tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41734228019926045032024-02-18T20:53:25.953-06:00The Pharr Side of ArkansasAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-28559300236407323392014-04-01T20:53:00.001-05:002014-04-01T20:53:48.281-05:00A Family StoryWhen my oldest sister C. was only 18 months old in 1964, our daddy ran over her on his "dinner" break.<br />
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C. had assumed all these years that Daddy had been drinking and didn't care enough about his kids to not run them over. In the logic and structured she had created out of the shards and scraps of her childhood, it made sense. Our sister L. had almost drowned a few years after that because Daddy had been drinking. And Daddy and her mama had lost custody of the kids on June 3, 1974, one day before her tenth birthday, so it made sense. Daddy had to have been drinking.<br />
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But he wasn't. C.'s mama, not my mama since C. is actually a half-sister, now has dementia and sometimes forgets that Daddy is no longer living. What's hard with C's mama is that she can no longer remember who is here and who is lost. Her timeline is all jumbled up. On a recent weekend when C. had brought her home, she just looked at C., truly seeing her, and started crying.<br />
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"What's wrong, Mama?"<br />
"I'm just thinking about when you were ran over as a baby," C.'s mama replied.<br />
"But I'm here, Mama. I'm alive. I made it."<br />
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Her mama gave her a few details, and C. confirmed from her mama's sister that she was ran over as a baby, just as she had heard all of these years. But Daddy had not been drinking. Her mama and Daddy had lived next door to her aunt and uncle, and Daddy and her uncle worked together. One day when she was eighteen months old, they came home for dinner. And when they went to leave, Daddy didn't see C. behind the truck and ran over her.<br />
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He walked into the house cradling her in his arms.<br />
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Her mama asked, "What happened?"<br />
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"I hit the baby. I ran over the baby." And he cried and cried.<br />
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In my sister's words--or maybe, her aunt's words--they "threw" her into the truck and took her to what is now Conway Regional Hospital. Doctor Bob Bannister worked on her all afternoon. He finally came out.<br />
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"We did everything we could." They didn't expect her to live. Two ribs were broken, both of her legs were broken, she was broken all over.<br />
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But she did live through the night. And after three months in the hospital, she came home.<br />
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Today I talked to C. for over an hour and learned more about my daddy and mama's marriage than I probably ever knew.<br />
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And there are other things I didn't know about my daddy, my oldest sisters C. and L., and my oldest brothers V. and D. until we talked and I learned. Like how C. used to collect bottles and turn them in to buy food for her siblings, how she used to beg to feed them, how she did anything to take care of them and she was under the age of ten. How Daddy used to beat up their mama but never laid a hand on them. How she used to cry and beg him to stop. How her mama split V. or D.'s head open with a broom handle. How Grandma made half their clothes and all their Christmas presents, and how their other grandma and aunts made the other half, but their parents just lost them all the time. How they moved to Florida three different times before she turned 10 to escape the law. How they lived in mostly good foster homes, except for one, and how their foster families got them involved in activities like volleyball. How hurt the boys were because our aunt got custody of the girls later, and they were left behind. How V. never felt loved growing up. How close it was between the four kids being taken away and when our daddy started a new family after their mama went back to hers. How resentful her brothers and sister were that she finished her education and settled down. How C. kept so much of this from them...until now, until they had to know, to make them cherish their lives before they lost them. How she has used her childhood to move on and how theirs has held them back even though it was just a few years. How she wanted to grow up and have things and told our daddy when she gave birth to her son that maybe he could choose to be in his life since he wasn't in hers. And how he was for awhile...until he took another drink. And how Daddy never bought her anything until he was with my mama before he took another drink and was sober and had a job and owned a vehicle and could hold conversations and make you laugh and laugh until you cried.<br />
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And so we pray for those that are saved, but their lives here are consumed by their demons. And we hope for a better future and more happiness for them, but Sis and I still guard our own.<br />
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-26790713641275232522014-03-28T22:31:00.001-05:002014-03-28T22:31:14.088-05:00Last Day of "Spring Break"What is this Spring Break that some folks have been speaking of? I know some of you have a break from taking classes or from teaching, or maybe you have been excited to spend the week with your kiddos, who are home.<br />
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I am a bit spoiled because I work in education. We tend to get off holidays and snow days, and at least for faculty and students at our school, for spring break (and for fall break, starting this next academic year).<br />
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Staff, however, have to work...unless they take the week off. It's kind of ridiculous how few people were there this week, especially today. I prodded on because 1) I had lots of do to get ready for my new job; and 2) I have no more vacation days to spend. In fact, Zach and I worked until after five today. And in fact, when I walked out to the parking lot, half of the hallways had dimmed because no one had used them in a long time, I only saw one other person, and our car was one of two in our parking lot. It was kinda creepy.<br />
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This "break" was spent tidying up and following up on various projects, cleaning out and packing up, and mentally preparing for my transition next week. (I didn't actually start much of the physical preparation, other than packing up my cubicle, because I ran out of time to begin researching.)<br />
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On Monday, I will be the new Associate Director of our Academic Success Center! I'm honestly still kind of shocked that I am in this new position. I never dreamed of being any kind of director per se, mostly because I feel like there is still so much for me to learn, but I do agree with the committee that I am more than qualified. I will be hiring, training, and supervising our tutors; developing student success and academic workshops; advising students on probation; working with some other student success tools; and continuing to coordinate the mentor program. I'll still be doing some things for the grant because they will still be funding part of my salary. Sheesh...I hope I'm ready for these big changes and responsibilities! I know I am ready to be working more directly with students again!<br />
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Here is what my cubicle looked like before:<br />
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And after:</div>
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It seems strange that it looks smaller without everything. And I have soooo many files. The day was particularly tinged with sadness, not just because I was leaving and wrapping everything up, but also because so many folks had taken off today, that I didn't get to say goodbye to. I actually haven't even seen my boss since I interviewed, got the job, and worked my last week because she's been out of town for various things. :( </div>
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Thankfully, I will just be a few stairs away! Bring it on, Monday!?</div>
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Until then, we're heading to Hot Springs for the rest of the weekend. :)</div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-90080417526017958172014-03-26T18:56:00.000-05:002014-03-26T18:56:20.516-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-36487732842790317402014-03-25T14:12:00.001-05:002014-03-25T14:14:14.197-05:00Menu...Tuesday: Braised Carrots<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Every Monday, I think, "I need to get back to blogging." And then I don't. :(</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you probably saw with the last post, I lost my mama and have been dealing with that the last two months, which is part of the reason I've been away. Just as things started to settle back down, I got a new job! I start Monday as the Associate Director of the Academic Success Center! So I figured I might as well dive in; otherwise, I will be waiting forever for things to get back to normal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of normal--or rather, the abnormal--I've been rubbish about cooking lately. I haven't been too interested, very little sounds good, and/or I'm too exhausted by the time I get home. (I've been working until 6 for weeks now to make up for time I missed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, by George (the Duchess's baby!), I'm getting back to it this week. Last night, we did veggies, and I made these braised carrots because my usual glazed carrots recipe was too much work. I was too lazy/tired to pull out my fancy camera, so iPhone will have to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: orange;">BRAISED CARROTS</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 lb. baby carrots</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup water</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 Tbsp. brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 tsp. salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1.5 Tbsp. butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 Tbsp. parsley</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">pepper </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-Place carrots in the bottom of large skillet (so none are stacked on top of each other).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-Add water, sugar, salt, and butter. Bring to a strong simmer and let cook for 15-25 minutes (depending on how thick your baby carrots are).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-Once the carrots are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, remove from heat, pepper and stir in parsley! Easy peasy!</span><br />
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-7572646553691634732014-02-23T12:51:00.000-06:002014-02-23T12:51:33.247-06:00Rest in love, Mama.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">There is a price to pay for being born to older parents—and that is to lose them sooner than most. I have peers who have lost their dads, and I have friends who have lost their moms, but I can’t think of anyone I know that is my age that has lost both. Not even thirty and by the world’s standard, I am an orphan.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I had my daddy in my life for sixteen years and two days. And I </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">had my mama in my life for twenty-eight years, nine months and one day. And now I’ll keep them in my heart forever, until I see them again. After my daddy passed, I had to learn how to navigate our new relationship, and in some ways, I think it’s stronger in some ways now than it was before his death. I treasure the things he gave me—most aren’t “things”—and I try to share these precious gifts with others. Like his love for learning and for laughing.</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I’m figuring out this relationship with my mama, now that’s she’s gone, too. Things like watching her favorite movies (<i>Terms of Endearment)</i>, or listening to music she liked (Patsy Cline), or eating Mexican food (fajitas without the tortillas), and loving people for themselves, for how they define themselves rather than how the world defines them. It’s through memories, old and new, that I keep her spirit alive here.</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The last few weeks have happened so fast while moments within them have dripped like a faucet left running for a snowstorm. I use that metaphor because this winter has been truly bitterly cold. I love winter, but Mama hated when it would get this cold, so I think it’s an appropriate image to describe how her life receded away from the shores of this world. And my friends were right when they said it was appropriate that it would snow (rather than rain) during her funeral, the ground receiving the soft feathery kisses. There are so many memories I associate with the snow, and now this will be another one. A good one and a bad one. I know I’m using lots of different metaphors all mixed together, but it feels right because water, in all its forms, is so often used to explain and experience the faith we have in Christ, our physical birth and our rebirth. It is true what they say: the days are long, but the years are short. That’s made in reference to children being young, but I think it accurately describes our relationships during our moment (yes, moment) on this earth. Drip…drip…drip…and suddenly, there is a flood sweeping it all away. I feel that way, too. There are moments when I am flooded with overwhelming emotions, my eyes brimming and then overflowing with tears and I can’t control anything for a time until I catch my breath. But worst are the longer and longer periods where I don’t feel much of anything, outside of feeling like I have forgotten to do something, or something is missing. It’s like one of us has gone on vacation, except this time, it’s Mama who has gone away.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">At death, moments that didn’t mean anything at the time are recalled with crystal clarity. Just last week, I was almost been brought to tears at the Hyundai dealership because she was there when we bought our car. It’s harder being home and back to a routine because there’s less freedom to indulge those emotions or lack thereof. People continue to ask how you are doing and if they can do anything, but the automated responses are given a bit faster than the week before and the week before that. There’s work to be done, and while there are still tears to be shed, they can (and sometimes must) wait for the calm and the quiet. I am so thankful for the family and friends who have provided support to me, Zach, and my brother—my aunts and uncles for being there in the truly hard and mortal moments, for helping make plans and share burdens, for letting me know it’s okay to smile and laugh; my cousins who grieve the aunt Gracie they lost; my friends, so many friends, who were there to cry and pray with us and for us, to help me take care of my mama and myself, to bring me chocolate and food, to loan me clothes, to take us out lunch or bring us dinner, to send cards and flowers and gifts to offer some comfort.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I guess I am supposed to be mad at the cancer that took my mother’s life within a few weeks and just days after a diagnosis, but I’m not even mad, not yet. Maybe that will come with time. Maybe I’ll even have the audacity to be angry with God for a while. But instead, I think on what a fallen world we live in. I think that, even if we have favor on our lives from the moment of birth, we are still here and we will still die someday. Nothing bad or evil is of God. He created all things to work for His good. A lot of people comfort themselves by saying it’s God’s will that they are sick. Well, I say to that—it’s nonsense! Literally NO SENSE! God wants us to be healthy and well, but the thing is—we live in a sick world. However, He can redeem anything that is corrupted here, so long as He is chosen. God is in the spiritual business. The problem is, our flesh can tear us down, even spiritually, if we let it. All it is, in terms of mass, is mostly water with the dam waiting to be broken or shored up. We came from water (the deep) to become solid (as a human being) but will return as air (as just a spirit, our inner most being).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Living here, separated from God, is the cost of being human creatures. And death (spiritual and physical) is the price we pay to live again—though we may be separated from those we love here for a time. Just for a time. Really, when you think about it while trying to see forever, a lifetime is not so long. “They” also say that youth is wasted on the young, but recently, I heard that it’s actually maturity that is wasted, wasted on the old. As I watched my mama slip away, I couldn’t help but count my regrets and wasted opportunities, times I turned from her or against her, while I tried to hold onto those very precious hours with both hands as I finally realized what an hour with a loved one really meant. It’s priceless.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I’m so thankful I got to spend that week in the hospital with my mom. I wish we could have had more weeks, even days, like that, doing things she enjoyed. But we did get in a lot of talks and watched a lot of TV and movies, simple things we loved when I was growing up. We watched Steel Magnolias one of those days she was in the hospital. I can’t help but think of M’Lynn telling her friends: “I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby's hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life.”</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I left my mama, but I promised I would be back. And I did come back. I got to hear her say, “I love you,” one more time, and I got to tell her how much I loved her and how proud I was of her for how hard she worked, and then I told her she could go because we would be okay and take care of each other. And we will. I will always miss my mama, but I wouldn’t give anything to have her here again. She is with her Redeemer. She truly lives because He lives. And for the time, I live here and carry on.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: blue;">In memory of <a href="http://www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2403896&fh_id=11569" target="_blank">Gracie Irene Byrd</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Sept. 29, 1944-Feb. 2, 2014</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Rest in peace, Mama. Rest in love.</span></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-7744212755619176072014-01-16T21:02:00.002-06:002014-01-16T21:02:09.971-06:00Prayers Needed<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Please be praying for my mama. She is going in the hospital for some tests tomorrow and into a nursing/rehab home next week for physical therapy on her back. Her back has been so bad that lately she is having trouble moving and walking. Her back started bothering her in October. Several tests and X-rays were run, but they didn't show anything. The pain continued to worsen, and when her doctor prescribed pain pills, her appetite vanished, and she was nauseated and vomiting. She also had some raised spots come up on her body, including on her breast that was lanced earlier last year (It was not malignant or anything). As such, she lost a lot of weight and is very weak. So now that she is on pain medication that aren't causing her to be sick, her muscles have become too weak and the pain is still there, so she is having mobility problems. She started PT a few weeks ago, but has been so weak (and with some of the winter weather and the holidays), she's missed some appointments. She had some scans and an MRI, but her doctor still has not provided the results (and it has been a week and a half ago since the MRI! I'm ticked about that!). She was supposed to go to a surgeon on Wednesday to have those spots checked, but she could not drive. This should be a temporary move (less than 100 days) until she can build up her strength, but she has never had much patience with herself when sick, and I am worried sick about her. My mama lives with my brother four hours away, so I cannot just pop over every day to check on her. I covet your prayers at this time. Thanks.</span><br />
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-25896933650919448652014-01-14T18:48:00.002-06:002014-01-14T18:48:28.333-06:00"Manchester, a city that thinks tables are for dancing on"<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember how I went to Great Britain last summer? And how I never posted about it? Well, I've really been missing those green hills and lovely isle lately, so I decided to post about it every once in a while. :)</div>
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We had quite the day of traveling. It went smoothly until we got to Philly, and then the proverbial poo hit the fan with our plane getting delayed ten and fifteen minutes at a time. We finally boarded after no dinner and freezing in the airport--and then I got sick on the plane. This is the second time I've done this traveling overseas, so I have determined my body just can't handle eating so close to when I'm supposed to be sleeping, and yet I'm flying during my sleep time. Make sense? Likely not, but here is a cute photo of us from that first morning before flying out of NWA, May 29!</div>
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When we arrived in Manchester, we checked into our room over the Oxnoble pub! It was marvelous! Then we had lunch downstairs and went to get our phones ready to use at the Arndale Shopping Centre. We had tickets to go see Iron and Wine at the Opera House that night, and it was a FABULOUS show. Easily, one of the best concerts I've ever attended, and I loved that everyone sat in their seats and patiently watched. (I hate how everyone stands up but doesn't dance in the States. What's the point of that?)<br />
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On May 31, we went for lunch at Piccadilly Gardens, explored the Art Gallery, had dinner at a Greek restaurant in The Printsworks, and enjoyed live music and drinks at The Bay Horse in the northern district:<br />
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The next morning, we checked out and headed to the train station for the blessed Lake District!</div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-85085535895633489712014-01-13T22:32:00.004-06:002014-01-13T22:32:57.209-06:00Menu Monday: P is for Poached Pears<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the easiest recipes I like to make as a complement to a breakfast dish or as a dessert is poached fruit. Usually, I do apples during the fall, and I believe I've done peaches several times, and occasionally, I do pears. Pears are my least favorite, and I tend to combine them with apples when I can, or if not, I add lots of sweetener and spices. However, Zach got some <a href="http://instagram.com/p/i6q7zyx-1d/" target="_blank">Royal Riviera pears</a> from Harry & David's, and they were delicious.</div>
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But we ended up with too many for us to each, so I've been trying to use them up. I made a pear cobbler, but I also made some poached pears.</div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b>POACHED PEARS</b></span></div>
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1/2 cup sugar</div>
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1 cup water</div>
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spices to taste</div>
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fresh fruit, peeled and sliced</div>
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-Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.</div>
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-Add spices. (I usually go for a cinnamon stick and dashes of nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ginger.</div>
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-Add fruit (around 2 to 4 cups--or what is equal to 2-4 apples) and reduce heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes until tender. Be sure not to overcook!</div>
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You can also replace some or all of the water with wine for a richer taste. I just have to be careful with how much alcohol I consume, so I tend to use water these days. You can also add other fruit juices and citrus zest and dried fruits for more varied flavor. This is the foundation recipe that I tweak for my needs (as you can see above with the different types of fruit I use). Sometimes, we eat this as a side, but usually, we will spoon it over waffles, French toast, pancakes, or pound cake.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Bon appétit!</span></b></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-22686167469733053262014-01-12T22:14:00.008-06:002014-01-12T22:14:59.898-06:00Chicago, Days 4 and 5<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have had an 80-degree jump in temperature here: from -20 at the beginning of the week to being in the upper 60s today. That's Arkansas for ya.</div>
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I'm going to finish up posting about our New Year's trip, so I can get started on fun stuff from this year! Not that we had a particularly fun weekend--we were both feeling kinda poorly, and I spent the weekend cleaning up and cleaning out. Feels good to be productive, but the headache I have right now does not...</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">On our last day in Chicago (and the last day of the year!), we all woke up feeling badly. Beverly ended up staying behind, but the rest of us made it out to the Museum of Science and Industry later in the morning.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This is my FAVORITE museum of the Chicago ones we have visited, on this trip and in the past. I spent most of my time, though limited, looking at their Christmas ar</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">ound the World display (a tree each for more than 50 countries). I LOVE this kind of stuff. I spent so much time studying them, that I had to leave to meet Zach to ride in a flight simulator. And I came back for more photos before the three of us watched an IMAX film on <i>Space Junk</i>!</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1) Bosnia's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2) USA's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3) ornament from Portugal's tree, I believe</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4) Germany's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5) kind of a cop-out, but as a royal watcher, I do appreciate this ornament on England's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6) "Merry Christmas" ornament on </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">7) thistle on Scotland's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">8) Greece's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9) Santa ornament from Slovakia's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10) Italian nativity</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">11) Swedish decorations</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">12) </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">ornament from Slovenia's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">13) Lebanon's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">14) ornament from Czech Republic's tree</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">15) Disney tree in the center of it all</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">16) presents from Mickey and friends</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I also got to see Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, and this is one of the highlights for me! It traced Disney's birth in Chicago to Kansas City, where he began as a cartoonist and began to dabble in live action-integrated films. Then he moved out west to begin his empire, not before he hit a few bumps along the way. He started with Laugh-O-Grams, <i>Alice</i> comedies, and <i>Oswald the Rabbit</i> before launching <i>Mickey Mouse</i> in "Steamboat Willie." His first feature-length film was a huge gamble called <i>Snow White and the Seven Dwarves</i>. Folks didn't think children or adults would sit through a (color) animated film that long, but Walt proved them wrong! Then onto <i>Bambi, Dumbo, Pinocchio</i>, and <i>Fantasia</i>! This ushered in a golden age of animation with <i>Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty</i>, and <i>Cinderella</i>.</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">While most film production companies feared that TV would hurt them, Disney was able to embrace television and began a working relationship, launching The <i>Mickey Mouse Club, Zorro</i>, and others, and he also began hosting the <i>Disneyland</i> show (what we know as <i>The Wonderful World of Disney</i>) in conjunction with the construction and opening of Disneyland.</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This all lead into live-action films, including the popular <i>Mary Poppins</i>! Y'all know how much I love Mary--I've gone as her twice for costumed-events! I got to see her carpet bag, the storyboard, all of the costumes from the penguin dance, many of the other props, and "Supercalifragilisticexpia<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>lidocious!"</span></div>
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This is London from the opening of the movie. I would really love this print to hang in my house!</div>
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I sense a Facebook cover photo... ;)</div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Next, the exhibit covered the opening of Disneyland, as the castle seen in Lego bricks here, as well as Disneyworld. Unfortunately, Walt passed away before Disneyworld opened, but his legacy continues with the theme parks and recent films and franchises, including <i>Hocus Pocus, Enchanted, Pirates of the Caribbean</i>, and others; and second golden age of animation with <i>The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King</i>, and <i>Aladdin</i>. (These last pictures are maquettes, clay models of the characters. Disney used them with his earliest films, but they moved away from them...until the late 1980s. They help cartoonists draw more realistic motions and depth perspective of their characters.) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeUKPZfNxj2XhQQpecry4yttqThA4nPIGl0RQd9c7Ra0b1mX8fso4you_KH-FzfAUyrNINoLALLtfNzHLkSoWTlI0nJg8r8xkQoilGALm-3yQNro6okOiYEcTtamqtmu6c0UAAIy9JKuU/s1600/IMG_9968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeUKPZfNxj2XhQQpecry4yttqThA4nPIGl0RQd9c7Ra0b1mX8fso4you_KH-FzfAUyrNINoLALLtfNzHLkSoWTlI0nJg8r8xkQoilGALm-3yQNro6okOiYEcTtamqtmu6c0UAAIy9JKuU/s320/IMG_9968.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The exhibit ended with an animation studio for kids (and adults) to learn how to draw and two displays of recent Disney investments (<i>High School Musical </i>and...something else). You can clearly see how much is treasured from recent days! *haha*</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">These last pictures are from their huge model train section, and I included it because I feel like encapsulates the spirit of this museum--trains, planes (spacecraft), expansion, and culture. I love MoSI!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_n3ZvSuXHW3FtJWhE0HF9MNvMBHsqaMhjWuiOWK-Pjlm3dby0olS1AS2EGXB7GwGVpHKJxnFTZzrsU5EI57JhfUkJAzFW4XJtQgRric595XVXJlwu79MJvmk_wAKG_bk3Y66ktlTs1z8/s1600/IMG_9969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_n3ZvSuXHW3FtJWhE0HF9MNvMBHsqaMhjWuiOWK-Pjlm3dby0olS1AS2EGXB7GwGVpHKJxnFTZzrsU5EI57JhfUkJAzFW4XJtQgRric595XVXJlwu79MJvmk_wAKG_bk3Y66ktlTs1z8/s320/IMG_9969.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Here are some photos on our way back to the hotel that made me thing of "My Favorite Things" ("snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes..."):</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TsvcEFjDS8sG0_jpArNoo4yNneP97MwtUjuBJyYK8WDhP3ZIOP2NHav-4kcvepwM_aNGK6rLiDMYmiJMYmNtd6g61fYSN0EozPH8aENcIRIlNxLZ8HH9EsOselhXt-U8Wps08Edae_jI/s1600/IMG_1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TsvcEFjDS8sG0_jpArNoo4yNneP97MwtUjuBJyYK8WDhP3ZIOP2NHav-4kcvepwM_aNGK6rLiDMYmiJMYmNtd6g61fYSN0EozPH8aENcIRIlNxLZ8HH9EsOselhXt-U8Wps08Edae_jI/s640/IMG_1435.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We went back to our hotel to freshen up before dinner. Zach and I rented <i>About Time</i>, which was a darling little film. I think maybe critics didn't find it as charming because it reminded them too much of <i>The Time Traveler's Wife</i>? Since Rachel McAdams was in both? But we really liked it. I made sure to get some photos of our hotel during this down time and after dinner (with some from the next morning):</span></div>
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I felt like Kevin McAllister!</div>
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This is from the Historic Tower; we stayed in the newer one, so it was like discovering a whole new hotel!</div>
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This was painted or placed or printed on every floor by the elevators.</div>
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You could smell the gingerbread house!</div>
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view</div>
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bedroom</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_e-MkWm-Z0AbBVmpGvORTvJhSmezGbIBmkrXLqe2Si5iBqHeS9CkAavrUboknx1lgUp-ArE7pLc82o9W9D4QxiiW1VeTC-Q2iiVI7q95jujzXtzOgD0a5OFucKrA11ci2vNvweQuFOSN/s1600/IMG_9984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_e-MkWm-Z0AbBVmpGvORTvJhSmezGbIBmkrXLqe2Si5iBqHeS9CkAavrUboknx1lgUp-ArE7pLc82o9W9D4QxiiW1VeTC-Q2iiVI7q95jujzXtzOgD0a5OFucKrA11ci2vNvweQuFOSN/s320/IMG_9984.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">sitting room</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="text-align: left;">There were literally no places available for New Year's Eve except for the Michael Jordan Steakhouse in our hotel. So Zach got us reservations, and we enjoyed a pricy but delicious dinner. That Michael Jordan knows how to make steaks, sea scallops, and pork chops! For sides, we had three kinds of mashed potatoes (sweet potatoes, lobster, and colcannon), creamed kale, and caramelized Brussels sprouts. Because we had to wait for our food so long, they brought us bread, too. It's nice to have a fancy meal every once in a blue moon.</span></span></div>
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the restaurant, view from the second floor while walking across the bridge over the first floor<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">We ended the night in our room, gathered around the TV and drinking raspberry lambic and champagne and trying to find something on TV other than Miley Cyrus. We ended up watching the local countdown and a show on HLN about the top viral videos from each state, which included many a dance and cute animal. It was fun to watch the snow fall and then to see fireworks outside our hotel windows as well. I also participated in some kind of flashlight code with the kids staying across the way; they were flashing the flashlights on their cell phones out their windows at midnight, so I flashed mine back, and they waved and waved. It was exciting to be in a big city for NYE! Yet, quickly after midnight, Zach's parents retired to their room, we finished the champagne, and then we headed off to our first sleep of 2014! 2013 was tiring.</span></div>
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first photo of 2014</div>
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the neighbors who were flashing us</div>
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You could see the fireworks reflected on the buildings!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">remnants of NYE the next morning</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">And it was goodbye, Chicago!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">We were able to spend one last morning in the Windy City, and I enjoyed this view by daylight. Then we packed up and took a taxi to the airport because we were running behind, were worried about holiday traffic, and were concerned about the worsening weather. We made it and got through security very quickly, and then we hung out in the Admirals Club lounge (Am</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">erican Airlines). Three of the four flights to XNA had been pushed back, but ours was showing on time.</span></div>
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And then we spent most of our first day and night of 2014 in the airport. There are only so many blogs you can read and free yogurt-covered pretzels you can eat to pass the time. But I think we made it out before the worst of it...</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">If you made it this far, you won the golden ticket! ;)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Thanks for sticking through our trip to that "Toddlin' Town!"</span></span></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-48244768512835447112014-01-08T22:07:00.001-06:002014-01-08T22:07:27.446-06:00Chicago, Day 3<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, guys, guess what? We are getting hit with more winter weather! This is very much like 2011 in Arkansas, but not quite as convenient because then the snow was so deep, that things got shut down right away. Right now, we're looking at ice tonight, but not so much that everyone is jumping on board this evening to close for tomorrow. And, as soon as it starts to melt, it's back to school--even if the roads are completely clear (because everyone has used up their snow days in NWA). That being said, everyone to our west and lots of folks to our east and south have closed, so I don't know if we won't be far behind if it keeps precipitating at and below freezing...</div>
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I hate to drag out my posts like this, but dealing with the photos is overwhelming to me. On our third day, I left my camera at home because it was COLD (not as cold as it has been this week, but cold for this Arkansan!), so I apologize for cruddy iPhone photos. ;)</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">On Monday, we went to the Field Museum of Natural History, which Zach and I had never visited either. We started the day off with a scrumptious breakfast buffet at the hotel--they had EVERYTHING! I really wish I had taken a photo because they had the usual things at the buffet, but they also offered frittatas, Eggs Benedict, fancy orange French toast, banana bread French toast, and so much more!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">At the museum, we got to see the star of the museum T-rex Sue, which is the largest intact skeleton of a tyrannosaurus rex ever found, and we also saw a 3-D film on the dig that uncovered he</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">r. </span></div>
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Sue</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I spent most of my time in the Ancient Egypt area: here I am in one of the actual rooms from Unis-Ankh's tomb. </span></div>
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I thought this was FASCINATING: a symbol is the thing itself! My literary theory and linguistics heart be still!</div>
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This, too, was interesting.</div>
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hieroglyphics</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I am sitting on the altar in Unis-Ankh's tomb! I don't imagine this is the real thing because they had the real walls protected behind glass in this room, but most of it was intact!</span></span></span></div>
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view from the top of the tomb</div>
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I suppose it's disrespectful to photograph coffins and sarcophaguses, but I really do find the process of mummification so fascinating.</div>
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This seemed useful. ;)</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I also went to all of the exhibits we got passes for, including ones on the World's Fair: Columbian Exposition (to celebrate the anniversary of Columbus's "discovery"), bioluminescence, and a bug's life. (I would have liked to have gone to the one on Nazi propaganda, but I didn't discover it until after the fact.)</span></span></span></div>
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I believe 60%+ of the country's population passed through the fair, which was open for six months and took two weeks to explore fully. The Museum of Science and Industry (my favorite!) is now housed in the only building left standing.</div>
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Some of the inventions portrayed at the fair included Juicy Fruit, Cracker Jacks, and Shredded Wheat!</div>
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lobby with wooly mammoths</div>
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exterior (sorry for the shadow)</div>
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gorgeous building</div>
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We had to walk a bit to catch the right bus and train down to Willis Tower, so I captured some of the skyline at twilight.</div>
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soooo cold</div>
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railyard</div>
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This reminds me of Paris for some reason.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In between the museum and dinner, we went up the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) to look out on the city. It was bitterly cold, and we were in so many layers on our trek around the city. When we got the top, it was very crowded and hot, made hotter by our coats and hats and scarves. We looked out but didn't stay long. It was a nice view, but I like Hancock's observatory better.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We had lunch at the museum and dinner at Pizzeria Uno, our first time there as well. It was good, but I still think Giordano's is my favorite. :) T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">he place was adorable, though, and I did enjoy the story of how Uno, Due, and Mi Casa got started!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">After dinner, we had planned to go to The Drawing Room for drinks. By this time, the snow was coming down and icing the sidewalks. I was a nervous wreck because I was wearing dress shoes with no traction. (I wore those shoes because we were going to the Drawing Room, which is kind of dressier.) Unfortunately, they were closed. :( S</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">o I guess we will have to go for drinks this summer!</span></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-67103043322024521892014-01-06T18:57:00.000-06:002014-01-06T18:57:24.696-06:00Menu Monday: A is for Asparagus with Brown Butter<div style="text-align: justify;">
Y'all, every school in our area had a snow day but ours. We did start later (10), but STILL. We couldn't get out of our driveway, so Zach's boss came and picked him up. I'm either going to take a vacation day or make up the hours on lunch and after work. It's supposed to start warming up tomorrow, but then we are expected to get "A slushy accumulation of less than an inch." Pardon me? Arkansas, you better step it up with your road maintenance... It is only January after all.</div>
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So while we were in Chicago, Zach said that he has decided he likes asparagus. For the longest time, neither of us liked it though we did eat it on occasion and found it tolerable. But now we are in the pro-asparagus camp. This is one vegetable I <i>never</i> had growing up, and I'm pretty confident that the first time I tried it was in the past ten years, probably having been served it as part of a pre-determined menu (at someone's house or at one of those restaurants where you just <i>don't</i> request substitutes or removals).</div>
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With the New Year, I am trying my best to eat healthier and exercise. I'm trying to follow the mini goals over at <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/100-days-of-mini-pledges/" target="_blank">100 Days of Real Food</a>, and I'm proud to say I'm doing fairly well with Week 1--eating two fruits and/or vegetables with every meal. We had veggies for dinner over the weekend, and I decided to try my hand at asparagus. I served it with a brown butter sauce, and it was pretty yummy!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">ASPARAGUS WITH BROWN BUTTER</span></b></div>
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1 lb of asparagus</div>
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1 cup of water</div>
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salt to taste</div>
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5 Tbsp. butter</div>
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1 tsp. lemon juice</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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-Wash asparagus and snap off the tough ends. (I felt finding the tough spot was very intuitive.)</div>
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-Using butcher string, tie asparagus into bundles of 6-10 shoots. Sprinkle with salt to taste.</div>
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-Bring water to boil in a sauce pan and stack bundles perpendicularly to one another: two going horizontally with two stacked vertically. Continue until all are stacked. Steam for 5 to 10 minutes.</div>
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-Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan and cook slowly on medium heat, whisking frequently, until it begins to brown and smells nutty. You will also notice flecks start to form, which are the milk solids browning. The butter will foam as it cooks; once the foam subsides, it will turn brown very quickly. Remove from heat once it turns brown--better too soon than too late.</div>
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-Stir in lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Pour brown butter over steamed asparagus and serve immediately (1 Tbsp. per two bundles).</div>
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I served my asparagus with balsamic roasted potatoes, green peas, and Texas Toast (which isn't very healthy but is oh-so-good! Brown butter can be intimidating because it does require a close eye. But it is little effort for BIG taste! It also makes a wonderful addition to many other dishes, including savory and sweet ones (you would just leave out the lemon juice and spices for baking).</div>
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And here are my tied bundles, of which I was very proud :) :</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>What are some things you are doing and eating to get healthier this year?</b></span></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-3628477576592248822014-01-05T13:30:00.001-06:002014-01-05T13:30:50.542-06:00Chicago, Day 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are having a snow day AGAIN. This has already been one crazy winter this season! I'm wondering if schools will be closed tomorrow since the snow is staying on the roads, and we are not supposed to get above freezing (high 17/low -1 today, high 14/low 3 tomorrow), and the wind chill is expected to be -20!!! Did I bring Chicago home with me, or what?!</div>
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On our second day in Chicago, <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">we had a yummy breakfast in the hotel and headed to Shedd Aquarium for the day. We got to see Sea Monsters (a 4-D experience), as well as the aquatic show with dolphins, penguins, and even a dog named Coral! I spent much of my time in the Amazon Rising, Oceanarium, and Polar Play Zone, but the highlight had to </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">be the Jellies. Zach was pumped about seeing them, but I couldn't have cared less when we arrived. Out of curiosity--and the fact that we had the wristbands to get in--I decided to tour this area. I LOVED it. All of the different jellies were so interesting and mesmerizing, and I learned so much. I also captured some beautiful, haunting, and otherworldly images.</span></div>
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largest fish caught in the Amazon</div>
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4-D Sea Monsters Experience</div>
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the aquatic show</div>
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view of Lake Michigan</div>
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After the aquarium, we changed hotels, moving to the Intercontinental on the Mag Mile. </div>
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For dinner, we went to Andy's Jazz Club, where I had a delicious strawberry spinach salad and gin Big Ben cocktail, and we enjoyed some live music. </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">On our way back to the hotel, we came across The Eataly! I'm not sure how to describe this place, other than it is an Italian foodie's mecca. It's like a shopping mall of Italian goodies, with separate stations for different types of goods. So there was a patisserie (I don't know what the Italian word for this French term is--probably something awfully close), a gelateria (that sounds good, huh?), a WHOLE Nutella shop, a wine "cellar," a cheese bar, a separate mozzarella bar, a deli, a pesca-ria (that sounds good, too), a bread section, a pasta section, etc. (I could have tried to Italianize my semi-French words for some of those other areas, but I gave up.)</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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We ordered desserts and took them back to the hotel to enjoy. I ate mine and stayed up to finish Monsters of Men. A glorious time!</div>
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We're part of the ambassadors program, so we got a fruit basket, mineral water, truffles, and a personal letter from the head of our hotel!</div>
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I forgot what this was called, but it was like a mousse-type dessert!</div>
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Zach's was delicious as well! :)</div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-12109224295434037602014-01-03T22:09:00.001-06:002014-01-03T22:09:30.659-06:00Chicago, Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Because I'm lazy and not feeling too hot (thanks, cold!), I'm just going to post these without trying to make them align side-by-side. My apologies. :)</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday morning, we got up </span>early and headed to the airport. We narrowly made our plane because we got held up in security and were sad that it was a cash-only flight, but we made it!</div>
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You could see where the snow had stopped! I love that we can now use our phones on the plane. :)<br />
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Chicago!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Once we landed, we got our CTA passes and got on the train to head downtown to Hotel Indigo in the Gold Coast. We took a taxi from the train station to the hotel and checked in. It was fun watching of the train and taxi, </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">and our hotel was adorable and trendy. I loved that they had Tootsie Rolls in the lobby and were so pet friendly!</span></div>
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our view at Hotel Indigo--so cosmopolitan! *lol*</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Then we grabbed lunch next door at The 3rd Coast. I had a delicious caprese sandwich, a salad, and a milk stout. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Once our tummies were full, we took the train out to Michigan Avenue, exploring Water Tower Place for the most part. We hit up American Girl Place, the LEGO Store, and Macy's. </span></div>
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Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower)</div>
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American Girl Place at Water Tower Place (my favorite!)</div>
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I love the "window" displays at AGP! I would love to have the job to set those up. It has long been my dream to work for American Girls. ;)</div>
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Cecile and Marie-Grace's holiday window display</div>
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Molly's (so sad she was retired this year!)</div>
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Rebecca's</div>
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Julie's</div>
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Kit's</div>
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LEGO Willis Tower</div>
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Chicago skyline</div>
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LEGO Santa Large-Fig (See what I did there? The "people" are called mini-figs...but this guy was 'UGE!)</div>
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Our friend Rob of <a href="http://www.lifelites.com/" target="_blank">Lifelites</a> lit up THIS Iron Man!</div>
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husby in his element</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">We planned to go to Giordano's for dinner. As usual, it was a l-o-n-g wait, so we explored some nearby stores during the wait (Nordstrom Rack, Anthropologie), and Beverly and I went to sit outside the Water Tower to people watch as it wasn't too cold and there were literally no other places to sit. We also popped into Hershey's and Ghiradelli's, where we got some free samples, and into some of the richy-rich stores. </span></div>
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the Water Tower</div>
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Because it was the Saturday between Christmas and New Year's AND it was so warm (for Chicago in winter), the streets and stores were bustling!</div>
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Zach and his dad outside Nordstrom Rack</div>
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Once inside Giordano's, we had a half-pineapple, half-pepperoni pie with some drinks. Poor Zach ended up getting sick and taking a taxi back to the hotel while we finished up. He felt some better by the time I made it in, and while his sickness was disappointing, it was still a pretty good first day in Chicago.</div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-17352933625486234412014-01-02T22:05:00.002-06:002014-01-02T22:06:58.104-06:00Home Sweet HomeThanks to the snowpocalpyse that is hitting the Mid-West, we didn't get home until today, rather than last night, so I've been spending the afternoon unpacking and cleaning, so we can head back to work tomorrow.<br />
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I'll be back tomorrow, ready to go to tell you about our New Years trip!<br />
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-41391745413168647622014-01-01T13:47:00.001-06:002014-01-02T22:06:31.753-06:00Happy New Year!I'm posting from Chicago today! We are packing up to head to O'Hare because we go back to work tomorrow. *boo* I've been out of pocket since the snow break we had at the beginning of December: once we got back from the snow days, we were busy with finals, grading, Silver Dollar City, wrapping up work, finishing things up for Christmas, Zach's Grandpa's funeral, Christmas festivities, and traveling to Chicago for the New Year. Gosh, December goes by too fast...<br />
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Here's to 2014! I've got some nice goals lined up regarding my health, serving others, showing gratitude to God, reading, writing, and ironing. Yes, I've resolved to iron our clothes more! (They look so much nicer. :)<br />
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How are you celebrating the New Year? Any resolutions?<br />
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-48631309395263862862013-12-09T19:29:00.000-06:002013-12-09T19:40:43.071-06:00Menu Monday: S is for Sweet Potato Casserole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I mentioned <strike>last week</strike> <strike>this weekend</strike>...wait. What day is it again?</div>
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We are on DAY 5 of being snowed/iced in, and it continues tomorrow. (They've already called off finals for Tuesday, too. We were supposed to open at noon today, but thankfully, they went ahead and closed campus ALL day.) I know what the day it is; I just have no frame of reference for the past as the days seem to melt into one another quite <b>unlike</b> the snow outside our doors.</div>
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(I really do love snow and winter and the magic it brings. I'm just bummed we didn't get to go see Theatre Squared's production of <i>A Christmas Carol</i> this past weekend. And we're out of bread and low on eggs. No more French toast pour moi.)</div>
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Anyhooooo, I mentioned sometime recently that Zach and I do a Fall Feast every year. Usually, we get a rotisserie chicken, I make the sides (green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and Stove Top, which my husband prefers to actual cornbread dressing...weirdo), and we do the dessert up right. We eat and watch <i>A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving</i> and <i>Garfield's Thanksgiving</i>. It's something we started when we were dating: We decided to do our own "Thanksgiving" since we wouldn't be together for the holiday. (That first year, I don't really remember. I'm actually now not even sure if we did what we would call a Fall Feast now. But our second year, when we were married, we actually watched the Halloween specials and had Halloween Funfetti cake...but I don't remember if it was before or after Halloween. We do things in our own time.) And it is a glorious tradition! "The more you eat, the more grateful you're gonna feel..." That song kinda irks me, and I don't think it's true for commercialized America, but I also find it stuck in my head for days after, so it does what it is supposed to do, I think.</div>
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Anyhooooo, this year, we did it much later this year than usual because we've been so busy and traveling on the weekends...and then when I ordered two chickens from my co-worker's son, I knew we just HAD to wait until they came in, so I could roast one for Fall Feast.</div>
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They finally were ready the week of Thanksgiving, and so I brought them home for Fall Feast...the first week in December.</div>
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It was my <u>first</u> time to roast a chicken, and it was a ROARING success! The crowds went wild for the citrusy, herby, golden-skinned chicken! (By crowds, I mean Zach and Amy.) But I was very proud of my bird. :)</div>
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I realize this is a terrifying angle. It looks like a fish face.</div>
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I made some "Texas Roadhouse" (copycat) rolls along with the usual green bean casserole, but I decided to do more of a sweet potato casserole than just candied "yams." I combined two recipes, and it was delish!</div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE</b></span></div>
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3 cans of sweet potatoes, drained</div>
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1/2 cup brown sugar</div>
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1/2 tsp. cinnamon</div>
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1/4 tsp. nutmeg</div>
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dash of ginger</div>
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dash of pepper</div>
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1 tsp. vanilla</div>
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1/2 tsp. almond extract</div>
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1/4 tsp. salt</div>
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1 egg, beaten</div>
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4 Tbsp. melted butter (1/2 stick)</div>
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1+ Tbsp. heavy whipping cream</div>
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mini marshmallows</div>
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-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 pan.</div>
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-Mash sweet potatoes by hand until mostly smooth.</div>
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-Add all ingredients except marshmallows, and combine until well blended.</div>
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-Spread half of sweet potato mixture into pan and top with marshmallows as desired. Spread remaining sweet potato mixture on top.</div>
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-Bake for 30 minutes. Top with marshmallows as desired and bake for 10 additional minutes until marshmallows are brown and bubbly.</div>
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I know this is one of those dishes that is more like candy, but we only have it at Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I think we get a pass. And I forgot to make the Stove Top, so it was one less dish. :)</div>
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For dessert, we had a homemade chocolate cake made by a coworker's husband. Holy YUM!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">What are some traditions you have this time of year?</span></b></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-55193249283904499642013-12-07T14:00:00.001-06:002013-12-07T14:00:53.733-06:00Snow Days!<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are on our third day of being snowed/iced in, and if you know me, I am <b><i><u>loving</u></i></b> it! I was quite surprised to get out on Thursday; I figured we would have go in for a few hours, and then they would close as the weather got bad. Imagine my surprise when I woke up to a text from my boss that we were closed!</div>
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So I went back to sleep for an hour. I have a hard time sleeping in when I know we are having winter weather because I want to watch it and measure it and touch it and walk it. Oh, I so LOVE it<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Once I got up, I started editing photos, cleaning, and catching up on TV shows. The sleet started ea</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 18px;">rly but didn't really start accumulating until mid-morning. Once Zach got up, he played video games while I continued my cleaning. We drank lots of hot cocoa and tea, watched the snow begin to fall, and played & snuggled with the kitties. In the evening, Zach built a fire, which was lovely. Here's how we spent our "snow days:"</span></span></div>
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sleet starting to collect on everything</div>
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Yes, we still have pumpkins out. We didn't carve any this year, so they are still in tact. I don't have the heart to throw out anything that is still good.</center>
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The cats enjoyed having us home!</div>
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This is probably the coldest it's been in Arkansas since I don't know when!</div>
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It's a tradition for me to drink out of my snowflake mug on snow days. :)</div>
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night fall, snow fall</div>
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When I got up on Friday, we had EIGHT inches! It's now over nine. :) I wasn't sure if my guess was correct (eight inches), but I was right on the money when this photos as taken!</div>
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On Friday, I watched Christmas movies and prepared for our late Fall Feast. And, of course, watched the snow continue to fall!</div>
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<a href="http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/ashes2448/media/Snow%20Days/IMG_0122_zps8885fe10.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0122_zps8885fe10.jpg" border="0" height="266" src="http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w660/ashes2448/Snow%20Days/IMG_0122_zps8885fe10.jpg" width="400" /></a></center>
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Since we moved up here, I've used <a href="http://thepharrsideofarkansas.blogspot.com/search?q=snow" target="_blank">these birds</a> to measure the snow.</div>
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They have been quite snuggly with the cold weather.</div>
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Yes, I know, we <strike>make beautiful children</strike> raise beautiful cats.</div>
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dangers of winter weather in AR</div>
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<td><a href="http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/ashes2448/media/Snow%20Days/IMG_0231_zpsa8a18201.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0231_zpsa8a18201.jpg" border="0" height="320" src="http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w660/ashes2448/Snow%20Days/IMG_0231_zpsa8a18201.jpg" width="213" /></a></td>
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I love our home in this kind of weather. it reminds me a cabin! Also, those bows used to hang in our stairwell during Christmas, but Dinah tore them up pretty good last year, so I shortened the tails and decided to use them one last year--outside.</div>
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<a href="http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/ashes2448/media/Snow%20Days/IMG_0235_zps241f7cb9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0235_zps241f7cb9.jpg" border="0" height="320" src="http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w660/ashes2448/Snow%20Days/IMG_0235_zps241f7cb9.jpg" width="213" /></a></center>
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my (rain)boot prints</center>
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Selfies in the snow are hard, especially when it is <i>well below freezing</i>.</div>
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why we named our home The Owlery</div>
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Our landlord's little lady statue looks like a gnome in the snow!</div>
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It's hard to see here, but there are some animal tracks in the snow. Deer, maybe?</div>
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Last night, we had <a href="http://thepharrsideofarkansas.blogspot.com/2012/10/be-grateful-11.html" target="_blank">our Fall Feast</a>, and I invited Amy over since she made it safely back home from her friends' house. But I'll tell you more about this on Monday!</div>
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<td><a href="http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/ashes2448/media/Snow%20Days/IMG_0306_zps736bd642.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0306_zps736bd642.jpg" border="0" height="266" src="http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w660/ashes2448/Snow%20Days/IMG_0306_zps736bd642.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Today, I'm going to knit and address Christmas cards. :)))</center>
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Oh, and next weekend, I'll be sharing our Christmas decor courtesy of <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/" target="_blank">Kelly's Korner SUYL</a>!</center>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Did you get any winter weather courtesy of Winter Storm Cleon? How do you spend your snow days?</b></span></center>
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<a href="http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/ashes2448/media/b1ec0eef-a9ee-48d9-87d2-1285feb7aa0c_zpsd6f56ab6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo b1ec0eef-a9ee-48d9-87d2-1285feb7aa0c_zpsd6f56ab6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w660/ashes2448/b1ec0eef-a9ee-48d9-87d2-1285feb7aa0c_zpsd6f56ab6.jpg" /></a></center>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-86584516127457592612013-12-06T00:10:00.002-06:002013-12-06T00:11:10.099-06:00Weekend Update: Thanksgiving Edition, Part 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here we are, a week after Thanksgiving, and I still haven't finished talking about Thanksgiving weekend! And since I'm getting not one, but two snow days, I figured there is no excuse. :)</div>
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After we bid adieu to Zach's family, we stopped by to visit our friend Jonathan and Jordan for a bit. Then we drove to NLR and checked into our hotel. Once we had grabbed dinner there, we headed over to my stepsister Kim's house to visit with her, my other stepsister Shelly (who was in town from Chicago), Kim's daughter Amie, and Amie's daughter Harper. I didn't take any photos since it was so late, but here is a #throwbackThursday pic of (some of) my dad's side of the family:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMC47-3oRi6eWnxK2hy7kCHvLbkIIQ7x0N3TbngWg0WkikAj7dUif_WHIkv9-9PqW_uaEgjhys63Zyc2MZwzwZkqDPHYGBUoFdJhZg9It3nFdgd9uT4PO3fzz8f6eqdg8BplWSoF5v7UD/s1600/Family-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMC47-3oRi6eWnxK2hy7kCHvLbkIIQ7x0N3TbngWg0WkikAj7dUif_WHIkv9-9PqW_uaEgjhys63Zyc2MZwzwZkqDPHYGBUoFdJhZg9It3nFdgd9uT4PO3fzz8f6eqdg8BplWSoF5v7UD/s640/Family-page-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Saturday morning, we had breakfast at our hotel and headed down to LoCo (Lonoke County) to Carlisle to visit with my best friend <a href="http://thepharrsideofarkansas.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-i-wrote-wednesday.html" target="_blank">Monica</a>, her fiancé Rob, and their little girl <a href="http://thepharrsideofarkansas.blogspot.com/2013/01/be-grateful-2.html" target="_blank">Autumn</a>. Rob's two kids, Lauryn and Caleb, were also there!</div>
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I didn't get to attend Autumn's birthday party because I had to work, so we brought her present (literary and artistic board books) and visited a bit. We ended up doing an impromptu photo shoot, and I got some pretty decent shots of this growing little family!</div>
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Lauryn declared that <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cozy-Classics-Jane-Jack-Wang/dp/1927018315/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1386310172&sr=8-2&keywords=jane+eyre+board+book" target="_blank">Jane Eyre</a></i> is scary. *lol* That's your Auntie "Lorelai" for ya, Autumn!</div>
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I love this one on the right!</div>
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sweet growing family</div>
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Awww, I just love these folks!<br />
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After Monica's, we headed back up the road to Lonoke to see my mama, Matt (one of my brothers), and Will (my nephew). I didn't take many photos because my mom's hip was bothering her, and she felt horrible, and my brother isn't much on having is picture taken anyway. But here are two photos:</div>
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I'm praying that Mama feels much better very soon and that we will get more photos in next time. Then we were on the road home. We stopped in Morrilton, where we saw the most beautiful sky:</div>
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Isn't it spectacular?!</div>
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Well, that is our Thanksgiving weekend, minus Sunday. But I'll try to talk about that tomorrow because that's when we decorated for Christmas. :)</div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-26358436733809212562013-12-02T22:33:00.002-06:002013-12-06T00:11:18.832-06:00Weekend Update: Thanksgiving Edition, Part 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last time you saw me, I was enjoying some raspberry pancakes the last full weekend in November, and here we are in December! CHRISTMAS SEASON. Oh, tidings of joy to you. :)</div>
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What have been up to since then? Well, on Tuesday, I made this awesome apple pie:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZPRfVWKkEEr1CE0w4hhhvGzro55MwgzsIc-qyohx_n2u17h4_ii-9Kq7CESSJ3KlkuaAGVlm4zpo5LBqQKo1bZve42thPV7Ck_wZjoi8hVIrgzxVK5WdUaP3TKARVXb9gbEjrreenATV/s1600/IMG_9754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZPRfVWKkEEr1CE0w4hhhvGzro55MwgzsIc-qyohx_n2u17h4_ii-9Kq7CESSJ3KlkuaAGVlm4zpo5LBqQKo1bZve42thPV7Ck_wZjoi8hVIrgzxVK5WdUaP3TKARVXb9gbEjrreenATV/s640/IMG_9754.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Yes, it was as delicious as it looks. And that is a leaf, not a tree cut-out.)</div>
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Because I was exhausted Tuesday night, I got up super early on Wednesday to make baked beans, only to find my onion was spoiled. So I took Zach to work, grabbed another onion, and spent a few hours at home. Then I went in for three hours before the college closed early! Score!</div>
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We headed home, loaded up the car with our stuff and "Pancake," and headed down to central Arkansas.</div>
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"Pancake" was such a good little pilgrim! She sat in my lap the whole way, purring and purring.<br />
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Thursday meant Thanksgiving, and here are a <strike>few</strike> many photos from the day:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPUG9qzlO_es5jh6XJmTUvrc3bF9yQ_heIynopTZHCZs7ya4e_19KbWVgNNM2LS-5b7rTWbh4SoYV8AZWUEOrTYkCAkP9qRe6doj3i6EAyyhwyvv2qnqNyu4iP7pENC5oK8RcSTaVfTfN/s1600/IMG_1361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPUG9qzlO_es5jh6XJmTUvrc3bF9yQ_heIynopTZHCZs7ya4e_19KbWVgNNM2LS-5b7rTWbh4SoYV8AZWUEOrTYkCAkP9qRe6doj3i6EAyyhwyvv2qnqNyu4iP7pENC5oK8RcSTaVfTfN/s640/IMG_1361.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is what happens when the photog and back-up photog are in the picture...and your back-up back-up just had shoulder surgery--iPhone photo!</div>
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That cranberry JELL-O sauce in the middle is one of my favorites of my mother-in-law's!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISAhd2-Yt1g1ZPPNSOqXoRM4TrLUztAUlBSDUwFfxZ56DnXs5VsduADN5z_9GsIq0CFOM59zX56CMV6pAvEUr1AV5v-9IzRwnCTwk4lwjuu5x4N7rxN-ZEncaUMjV4tEz2g0RuK4NyFuu/s1600/IMG_9750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISAhd2-Yt1g1ZPPNSOqXoRM4TrLUztAUlBSDUwFfxZ56DnXs5VsduADN5z_9GsIq0CFOM59zX56CMV6pAvEUr1AV5v-9IzRwnCTwk4lwjuu5x4N7rxN-ZEncaUMjV4tEz2g0RuK4NyFuu/s320/IMG_9750.jpg" width="212" /></a></center>
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our nephew Sayer
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some of the peeps
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husby ready for a nap</div>
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Sayer decorated the tree, but it took five people to hang the star!</center>
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my mother-in-law pretending to be the Statue of Liberty :)</center>
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the finished product later that evening</center>
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Sayer and Momo who is NOT happy about her too short haircut</center>
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silly Sayer</center>
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some of the animals from the weekend (Phoebe, Sasha, and "Pancake")</div>
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Pancake went to her new home Thanksgiving night, but unfortunately, she escaped out the door the next day! I am clinging to these verses (Matthew 6:25-34). Pray that she found a better home and is not in the cold--hungry, afraid, and missing us. We just cried when we heard.</div>
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I did a little shopping on Black Friday by myself. I didn't get out until 11, but I still got everything I wanted and more! I hit up JCP, Children's Place, Old Navy, and Michael's (and Walmart--but not for BF shopping). The crowds weren't too bad except at Old Navy, where I waited 30+ minutes to check out, BUT I got a coupon for having a pence in my pocket. :) (They were doing a scavenger hunt-type thing.)</div>
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Friday evening, we headed to NLR, but I will have to post about our adventures there tomorrow.</div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">What did you do this Thanksgiving?</span></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-1058043446612800342013-11-25T22:59:00.003-06:002013-11-25T22:59:46.118-06:00Menu Monday: R is for Raspberry PancakesI told ya it was coming! Zach had a hankering for these, which I had never made, so I basically added raspberries to my pancake recipe. Here is my recipe. :)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">RASPBERRY PANCAKES</span></b></div>
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2 cups flour</div>
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1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. baking powder</div>
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1 tsp. salt</div>
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1/4 oil (I use olive)</div>
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2 cups milk</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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1+ cup raspberries</div>
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-Combine dry ingredients together.</div>
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-Add oil, milk, and eggs, and mix until well combined.</div>
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-Fold in raspberries gently.</div>
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-Heat griddle (I have a cast iron one) over medium heat. Ladle out batter. Cook on one side until the surface begins to bubble. Flip and cook until the underside is brown. You may need to flip both sides again to get them to the desired golden brown.</div>
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That's it! This has been my go-to pancake recipe (and waffle recipe) for a while. I actually doubled the original (which is what you see here) because it only made about 4 or 5, and this one makes 8-10 large pancakes. I guess the raspberries add extra height because these were much taller and fluffier. If you weren't already doing this, make sure to rinse your berries in 1 part apple cider vinegar and 10 parts water. Then pack them in single layers with a paper towel or napkin between them, and they will stay fresh for much longer!</div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-43972430348263924882013-11-25T00:39:00.000-06:002013-11-25T00:41:40.587-06:00Weekend UpdateFriday night, we stayed home, made appetizers for dinner, and got terrified by this movie Zach picked out (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upstream_Color" target="_blank">Upstream Color</a>). He ended up falling asleep on the couch when I went to change the sheets, and if you know my husband, he is IMPOSSIBLE to wake up when he falls asleep on the couch. So I went ahead and got in bed, and Dinah-cat snuggled with me while I watched <i>19 Kids and Counting </i>and read blogs. (If you know me, you know I am OBSESSED with shows about big families, and now all the seasons of the Duggars are on Netflix! I really like following them because they live in my area. I've seen Jim Bob twice now and Michelle once.)<br />
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Saturday, I made raspberry pancakes and hash browns for breakfast--yummy! (My recipe will likely be coming tomorrow.)<br />
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I made some more <a href="http://thepharrsideofarkansas.blogspot.com/2013/08/weekend-update-and-laundry-day-recipe.html" target="_blank">laundry detergent</a> because we were out, and then I helped our friend Amy move and unpack some stuff. (She just rented an apartment two duplexes down from us!) After she and I got back from TJMaxx and Target, I got ready, so we could head to the lighting of the Fayetteville Square. We left at 5 to run by Toys 'R Us and Starbucks beforehand, and we made good time, but there was absolutely NO PARKING. The town was overrun with folks! And we only has THREE DOLLARS in cash, so we couldn't park in any of the paid spots. We thought we could park in the metered spots that let you pay with a card, but those had been turned off because they were charging extra, cash only. ARGH! WE tried to park in the Municipal Parking Lot, but it was full. Then we tried the Chancellor Hotel's, and it was only for hotel guests that night. As we backed out and headed past, one of the Hotel employees waved us down and said there was one spot left in the employee parking lot for THREE DOLLARS. A pre-Thanksgiving miracle! We zoomed up, and I got centered because this whole thing stressed me out to no end.<br />
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We made it to the Square in front of Tiny Tim's Pizza where we were meeting our friends. The lights had already been turned on and the parade had started, but we still got to see quite a bit, and I even caught a CFA elf-cow (that I gave to a passing kid later). It was packed, yet that was a good thing because it was sooooo cold. However, I can't say that body heat made much of a difference. I had my scarf wrapped around my face, so when I breathed, it flew upward, fogging my glasses. I was a quite a frigid and funny sight! After the festivities, we planned to eat at Tim's, but it was still a two hour wait. So we grabbed gyros from Nomad's and went to Maxine's for drinks. Both were AMAZING. My beef-lamb gyro was so yummy, and we all enjoyed our grub as we crowded around the last available table and couch in Maxine's. Then we ordered some hot drinks, and they were delicious. Zach had a hot toddy, and he got me a spiked chai tea, which was so delightful. The atmosphere of the bar was very neat, too, and you have to love any place that serves seasoned popcorn and nuts. Apparently, it used to a sleazy dive bar, but they redid it earlier this year, and now it is way classy, and every drink exceeded our expectations at the right price. We will definitely be back!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maxines.taproom?rf=118265994852613" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
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Today, we cleaned around the house and then went to see <i>Catching Fire</i>!!! It was so touching--I laughed and cried throughout it--and while it was a long movie (previews started at 12:45 and we got out at 3:30), the hours seemed to fly by. Also, I must say that I wish Caesar Flickerman was a real talk show host. This movie was better than the first, and I liked that one a lot; it was also very faithful to the book. I want to go see it again!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo <a href="http://collider.com/hunger-games-catching-fire-trailer/" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I love when the marketing mimics what could happen if the events of the book/movie were real.</span></div>
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Tonight, we cleaned some more, and I went grocery shopping. "Pancake," our homeless kitten visitor, has been staying in our bathroom all weekend, and tonight I let her out. (We have determined that she is a she, and not a he.) Hobie caught me holding her, and he looked like I had stabbed him in the heart. And Dinah has been hissing in such a ladylike fashion each time she sees "Pancake." Poor kitty--she just wants to be part of our family, and our two spoiled cats don't want to share!<br />
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-35955819136247433262013-11-22T20:44:00.000-06:002013-11-22T20:44:11.514-06:00Five on Friday1) You've probably seen the macaroni-and-cheese-boiled-in-milk pin/recipe floating around for a time, but I finally tried it on Wednesday. It was very decadent and filling, but I approve. The only thing is, I over salted it. Blurgh. I will have to try again soon.<br />
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2) To put me in the holiday mood further, the Christmas trees went up on campus this week AND we had our annual Thanksgiving feast today. In our meeting this morning, we early Christmas celebrators were chastised with the song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vunDTX_GhUo&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">here</a>. It was coincidental considering I tried to convince Zach to let me listen to <a href="http://thepharrsideofarkansas.blogspot.com/2013/11/have-holly-jolly-christmas.html" target="_blank">Holly</a> on route to work today because I was feeling bad, but no dice. For the Thanksgiving lunch, my suite mates headed over 20 minutes early, so we could get in line first, and half of us braved the freezing temperatures (literally 32 degrees) to walk across campus there. But it was worth it! I'm so ready for turkey day and the Christmas rush. :)<br />
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3) I watched this <a href="http://www.upworthy.com/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-the-way-hasidic-jews-look-but-were-afraid-to-ask?c=ufb1" target="_blank">video</a>, and now I am obsessed with learning more about Hasidic Jews. I love learning about other cultures, and I was really touched by one man's description of his soul being attached to God (I immediately thought of an umbilical cord) and how nothing can severe that connection or break God's love for him. (He worded it much better than me.)<br />
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4) The night before Veterans Day, we were visited by a little grey cat. Then that Thursday, I heard the cat mewing when we got home after my long night of teaching. This kitten was so sweet, purring and rolling around so we could rub its tummy. It was clearly domesticated and not feral. So we made it a box with blanket and put out some food since it was getting skinny. Little kitty got upgraded to a carrier and a warmer blanket, and we started calling him "Pancake." Now, we have found him a home with my SIL's coworker, so we are keeping him inside where it's warm. Meet Pancake!<br />
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5) Zach and I are "adopting" a little boy for Christmas through a program at work. I am very excited to serve and go shopping for him over the coming weeks!! I've already spent my lunch breaks all week combing through Amazon and Black Friday previews for a game plan to maximize our budget for the most blessings. :)<br />
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-12850910531809199752013-11-19T21:05:00.002-06:002013-11-19T21:05:44.755-06:00"Have a Holly Jolly Christmas..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The highlight and low of my day was finding out that <a href="http://www.siriusxm.com/siriusxmlove" target="_blank">Sirius Radio's Holly</a> station is back on for the holiday season! I could listen to Christmas any time and look forward to listening to it during the summer (weird, I know), but I do try to hold off as we move into the fall and through Thanksgiving. But today, since Zach stayed home, I caved and started listening. I was bummed that I have missed about a week of listening already, but it made me oh, so happy! :)<br />
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-17372623391655541372013-11-18T21:38:00.003-06:002013-11-18T21:38:21.115-06:00Menu Monday: Crispy Smashed Potatoes<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You say potayto, I say potahto..."</div>
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Hello, old friends. I've been on a hiatus. It started out as one I didn't choose (my Macbook had to go to the hospital and then for much longer than expected) and did choose (I've been out of town for work, and since I got back, I've been trying to get back in the swing of things). And now the semester is winding down, so I'm busy, busy, busy. Only <strike>four</strike> three more weeks left! (My class is on a Thursday night, which means we get Thanksgiving week off.) So I'm back to blogging. Nothing like procrastination to make the world go 'round, I always say. :)</div>
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Zach got a promotion, and as I work three jobs, things have fallen by the wayside. C'est la vie, non? We've decided I can take next semester off from teaching, so I can do more at home to keep the house running now that he doesn't have as much time. (Even as I type, he is going on his fourth hour of answering emails after working an hour over his normal 8 today. And the man's been working 10+ hour days 5 days a week. Sheesh.)</div>
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I vowed this weekend that I would get back into a normal routine this week: cooking at home, working out, grading papers throughout the week rather than trying to get them all done Wednesday night. As of 9:30 p.m., I've got 2 out of 3 done for today. That ain't too shabby.</div>
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(The papers will have to wait.)</div>
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Here's a new recipe I tried tonight. It was destined for me, and I knew it was the one I would be going after, after I saw I had pinned it THREE times:</div>
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<b><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">Crispy Smashed Potatoes</span></b></div>
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potatoes (preferably red-skinned but I used russet)</div>
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olive oil</div>
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salt, pepper, spices</div>
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-Scrub potatoes. Half and/or quarter them if using russet. Boil until tender in salted water.</div>
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-Preheat oven to 450. Grease cookie sheet with olive oil. Place cooked potatoes on cookie sheet and smash until they are the size and shape of baked cookies. Coat with olive oil using a pastry brush and generously sprinkle with spices.</div>
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-Bake for 20-30 until golden brown and crispy.</div>
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These were delicious! I guess it was originally a Pioneer Woman recipe that took the web by storm. I will definitely be making them again. Next time, I'll try the red potatoes, but I think I'll stick with Italian herbs. Happy eating!</div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173422801992604503.post-3243168467843236052013-10-09T22:58:00.001-05:002013-10-09T22:58:20.522-05:00BranMy heart, it breaks. Such wounded words.<br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq8vrC3lZ0K7wu6jTmMo5cP3Tsugx71jV0aggugg7TkkxT7TeXABD6KoGPCP-fE6YLYzaaFzS05ui24ZMeFVyr-Ts4oYe-LJ6CdPdhYfvhp0_s52PNeYqeFlCtfzNTaAs0F9OfI2izHSM/s640/blogger-image-1350272193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq8vrC3lZ0K7wu6jTmMo5cP3Tsugx71jV0aggugg7TkkxT7TeXABD6KoGPCP-fE6YLYzaaFzS05ui24ZMeFVyr-Ts4oYe-LJ6CdPdhYfvhp0_s52PNeYqeFlCtfzNTaAs0F9OfI2izHSM/s640/blogger-image-1350272193.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11538622378507938078noreply@blogger.com3