tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311814262024-03-09T07:58:46.241-08:00buttercupwzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.comBlogger295125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-79245042416759824362010-10-13T19:34:00.000-07:002010-10-13T19:37:19.428-07:00Buttercup Bloom in China...Hi all. This is Annie, friend of Wend....she doesn't have Blogspot access, but she wanted you all to know that the 3 Zasts are doing well. I don't regularly blog here, so I'm unfamiliar with posting photos...I'll have to leave that to WZ when she returns. <br /><br />Annie<br /><br />Wendy says "It is a trip being so far away for such an experience as this. CCAI has been great & our travel group has been so supportive!<br /><br />Vera has 4 teeth! And, she is cutting a 5th - so feeding has been a bit difficult for that reason plus she hasn't quite developed her "tongue thrust" skills. Each day gets better, though & we had our first poo (actually 3!) yesterday! WoooT! Her personality is so fun and happy - I can tell that we are in for a lot of action, Johnny and I!"wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-3547637209020336572010-10-06T21:45:00.000-07:002010-10-06T22:21:32.171-07:00Rainbow GardenWe've been working so hard on the nursery, wrapping up work stuff, getting over virus bugs and gathering steam for this next big adventure!<br /><br />Finally the closet remodel was complete! And, what an improvement - not only is it pretty enough to leave the door off, but there is just a load of storage for our girl now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkC_tkLVgFUtNRmWdUwlQvu97FFAkQMsJEHb1zrEId4cLfkwVfiq7GzvlmFeMl4AX-P2XMmoA-OP-ahWK6_pPo0jQbGYhlVkeqhZqjDeG0-OmBlOCKakE4A-xlZMEysnRu4R7/s1600/PICT0059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkC_tkLVgFUtNRmWdUwlQvu97FFAkQMsJEHb1zrEId4cLfkwVfiq7GzvlmFeMl4AX-P2XMmoA-OP-ahWK6_pPo0jQbGYhlVkeqhZqjDeG0-OmBlOCKakE4A-xlZMEysnRu4R7/s320/PICT0059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525161669658474626" /></a><br />Thanks to Ikea, we found a shelf that looks a lot like rick-rack. Perfect spot to showcase special treasures! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4oGmflX04_8YuUG70oN_iHnno7Lj_zOgfKksgW8-OhzfRJKWw3-B-dqRm4lCEPzaRTitX3oGOaTjNUhOvlEh_34iJFL5oSKr1w45zsTmH8Fc0uBFFCW8E3MWHjFXfUjD2R7F/s1600/PICT0057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4oGmflX04_8YuUG70oN_iHnno7Lj_zOgfKksgW8-OhzfRJKWw3-B-dqRm4lCEPzaRTitX3oGOaTjNUhOvlEh_34iJFL5oSKr1w45zsTmH8Fc0uBFFCW8E3MWHjFXfUjD2R7F/s320/PICT0057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525161657841437346" /></a><br />The ABC Art is courtesy of Melissa Sweet & something I purchased years ago. It is so wonderful to finally see it in place.<br /><br />A Rainbow Corner...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyhv27i17UNW1n07xH-nvYsoCRFoK6WHxOJ7UE2BM6ckcW2CON4uZvgNa1wNdYC0F7YErG6p-kdUuAaJcStJjMDUsxy1dyACrKRhrS2RY5asuJv0fmsNU-_AgbztLiSD18leU/s1600/PICT0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyhv27i17UNW1n07xH-nvYsoCRFoK6WHxOJ7UE2BM6ckcW2CON4uZvgNa1wNdYC0F7YErG6p-kdUuAaJcStJjMDUsxy1dyACrKRhrS2RY5asuJv0fmsNU-_AgbztLiSD18leU/s320/PICT0053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525161645534826738" /></a><br />And the most perfect Kelly Green rug that was ever created. I love it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK5BK111UBkybzvvK9hTe9DOnjKMobdDBT1doQCxZjqdRGGBL5cGT-GwydFSNsD6pFHUg-3VZ8tajepqAqIYkR0roLAJtHdqmiVXLQdqBk9oUMgdAyFS1CyVYg9CbSFXHIfpN/s1600/PICT0055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK5BK111UBkybzvvK9hTe9DOnjKMobdDBT1doQCxZjqdRGGBL5cGT-GwydFSNsD6pFHUg-3VZ8tajepqAqIYkR0roLAJtHdqmiVXLQdqBk9oUMgdAyFS1CyVYg9CbSFXHIfpN/s320/PICT0055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525161657165305394" /></a><br />And, so does Peyton. Hopefully our garden-girl will, too!<br /><br />xowzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-53150139006466678632010-10-02T14:51:00.001-07:002010-10-02T16:35:42.301-07:00DetailsOh its been more than a little nutty around my home and my head these few weeks. House guests, recovery from a stomach bug and then a chest cold, wrapping up everything at work, gathering medications, choosing packing lists and organizing documents....<br /><br />And we are finally getting down to the last little details. <br /><br />For anyone who has been following my blog over the years - you know that I usually have a sewing project in progress. Remember this one?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_AV8NreBKAA_urwZ6AeNx2W8CNMUv8h615TZe0j9XDZnSRJkHGJwr7ZqCtZ2wV1OJvPyt5ti0Y46CopNXGGrFMhsMDRHkEwcyOm5is7gHFsn9bbLMvTZW_UDZ4-cuMVsW0r5/s1600/PICT0006_1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_AV8NreBKAA_urwZ6AeNx2W8CNMUv8h615TZe0j9XDZnSRJkHGJwr7ZqCtZ2wV1OJvPyt5ti0Y46CopNXGGrFMhsMDRHkEwcyOm5is7gHFsn9bbLMvTZW_UDZ4-cuMVsW0r5/s320/PICT0006_1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523570192279953170" /></a><br />The girl on the left (who was later named "Pixie" was sewn and delivered to my niece in July of 2007. Her partner in crime, on the right, has sat for all of these years patiently waiting her own unique expression. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfZmE_yTrgMJ9nk05yBzoBjhmbsCZbIq9Z55ONMO6ifvLUpMOem0A8-QHUjNP5HLsTcLWxy9pJlMgbWLIQJGUeRrtTx1IdcpVg4ALEXZbXcMOoKJf5wizZnqP1a5GmwIwP6gZ/s1600/PICT0054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfZmE_yTrgMJ9nk05yBzoBjhmbsCZbIq9Z55ONMO6ifvLUpMOem0A8-QHUjNP5HLsTcLWxy9pJlMgbWLIQJGUeRrtTx1IdcpVg4ALEXZbXcMOoKJf5wizZnqP1a5GmwIwP6gZ/s320/PICT0054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523595905829243042" /></a><br />Guess I just needed the right inspiration.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-75067674081244145152010-09-19T09:43:00.000-07:002010-09-19T09:44:52.244-07:00Insert Baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQQZzAPQmVt9R-Am_VPpypCk_GVNEqwViIRgBQ87UK5DsjF_e4MhhE26SsdJiDHsGVqXZK26zlwT3WBmCLOcegTJgRMKq_v5YT5hripcyZKduHwr3N104aiS8T9JOT9W5hc6l/s1600/PICT0058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQQZzAPQmVt9R-Am_VPpypCk_GVNEqwViIRgBQ87UK5DsjF_e4MhhE26SsdJiDHsGVqXZK26zlwT3WBmCLOcegTJgRMKq_v5YT5hripcyZKduHwr3N104aiS8T9JOT9W5hc6l/s320/PICT0058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518666386985670450" /></a><br />One step closer....wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-19988801116421244302010-09-13T21:36:00.000-07:002010-09-13T23:04:22.515-07:00Cascading Love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTl14vNdhkOUWffMKg6jgyMma8Scpq_hQVgqEnsUTdswyF0NW1I-69nsPGH_T8gDI6ptNM0cfVESsPYUQqx7GxAcuGCy-fqC9cwovUXineDrWnLbwLAdHC0VGLiCO95l-dG8V4/s1600/img_pridefabulous.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTl14vNdhkOUWffMKg6jgyMma8Scpq_hQVgqEnsUTdswyF0NW1I-69nsPGH_T8gDI6ptNM0cfVESsPYUQqx7GxAcuGCy-fqC9cwovUXineDrWnLbwLAdHC0VGLiCO95l-dG8V4/s320/img_pridefabulous.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516636927888357730" /></a><br />I know that traditionally it is called a Baby Shower, but it felt a lot more like a Waterfall for me.<br /><br />This gathering of friends and family was an incredible washing upon my life this past Sunday. It was an incredible wave of expectation. A cavalcade. It was a drenching abundance of expectation and as overwhelming as I'd imagine a surfer facing the Mavericks may feel...it was that for me. This little Sunday party was amazing and wonderful and overwhelming and absolutely what I needed at this point in time. All my nearest and dearest in one place at one time and....celebrating buttercup. Our dear buttercup.<br /><br />Borrowing words from my dear Suzanne Vega...It was "Love Made Real".<br /><br />My dearest AK47 whipped up some amazing finger sandwiches and cosmos meant to be sipped from teacups.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXLoyrmH46AWwvgFrpAGzHDhrXpsuKxf-5BCJBSbqdY6gfRUVBJVP8_wvIVeVyemR7x2SRuPqTOWHYp_YefRrN5yi_fmjPLrwzZl6XRAqv0AR6NZ3GCWcKmLlJuH-TvLsQaH4/s1600/Internownloads7-19-10-20022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXLoyrmH46AWwvgFrpAGzHDhrXpsuKxf-5BCJBSbqdY6gfRUVBJVP8_wvIVeVyemR7x2SRuPqTOWHYp_YefRrN5yi_fmjPLrwzZl6XRAqv0AR6NZ3GCWcKmLlJuH-TvLsQaH4/s320/Internownloads7-19-10-20022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516627028468498642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnBJbFZYA6pjJ6LdacRPfNvcqfZE0liZLFvuJu7BxLeZ6aM-n9mv0kZouwvN1_-92ZV9oD2Y6keU96XWVmoEPBl4y_LhM_nDutR8xR56m-r8uRqLGVb7ePDgsSZGS8XnOEvL8/s1600/web-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnBJbFZYA6pjJ6LdacRPfNvcqfZE0liZLFvuJu7BxLeZ6aM-n9mv0kZouwvN1_-92ZV9oD2Y6keU96XWVmoEPBl4y_LhM_nDutR8xR56m-r8uRqLGVb7ePDgsSZGS8XnOEvL8/s320/web-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516628972826731170" /></a><br />She was the hostest with the mostest and made everyone feel welcome and ready to par-tay! She created a beautiful red wave of fabric where guests could share their hopes and dreams for baby Z! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYzAz-Dl4HKh5khGLJnerfyNuzgLwMt4sNmxQ_XRLJh3pMLNLjLFFg4YXHwmOusbe3CyV2SC8lSS3jifmqhpMbLeR7cFZdrd7CeVsF3jB35gyGXTIUQX_6vQwZ3DRlX6Ms-Y-/s1600/web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYzAz-Dl4HKh5khGLJnerfyNuzgLwMt4sNmxQ_XRLJh3pMLNLjLFFg4YXHwmOusbe3CyV2SC8lSS3jifmqhpMbLeR7cFZdrd7CeVsF3jB35gyGXTIUQX_6vQwZ3DRlX6Ms-Y-/s320/web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516627961651955266" /></a><br />So many hopes and dreams!<br /><br />There was Rainbow Bunting...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpDnZUG1zIV6UFPg0Xq24Ws1mknuj-dxMbWL2oJKoqtvPEPVcv47F4KOP57YYLn6ta3WKlMUpdFHlxjck6rI385viVx0fjYMJ3ZiAXUXKTVV9PXES3-LLHVW7wGcLtqsJLCV-/s1600/web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpDnZUG1zIV6UFPg0Xq24Ws1mknuj-dxMbWL2oJKoqtvPEPVcv47F4KOP57YYLn6ta3WKlMUpdFHlxjck6rI385viVx0fjYMJ3ZiAXUXKTVV9PXES3-LLHVW7wGcLtqsJLCV-/s320/web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516630896955042722" /></a><br />A Rainbow Group Craft Project:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy64MDmtdyYK9zvGOl32MfpYzjRck6_ymeU-BHiJs0fCTPlweyvtw6IPf6oPAWeQCZRv8B5HOtUPeRZjJeOY45Q3YeZ-gewcK7b_S8klEBtIW99ZxO4LjUeNjaS84LmkDEsU0h/s1600/web-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy64MDmtdyYK9zvGOl32MfpYzjRck6_ymeU-BHiJs0fCTPlweyvtw6IPf6oPAWeQCZRv8B5HOtUPeRZjJeOY45Q3YeZ-gewcK7b_S8klEBtIW99ZxO4LjUeNjaS84LmkDEsU0h/s320/web-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516632739151242994" /></a><br />A Rainbow Cake:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMCk6RNkrbo96S-odBSvMBm_8KlIuR5mbe0iVUUzI9diH0WhE0am4Z_HEbdvXvYoRJdHeugZRfD4vGlJuC_KGiWV870QgeX0y_1kvoFG4yOZmcAlnqjVsghdoZOiWTh6owkZO/s1600/web-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMCk6RNkrbo96S-odBSvMBm_8KlIuR5mbe0iVUUzI9diH0WhE0am4Z_HEbdvXvYoRJdHeugZRfD4vGlJuC_KGiWV870QgeX0y_1kvoFG4yOZmcAlnqjVsghdoZOiWTh6owkZO/s320/web-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516633095856895538" /></a><br />A Rainbow Group Gift:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP29M4WuR0CsEpZ45BbaUxO7HYoUOjWVq-MY90cEnAKKlFpa5oaiblN8kLB0s18VG2F1bCnWr_Rb8-5oFKce4ykrNQdAL_BfIKM74jO2nZAY1ckwHtVbE-9yO7zyZIIDaTKbMn/s1600/web-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP29M4WuR0CsEpZ45BbaUxO7HYoUOjWVq-MY90cEnAKKlFpa5oaiblN8kLB0s18VG2F1bCnWr_Rb8-5oFKce4ykrNQdAL_BfIKM74jO2nZAY1ckwHtVbE-9yO7zyZIIDaTKbMn/s320/web-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516637774978563170" /></a> (I refuse to take this amazing jeweled treasure off of my neck!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzNH4UyFVuVzN56pgQoHZsBYq0tBm-gpHcHjfi5cu9hHjuleyX7wQTI8JRcrJ1xvBAWrA8bdkfJDk3q5eimG_8XxFFhM7zNdGPH9xNSwvKns30efuo75tvTYveGk_c21_5SAN/s1600/web-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzNH4UyFVuVzN56pgQoHZsBYq0tBm-gpHcHjfi5cu9hHjuleyX7wQTI8JRcrJ1xvBAWrA8bdkfJDk3q5eimG_8XxFFhM7zNdGPH9xNSwvKns30efuo75tvTYveGk_c21_5SAN/s320/web-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516640318643427730" /></a><br />And a Rainbow Collection of Family and Friends!<br /><br />So many presents for buttercup, so many hopeful wishes for myself and jzboy....so many promises of support, love, dim sum and congee. Thank goodness. Thank. Goodness. Thank you.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z0gfmF4NqE06k1l6YcsKx9OClVgkkQ4_uBwxlYQXzTtSTE19tkVWIHR6KepwVOdye5bRdQBR7Okbmr5X2JFz2ED9e1cyK_bTS6BJNzKu7xXIpg0DZHROyzWB9A4DSYonNvdI/s1600/web-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z0gfmF4NqE06k1l6YcsKx9OClVgkkQ4_uBwxlYQXzTtSTE19tkVWIHR6KepwVOdye5bRdQBR7Okbmr5X2JFz2ED9e1cyK_bTS6BJNzKu7xXIpg0DZHROyzWB9A4DSYonNvdI/s320/web-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516636199436458850" /></a><br />Feels so great to be so happy.<br /><br />I love you all! Thankfulness. xoxoxoxowzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-69991749313346998582010-08-22T21:19:00.000-07:002010-08-22T21:37:52.243-07:00Sealed with a KissI had a bit of help...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOWyB1nFGJn3geja0nh3sqR4zJNXlmDbwAVHOxCZi-yCzwI9z0Liv0jrT15vJx-k9j64UwvFY1m_hYtg0_UiSe8kDPRJr0kUoAOIuHyZjElN1mLu7Pcl7IzO1_S3UsDLmZQQB/s1600/PICT0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOWyB1nFGJn3geja0nh3sqR4zJNXlmDbwAVHOxCZi-yCzwI9z0Liv0jrT15vJx-k9j64UwvFY1m_hYtg0_UiSe8kDPRJr0kUoAOIuHyZjElN1mLu7Pcl7IzO1_S3UsDLmZQQB/s320/PICT0053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508455973773984226" /></a><br />putting together a care package for our buttercup.<br /><br />I cut and I pasted...I researched and I shopped. <br /><br />It was so much fun choosing and sewing for a girl that now has a face and a name. Here is what I enclosed in a crimson red box Guangdong bound, to our cupcake girl:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF0qwv81cKJFcoa0I_cTc6FcQBJPuWcPHvLWMJSSyXXSEerOZnjvLFB8P-V6dC-7MtyGOF-kKGUHSh6FStMU_8G-aDe73_6aO970XHSThSmw4s_7kyGdYq1Us_jPmLKGvWPoP/s1600/PICT0058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF0qwv81cKJFcoa0I_cTc6FcQBJPuWcPHvLWMJSSyXXSEerOZnjvLFB8P-V6dC-7MtyGOF-kKGUHSh6FStMU_8G-aDe73_6aO970XHSThSmw4s_7kyGdYq1Us_jPmLKGvWPoP/s320/PICT0058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508455982505409362" /></a><br />Three hand-adorned onesies, a pair of yoga pants to match, a tiny all-American photo album with photos of our nearest & dearest for buttercup, California-made candies for her caretakers, a brilliant teether toy, a mama-made buttercup yellow "tiny wee hoot" and a lightweight waffle weave blanket - perfect for the hot weather in the area where our girl is currently living.<br /><br />And, Rainbow Socks!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxAE2nv8C3NOiOqUC8CzzyUyp1vNJ9sNtKDBRnOX4MjWHSDoavAY7vRBDiQT4WasxWAgc-oICW8xd3-3HmneFW80DBfL1B6RvMAsnazMAz1XHbzeXnF5nhNTY7BZn7UeQiexc/s1600/PICT0061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxAE2nv8C3NOiOqUC8CzzyUyp1vNJ9sNtKDBRnOX4MjWHSDoavAY7vRBDiQT4WasxWAgc-oICW8xd3-3HmneFW80DBfL1B6RvMAsnazMAz1XHbzeXnF5nhNTY7BZn7UeQiexc/s320/PICT0061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508455985181022274" /></a><br />Everything is wrapped up for the mail tomorrow. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-schoRQaWNY7hztpE5eu5JxuWiChP2d47f73wthxyZeW626xZy_jlkNcEDE61z57ylWGhnFxe0zu7Dzri8yuurrP_EzreVyadmbFpFs_kPo074osMRpDAU_Bn8uD1IOahO8fw/s1600/PICT0066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-schoRQaWNY7hztpE5eu5JxuWiChP2d47f73wthxyZeW626xZy_jlkNcEDE61z57ylWGhnFxe0zu7Dzri8yuurrP_EzreVyadmbFpFs_kPo074osMRpDAU_Bn8uD1IOahO8fw/s320/PICT0066.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508455993966962754" /></a><br />And, totally Sealed with a Kiss.<br /><br />Many kisses.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-75199322072157964552010-08-17T21:11:00.001-07:002010-08-17T21:32:42.659-07:00buttercupcake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ovgnlcJnk1ABJkB_kfkcjdp-AI6LeZI5Y_MA_cPneUjk1WGn2DNvHzZ43a8Lxa3cxGrdUc9I5n1fbkYoHQ5Cj5d-vv-ivKGvKnip_hubHcKbw1-IMax2eLweMCUMYzjMYRKl/s1600/Zast81710001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ovgnlcJnk1ABJkB_kfkcjdp-AI6LeZI5Y_MA_cPneUjk1WGn2DNvHzZ43a8Lxa3cxGrdUc9I5n1fbkYoHQ5Cj5d-vv-ivKGvKnip_hubHcKbw1-IMax2eLweMCUMYzjMYRKl/s320/Zast81710001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506597815851232802" /></a><br />Such a sweet wee face. <br /><br />We are so excited to introduce our daughter!<br /><br />Song Xiao (Dawn) Yuan (garden)<br /><br />Born on January 26, 2010 - she's a tiny, young nugget of love!<br /><br />Someday soon we will travel to the province of Guang Dong where she sleeps "deeply" at the YangXi SWI!<br /><br />She is a healthy girl who loves playing with adults, has 2 teeth, can hold her head up & roll over - at 6 months!<br /><br />She's as big as our chubby cat, Peyton: 14.5 pounds!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-hr_HuivbWDBGX4F9SfsYlKxuhTzEl9w2jqoFIR-Vg6GGU3_kWhtpTNpb2tBk0hCgv4Zq9_xD6fRsPL57_UjhHISIZ-Rg5KPSkCCpg3yyQ5puLc-zpIWIPur85ddI9xE-b8s/s1600/PICT0058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-hr_HuivbWDBGX4F9SfsYlKxuhTzEl9w2jqoFIR-Vg6GGU3_kWhtpTNpb2tBk0hCgv4Zq9_xD6fRsPL57_UjhHISIZ-Rg5KPSkCCpg3yyQ5puLc-zpIWIPur85ddI9xE-b8s/s320/PICT0058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506602084548911522" /></a><br />Immediately I feel that she is smart, somewhat fearless, very likely quite sassy, wants to be involved and needs her mama (& baba) to hold her tightly and feel all the love cascading upon her little life.<br /><br />Such an amazing day.<br /><br />Such an amazing time.<br /><br />So many feelings.<br /><br />Thankfulness. xoxoxoxoxowzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-41589801313987559992010-08-16T21:27:00.000-07:002010-08-16T21:37:11.604-07:00Sing With Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1nIa3nCYcTg55eeHlOvR-OLv4Shga0GQTbPCpT46rya6sRsQbeKoYA8axcYGA7vWQ5-zQOyM-Noh6YuvQmns1ojKBcPP7YL364Dq4P6JW28HMQKHyfZGG732OO85gm9-MuCg/s1600/Phone+Ringing-150x150.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1nIa3nCYcTg55eeHlOvR-OLv4Shga0GQTbPCpT46rya6sRsQbeKoYA8axcYGA7vWQ5-zQOyM-Noh6YuvQmns1ojKBcPP7YL364Dq4P6JW28HMQKHyfZGG732OO85gm9-MuCg/s320/Phone+Ringing-150x150.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506232905039689698" /></a><br />Tomorrow,<br />Tomorrow,<br />I LOVE Ya Tomorrow....<br />You're only a Day Away!<br /><br />The phone call that will change our lives forever will happen tomorrow. <br /><br />Totally.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-75136638750817207192010-08-13T20:48:00.000-07:002010-08-13T21:01:05.964-07:00Fifty One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://51pct.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/51.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 475px; height: 320px;" src="http://51pct.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/51.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Its been Fifty One Months since our dossier was logged in.<br /><br />That's a long time.<br /><br />(Ahem) That's a Long-Ass Time!<br /><br />And we are completely on the Brink. On the Brink of everything that I've hoped for and held dear about this new beginning. Of becoming a mother. Of becoming a Family. Of coming into this place whereupon we're meant to be.<br /><br />Our child is literally waiting for us as we have waited for her. Soon we will come together.<br /><br />All signs point to Tuesday next week. That's August 17th. <br /><br />51 months and 2 days.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-18697586937163531662010-08-07T19:37:00.000-07:002010-08-07T22:50:28.962-07:00Winding and WonderingAbout four and a half years ago I last had my hands upon the paperwork that would make our dreams real.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V2KmIc7PcrEbByw1xOGlIr4A2h_0VJoa8CaxZBzyCZ8abP3GUD0jgRiV5oAIhX3e4l9Yp5aQ3olHeOKy9Tz5NltYo7K08q-hoJ97-vGDhYGHdvgmUeeEwyybRABD3CVNK2vr/s1600/PICT0428.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V2KmIc7PcrEbByw1xOGlIr4A2h_0VJoa8CaxZBzyCZ8abP3GUD0jgRiV5oAIhX3e4l9Yp5aQ3olHeOKy9Tz5NltYo7K08q-hoJ97-vGDhYGHdvgmUeeEwyybRABD3CVNK2vr/s320/PICT0428.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502867222158224082" /></a><br />And, today I can say that I'm starting to remember the girl that once was so hope and dream filled as the one in this photograph.<br /><br />She (and her dear husband) sent off the package of documents to this austere and somewhat mysterious place...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMs03Oj03wk6KYA7eEbzdwTjqZLexwZFU2brgi12EooUe57a2pekkv3Xq8C-jzenJO261R-pR2VWpvftyCp2qFuxhx4uo9ohgDSO2Ni83eQ6XuALkLCoFgCVjvS9e3cE3BI_7e4g/s1600/Building_Sign.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMs03Oj03wk6KYA7eEbzdwTjqZLexwZFU2brgi12EooUe57a2pekkv3Xq8C-jzenJO261R-pR2VWpvftyCp2qFuxhx4uo9ohgDSO2Ni83eQ6XuALkLCoFgCVjvS9e3cE3BI_7e4g/s1600/Building_Sign.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />to be maintained, accounted for and clasped in a promising holding pattern until its time came due.<br /><br />All of these months...years, actually, I have wondered: What color was our dossier cover? Were we on the top shelf - or somewhere shuffled in the middle? <br /><br />How many shelves...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71Ldbn6gR1MwPl4YX38jhTxYeojUyJm3VXZzAOWo-BtAy3I9L7PCEnGr5uVufIs2w5ikG0oe_BdoFfOO7d89LxT6MbBfwjpO_MpwEfiCE0IdAusEfoSP_7vX98cS6DvltFzI22A/s1600/dossiers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 682px; height: 512px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71Ldbn6gR1MwPl4YX38jhTxYeojUyJm3VXZzAOWo-BtAy3I9L7PCEnGr5uVufIs2w5ikG0oe_BdoFfOO7d89LxT6MbBfwjpO_MpwEfiCE0IdAusEfoSP_7vX98cS6DvltFzI22A/s1600/dossiers.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />or desks has it touched?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wesselsworld.nl/ccaa_bestanden/image003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.wesselsworld.nl/ccaa_bestanden/image003.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />What did the people who work in this building...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcA26J2ieiZDtOeM0tDURH5KeWCbTKPM-dGdq1F90Tni5hyhw0tbSc3LLykYTseP2IlwFDt6oQTFl8lJCi-l3v8WvIrS497PZAUxOrEDKZmshdO1v2uH9rpj3dTpIIQxQNZR4fg/s1600/Building_Facade.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 525px; height: 700px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcA26J2ieiZDtOeM0tDURH5KeWCbTKPM-dGdq1F90Tni5hyhw0tbSc3LLykYTseP2IlwFDt6oQTFl8lJCi-l3v8WvIrS497PZAUxOrEDKZmshdO1v2uH9rpj3dTpIIQxQNZR4fg/s1600/Building_Facade.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />think of us? Did they find us interesting, cute, prosperous, charming, ordinary...kind?<br /><br />According to the rumor-trackers and modern day soothsayers...matching has begun. <br /><br />Will we hear our long-awaited news this week or next? Or will it be longer?wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-79445125784611134582010-07-19T19:20:00.000-07:002010-07-21T16:00:39.372-07:00Trying to put words to it all...with the help of some imagesIn spite of the fact that I have had over four years to prepare...I haven't read this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kara.allthingsd.com/files/2008/10/whattoexpectwhenyourexpecting-777185.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 472px;" src="http://kara.allthingsd.com/files/2008/10/whattoexpectwhenyourexpecting-777185.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I never finished this: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.alexandersonquilts.com/latest/photos/retreatgift.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 280px;" src="http://www.alexandersonquilts.com/latest/photos/retreatgift.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I haven't researched this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.themomcrowd.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pile-of-diaper-boxes-225x300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.themomcrowd.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/pile-of-diaper-boxes-225x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I still need to do this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsN0fljTO-loOhzXj4qm8t08fylAb-obhHcbTq45Nz-gfL6rX1s5aVqy_izmSb6LT1K9WAKRIK_HRUw3juRHjAfO1PmXYl9VMoC8mYVrQxqqVTJMIURFlPKttCHQ9e0ZoPZWKy/s1600/3788888033_b89f740914_m%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsN0fljTO-loOhzXj4qm8t08fylAb-obhHcbTq45Nz-gfL6rX1s5aVqy_izmSb6LT1K9WAKRIK_HRUw3juRHjAfO1PmXYl9VMoC8mYVrQxqqVTJMIURFlPKttCHQ9e0ZoPZWKy/s320/3788888033_b89f740914_m%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496488670585386770" /></a><br />And, although it would REALLY come in handy about now - I never got around to doing this:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jardinorganico.com.ar/fotos/yoga.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 438px; height: 350px;" src="http://www.jardinorganico.com.ar/fotos/yoga.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Yeah, yeah...sure, sure - I've been busy. Working full time, sewing up a storm, traveling a bit, returning to exercise, learning to be an Auntie. Although life has been pretty good and fairly full - I still feel a bit like this guy:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pandora.ca/pictures15/692974.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 525px;" src="http://www.pandora.ca/pictures15/692974.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Actually I should say that I <em><strong>felt</strong></em> like that guy. I have <em><strong>felt</strong></em> suspended, lifeless, disengaged. Comatose. <br /><br />Many, many, many years of waiting might do that to a person.<br /><br />And, now I <em><strong>feel</strong></em> jolted awake. <br />I <em><strong>feel</strong></em> foggy and surprised that I need to function responsibly. <br />Although utterly unprepared, I <em><strong>feel</strong></em> excited and stoked and fired up for motherhood to enter my life.<br /><br />Its time to wake up.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-34757949073601149342010-07-13T10:07:00.000-07:002010-07-13T11:42:58.221-07:00Starting to Feel Lightheaded and Giddy<a href="http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/wonka-charlie.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 560px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/wonka-charlie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Willy Wonka</strong>: But Charlie, don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he he always wanted.<br /><strong>Charlie Bucket</strong>: What happened?<br /><strong>Willy Wonka</strong>: He lived happily ever after.<br /><br /><a href="http://chinaadopttalk.com/2010/07/13/rumor-starting-to-stabilize/"><em><strong>Rumor Queen shares this Rumor about referrals today</strong></em></a> <br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(We are LID 5/15)</span><br /><br />Could this actually be happening?wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-69872581889799708382010-07-05T09:21:00.000-07:002010-07-10T07:21:07.680-07:00Casey Kasem Would be ProudI've got a new Spin instructor - who plays some GREAT workout music. There is nothing like an energizing jam that is so fun it makes you forget how hard you are working.<br /><br />Here's the one he played last weekend:<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d7SoCQYnvNQ&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d7SoCQYnvNQ&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Try to listen through the explicit words - if that sort of thing bothers you.<br /><br />The tune was perfect for Spinning class - a fast run it was. And, it worked its magic on me. Not only was I immersed in the workout, but the little melody that the artists sampled into the song really caught my attention. I couldn't put my finger on it - but it was SOOO familiar. The instructor told me about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_Thugs-n-Harmony">Bone Thugs n' Harmony</a> but was clueless about that background beat. (He's a little young & I just knew that it was something from the 70's).<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_That_Tune">Name That Tune</a> is one of my favorite games. Most of the time, I can "Name that Tune" in just a few notes. This tune, however, was going to take a bit more research. Even jzboy couldn't put his finger on it.<br /><br />Eventually we did - thanks to the internet & youtube. And here it is:<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mudlXF3MA8Q&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mudlXF3MA8Q&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Now I can't say that I remember the band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigsaw_(band)">Jigsaw</a> - but I definitely remember the song. Brings me back to the good ol' days when we would just have to wait until songs were played on the radio to hear them. When we would listen for hours to Casey Kasem run through the Top 40. Back when Eddie Rabbit and Juice Newton were hot and all we needed was an AM/FM radio and Teen Beat magazine to stay up to date with pop trends.<br /><br />I just love that these bad ass hip hoppers found this random tune, mixed it up and repurposed it into such a great jam...and I sure would have loved to be a fly on the wall when they did it.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-3183234288781214802010-07-05T06:52:00.000-07:002010-07-05T08:20:25.730-07:00Virgo/Libra Cusp<span style="font-weight:bold;">Virgo</span>: Well organized, eye for detail, discriminating mind.
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Libra</span>: Anything that clashes upsets you, whether it's people or a colour scheme.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioht1XGgQ_gS5evCBDeWvIPwGcDEe8X5zby8loGDIIJQYnd9gzpymgpNjJTLWoC22VOaB5CBOwwvNgL5Ih6Q8STBd_iJ4yJUoQgdy9YfteLhnLVH_ic4HA8MNmiiTOzDmc3tkG/s1600/PICT0056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioht1XGgQ_gS5evCBDeWvIPwGcDEe8X5zby8loGDIIJQYnd9gzpymgpNjJTLWoC22VOaB5CBOwwvNgL5Ih6Q8STBd_iJ4yJUoQgdy9YfteLhnLVH_ic4HA8MNmiiTOzDmc3tkG/s400/PICT0056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490420609651196642" /
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGoJbTgtBRCmaN6hGnbTfPnTRQVXxkQ7_i2susVl7u1bMp2xzOGS3fmc3f0F4b99TTlWpys1GTiWEIIQIvS0CruCSJZWs7cldUlCMxA84lH5ImST1kGleAYTfYpVKXcDgRFZN/s1600/PICT0059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGoJbTgtBRCmaN6hGnbTfPnTRQVXxkQ7_i2susVl7u1bMp2xzOGS3fmc3f0F4b99TTlWpys1GTiWEIIQIvS0CruCSJZWs7cldUlCMxA84lH5ImST1kGleAYTfYpVKXcDgRFZN/s400/PICT0059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490420618488331682" /></a>
<br />Virgo: Likes order in all things. Neat, clean and precise in her habits.
<br />Libra: Likes harmony in her relationships and surroundings.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JI9sBVtFERiuhHAgxPA-ronFso2pyO5gi423ieUosllagUgMGvBJYipXtdKbFCq6J6Z4KhAlj6iJDgW0Yj4AV_8NwTDRydPv6dpoBg3n275rhNq3xpVfEY3YnUyVKvIk6Oos/s1600/PICT0054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JI9sBVtFERiuhHAgxPA-ronFso2pyO5gi423ieUosllagUgMGvBJYipXtdKbFCq6J6Z4KhAlj6iJDgW0Yj4AV_8NwTDRydPv6dpoBg3n275rhNq3xpVfEY3YnUyVKvIk6Oos/s400/PICT0054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490420627166377378" /></a>
<br />Virgo: The perfectionists of the zodiac.
<br />Libra: Appreciates beauty in all its forms & has a keen eye to color and symmetry.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3JOJmR5JOa27lfc-iZ2LIP5_ZRfgr0ezPtZkFznIU0kBDvkQVin_NHdjvwKyFHb0Kwf3p8dWOo2V41OWI92kXZ08zUB-6_QJLb-O09m3ynIFljuQ_jmUE79N8SRv3quwe12y/s1600/PICT0085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3JOJmR5JOa27lfc-iZ2LIP5_ZRfgr0ezPtZkFznIU0kBDvkQVin_NHdjvwKyFHb0Kwf3p8dWOo2V41OWI92kXZ08zUB-6_QJLb-O09m3ynIFljuQ_jmUE79N8SRv3quwe12y/s400/PICT0085.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490420649779116290" /></a>
<br />Yep. That's me.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-89633793398417358722010-07-03T07:15:00.000-07:002010-07-03T07:44:15.600-07:00Taste of Summertime BluesInspired by this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQr9s6eCdAHttMSRWNZdp1oU6B_9WsrGFlbdXnFjwcBXm8nK5xHQynt1m0NQ11rJ9MdIjtp1HCoVeE3V58M_KnWgCP5UJx2nbTL8_KZB7YxGLlJOCavgxAWBPqcfRbnjbxX8M/s1600/1909160880_ce78a01a92_m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQr9s6eCdAHttMSRWNZdp1oU6B_9WsrGFlbdXnFjwcBXm8nK5xHQynt1m0NQ11rJ9MdIjtp1HCoVeE3V58M_KnWgCP5UJx2nbTL8_KZB7YxGLlJOCavgxAWBPqcfRbnjbxX8M/s400/1909160880_ce78a01a92_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489686488152964658" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo found on </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lectric_blue/sets/72157594461623108/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sara?</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> via </span><a href="http://indiefixx.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">IndieFixx</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> blog</span><br /><br />I made these:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCKCz-sCy06_H-fH0ihqLuqyc2FVxZasl_Jwciyc16r927qU2vhiEVb0AwpYMzRLxF9PCMWTYCBorGaym0bhS4sw2n1qLlv1oLSNXjTVROZT7SmqQoi-jbK6MHKTaydZbg4wk/s1600/PICT0056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCKCz-sCy06_H-fH0ihqLuqyc2FVxZasl_Jwciyc16r927qU2vhiEVb0AwpYMzRLxF9PCMWTYCBorGaym0bhS4sw2n1qLlv1oLSNXjTVROZT7SmqQoi-jbK6MHKTaydZbg4wk/s400/PICT0056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489688455035993890" /></a><br />There's really nothing quite like a fat, juicy summer blueberry. They pair nicely with the cream cheese frosting on these cupcakes...which happen to make a lovely breakfast with a cup of coffee! <br /><br />This weekend is shaping up nicely. Happy Independence Day! Happy Summer. xowzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-82922257730533528602010-06-20T16:00:00.001-07:002010-06-20T17:51:47.380-07:00It Just Goes to Show You......that there's something for everyone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVlEu1lMRPQJlsXb2c2JRKnyH6ysknVFoD3t6UtJQVqTfwqDfDJyVYgAYORluDq5VrVzZ-KGfgPUsyaEXKiJ29JUMlBsvFnHQ2RDeX_reQryfZUsjpHDXGyxaEa-XT-5MQE-Q/s1600/PICT0069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVlEu1lMRPQJlsXb2c2JRKnyH6ysknVFoD3t6UtJQVqTfwqDfDJyVYgAYORluDq5VrVzZ-KGfgPUsyaEXKiJ29JUMlBsvFnHQ2RDeX_reQryfZUsjpHDXGyxaEa-XT-5MQE-Q/s320/PICT0069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484995056566996994" /></a><br />Case in point - this grass green gingham pimp hat. It was made for me. I stopped in my tracks when it caught my eye as I passed the beauty supply shop window. I'm pretty sure it winked at me. We engaged in this charade several times before I went inside the store and walked out with it on my head.<br /><br />Hello Summer!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPZe72wrzqlAGYtI4pUhD8NbnB4Mygx8HtfgQpB_xVg4ypv0httCfRCzt5oS0AGXZVxFzSZFEDoK-mEVWv47Iu480nYeU5Tc_-WLQXk1ojWyn12e3r4a0GAT9CAQrWD_leMBv/s1600/PICT0065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPZe72wrzqlAGYtI4pUhD8NbnB4Mygx8HtfgQpB_xVg4ypv0httCfRCzt5oS0AGXZVxFzSZFEDoK-mEVWv47Iu480nYeU5Tc_-WLQXk1ojWyn12e3r4a0GAT9CAQrWD_leMBv/s320/PICT0065.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484995044241982514" /></a><br />Makes me want to plan a road trip and listen to the play list below. Its a mix I made for one of the graduating seniors I worked with last year. He had a penchant for "retro" 80's style and sound...and it just so happens that I majored in that.<br /><br /><div style="position:relative;"><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=321603413&s=143441&v0=575" target="_self"><img src="http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/spacer.gif" border="0" width="60" height="60" style="position:absolute; top:30px; left:12px;"/></a><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=321603413&s=143441&v0=575" target="_self"><img src="http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/spacer.gif" border="0" width="335" height="20" style="position:absolute; top:30px; left:75px;"/></a><a href="itms://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/publishedPlayListHelp?v0=575" target="_self"><img src="http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/spacer.gif" border="0" width="175" height="20" style="position:absolute; top:295px; left:130px;"/></a><embed src="http://ax.itunes.apple.com/flash/feedreader.swf" FlashVars="host=http://ax.itunes.apple.com&feed=WebObjects/MZStoreServices.woa/ws/RSS/imix/html=false/imixid=321603413/sf=143441/xml?v0=575" quality="high" salign="lt" wmode="transparent" width="435" height="330" name="feedreader" align="top" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" ></embed></div><br /><br />As I broke out the playlist today, I found that these tunes matched my mood. Energized, playful, bright and lighthearted.<br /><br />This may end up being my best Summer ever!wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-29630363780860021792010-06-13T17:51:00.000-07:002010-06-13T18:07:37.908-07:00Working on my Summer 2010 SoundtrackAnd this one is going on it!<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oS2vMUIPeT4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oS2vMUIPeT4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Couldn't find the video - but wanted to share the tune. Totally fun.<br /><br />I'll also add this one:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5yt849wJyVk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5yt849wJyVk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />For <i>Those</i> Kinds of Days. Ludacris is good for that. And, speaking of Luda, what's up with this?<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kffacxfA7G4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kffacxfA7G4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I know its all about the Benjamins, but c'mon. Completely ludicrous.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-36716058918185513432010-06-05T06:44:00.000-07:002010-06-05T07:36:15.965-07:00Check inHello!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj1YRtwp8mePR8FRY9n4FSQ3I9ninbpy1uk3jMy556XTVvKYFYfYPwTkwHrc99prE8ZcvMT3wMqcJb6M4hgKnW7EoDL7kF5KjFdw6pwSUNIm5RJG2e3d0wvzC-jOwyh5-RLm8/s1600/PICT0062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj1YRtwp8mePR8FRY9n4FSQ3I9ninbpy1uk3jMy556XTVvKYFYfYPwTkwHrc99prE8ZcvMT3wMqcJb6M4hgKnW7EoDL7kF5KjFdw6pwSUNIm5RJG2e3d0wvzC-jOwyh5-RLm8/s320/PICT0062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479287054491682130" /></a><br />Been a little busy, a little nutty, a little excited and very preoccupied.<br /><br />So I returned to old habits and over Memorial Day weekend and......on top of my primary goal to whip the garden into shape, I cut<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nE9OHbmXgxd4bgZqjt9CWusTd2Wqa7nJVVEwOkbrlI9U9-GkWDgjKgKBC0M9flPuupSC5DL0RSGsRIq89Z29QrMAeOJhLvpnu5gr88yOZLiDc-v2O-CJQjNm4gmrjLemUGsT/s1600/PICT0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nE9OHbmXgxd4bgZqjt9CWusTd2Wqa7nJVVEwOkbrlI9U9-GkWDgjKgKBC0M9flPuupSC5DL0RSGsRIq89Z29QrMAeOJhLvpnu5gr88yOZLiDc-v2O-CJQjNm4gmrjLemUGsT/s320/PICT0053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479286294616473858" /></a><br />and pinned<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs_0iY8EUeViqPiLX8D8RfTuJUJmwdI5QloPbtC43gGLkeQbSL4OjprxaGQEFnNY961yCTFNmfw15UgI__yNAePSCbgoB9pDgOWJxUCUq-LftkH00ZGqJiWLGPt51zdEKIj94/s1600/PICT0059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs_0iY8EUeViqPiLX8D8RfTuJUJmwdI5QloPbtC43gGLkeQbSL4OjprxaGQEFnNY961yCTFNmfw15UgI__yNAePSCbgoB9pDgOWJxUCUq-LftkH00ZGqJiWLGPt51zdEKIj94/s320/PICT0059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479286303727250386" /></a><br />a stack of buttercupbloom hoot owls for my etsy shop. The end result was 26 new pieces - all stitched up and ready to go. <br /><br />It was satisfying work in more ways than one and got me through an anxious time with bunch of unknowns. It quelled my desire to be in the drivers seat because I could channel those impulses into stitches. <br /><br />It ended up being a great week with the best outcome. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxC1QqOz_cpFV0y3HDSqcytKAEVwtAFyMxGrhw2OjuSVphtGy-20LHkMj-8aN0u_x0CJdfDkrNs_dBVZZorWyK7EqHZBRR58U9LcSpMJaRBZymQPtrhIf8YLyaAJrkwxGo_HQ/s1600/PICT0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxC1QqOz_cpFV0y3HDSqcytKAEVwtAFyMxGrhw2OjuSVphtGy-20LHkMj-8aN0u_x0CJdfDkrNs_dBVZZorWyK7EqHZBRR58U9LcSpMJaRBZymQPtrhIf8YLyaAJrkwxGo_HQ/s320/PICT0053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479286307450878642" /></a><br />This weekend I rest.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-5449861528957370942010-05-23T07:30:00.000-07:002010-05-23T07:53:40.416-07:00Cuckoo for CoconutInspired by the Birthday Fiesta <a href="http://www.youaremyfave.com/2010/05/birthday-fiesta-is-my-fave.html">in this cute gal's blog</a>, I was moved to buy sweetened flaked coconut, buttermilk and break out the sifter. My parents were on their way to visit and, well, what a better time to hang out and eat cake?<br /><br />Cast of Characters:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroU5H_UIfQh-_3knRiMF1rQwyLMswgN-2EmV-pQGkbvWGuvyxrkPaV5mDuAvHuzmszqQubjpXft3j6LjJOnu9QnjnBewYD87a6ZbkWF-QXcaDeNrfMBIW5vOS1pyJGXjejctC/s1600/PICT0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroU5H_UIfQh-_3knRiMF1rQwyLMswgN-2EmV-pQGkbvWGuvyxrkPaV5mDuAvHuzmszqQubjpXft3j6LjJOnu9QnjnBewYD87a6ZbkWF-QXcaDeNrfMBIW5vOS1pyJGXjejctC/s320/PICT0053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474473538037509922" /></a><br />This is what happens when one has been dieting for far too long<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsKJlrUIdmkABy7EdCCDi5rjybNZwbhaFuPZkMM4wlkERG1svknfFN6dqBNrGpWx7TceBveNJ9fh3Eq-sQJNnEqpawo0fpYxVYCUsxFCO-SlycrGhqZgrAtadRc-JwKEwU8LA/s1600/PICT0056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsKJlrUIdmkABy7EdCCDi5rjybNZwbhaFuPZkMM4wlkERG1svknfFN6dqBNrGpWx7TceBveNJ9fh3Eq-sQJNnEqpawo0fpYxVYCUsxFCO-SlycrGhqZgrAtadRc-JwKEwU8LA/s320/PICT0056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474473546891559314" /></a><br />Buttery whipped-ness!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PBitxa17Kb3kT8EnCLP29nLO86h6aft9EeSk6xYv5Ke4AFdSXQOTgXRco5ix0altkjHPrzDub-6NDKgLKFpIjUHmkfG6_x_JGsRaWyFiC9rTPkHRMpTaBpjKf8aElhnhiYSz/s1600/PICT0060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PBitxa17Kb3kT8EnCLP29nLO86h6aft9EeSk6xYv5Ke4AFdSXQOTgXRco5ix0altkjHPrzDub-6NDKgLKFpIjUHmkfG6_x_JGsRaWyFiC9rTPkHRMpTaBpjKf8aElhnhiYSz/s320/PICT0060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474473553189363986" /></a><br />The AGA succeeds once again!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKTbHH6B2jVto1iBJ5kIiCQbPbkZVYtogZQdVQzJePjYN_FREiHAfPLZd7uWKTaeV4tkcTdwgXiwJ7av4gXNBYkOy_AzR0_Vvz9uTZyxHiPhB2qzZpWBAqngrQjD1ctTtFYfJ/s1600/PICT0062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKTbHH6B2jVto1iBJ5kIiCQbPbkZVYtogZQdVQzJePjYN_FREiHAfPLZd7uWKTaeV4tkcTdwgXiwJ7av4gXNBYkOy_AzR0_Vvz9uTZyxHiPhB2qzZpWBAqngrQjD1ctTtFYfJ/s320/PICT0062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474473562198989730" /></a><br />Voila!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQQNZDNATSSEyYnyRITXz1nixPu5h1b4F6VcpwB3wOBp4yY1GhoA0fEbOy3NDTZ14avROL2tlzxbFU1pQMs4aqUPxdoIQlj5zkNX7G6-Ll9WMJSLcOURpoJ8q1R15AapRS97o/s1600/PICT0065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQQNZDNATSSEyYnyRITXz1nixPu5h1b4F6VcpwB3wOBp4yY1GhoA0fEbOy3NDTZ14avROL2tlzxbFU1pQMs4aqUPxdoIQlj5zkNX7G6-Ll9WMJSLcOURpoJ8q1R15AapRS97o/s320/PICT0065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474473567617442754" /></a><br />And, it tasted sooooooo good. Dense, decadent, creamy....just perfect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQYOQGpt9bV0e1ZyrhdMRxwO8i6zcUoZ6IGopaKmNJa2xpHTTWx2QY9Zh0qZmB4PZy4dCSw_k7G4S1b63pjwaCTD5gk1us1OVmuUiShI2doc1WffND4BLjafAwIjjYcEwmK7F/s1600/PICT0072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQYOQGpt9bV0e1ZyrhdMRxwO8i6zcUoZ6IGopaKmNJa2xpHTTWx2QY9Zh0qZmB4PZy4dCSw_k7G4S1b63pjwaCTD5gk1us1OVmuUiShI2doc1WffND4BLjafAwIjjYcEwmK7F/s320/PICT0072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474473823909855570" /></a><br />I'd be lying if I said I wasn't considering just a wee little small sliver for breakfast. Mmmm, coffee cake.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/coconut-cake-recipe/index.html">Here's the recipe if you are as inspired as I was to re-embrace your love for coconut! xo</a></span>wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-20918769273594950832010-05-16T11:08:00.000-07:002010-05-16T11:25:17.047-07:00Five FifteenIts been Four long years since we gathered all the paperwork together and began this pathway to parenthood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4qMiOQt7mkI4bMGtYgnkYOqZy5JxuY4pDNYAihm1_Hl7kUBSObCCVtB_Isl6r36bGFGLS_i_Dw57AuhWNIA3ZqRRqYHK2vWJCRQUK1DdoJlFU-uWLX5A87PBBcKTQHZXIZHv/s1600/PICT0431.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4qMiOQt7mkI4bMGtYgnkYOqZy5JxuY4pDNYAihm1_Hl7kUBSObCCVtB_Isl6r36bGFGLS_i_Dw57AuhWNIA3ZqRRqYHK2vWJCRQUK1DdoJlFU-uWLX5A87PBBcKTQHZXIZHv/s320/PICT0431.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471932117221147698" /></a><br />Finally it is starting feel as though we are in the final stretch of the longest of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultramarathon">Ultra Marathons</a>. Tired, thirsty, calloused and maybe hallucinating a bit, we keep looking forward. Because, as long as we keep putting one foot in front of the other, we will make it to the end.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMR12p1mMq4ze8yc4On7MYeP8jrte8YBsFMaK9fmnf-7zRRzh6XSwN9gm_Dkn2qqEGczGxwlgWY5WiCJGrPYbsEPvp9YObKCPl8EWu9zXnFk38OwOCnH58O572pDosUot5wm9/s1600/il_fullxfull.142146366.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMR12p1mMq4ze8yc4On7MYeP8jrte8YBsFMaK9fmnf-7zRRzh6XSwN9gm_Dkn2qqEGczGxwlgWY5WiCJGrPYbsEPvp9YObKCPl8EWu9zXnFk38OwOCnH58O572pDosUot5wm9/s320/il_fullxfull.142146366.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471933622545786482" /></a><br />Which, really, is only the beginning.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/46236545/buttercup-polaroid-necklace?ref=vt_related_1">buttercup polaroid pendant is made by The Tiny Fig - and is adorable! And, yes, I have one!)</a></span></div>wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-84570746349874880352010-05-09T20:41:00.000-07:002010-05-09T21:12:32.763-07:00Amazing Grand-Mother<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XjD5ZK88zZCi7X0XIWxECwBNqR_oFP0AuQKayjOxYBpJ7O7BG9jHy5XLfBmO49muCqeDHZqm0sLqLBCzudGl-X5T9ThZIYOLUcHec6HO7KSWJB5zowfvVwMB4Krl-nj7fnWo/s1600/PICT0049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XjD5ZK88zZCi7X0XIWxECwBNqR_oFP0AuQKayjOxYBpJ7O7BG9jHy5XLfBmO49muCqeDHZqm0sLqLBCzudGl-X5T9ThZIYOLUcHec6HO7KSWJB5zowfvVwMB4Krl-nj7fnWo/s320/PICT0049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469481834729657346" /></a><br /><br />My grandmother, my father's mother, was the woman who tapped into my creative energies. One of the first things that we would do once my folks dropped me off at her home for my week-long summer visit (back when Olivia Newton John was a regular on Dick Clark's Top 40) was to hit the craft store. Decoupaged paperweights? Knitted clothing hangers? Painted Mrs. Butterworth bottles? We had them all covered...and well. <br /><br />In between trips to the roller rink and the drive in, we drank many cups of sweet coffee and went through our fair share of Mod Podge! It was a sticky, fun time.<br /><br />So, when I hugged her that day...just about a week ago, in fact.....all of that special-ness and all of that love was a little dizzying. The fact that I get to hug my nearly 95 year-old grandmother so tightly and so dearly is overwhelmingly fortunate and, well, dizzying. <br /><br />What could possibly be better? If my beloved grandmother could hold my daughter so dearly, so tightly, so loveingly. <br /><br />I will hope with all of my heart.<br /><br />Happy Mother's Day. Full of hope. Full of love. xoxoxxoowzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-3089270415369685412010-04-17T13:31:00.000-07:002010-04-17T14:47:33.122-07:00Drumroll Please...Thanks SO much to all of you who decided to play along with my giveaway this past week. It made my Tax-Time just a little bit more fun. And, I needed that.<br /><br />Most guessers were pretty much in the ballpark of reality. Some of the numbers that were thrown out, however, kinda cracked me up. I've been quite busy this year but couldn't imagine being busy enough to crank out 1999, 762 or 817 handmade plushies in a year's time. Maybe if I were able to sew and build full time I could hit those sorts of stats, but not on top of my full time day job. It is food for thought, though. Your confidence in me is much appreciated - and I hope that I haven't let you down. <br /><br />Here's how some of the 2009 numbers shook out:<br /><br /><a href="http://etsy.com/"><img src="http://team.etsy.com/images/downloads/buttons/smallfait.jpg" /></a><br />Etsy.Com (195)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx4qIeTj457wQtliETIkcRWU3IAdewHJfJ5CBWp1S1nFoKjYI-vfu12H_h0NevPy_mYDgBqBgwD2KvMMPe5YbcXX1p5iJjDlQ9KELnGJkcz1WnOrSVrZtWvOgfwyu4C9POGAL/s1600/PICT0003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx4qIeTj457wQtliETIkcRWU3IAdewHJfJ5CBWp1S1nFoKjYI-vfu12H_h0NevPy_mYDgBqBgwD2KvMMPe5YbcXX1p5iJjDlQ9KELnGJkcz1WnOrSVrZtWvOgfwyu4C9POGAL/s320/PICT0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461211776405660498" /></a><br />Donations and Gifts (29)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqX8aADFZ5L4gman4tHnvYsdomh0pvFupimFG1lnr7AH_X2C92VcJw6_KUV96eD2z1ecSqzRToUSGdzS8ZxqYLoScZHQ9oVS7cFTFyW-rJ0cc43DU3EZmm7laGxyMX_r244Jz/s1600/PICT0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqX8aADFZ5L4gman4tHnvYsdomh0pvFupimFG1lnr7AH_X2C92VcJw6_KUV96eD2z1ecSqzRToUSGdzS8ZxqYLoScZHQ9oVS7cFTFyW-rJ0cc43DU3EZmm7laGxyMX_r244Jz/s320/PICT0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461210739230247682" /></a><br />Bizarre Bazaar/Maker Faire (25)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgkAP3uhhIXntSXQ2mmpEls6Y8ZZ8MHdZ9LSomapaomnGP1T_pDAts5P_ycwSHwNR_ODKAgeAL7Mgwy4xoblfsuDhz55myju333v3w26xUAi4y9UgyhWEoqr1ExWFebbuMs50/s1600/PICT0001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgkAP3uhhIXntSXQ2mmpEls6Y8ZZ8MHdZ9LSomapaomnGP1T_pDAts5P_ycwSHwNR_ODKAgeAL7Mgwy4xoblfsuDhz55myju333v3w26xUAi4y9UgyhWEoqr1ExWFebbuMs50/s320/PICT0001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461209154034177714" /></a><br />Renegade San Francisco (89)<br /><br />That's a lot of this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnaszWClgVzKn6fXD8rBfBi3hhmqqWp3SMMhM1ZvSn_t1igrqvJRUgoyrsHTOKXgoPr6-qzfnuL4Y1jnYsadtzrb0YLdzP867Zk3cic5BSgDhBfed_H6Vj9CI3PbqgTw1aLWW/s1600/PICT0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnaszWClgVzKn6fXD8rBfBi3hhmqqWp3SMMhM1ZvSn_t1igrqvJRUgoyrsHTOKXgoPr6-qzfnuL4Y1jnYsadtzrb0YLdzP867Zk3cic5BSgDhBfed_H6Vj9CI3PbqgTw1aLWW/s320/PICT0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461217707519109586" /></a><br />A lot of this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQH8r8JPpNa1qH8kT13p6zV_pkJLGbS1IdUG5prCGaCyvxYhDg7vXApXg0dyqwFwrubbeOjyri7wtxdnq148NdYiaUVQBVIvrHPwHjlMTPCUZ2oGsz0_aaO_txi0AQ3na9trn/s1600/PICT0057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQH8r8JPpNa1qH8kT13p6zV_pkJLGbS1IdUG5prCGaCyvxYhDg7vXApXg0dyqwFwrubbeOjyri7wtxdnq148NdYiaUVQBVIvrHPwHjlMTPCUZ2oGsz0_aaO_txi0AQ3na9trn/s320/PICT0057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461219129837926930" /></a><br />A BUNCH of this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutMHS0JlNFN8HqwyS_tw46uv7skBTXZFzQOJgrcnKaSu3Clc9dIlXPAmOshCObrGKQVdP3N9e78RZHjWHTXyAeTDUEf4ATQBTJUjS2GzwHWfYcODJn5KXRQvrxpuG3FE1l20e/s1600/PICT0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutMHS0JlNFN8HqwyS_tw46uv7skBTXZFzQOJgrcnKaSu3Clc9dIlXPAmOshCObrGKQVdP3N9e78RZHjWHTXyAeTDUEf4ATQBTJUjS2GzwHWfYcODJn5KXRQvrxpuG3FE1l20e/s320/PICT0053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461219139350951666" /></a><br /><br />And a little bit of this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-r52PkiPDR5mu4u2qqUrjmMdcGIGB5s8v-IinhNabUg1U1oQGYh6t1-b31iwqIpFCPntOGrRra7Y6yiIScdqmy3D4rdKdh5HAccLCd7r9Ra2jPdPpZ1m-QlffgOy39_0XSry/s1600/PICT0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-r52PkiPDR5mu4u2qqUrjmMdcGIGB5s8v-IinhNabUg1U1oQGYh6t1-b31iwqIpFCPntOGrRra7Y6yiIScdqmy3D4rdKdh5HAccLCd7r9Ra2jPdPpZ1m-QlffgOy39_0XSry/s320/PICT0037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461219580792923682" /></a><br />There were some other numbers including stock left at the end of the year and things sent to brick and mortar shops. The final-final number is probably slightly under reported but my best guesstimate based upon the numbers that I had.<br /><br />So my big number is: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">368</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIlEFbFjApWIwO_EexXnUWg_WNzWQ95ck2F0m5iFErHhWBgvA8aEFLTzmxuwFrFb5TjU8_CPYevYk2SzjNREU40m1dcoJrSZvfLZQAcUPemb7WVNjYWWOWFI4czdE6NC529vs/s1600/il_430xN.128180404.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIlEFbFjApWIwO_EexXnUWg_WNzWQ95ck2F0m5iFErHhWBgvA8aEFLTzmxuwFrFb5TjU8_CPYevYk2SzjNREU40m1dcoJrSZvfLZQAcUPemb7WVNjYWWOWFI4czdE6NC529vs/s320/il_430xN.128180404.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461225986675463890" /></a><br />Which means that the Big Winner is: Alyssa of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlliesAdornments?ga_search_query=alliesadornments&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">AlliesAdornments</a> - the maker of absolutely beautiful jewelry that she creates from upcycled and repurposed to-die-for vintage buttons. (She guessed 367).<br /><br />Thanks again to EVERYONE for playing along with this little contest and most importantly for supporting me with such heart as I pursued this creative endeavor over the past couple of years.<br /><br />Its been real. And, it has been fun.<br /><br />Now? Now it is time to clear off that baby changing table and make room for the next great adventure!<br /><br />Not to fear, the shop does not have a closing date - but things are slowing down. We are hoping for news of our adoption hopes and dreams becoming a reality by the end of the summer this year. So, we'll see what happens between then and now. Probably a lot more gardening, maybe some quilt making and definitely some projects around the house!!<br /><br />xowzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-57447608827593490032010-04-14T20:08:00.000-07:002010-04-14T20:17:53.561-07:00Don't Forget!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.creatingonline.com/stock_photos/watermark.php?i=5504"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 337px; height: 450px;" src="http://www.creatingonline.com/stock_photos/watermark.php?i=5504" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />My contest ends tomorrow - at midnight.<br /><br /><a href="http://buttercupinchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/contest.html">Click here for the Full-On Deets about the contest!!!</a><br /><br />I still have not added up the numbers, so even I couldn't guess accurately. <br /><br />If you guess well, this wee guy could be yours!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGmSW1QRcZVV2UF7uGSZcq6RcBSWVjybZVzxvQ2LBY2yMq4Xk3Ek0okFf6tO5GyiCtEDxLSZ73ChFpnn5cy93ACx9Q9HFgVh1j5FKC71VpHbfx2wLGdZ9uOc985Obrbdnnz3N/s1600/PICT0039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGmSW1QRcZVV2UF7uGSZcq6RcBSWVjybZVzxvQ2LBY2yMq4Xk3Ek0okFf6tO5GyiCtEDxLSZ73ChFpnn5cy93ACx9Q9HFgVh1j5FKC71VpHbfx2wLGdZ9uOc985Obrbdnnz3N/s320/PICT0039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460197129871653986" /></a><br />Thanks for playing along! xoxowzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-25535875982772799412010-04-10T16:25:00.000-07:002010-04-11T09:21:41.905-07:00my buttercup gardenJzboy built me a raised garden bed a good 5 or so years ago. <br /><br />I love it. Actually, maybe I should say that I <span style="font-style:italic;">loved</span> it.<br /><br />The past two gardening seasons have been a bit difficult for me. I lost my motivation & the garden suffered. California summers, although incredibly sunny & beautiful - are very, very, very dry. Most times I couldn't even go out there to look, let alone attempt to harvest anything - it was too depressing. Everything seemed so leggy, dry and unloved. And I blamed myself. <br /><br />Thank goodness for Fall and Winter because those seasons manage to provide just enough time to dull my sad memories of the previous years woebegon veggie patch. Spring arrives along with my renewed energy and hope for the garden. And, Spring Break always ends up being the week when it all goes down. Here's a pic of the clean, pitchfork tilled and fresh compost amended bed. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47DmTKScQUDmRvVucLZP_M4L7tv5Vq1_ht04YOpp1DvoNaPeqodOTXMmOb_Ov7k0BGMuiQB3vFMLOlGivLOsGZ2HMm8Xd9tlidWnDKq6YAfl4eewBXzDxDuIbXe1TV9qNMxW5/s1600/PICT0036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47DmTKScQUDmRvVucLZP_M4L7tv5Vq1_ht04YOpp1DvoNaPeqodOTXMmOb_Ov7k0BGMuiQB3vFMLOlGivLOsGZ2HMm8Xd9tlidWnDKq6YAfl4eewBXzDxDuIbXe1TV9qNMxW5/s320/PICT0036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458654350089017586" /></a><br />In the weeks leading up to this endeavor, I did a lot of thinking about what was going to go in the dirt. Typically I choose a theme for the garden bed. One year it was a French garden - that year I planted tarragon and haricots verts, another year it was a Rainbow garden - with yellow, orange and green tomatoes and then there was the "International" garden year - cilantro, japanese eggplant, bok choy and Thai basil.<br /><br />This year I decided to plant a Hope Garden patch. Unsure what would grow within a Hope Garden, I ventured to my favorite spot for inspiration - <a href="http://www.berkeleyhort.com/">Berkeley Hort</a>. I knew I would find what I needed to make the veggie patch exactly what it was meant to be for 2010. Here it is all planted up:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3Rd4U1J6X1A2e-MTU0oCaI9uoPcd_BFJZlAw-S37nkWfeXTh2tL_mrR_aR3iAa9Q6o54yu1t48bpvHriQZz_Ee2UVNLbpcDFiwz7fvKMqgOV2hfW-ck84RbMdIYlHWGfC5-B/s1600/PICT0038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3Rd4U1J6X1A2e-MTU0oCaI9uoPcd_BFJZlAw-S37nkWfeXTh2tL_mrR_aR3iAa9Q6o54yu1t48bpvHriQZz_Ee2UVNLbpcDFiwz7fvKMqgOV2hfW-ck84RbMdIYlHWGfC5-B/s320/PICT0038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458654683223660514" /></a><br />Jzboy and I agreed that this years garden would provide some of our favorites such as green beans, lettuces, pattypan squash, maybe some carrots and definitely cucumbers. The tomato factor was an issue, though. Conventional wisdom advises against planting tomatoes in the same place over successive years. The dirt, apparently, must recover.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">((insert gardeners confession))</span> <br /><br />We pretty much plant tomatoes in the same place each and every year. Multiple plants. Year after year after year. We simply can not help ourselves. I thought that if I simply amended the soil generously, it would be fine. The gardener guy disagrees and suggests that our persistent tomato planting may very well be the root of the garden bed problem. Reluctantly, Jzboy & I agreed to either go tomato-free in 2010 or mayyyybe one wee tomato. Maybe.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.berkeleyhort.com/">Berkeley Hort</a> did not disappoint. Although I kick myself for leaving without the dinosaur kale that I meant to grab (I'll be back!), I left with a good few prospects including this singular tomato plant:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7IFnGX7eXx3doFKm_IWGjhDXI12XsyaFehubMXBJfZhhtLoDZZ_8_G1xg_Hzm53PyiYqSA6mDWy7neALstA1kOrAsLp9OC8v2ZgRNNSmK277-9o8au27ZEFHzK0W0TLeVphy/s1600/PICT0035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7IFnGX7eXx3doFKm_IWGjhDXI12XsyaFehubMXBJfZhhtLoDZZ_8_G1xg_Hzm53PyiYqSA6mDWy7neALstA1kOrAsLp9OC8v2ZgRNNSmK277-9o8au27ZEFHzK0W0TLeVphy/s320/PICT0035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458670695865635522" /></a><br />Its a cherry tomato. Prolific and sweet. Hearty and lush. Bountiful. "Scrumptious", even. And when I read the name of this little seedling, the <a href="http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/5328/">Sweet Baby Girl</a> I knew that it belonged in our little optimistic veggie patch. <br /><br />Plus it needed its own, special buttercup-yellow tomato cage. For support.<br /><br />Here's hoping for a very fruitful Summer.wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181426.post-80587653052224170822010-04-05T15:01:00.000-07:002010-04-05T16:51:19.133-07:00Contest!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDD9GyeHePz_uZzAnl5s13M11I6uhqCyh1j-7gEbQPQZYqXe4z3QHPz_FJ845Y9dO3QXnJukZFIL8NhepR64dTSjxaA7I9pdF4M_JTrfGxPDC6ba5Zks8da3l5Jlda5tcDfQC/s1600/il_430xN.120946178.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDD9GyeHePz_uZzAnl5s13M11I6uhqCyh1j-7gEbQPQZYqXe4z3QHPz_FJ845Y9dO3QXnJukZFIL8NhepR64dTSjxaA7I9pdF4M_JTrfGxPDC6ba5Zks8da3l5Jlda5tcDfQC/s320/il_430xN.120946178.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456781124402476610" /></a><br />Ok. So I'm about to sit down to do my taxes.<br /><br />I know. <br /><br />I always-always-always put it off. Always. This year the task is all the more daunting because of my little plushie-making business. It got bigger in 2009, you see, a lot bigger than I ever thought it would. As fun as it is, there's the tax thing that I wish I could stay in denial about. I am just not into the numbers.<br /><br />You see, I am <span style="font-weight:bold;">so</span> not into the numbers that I've never counted how many items I've made over the past year. Its a lot, too. A LOT. Not only was my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/buttercupbloom">Etsy Shop</a> busy, but I did two really big shows last year - the <a href="http://www.makerfaire.com/">Maker Faire</a> and <a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/">Renegade San Francisco</a>. I also was fortunate enough to have my items in three "Brick and Mortar" shops last year - <a href="http://modernmouse.eleen.com/">Modern Mouse</a>, <a href="http://www.doe-sf.com/index.php">Doe-SF</a> and <a href="http://www.cafegratitude.com/">Cafe Gratitude</a>!<br /><br />Its time, though. Its time to let the tax man know the deets so its time for me to tally up the numbers. <br /><br />It will then become all the more clear exactly what I've spent my free time doing in 2009. The truth will be out that I have spent far more time with needle and thread than gardening, exercising or entertaining. That the <a href="http://buttercupinchina.blogspot.com/2008/01/im-calling-her-jan.html">Jan the Janome</a> sewing machine has been more of a companion to me than most of the humans in my life. That poly fiber fill and felt have occupied my closets, drawers and dreams more than anything having to do with international adoption - a surprising, yet quite welcome distraction. Time to face the music..<br /><br />Here's the fun part...for you.<br /><br />Just for shits & giggles, I would like to host a little contest. Anyone can play! Whomever comes closest to the number wins this little guy: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY9xvYDE4_DgVjAqGlFHr47IPTy5isHyD_x_5P5KXohzM_wC5jDN7L2dclSFTPy2uUTKhYzSrNjgCqnTzyx0l5f02NmokKXC_-A92vSkX8AhE32T4KoPUX0rtTzDU4-_K-Fo6/s1600/PICT0042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY9xvYDE4_DgVjAqGlFHr47IPTy5isHyD_x_5P5KXohzM_wC5jDN7L2dclSFTPy2uUTKhYzSrNjgCqnTzyx0l5f02NmokKXC_-A92vSkX8AhE32T4KoPUX0rtTzDU4-_K-Fo6/s320/PICT0042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456788170790232050" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop_sold.php?user_id=5392837">For a Hint - Click Here!</a><br /><br /> Just leave a comment for me with your numerical guess of how many plushies (includes Hoot Owls, Mice, Bunnies - all of em') you think that I made from January through December 2009. The number and the winner will be revealed on Tax Day - April 15, 2010!<br /><br />Off to count....(and, thanks for playing along)! xoxo<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39975681"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">beautiful "tally mark" necklace (above) by NinaGibsonDesigns @ Etsy.com</span></a>wzgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803260442691384173noreply@blogger.com37