tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19027252260769174882024-03-13T07:50:50.960-06:00Turtle SoupRandom musings on single motherhood, sewing, and living with FibromyalgiaNataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-9491396315078521562011-10-14T01:44:00.003-06:002011-10-14T02:13:16.610-06:003 Loves and a HateI read about a very cool site called <a href="http://www.printfriendly.com/">Print Friendly</a>.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> I added a link to it on my bookmarks bar, and when I am on a page, I just click it and it pulls up its print preview page. (You can also just go to the site and copy and paste the link from the site that you want to print something from.) From there, you can delete any of the content, pictures, etc. to make it how you want it. I just printed a recipe that had a bunch of pictures in the directions. I only wanted the first picture of the made recipe, and deleted the rest easy peasy, without having to save it to Word and work from there. Love it!<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://pinterest.com/natalie_kimble/">Pinterest.com</a> Very fun site that is like a big online bulletin board. You can pin any of your favorite recipes, sewing, crafting, scrapbooking or cooking tutorials, quotes, blog posts, home decor ideas, etc. That link takes you to my boards if you want to follow my pins. It is such an easy way to keep track of things, especially if you are like me and you have a million things bookmarked, recipes, inspiration pictures, etc. saved to your computer. Here is one of the quotes I have pinned. </div><div><div style="padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/308284725/" target="_blank"><img src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/308284725_AGhmhlVg_c.jpg" border="0" width="undefined" height="undefined" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><p style="font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;">Source: <a style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;" href="http://asdfghjkllove.tumblr.com/page/2">asdfghjkllove.tumblr.com</a> via <a style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;" href="http://pinterest.com/natalie_kimble/" target="_blank">Natalie</a> on <a style="text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;" href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p></div> Good one, huh?</div><div><br /><br />I really strongly dislike, OK, hate the big colorful ads that Windows Live has added to my emails. I use 2 different email programs because it is easier for me to read them all if I separate the emails I get that way. (I get blog emails, recipe emails, sewing group emails, etc. Why yes, I do spend too much time online. Why do you ask?) I was considering switching it all to gmail, which is an awesome email program.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to Jake though, I found out about <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb">Google AdBlock</a> for Google Chrome (my favorite browser.) YIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE ad-free browsing and especially ad-free email. LOVE.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-55009115039568795962011-09-15T01:02:00.006-06:002011-09-15T01:31:38.465-06:00What Floats Your Boat?I'm sure you'll be surprised to hear that I haven't had the mental energy to blog lately. (What? But I've written so much haha.) However, I did have one idea that excited me a little bit. I am going to jump on here sometimes and share some of my favorite things, happy things, or whatever is floating my boat. So, here goes:<div><br /></div><div>1. The internet's plethora of recipes, grain-free, dairy-free, whatever you need, it's out there.</div><div>2. A book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Self-Compassion-Beating-Yourself-Insecurity-Behind/dp/0061733512">Self Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurities Behind</a></div><div>3. My sister's very fun long visit.</div><div>4. My brother and his wife coming, and the funny stories they shared.</div><div>5. Nieces and nephews</div><div>6. Shrinky Dinks</div><div>7. DVRs</div><div>8. <u>The Pursuit of Happyness</u> movie. I just watched it last night and was thoroughly engrossed. Did.not.want.it.to.end.</div><div>9. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lark-Rise-Candleford-Complete-Collection/dp/B003WEAW18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316070777&sr=8-1">Lark Rise to Candleford</a> - I have been getting the dvds at my library and holy cow, I am so in love with this series. It ran 5 seasons on PBS and is a MUST watch. SO, so good. This show proves that quality shows can be produced, acted beautifully, be brilliant and engaging, and <i>not</i> be full of garbage! YAY.</div><div><div><br /></div></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-34819090186370149202011-01-02T18:00:00.000-07:002011-01-02T18:00:01.615-07:00Happy 2011<div style="text-align: left;">I can't really say I'm sorry to see the back end of 2010. So much has happened to throw our world upside down, but so much has also happened that brought lots of sunshine through the clouds. Like the birth of this little joy:</div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TSA_G99UFpI/AAAAAAAANN8/Ee6xjb-zzfI/s400/DOLL%2521.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557511329118688914" />And watching this little sparkle grow.<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xLSWHWXF938CHnkauO6yEw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TSBB5lwEvmI/AAAAAAAANPc/3vYqXsPAEk0/s800/Sweet%20happy%20skeleton.JPG" height="353" width="235" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We started last year with my dad planning to start some heavy duty cancer treatments. We are thankful beyond thankful that he got a 2nd opinion and decided to do a lighter treatment that is working beautifully! He got a horrible case of shingles and a worse case of postherpetic neuralgia. Which superbly sucks. He is in constant pain still. Praying hard for that to go away this year. PLEASE!! My mom got cancer too. She flew through treatments with flying colors and is cancer free now. My cousin is in the hospital right now in a coma due to being crushed by a truck in a nasty car accident. We are praying for miracles for him and are seeing some already. <div><br /></div><div>This year, I am hoping for some miracles. A cancer-free family, a pain-free family, a family who has all the babies they want. For my cousin to be able to heal fully. I am hoping for Jake to be able to find some answer for his anxiety and ADHD. For him to not stress so much about school. And for the back and forth to his dad's to not disrupt his life and friendships too much. I am hoping to find answers to my illness. Ah... just to feel well. THAT would be such a huge miracle. To do small things like cleaning up after cooking, (If I cook, I'm toast, and have to clean up later, not because I want to put it off, but because I literally do not have it in me), or simply being able to cook a meal a few days a week instead of a few times a month. How heavenly it would be to have that kind of energy. Or to be able to go grocery shopping, AND put away all the groceries within the same few hours. I get home, sit on the floor and get stuff in the freezer and fridge, and the rest sits out while I rest, sometimes for a couple days. Nice, huh? To be able to go to all 3 hours of church without it taking all I have for the week. (I just go to 1 hour, and I'm so grateful it is later for us this year - which makes it 1,100% easier for me.) To be able to exercise without it making me hurt so much, and taking all I have for a few days. The ones for me are my small and simple wishes, that really aren't so small and simple after all. Don't take those things for granted, K?</div><div><br /></div><div>I truly am so blessed in so many ways and I'm so grateful for all my nieces and nephews that bring light to my life. For my family that I love so much. And for the health and strength that I <b>do</b> have. I am grateful for my wonderful Savior, who is also my friend. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I'm grateful for all of you that read my blog. Thanks for reading, and commenting!! <b>HAPPY NEW YEAR!!</b> I hope this year brings your dearest wishes to fruition.</div><div><br /></div><div>P.s. - did you notice how cool the date was yesterday? 1/1/11 and just think what it was at 11:11. :)</div></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-45828482686248697642010-12-25T02:16:00.003-07:002010-12-25T02:18:42.537-07:00Merry Christmas<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">I hope your day is filled with joy and that your new year is filled with peace and love.</span> </div><div align="center"><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PxKas2Mcjg4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PxKas2Mcjg4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-76301153817786860212010-12-15T20:52:00.002-07:002010-12-16T17:39:19.331-07:00Flowers in the WinterHere is a bit of sewing for 2 of my nieces that I started way back in the Spring, finished this fall, and am just now getting around to posting. As I've said before, the treatments I am doing have been wiping me out really bad, so I'm just glad I got them done while they could still wear them! I got excited about making these when I saw a striped onesie at Old Navy. This striped/big applique combination has been calling to me ever since I saw <a href="http://www.gifts.com/search/product/Mini-Boden-Stripe-Applique-Jersey-Dress-Toddler-Little-Girls-?prodID=318723&kwd=49ers+jersey:ohrai39cp6722m">this</a> and <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Boden-Pink-White-Striped-Applique-Strawberry-Dress-5-6-/160518842940#ht_1749wt_1139">this</a> at Mini Boden. <a href="http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Mini-Boden-Clothing.html#nav">Mini Boden</a> does some amazing appliques. I actually like the strawberry one best, but this project just seemed to call for a flower. I was so excited to find an XL Women's shirt in the same stripe so I could make something out of it for Sarah to match her little sister Gracie.<br />So here's Sarah's skirt. (I figure she can wear leggings with it for now, right?)<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gK90KngRShix9c-lvGhVLw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TQXUUHZntEI/AAAAAAAANE4/OwuEgwYY-Pc/s400/P1020442.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And Gracie's top went through some changes. It actually started out as a onesie, but my sister doesn't love the look of those on an older baby, so I cut it off and hemmed it, and then added the white sleeves from another shirt to make it a layered-look long sleeved top!<div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/X3fqOJ-AWw07DJJy8gkRrA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TQXULAjKE5I/AAAAAAAANE0/0CWCpfjcPvY/s400/P1020445.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bUdFMrTpdPifThmTcnWDvQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TQXUB-1PD0I/AAAAAAAANEw/d1HuYCyHu8A/s400/P1020439.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><div>Here is the shirt I used to make the skirt for Sarah:</div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9sjfhYyTXPY1JvZq-0nr7A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TQXWk_MPxCI/AAAAAAAANFM/5pqjRcS3euA/s400/P1020319.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a> <div>Maybe I'll do a tutorial for it one of these days, although the pictures I took were all in the middle of the night and not great!</div><div><br /></div><div>And lastly, here is a little thought for today:</div><div><i>Just remember in the winter</i></div><div><i>far beneath the bitter snows</i></div><div><i>lies the seed, that with the sun's love</i></div><div><i>in the spring becomes the rose.</i></div><div><i> </i> ---The Rose</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-1116341786234162332010-12-13T00:35:00.004-07:002010-12-13T03:28:18.073-07:00Christmas Shopping and Legs<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Jake and I did a little Christmas shopping this weekend. He found all these legs in a pile at Sears and since there was seriously not a single person working on the 2nd floor where we were, he took his time building statues with them. And I laughed. We had fun. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TQXM4ieI5qI/AAAAAAAANEY/-rs6wmna790/s1600/Jake%2Band%2Bthe%2Blegs.%2BChristmas%2Bshopping%2B2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TQXM4ieI5qI/AAAAAAAANEY/-rs6wmna790/s400/Jake%2Band%2Bthe%2Blegs.%2BChristmas%2Bshopping%2B2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550067387501962914" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TQX073-SI1I/AAAAAAAANFU/vjLtP01CZJY/s400/legs.jpg" /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TQXM4ieI5qI/AAAAAAAANEY/-rs6wmna790/s1600/Jake%2Band%2Bthe%2Blegs.%2BChristmas%2Bshopping%2B2010.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center; font-size: x-small; ">My phone camera takes terrible pictures, but hey, at least we have a shot to remember the silliness.</div><div style="text-align: center; font-size: x-small; "><br /></div></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-28510205837299444102010-12-09T09:11:00.007-07:002010-12-13T00:35:03.474-07:00Holiday Wish List Meme<div>I figured my son would kill me if I had the chance and didn't enter this giveaway, plus it is fun to share this information here!</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme</b></span><br /></span><br />TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.<br /><br /><b>1. What is your holiday wish for your family?</b><br />Calmness, peace and happiness.<br /><br /><b>2. What is your Christmas morning / Hanukkah Nightly tradition?</b><br />Our real traditions are Christmas Eve - we get together with my family and exchange gifts, which is an amazing time. And I've just decided Jake and I are going to have a pj tradition. Getting jammies on Christmas Eve is my absolute favorite tradition from growing up, and we haven't been doing it - we are going to start! Maybe for Christmas morning, we'll start a green smoothie tradition to counteract that stocking full of candy!<br /><br /><b>3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?</b> A trip to Pennsylvania to see my nieces, nephew and sister!!<br /><br /><b>4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money? </b><div>Hmmm... using decorations we already have... making cookies and wishing I didn't...<br /><br /><b>5. What games did you play with your family growing up?</b><br />"Guess Who" was one of my favorites, and we also played "Restaurant" with bubble gum and candy that was made like food, or that we made to be like food. For instance, we would put <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_League_Chew">Big League Chew</a>, and gum balls together in a bowl for spaghetti and meatballs. Ahh... the awesomeness of being a kid.<br /><br /><b>6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?</b><br />I am going to reinstate the pajama tradition.<br /><br /><b>7. Where would you go for a Christmas/Hanukkah-away-from-home trip?</b><div>Other than my sister's, I would choose to go somewhere sunny like the Caribbean, Hawaii, or to visit my friend Kristen in France!!<br /><br /><b>8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?</b></div><div>1. I know my son would love an XBOX 360. He already has his favorite gaming system - the Play Station 3, but he would love to be able to play some of the games his friends play on the XBOX. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. A Wii - I think it would be fun to do the <a href="http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?dsNav=Ntk:TitleKeyword|Wii+fit|1|">Wii Fit</a>, and Jake would love to have a Wii!</div><div><br /></div><div>3. I'd let my son pick out some games - I know there are a ton he'd love. I'd let some of my family members pick some games too!</div><div><br /></div></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-89206818873932314542010-12-08T05:24:00.006-07:002010-12-08T05:54:35.095-07:00Action ShotsWe got some fun action shots when Jake was snowboarding in our driveway during one of our big snowfalls a couple weeks ago. He was so excited that it was snowing so much that it took some of the ickiness out of it for me. He loves sledding, snowboarding, etc. He gets creative thinking of things to use for sliding down the hills. We have skateboards without wheels covered in tinfoil, plastic, wax, etc. He's nothing if not imaginative. This is actually a plastic snowboard that we found at Toys R Us. We used the burst option on my camera so that I didn't only catch the picture right before or after he caught air!<div><br /><div> </div></div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L3Mw2TYQD9mlDjjIivA29g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TP9687K6blI/AAAAAAAAND8/mH_zdk6pstg/s400/P1020466.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/021GH-DZgt8yyMhkrLWReA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TP97hbeLjxI/AAAAAAAAND8/5Z9lfV0NfEg/s400/P1020490.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a> <br />He gets a little blurry.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B4k8Vmks39gJ4TmcHRUIww?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TP97lyYfiaI/AAAAAAAAND8/42GNYrUPFPA/s400/P1020491.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/me4CbrxqEg-TkgEWAmcHQg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TP97naN_gGI/AAAAAAAAND8/USAeQB53hX8/s400/P1020494.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />Ok now he's just a phantom snowboarder. Which is kind of awesome.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0IBkvvgNfS0y0nkQkT5d1g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TP971ns295I/AAAAAAAANEA/5Axer2MfEfU/s400/P1020499.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kMy-21MrknRW1pOIMJZ_-A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TP97wM0K-3I/AAAAAAAAND8/1NgxY2NHkfY/s400/P1020498.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />There he is.<br /><br />He had fun!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-60246003305692560372010-12-01T23:22:00.008-07:002010-12-02T22:30:00.362-07:00Go Ahead, Make My DayI haven't blogged forever, but I was sitting here unashamedly <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and at the top of my lungs</span>, singing "<a href="http://www.allmusicals.com/lyrics/lesmiserables/alittlefallofrain.htm">A Little Fall of Rain</a>" from <i>Les Miserables</i> on repeat in my Itunes, and was thinking about the best moment earlier today and had to share it.<div><br /></div><div>I read my horoscope out loud to Jake in kind of a silly announcer voice. It said:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">"Feel free to take charge today, Natalie. You are able to win people over with your smile. Talk with the people and get a feel for their wants and needs before you proceed with your plans. Realize that your actions will have a profound effect on the people around you. This is your opportunity to shine. Take advantage of your tremendous communication skills and your ability to relate to others."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">And then he said - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Wow that is perfect for you.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span> That is you in a nutshell. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I about died. 1: That he would <u>say</u> something so amazingly wonderful. and 2: That he thinks that. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Totally</span> made my day, week and year. <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> I couldn't believe it. I am hoping to gain a more positive self-image, and I'm really working on self-love. I just can be so super hard on myself, and</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "> of course I had the negative commentary running through my mind "yeah I express myself well when I'm not stumbling over every word like an idiot," etc.......) so that is why this meant the world to me. Happy day. :) My son is a sweetheart. </span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-50908561331963758832010-09-06T01:03:00.008-06:002010-09-06T03:00:28.338-06:00Healthy and Tasty Greens<div style="text-align: left;">For my birthday, I received one of the best gifts ever! This beauty:</div><div><img src="http://www.storeitfoods.com/files/1730690/uploaded/Vitamix%204500.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>A Vitamix! We found her second hand on Craigslist and I am in love. It is a blender with 2 peak horsepower and makes beautiful green smoothies. It is such a great way to get veggies in our diets and I am so excited to quadruple my veggie intake! (Or more.) I have known for a long time that I needed to increase the amount of vegetables I eat, but usually could only bring myself to get 1 or 2 in per day at most. </div><div><br /></div><div>Right now I have 6 jars in my fridge. A couple for my mom, a couple for Jake, and a couple for me. I make Jake's with a lot more fruit, some yogurt and less veggies so that he will drink them. You can barely taste the greens! I could make them with a little less, and you wouldn't be able to taste them at all. Really! Hopefully, he will get used to the taste and I'll be able to add even more greens. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aren't these pretty?</div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TISozI8eapI/AAAAAAAAMxE/yWu6Yfe61Ao/s400/P1020369.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513717440336259730" /><div><br /></div><div>The bright green one was the first one I've made where I felt like I had to write the recipe down. I have just been throwing in whatever sounded good together, including kale, parsley, spinach, carrots and carrot tops, strawberries, blueberries, apples, etc. They have all been good, but this one is my favorite so far. If you are going to make green smoothies, you can tailor them to your own tastes - you can use lots of fruit, you can make savory smoothies with only veggies and maybe a tomato... whatever your heart desires. I don't like it too sweet - smoothies that are all fruit are way too sweet for me, but adding some fruit in with the greens makes it delicious.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Pretty Bright Green Smoothie</span></span></p></b></div><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p><b><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="CK Cindy"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1 to 1 1/2 C. water<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="CK Cosmopolitan"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1/2</span></span><span style="CK Cindy"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> small to medium head of romaine<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="CK Cindy"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">2 large stalks of celery<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="CK Cindy"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">3 large handfuls of spinach<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="CK Cindy"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1 frozen banana<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="CK Cindy"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">About 12 oz pineapple chunks (I used canned because it was all I had, but fresh would be fantastic.) </span><o:p></o:p></span></p></b><p></p></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-15525137495899572422010-08-25T19:09:00.003-06:002010-08-25T19:25:35.445-06:00Dropping InI have some pictures to post, but I don't know how to get the printer to download them from our memory card, and too tired/lazy to figure it out right now. So I am just going to stop in and say hi, I'm still alive, and will put up some posts with pictures soon. Jake has started 9th grade. I'm so glad he has a fun class - percussion - because it makes the whole day better for him. I am struggling with getting up with him at 7 am, because for some reason morning hours are the only hours I ever really feel like I sleep. I don't want to miss the time with him though. He is just growing up too fast. <div><br /></div><div><div>We had a really fun last bit of Summer. My <a href="http://ericandtiffkimble.blogspot.com/">brother and his wife</a> visited my sister in PA and brought my nephew <a href="http://samandsarahmorris.blogspot.com/2010/08/few-funny-things.html">Sam</a> back with them, so we got to spend lots of time up at Gram and Pa's house watching the kids swim, jump on the trampoline, etc. Kids are such a miracle of life and are my favorite kind of people to be with. They are filled with unconditional love, fascination with almost everything, joy, purity, and beauty. I am so grateful for them and the happiness they bring us. I love how my parents have taught me to appreciate kids and babies. They delight in every little action and movement, and I have definitely inherited/learned that from them.</div></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-21788380380849002732010-08-09T01:28:00.004-06:002010-08-09T17:36:45.537-06:008/9/10I'm just dropping in to say "Hi" since it has been so long! I thought it was such a cool day to have a birthday... 8/9/10, so I had to post it!! I think that means it will be a great year! I'll try to post some updates soon.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-85190448219537477802010-06-26T20:54:00.003-06:002010-06-28T05:12:17.931-06:00Cake Wrecks!<div>I took a break from my sleeping/resting/sleeping schedule that NAET has so kindly required of me to do something super fun! The people behind the hilarious <a href="http://www.cakewrecks.com/">Cake Wrecks</a> blog came to our town and my sister Suzanne, her friends and I love the blog, so we signed up to go! John and Jen are the married couple behind the blog and are both so funny. They shared a slideshow of some really <a href="http://www.cakewrecks.com/2008/09/cake-head-diet-aid-killing-appetites.html">crazy</a> (and some <a href="http://www.cakewrecks.com/search/label/Creepy%20Cakes">creepy</a>) cakes and then we stood in a long line so that Suz, Kara and Jana could get their books signed. John came around and talked to us in line so that was cool. He took this picture of the crowd while they were doing the slideshow. (This picture is from their blog - I just cropped it so you could see us a little bit.)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TCbCRGEeCGI/AAAAAAAAMtI/ReBfQfggvLI/s1600/Me,+Suz,+Kara+and+Jana+at+Cakewrecks.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TCbCRGEeCGI/AAAAAAAAMtI/ReBfQfggvLI/s400/Me,+Suz,+Kara+and+Jana+at+Cakewrecks.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487286794940450914" /></a>See those faintly circled partial heads? From left to right, the circles show me, my sister Suz, Kara's forehead and Jana. It only looks like there are people sitting in between us because there were a ton of people there. We are straining to see the screen because it was kind of low and the place was packed to the gills. We had so much fun!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-66779856291498707262010-06-11T04:58:00.006-06:002010-06-11T18:42:07.402-06:00Updates<div>Thanks SO much for all the kind words and prayers for my dad.</div><div><br /></div><div>He is in the hospital with shingles. He is in a lot of pain. But anti-viral and fluid IVs are helping him get better. Ironically, the cancer drugs didn't make him sick (yet... crossing fingers) but the anti-viral pills he was on sure did. He is off the cancer meds for now so his immune system can fight the shingles. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just so you know, if you ever get shingles (and now that I have seen pictures of my poor dad, I sincerely hope you don't), apple cider vinegar can really reduce the pain, and possibly even shorten the time you have the virus. I found <a href="http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/shingles.html#ACV">this</a> link and my dad said that before the acv, his pain level was very literally at an 11 on a scale of 1-10. And he has a high threshold for pain. After a few treatments of letting gauze soaked in acv sit on his face, the pain went down to a 5. I am so glad he had some relief and that he is now getting good care at the hospital. (He was too sick to even make it up there the first couple of days.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I am finding things to eat again and am not quite as frustrated. That's good. Because I need to eat.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a tiny bit of energy back, and am not in bed 24/7. Yay.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jake is enjoying Summer!!! I LOVE how relaxed and happy he is during the Summer. We are friends, instead of me having to drive him all the time to finish homework, etc. etc. He does chores with hardly any complaints because he wants to earn allowance.</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the Little Dorrit series that just played on PBS. SO GOOD. Did anyone else catch it? Their Oliver Twist was amazing last year too. I'm so mad I missed the airing of Emma earlier this year!</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-12016348065086521392010-06-03T21:30:00.008-06:002010-06-11T05:19:14.465-06:00My Dad<div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to share a little about my wonderful dad. First, some awesome pictures.</div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAd1IOhMDgI/AAAAAAAAMqY/u-yQBYEZs8A/s400/1965++Mom+and+Dad+hot+stuff.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478476255916199426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCCCC;">My mom and dad in 1965. Aren't they hot stuff?! My mom has had some seriously wicked hairstyles in her lifetime, but that is another post entirely.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAd1InfAcnI/AAAAAAAAMqg/DrJ1UyUJEz8/s1600/Dad+with+Jeff.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAd1InfAcnI/AAAAAAAAMqg/DrJ1UyUJEz8/s400/Dad+with+Jeff.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478476262617936498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Holding my older brother Jeff. Good looking much?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAd4E8Q21AI/AAAAAAAAMqw/KaqIJfrPA40/s400/Suz,+me+and+Pa+12.92.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In a kiss sandwich with me and Suz</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAd4FS544JI/AAAAAAAAMq4/AS2ZZstS27Y/s400/Silly+pa+and+Sam+spring+2006.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Being silly with Sam. He has to be the funnest grandpa out there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAd4Fngo7FI/AAAAAAAAMrA/RVgw7RrRQz8/s400/100_0360.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAd5kREtDiI/AAAAAAAAMrI/Pi6kYEWTxfQ/s400/100_0061.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My dad has showed Jake support many, many times by coming to school concerts, church talks, and by helping him build the winning Rain Gutter Regatta boat and an unbelievably sleek Pinewood Derby car for Scouts. (Where are <i>those</i> pictures?) I can't honestly be more grateful for how he has been there for him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAd5lW9msSI/AAAAAAAAMrg/9a3VPCzUnTU/s400/Everybody+at+Red+Butte.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Always doing fun things with the family. He LOVES those grandkids.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is such a privilege to have my dad as my father. He has a beautiful testimony of our Savior and shares it. He is brilliant. He has such a generous heart and he has blessed so many in so many ways. He loves his family and is committed to his family. He always wanted to give his family the very best and has. He has taught me about integrity and that living a righteous life is what brings the greatest joy possible. He has loved my son like he was his father and was a constant companion for him for so many years. He bonded with him in a way that even his own father didn't. He gave him so many hours of his time, of his life. He taught him about science, math, life, being a strong person, and being there for those you love.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so thankful for a dad who blessed me with so many amazing opportunities in my life that have broadened me so much, and that he saw the importance of family vacations. We have made some amazing memories that way. A dad like this is priceless and precious beyond words. A dad like this is loved beyond words to describe. Thank you Dad, for everything.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is hard to post about this, but if you would say a prayer for my dad, I would really appreciate it. He starts two medications tomorrow for the multiple myeloma he was diagnosed with this fall. One of the drugs he will be taking is a chemo drug, and one is a very high dose steroid. We are very worried about how the side effects will affect him. I am grateful for the advancements in medicine that will hopefully help him fight this thing hard and have many good years left.</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-5951109928271200132010-05-30T21:54:00.008-06:002010-05-30T22:47:05.621-06:00What I've Done This Weekend<div style="text-align: left;">First of all Happy Memorial Day. Are you having a nice long weekend? I hope so. I was so excited to have a long weekend all to myself to get some stuff done. Jake is at his dad's house, and I wanted to clean and sew and finish up some things on my very long to do list.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>But nope. This is what I have done almost the entire weekend. </div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAM1QnaM7eI/AAAAAAAAMqI/qnV58oP8m8k/s400/sleeping-beauty.bmp" /></div><div>Sleep, sleep, sleep, get up, eat, read, rest, rest, sleep, sleep, sleep, and over again. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I didn't look this pretty. </div><div><br /></div><div>More like this: </div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TAM2SHx7hBI/AAAAAAAAMqQ/Mqpw_2CdMks/s400/bad-hair-day-for-medusa.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Among other things, I'm doing a treatment called <a href="http://www.naet.com/">NAET</a> to see if it helps me, and it has wiped me out. Not to mention, I am having extreme bladder issues. The good thing is that I CAN sleep and don't have to worry about getting Jake places or homework, etc! </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you're able to relax this weekend.</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-13015757779343491732010-05-29T02:52:00.016-06:002010-05-29T18:40:47.546-06:00Some Fun<div style="text-align: center;">It's no secret that my favorite times are when my family all gets together, and the more in town the better. My sister came with her kids last week, including my new PRECIOUS niece Gracie. That girl is a charmer! She smiles and goos constantly.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TADZc95rilI/AAAAAAAAMpQ/94xbAcwHk-M/s1600/Happy+girl!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TADZc95rilI/AAAAAAAAMpQ/94xbAcwHk-M/s400/Happy+girl!.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476616238558579282" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">We had sooo much fun! The kids always have a blast together and I adore playing with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TADaG6VsEZI/AAAAAAAAMpY/ROSKcj4v51g/s400/May+2010+kids+on+the+bridge.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This little girl is growing up! She loved feeling like she was one of the big kids and "drawing" with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TADaqI5aupI/AAAAAAAAMpg/GdFUmUWuYTk/s400/Elise+with+the+big+kids.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My favorite time bar none with the kids, is lying down with them when they are going to sleep. They snuggle right in to me, and they aren't going anywhere, they're stuck with me. We tell or read stories and talk about stuff, and it seriously doesn't get much better than that. I think it is heaven. Jo doesn't, because I am not good about making them go to sleep and after playing hard all day long and waking up early, they need to. (Sorry Jo. Sometimes I can be good, I promise.) But seriously, I don't get to have this much fun very often!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TADbBRYtB9I/AAAAAAAAMpo/OESh3tBVg1o/s400/sleepover.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jake is proving to be a great cousin to all these little ones. He made lots of grilled cheeses and made Gracie smile by kissing her tummy, even when she wasn't in the mood to smile. Having little brothers (his dad's) has been so good for him! Here's his hand holding little Gracie's.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/TADgYOm9umI/AAAAAAAAMqA/ftQklOhnYik/s400/Jake+and+Gracie%27s+hands.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jo is moving to Pennsylvania, so we had the best time picking out decor for her new place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On a completely unrelated note, I loved American Idol this season and don't want to see its demise. I loved Lee all throughout, liked <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txGtUa8hJNg">Casey</a> a lot and then fell head over heels for Casey about a week before he went off, and now I can't get enough of <a href="http://www.caseyjames-music.com/3/miscellaneous7.htm">him</a>. He is such a good guy! AGH those long legs. That ready smile. Those eyes. That voice. Swoon. (Oh, and the AI judges? I've grown to really like and value Simon, but now that he is going, can he just take the others with him?)</div></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-70240674447192346312010-05-14T03:21:00.002-06:002010-05-14T03:46:30.903-06:00MadI have to admit, I'm mad. I don't eat any grains. Zip, zilch, nada, not even a grain of rice. (I did cheat for my book club and Mother's Day, but that is very rare.) I don't drink milk, can't use buttermilk, cream or sour cream in recipes. Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, cream cheese (am I making you hungry?) are all no nos for me due to allergies. No refined sugar, I stay away from most anything sweet, except to use a low glycemic natural sweetener for certain recipes in small amounts. I found I could live with this. It was hard but with a lot of searching the internet, low carb books, etc. I have found a good bunch of recipes I can live on quite well when I have the energy to cook them.<div><br /></div><div>Enter extreme and constant bladder pressure, sometimes excruciating pain. This has been going on for years, and is really, really bad at times, and others it is bearable but always uncomfortable. Nope, no infection. Yep, I've had it checked and even x-rayed by doctors. Another super fun mystery in my life. I've been told this may be caused or exacerbated by a food allergy. According to a natural doctor, I am allergic to hot peppers, as well as grapes, olives and a couple other things. No olive oil? Fine. Grapes are too sweet for me right now anyway. But these babies? <br /><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Cubanelle_Peppers.jpg/300px-Cubanelle_Peppers.jpg" /></div><div><br />I am not huge on really spicy food, but I had no idea how much this little fruit/vegetable/spice was used in things, including my own cooking. I didn't realize how much I relied on it and loved it.... from the scrambled eggs my dad taught me to make with a couple dashes of hot sauce for flavor, (it doesn't make them spicy!) barbecue sauce, worcestershire sauce, or the delicious pork made so easily in the crockpot with salsa and enchilada sauce... (OK I did realize that had it in there, but seriously? That is one of our most favorite and easiest dinners.) I would not have guessed that 8 out of 10 dinners I am drawn to has some kind of hot pepper ingredient in it. I wasn't mad about grains. I coped. I wasn't mad about getting rid of most dairy. I coped. But this, I can't seem to live with.</div><div><br /></div><div>Silly, huh?</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-16382817906630940082010-05-06T00:38:00.005-06:002010-05-06T01:07:48.986-06:00The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://thm-a01.yimg.com/nimage/e7b56bfafad4d316" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I just love the book I found for the book club at my house this month. William Kamkwamba is a humble African with such an inspiring story. In his home in Malawi, his family went from being poor, to suffering through a terrible famine. He wanted so badly to attend school so that he would have a chance to make something of himself, but they couldn't afford the $80 per year it would take and he had to drop out. Only about 2% of people where he lives have electricity and even that is spotty. William is resourceful though, and well, he and Jon Stewart will do a better job telling his story than I could, so I'll let them tell you. He has a sense of humor and enjoys Jon. </div><br /><table style="font:11px arial; color:#333; background-color:#f5f5f5" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="360" height="353"><tbody><tr style="background-color:#e5e5e5" valign="middle"><td style="padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;"><a target="_blank" style="color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;" href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/">The Daily Show With Jon Stewart</a></td><td style="padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align:right; font-weight:bold;">Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c</td></tr><tr style="height:14px;" valign="middle"><td style="padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;" colspan="2"><a target="_blank" style="color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;" href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-october-7-2009/william-kamkwamba">William Kamkwamba</a></td></tr><tr style="height:14px; background-color:#353535" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; width:360px; overflow:hidden; text-align:right"><a target="_blank" style="color:#96deff; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;" href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/">www.thedailyshow.com</a></td></tr><tr valign="middle"><td style="padding:0px;" colspan="2"><embed style="display:block" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:251740" width="360" height="301" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="window" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="autoPlay=false" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" bgcolor="#000000"></embed></td></tr><tr style="height:18px;" valign="middle"><td style="padding:0px;" colspan="2"><table style="margin:0px; text-align:center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" height="100%"><tbody><tr valign="middle"><td style="padding:3px; width:33%;"><a target="_blank" style="font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;" href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/">Daily Show Full Episodes</a></td><td style="padding:3px; width:33%;"><a target="_blank" style="font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;" href="http://www.indecisionforever.com/">Political Humor</a></td><td style="padding:3px; width:33%;"><a target="_blank" style="font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;" href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/videos/tag/Tea+Party">Tea Party</a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><a href="http://williamkamkwamba.typepad.com/">Here</a> is William's website. This is a MUST read book in my opinion! If you want to watch more, there are a few good videos linked on his website. Here are two more of my favorite videos: 1. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8yKFVPOD6o&feature=related">Soon after people found out about his windmill and was just learning to speak English</a> 2. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crjU5hu2fag&feature=related">His own presentation 2 years later</a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-63104981653286778492010-05-03T23:52:00.003-06:002010-07-25T23:34:19.163-06:00Modeled photos!I get SO excited to see my nieces and nephews in things I make them!! I love seeing pictures of them period, so with them in something I made is just the c<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;">rème de la crème. I made matching outfits last Summer for my niece Sarah and her best friend. Here is a picture of them together in them!<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1YCLBpiPSVYLqldgoYupZDSsqL2CarVq3GaNVNtBA7Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S9trNPP_XbI/AAAAAAAAMnQ/Bb6toVKfS8k/s400/Hailey%20and%20Sarah%20in%20outfits%20I%20made.jpg" /></a></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1YCLBpiPSVYLqldgoYupZDSsqL2CarVq3GaNVNtBA7Q?feat=embedwebsite"></a></span></span>How sweet are these two? My sister's friend is an amazing photographer and she took these pictures of the bffs for posterity!<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bnDUZLa8m43jYGxueTmEqDSsqL2CarVq3GaNVNtBA7Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S9trc2nToBI/AAAAAAAAMns/7a4Veef3Jy0/s400/130.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /><div><div>And here are photos of Sarah in the butterfly dress I made a while ago! Sarah had a butterfly show-and-tell day at school and was excited to wear it. </div> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xAbKeDDWU6YZs_wwOmn29jSsqL2CarVq3GaNVNtBA7Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S9OGQY7Ir0I/AAAAAAAAMmQ/-GIH4eKJgDY/s400/Sarah%20Butterfly%20Dress.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GsENwTTupYzS-n9Ae4IfxTSsqL2CarVq3GaNVNtBA7Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S9OGhABS5ZI/AAAAAAAAMmc/Nf1mYjpok1Y/s400/Sarah%20modeling%20dress%204.2010.JPG" /></a><br />It was a windy day. She's the cutest thing!</div></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-55044203968340453462010-04-14T15:31:00.001-06:002010-04-28T08:53:18.782-06:00A Blankie!<div>Speaking of focusing on other sewing skills, I took a serger class! I had previously only mastered the straight stitch on it and was impressed with myself if I could thread the thing in under 20 minutes. Well now I have learned some new skills! I hope I don't forget them before I can use them all.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of our class exercises was to make a blanket. It was pretty simple, but they taught us to cut a little rectangle in it where we start serging so that when we come back around to finish, it looks nice and professional instead of just serging off in a diagonal. I also used Woolly Nylon in the loopers so that the thread would fill in a little more and be softer than regular thread. </div><div><br /></div><div>I chose to make a little blankie for my newest niece Gracie Jayne.</div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rWeE496N2diDp8hoq8oQKA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S68iuQuSCJI/AAAAAAAAMgA/XcLBaW5JATw/s400/P1020174.JPG" /></a><br />Here is the sweet little doll wrapped up cozy in it.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yGAQf8ClZcQ_7CQp79mNGQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S68nvq_umLI/AAAAAAAAMhw/RByEwGexeDc/s400/Sweet%20punkin%27%20Gracie%203.10.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QV-FQgQlbYx3xhVFMsdm8w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S68n1m5lXyI/AAAAAAAAMh0/wlCUmIVatmg/s400/Gracie%20in%20the%20blankie%20I%20made%21%203.27.10.JPG" /></a> I think she likes it!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-18951011378355442442010-04-11T01:56:00.004-06:002010-04-11T17:23:46.172-06:00Pokemon and BarbieIt has been a while since I've shared any sewing so here are some pajamas I made for nephew and niece. <div><br /></div><div>Pokemon jammies for Sam! I actually made these a couple months ago, or at least finished them then. This applique was a bear with all the little pieces, but I love the results!<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lkuSDIIPZ47L8WRkBGzbYQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S68kYfGVetI/AAAAAAAAMgk/GlsACOLWiAw/s400/P1010978.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Modeled picture!<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WWOme28m3X3zxs0vYEmeCA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S68lAhGcUoI/AAAAAAAAMhM/_swkIUSJQ5o/s400/Sam%20in%20Pokemon%21.jpg" /></a><br />Sam... I love you. Is it weird that I cannot see a picture of my nieces and nephews and not want to be right there in the same room playing with them?</div><div><br />And here are some Barbie jammies I made for Sarah:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/crxK-KRKN3i39o_L1b7bTA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S68jgBzNLYI/AAAAAAAAMgc/gsP-ceFtKtk/s400/P1020185.JPG" /></a><br />She asked for some at Christmas and I did start back then - good thing I made them big enough to fit in the fall still! I sent them to her last month. The Barbie head and name on the shirt are from a pillowcase I got on ebay for a dollar. Sweet!!</div><div><br /></div><div>It is funny. I have sewn some clothes for Sarah, and when I started to do that, I worried that the boys would feel left out, but I think it is hilarious that no, they were fine... Sarah actually felt left out and wanted more pajamas! haha! I think it is partly the personalization that goes into them with their favorite characters, etc. Their parents don't love characters on their regular clothes (neither do I) so it makes jammies extra special. I am getting a wee bit tired of pajamas, but it makes me SOOOOOO happy when they love them, that I will probably make them for as long as they want them. At least a couple a year. I think/hope. I do have fun figuring out what to do for the appliques, and getting creative there, even though sewing them can be super tedious. I just want to work on other sewing skills. I am working on some construction jammies for Andrew and will share soon!</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-14740597328847373112010-04-04T22:20:00.007-06:002010-04-05T02:39:47.579-06:00EasterI have been out of town so don't have much energy to post my own Easter thoughts, but was so touched (I bawled) by <a href="http://womeninthescriptures.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-easter-gift-for-you.html">this</a>. I appreciated her forewarning, so read that, and check it out.<br /><br />Easter is by far my favorite holiday and message, even over the wondrous time of Christmas. It is not my favorite because they hung my Savior on a cross, but because He rose again. I hate that he had to suffer so much, more than any of us have in even our very darkest hours, but because He did, we can have our sins washed away and live eternally with Him and our loving Father in Heaven. That is a message of true HOPE. <div><br /></div><div><span style="font-style:italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: I know that my redeemer lives!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> --LDS Hymn book p. 136</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-85775650240406458122010-03-29T18:35:00.002-06:002010-03-29T18:44:00.735-06:00My Cousin Wrote a Book!!My very talented cousin Braden Bell has written a book! It is called The Road Show and is an LDS fiction novel. You can join a giveaway <a href="http://www.bradenbell.com/1/post/2010/03/giveaway.html">here</a> for his book - it ends in a couple days, so go now!<br /><br />Braden is such a fantastic guy, an amazing dad and husband, writer, singer, etc! My first memories of him are when he would ask me the spanish words I knew that I was learning in pre-school. :) I don't know why that memory sticks in my brain, but it does, along with the words el gato and el perro.<br /><br />There is a description of his book here: <a href="http://www.bradenbell.com/all-about-the-road-show-faqs.html">All About the Roadshow</a> and you can find endorsements for it, and more about Braden <a href="http://www.bradenbell.com/blog.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Dang, too bad I don't have a picture scanned into the computer of me as a green pepper in our road show one year, or I would have graced you with it.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1902725226076917488.post-387466085041804262010-03-28T02:36:00.008-06:002010-05-06T01:25:07.344-06:00Jamie Oliver Would Be ProudI have mentioned briefly that although I have had some trouble losing weight, I have been able to lose some, which is beyond wonderful to me! Jake and I are very much enjoying the <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/jamie-olivers-food-revolution">Jamie Oliver Food Revolution</a>. I totally agree that there are just way too many processed, preservative-filled, unnatural foods being eaten in this country. I don't even think it is the fat causing the problem. I think it is all of the processing, additives, etc. that are causing us health issues. But these foods are easy and convenient, that's for sure.<br /><br />This meal doesn't look that fabulous, but when I dished it up, I felt good about it and it tasted great!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S68f6wSjkVI/AAAAAAAAMfY/u1MavImVZyU/s1600/P1020196.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dqAqGfT7-eg/S68f6wSjkVI/AAAAAAAAMfY/u1MavImVZyU/s400/P1020196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453612768024564050" /></a><br /><br />My mom made Spaghetti Squash Primavera when she was doing a Fat Flush plan and was kind enough to share some with me. It was filled with veggies! She couldn't use many spices or salt, so I added a few and some garlic salt and it was delicious. I have a love affair with garlic salt. I adore it. The Simply Organic kind is WAY better than the others in my book. Good thing <a href="http://www.ei-resource.org/articles/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-articles/nutritional-considerations-in-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/">salt is recommended</a> for me. The cauliflower doesn't look great since it has been sitting in the fridge for a few days, but trust me, it was delicious. I am learning that roasting vegetables = awesome. <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roasted-Garlic-Cauliflower/Detail.aspx">Here </a>is the recipe I used - yum! I covered it for the first 25 minutes so that it wouldn't burn.<br /><br />I have been on a grain-free and sugar free diet (almost completely) since last August. It is supposed to keep my blood sugar very even, which is important when you have adrenal insufficiency like I do. It has proven to be good for weight loss too so that is great. My biggest challenge is to get more veggies in. When dinner time comes around, I most often have all the energy of a slug, and sticking something in the microwave can take all my energy. And... I hate frozen veggies. So sometimes I will cook a big batch of stuff later at night and we'll eat it the next day, and then have leftovers. I can eat leftovers for days... I think I am just glad that there is food that is made already. Being chronically sick lowers your standards a little, but that's ok. Especially when the food is good to start with.<br /><br />Recently I made the yummiest chicken!! If the spicy/sweet combination floats your boat, then you have to try <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/06/spicy-honey-chicken.html">Spicy Honey Chicken</a> It is delicious!! I don't have a grill so I just baked it for an hour, and added the sauce in the last 10 minutes. I did both breasts and wings and she is right - the thighs were the best! The breasts were good too though. Try it!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10391621005439871907noreply@blogger.com3