKnE/s1600/IMG_5274.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbHq2Su3U2Mctnmt1ZQ57kU5Fhzcwn7YuvzEUGLTie0nUFkxylGmQZmtFmjxdTyWHH0btGNwOfjWpoyUkxyN_d1FWOtmFIvpEeT_HVqkNFJGmc6ZP2cfahNv_7KhkJM4RegTPOyVxWe6H/s1600/IMG_5282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbHq2Su3U2Mctnmt1ZQ57kU5Fhzcwn7YuvzEUGLTie0nUFkxylGmQZmtFmjxdTyWHH0btGNwOfjWpoyUkxyN_d1FWOtmFIvpEeT_HVqkNFJGmc6ZP2cfahNv_7KhkJM4RegTPOyVxWe6H/s1600/IMG_5282.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma and Papa!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQF2YoLp7HHguuuDw_AgpVWKWCi0Ld1wFs9c2I0Ae-li1trD4xxoug3ju1I78iWPxBdAR_GYcOi96_XBuSIfMpTVC8YnLT_IanCJPTuXaU4Qu7keF8TIT8EZ3mZVYEhIHaHxNVji3hYoJ/s1600/IMG_5290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQF2YoLp7HHguuuDw_AgpVWKWCi0Ld1wFs9c2I0Ae-li1trD4xxoug3ju1I78iWPxBdAR_GYcOi96_XBuSIfMpTVC8YnLT_IanCJPTuXaU4Qu7keF8TIT8EZ3mZVYEhIHaHxNVji3hYoJ/s1600/IMG_5290.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FmsWEv9ODRTR6WWgJDo9QuIXTTp_dMOnMgAf1nM-w_OJYg22x74oWVrvsKTN44GUbLiNIJuGVTg7U7lMxbvn2b0-NrqZ71V-Z-lymSkIaBeiv4Ns1mMACIVAHkx7e8uO3O4_V_MM5YAD/s1600/IMG_5292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FmsWEv9ODRTR6WWgJDo9QuIXTTp_dMOnMgAf1nM-w_OJYg22x74oWVrvsKTN44GUbLiNIJuGVTg7U7lMxbvn2b0-NrqZ71V-Z-lymSkIaBeiv4Ns1mMACIVAHkx7e8uO3O4_V_MM5YAD/s1600/IMG_5292.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty Flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. B<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-12624825672858847732014-02-20T17:28:00.000-05:002014-02-20T19:53:09.000-05:00"The Best Thing to Ever Happen to Carrots" Soufflé<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR2ZPihkDYlP8JSnvrj41h0_2F9PC3xgwQ2bRQ-siUste5ptnkBN2bSakkY_qMuolKfJnVj7CZETT8C0nsr7Jh-wXL1e7DVsEmYv6nrLzPlTyRnDUEopfAXRE-dETK4CwfCZCcqDAdVIj/s1600/IMG_5148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR2ZPihkDYlP8JSnvrj41h0_2F9PC3xgwQ2bRQ-siUste5ptnkBN2bSakkY_qMuolKfJnVj7CZETT8C0nsr7Jh-wXL1e7DVsEmYv6nrLzPlTyRnDUEopfAXRE-dETK4CwfCZCcqDAdVIj/s1600/IMG_5148.JPG" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<div>
<br></div>
A couple months back (yes, that's how long it's taken me to blog this) I was at a church dinner and happened upon an inconspicuous orange pudding/custard/souffle looking dish. I added a spoonful and continued down the buffet line. What happened next changed my life. Well, not really, but that got you interested, right? I took a bite and was met with a sweet, slightly carrot-y, melt-in-your-mouth awesomeness. It was so good, I excused myself then and there and got another helping before anyone else discovered the unassuming orange ecstasy. The next thing I did was find out who made it and got the recipe.<br>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Shout out to Mrs. J for sharing her family favorite with me so I could share it with you. See how that works? Sharing IS caring! Mrs. J simply called the dish "carrot souffle", that's nice but it doesn't quite convey how epic it tastes. I decided to re-name it something slightly less subtle: "The Best Thing to Ever Happen to Carrots" souffle. That should do it.<br>
<a name="more"></a></div>
<div>
<br>
The Best Thing to Ever Happen to Carrots Souffle </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
1 lb carrots<br>
1 stick melted butter<br>
¾ Cup sugar<br>
3 eggs well beaten<br>
1 tsp baking powder<br>
1 tsp vanilla extract<br>
2 tbsp flour </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6AL_iQo71aGXIxviROWobth0HG09kHZVpx-3M7dfiQfkBTp1DWmrSEIxANh4CUbKNYyLqv6kQtq3V_D6jqrYmzGBmDHNuUNiIWoMXdkJ0LOYIgDQ3r-zKvu6ZqtSe_lFvjZu0zvI8rJ8/s1600/IMG_5140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6AL_iQo71aGXIxviROWobth0HG09kHZVpx-3M7dfiQfkBTp1DWmrSEIxANh4CUbKNYyLqv6kQtq3V_D6jqrYmzGBmDHNuUNiIWoMXdkJ0LOYIgDQ3r-zKvu6ZqtSe_lFvjZu0zvI8rJ8/s1600/IMG_5140.JPG" height="416" width="640"></a></div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Cook (boil until soft), drain, and mash (I use my food processor) carrots.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8qs3IMzSGYWDVNi0jKJ7sKwT-_898YwSnHVp4Z1zoLNpHfENYM934tklygb2vj_RETAsiakUBMken7xR0tQ2TR1ZFmJ6oyDThEJUpfgX1ser8QsiT3zE_X4UlaJjt6U5E6iQ4aVORBEc/s1600/IMG_5141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8qs3IMzSGYWDVNi0jKJ7sKwT-_898YwSnHVp4Z1zoLNpHfENYM934tklygb2vj_RETAsiakUBMken7xR0tQ2TR1ZFmJ6oyDThEJUpfgX1ser8QsiT3zE_X4UlaJjt6U5E6iQ4aVORBEc/s1600/IMG_5141.JPG" height="496" width="640"></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Go upstairs to change the baby, get a phone call, forget that you're boiling carrots, run downstairs to discover all the water has boiled out and you were thiiiiiiis close to burning them to death!!! <b>DO NOT FOLLOW THIS STEP</b></div>
<div>
<b><br></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VXtW9QbpzHpFRZJpPygL1ExsPZPq02ndIqZ0j-IUQGTLIhEkujef724tGevumWvmXcORB0sfPKBKXy6MRR4bBd_Gvo4r9QCvm2Lh04hgoziKaho8I7x6_4IpkMp-G_NqlarlEMQMU_06/s1600/IMG_5142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VXtW9QbpzHpFRZJpPygL1ExsPZPq02ndIqZ0j-IUQGTLIhEkujef724tGevumWvmXcORB0sfPKBKXy6MRR4bBd_Gvo4r9QCvm2Lh04hgoziKaho8I7x6_4IpkMp-G_NqlarlEMQMU_06/s1600/IMG_5142.JPG" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<div>
<b><br></b></div>
<div>
Place in blender (or food processor). </div>
<div>
Pour melted butter on top and blend... I didn't melt my butter. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrPMuOmXCWy_Sz5vBdHBpMVmkQzd5maYpMYQZvw-dPZahY4cI5H5OmpQJtKNSXAThEW608jKWELNbMSFvN1p2RAZf76F06r8CN9LBZJZxIjzTKSjO4QtAQbeI6rr9bjOXTN8Iv45vXv_E/s1600/IMG_5143.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrPMuOmXCWy_Sz5vBdHBpMVmkQzd5maYpMYQZvw-dPZahY4cI5H5OmpQJtKNSXAThEW608jKWELNbMSFvN1p2RAZf76F06r8CN9LBZJZxIjzTKSjO4QtAQbeI6rr9bjOXTN8Iv45vXv_E/s1600/IMG_5143.JPG" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Add eggs (room temperature), blend. </div>
<div>
Let the carrots cool enough so when you add the eggs they don't cook. </div>
<div>
Mix dry ingredients together and then add to carrot mix. Blend well and pour into glass casserole dish.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MAPhm733Hvy_S9QGV3QIh529ZYwGy3ZGoUJPhnzJE4Sb0x61k3st9oPCO-v4-6UaaAk3HvxT8fUNjz75_bjycT9IoA3tzmWgQwmJHTZstnbIsf59zIUFskzbjcf9OWekXsDhfTjob8Qh/s1600/IMG_5145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MAPhm733Hvy_S9QGV3QIh529ZYwGy3ZGoUJPhnzJE4Sb0x61k3st9oPCO-v4-6UaaAk3HvxT8fUNjz75_bjycT9IoA3tzmWgQwmJHTZstnbIsf59zIUFskzbjcf9OWekXsDhfTjob8Qh/s1600/IMG_5145.JPG" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<div>
<br>
Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes. It may seem soft but if sides are dry and pull away from the dish, go ahead and remove from oven. It will continue to set up as it cools.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5J_b5NA0zAh33CdjcRvsSGYh0A0sNAHx6BxLMpsS_qqqoBHIe9PIHRq4rDyiVj_FoRaj4-zyGJss2DCSTxD9Frsl1hs_Ssx-jc1VP_CzVXafkFBb5nM21SdSbRnibwezQL6xAexbXHbD/s1600/IMG_5146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5J_b5NA0zAh33CdjcRvsSGYh0A0sNAHx6BxLMpsS_qqqoBHIe9PIHRq4rDyiVj_FoRaj4-zyGJss2DCSTxD9Frsl1hs_Ssx-jc1VP_CzVXafkFBb5nM21SdSbRnibwezQL6xAexbXHbD/s1600/IMG_5146.JPG" height="356" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsR7wqfW3x3KMAmoauHCJqAB45THapVBrs4iFpCVpOdYNMRo-Ui7YBFmrE5zMa7Qk6rvtGQPqElscPV6dn7GjJiQF8osCbBuek0BqncCRAyfU33xL715ydo2PNFS0zbFbR8T3fJLRCCqo/s1600/IMG_5147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsR7wqfW3x3KMAmoauHCJqAB45THapVBrs4iFpCVpOdYNMRo-Ui7YBFmrE5zMa7Qk6rvtGQPqElscPV6dn7GjJiQF8osCbBuek0BqncCRAyfU33xL715ydo2PNFS0zbFbR8T3fJLRCCqo/s1600/IMG_5147.JPG" height="376" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTxQNxEXQv_RcF-nzw8YHWrOSAgykv4dZvGfNn40eaHbL10y8fmZYFV8p14MeUO1gm8dB9-qi28AKnmYSpGD1LDwkgcz_I3k1c1VAi397ruexXWBoB1lOVG4GONDqARmRpyI2p08TyiS7/s1600/IMG_5150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTxQNxEXQv_RcF-nzw8YHWrOSAgykv4dZvGfNn40eaHbL10y8fmZYFV8p14MeUO1gm8dB9-qi28AKnmYSpGD1LDwkgcz_I3k1c1VAi397ruexXWBoB1lOVG4GONDqARmRpyI2p08TyiS7/s1600/IMG_5150.JPG" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
Technically, this is a side dish but I would not judge you in the slightest if I saw you with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of it... Or if you were having it for breakfast.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
XOXO,</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Mrs. B</div>
<div>
<br></div>
</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-88909196187899185992014-01-20T18:33:00.000-05:002014-01-20T18:33:03.833-05:00Hambone Soup<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE9J3VeA6pyKhMPnS9GdPUDglgkGqkB74TlffKSRje-vsBxNee8tX5rq6LRUExBYaIYqMH7_vBlyviEuBQzFukYlenGzxXyr1PTSTEeUDSjZx7wiJ8rA1qgp-XBal1g33BJsQwO2MPyPu/s1600/IMG_5042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE9J3VeA6pyKhMPnS9GdPUDglgkGqkB74TlffKSRje-vsBxNee8tX5rq6LRUExBYaIYqMH7_vBlyviEuBQzFukYlenGzxXyr1PTSTEeUDSjZx7wiJ8rA1qgp-XBal1g33BJsQwO2MPyPu/s1600/IMG_5042.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The holidays are over, now we sit here and stare at winter's ugly mug, hoping we don't lose our minds, until the buds start popping up. The short days and cold temps can really be a downer after you un-deck the halls. So, when you come down from your sugar cookie high, and need the epicurean equivalent of a warm sweater, it's time to make yourself a comfy, cozy pot of hambone soup.<br />
<br />
Spiral sliced hams are a great buy. I like to separate the meat, use some of it for sandwiches or omelettes and freeze the rest in baggies, leaving behind the good ol' hambone.<br />
<br />
The hambone is packed with deliciousness just begging to be set free and all you have to do to help it out is throw it in some water and let it boil (low boil) away for a couple hours.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN_eMPjphBAGL3dOZxpNe3kawqo8nyz3WeMRUD-iIHeSA8OGorN4huhTdkfedHTTvZrCuoGjN_FgS0ydn_f0Fb3dqKd3Sk9kpV-dHPoxjgj0L4FRBraTjODEUrHxr2eGNVPCkOGQzWcYA/s1600/IMG_5025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN_eMPjphBAGL3dOZxpNe3kawqo8nyz3WeMRUD-iIHeSA8OGorN4huhTdkfedHTTvZrCuoGjN_FgS0ydn_f0Fb3dqKd3Sk9kpV-dHPoxjgj0L4FRBraTjODEUrHxr2eGNVPCkOGQzWcYA/s1600/IMG_5025.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The night before I started my soup, I soaked some dried chickpeas in water. You could use canned peas but I really noticed a difference in the texture with the dried. They held up to the soup and even had a bit of firmness to them in the leftover soup.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gsVwRxYuVSTXC0nRJoExeEbuyTkIEvyHagdJKSiF2kJQbHSs2OOhoJlTY8CE0X0vgODFNAadYoQgIEMi4ht2k1Hlez5feDAm61YsYvCkHxlvCQ5SkXUWeTmr8OEszscUerAfwkYDJGK-/s1600/IMG_5027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gsVwRxYuVSTXC0nRJoExeEbuyTkIEvyHagdJKSiF2kJQbHSs2OOhoJlTY8CE0X0vgODFNAadYoQgIEMi4ht2k1Hlez5feDAm61YsYvCkHxlvCQ5SkXUWeTmr8OEszscUerAfwkYDJGK-/s1600/IMG_5027.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To go with the soup, I also whipped up a batch of <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/basic-white-bread-kitchenaid-260107" target="_blank">Kitchenaid's Basic White Bread</a>. It's an uber easy recipe and the bread is excellent.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg7_TmS77agoFGZ0Z5cAPYcGjpCUVktY2rPCfXfzOJmrfHUPxXbMUMYgmded_7V14F0g40vgP1OGe7A3_pFQ2i5i0fxjE-ZKChtrHvMDuZeyeiQ7WOOfKwDvzw4V1u2PkNHQ3p7z2WtJd/s1600/IMG_5033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg7_TmS77agoFGZ0Z5cAPYcGjpCUVktY2rPCfXfzOJmrfHUPxXbMUMYgmded_7V14F0g40vgP1OGe7A3_pFQ2i5i0fxjE-ZKChtrHvMDuZeyeiQ7WOOfKwDvzw4V1u2PkNHQ3p7z2WtJd/s1600/IMG_5033.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy2PzcWUz5m94KXhzLBzzobsBjZiS8Uq1X6Am31YHYv86p7X8qvu9VnqRtxlqbWhg6qtyT_SJQd18NO9Yb8mxpIjeFgnSilFu-pxiUS4ruZuNPtFI3pIKiIzyNNxA5rteUCJCwtjsOuzj/s1600/IMG_5035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy2PzcWUz5m94KXhzLBzzobsBjZiS8Uq1X6Am31YHYv86p7X8qvu9VnqRtxlqbWhg6qtyT_SJQd18NO9Yb8mxpIjeFgnSilFu-pxiUS4ruZuNPtFI3pIKiIzyNNxA5rteUCJCwtjsOuzj/s1600/IMG_5035.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6Z2nWZI7COUi7_GSxVLUli-25_8QnXj6KSMjCNTlUdHNrS2fi2FYehyphenhyphenhvXlKIDBiKl9Bc2RQ5-0vQv7SswSJYeMnat-4DalAmWwnq8Jf2yOSlUogc_nrayrzk6mt-LV1-9dzpQtV7ZIs/s1600/IMG_5045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6Z2nWZI7COUi7_GSxVLUli-25_8QnXj6KSMjCNTlUdHNrS2fi2FYehyphenhyphenhvXlKIDBiKl9Bc2RQ5-0vQv7SswSJYeMnat-4DalAmWwnq8Jf2yOSlUogc_nrayrzk6mt-LV1-9dzpQtV7ZIs/s1600/IMG_5045.JPG" height="199" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You SO need to make this bread!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALddRMIB4d112Btcqkr32CBJ-nnkuk2FLio6IVo2Cg9xh2P7uY02PlvgZjwNyYIF_2J9Muiwy5_Mau6Ea-NAZW-xJImloKyHjrf8o01aeA7A5YmtcGnD7BUjZlUKadfRQPt64VvNznHDD/s1600/IMG_5037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALddRMIB4d112Btcqkr32CBJ-nnkuk2FLio6IVo2Cg9xh2P7uY02PlvgZjwNyYIF_2J9Muiwy5_Mau6Ea-NAZW-xJImloKyHjrf8o01aeA7A5YmtcGnD7BUjZlUKadfRQPt64VvNznHDD/s1600/IMG_5037.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While my bread was rising, I got together my soup ingredients. In the biz, we call these bad boys the "aromatics". And by biz, I mean the cooking shows I like to pretend I'm on. In a large Dutch oven, saute the garlic, oregano and thyme in olive oil and butter. Be careful not to burn them.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUvB-7vcNafXk9vlotfgE8QylzxpOneupItm1-nWGdR_GYQkWjUmPvgmUdpqvmCW_DlmIJ1MhbIZD4rlcUct8Y7Lk-d6lNMtJpe5EeKJHdgFa7e9EKWM456NkTdhLF5whBnpNraHQBwt8/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUvB-7vcNafXk9vlotfgE8QylzxpOneupItm1-nWGdR_GYQkWjUmPvgmUdpqvmCW_DlmIJ1MhbIZD4rlcUct8Y7Lk-d6lNMtJpe5EeKJHdgFa7e9EKWM456NkTdhLF5whBnpNraHQBwt8/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Add in the sliced/chopped carrots, onion and celery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbDFAbCryY6KHqk1wAkHWhUkm8PeGxyNmGae555Tx7lHO5mWyvBv_N98xPxqduXbZ_IE1CY2j2i_8e_FSvk8XL3H_QuqAQ3spgxwLqAv0_PIwXxJwWPV1u7tKfP1rcPAvWa_u1xgyX9Vg/s1600/IMG_5040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbDFAbCryY6KHqk1wAkHWhUkm8PeGxyNmGae555Tx7lHO5mWyvBv_N98xPxqduXbZ_IE1CY2j2i_8e_FSvk8XL3H_QuqAQ3spgxwLqAv0_PIwXxJwWPV1u7tKfP1rcPAvWa_u1xgyX9Vg/s1600/IMG_5040.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After you let the aromatics saute for about 10 minutes (or until the carrots start to soften), pour in the hambone stock, bone and all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE9CFh_8rFzNrbBY6buOUvtatTRIAj3f_wOlu4WxmKnhprr-YnRX-HqqsXZk9WW3EJWBhbD0DLrB-GyGy4Jx8WMtYf4FL0EKklyy8TwpD-4eZqQvXtykoIAslUqana6uYVy5HqSlG0DPW/s1600/IMG_5041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE9CFh_8rFzNrbBY6buOUvtatTRIAj3f_wOlu4WxmKnhprr-YnRX-HqqsXZk9WW3EJWBhbD0DLrB-GyGy4Jx8WMtYf4FL0EKklyy8TwpD-4eZqQvXtykoIAslUqana6uYVy5HqSlG0DPW/s1600/IMG_5041.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Let your soup simmer on medium low for about an hour. The ham should really be falling apart by now. Pull out the hambone pieces and pick off any meat that's still hanging on and toss it back into the soup. Add in the chickpeas and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk3YWSRoA2u9U8zGvGLEdQ60A_uqOnIyHxTllhLfH_kM9Y9yZWoQysOqOn2TtJ9d292z0_lHWRUYMyb_9SQPbw3sPBQAad7zYpVSqF0VaAIGCcptFAlKe7pZ09IqpNUy_KPLBafbfElIn/s1600/IMG_5044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk3YWSRoA2u9U8zGvGLEdQ60A_uqOnIyHxTllhLfH_kM9Y9yZWoQysOqOn2TtJ9d292z0_lHWRUYMyb_9SQPbw3sPBQAad7zYpVSqF0VaAIGCcptFAlKe7pZ09IqpNUy_KPLBafbfElIn/s1600/IMG_5044.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I let everything simmer for on low for about another hour. While you wait, you can play with your adorable sous-chef.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQ8E2x29cprknPTdX27DPXakuZqhqmTrT4s7lHgLURwHfRU3gtA-nWwteCy6l-aOpc9Df44kNmQkSgWFT7SOd9Cgimggdki6wJQtzjsYQS5wtlezWXLR5mjX41Y6olYvYk6Xd_H3nL6-J/s1600/IMG_5032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQ8E2x29cprknPTdX27DPXakuZqhqmTrT4s7lHgLURwHfRU3gtA-nWwteCy6l-aOpc9Df44kNmQkSgWFT7SOd9Cgimggdki6wJQtzjsYQS5wtlezWXLR5mjX41Y6olYvYk6Xd_H3nL6-J/s1600/IMG_5032.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Your bread should be fresh out of the oven and ready to sop up all that hammy goodness.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKOWTpSNvB-SoCUJa3imUwt_HPLCJKfXk832efjdI8psep4RAeKWkGmF-DI0vtxPFIJmolk2Kn9jp-fwMi6fYrhOt7AcYHFCMB0rtvQIQuPCnGbcaclsYDMOxHTw4gXxP55TUcmhznNBR/s1600/IMG_5047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKOWTpSNvB-SoCUJa3imUwt_HPLCJKfXk832efjdI8psep4RAeKWkGmF-DI0vtxPFIJmolk2Kn9jp-fwMi6fYrhOt7AcYHFCMB0rtvQIQuPCnGbcaclsYDMOxHTw4gXxP55TUcmhznNBR/s1600/IMG_5047.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Exact measurements aren't really needed for this soup. A few carrots, a few stalks of celery, one onion, season to taste. Don't get hung up on being exact with the ingredients and if you want to throw in different beans or maybe butternut squash, go for it!<br />
<br />
One last note before you dig in, make sure you take the time to spoon off the excess fat/oil that will be floating on top of the soup. If you don't it will be a greasy spoon... in a bad way<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUgMWtGybL1dfCp-3VEY5iB1aZdM3YAX3PPGw9_efrjsqW32ypwYB0kd47OK7hk8GU0brnnco3oIP6AT3qglBy1cxvlh9Qrx5S37dZAQNTZUAQ73llibHN-rGmZgeGxDrMYjo2FYmzL3R/s1600/IMG_5050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUgMWtGybL1dfCp-3VEY5iB1aZdM3YAX3PPGw9_efrjsqW32ypwYB0kd47OK7hk8GU0brnnco3oIP6AT3qglBy1cxvlh9Qrx5S37dZAQNTZUAQ73llibHN-rGmZgeGxDrMYjo2FYmzL3R/s1600/IMG_5050.JPG" height="538" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. BMrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-4207481672952367832013-12-21T13:25:00.001-05:002013-12-21T13:25:49.507-05:00Simple Christmas Fudge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvaj6gaoee3gD1avEAQ3O-l8Ah6U1wiEB3XPVpIpx543XMnmARJ2Av7cHV6W-ozRse95S3I4RPu8Ah8KxI7PtWhyphenhyphenY6I3YTzB1A3x7vbkjIZhiQ8uUeGkBTKezKf7S8sPfQ4M18ISk9ABN/s1600/29-IMG_4732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvaj6gaoee3gD1avEAQ3O-l8Ah6U1wiEB3XPVpIpx543XMnmARJ2Av7cHV6W-ozRse95S3I4RPu8Ah8KxI7PtWhyphenhyphenY6I3YTzB1A3x7vbkjIZhiQ8uUeGkBTKezKf7S8sPfQ4M18ISk9ABN/s640/29-IMG_4732.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Merry Christmas!!! I can't believe it's that time of year already. Christmas always seems to sneak up but this year it practically ambushed me. I guess being a new mom will do that to you. My days seem to blur together with slobbery kisses and dirty diapers but it's the best kind of blur there is! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year we're hosting Christmas for my parents and the in-laws so I did manage to get the tree up and the halls decked but time seriously got away from me after that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnFe0ZGJRWXC66Hhe5QJ9nMNTiW_E10VrrZFHrDateo-g6ar6GRKSs5TMQoaBaeS8Aldb_B4ES__NKibJV_XhcJvZWZbyFhb0y6-P4ICTEYmKx9Ctbiajhm5_H127mLne-eTJYBbxhQ5K/s1600/01-IMG_4677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnFe0ZGJRWXC66Hhe5QJ9nMNTiW_E10VrrZFHrDateo-g6ar6GRKSs5TMQoaBaeS8Aldb_B4ES__NKibJV_XhcJvZWZbyFhb0y6-P4ICTEYmKx9Ctbiajhm5_H127mLne-eTJYBbxhQ5K/s640/01-IMG_4677.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl2TvfSQ7vgVwaQkcUf9-FjCIxdLT7FNSS2kzDXODtpRKSeWVt6y0Wxarnhr1NGwRV1UXWyXqulnTHnQZ-hrEo0yUCXK039WPFFe0_C2GbUFTPa8oFjx_tgKb_NrZTYQXqgeS1x37VqpM/s1600/02-IMG_4679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl2TvfSQ7vgVwaQkcUf9-FjCIxdLT7FNSS2kzDXODtpRKSeWVt6y0Wxarnhr1NGwRV1UXWyXqulnTHnQZ-hrEo0yUCXK039WPFFe0_C2GbUFTPa8oFjx_tgKb_NrZTYQXqgeS1x37VqpM/s640/02-IMG_4679.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7ESVuzu9CXh9zPVMSuDKHnZjCNdKzEmqaSuhnKZ1YJX14f3FHKyWSsHoJktePlRHg0zPBkAe6aEM2IC3PH-nWXJmY66p0NtRKWZm2h6H9nD75StQBacEjTnN-cnA4BHM3Ej2sqIar0uK/s1600/03-IMG_4683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7ESVuzu9CXh9zPVMSuDKHnZjCNdKzEmqaSuhnKZ1YJX14f3FHKyWSsHoJktePlRHg0zPBkAe6aEM2IC3PH-nWXJmY66p0NtRKWZm2h6H9nD75StQBacEjTnN-cnA4BHM3Ej2sqIar0uK/s640/03-IMG_4683.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So, if you find yourself with a sleepin' babe,<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6syJcNRVDaPsvqhtO5s7N1UfZ1OCJKsMBdrbh72S7Eic40XqAzv99bR8Vxdx2gDwpar9htVOWDhnBfoSeJ7kR9S0McA1v4WKtE9wWi_y2dy2dXKXcgOaK1de8EVy_qufPYRncoPiFx5F/s1600/07-IMG_4703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6syJcNRVDaPsvqhtO5s7N1UfZ1OCJKsMBdrbh72S7Eic40XqAzv99bR8Vxdx2gDwpar9htVOWDhnBfoSeJ7kR9S0McA1v4WKtE9wWi_y2dy2dXKXcgOaK1de8EVy_qufPYRncoPiFx5F/s640/07-IMG_4703.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
and need a holiday treat that looks impressive but can be made during nap time, check this out!<br />
<br />
I love me some <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/" target="_blank">Pioneer Woman</a> and the other day she gave a recipe for INSANELY simple fudge. I tried it out and was instantly impressed.<br />
<br />
To make the basic fudge, all you need is:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>12oz Chocolate Chips</li>
<li>1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>That's IT.</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
You melt the chips in a double boiler.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbzCf46PgZbN55t7aLxny4NoI9U5vcIuRsF6G7MibVpBssQjO51u5NCgGhEwXhi2BoD3m7upo6ZHOvn2JAwHsbCaXIMHXqQKK5liNWEs6EsF95WkPzLViZHq-gvRGrdHqrRDOk1XNsYv0/s1600/04-IMG_4700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbzCf46PgZbN55t7aLxny4NoI9U5vcIuRsF6G7MibVpBssQjO51u5NCgGhEwXhi2BoD3m7upo6ZHOvn2JAwHsbCaXIMHXqQKK5liNWEs6EsF95WkPzLViZHq-gvRGrdHqrRDOk1XNsYv0/s640/04-IMG_4700.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
until smooth<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTNBUd7LAXLoVUnhyphenhyphenub85iiPZyejjzFIHsHLvGXWNjFHKTCtiPAr9qgSOFn5y1PXa7qB6QvezVIwCpzU0vd3cgHU37M7liHUftgsLJItDKdj6NDuzcltE7ZMkab4L7m1RKHzowJ9gGZab/s1600/06-IMG_4702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTNBUd7LAXLoVUnhyphenhyphenub85iiPZyejjzFIHsHLvGXWNjFHKTCtiPAr9qgSOFn5y1PXa7qB6QvezVIwCpzU0vd3cgHU37M7liHUftgsLJItDKdj6NDuzcltE7ZMkab4L7m1RKHzowJ9gGZab/s640/06-IMG_4702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
then add in the condensed milk.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2xjM9TAujo4_MUUKd1mfzSdkP8Bu5eboE_t5p0UBlcBJnMNiA-8mzycjoo6jZBHsmD3PQng37vQUnS7c0G-kMS9WCWfP4xtImU3M3ry-sxubLa34z-vug5MX_JvF5trNmrYPZYsc4NuX/s1600/08-IMG_4705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2xjM9TAujo4_MUUKd1mfzSdkP8Bu5eboE_t5p0UBlcBJnMNiA-8mzycjoo6jZBHsmD3PQng37vQUnS7c0G-kMS9WCWfP4xtImU3M3ry-sxubLa34z-vug5MX_JvF5trNmrYPZYsc4NuX/s640/08-IMG_4705.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Once it's incorporated, smooth it into a parchment paper lined dish and pop in the refrigerator for an hour or so.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho230IX7kzqTBAFG6a_7UPc0fTZqdr2ZPVA42Ha8ldf6QHUjbyjOhaV6FGyfqv_2yARBjbF3n0PDBs9aXWvKZ8w5dcx28bo_GOoXIQrpvuF9d7EJa98JdBgBm_p2-Cpr1cJOXm00YWNor7/s1600/09-IMG_4708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho230IX7kzqTBAFG6a_7UPc0fTZqdr2ZPVA42Ha8ldf6QHUjbyjOhaV6FGyfqv_2yARBjbF3n0PDBs9aXWvKZ8w5dcx28bo_GOoXIQrpvuF9d7EJa98JdBgBm_p2-Cpr1cJOXm00YWNor7/s640/09-IMG_4708.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I wanted to fancy it up a little so I experimented with some different flavor combos.<br />
<br />
The first one I tried was mint. As the fudge was cooling, I sprinkled Andes mint chips over the top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHLoVSY6QnqOcwJE7AS_Ou8PGnjophJj9lK5rupL-xIAvnShcnjj99lKovGfp6wW9NVAaVXCjt-J7EtpVQI_X4mgkAb1bL7j-fcSVOu-UeiF-1Z3Pg0m6y6cxqLhL7JhupgeKuvb0Mroh/s1600/10-IMG_4709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHLoVSY6QnqOcwJE7AS_Ou8PGnjophJj9lK5rupL-xIAvnShcnjj99lKovGfp6wW9NVAaVXCjt-J7EtpVQI_X4mgkAb1bL7j-fcSVOu-UeiF-1Z3Pg0m6y6cxqLhL7JhupgeKuvb0Mroh/s640/10-IMG_4709.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then topped it with Christmas sprinkles.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv75AxwqZr6DDllqtYuMb3-s_Zo3WH0YNUcSwl8VZAC_dLoSN1r7Fgc7fjDx9s5HaZbwcycJubIanmgMKpl8OFGz7HUeGTtZx7nL-07yM5xDGd9r7JN0g9DQuBnpjiIMugSvX7F2ammoXA/s1600/13-IMG_4715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv75AxwqZr6DDllqtYuMb3-s_Zo3WH0YNUcSwl8VZAC_dLoSN1r7Fgc7fjDx9s5HaZbwcycJubIanmgMKpl8OFGz7HUeGTtZx7nL-07yM5xDGd9r7JN0g9DQuBnpjiIMugSvX7F2ammoXA/s640/13-IMG_4715.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I spiced it up the next batch with cinnamon and cayenne pepper<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9G0Ol0PJC4aUaOgMmkSr_JNcnfigN4aLNuo4QxkkR4t3nhEjgI65A_DrmfigBRMUtbYegJ8Z227xp08kJE1DC1nb_tyo58pvhyphenhyphenprF11UYgvCDu5Ku8judpPQkn1Wvs-6evRAjTQlrp8U/s1600/11-IMG_4713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9G0Ol0PJC4aUaOgMmkSr_JNcnfigN4aLNuo4QxkkR4t3nhEjgI65A_DrmfigBRMUtbYegJ8Z227xp08kJE1DC1nb_tyo58pvhyphenhyphenprF11UYgvCDu5Ku8judpPQkn1Wvs-6evRAjTQlrp8U/s640/11-IMG_4713.JPG" width="454" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and topped it with hazelnuts.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5afVuWUj1Gg79CiWYC97iJfBj-4fWtXSeBRs-FjX8dluGFkrMzANC9xWzaJnw5y-40Uj2gcC5YqjWIb1T70n5EyGrBK_7WXAScUEgaw2LWWzSnIB5_Mh1S84kvHgEZrfgkWiKJM2mYLrJ/s1600/12-IMG_4714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5afVuWUj1Gg79CiWYC97iJfBj-4fWtXSeBRs-FjX8dluGFkrMzANC9xWzaJnw5y-40Uj2gcC5YqjWIb1T70n5EyGrBK_7WXAScUEgaw2LWWzSnIB5_Mh1S84kvHgEZrfgkWiKJM2mYLrJ/s640/12-IMG_4714.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then the lil angel woke up and joined me. I got distracted and stopped making fudge.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVBjJwNv8GUDtcbdmclOO6N5XNtwRziH0CJZt27bJxH9rYiM1eNN6tMWsSMrI6ATpraeBBUZ_bt0B6AqlO3Ge1j5by72nxABwnQFZJiKH3UVJP3HmRiaCrJolrb09DeFtIkkpIhIsQp_X/s1600/15-IMG_4717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVBjJwNv8GUDtcbdmclOO6N5XNtwRziH0CJZt27bJxH9rYiM1eNN6tMWsSMrI6ATpraeBBUZ_bt0B6AqlO3Ge1j5by72nxABwnQFZJiKH3UVJP3HmRiaCrJolrb09DeFtIkkpIhIsQp_X/s640/15-IMG_4717.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZC0vySK2EFhAzC9ExpPAP53ZCg8LpjufRhT1aOsmMigxi2BggORGOp3spRpG77Pvh6DJghTuKfPDj0jRgemkTPWA3s_151u0ARP7UNhmibn_BiNGxA2jk7NZWKSmch7AmcJqYI6WDBTz/s1600/16-IMG_4718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZC0vySK2EFhAzC9ExpPAP53ZCg8LpjufRhT1aOsmMigxi2BggORGOp3spRpG77Pvh6DJghTuKfPDj0jRgemkTPWA3s_151u0ARP7UNhmibn_BiNGxA2jk7NZWKSmch7AmcJqYI6WDBTz/s640/16-IMG_4718.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ1pIBAMZvYMZRYXqI_6hCtK7eXP0890wBEUW1G0nrCGYDVRsayky3ji4cY_dT1SspdwlAkJl11Boo1_-SooWjQXxYGwJbCJSsHLwRgfm44i8ZGrTetjUB0Cg2XYAh21cNv_XNQH2wiev/s1600/17-IMG_4719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ1pIBAMZvYMZRYXqI_6hCtK7eXP0890wBEUW1G0nrCGYDVRsayky3ji4cY_dT1SspdwlAkJl11Boo1_-SooWjQXxYGwJbCJSsHLwRgfm44i8ZGrTetjUB0Cg2XYAh21cNv_XNQH2wiev/s640/17-IMG_4719.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
But then daddy came home and swooped her up. This is how they roll.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIX7VOE_Emui_9qgKGpj-Y79qHlTQ-Qsnz6SHfmyjKIvnaIYMqgqlKIk7ra6o5uscWB2OM5aA7PMPosrVL56IDeJzdIhXrTvGrdoVnN0XOdhCEE_fzZP2slITs1UYDyKw0xJ9DehwVOCR7/s1600/19-IMG_4721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIX7VOE_Emui_9qgKGpj-Y79qHlTQ-Qsnz6SHfmyjKIvnaIYMqgqlKIk7ra6o5uscWB2OM5aA7PMPosrVL56IDeJzdIhXrTvGrdoVnN0XOdhCEE_fzZP2slITs1UYDyKw0xJ9DehwVOCR7/s640/19-IMG_4721.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JSkVQ4sK9rBXPMxTTodRHpD_VUDRgybmZMfVX9R-TH8DplIN7-CG0jRgvqlB2HABwEBLdECTByE6HW83ixAeTfT_yhXj-aY00MgNJ1q-Ku2960hYLbBKVbPF7v9dVcz1FJoG1-lYU5NW/s1600/22-IMG_4725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JSkVQ4sK9rBXPMxTTodRHpD_VUDRgybmZMfVX9R-TH8DplIN7-CG0jRgvqlB2HABwEBLdECTByE6HW83ixAeTfT_yhXj-aY00MgNJ1q-Ku2960hYLbBKVbPF7v9dVcz1FJoG1-lYU5NW/s640/22-IMG_4725.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
That gave me enough time to try one more flavor, orange! I zested a couple of oranges into the melting chocolate and added some almond extract<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcjShDsVvTfEsHaWuaIB-H6r3fMJG394SYGOxaVQfRfPPfcflVObLf3riu5PCR4uBpNHIspoYzUE8OdLt7FrXwkMrA1WxH4DK1KZmtG1k2tZPHViH8uRjIflcsik8clmYBSzFmVknywRM/s1600/23-IMG_4726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcjShDsVvTfEsHaWuaIB-H6r3fMJG394SYGOxaVQfRfPPfcflVObLf3riu5PCR4uBpNHIspoYzUE8OdLt7FrXwkMrA1WxH4DK1KZmtG1k2tZPHViH8uRjIflcsik8clmYBSzFmVknywRM/s640/23-IMG_4726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and topped it with more zest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uEwSywWrYfjhxpc2srNzD5Oy-qlqxIVnHOtXaNeonBp8WFEnFqBplITSq3YReRx1GprxgEl0T8ohje5zRz21jMKscvsAXZE2u-zTGHJKLZP8oNMisQK_gzcApzhoUjve3T9SOeY5HZ-L/s1600/25-IMG_4728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uEwSywWrYfjhxpc2srNzD5Oy-qlqxIVnHOtXaNeonBp8WFEnFqBplITSq3YReRx1GprxgEl0T8ohje5zRz21jMKscvsAXZE2u-zTGHJKLZP8oNMisQK_gzcApzhoUjve3T9SOeY5HZ-L/s640/25-IMG_4728.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If the chocolate seizes up when you add the milk or the extract, you can add in a cap full of vegetable oil and keep stirring over medium heat until it smooths out.<br />
<br />
And there you have it, simple, elegant and delicious!<br />
<br />
I think the orange is my favorite but the cinnamon/cayenne is SO good too and Mr. B loves the mint. Now, please excuse me while I <strike>stuff my face with fudge</strike> wrap presents!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK4ldMPOJOP5a-i_BgKSOGzC-H8Zr7ntmYM1igw6ewMjOMenz9FDlbhyphenhyphen8arPFkKgnw5mQ6CzZ2lUEHvbmsVb2NMnzGbaWmJ8cJJUix01AOkzOJYINoKcvv2UnzyMuKucDsSsigrjICehs/s1600/26-IMG_4729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK4ldMPOJOP5a-i_BgKSOGzC-H8Zr7ntmYM1igw6ewMjOMenz9FDlbhyphenhyphen8arPFkKgnw5mQ6CzZ2lUEHvbmsVb2NMnzGbaWmJ8cJJUix01AOkzOJYINoKcvv2UnzyMuKucDsSsigrjICehs/s640/26-IMG_4729.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxkLQQ8Tw0bT_ln_58qeoiOlzHqYxNiQtA03k6tefhn9NAEcLsF0xQQ38uCckEsMuLcZhEiUxKVJRJv0ALLTA-ASJ3ch0pP-bGr7JkSDR4mTEQ0RFOBoyYBgPlFYoN4aGOUxNmTze0HmR/s1600/27-IMG_4730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxkLQQ8Tw0bT_ln_58qeoiOlzHqYxNiQtA03k6tefhn9NAEcLsF0xQQ38uCckEsMuLcZhEiUxKVJRJv0ALLTA-ASJ3ch0pP-bGr7JkSDR4mTEQ0RFOBoyYBgPlFYoN4aGOUxNmTze0HmR/s640/27-IMG_4730.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBfEYF2eNYWmWyDg4jqQ0Y2DL8bez1vdRpodFwBHZSfUxtVZKnliTb57kmr9fSkHTve-mwQ8s186xiFsVYPsB5wg0czCWCRMSutrp95f3V7h2VCMC7J9i7tCq8pSVJ9w_61rThyoXHzGC/s1600/28-IMG_4731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBfEYF2eNYWmWyDg4jqQ0Y2DL8bez1vdRpodFwBHZSfUxtVZKnliTb57kmr9fSkHTve-mwQ8s186xiFsVYPsB5wg0czCWCRMSutrp95f3V7h2VCMC7J9i7tCq8pSVJ9w_61rThyoXHzGC/s640/28-IMG_4731.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Merry Christmas!!!<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. BMrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-68584069639112343212013-10-28T14:25:00.000-04:002013-10-28T14:25:51.819-04:00Lemon Ginger Oatmeal Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CQfFOSbBRtcQhL_F-p6FA8LcaRqC8MS13GSltfs8hQY9148zrmuqxrQZYbk3R9njURRnssJUaLWw649NX6sgLmVYuDcP6kX07A_jmtlvZoLLms83mTQ8Q7jQXZKAg-pJtdraE-7c2RHG/s1600/1-IMG_4536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CQfFOSbBRtcQhL_F-p6FA8LcaRqC8MS13GSltfs8hQY9148zrmuqxrQZYbk3R9njURRnssJUaLWw649NX6sgLmVYuDcP6kX07A_jmtlvZoLLms83mTQ8Q7jQXZKAg-pJtdraE-7c2RHG/s640/1-IMG_4536.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
Have you ever come across a great recipe in an odd place? Well, that's exactly what happened to me. Mr. B had to have a minor sinus surgery (the man had a cyst the size of a walnut, with the shell, inside of his sinus cavity!!!) last week. Yea, I know, this is not the best way to start out a recipe post. Bear with me. At the post-op we were waiting to be called back and the receptionists had the Food Network playing on the lobby tv. Smart move ladies, I'll patiently wait ALL DAY as long as I can get my filmed food fix. Well, Ten Dollar Dinners was on and she was just about to start the dessert when "Mr. B, come on back." Grrrr, foiled by punctual medical staff! We were whisked away and they proceeded to <strike>torture him</strike> follow up on his surgery. I missed the segment but the title stuck with me long enough to get home and google that bad boy. What goodness stayed in my head long even through all the medical drama? LEMON. GINGER. OATMEAL. COOKIES. Let me be the first to say I'm not a big fan of oatmeal cookies BUT you throw in a little citrus and spice and I'm there.<br />
<br />
This recipe did not disappoint. It was easy to make and the cookies actually taste better the <b>next day</b>. That's unusual for cookies. For me, they're at their best right out of the oven. While these were good warm, they were FANTASTIC the next day... when I had them for breakfast.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogSMlThKAks23SZ8WOZ4U5jUrRRxQrA9Me3w9zS7Yqj2OVqF0h0hS4cQT4XHCFWiP769u_7MvpV4ByYyHcpJD9CGbXtcVHeYfXBvfEfYoFGW6eTGmjP3CetjJ4Ff2fA-I_LpF-qFybGmV/s1600/01-IMG_4518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogSMlThKAks23SZ8WOZ4U5jUrRRxQrA9Me3w9zS7Yqj2OVqF0h0hS4cQT4XHCFWiP769u_7MvpV4ByYyHcpJD9CGbXtcVHeYfXBvfEfYoFGW6eTGmjP3CetjJ4Ff2fA-I_LpF-qFybGmV/s640/01-IMG_4518.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened<br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger<br />
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
1 egg<br />
1 cup all-purpose flour<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
1 cup old-fashioned oats<br />
1/2 cup chopped pecans<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQH3XA7tiRAitMURcoWLRK1FQ0jP_3YWko3bP88aOixmqkYNNZ8L8SJAG1WrKCzT80wLyzrNIUGVsFuZrV7pvs9W1sv02u0cl566liiA5r3WQfzCF0TrO6zp-00_cEM_JoNc0PxUTSy-a/s1600/02-IMG_4522.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQH3XA7tiRAitMURcoWLRK1FQ0jP_3YWko3bP88aOixmqkYNNZ8L8SJAG1WrKCzT80wLyzrNIUGVsFuZrV7pvs9W1sv02u0cl566liiA5r3WQfzCF0TrO6zp-00_cEM_JoNc0PxUTSy-a/s640/02-IMG_4522.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Cream the butter with the sugars in a medium bowl with a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the ginger, zest, vanilla and egg, and mix well.<br />
<span style="background-color: #efebdf; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkZNvC8kJdsobOcKEpfPARQS_ioL8KYMT2bekRCyf7_MI18tnHSfFoqj5DfP0IrQxTo7DWd1QskguhhGGObfBBDxoQNdZp6N7PpwId_1W8A2U5pARmVbVThNTHw3BTb3n8J1ocIs9MTeD/s1600/03-IMG_4523.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkZNvC8kJdsobOcKEpfPARQS_ioL8KYMT2bekRCyf7_MI18tnHSfFoqj5DfP0IrQxTo7DWd1QskguhhGGObfBBDxoQNdZp6N7PpwId_1W8A2U5pARmVbVThNTHw3BTb3n8J1ocIs9MTeD/s640/03-IMG_4523.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, and then add to the butter mixture and mix.<br />
<span style="background-color: #efebdf; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG31xNP7k_NLnCDxpb8ATNvQZhs1JZynlhqpjzDfkgg1vWrL60CxGyCtowGZYxL5gIFwqx7ulALtJnx4Sm7gVt_cuNHtknLvpr7D7nMHdcX7zQ9SnYHG0Ommkx42DdxkNw_x3VG0Oc1hC/s1600/05-IMG_4528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG31xNP7k_NLnCDxpb8ATNvQZhs1JZynlhqpjzDfkgg1vWrL60CxGyCtowGZYxL5gIFwqx7ulALtJnx4Sm7gVt_cuNHtknLvpr7D7nMHdcX7zQ9SnYHG0Ommkx42DdxkNw_x3VG0Oc1hC/s640/05-IMG_4528.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pE4LrrZ-CMaDx7JHwtfUmfoDOvFTTTCacjUq1-m4hsdap6HFhLGxzGwe3bXbUSVhQZ2O-0lVgRfKNKAyHZAWVjXmwjCVpud-6oBATGeIvohB8Uw-_4rIXEPRAwoEhaADXT3PEoebMaue/s1600/06-IMG_4529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pE4LrrZ-CMaDx7JHwtfUmfoDOvFTTTCacjUq1-m4hsdap6HFhLGxzGwe3bXbUSVhQZ2O-0lVgRfKNKAyHZAWVjXmwjCVpud-6oBATGeIvohB8Uw-_4rIXEPRAwoEhaADXT3PEoebMaue/s640/06-IMG_4529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Add the oats and mix until combined. Fold in the pecans with a wooden spoon. Spoon the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes, and then remove from the baking sheets.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAfwKDLbDogyIRm1Y6y5S4o-KkfCpqHS3XI4ln2PSk9PRu04NlT_hx38oNivmjUtqNPGdNg7EtsxkcxXL44-A5j2aknGB_8U60rKqGYbn5HGg2u8wjbCjZw2P7r8bFp-9k3zNxgiPkTta/s1600/09-IMG_4532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAfwKDLbDogyIRm1Y6y5S4o-KkfCpqHS3XI4ln2PSk9PRu04NlT_hx38oNivmjUtqNPGdNg7EtsxkcxXL44-A5j2aknGB_8U60rKqGYbn5HGg2u8wjbCjZw2P7r8bFp-9k3zNxgiPkTta/s640/09-IMG_4532.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmP-8grGz1qba9lnJaDt-ZTVF8n_HS45OWKMDW4U7py7J0yZrUa76DXJUEe-pjRBsV3nHYA9joHKUxg1OhQr2kX0ytIijJmva-65VveETM1enwiFkjhRuqZsmQrAefgk0OpZXj6PBe7cx/s1600/10-IMG_4533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmP-8grGz1qba9lnJaDt-ZTVF8n_HS45OWKMDW4U7py7J0yZrUa76DXJUEe-pjRBsV3nHYA9joHKUxg1OhQr2kX0ytIijJmva-65VveETM1enwiFkjhRuqZsmQrAefgk0OpZXj6PBe7cx/s640/10-IMG_4533.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: #efebdf; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-color: #efebdf; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-color: #efebdf; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; outline: 0px;" />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. B<br />
<br style="background-color: #efebdf; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; outline: 0px;" />
<br />
<br style="background-color: #efebdf; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; outline: 0px;" /></div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-7087894795907374112013-09-17T11:14:00.001-04:002013-09-17T11:15:24.947-04:00Oven Roasted Tomatoes<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCDtIm53Io0bH_EJU_cY1vo89Owb1y8_RkkZ844wMVn_O4M3_idOuDGBgUR6cyUgtPlR_fWZFhlmwJ_iz6ukjfqgsh5ScdboVdjJCh2vSeBhQwXBggvwGVqr4db-7NtzkCEUMDQbPj2O1/s640/blogger-image-1370788150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCDtIm53Io0bH_EJU_cY1vo89Owb1y8_RkkZ844wMVn_O4M3_idOuDGBgUR6cyUgtPlR_fWZFhlmwJ_iz6ukjfqgsh5ScdboVdjJCh2vSeBhQwXBggvwGVqr4db-7NtzkCEUMDQbPj2O1/s640/blogger-image-1370788150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetMV8xSojQ9KWHcwKSNYPsL-7Sxk2c1iHeaRmyx7qnS97dWknX3w2Ga7wVHq9Xw220IsCow0z6qmc1hHOnuww8mehVDLRQcpH-JCl5gbjGUkVTgSPOQdaSAFrJZF2MYk2gNQL26xqqPqr/s640/blogger-image--660744873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetMV8xSojQ9KWHcwKSNYPsL-7Sxk2c1iHeaRmyx7qnS97dWknX3w2Ga7wVHq9Xw220IsCow0z6qmc1hHOnuww8mehVDLRQcpH-JCl5gbjGUkVTgSPOQdaSAFrJZF2MYk2gNQL26xqqPqr/s640/blogger-image--660744873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHF7DToRH25PHPSvfgKRxRRkZG57DWZ559yiz39plQkSGE4tS2oPvmvC7GbmI5UypmTF2vEQG90iXx0SkK6Fy2x-33f2vnGTZimPi9x4CYhGw36GxanQiCkgka6neHq50CyU8ImkIKLi9/s640/blogger-image-254192537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHF7DToRH25PHPSvfgKRxRRkZG57DWZ559yiz39plQkSGE4tS2oPvmvC7GbmI5UypmTF2vEQG90iXx0SkK6Fy2x-33f2vnGTZimPi9x4CYhGw36GxanQiCkgka6neHq50CyU8ImkIKLi9/s640/blogger-image-254192537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3cEGPaR9stY5jQkDVab2l8MMNwDSIDVcUlyfhWOzUvz-HsOscEm1T15wIDMtzW7pBXPJmVNxcuEV8p8jO_x0AHRxCYjDEdqt2OnTyoJF21FmZArkN_pHz5TRACMSoEMCr4CJOt1Gsls4/s640/blogger-image-795403329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfubyumd5wCNPhvjkwgd76cqddoM1zOuY3NBsSev2JPatwdVpsirNRQy5xtOcxsc6AgZQ5jn1cUB4_Cn2HoYmTa-z8V0eO-x3EC_HhrFw-ngx7pUxc0VUs0sHVZyX0vnKEYnpwn3dkOTn2/s1600/2-photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfubyumd5wCNPhvjkwgd76cqddoM1zOuY3NBsSev2JPatwdVpsirNRQy5xtOcxsc6AgZQ5jn1cUB4_Cn2HoYmTa-z8V0eO-x3EC_HhrFw-ngx7pUxc0VUs0sHVZyX0vnKEYnpwn3dkOTn2/s640/2-photo+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Hey, hey, hey! Thought I'd take a break from diapers and my full-time gig as a 24-hour, all you can eat milk buffet to give a quick and easy way to use up all those tomatoes that are in risk of rotting on the vine!<br />
<br />
Since I've been recouping from my c-section the last few weeks, I haven't been cooking very much. This makes me sad, but healing and a newborn are a sure way to keep a girl out of the kitchen! It took about two weeks for me to make my way to the garden to check things out and <b>WHOA,</b> I had a ton of tomatoes that were begging to be picked! After trying to add fresh tomatoes into just about everything but my cereal, I decided it was time to try a different approach to use them up.<br />
<br />
Mr. B mentioned he would enjoy sun-dried tomatoes but since I'm a little wary of leaving food outside to dry, I fired up the oven!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dSXil33Qr4aUvBhpSwy9tvApyq2ZaPuO40fe8t8V7j5Ko16bbXg6Cif9Kp5OV1OeKRBiJ_tOxz3ifUoC3rSyJrAsLmkvwPIQ9WFsqpNhKts2hPH2Rs0LmrLN6WeEt9EnNtwyWjvBD4mM/s1600/5-photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dSXil33Qr4aUvBhpSwy9tvApyq2ZaPuO40fe8t8V7j5Ko16bbXg6Cif9Kp5OV1OeKRBiJ_tOxz3ifUoC3rSyJrAsLmkvwPIQ9WFsqpNhKts2hPH2Rs0LmrLN6WeEt9EnNtwyWjvBD4mM/s640/5-photo+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oven drying tomatoes is super easy and only takes a couple hours. First off, heat your oven to 250. Place a cooling rack over a roasting pan and spray with oil. Thinly slice your tomatoes. Try your best to keep them the same thickness so they roast evenly. </div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvnVo68Nzs-afgrusN_pd1P_MTDi1xvES6neasgz6scoUE_9jpAUPkPVXTCtDp7gwTqyfodFl_v1d5SM08hui35WnQiwWjnFm554Q3aGm1abM2HK2TgvW5jgKKAcfoTPGPDv0DIXq3XIJ/s1600/4-photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvnVo68Nzs-afgrusN_pd1P_MTDi1xvES6neasgz6scoUE_9jpAUPkPVXTCtDp7gwTqyfodFl_v1d5SM08hui35WnQiwWjnFm554Q3aGm1abM2HK2TgvW5jgKKAcfoTPGPDv0DIXq3XIJ/s640/4-photo+2.jpg" width="536" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Drizzle the tomatoes with oil. Sprinkle with sugar, salt and pepper. I added fresh minced rosemary but you could use any herbs you want. Basil or thyme would be good too!</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7tcywv2eYvi-vvR90OXj0YRKlW-9nWNkY2Z3jK3kJAjbwJ0QNJ0qRicSju_UrKcDB5A0uPHZcaZuZem_Lho-G0M8zMfOM783gYjyyv2K4wXfIeWVd3UaFET2xbUx2Mg1Wvy52mSgi2S6/s1600/3-photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7tcywv2eYvi-vvR90OXj0YRKlW-9nWNkY2Z3jK3kJAjbwJ0QNJ0qRicSju_UrKcDB5A0uPHZcaZuZem_Lho-G0M8zMfOM783gYjyyv2K4wXfIeWVd3UaFET2xbUx2Mg1Wvy52mSgi2S6/s640/3-photo+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once you season your tomatoes to your liking, pop them in the oven and let them roast for 1-2 hours. Keep an eye on them so you don't end up with "crisps"!</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeEZF0RPrrQkxb2m0rgHMZL_hUQyYVK-CVJM2lnufX8KGQxyBjOcJSQXOaj7W1_2sfZWMpjg-BX8F9KqfAP2lOQ6Z1lYBw1rrYAtX61GA0y073RTkejqLcPNWZDR9Ixyvf176tKNPXkY-/s1600/6-photo+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeEZF0RPrrQkxb2m0rgHMZL_hUQyYVK-CVJM2lnufX8KGQxyBjOcJSQXOaj7W1_2sfZWMpjg-BX8F9KqfAP2lOQ6Z1lYBw1rrYAtX61GA0y073RTkejqLcPNWZDR9Ixyvf176tKNPXkY-/s640/6-photo+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The tomatoes will be sweet, tangy and totally YUMMY! Keep them refrigerated in a baggie and add them to sandwiches, omelettes, pasta, etc. They should keep for at least a week or two ... I wouldn't know, mine were gone in three days!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IZgNm4y8aetxW-pIikEXEbIxO3icZNTEcggJq2eQGDn_4sjl_lY21mBlfWK3bWeERtDQnH7N5g6eWhFFsIO4eGZprh7KjgsJRyDZDwy6cw_81fjD7__tVKGiUusXE0ygkrchtZVLQACv/s1600/1-blogger-image-1370788150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IZgNm4y8aetxW-pIikEXEbIxO3icZNTEcggJq2eQGDn_4sjl_lY21mBlfWK3bWeERtDQnH7N5g6eWhFFsIO4eGZprh7KjgsJRyDZDwy6cw_81fjD7__tVKGiUusXE0ygkrchtZVLQACv/s640/1-blogger-image-1370788150.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I topped my omelette with the tomatoes and fresh basil. So, so good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope you try this out, they really are so good. And hey, if I can make them with a three week old vying for my attention, you KNOW they're easy!<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
Mrs. B<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-86476127352404360632013-08-08T22:22:00.001-04:002013-08-08T22:39:52.480-04:00The Wait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4w1Cj9U44_a8vCbqaJoBfdvJaiqUe4zfiAQZpxPR2C6z_CWbF1-BRb4Eir4oyBbVHXnpwg-b4E0Kaj9Yn8xIPCKVnFf_d3FiBkZkXz_hkMm-KIKNoQBU7Nhv9pQ5o1-vwxDFHEyrq_aO/s1600/1-IMG_4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4w1Cj9U44_a8vCbqaJoBfdvJaiqUe4zfiAQZpxPR2C6z_CWbF1-BRb4Eir4oyBbVHXnpwg-b4E0Kaj9Yn8xIPCKVnFf_d3FiBkZkXz_hkMm-KIKNoQBU7Nhv9pQ5o1-vwxDFHEyrq_aO/s320/1-IMG_4168.JPG" width="280" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, here we are, August. My belly is stretched to capacity, my ribs feel like they're splitting in half, my pelvis creaks and pops and makes all kinds of unusual noises. Thanks to the separation of my abdominal muscles, sitting up in bed has become a Herculean event. Ahhh, I must be in the final weeks of pregnancy. But along with the not-so-pleasantries are some unbelievably breathtaking moments. I sit mesmerized as my belly dances and undulates with my daughter's movements. I feel her perk up and kick when she hears her daddy's voice. Most evenings she gets the hiccups and I love the little drum beat rhythm they create inside me.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The birthing tub is assembled in our room and ready to fill. The supplies are gathered. The meals are made. The nursery is finished and waits patiently for her arrival. I find myself in the glider, quietly soaking in the room, its colors, the crib, her unused toys. I wonder what books will become her favorite, what blanket will become her "blankie". How her voice will soon change life as I know it. The tiny socks and onesies are washed and tucked away, ready to be filled out by her chubby frame. I stare at her ultrasound pictures, now over two months old, and find myself desperately curious to see the "real" her.<br />
<br />
These final days are an agonizing mix of anticipation and impatience. There is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of labor, fear of the biggest responsibility of my life, but stronger than fear is hope. Hope for a love unlike any I've known. Hope for a joyful child to fill our days with excitement and wonder. Hope that she will grow into a beautiful, kind and graceful woman who loves the Lord and follows after Him. She has my heart already, I can only imagine what I will feel the first time I look into her eyes. Her unborn life has forever changed mine and we've never met. I pray for her and the life she will live. I ask God to lead her down His path, to protect her from the evils of this world. I release her to Him. I know <b>that</b> is the only thing I can really control. I can try everything in my power to raise and protect her but ultimately she belongs to Him, she is only on loan to me.<br />
<br />
I'm uncomfortable but I'm grateful. I've been blessed with a wonderful pregnancy, even through these final days of aches and pains. It will all be over before I know it. In a few short months my daughter will be rolling over and then starting to crawl and not long after that, she will take her first steps. I want to savor these days. I want to drink in the wait.Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-29654218045608110572013-07-06T11:18:00.004-04:002013-07-06T11:18:41.921-04:00Aunt Hazel's Zucchini Relish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeYsNv_Irj4aA551d65Pup_zBmXFSlBbHBAzONb5x9htY-hKu4RCs3A8Y0nL1MRDlPmakHvB-3sXF3btQKecEOE8QbB_AH6YW4nveC7hyAX2VXmJynZM4J_Wo2vpcRE_GzHlqSv5qYKvf/s1600/8-IMG_3792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeYsNv_Irj4aA551d65Pup_zBmXFSlBbHBAzONb5x9htY-hKu4RCs3A8Y0nL1MRDlPmakHvB-3sXF3btQKecEOE8QbB_AH6YW4nveC7hyAX2VXmJynZM4J_Wo2vpcRE_GzHlqSv5qYKvf/s640/8-IMG_3792.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If you're looking for a great addition to your summer BBQ, let me introduce you to my favorite relish recipe. It was handed down from my lovely great-aunt Hazel who, sadly, along with my amazing great-uncle Gus, were taken from us in a car accident a few years back. She was an AMAZING cook and lucky for us youngins in the family, she documented some of her dishes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
This relish is delicious on everything from hamburgers to scrambled eggs. It's tangy and a little sweet with a perfect blend of spices. I make big batches of this and always have it on hand. It's easy to can and takes on a beautiful golden-y green color. If you aren't a canner, skip the water bath and keep it tightly sealed in your fridge for up to two weeks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGHvvWpR8dDSqdz68DUIjsTGTD69q71XrDcJ5hoE9EGld_L87muBJ17NHsPclXTO8mDrZ1a3ez57PIH-DkvOjn_6d4gP4L-lOd7n-79xK6uQVfkv_xe03yYuFEobcFeNQFT262_n8dMPv/s1600/3-IMG_3785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGHvvWpR8dDSqdz68DUIjsTGTD69q71XrDcJ5hoE9EGld_L87muBJ17NHsPclXTO8mDrZ1a3ez57PIH-DkvOjn_6d4gP4L-lOd7n-79xK6uQVfkv_xe03yYuFEobcFeNQFT262_n8dMPv/s640/3-IMG_3785.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prep your jars by sterilizing them in almost boiling water for at least 10 mins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy9IbvM5uWtQV2kcK4l5NjF3KBLDfx4snhSnuBe0Qo4HjkIxeX6BGmwHW0zqcbgfW6npOJZ_LrJdNL-k4U0yptJ0CXtqEcPWVRNdpw8p0-4vc5M43yypdTpupo7KhQwTa8h2rvy39mgYE/s1600/1-IMG_3783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy9IbvM5uWtQV2kcK4l5NjF3KBLDfx4snhSnuBe0Qo4HjkIxeX6BGmwHW0zqcbgfW6npOJZ_LrJdNL-k4U0yptJ0CXtqEcPWVRNdpw8p0-4vc5M43yypdTpupo7KhQwTa8h2rvy39mgYE/s640/1-IMG_3783.JPG" width="562" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shred your zucchini and onion, cover in water and soak overnight (or at least a few hours)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh_Btp11QdBBL6NIt-t4zMmzhLcRXva-De4CBjhckNjeLGab9gyfZfLmL-PHTeM5c3AyvdYwBGeQ92Ro0idz8_QfqWsB3Ap6W_-LgazHy0Yd-7wjyZYia4nQopkBJq4_BbZxvphuF_C1h/s1600/2-IMG_3784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh_Btp11QdBBL6NIt-t4zMmzhLcRXva-De4CBjhckNjeLGab9gyfZfLmL-PHTeM5c3AyvdYwBGeQ92Ro0idz8_QfqWsB3Ap6W_-LgazHy0Yd-7wjyZYia4nQopkBJq4_BbZxvphuF_C1h/s640/2-IMG_3784.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drain the soaked veggies and place in a large mixing bowl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghng7_sd9YdAaNtg_qDtjXEWkHETIrKMZGsKQO92UqwETQhj8TcnpadQiXH1vCP3mSYIxGc7GM9nYinRiODKgaADH20YEbBdXFFZfTQ2KfxVxDCHzoIVGPrMcY7ONnb-vvHul69H7_K3uM/s1600/4-IMG_3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghng7_sd9YdAaNtg_qDtjXEWkHETIrKMZGsKQO92UqwETQhj8TcnpadQiXH1vCP3mSYIxGc7GM9nYinRiODKgaADH20YEbBdXFFZfTQ2KfxVxDCHzoIVGPrMcY7ONnb-vvHul69H7_K3uM/s640/4-IMG_3786.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grind up some peppers, I like red and green together for color</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
<b>Aunt Hazel's Zucchini Relish</b></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>8-10 cups grated zucchini</li>
<li>5 tbsp salt</li>
<li>4 cups grated onion</li>
</ul>
<div>
Cover with cold water and soak overnight. Thoroughly drain.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mix together the following:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>2 large green peppers (I use one green one red for contrast) finely chopped</li>
<li>2 1/2 cups cider vinegar</li>
<li>1/2 tsp black pepper</li>
<li>1 tbsp turmeric</li>
<li>1 tbsp dry mustard</li>
<li>4 cups sugar (her recipe called for 5 but 4 seems to make it plenty sweet!)</li>
<li>1 tbsp cornstarch</li>
<li>1 tbsp nutmeg</li>
</ul>
<div>
Add your zucchini and onion mixture, then simmer all ingredients together for about 30 minutes. Add cooked relish to sterilized jars and place in a water bath for 10 minutes.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0GyZmcRvP4B5BQhoAE9gAiiuDHhdIRNIvjfha1L13X-F9ciGEAv_7u8ILB0gAkIL8xM1o07LNhcRrsI5ECwhd4kyK9a5QtT_8xm0PKKWmzwRTYWE2uuWzK4nWyM57d4r8uM0MapnDedV/s1600/5-IMG_3787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0GyZmcRvP4B5BQhoAE9gAiiuDHhdIRNIvjfha1L13X-F9ciGEAv_7u8ILB0gAkIL8xM1o07LNhcRrsI5ECwhd4kyK9a5QtT_8xm0PKKWmzwRTYWE2uuWzK4nWyM57d4r8uM0MapnDedV/s640/5-IMG_3787.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mix together the peppers and spices</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY7WsWAeP6r1Dj3bA0lkzHxFE356UZ-RiD1Haxj38vEd5Ype8ohTqV_q9mml1-uJs99XLoK3a2f2heC5go8r1thSk-ucW7J1MClMyegJHSLcZVZoF9BMYyPXqO1icjc4nZJHfVajap2u4/s1600/6-IMG_3790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY7WsWAeP6r1Dj3bA0lkzHxFE356UZ-RiD1Haxj38vEd5Ype8ohTqV_q9mml1-uJs99XLoK3a2f2heC5go8r1thSk-ucW7J1MClMyegJHSLcZVZoF9BMYyPXqO1icjc4nZJHfVajap2u4/s640/6-IMG_3790.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add grated zucchini mix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt4_S0Kc_rJ6MeF9AT_s75TP1wLIeeMBQvxMONyjtF0XuJHyw4UOXzizIf3NX6sLaDa6QtNpsxP5-mR68QMOrqQVOG3YNijTi-MK6ViVJXQYq7W2wQgO0kp1rgrqM5pmF6_ZX5de_byb-/s1600/7-IMG_3791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt4_S0Kc_rJ6MeF9AT_s75TP1wLIeeMBQvxMONyjtF0XuJHyw4UOXzizIf3NX6sLaDa6QtNpsxP5-mR68QMOrqQVOG3YNijTi-MK6ViVJXQYq7W2wQgO0kp1rgrqM5pmF6_ZX5de_byb-/s640/7-IMG_3791.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simmer for 30 minutes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgGFlXQ9Dti4wkUIZX6wkiGCPSNwqrDK-6FoNfEZPwRq50oJbQdmmaMC-9JqMuMb5oCBua0pFulI6F4MPl9M-UTfPhXE3-2435mMY6OqeBjWfJTuKl6LUbL9eY8F-FVTI8Nr4AQaP4UC6/s1600/9-IMG_3793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgGFlXQ9Dti4wkUIZX6wkiGCPSNwqrDK-6FoNfEZPwRq50oJbQdmmaMC-9JqMuMb5oCBua0pFulI6F4MPl9M-UTfPhXE3-2435mMY6OqeBjWfJTuKl6LUbL9eY8F-FVTI8Nr4AQaP4UC6/s640/9-IMG_3793.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place in sterilized jars and seal with a water bath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This relish is so addictive! I really put it on everything. It's also great to take along to BBQs and potlucks!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
XOXO,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mrs. B</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-89573487892152676882013-06-14T21:18:00.000-04:002013-06-14T21:20:42.495-04:00Dressing Up a Dresser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwUuQA_XhFAoQ-05D6yYD-8u4r_jjUZO3n9wUDKjWNxoxg-xUaLuZLzYFWi-64VE9BstIIi_NtaorvjyR3sp4rVdS4z2sj5sh-g093JapNhrwsU31i4JVmsAIbt1Ru9Jl_wOvTyJyL2Xj/s1600/1-IMG_3781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwUuQA_XhFAoQ-05D6yYD-8u4r_jjUZO3n9wUDKjWNxoxg-xUaLuZLzYFWi-64VE9BstIIi_NtaorvjyR3sp4rVdS4z2sj5sh-g093JapNhrwsU31i4JVmsAIbt1Ru9Jl_wOvTyJyL2Xj/s640/1-IMG_3781.JPG" width="564" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey there, Blog Land! How ya been? That's great! Me? Well, I've been good and GROWING! 32 weeks on Sunday, whoop, whoop! Thanks for asking ;)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't believe that BB is going to be here in 8 weeks! Time is flying by. Thankfully, Mr. B and I were able to take advantage of a couple trips before <strike>my belly</strike> things got too out of control. We took a babymoon to Cozumel in May...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHn55IV5u03a4AKFmYQpyCpTMktG210-UarN4nlrBW21QoxbyCN4IRYKvowpmayNbgc0_9JAxcDsQeBMNWDFGWP3kERYQxqRwvsIhkYHEQVW3mK0hV2g3Hgirq-xe4glpuXTQPqu9QHfr/s1600/114-IMG_3587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHn55IV5u03a4AKFmYQpyCpTMktG210-UarN4nlrBW21QoxbyCN4IRYKvowpmayNbgc0_9JAxcDsQeBMNWDFGWP3kERYQxqRwvsIhkYHEQVW3mK0hV2g3Hgirq-xe4glpuXTQPqu9QHfr/s640/114-IMG_3587.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 Month baby bump!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQJBBXIShmtIkEn4eBVz6oSywDcyt-XA7AtJe3taDIMO9E7yBZVRzXzpq2j5F1PRv9EWb02owN9MzApfRCSAcPqh9CZCAw95m9jLtppmf67bN9zZn14DVNrXZVw9r1Z9fEt_g1SVa7_Az/s1600/238-IMG_3731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQJBBXIShmtIkEn4eBVz6oSywDcyt-XA7AtJe3taDIMO9E7yBZVRzXzpq2j5F1PRv9EWb02owN9MzApfRCSAcPqh9CZCAw95m9jLtppmf67bN9zZn14DVNrXZVw9r1Z9fEt_g1SVa7_Az/s640/238-IMG_3731.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babymoon Dinner on the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and then a long weekend in Maine with some good friends...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvIQ6H9R90lSRECW0Lz1UMpXLM41mzburIHKWjCm23Geaj90qqYSoCsBDvnMrAYilzahISBCW2G3q3s61dL2X8TIOq2EitwP7IvT7KHU97XUBAfYqGvvmD2fXTEZRPpfdvexFuOP2xxNl/s1600/1-photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvIQ6H9R90lSRECW0Lz1UMpXLM41mzburIHKWjCm23Geaj90qqYSoCsBDvnMrAYilzahISBCW2G3q3s61dL2X8TIOq2EitwP7IvT7KHU97XUBAfYqGvvmD2fXTEZRPpfdvexFuOP2xxNl/s640/1-photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrnlfz8hyBt61Okc8SUrPFcppu862CxkTssjHrEnSmB8601YGeB-9d8-btvyRQucVPzO-SZkRDStCvqA17uAhyphenhypheneBsf5BIOZxEnOq2mWk3tKtsWyQKt7l6x8_Gxp1I7ub9fZlbkTE6jvS1/s1600/2-photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrnlfz8hyBt61Okc8SUrPFcppu862CxkTssjHrEnSmB8601YGeB-9d8-btvyRQucVPzO-SZkRDStCvqA17uAhyphenhypheneBsf5BIOZxEnOq2mWk3tKtsWyQKt7l6x8_Gxp1I7ub9fZlbkTE6jvS1/s640/2-photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture perfect, no?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But now I've settled in for the duration. Honestly, the thought of sitting on a plane going <b>anywhere</b> at this point sounds like an unusually cruel form of torture. Baby girl is getting cramped and likes to let me know about it. My belly is contorting into shapes I was unaware it could make and I'm fairly certain she's using my ribs as a starting block to get traction. <b>NOT</b> that I mind any of it one little bit! I looove feeling her, it's the most amazing and slightly uncomfortable feeling, ever!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ok, down to business. I took my "single girl" dresser and nightstand and re-vamped them for BB's room. The bottom drawer of the dresser was broken, so Mr. B got handy and made a space where I could store baskets. Then, I sanded it all down and painted it pink.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvSjdDXMdtTvI7nAkvTWZoCrYfeMuPr73w-2t20XrP7J2bg0kag3Xf0HCBDBBoNLC1RYeiZO7BFvrS5AbM856pfbRRFBFBju2QBIpPf6ZEWZjujJPnC2iCxwJjMOARjCI5qZtp31oC6IS/s1600/3-Dresser.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvSjdDXMdtTvI7nAkvTWZoCrYfeMuPr73w-2t20XrP7J2bg0kag3Xf0HCBDBBoNLC1RYeiZO7BFvrS5AbM856pfbRRFBFBju2QBIpPf6ZEWZjujJPnC2iCxwJjMOARjCI5qZtp31oC6IS/s640/3-Dresser.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">No, I didn't take a "before" picture but you get the idea!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VfEV73mHj1YpiZdsWa0kk3aNlAjChm2P7QJp-WNpEliiyFL5v66IXMvW0bNRKFynLNQ9YnMULAT9pjyLI3CngH0tJHu4QGIgFrv1LelmPyxMhjjs8N3Ac48OCDetFLdPIp49dxXXGIeU/s1600/5-Dresser-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VfEV73mHj1YpiZdsWa0kk3aNlAjChm2P7QJp-WNpEliiyFL5v66IXMvW0bNRKFynLNQ9YnMULAT9pjyLI3CngH0tJHu4QGIgFrv1LelmPyxMhjjs8N3Ac48OCDetFLdPIp49dxXXGIeU/s640/5-Dresser-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once everything was painted, I measured and cut out the material I had picked for the drawer fronts. Here's a helpful hint, if you order fabric from Etsy, note where it's shipping from. It took almost a <b>MONTH</b> to get a yard of fabric because it came from Shanghai!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
To finish the edges, I folded over a quarter of an inch and Mod Podged it. I then brushed the MP over the drawer and fabric and smoothed it into place. Once it was dry, I cut out the hole for the drawer pulls.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzizCc0ZAUbV-KIY1Rk7pZ7ZMmtldwwqy2nK1EH-d2G64oejOvfNnXiqw66v28554fvQTvSSe0JnnSbonBkwKSRjWtgmLw5LgtcJJ7GeG-N5DLWrlHxstuxKDmBu73r1N2fjJjQEEWeUI/s1600/4-Dresser-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzizCc0ZAUbV-KIY1Rk7pZ7ZMmtldwwqy2nK1EH-d2G64oejOvfNnXiqw66v28554fvQTvSSe0JnnSbonBkwKSRjWtgmLw5LgtcJJ7GeG-N5DLWrlHxstuxKDmBu73r1N2fjJjQEEWeUI/s640/4-Dresser-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After everything dried, my dad and Mr. B had some quality bonding time varnishing everything to seal it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTviP4F5KhGSrWtNs-BL_lIYTipeF6iVHYGiqcjJPRNS2vSg1LqSq6WL9uus0k_M0-N6mYc1ezjEYFHpVZkgzmT3RfzoDrHzC8cuzX1sl5hf7QqGFff-IEacE6ubDFKSqeR2LLtws5Ckwn/s1600/2-IMG_3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTviP4F5KhGSrWtNs-BL_lIYTipeF6iVHYGiqcjJPRNS2vSg1LqSq6WL9uus0k_M0-N6mYc1ezjEYFHpVZkgzmT3RfzoDrHzC8cuzX1sl5hf7QqGFff-IEacE6ubDFKSqeR2LLtws5Ckwn/s640/2-IMG_3436.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad is clearly enjoying himself, he's probably being ornery! Notice the floating solo cup? That would be Mr. B's awesome pulley system that tells him how far to pull the Jeep into the garage. When the garage door is closed, the cup rises to the ceiling. LOL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I added the fun drawer pulls that my mom scored for me!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtngM6zULbZluORxobAdhcs6ibW26GzkrTK9chzlbuGQcTBgxrKQ4oPf79RuW-h9OBppEUpIi0yiDIr3aWsjo9dmQ-SOZWt3Cx_CZmUzkxAn2B0osEscPDbTlsXfX0nT00zlSRirJVfzK/s1600/1-IMG_3433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtngM6zULbZluORxobAdhcs6ibW26GzkrTK9chzlbuGQcTBgxrKQ4oPf79RuW-h9OBppEUpIi0yiDIr3aWsjo9dmQ-SOZWt3Cx_CZmUzkxAn2B0osEscPDbTlsXfX0nT00zlSRirJVfzK/s640/1-IMG_3433.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now baby girl has a one of a kind dresser and nightstand that look "<b>oh, so precious</b>" in her room and will be a functional way to store all those uber cute outfits she'll get!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Au2TTdmIXxNalG2dWHmmyH7A-wSShRRZI5PU3R73Wj8z99_-fTHtGRTQGKDHmoYquwEH3p1ELBKwBtLx9yWZ_opuNPVR_EQasqWwQ5Gi6jAg-SboeR7z9GnzyY2lGEYqLMOdyIo7bS6i/s1600/7-IMG_3780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Au2TTdmIXxNalG2dWHmmyH7A-wSShRRZI5PU3R73Wj8z99_-fTHtGRTQGKDHmoYquwEH3p1ELBKwBtLx9yWZ_opuNPVR_EQasqWwQ5Gi6jAg-SboeR7z9GnzyY2lGEYqLMOdyIo7bS6i/s640/7-IMG_3780.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieckchm0u-6bgPNtkelt2RgEMgwMjQl29rvEfD-W4f6wheiUKis_HKLzYbNb86-1q5RPbbrv5Xn6L-s8lwg2Gtn1cb5u1F3dAQ8tYzolpImOI-Ra2eh8I4LOjoMAAgb8W5vXlwDdeUPHis/s1600/6-IMG_3779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieckchm0u-6bgPNtkelt2RgEMgwMjQl29rvEfD-W4f6wheiUKis_HKLzYbNb86-1q5RPbbrv5Xn6L-s8lwg2Gtn1cb5u1F3dAQ8tYzolpImOI-Ra2eh8I4LOjoMAAgb8W5vXlwDdeUPHis/s640/6-IMG_3779.JPG" width="494" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
XOXO,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mrs. B</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-3759860551371994892013-05-31T17:16:00.001-04:002013-05-31T17:17:38.340-04:00You Like Me, You Really Do!<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
WOO HOO! Two big milestones for Mrs. B Takes On! 100 "Likes" on Facebook (If you haven't liked me yet, do it! Pretty please?!) AND I've received over 5,000 page views since I started my blog last May! </span></h2>
<div>
Ok, I'll tone down the font. But seriously, folks. I'm SO excited! Thank you to everyone for supporting me!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<img alt=" Animated Gif on Giphy" src="http://media1.giphy.com/media/YTbZzCkRQCEJa/giphy.gif" /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
XOXO,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mrs. B</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329113164396826060.post-72376460066113671152013-05-30T13:50:00.002-04:002013-05-30T14:03:16.328-04:00Banana Crumb Muffins<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQTWl5ytbhYbe6GI2COMgc9gtP0CmQ4OTNa18s9K4is4SzVaVNVI5wQxYXrFRfrU-uCoR2BefgH_x2aqoiF2fEcIoAsFje43fIw0R3Q1k1EkqVZ0Z7ibbkgf16LuHmpFnS-9e2IhG7BTH/s1600/1-blogger-image--873326368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQTWl5ytbhYbe6GI2COMgc9gtP0CmQ4OTNa18s9K4is4SzVaVNVI5wQxYXrFRfrU-uCoR2BefgH_x2aqoiF2fEcIoAsFje43fIw0R3Q1k1EkqVZ0Z7ibbkgf16LuHmpFnS-9e2IhG7BTH/s640/1-blogger-image--873326368.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Mr. B is getting back from a business trip to Brussels today and I thought it would be nice to have something home baked to greet him with. I had some overripe bananas that wouldn't last another day, so I knocked out some delicious banana crumb muffins. You can get the recipe <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-crumb-muffins/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. I added a tablespoon of vanilla to the wet ingredients but other than that, I follow it as is. This is my <b>favorite </b>muffin recipe ever, so I had to share. You have to try it. It's really easy and so good!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
XOXO,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Mrs. B</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmmi44FeEeGFjIpgQ80dyMRk3oqhkm-BOjX3ofF8q7CvWPo4lLkeHdjwAOliux7YzQLhru_7EZfT2MdzuKIbeUeXSIZlDKVqA_qVJ1N8UlhYAYdAEaNVf0_dOCYEy12g3FHCK3VKq0v9v/s1600/3-blogger-image--1995469003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmmi44FeEeGFjIpgQ80dyMRk3oqhkm-BOjX3ofF8q7CvWPo4lLkeHdjwAOliux7YzQLhru_7EZfT2MdzuKIbeUeXSIZlDKVqA_qVJ1N8UlhYAYdAEaNVf0_dOCYEy12g3FHCK3VKq0v9v/s640/3-blogger-image--1995469003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The goods. Those bananas were barely hanging on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhwr-lAMz1p2p_mBu8gZf8FAq2U8YwHXl-UkHAaavJTeVNRVyy4s1MMYaZxMEOoma7UFk9wAthk0vqPDVGrMkObWjIHZQ4JKw6J6saI6bgs35s715Hfaz0Yqg8V1GD7KPntfvtHrsWKY4/s1600/1-Recently+Updated2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhwr-lAMz1p2p_mBu8gZf8FAq2U8YwHXl-UkHAaavJTeVNRVyy4s1MMYaZxMEOoma7UFk9wAthk0vqPDVGrMkObWjIHZQ4JKw6J6saI6bgs35s715Hfaz0Yqg8V1GD7KPntfvtHrsWKY4/s640/1-Recently+Updated2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrSd3_G43GNmeVAnxCDwZ7b1LY-d2rDx__o9_y4re9qm8hiR8vytpGF0l2Z06xjgnQcGcv-BfYgFaIWhxC8PsK7XYxsQmVClOTDLgbNMhneEq7K58IdnFdxcZdXLC7ELW-kRI-QD5EC2m/s1600/2-Recently+Updated1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrSd3_G43GNmeVAnxCDwZ7b1LY-d2rDx__o9_y4re9qm8hiR8vytpGF0l2Z06xjgnQcGcv-BfYgFaIWhxC8PsK7XYxsQmVClOTDLgbNMhneEq7K58IdnFdxcZdXLC7ELW-kRI-QD5EC2m/s640/2-Recently+Updated1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The crumble topping.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU65crnKK9NztZ9a0rmTz3A34STs0-VD3CBpjq9aq3ZUftuLOfFed9bbBpA8LwaeCQSUtk2SNeqtpQDg9Xg4_pSoVnk1bTTM1IZgIaCIbESMG-auUaPRQZxTK5zOoRAzYsJ7bj-jpgux7p/s1600/4-blogger-image-1058057661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU65crnKK9NztZ9a0rmTz3A34STs0-VD3CBpjq9aq3ZUftuLOfFed9bbBpA8LwaeCQSUtk2SNeqtpQDg9Xg4_pSoVnk1bTTM1IZgIaCIbESMG-auUaPRQZxTK5zOoRAzYsJ7bj-jpgux7p/s640/4-blogger-image-1058057661.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">YUM!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627145505455105881noreply@blogger.com1