tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73205546502718193752024-03-13T11:45:23.541-07:00freshly rootedAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10345732173988641493noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-1483046094291275742011-10-19T07:14:00.000-07:002011-10-19T07:17:37.967-07:00Breather...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ-W5vsoxkm8KazJhrcXv3skR7VuLggjvYCeabmKqbrdJs2BdlvUPCKfIInf0WvxyHcNGRcjW7ABSpA0gOXLtRUsjgbp5IDl6TXn4T8Y2ZTuftYmJlh7-EMKvFmiaKf2cT87oUs_0awc/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ-W5vsoxkm8KazJhrcXv3skR7VuLggjvYCeabmKqbrdJs2BdlvUPCKfIInf0WvxyHcNGRcjW7ABSpA0gOXLtRUsjgbp5IDl6TXn4T8Y2ZTuftYmJlh7-EMKvFmiaKf2cT87oUs_0awc/s320/sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are taking a little blog break to focus on our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/freshlyrooted">Etsy shop</a>. Be sure to check back often. We'll be posting our new products here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until then!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://zvilletocville.blogspot.com/">Courtney</a>, <a href="http://steppingthroughthewardrobe.blogspot.com/">Ashley</a> and <a href="http://whitneybiber.blogspot.com/">Whitney</a></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10345732173988641493noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-50259929336874553922011-10-17T11:25:00.000-07:002011-10-17T17:35:38.599-07:00NEST: HooksWe live in a modest sized house. It is wonderful and such a blessing. But, with five of us, we have to be smart about our usage of space.<br />
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One way we have found to maximize our space is by using hooks. Such a simple solution, yet so very helpful. We have them everywhere. <br />
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Some of my favorite hook placements are:<br />
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To hang a mobile above our son's crib.<br />
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To hang a sweet nest in our daughter's room.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqxDXThS0d2mpJ_6gqmEjx7LPHRX9zNdmkXYr91-X5Mh7ptdIuUTuYic72vOKOlA_slWr8Z-ohb9eW_fkUS05o30wLZPZ4LwQbvllTn3vD7o9i-S47pFjhvh6EbAMEggR6v0S7CyNta9Q/s1600/36b589aa343442bc859fc8f538ce1a47_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqxDXThS0d2mpJ_6gqmEjx7LPHRX9zNdmkXYr91-X5Mh7ptdIuUTuYic72vOKOlA_slWr8Z-ohb9eW_fkUS05o30wLZPZ4LwQbvllTn3vD7o9i-S47pFjhvh6EbAMEggR6v0S7CyNta9Q/s1600/36b589aa343442bc859fc8f538ce1a47_6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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To hang a fern in our kitchen.<br />
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</div>To hold our pot holders.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQwPACdovDYeDdr8X5YVTDJj5lpHGSANIP9QKAXG2vMMomWlVbaIyDOEG7Txw4i9WbaoeIks9o2lSjsfMfsX5q4LRm00jge0NV-hC6OuA2KAjPK90D6d-lTMr_BdBu-8ajrLZ7UPzgxzD/s1600/4e9855fcf4bd411e9589f98a90648e88_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQwPACdovDYeDdr8X5YVTDJj5lpHGSANIP9QKAXG2vMMomWlVbaIyDOEG7Txw4i9WbaoeIks9o2lSjsfMfsX5q4LRm00jge0NV-hC6OuA2KAjPK90D6d-lTMr_BdBu-8ajrLZ7UPzgxzD/s320/4e9855fcf4bd411e9589f98a90648e88_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For coffee mugs and tea cups.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX31wZ83xhGXVFYRs2rhVx2YeObtNyEAlBkLAYIH9S1RGeplMfB5RLhfy2qvAW2WPa0ThKtSkZnZT0jjfcgyWh8dhuOx0h5Vou9V4IlCYnvs2Fc03mRCCNWh2ItYD0TgZyZjVXnfqNwCyv/s1600/05ee604d840a414b94fcdd3877757f0a_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX31wZ83xhGXVFYRs2rhVx2YeObtNyEAlBkLAYIH9S1RGeplMfB5RLhfy2qvAW2WPa0ThKtSkZnZT0jjfcgyWh8dhuOx0h5Vou9V4IlCYnvs2Fc03mRCCNWh2ItYD0TgZyZjVXnfqNwCyv/s320/05ee604d840a414b94fcdd3877757f0a_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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To save a bit of counter space and hold our bananas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1KIlku3Dqb3nz4QO4gCxGUhsKTL1hyCqHqcmqxDbBTnxNOgjbIxd0UEt1J-ZHUGIWUutcICKBdIApuIskLTlY2uvEivYvNin-PcfEzUpuv25uB7c4TsoGOC9PFXN1E2WhxWtAwK4_DRN/s1600/70b853763d504fcd8d404d65ed6fdb56_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1KIlku3Dqb3nz4QO4gCxGUhsKTL1hyCqHqcmqxDbBTnxNOgjbIxd0UEt1J-ZHUGIWUutcICKBdIApuIskLTlY2uvEivYvNin-PcfEzUpuv25uB7c4TsoGOC9PFXN1E2WhxWtAwK4_DRN/s1600/70b853763d504fcd8d404d65ed6fdb56_6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
To hold our scrub brush and allow it to drip dry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTgT9X8ZShgdUWokZJUHETtHtojug9JAWUAjXaCOhyphenhyphenVrColP9dtbJBpvBYAl5fNXOQnw4N05Ak9xl4fbj6Uz3pn7L3fJWGOCHKfuz5fxaMrZ2J7CIhThTaVloG8bfVlkS0flVDGEIyyUX/s1600/98d93784b2594754bb3fcc22b749ecf1_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTgT9X8ZShgdUWokZJUHETtHtojug9JAWUAjXaCOhyphenhyphenVrColP9dtbJBpvBYAl5fNXOQnw4N05Ak9xl4fbj6Uz3pn7L3fJWGOCHKfuz5fxaMrZ2J7CIhThTaVloG8bfVlkS0flVDGEIyyUX/s1600/98d93784b2594754bb3fcc22b749ecf1_6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
To have a towel at a reachable level for our kids in the bathroom.<br />
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And when it is not scorching hot, I love to hang a flowering plant out front!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1zEdYB5nWvQWTmcz3HP9it6L9G7g9vwnHbUer_GbKdPqAccn9rP4CfBFGncoDGttZViTCmWSGxuta3OByMinqsIMK4QwaVn4ARj29nNsB0Kx-kyzCxhakLKqW6Z2v6I2gQVAH0Et2YnG/s1600/292317fb669a445ea83dac1144799e43_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1zEdYB5nWvQWTmcz3HP9it6L9G7g9vwnHbUer_GbKdPqAccn9rP4CfBFGncoDGttZViTCmWSGxuta3OByMinqsIMK4QwaVn4ARj29nNsB0Kx-kyzCxhakLKqW6Z2v6I2gQVAH0Et2YnG/s1600/292317fb669a445ea83dac1144799e43_6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We also have a hook on our deck to attach a clothesline to a tree.<br />
We have many hooks in our basement to hang clothes and also hang tools.<br />
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We are so thankful for how cheap and easy to implement hooks are! What a space saver!the smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07211278548863215506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-41222304287814760212011-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:002011-10-03T05:00:11.184-07:00PLAY: Party DrinksWe recently hosted a cookout for a bunch of our friends.<br />
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As I was planning the menu and making a list of things to buy, I was overwhelmed by how expensive it was all going to be. We have a small kitchen and did not have enough plates and silverware to accommodate everyone, but I didn't want to have to buy all disposable products for our guests. Not only would it be expensive, it would have filled our trash can to the brim.<br />
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One very simple solution I came up with was to fill our drink bucket with individual ball jars filled with sweet tea and lemonade. I only had one pitcher, which was being used for sangria, and I did not want to have to purchase another. It made it so simple for guests to easily grab a drink without having to pour it and once I had them in the drink bucket, I did not have to think about them again. <br />
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It was so simple, easy, spill proof and economical! Consider giving it a try at your next party!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReqbPB-aZzp2fZ1rE7U9248tqGeVqaY8Dh4SJMKAYYxkokHwYPvCOPLBGJdm1NXGqfo7EUoQPg1vaDhynhpwRGlZiDUYurfSZjaAeIeX-3_rXICUf6QeQZEYD0eUOzyHgeDl2MhyNzEpd/s1600/ee454a499a97449b909751f1d533277a_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReqbPB-aZzp2fZ1rE7U9248tqGeVqaY8Dh4SJMKAYYxkokHwYPvCOPLBGJdm1NXGqfo7EUoQPg1vaDhynhpwRGlZiDUYurfSZjaAeIeX-3_rXICUf6QeQZEYD0eUOzyHgeDl2MhyNzEpd/s320/ee454a499a97449b909751f1d533277a_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And because we are talking parties, look at this amazing bouncy house my kids got to enjoy at a recent cookout we attended! It put our croquet and bocce to shame!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJyebgjCuadWVo6HtMBj4FouQALYLDK2hggKu6mpcMiIyfWmwBDGJVA_0HN-lfI8nvDprDYYLtQNUbu6uTramJCLFTicz6X7_-KncgptilG7Vps5m_eL37FvCGOOxNpAIkY7nI4rpGVqF/s1600/3b4b86792bc24a48a5f381bc0c11cd42_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJyebgjCuadWVo6HtMBj4FouQALYLDK2hggKu6mpcMiIyfWmwBDGJVA_0HN-lfI8nvDprDYYLtQNUbu6uTramJCLFTicz6X7_-KncgptilG7Vps5m_eL37FvCGOOxNpAIkY7nI4rpGVqF/s320/3b4b86792bc24a48a5f381bc0c11cd42_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>the smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07211278548863215506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-83976883759236580862011-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:002011-09-27T20:13:32.673-07:00PRAY: the birds and the beesI'm relatively Type A. Not like A ++ when it comes to everything, but a pretty high degree of A-ness on the whole. <br />
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And part of the territory is that I've had this plan for how my life would go since the age of ten (or four?). And although there are things I could not have begun to imagine would have been so amazingly wonderful and beautiful, there have been times where I thought things would have gone differently, and maybe even better had they gone according to my little planski. In those moments, I've caught myself wondering if maybe somewhere along the line God forgot about how things were supposed to go for me. <br />
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Last night, a friend of mine was discussing that she had been feeling that way lately, and our other friend brought up Matthew 6:26:<br />
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<em>Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? </em><br />
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And isn't it the truth? If God remembers to feed the birdies and duckies every day, would he really forget the fact that she was hoping this season of pain would pass? Certainly not. <br />
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Moving forward, in my times of trial, I will undoubtedly lean upon this verse to be reminded that as long as God is still feeding the baby birds, he's going to take care of my needs too. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sqwBzIfu6CFJruEDPdfcUOOdhCgFjoDOimxU3hoS1jDqP4Uhqi9YG_-vMdFfwkbP-isauYoVwja9ops0GZNGQWoWomdKhpTxX21wUAA2pHNHF0q7o9PKEjNrmuh6BcK7QGz7gEVTxK_M/s1600/notebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sqwBzIfu6CFJruEDPdfcUOOdhCgFjoDOimxU3hoS1jDqP4Uhqi9YG_-vMdFfwkbP-isauYoVwja9ops0GZNGQWoWomdKhpTxX21wUAA2pHNHF0q7o9PKEjNrmuh6BcK7QGz7gEVTxK_M/s400/notebook.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PS: If you're a bird. I'm a bird. :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">image <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=the+notebook&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1913&bih=860&tbm=isch&prmd=ivnsb&tbnid=_TRBNV6t13w00M:&imgrefurl=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15931.The_Notebook&docid=2deHl7fSVw-_nM&w=450&h=300&ei=7JRnTqjaBPHjsQLR1_yPDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=599&vpy=148&dur=23&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=99&ty=44&page=1&tbnh=164&tbnw=219&start=0&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0">via</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444482102150436143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-79699127030543338352011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:002011-09-26T05:00:03.936-07:00MAKE: Home Cleaning SolutionsOnce I became a mama, I knew that I wanted to clean up my act in terms of home cleaning. I wanted to be sure that the products I used were incredibly safe to have around our daughter and I didn't want to worry about what was under my kitchen cabinet.<br />
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We have made a lot of simple and very frugal changes around our home and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Idy7h8L_rRg0LjNt3Ppevtp1kqx10MPu1YEMYRdz_W0DGl08Mq55-gba2jNaejbhCB-HBvpz2SCxp1bjtzZghsnGKRNaYz3juTS8Jk0C7uotNyMpYOlLfblq7W5HCZtdGsl0Wrfy4hOC/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Idy7h8L_rRg0LjNt3Ppevtp1kqx10MPu1YEMYRdz_W0DGl08Mq55-gba2jNaejbhCB-HBvpz2SCxp1bjtzZghsnGKRNaYz3juTS8Jk0C7uotNyMpYOlLfblq7W5HCZtdGsl0Wrfy4hOC/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Stacy at Delightful Home recently wrote a great post that pretty much sums up all of the changes we've made. I couldn't have said it better, so I thought I would direct you to her<a href="http://adelightfulhome.com/go-green-save-green-5-natural-cleaning-tips/"> fabulous post</a>! Happy cleaning!the smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07211278548863215506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-17559532367795799762011-09-23T01:53:00.000-07:002011-09-23T01:53:00.132-07:00EAT: Melon...lots of melon.A mostly-emptied watermelon and a spoon in the backyard--that was summer bliss as a kid. Often my mom would scoop out about three quarters of the melon for a fruit salad to take to a cookout and leave me with the remnants. I remember sitting in the grass and eating every bit of red from that shell. Melon makes summer so sweet. <div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMKxeJmj-WkBtZytf44zJt9RwwCIPTG5TiT7rB9cLkWny4Iv_N2kx6pt62JC4Cedl6_u6bmyCP7CBA3AnXL9ZJnmtY4pQ0J4SR_nc24dORl2xSCReZORTAxGtN9Q2R5SfCOJXbCsuqko/s1600/IMG_0296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMKxeJmj-WkBtZytf44zJt9RwwCIPTG5TiT7rB9cLkWny4Iv_N2kx6pt62JC4Cedl6_u6bmyCP7CBA3AnXL9ZJnmtY4pQ0J4SR_nc24dORl2xSCReZORTAxGtN9Q2R5SfCOJXbCsuqko/s320/IMG_0296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cantaloupe and tomatoes from my garden...mmm</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>Here in Colorado, melons are plentiful right now. Cantaloupe is two for a dollar. And, my garden smells like sweet, ripe melon. As the melon season winds down, I'm making the most of it. My favorite refreshing afternoon treat is a melon smoothie. This is the simplest smoothie in the world. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Melon Smoothie</div><div>Ingredients: chunks of melon, ice, a little water</div><div>Directions: Place all ingredients in your blender or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Bullet-MBR-1701-17-Piece-Express/dp/B001WAKFDY?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Magic Bullet</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001WAKFDY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and blend.</div><div> Pour it into a glass and enjoy! Share if you must.</div><div><br />
</div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10345732173988641493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-65464270517757432642011-09-21T05:26:00.000-07:002011-09-21T05:26:00.297-07:00PLAY: a new additionIt can't go without saying. Welcome to the world Diego Brantley Guzman. We are so happy you're here :) I can't wait to snuggle you!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBbz1N5Y-hnWU9JXeCd0hDi2AlPxqPKpJ6U2oBEAfNj0HonyMJ3LAh3MuS9yw7ei29iwIUVASsR9zP7XW5PKCuSvLJ-WTEOtopFGYNXcWYWw5DLZDr5-GTJBuYrBZidoUbwT0zDWu9IEf/s1600/diego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBbz1N5Y-hnWU9JXeCd0hDi2AlPxqPKpJ6U2oBEAfNj0HonyMJ3LAh3MuS9yw7ei29iwIUVASsR9zP7XW5PKCuSvLJ-WTEOtopFGYNXcWYWw5DLZDr5-GTJBuYrBZidoUbwT0zDWu9IEf/s400/diego.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444482102150436143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-81923080613355855142011-09-19T03:00:00.000-07:002011-09-19T03:00:08.473-07:00NEST: Clotheslines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwHZnxhtPEwYbLaIJ8tdKrGLA34h4sUbaMWplJ-PFKd94i6dRSfJbtJD3wlRBnaYoujSJ5_eABpc4tvZZBu1py7dQrvYcgELIKA781DiPDBtoPBlbboWgv2DsqDgayL4BpyIX1pTjH9bP/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwHZnxhtPEwYbLaIJ8tdKrGLA34h4sUbaMWplJ-PFKd94i6dRSfJbtJD3wlRBnaYoujSJ5_eABpc4tvZZBu1py7dQrvYcgELIKA781DiPDBtoPBlbboWgv2DsqDgayL4BpyIX1pTjH9bP/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We have been borrowing a neighbor's clothesline this summer to hang some our our laundry dry. <br />
<br />
There is something so back-to-the-basics about it that makes me feel good every time I pin up our laundry out in the sun. <br />
<br />
And it is so simple. And easy. And free!<br />
<br />
Consider line drying your clothes while the weather is still warm. You don't need to construct an elaborate clothesline. Even if you only have minimal space, you can hang your clothes to dry. Before borrowing my neighbor's, I often draped our diapers on our deck to dry. If you live in an apartment and have a balcony, you can use this to dry your clothes (just be sure you don't let them fall stories down!). <br />
<br />
You can <a href="http://homeschooling_101.blogspot.com/2008/05/build-your-own-clothes-line-right-now.html">build a clothesline</a> with posts in the ground, or consider buying a clothesline long enough to go between your porch and a nearby tree.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/272859/outdoor-clothesline">Martha Stuart</a> suggests:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5a57; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">"Buy a clothesline long enough to span the distance between your porch and a nearby tree or post. On the porch end, thread the line through a metal eye hook, and wind it around a sailor's cleat installed about a foot below the hook. At the other end, screw another hook into the tree or post. Tie the clothesline to a snap shackle, which makes attaching and detaching the cord a breeze."</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-bqyq6VrwJ9sYxGr0GhzZ4evusqkM3u0yWCCxc9aIQxjnb-eee5fHygxj2U8bbnONMmFGTf_fNHxLG-ynCSN6FSCEcXQlFBf7KbL4wviO0NocQ_fvB-FGFEuRxYhd1QKAHoQkAWKWhEI/s1600/gt031_outcloth02_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-bqyq6VrwJ9sYxGr0GhzZ4evusqkM3u0yWCCxc9aIQxjnb-eee5fHygxj2U8bbnONMmFGTf_fNHxLG-ynCSN6FSCEcXQlFBf7KbL4wviO0NocQ_fvB-FGFEuRxYhd1QKAHoQkAWKWhEI/s1600/gt031_outcloth02_m.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFjIzDaMuMuVy3Q3IcY0SkLT2H4HT4EDyywhAzsoPk3hpTEjV_w279J-vK1YdSfgClic7rRnkxEn8Dc3u-gtixRUq11pCs4SgOZCVZneseUVRfuadUIqRZRguO4ZgplFpS-g394OIRiXG/s1600/gt031_outcloth03_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFjIzDaMuMuVy3Q3IcY0SkLT2H4HT4EDyywhAzsoPk3hpTEjV_w279J-vK1YdSfgClic7rRnkxEn8Dc3u-gtixRUq11pCs4SgOZCVZneseUVRfuadUIqRZRguO4ZgplFpS-g394OIRiXG/s1600/gt031_outcloth03_m.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5a57; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5a57; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So easy! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It has definitely saved us a bit of money this summer and the clothes smell so fresh. The sun also helps with pesky diaper stains. It is a win-win situation! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Consider a clothesline at your home!</span></span>the smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07211278548863215506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-1237962314785778812011-09-16T01:16:00.000-07:002011-09-16T01:16:00.267-07:00PRAY: Waiting<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 Peter 3:9</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><sup style="line-height: 0.786em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> </sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.</em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Waiting is hard. As I wait for the newest member of our family to arrive, I can't help but need some serious patience. I know that once our baby is born, these last few days of waiting will be inconsequential. In the meantime, though, every day feels like a week. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Perhaps you've been experiencing a waiting time recently. Whether you're anticipating hearing about a new job, hoping to meet someone, or trying to figure out a new purpose in your life, the hours before you get an answer seem to be the longest. We can certainly pray for patience and there is value in that. Right now, however, I know I need action. Not checking Facebook, roaming Pinterest, going shopping--busy-ness. Purposeful action.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">For me, my action has been simple. I've made a pair of pants for the baby whether it's a boy or a girl. I've made yogurt and bread. I've organized closets. While these things have kept me busy, they've also released my anxious energy. If you're waiting, maybe you could use some purposeful action. Keep living and making the most of each day. This may just be the time you need to become the person who is truly ready for an answer.</span></span>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10345732173988641493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-74488186182602981492011-09-14T00:01:00.000-07:002011-09-14T00:01:01.081-07:00MAKE: headboard loveI recently had the make of all the makes I've ever had. There's no way I'll be able to top this for a while, so I decided it was appropriate to repurpose the content, even if it seems slightly self-serving. So, <a href="http://whitneybiber.blogspot.com/2011/08/diy-love-heardboard-when-bibers.html">check out the headboard I made</a> with the help of my parents.<br />
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Although I spent the majority of the project "supervising," I am still really proud of the project.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfao9Q1mi0hIsMx71TV0jrfwk-Duoya4BKawTfdMuAkXN_jVbcaI6q83gfDpmoycLew6SHAkqcg71j5YdmTXhK6-pKGVgX6AzZ0pyufEm8m-501JP2ZSuAK7UHkfVBqHBEmixHs9J1kDUJ/s1600/love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfao9Q1mi0hIsMx71TV0jrfwk-Duoya4BKawTfdMuAkXN_jVbcaI6q83gfDpmoycLew6SHAkqcg71j5YdmTXhK6-pKGVgX6AzZ0pyufEm8m-501JP2ZSuAK7UHkfVBqHBEmixHs9J1kDUJ/s400/love.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444482102150436143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-13576491103649167382011-09-12T05:00:00.000-07:002011-09-12T05:00:05.558-07:00EAT: Eat Seasonally, Eat LocallyIn recent weeks, our meals have often consisted of peppers and tomatoes. <br />
<div><br />
</div><div>We have had a surplus of them from our <a href="http://www.bellairfarm.com/">CSA</a>. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Thankfully, I love both. It has allowed me to come up with creative ways to eat them and enjoy them as a family.</div><div><br />
</div><div>While my favorite way to eat a tomato is while you are still in the field and it is warm from the sun, we have discovered a lot of other delicious meals and snacks!</div><div><br />
</div><div>I recently made a Mexican inspired wild rice dish. Everyone loved it and it was as cinch to prepare!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Bumper Crop Rice:</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>- Saute 1 small onion in a tablespoon of olive oil.</div><div>- Add several chopped peppers (I used 5) and saute. I also added one hot pepper.</div><div>- Add in several chopped tomatoes (I used 4) and allow to come to a simmer.</div><div>- Add any other favorites - I chose corn and black beans.</div><div>- Season with salt, pepper and cumin. </div><div>- Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I made a wild and brown rice mixture and added the delicious veggie mixture to it. </div><div>We topped it with shredded cheddar cheese and fresh salsa. Delicious!!</div><div><br />
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</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>The Easiest Salsa Fresca:</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>We received this recipe from our CSA this year. As we were out in the fields picking crops, they were in the barn whipping this up by the ball jar for all of their supporters to take home. It is delicious, easy and healthy. Give it a try!</div><div><br />
</div><div>- 4 large, ripe tomatoes</div><div>- 1 large onion</div><div>- 1 T chopped garlic</div><div>- 1 T chopped jalapeno</div><div>- 1 cup chopped cilantro</div><div>- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice</div><div>- salt to taste</div><div><br />
</div><div>Chop tomatoes to desired level of chunkiness. Drain for a few minutes in a colander. Chop onion, garlic, jalapeno and cilantro. Mix all ingredients together. Let it sit for a few minutes for the flavors to marry. Enjoy!</div><div><br />
</div><div>I love the taste of summer!</div>the smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07211278548863215506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-74897612693609172852011-09-09T00:48:00.000-07:002011-09-09T00:48:00.259-07:00PLAY: Curl up with a good book.When I was teaching fourth and fifth grade, my favorite question from most of my students was, "Do you have a book recommendation for me?" These kids kept me up to date on my reading. Reading juvenile fiction, that is. Some of my students were absolutely voracious readers and would fly through several books in a week or two. They would catch me off guard if I had taken a break from my forays into middle school literature because they would almost definitely ask what I thought of the latest book by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inheritance-Cycle-Christopher-Paolini/dp/0375856110?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Christopher Paolini</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0375856110" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wonderstruck-Brian-Selznick/dp/0545027896?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Brian Selznick</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0545027896" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. And, they would be shocked if I did not have an answer.<br />
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Since I have been staying home with my son, I haven't made quite as much time for the latest novels. I have reread several of my favorites, though. If you're thinking that it seems a little odd for me to write about books that elementary and middle schoolers are likely to read, hold on! Most of these books are as well written as adult literature, don't contain questionable content or foul language, and are quick reads. I love the feeling of finishing a really good book, don't you? Well, here are some books that you are guaranteed to fly through:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Sharon-Creech/dp/0060540249?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Heartbeat</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060540249" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Sharon Creech<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Sharon-Creech/dp/0060540249?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Heartbeat" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0060540249&tag=freshlyrooted-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060540249" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
A touching, uplifting story written in poems. If you've ever felt a soul-freedom in running, you will <i>get</i> this book. I read it during my planning time at school one day (Don't tell my principal!).<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/City-Ember-Books/dp/0385736282?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">City of Ember</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0385736282" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Jeanne DuPrau<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/City-Ember-Books/dp/0385736282?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The City of Ember (Books of Ember)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0385736282&tag=freshlyrooted-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0385736282" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
This science fiction novel centers around the survival of mankind. The domed city where Lina Mayfleet lives is crumbling all around her and she seems to hold the key to discovering what lies outside the confines of dimly lit Ember. This is a story of adventure and courage.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inkheart-Trilogy-Boxset-Scholastic/dp/0545265371?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Inkheart</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0545265371" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Cornelia Funke<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inkheart-Trilogy-Boxset-Scholastic/dp/0545265371?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Inkheart Trilogy Boxset" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0545265371&tag=freshlyrooted-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0545265371" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
A fantasy novel that begins in our normal, not-at-all fantastic world. Meggie discovers that her father has the incredible ability to read characters to life from books. She will discover why he has hidden this talent from her all her life and will be swept away into another world to rescue those she loves most. (I absolutely adore anything by Cornelia Funke--you can't go wrong.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Starcatchers-Dave-Barry/dp/078684907X?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Peter and the Starcatchers</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=078684907X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Starcatchers-Dave-Barry/dp/078684907X?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Peter and the Starcatchers" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=078684907X&tag=freshlyrooted-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=078684907X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
This prequel to Peter Pan will have you holding your breath in suspense and laughing out loud. It is a charming adventure that moves quickly and leaves you eager to pick up the next book in the series.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023521?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Hunger Games</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0439023521" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Suzanne Collins<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023521?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The Hunger Games" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0439023521&tag=freshlyrooted-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0439023521" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
Perhaps you've heard of this post apocalyptic novel that has become a phenomenon. For a more mature audience than <i>City of Ember</i>, this novel will grip you from beginning to end as you watch Katniss fight for the survival of her family and life as she knows it.<br />
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Do you have a favorite novel from your childhood that you would love to reread?Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10345732173988641493noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-23651537908984507022011-09-07T06:40:00.000-07:002011-09-07T13:52:59.571-07:00NEST: when life gives you lemons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZV_-Rt1nq2gKOoBibmqyWv3m1unasIcbFfmN7xT3m3HMRnBomH4ZMSFkRgEJTPwdikpfwXX8KyVEbBt09yJVkyXUne97zIkxfF2c-_IsrkG_Z7-Az8c8l725b-E2zUnLE1dCi5TRMLYQ/s1600/lemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZV_-Rt1nq2gKOoBibmqyWv3m1unasIcbFfmN7xT3m3HMRnBomH4ZMSFkRgEJTPwdikpfwXX8KyVEbBt09yJVkyXUne97zIkxfF2c-_IsrkG_Z7-Az8c8l725b-E2zUnLE1dCi5TRMLYQ/s400/lemon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Nothing makes me happier than a sparkling clean apartment. My favorite is to clean it like crazy at night, and wake up the next morning to perfection.<br />
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I recently learned of the many, many uses of lemons when cleaning. Try these out, and then enjoy your own blissfully citrusy abyss...<br />
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Aluminum: Squeeze lemon juice on aluminum. Wipe it down and watch it shine.<br />
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Countertops: Dip lemon in baking soda and combine with a wet sponge to scrub countertops.<br />
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Cutting boards: Squeeze lemon onto the cutting board and let stand for 20 minutes. Rinse and watch your stains disappear.<br />
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Garbage disposal: Drop a lemon in and run it through - it will make your whole kitchen smell fresh.<br />
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Laundry: To make your whites brighter, add 1/2 a cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle.<br />
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Shower: Add lemon juice to a spray bottle and wipe down your shower doors.<br />
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<i>image </i><a href="http://www.fanpop.com/spots/fruit/images/6334028/title/lemon-wallpaper-wallpaper"><i>via</i></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444482102150436143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-80165540050508162452011-09-05T05:00:00.000-07:002011-09-05T05:00:01.238-07:00PRAY: Study.I am enjoying a Beth Moore study of the book of Daniel with a couple of good friends. We are just barely into the study and I have been challenged quite a bit already.<br />
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I have often been overwhelmed by studying the Old Testament. Thankfully, this study is not only fascinating, but it is easy to grasp and digest. <br />
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One of the main points that I have taken to heart so far is about living a life of integrity.<br />
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She states, <b>"We will live lives of integrity on purpose, or we will not do it at all."</b> <br />
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That really struck a chord for me. We have to be so intentional in this world to live a life of integrity. It is so easy to get swept into mainstream living and allow our hearts to become calloused and hardened to the "decaying morals and standards of our culture." <br />
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Sometimes it seems so much easier to blend in and accept the norm and go with the flow. But, we are called to hold ourselves to a different standard.<br />
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I so desperately want to live a life of integrity. Do you?<br />
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What are some areas of your life you can intentionally work to hold yourself to a higher level of integrity? I know I have many in my life. <br />
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This study has given me so much to think about. Reflecting on my relationships, the words I speak, the media I allow to come flooding into our home and the way I parent our children. I am praying that I would lead a life of integrity that would allow Christ's love to be evident.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=freshlyrooted-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1415825882&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>the smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07211278548863215506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-4678021751081076742011-09-02T00:27:00.000-07:002011-09-02T07:09:02.834-07:00MAKE: A simple solution.<a href="http://freshly-rooted.blogspot.com/2011/04/green-cleaning-starter-kit.html">Baking soda</a> is my friend when it comes to cleaning. I use it so often that I bought a huge bag of it from Costco. While this was certainly a cost-saving move, it was not the most practical in terms of daily use. I have a canister of baking soda in my pantry that is supposed to be used for cooking, but I also end up spooning out of it for cleaning. It's a pain. Don't worry--I don't cross-contaminate!<br />
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After an attempt to lightly coat my kitchen sink in baking soda, which involved dumping about a quarter of the canister by mistake, I decided it was time to find a solution. Here is my simple solution:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSd9yT7LbSVY-24lTFI6kI42bygb39W68BaGLKDkiQlo2ObwuGwgD4aoQd6OcBIEQFk0bh3CJxlDESLmkDeSyKQ9u3evs8HEZF8MnLk44KCOYk4rDUMGEDN4KK5r76UhKy_liyOqXNgg/s1600/IMG_0323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSd9yT7LbSVY-24lTFI6kI42bygb39W68BaGLKDkiQlo2ObwuGwgD4aoQd6OcBIEQFk0bh3CJxlDESLmkDeSyKQ9u3evs8HEZF8MnLk44KCOYk4rDUMGEDN4KK5r76UhKy_liyOqXNgg/s320/IMG_0323.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
As you know, I love using <a href="http://freshly-rooted.blogspot.com/2011/05/nest-jars.html">old jars</a> around my house. So, why not make one into a baking soda shaker? That way, I can keep it under the sink, pull it out with my vinegar cleaning solution, and simply sprinkle it wherever necessary.<br />
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How To:<br />
1. Get a hammer, a nail, and an old piece of wood.<br />
2. Rest the lid of your jar on the wood.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOFenZ4dyzdNkCZ0MjGeuYTx9qk8mm3Ujoh5b_mnEC64SUie8r6QsNAqvgFcjOkB8MyI7kS2g7jG-gpNmEtxH8Uaf0SPuA7roxvCB08Jt1hyphenhyphenwxEU8t-BsluBHPMd07EQ6ZPN_RU8pl8M/s1600/IMG_0318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOFenZ4dyzdNkCZ0MjGeuYTx9qk8mm3Ujoh5b_mnEC64SUie8r6QsNAqvgFcjOkB8MyI7kS2g7jG-gpNmEtxH8Uaf0SPuA7roxvCB08Jt1hyphenhyphenwxEU8t-BsluBHPMd07EQ6ZPN_RU8pl8M/s320/IMG_0318.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
3. Hammer the nail into your lid repeatedly to create holes.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOArdUHQ2OfBZB6xpGZQzTLowd7OSYdt1qhzcsUmh1P1cM8hyMY3B9gUWvNExsbtPO6KBoysTukgL9BJmfGRCJGQSvZ0EycoeSUgLjjggZh9Rj2Y5DtBZnRrjSJrxWFSJqHAMlWKECEc/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOArdUHQ2OfBZB6xpGZQzTLowd7OSYdt1qhzcsUmh1P1cM8hyMY3B9gUWvNExsbtPO6KBoysTukgL9BJmfGRCJGQSvZ0EycoeSUgLjjggZh9Rj2Y5DtBZnRrjSJrxWFSJqHAMlWKECEc/s320/IMG_0319.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
4. Fill 'er up!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr2__P0uO-s7hnI76dSjdqLQkXjmmqqc0y3exvLZsD4dATGPkkwCBHM-I-HelTaMKVKWm5qCS7-7BrmYCzBX35RKbyvcUzxyP05jlHBb8i71-4UsXn50Bzj-O6eHsSDuj7PF5YdlrA-s/s1600/IMG_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr2__P0uO-s7hnI76dSjdqLQkXjmmqqc0y3exvLZsD4dATGPkkwCBHM-I-HelTaMKVKWm5qCS7-7BrmYCzBX35RKbyvcUzxyP05jlHBb8i71-4UsXn50Bzj-O6eHsSDuj7PF5YdlrA-s/s320/IMG_0322.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
What are some simple solutions you've found to use around your house?Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10345732173988641493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-6840169254880091482011-08-31T01:03:00.000-07:002011-08-31T01:03:01.507-07:00EAT: zucchini fries<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Welp, I may not have delivered on all of my New Year’s Resolutions, but I did, in fact, fulfill my <a href="http://freshly-rooted.blogspot.com/2011/07/eat-new-july-resolution.html">New July Resolution</a>. Last night I made zucchini fries! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They weren't quite as beautiful as the <a href="http://www.delightedmomma.com/2011/07/zucchini-fries.html?showComment=1311732599167#c8556515564838692104">original recipe</a>, but they turned out to be very tasty. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I'm not going to lie, they didn't actually taste like french fries, but they did taste really great...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFsw7bULhZE8Cvb0Fs2XqaIINAn4YG0yWRwIjJraW8AtsKNpltcFfurFy0Jc_Cd4Bim6kEVNABv5Sq6cClJliKHcJZycG3t56dEZ8C34SYTZTu9op34AVxeI0K9TaojqenfnmlZW1sYHx/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFsw7bULhZE8Cvb0Fs2XqaIINAn4YG0yWRwIjJraW8AtsKNpltcFfurFy0Jc_Cd4Bim6kEVNABv5Sq6cClJliKHcJZycG3t56dEZ8C34SYTZTu9op34AVxeI0K9TaojqenfnmlZW1sYHx/s320/IMG_0239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DFnyqqTGZ-RQ1CXBDZLhuBt66hd7oWTdR27hi80vUshCZ76IBkjRJ42eF-p4hsMTfuHtVUL3Kpnj5E_6WAWkTOsSE0DUdaGyGfuxLvMGK1im_VgNKHNaWEDpfKci-8bdF3PXh__qlcrb/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DFnyqqTGZ-RQ1CXBDZLhuBt66hd7oWTdR27hi80vUshCZ76IBkjRJ42eF-p4hsMTfuHtVUL3Kpnj5E_6WAWkTOsSE0DUdaGyGfuxLvMGK1im_VgNKHNaWEDpfKci-8bdF3PXh__qlcrb/s320/IMG_0240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh0CRzHAE8NmGjFclzHjyk3YxAvuLRiZPbIv2_2ZGDPHucnBdeO5Wp6uQcXMsZjqAPSN8sKRsXGwbam_6bcz6W0RJ9KXcV-g0DE8407cI1TUmORHGkJFYJCbq0b61dk8f2K6rHIZImsj1/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh0CRzHAE8NmGjFclzHjyk3YxAvuLRiZPbIv2_2ZGDPHucnBdeO5Wp6uQcXMsZjqAPSN8sKRsXGwbam_6bcz6W0RJ9KXcV-g0DE8407cI1TUmORHGkJFYJCbq0b61dk8f2K6rHIZImsj1/s320/IMG_0241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We also attempted to grill a couple, just for fun. The baking turned out better...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjPMkyockpo3wayQ7uAv-whKDMF6XkBrTVU4ysGLtXZNTe5X7Pn2ONZLK4p08QM4FvKHxl23DH-0chsMB0o4sUC6_7sZszUn7INwW_q5thy4lhZj1BKkmSskBvHsgj6AtAQ9aMp-SYDWi/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjPMkyockpo3wayQ7uAv-whKDMF6XkBrTVU4ysGLtXZNTe5X7Pn2ONZLK4p08QM4FvKHxl23DH-0chsMB0o4sUC6_7sZszUn7INwW_q5thy4lhZj1BKkmSskBvHsgj6AtAQ9aMp-SYDWi/s320/IMG_0242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Ta da!..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWdxOqEHn_YD795DGuxrkR6ma8TrSAbSEh88D9E4A_51eWj6HaAtj1IB_Td-Ajqewq8FO__lS5FtDOrjQcEim2HxPrr03V3apF6Yih30jMgWp8CWbdPQPlbwkZo1DWYqCA4exl4jIUN_I/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWdxOqEHn_YD795DGuxrkR6ma8TrSAbSEh88D9E4A_51eWj6HaAtj1IB_Td-Ajqewq8FO__lS5FtDOrjQcEim2HxPrr03V3apF6Yih30jMgWp8CWbdPQPlbwkZo1DWYqCA4exl4jIUN_I/s320/IMG_0243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444482102150436143noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-47667648020602952342011-08-29T05:00:00.000-07:002011-08-29T05:51:06.059-07:00PLAY: Bucket List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7EBny_Hy5djwemziob3BZwfK-mp_Z5EQXEDYYn0ug1TnP3DlIntLjPuV-cQYedzr9I9JsJjYTiGY_Xm9-RlIXx5Qj5w2ORr_eSFgdz2zIjGlseNj0Awqqc0SqLOnRS47AlWno-GZ_vgI/s1600/end+of+summer+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7EBny_Hy5djwemziob3BZwfK-mp_Z5EQXEDYYn0ug1TnP3DlIntLjPuV-cQYedzr9I9JsJjYTiGY_Xm9-RlIXx5Qj5w2ORr_eSFgdz2zIjGlseNj0Awqqc0SqLOnRS47AlWno-GZ_vgI/s320/end+of+summer+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
As fall is encroaching and the school year is getting started, I find myself longing for more long and hot days of summer. I love fall, but I am always sad to see summer come to a close. <br />
<br />
So, in an effort to keep the summer festivities alive, we have made a summer bucket list that I hope to complete and enjoy. And even if the activities linger into fall a bit, it will allow the joy of summer to live on longer!<br />
<br />
<b>Bucket List:</b><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1.) Enjoy ice cream cones...often!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2.) Go camping.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3.) Host a cookout.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4.) Swim lots more!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5.) And spend as much time as possible enjoying the warm sun on our faces.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
What activities do you hope to enjoy before autumn settles in??the smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07211278548863215506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-72603277536290332552011-08-26T01:00:00.000-07:002011-08-26T01:00:06.710-07:00NEST: Filing.I despise junk mail. I can't stand sorting through old paperwork. But, we have a little bit of a filing situation happening in our basement. And, a little bit in our mail basket. Sometimes I avoid going down to my husband's work area in the basement just because I don't want to look at our filing crates. Yes, it's plural. We have two large crates full of paperwork. We just keep stuffing papers into them. As I said, it's a little bit of a problem.<br />
<br />
I decided to nip it in the bud, though. If you have a similar problem, perhaps we can work through it together. Rather than continuing to add to the mayhem, I chose to address the present flow of paperwork first, before delving into our crates. I'm developing a new system. This system is partly based on what I've read so far in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Organized-Simplicity-Clutter-Free-Approach-Intentional/dp/1440302634?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Organized Simplicity</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1440302634" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Tsh Oxenreider. She recommends creating a household management notebook, which I am using to help get this mess under control.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Organized-Simplicity-Clutter-Free-Approach-Intentional/dp/1440302634?ie=UTF8&tag=freshlyrooted-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1440302634&tag=freshlyrooted-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freshlyrooted-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1440302634" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
New System (step by step)<br />
1. Remove our names from credit card offer mailing lists. You can quickly and easily opt-out by following <a href="http://optoutprescreen.com/">this link</a>.<br />
2. Sign up for e-statements whenever possible. Everything from bank statements to credit card bills to coupons can be received via email. And, it is actually more secure (and eco-friendly) to pay bills electronically.<br />
3. All current receipts go into a plastic pocket in my household management binder. At the end of the month, only the most important receipts will be kept (large purchases, electronics, plants).<br />
4. Mail is checked and sorted daily--mail that needs attention goes into the binder, mail that needs to be recycled is, coupons go into a coupon section of the binder, confidential information is shredded.<br />
5. If something needs to be filed, it can go into the mail basket by our front door. At the end of the week, papers are filed.<br />
<br />
Dealing with the Old Stuff<br />
Once the current paperwork is kept under control, I can address the folders of old paperwork. Most of the papers in our basement should be discarded. We have manuals for appliances we no longer own, pay-stubs from well before we were married, and travel itineraries from years ago. Denver has an <a href="http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=195433">annual shred-a-thon</a> each May. We'll box up our old paperwork until then and drop it off to be shredded, although we do own a shredder. We have so much to be shredded that it would probably burn out the motor! If you have the space for a simple shredder, it is a great way to protect yourself from identity theft and to keep up with your shredding needs. I'll base my decisions about what to keep and what to toss on <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/personal-investing/conquer-the-paper-piles/overview/">an article</a> I found in Consumer Reports.<br />
<br />
The following documents should be kept for...<br />
A year or less: credit card bills, bank records, current year tax records, insurance policies, receipts<br />
Until they no longer apply: warranties, investment confirmations, loan documents, savings bonds, vehicle records<br />
For seven years: tax returns<br />
Permanent paperwork: estate planning, life insurance policies, pension plan<br />
<br />
Happy purging and remember to recycle!<br />
<br />
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10345732173988641493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-48703943594298252432011-08-24T01:24:00.000-07:002011-08-24T01:24:00.295-07:00PRAY: the new rules for loveI recently watched the <a href="http://www.buckheadchurch.org/messages/the-new-rules-for-love-sex-and-dating">New Rules for Love, Sex and Dating</a> through <a href="http://www.buckheadchurch.org/messages/the-new-rules-for-love-sex-and-dating">Buckhead Church</a> and I highly recommend it. It offers an amazing perspective on relationships and I think, no matter where you are currently (even happily married or happily single!), you can benefit from watching. It's a little long, but I assure you that it goes quickly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjIbxYPNc1V_amHGHxkdLzIv9PFz7Jv6rJ84HHGiyamqwWLeP_dNDhxVAZ-LKhZJ7nkM97E3D818PEwq4IBjPiOFr3whgETcK5zC3TEh4iM859mafk-5fsYKj1pqxxY5TB9819dARtugP/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjIbxYPNc1V_amHGHxkdLzIv9PFz7Jv6rJ84HHGiyamqwWLeP_dNDhxVAZ-LKhZJ7nkM97E3D818PEwq4IBjPiOFr3whgETcK5zC3TEh4iM859mafk-5fsYKj1pqxxY5TB9819dARtugP/s400/kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/32151715/silhouette-children-holding-hands-double"><i>image via</i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444482102150436143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-75542773611779425992011-08-22T05:00:00.000-07:002011-08-22T05:00:18.599-07:00MAKE: Mobile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5fsM_iCZlTF-1A7rOdCW8UN8C7N5C7rQnfgKomJDsAELgQXDKcFeLRwQ9ldJizJclT1qtCZquVAFeh7vFzWPfByhs3-C0A0P7zrcn6sPIe-_tsHTehHAvzNBSXiFjRaGuRwvjkpkAS2e/s1600/db72effd19cc469aae4e32497443fd9d_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5fsM_iCZlTF-1A7rOdCW8UN8C7N5C7rQnfgKomJDsAELgQXDKcFeLRwQ9ldJizJclT1qtCZquVAFeh7vFzWPfByhs3-C0A0P7zrcn6sPIe-_tsHTehHAvzNBSXiFjRaGuRwvjkpkAS2e/s1600/db72effd19cc469aae4e32497443fd9d_6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When our daughter was born, I noticed that so many baby mobiles are either kind of garish and over-the-top or many of them were muted and boring. We ended up with a boring yellow, green and blue mobile that never caught our daughter's attention and it was put in the attic after a few months. <br />
<br />
So when we found out we were expecting again, I decided I would try to make a mobile. I knew infants responded best to vivid colors and black and white so I went in that direction.<br />
<br />
I cut dozens of circles out of brightly colored and black and white card stock and strung them on a thin wire. I tied knots under each circle and put a small bead to hold it in place. After placing all of the circles on the wires, I tied it all to a metal hoop I purchased at <a href="http://www.michaels.com/Metal-Hoops/gc1336,default,pd.html?cgid=products-generalcrafts-leathercrafting&start=3">Michaels</a> and tied it to a hook on our ceiling. Both of our sons love it!<br />
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So very easy and inexpensive and it adds some fun whimsy and color to the room!the smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07211278548863215506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-41776211971379417612011-08-19T00:57:00.000-07:002011-08-19T00:57:00.730-07:00EAT: Zucchini, Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPUVBUWMmo1IzuLi_KN6jW-aj2wDlUbijDPJOWyXrWo6D1QWOYAKDE5du3g-TG787qY23aB2szk2HW-3dfV21lRaX-Sn2oqCS-jM4WbZY2cJgrTK4MYx6hIjvUtnZC9h6Ue-biuxYMxo/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPUVBUWMmo1IzuLi_KN6jW-aj2wDlUbijDPJOWyXrWo6D1QWOYAKDE5du3g-TG787qY23aB2szk2HW-3dfV21lRaX-Sn2oqCS-jM4WbZY2cJgrTK4MYx6hIjvUtnZC9h6Ue-biuxYMxo/s400/IMG_0300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Oh, yes. Cookies for breakfast! These are my son's hands-down, favorite breakfast. They are easy to make, protein and whole grain-packed, and super tasty. I modified <a href="http://www.parentsconnect.com/parenting-your-kids/kids-eating/kid-healthy-snack/banana_oatmeal_breakfast_cookies.html">this recipe</a> that I found by replacing some of the banana with zucchini and making a few other substitutions. I have tried so many variations on these cookies--truly, you cannot mess these babies up. I use my stand mixer (I'm obsessed with it) and keep it on stir. Then, I add one ingredient at a time. Bake these bad boys at 350 degrees on an un-greased cookie sheet for about 15 minutes. If you make huge cookies, they will take longer to bake...that's probably a no-brainer! These cookies will not spread, so flattening them out a bit before baking is a good idea.<br />
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Ingredients<br />
1/2 c. peanut butter<br />
1/2 c. applesauce<br />
1/2 c. brown sugar<br />
1 egg<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
1 cup shredded zucchini<br />
1 banana<br />
1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1/4 tsp. salt<br />
1 c. whole wheat flour<br />
1/2 c. all-purpose flour<br />
2 c. oats<br />
small handful chocolate chips<br />
<br />
Modifications:<br />
Dried fruit is delicious in this recipe, as well. I generally add raisins to this recipe.<br />
Just this week, I added a healthy dose of pumpkin pie spice. Then, I halved the amount of zucchini, added half a cooked sweet potato and a banana. (This was the best combination yet!)<br />
Often, I chop an apple and throw that in--in place of some of the zucchini. I generally add cinnamon to that mixture. (And, probably leave out the chocolate chips)<br />
The original recipe contains two bananas instead of zucchini.<br />
A little orange juice and zest, along with some dried cranberries would be awesome. Reduce the applesauce if you add the juice. (I could go either way with the chocolate chips on this one!)<br />
<br />
Let me know if you try this recipe and if you have any other ideas for changing it up.<br />
<br />
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10345732173988641493noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-38227328661892779922011-08-17T01:01:00.000-07:002011-08-17T01:01:00.251-07:00PLAY: hello summer, hello braidsI'm admittedly a summer addict. I love nothing more than a hot, humid day. And while I (will only sometimes) admit that I kind of dig fall once it starts happening, I dread the end of summer. It's just such a carefree season that brings me utter joy, it's hard for me to say goodbye for three full seasons.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>This week at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/">Anthropologie</a>, I was buying my friend <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=973328&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS&color=023">latte bowls</a>. The girl working there was trying to convince me that I should get the brown, red and navy combination. She probably thought I was 90 percent insane, because I must have told her two or three times: I'm looking for something brighter. A little more summery. Less fall. No I'm not ready for fall colors. How about yellow? Do you have anything brighter? </div><div><br />
</div><div>Finally, I got a nice teal, white, royal blue combination, which completely screams beach vacation, and walked away feeling only slightly panicked that this girl had already lost faith in summer. It's only August, and this is Georgia. I'm thinking more <a href="http://www.lakelanierislands.com/">Lake Lanier</a> and less brown cardis. </div><div><br />
</div><div>And beyond boating, flings and ice cream, nothing screams summer more than braids. They're so carefree, youthful and happy. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I recently found <a href="http://www.hairromance.com/2011/03/how-to-easy-braid-hairstyle-hair.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HairRomance+%28Hair+Romance%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">this tutorial</a> on how to perfect the so-low-key-and-cute-that-I-look-like-don't-care-even-though-I-googled-a-tutorial-braid and am hooked. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I love that the girl doesn't appear to have crazy thick hair, and yet the braid still looks very full. With a sundress, sandals, sunnies and sipsies in hand, I think it'd be the perfect look for a Labor Day darty. Which, btw, does not mark the end of summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGJizLXxw_a7eUeXLGLAD48DiKRaiDZGdVSjuOEl_UNyQzezc4U5Z_P9apNCZO3VsuJxd45gN43VlXIMXLbebHHt34__QzfnIacxsgGgSUWM9VfwKo2N_3_vuuG9LWevryZ7jxdJrzkx_/s1600/Howtobraidhairstylefull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGJizLXxw_a7eUeXLGLAD48DiKRaiDZGdVSjuOEl_UNyQzezc4U5Z_P9apNCZO3VsuJxd45gN43VlXIMXLbebHHt34__QzfnIacxsgGgSUWM9VfwKo2N_3_vuuG9LWevryZ7jxdJrzkx_/s1600/Howtobraidhairstylefull.jpg" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444482102150436143noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-33058908654105454482011-08-15T05:00:00.000-07:002011-08-15T05:00:15.576-07:00NEST: A Splash of Color.It is amazing how a little color can transform a room. <br />
<br />
Whether it is a new coat of paint on a wall, a new fabric on a chair or a pillow on a bed. <br />
<br />
While I love our rooms to feel peaceful and serene, there is something so uplifting and powerful about a vibrant color.<br />
<br />
And in the summer, one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to do this is with a few fresh flowers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiifLcRj56oN6EgMk-WFZldpkgLPv1vTEPNu7svfrlXNgaKjswVeGMUeNUO05BSVSXbfxp0Ac460CgDzWdNGcpZtvVNopFLRelMkitBAJGl_GWVTq_7qFJmXzmYzdGBV8qsXLMCbrOn8Vn/s1600/storm+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiifLcRj56oN6EgMk-WFZldpkgLPv1vTEPNu7svfrlXNgaKjswVeGMUeNUO05BSVSXbfxp0Ac460CgDzWdNGcpZtvVNopFLRelMkitBAJGl_GWVTq_7qFJmXzmYzdGBV8qsXLMCbrOn8Vn/s320/storm+006.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been loving having fresh flowers from our farmer's market and even from our front yard. I don't have the most extensive garden, but just cutting a few buds from a bush or plant and bringing them indoors brings so much joy to a room. </div><br />
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Hooray for summer!the smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07211278548863215506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-10603886723370773002011-08-12T07:11:00.000-07:002011-08-12T07:11:59.565-07:00PRAY: VulnerabilityEvery once in a while you run into someone who is just bursting to share the most intimate details of her train-wreck of a life with you, a total stranger. You know, the woman sitting next to you on the plane, the clerk at the checkout in the grocery store, your hairdresser. And, while these awkward confessions often contain sitcom-worthy comedy, they are few and far between. Most of us hold our failures and struggles close to our chests.<br />
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There are times, however, when it truly does us some good to reveal our vulnerabilities and just be honest about where we are emotionally. Of course, we all have a small handful of people that we confide in--siblings, close friends, spouses or boyfriends. But, I think opening up with someone we don't know quite as well can bring about positive change. It may be an acquaintance with whom you've wanted to make a deeper connection or someone you've worked with at church who seems to be on a different page than you. There may even be a co-worker or family member--a fractured or frustrating relationship that always leaves you hoping it could be healed. Revealing your own weakness not only makes you more accessible, but extends trust to a person who may have felt a distance that he or she did not know how to reach across. It gives someone a chance to help you, comfort you or understand you more. In the end, both people can find a sense of renewal and fellowship through this simple confidence.<br />
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God calls us to have child-like faith. As children we have very little fear of people seeing us we truly are. We have faith that people in our lives are trustworthy and have our best interests at heart. While the discernment of adulthood protects us from hurt and betrayal, it can also keep us from experiencing true fellowship. Let a little child-like trust for others into your life--you may be amazed by the freedom it brings.<br />
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10345732173988641493noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320554650271819375.post-78169332427683123332011-08-10T01:14:00.000-07:002011-08-10T01:14:01.005-07:00MAKE: stockpilingAt this point, my apartment is pretty well outfitted. I don't have a need for a lot of DIYing yet, so my make skills are often underutilized.<br />
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However, being the planner that I am, I'm constantly finding projects I'd like to try in the future. I used to email them to myself and archive them - but even Gmail didn't offer the level of DIY organization I desire.<br />
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However, <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> has become the perfect solution. The site is a haven for DIY projects, so if you're like me and just want a place to catalogue inspiration for the future, or are actually looking for projects right now, it's the perfect outlet. You simply search for a topic, browse the images, and open up the original sites for instructions to try it out. If you like it, you just repin it to your board (i.e.: DIY).<br />
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Below are a few of my fav recent finds. I'm saving them all for future endeavors.<br />
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Do you DIY? And do you pin to make it happen?<br />
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images and projects via: <a href="http://www.cornerhouseblog.com/2011/08/you-are-loved-sign.html">1</a>, <a href="http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/2011/04/crafty-sewing-spring-roundup.html">2</a>, <a href="http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Home-Organization/Tool-Storage/savvy-home-tool-storage">3</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444482102150436143noreply@blogger.com1