tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48450216219749109252024-02-06T22:38:11.078-08:00"Every New Day"Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-65570012458256674562012-09-28T14:43:00.002-07:002012-09-28T14:43:52.683-07:00"Life Moves Pretty Fast..."<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"...if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller's Day Off</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Life has been moving quite fast lately.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We moved in 18 days ago and still have boxes to unpack! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My job has been going fairly well, I've been enjoying working on the sales-floor for a change, as compared to cashiering (which I've done a couple times before).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to sub yet. Between moving, working a couple school days a week, and having come down with a bad cold, there just has not been much of an opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The launch of the church went pretty well. I'm looking forward to seeing it grow more, as we continue to do some more outreach in the community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last Sunday was Bethany's Shower. I worked in the nursery for the first church service </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(you should also note that I worked until 11pm Saturday night, got home, frosted a cake, then got about 3 hours of sleep before having to head to church)</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, drove to Three Rivers, hosted the shower (which went very well!), hung out with my parents, then headed to my sister's house for the night. This other sister of mine, Kathie, (not to be confused with the other sister, Bethany, who is getting married) is in beauty school, and needed someone to practice doing a manicure on. She did really well, for being only a few weeks into beauty school! The next day, before heading home, I went to visit her at school and we went out to lunch together.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Pause for a deep breath*</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then, when I finally got home, I crashed. The next day, we went down to Adam's parents to return their van (which his mom very generously let me borrow to go to Three Rivers). I also had an appointment with a seamstress to get my bridesmaid dress altered - for very inexpensively by someone Adam's mom knows/has used before.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Due to my lack of sleep, and madly running around like a crazy person, I have now found myself with a bad cold and wanting to do nothing by sleep. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But work, I must. And life does not stop or slow down just because you have a cold.</span></div>
Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-86065960052756143852012-08-21T16:11:00.002-07:002012-08-21T16:12:07.569-07:00Busy as a Bee<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So it's been a little while...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think we can all agree that all my wonderfully intended New Year's Resolutions that I began the year with are pretty much shot to Hell...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ah well, it happens.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's how life's been going:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First of all, Adam and I are moving on September 10th! (a Monday? ...not an ideal day to move...) We're staying at the same apartment complex, we're just moving to a smaller apartment to help make a little room in our monthly budget. BTW, this smaller apartment happens to be updated. New appliances, and no more icky cupboards, floors, and counters! Whoot!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And after spending <i>months</i> looking for a job, I've finally landed one at Target! This is kind of bittersweet. I was really hoping to get a job in education...since, you know, I spent 5 years and thousands upon thousands of dollars to get my degree in that area. Not to mention the fact that I've wanted to teach since I was 8 years old, and it's all I've ever wanted to do with my life. Be that as it may, hard as I may have tried, apparently it's just not my time yet. I am trying <i>very</i> hard to be patient. My new job at Target is only part time, so I will still be able to substitute teach on the days I don't work there. Apart from that, I am rather excited for this new job. Heck, it'll give me something to do during the day! Plus, I'm working at pretty much my favorite store...I can't complain too much.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On top of beginning a new job and moving in the near future, my sister decided this was a good time to get married. ;) Bethany only got engaged a couple/few weeks ago, but she and her fiance have decided that they don't want to wait long to get married. So they set the date. For October 21st. Aaahh! So little time, so much to do! I'm planning her shower, I've got my dress, but it needs to be fitted... Oh my.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lastly, Adam and I have joined a church...sort of. There is a church in Grandville (and another in Richland) called Radiant. They've sent out a group of people to the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area to start another Radiant Church. Right now, they're in the planning period. We meet at the pastor's house Sunday nights, the pastor shares a word and we go over some plans for the launch of the church. We also meet Wednesday nights for a little prayer and worship. It has been such a blessing teaming up with these people, they are all pretty much amazing. The church launches on September 16th, and will be held at the Rave theater. Adam will be helping out with the sound/lighting/tech and also is talking them through some security procedures. I'll be helping out with children's ministry and wherever else I'm needed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So that is my busy, busy life right now. Being unemployed, my life has been so uneventful up until now. I've wasted days away laying on the couch, watching "How I Met Your Mother" all day and swallowing whole books in one sitting. In a couple short weeks, my life has become unbelievably busy. I'm now learning a new job, helping start a church, the school year/subbing will begin again soon, I'm moving in a few weeks, and I'm preparing for my sister's wedding. Eek!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite the chaos, I hope you hear from me much more often now. I will have many more stories to tell, and blogging will help me unwind.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So...how have you all been?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seriously...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...I haven't felt too bad about not blogging, because, like, <i>no one</i> has been blogging...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_keEafXd_f0Zqs-D0Lpk7dg9ucJkhBvMiSeAlZaGGeLRr5XLGl2neNDpqefEJIxK3H0vtgmAupgyMkY8w8K28b-Jc9N7ocNpt_LIrXP9LiJqg6mdVz3UuwdESADrsJhast93MnFFIyLEd/s1600/DSCN0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_keEafXd_f0Zqs-D0Lpk7dg9ucJkhBvMiSeAlZaGGeLRr5XLGl2neNDpqefEJIxK3H0vtgmAupgyMkY8w8K28b-Jc9N7ocNpt_LIrXP9LiJqg6mdVz3UuwdESADrsJhast93MnFFIyLEd/s320/DSCN0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(PS-look how tiny Squirt was a year ago! He's <i>so</i> much bigger now...)</span></div>
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Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-52675732693632125222012-07-09T17:03:00.000-07:002012-07-09T17:03:25.713-07:00Shell<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is Shell</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEZX1cjFofBIkVVZQ4Am726dfmcVBhgDGX3dmbBF_nU1oERley1lxeuxk7w-bbynjMa8tIuHtqToErflCn4JNtiXWUh0v5IjkJq5qwOjKHK4OQiCfDDFnjmtWuOfoto5E8fj9GnEV-SJ7/s1600/DSCN0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEZX1cjFofBIkVVZQ4Am726dfmcVBhgDGX3dmbBF_nU1oERley1lxeuxk7w-bbynjMa8tIuHtqToErflCn4JNtiXWUh0v5IjkJq5qwOjKHK4OQiCfDDFnjmtWuOfoto5E8fj9GnEV-SJ7/s320/DSCN0410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Sheldon Cooper Hoskins)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He was a Red Ear Slider that I adopted June 16th. He was only with us a little while, but what a blessing! He brought so much joy into our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now we have lost him. This morning, while drinking my coffee, I looked over to his tank to play "where's Shell?" when I saw him stuck to the bottom of the filter. He wasn't moving.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I cannot believe it was only a few weeks that we had him, it seems much longer. You may laugh or shake your head at me for grieving the loss of a little turtle. But let me say this. When you have a pet that brings such joy into your life, that makes you laugh just by watching him, the loss will never be easy. Especially when you could hold him in your hands with all the tenderness of a parent.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There's nothing I can say on loss or grieving that hasn't been said before, and more eloquently than I ever could. ... And about a loss more deeply than I've ever felt.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So since a picture's worth a thousand words...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...just a size comparison (the only way we could get Squirt to hold still was by "turtling" him)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If a single picture's worth a thousand words, I wonder what a video's worth?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Introducing Squirt to Shell. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Squirt wasn't sure what to make of Shell and was kind of scared of him. Shell's just chillin' without a care in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(ps-sorry for all the debris in the way ... Squirt enjoys uprooting his plants, and we had just fed him).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">RIP baby Shell</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I thank God for bringing us such joy through you in your so very brief life here. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We will miss you.</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-12275384727424495302012-04-27T09:41:00.000-07:002012-04-27T09:42:49.924-07:00Random Favorites<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You know what I really enjoy? Random things. So this is going to be a blog about some of my favorite "random things" - at least what I deem to be ... random ... for the different categories. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Favorite Movie - <i>Peggy Sue Got Married</i> (1986)</u>. This is also one of my mom's favorite movies - I remember watching it with her as a little girl. It co-stars a young Kathleen Turner and a <b>young</b> Nicholas Cage. It also features a young Jim Carrey. When the movie begins, Peggy Sue (Turner) is arriving at her dreaded 25th class reunion. She is in the middle of divorce with her husband (and high school sweetheart), Charlie (Cage). During the reunion, she passes out and wakes up in 1960 - during her last months in high school. She struggles between trying to push her then boyfriend, Charlie, away - not wanting to "make the same mistake twice" - and falling in love with him all over again. It is a drama (in it's own 1980's, fairly cheesy, way), but it is also a comedy. I love watching it because it makes me feel nostalgic toward my own childhood and a time period that I always wished I lived in (which is quite impossible since my mother was born in 1960...). I also watch it because it does make me laugh - a lot. I highly recommend seeing it - even just once. It's on Netflix instant play right now, so if you have Netflix - there are no excuses for not watching it. :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Favorite Food - toast</u>. I don't know what it is about toasted bread, but I love it. I even find myself craving it sometimes. I've found that my new favorite way to eat my homemade bread is by toasting it (lightly) and topping it with peanut butter. The peanut butter gets all warm and melts - it's just a delightful experience. Even just plain 'ole store-bought bread toasted with butter (or margarine) is one of my favorite snacks. Toast can also make me feel nostalgic for Ireland. Pretty much every morning during that trip, I'd have toast with butter and jam and tea for breakfast. Sometimes when I really miss Ireland, I'll make myself a cup of tea with toast and jam.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Favorite band - The Mama's and The Papa's</u>. I've been adding more and more of their music to my Spotify playlist ("Folksy Music") lately. I grew up with parents - especially my dad - who listened to oldies and folk music. There's just something about this band's harmonies and overall sound that I just love and that ... makes my heart happy. They just don't make music that sounds like this anymore. It's always a delightful experience. I've been in quite the folk-music-mood lately. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Favorite book</u> - oh this is a tough one. What do I go with? One of my favorite children's stories (<i>Peter Pan,</i> <i>Alice in Wonderland</i>)? A favorite obscure book by a well-known author (<i>The Great Divorce</i> - CS Lewis, <i>Persuasion</i> - Austen)? Or maybe <i>The Princess Bride</i> ... I think I'll go with a book from my favorite category - Books I Had to Read for a Brent Cline Class That I Ended Up Loving.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><i>Into the Wild</i> - Jon Krakauer</u>. I absolutely love this book. It's a creative non-fiction story about a young man who left behind everyone and everything and was determined to "live off the land." Since you'll find this out in the very first chapter anyway, I'll go ahead and tell you - he ends up dying a slightly mysterious death in the Alaskan wild. You may have seen the movie - which was fairly accurate (if I 'm remembering correctly) - but I do highly recommend reading the book. It's actually a lot more intriguing than I just made it sound. The young man - Chris McCandless - meets some very interesting people along the way. I think it was the fact this this was a true story - about a true person - that pulled me in so much. By the way, feel free to skip the couple chapters in the middle where the author goes off on a spiel about his own adventures - I always do. :) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well this has been a fairly wordy post! So what are some of your random favorites? What are some things that you love and thoroughly enjoy that are a little ... unconventional? Or maybe just plain weird to some people?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">PS - I apologize for the overuse of the word random - I was hard pressed to find a suitable synonym...</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-43754346419990959772012-04-07T10:47:00.000-07:002012-04-08T07:57:00.275-07:00Having Fun With The Hubby<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Warning: this will be a fairly wordy post. Adam had Wednesday and Thursday off this week, and we packed a whole lot of fun into those two days.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On Wednesday, we went to see Titanic in 3D IMAX. It was pretty much amazing. I was so excited just to be able to see it on the big screen again. It originally came out when I was 11. It was the first movie I saw multiple times in the theater. It also resulted in my first celebrity crush - Leonardo DiCaprio, of course. Anyway, they did a truly fantastic job on the 3D. I was a little worried after seeing Lion King in 3D, which was horribly disappointing. But I highly recommend seeing Titanic 3D - IMAX too, if you can. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After the movie, we went to Applebee's for half-price appetizers, then went to Meijer. All of their Tigers stuff was on sale, so Adam got a shirt and I got a hoodie. I also picked out dark blue and orange nail polish - to complete my look.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thursday was Opening Day and the Tigers were at home. We didn't have tickets for the game (the cheapest ones online were $95). But we wanted to go to downtown Detroit and celebrate anyway. We headed out at about 8:30am. We met up with some of Adam's cousins for the first couple hours and enjoyed a burger at Nemo's (the most inexplicably delicious burger ever). It was rather overcast and chilly outside, but we still had fun. When it came time for the game to start, we parted ways - since they had tickets (jealous). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We took a stroll around Comerica Park, and were able to find a little park across the street where a local radio station had a big screen TV set up and there were some food vendors. I got an elephant ear (LOVE), Adam got a couple corn dogs, and we shared some chili cheese fries - healthy, huh? Then we sat down in the grass to enjoy the game and our food. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The sun came out just enough to keep us warm - and sunburn our faces. The Tigers won (no thanks to Valverde), making the day complete.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Since it was an early game (1pm). The day was still young when it was finished. On our way back to our car, Adam jokingly suggested going to Windsor. I replied, "okay, let's do it!" So we ran home (um...not literally), got changed, grabbed our passports, and headed back. (Side note: it's so nice living this close to Detroit, if only for the convenience of going to Tigers games.) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We went to Caesar's Casino in Windsor. It was quite a lot of fun. I had never been to a casino before. If you've never been to one, I'd recommend going. You don't have to spend much money to have fun - there's plenty of penny, nickel, and dime "slot machines" to keep you entertained. We even went to a bar in the casino that had "multi-poker" game machines at each seat. So we got a couple rum and cokes, and played poker. Deuces Wild was my game of choice.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On our way back, we stopped in Detroit for dinner. By the time we finally got home, it was only about 10:30, but I was sunburnt and exhausted, so I went straight to bed. The next day, my face hurt, my legs ached, and I was incurably tired all day - so I spent it on the couch. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love that exhausted feeling - when you've spent a day so full, with so much fun packed in, that you're practically immobile the next day. All I can say is that Thursday was pretty much an amazing all-day date with the hubby. It's been a while since we've had one of those - with just the two of us - and it was a blast.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yesterday = me doing nothing, so today = cleaning/cooking day - especially since tomorrow is Easter, and - company or not - I like having my home clean on a holiday. It is now time to get off my butt and get some stuff done.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy Easter, everyone!</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-78864028930043657412012-03-24T12:11:00.002-07:002012-03-24T15:14:14.452-07:00Books Books Books<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New Year's Resolution #4</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Read at least one new book every month</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As much as I love reading new books, the temptation to reread old favorites can get pretty strong. I was able to squeeze in <i>Harry Potter</i> in February, since I finished <i>The Hunger Games</i> so quickly (<i>side note: movie was awesome</i>). Then I went on to read <i>Walden</i> by Thoreau - which made me want swear off modern culture and go live in the woods. I finished that about a week or so ago, and was in a panic because (for some reason) I thought it was my February read, and that I was therefore behind. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I continued on to <i>Little Women</i> (Louisa May Alcott). I loved the movie when I was younger (1994 version), and I vaguely remember my mom reading us the first couple chapters once. It's always been on my bucket list of books to read, and it was free on my Kindle, so I figured now was the time. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I knew I liked the story, but I wasn't intending to fall deeply in love with this book. Even though I'd seen the movie (a fairly faithful adaption), and therefore knew what was coming, I still teared up a dozen times or so, and cried like a baby once or twice. It's not that the book is altogether sad, it's just that it is very touching and a very well-written story. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I used to have one book that I went to any time my soul needed to be uplifted, and that was <i>The Hiding Place</i> (Corrie ten Boom). I now have two books to choose from. There is something about <i>Little Women</i> that is very uplifting and makes me want to be a better person. Throughout the books, the four sisters continually struggle to better themselves - to control and fix their faults, to become more humble, generous, selfless, and caring of everyone around them. It really inspired me to be a better version of myself.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is definitely a book that I recommend to everyone (especially girls - ages 5 to 95). Someday, if I have a daughter or two, I plan on reading this book to her/them. I also plan on reading this book on a regular basis from now on<i>.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, now that I've realized that I am not behind, and have just finished my April book, I plan to read through <i>The Hunger Games</i> again. Come on, you didn't actually think I could just read those books once, did you? I need a second look! The first time I read <i>Harry Potter</i>, once I finished the last page of the last book, I immediately started on the first again. With stories like these (especially HP), there is no way I can pick up everything the first time around. I want to know the stories inside and out, to notice every detail, and to really understand them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">----------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year, I've read:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">January - <i>Out of Oz</i> (the final book in <i>The Wicked Years</i> series) - Gregory Maguire</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">February - <i>The Hunger Games</i> - Suzanne Collins</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(<i>Harry Potter</i>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">March - <i>Walden</i> - Henry David Thoreau</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">April (finished ahead of time) - <i>Little Women</i> - Louisa May Alcott</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-36467984898133122822012-03-17T11:19:00.001-07:002012-03-17T11:23:57.293-07:00Happy St. Patrick's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Okay, I know I -just- posted, but I wanted to do something for St. Patrick's Day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No, I am not Irish - and will not falsely claim to be so - but I do truly love Ireland.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was able to visit a couple years ago. It was a trip for school, and I had signed up for the "England/Ireland" trip because I really wanted to visit England and thought ...that other place... might be fun too. Aaaand I ended up really falling in love with Ireland.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So in my reminiscence, I'll share a few of my favorite photos/moments in Ireland.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq9z1M0gikpm6s3UgdqYhSyXF83WXfRN8xNF5RUJCFFLadM8PKDPENibJN2RXuyidW5o3a6W3ZNZK6D0VOIH0jLemVueUoXLj-bHxCixcKyZ_ejYUPs-d75T9mLrpJeVWUiSO-aFlVNtw/s1600/DSCN0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq9z1M0gikpm6s3UgdqYhSyXF83WXfRN8xNF5RUJCFFLadM8PKDPENibJN2RXuyidW5o3a6W3ZNZK6D0VOIH0jLemVueUoXLj-bHxCixcKyZ_ejYUPs-d75T9mLrpJeVWUiSO-aFlVNtw/s320/DSCN0306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Giant's Causeway. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Unfortunately, this is the best picture I have of it - and there's a random guy sitting there...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you really want to see its beauty, just do a google-image search. I'm sure some pretty fantastic pictures will come up...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaSb4WpArTZlUxv2Lx4SYrFWe2-ZrCbIm4BATVTnyjSZFQleF-U_NHFYkP8q2_l8ir_PMLSyZEbiG5BfAaxtJmYOLnBsXr-qoTGxW1HheytA6nnMdzJsQH8bTesxMHXj9hacWsK3QA1mb/s1600/DSCN0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaSb4WpArTZlUxv2Lx4SYrFWe2-ZrCbIm4BATVTnyjSZFQleF-U_NHFYkP8q2_l8ir_PMLSyZEbiG5BfAaxtJmYOLnBsXr-qoTGxW1HheytA6nnMdzJsQH8bTesxMHXj9hacWsK3QA1mb/s320/DSCN0372.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Derry Ireland. These cannons were along this part of the city's (old) wall. They were also very hot on this sunny day. As we were walking along we passed a group of young ladies, one who was preparing to sit down on the cannon (in a <i>very</i> short skirt) - she jumped up, screamed, and exclaimed "I BURNED ME BUM!" We did our best to stay composed until we were out of view...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrG0sthGXV2joJ6jJtCz3gaDJ1YaUIUoEd8wJdhBnZWDYwrkwbuSotMiWkZAGG4UVuBzeGxkfs4t5aolDesJ4d6Wj009WoRWnR0bzJcxvEnESe2kpq5BeklG75smwHsmkmZqs2k5ibbOP/s1600/DSCN0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrG0sthGXV2joJ6jJtCz3gaDJ1YaUIUoEd8wJdhBnZWDYwrkwbuSotMiWkZAGG4UVuBzeGxkfs4t5aolDesJ4d6Wj009WoRWnR0bzJcxvEnESe2kpq5BeklG75smwHsmkmZqs2k5ibbOP/s320/DSCN0377.JPG" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(London)Derry</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzkDlbJ_BPLXgAQs0FSm55k_nQopC-rnU2SKPBTqj6_pLQfJbd41FgHfVV6J_v-CMccyw7kV971VyrqNFhq1lP5jOh6r5xRhvLxgp-QHLONC-VW4vcPiecHV4G4hgt-bqJ6UEFwuYytd5/s1600/DSCN0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzkDlbJ_BPLXgAQs0FSm55k_nQopC-rnU2SKPBTqj6_pLQfJbd41FgHfVV6J_v-CMccyw7kV971VyrqNFhq1lP5jOh6r5xRhvLxgp-QHLONC-VW4vcPiecHV4G4hgt-bqJ6UEFwuYytd5/s320/DSCN0454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Cliff's of Moher</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...does this remind anyone else of "The Cliffs of Insanity"?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_gBC1XNnO98Z1MOdA9HQNTahovawjzEc_Zqp-RJYMMuuAdLQgjz2Iin9bqSi8ZZpoiZ4fXXAxX0wsdo50K5ZbnFcn3CffLdjZxVlSrtbxkvi2HHQoFs1ZvK12IyxIu2gZtcbZU9tGawV/s1600/DSCN0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_gBC1XNnO98Z1MOdA9HQNTahovawjzEc_Zqp-RJYMMuuAdLQgjz2Iin9bqSi8ZZpoiZ4fXXAxX0wsdo50K5ZbnFcn3CffLdjZxVlSrtbxkvi2HHQoFs1ZvK12IyxIu2gZtcbZU9tGawV/s320/DSCN0530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And lastly, Dublin - of course.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone - especially my friends who are fortunate enough to be Irish :)</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-71940737117268239952012-03-16T12:23:00.001-07:002012-03-16T12:26:02.398-07:00The Ides of March<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yesterday was the Ides of March, and an interesting day it was.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I did not get stabbed 23 times - for which I am grateful - but the day was interesting, nonetheless.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It began brightly. I woke up early(ish), worked out, and saw that I had mail. I had received a fun little card from a dear friend :) That cheered me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As evening began to set in, we had some tornado weather over here in eastern Michigan - in the middle of March. I spent the evening watching the local weather channel and the skies changing outside. We were lucky enough to have no tornado touch downs here, but there were several nearby. We just had lots and lots of rain and thunder...with some hail. It was looking scary enough that I put Squirt in a shoe box, ready to run for cover if needed. He was not too happy with me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">During this lovely weather, Adam's grandma was driving home - chased by a funnel cloud. She went to the hospital last night, but she's okay. Mere minutes after finding this out, I found out that my sister Kathie's family was spending the evening in the ER. Her daughter Sophie has asthma induced by croup and needed breathing treatments. Luckily, she is now fine as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once all this drama settled a little - as well as the weather - I got a text from my mother saying that her uncle Jim passed away last night. I have some very fond memories of Jim and his wife Margaret. Two of the nicest people I've known. Unfortunately I haven't seen him much ... at all ... in the past few years. His death is sad, but I'm more grieved for his widow and for my grandma (his sister).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That about sums up my rather ... odd ... Ides of March. Strange weather, strange events, and a slightly notorious day. Kind of cliche ... and yet a little chilling.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's peculiar, really. Previous to yesterday, I had no idea what the "Ides of March" was. I had heard the phrase before - and knew it was somehow connected with Julius Caesar. With all the talk of it yesterday, I decided to look it up online. Thanks Wikipedia, I am now the wiser :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But "Ides" or not, it was still a weird day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How was your March 15th?</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-10820533341629520832012-03-09T11:30:00.001-08:002012-03-09T11:31:04.284-08:00Fun and Frustrating Moments<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I thought I was doing a fair job, keeping up with blogging this year. Maybe I had missed a week here and there, but overall, not bad. Then I realized that I haven't blogged in almost a month. Oops.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, last week I went to my sister Kathie's house to watch her girls for four days while she and her husband went away for their anniversary. It was fun ... a bit chaotic ... but fun. On Monday, the girls didn't have school, so we built a fort in the living room</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJNMMorQmrB1f5fjfZ2dpXNg9Qohkpdskjodd1mygwC6MUcei2Ytl-TzKUQmDwa0u8GkVuffCIgUO3uXXEz836Qtg-qrX_5NTWL93Udi2ZVUmDMsxRoQc4aR2zfe5N3BgSoeuXvDOHXVA/s1600/DSCN0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJNMMorQmrB1f5fjfZ2dpXNg9Qohkpdskjodd1mygwC6MUcei2Ytl-TzKUQmDwa0u8GkVuffCIgUO3uXXEz836Qtg-qrX_5NTWL93Udi2ZVUmDMsxRoQc4aR2zfe5N3BgSoeuXvDOHXVA/s320/DSCN0353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(Left: Laura - another sister, back: Sophia, right: Gwen)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm just glad Kathie wasn't around to see her living room in this state :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We hung out in there for the day, I brought in a basket full of snacks, we watched <i>Gnomeo and Juliet</i> on my laptop, then we took a nap (I think I'm the only one who actually slept, though...).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The rest of the week, the girls had school, so we didn't do anything too exciting. I went back home on Friday - glad to see my hubby again! The next day we went shopping - Adam needed new tennishoes and shorts to work out in ... and I ended up getting some shoes too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU-VrbPUXksg0M5G7gk_5W4OzrAcZG3GSoJtKBA9Ttmkgy3upBkBuP80Yixzum8DWNbGlrUzfHKCNeEmO8CJU0W9yw9JGvScje1KAhK5afRvwY6ibQvBF5DMHcq1jxCg-wNAV7Jjz4NE5/s1600/DSCN0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU-VrbPUXksg0M5G7gk_5W4OzrAcZG3GSoJtKBA9Ttmkgy3upBkBuP80Yixzum8DWNbGlrUzfHKCNeEmO8CJU0W9yw9JGvScje1KAhK5afRvwY6ibQvBF5DMHcq1jxCg-wNAV7Jjz4NE5/s320/DSCN0355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I LOVE my new tennishoes. If these don't motivate me to workout, I don't know what will. Though truth be told, I have not used them yet (for that purpose). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was able to sub a couple days this week. Wednesday I signed up for a job at Pioneer HS. For the first couple hours, I was helping with the MME testing (what used to be "MEAP"). During this time, one of the teachers asked if I'd sub for her the following day ... um, yes please! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That day, after Adam picked me up, we went shopping. I hit my favorite clothing store, ready to spend the wad I made babysitting my nieces. I needed some new shorts for this summer, and also wanted to buy a dress, so I loaded up my arms with all kinds of lovelies and went to the dressing room to decide what I was going to buy. I had 3 sundresses, 2 pairs of shorts, 3 tank tops, a jean jacket, a cute top I found in the clearance section, and a jean mini skirt. Much to my dismay, I loved everything (with the exception of one pair of shorts). Much to my delight, and utter surprise, when I came out, Adam asked me what I liked. I replied "everything but these shorts." He said "okay, let's get it all!" Let's just say, I spent twice what I was planning on, but my hubby is a gem and I love him (and tax-returns...)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And that brings us up to date. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Frustrating moment today:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have A LOT of laundry to do. I loaded roughly 8-10 loads up in our car (carried down from our 3rd floor apartment), and drove over to the laundry room. All 10 washers were full. All 10 of those loads were finished with their cycles. Owner of said 10 loads was not in sight. So, I drove back to my apartment, and had the pleasure of carrying all of my own 8-10 loads back up to my 3rd floor apartment.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lesson: Do not be THAT person. If you're going to take up all the washers, at least have the curtesy to stick around and move them to the dryers promptly when they are finished. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sincerely, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Eternally Frustrated.</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-18486739203989151612012-02-15T17:55:00.000-08:002012-02-15T20:44:52.562-08:00Dancing and Tulips and Cards and Turtles<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Okay, so I've been slacking. I got in one of those ruts where I couldn't think of anything good to write about. I'm still in that rut, but I'm going to give it a go anyway.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The past couple weeks have been alright. My mom and little sister (Laura) came to visit a couple/few weekends ago, and that was a lot of fun. We spent the time shopping, watching a couple movies, and playing board games. Laura brought her "Just Dance 3" (Wii) game with her. It was pretty fun, and after doing a couple dances, I thought, "wow, this could make a pretty decent workout." So I was pleasantly (and only slightly) surprised that she forgot to take it with her when she left.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have, therefore, been playing "Just Dance" as my workout. It's pretty fun, highlighted by the fact that I can do it in the privacy of my own apartment where no one can see me dancing like a fool.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That's about all that's been new lately.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yesterday was Valentin's Day. Adam has been doing training this week, meaning his schedule's been off. He was supposed to work until 6pm yesterday - stinky! Buuuuut ... he got off a little early, and walked through the door just before 6 o'clock with a bouquet of purple tulips and all the fixin's to make chicken fettuccine alfredo. Dinner, being made by Adam, was of course <i>delicious</i>! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwI6NTSrjKIuZGEvsVYsNlNPIS1K_3MCdgkMD6DgfzpgT1YLEWMQuYTOxet3LicN56ldTqpHC-KXyN1ZYSvph0nqXsYiTYXyUSVawroaFO6f44dWK4LtsSi29ozM2bmXBwgtY_gPOSq56/s1600/Screenshot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwI6NTSrjKIuZGEvsVYsNlNPIS1K_3MCdgkMD6DgfzpgT1YLEWMQuYTOxet3LicN56ldTqpHC-KXyN1ZYSvph0nqXsYiTYXyUSVawroaFO6f44dWK4LtsSi29ozM2bmXBwgtY_gPOSq56/s320/Screenshot1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My flowers :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I also had a little surprise for him. I saw this idea on Pinterest to use a deck of cards and make a "52 Reasons why I love you" ... thing. ... Gifty thing. My original plan was to make this for Adam's stocking last Christmas, but I'm glad I didn't - it made the perfect gift yesterday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG7160LLD8ptQ7IUW4sHli4SsAwzq213Y98Q_x0r1cXqsA37mvzAOUkJAttkuyBAMwzCYFvWxQO_aVpUMceuOzPng2s9BCdleu3BdeAN1QVOqaC-grv2mu0bt2kothKxpk_6RZaw0kDo4/s1600/Screenshot3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG7160LLD8ptQ7IUW4sHli4SsAwzq213Y98Q_x0r1cXqsA37mvzAOUkJAttkuyBAMwzCYFvWxQO_aVpUMceuOzPng2s9BCdleu3BdeAN1QVOqaC-grv2mu0bt2kothKxpk_6RZaw0kDo4/s320/Screenshot3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It happened to fit perfectly in an empty tea box I had, so I tied it up with some ribbon and a simple little homemade card.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEzPQRMuWUCSY7-tZdOm24dJZBFA7Yf55tg9hv8ozZj6i6oRbOH339kssbPVKMnRjDUIavP3HfSpn3xGSHjC1JDsOrTpp4dEH-MqbgGwedNjWA3fVDSZfvAR3RWw8YdnBkfOQI2U6LN0g/s1600/Screenshot2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEzPQRMuWUCSY7-tZdOm24dJZBFA7Yf55tg9hv8ozZj6i6oRbOH339kssbPVKMnRjDUIavP3HfSpn3xGSHjC1JDsOrTpp4dEH-MqbgGwedNjWA3fVDSZfvAR3RWw8YdnBkfOQI2U6LN0g/s320/Screenshot2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's a few of the reasons I had.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I thought it would be easier to type them up than write them by hand. That was only slightly true. It was a little difficult to judge whether, when printed and cut out, they would actually <i>fit</i> on the cards. A couple (like the one on the top right) came close, but they did all fit. *insert sight of relief*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I "distressed" (in other words, scratched up...) the cards using my nail file (yay improvisation! ... and cramped hands), and used small ink pads to add the color around the edges.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Neither of us are overly mushy, so I did my best to keep this project as un-Valentine's-cheesy as possible. So some of the things I wrote were fun and cute, others were a little more serious. I also used teal, orange, and purple for the font colors, matted on brown, and edged with red and bronze. No frilly pink and red hearts for us :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That brings us up to date. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Squirt has been eating like a cow lately. (for those who don't know, he's our little turtle - pictured on the top of the left side bar) We think he's going through another growth spurt. He's definitely gotten "fatter" - meaning his shell is thicker - and it's about the size of my palm. We put him on our kitchen scale and he weighs 2.3 ounces. I don't want him grow much more - I want him to stay little :/</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hope everyone - those who are single, those in a couple, and those away from the ones they love - </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">had a good Valentine's day!</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/13088655136918928_amVbqAvs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/13088655136918928_amVbqAvs.jpg" width="103" /></a></div><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Harry Potter Valentine's :) </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I thought these were cute - click on the image to enlarge it, so you can read them!</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Ron's is my favorite)</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-82264829709564175282012-01-24T14:41:00.000-08:002012-01-24T14:47:31.224-08:00"Up Around the Bend"<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I couldn't quite decide which New Year's Resolution to write about this week. I don't really have much to say about any one in particular, so I'm just going comment on each of them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New Year's Resolution #1</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Work out 3-5 days/week</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm doing pretty well at this one. Last week, I worked out three days. I would like to up that this week. My goal is to get to five days a week. I impressed myself with my last workout. I was surprised how much I could do, if I just pushed myself a little. It's made me realize that I haven't been nearly as hard on myself as I could be. So I'm going to continue to push myself, curious as to exactly how much I can </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">actually </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">do.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New Year's Resolution #2</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Blog at least once a week</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well you tell me, have I been doing this? ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New Year's Resolution #3</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Eat Healthier</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love how vague I made this one. Overall, I have been eating healthier than I have in the past - especially during this past holiday season (Halloween - New Years is my fattest time of the year, as I'm sure it is for many people). My biggest problem is sugar, and I've been doing well at limiting the amount I have every day. A certain someone made this harder when she gave me a giant box of Snickers for my birthday. But I've successfully hidden them away and only allow myself one a week, max.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New Year's Resolution #4</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Read at least one new book every month</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm actually ahead on this one. I've knocked out both my January and February reads this month. Once I finished<i> Out of Oz</i>, I was anxious to move on for a couple reasons. I've been wanting to read <i>The Hunger Games</i>, and couldn't wait to start. I've also been wanting to re-read <i>Harry Potter</i>, and decided I could fit it in between my new books if I got through <i>The Hunger Games</i> quickly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I really liked <i>The Hunger Games</i>. I just finished the series today, and would love to comment on them, but I'm afraid of giving anything away to those who want to read them and/or watch the movies. Just know that if you haven't read them, you should. Recommended.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New Year's Resolution #5</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Write down at least one thing everyday that I'm thankful for</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'll admit that this one is a lot harder than I thought it'd be. I bought this really nice, cute journal to write in - filling in each day with blessings rather than agendas. I thought at first that I should write in it each night before I went to bed, but this has proved to be difficult. Some days I just don't feel like being thankful. Now I'm beginning to wonder if writing in the morning would be easier, and what a better way to start off my day?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In other news, Adam has started doing P90X. He's also doing the nutrition plan/meal plans. We went shopping for them the other night and discovered all kinds of things ... like jicama ... and miso ... and where in the store they stock tofu.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My mom and little sister are coming to see me this weekend, and I can't wait to have some girl-time. I get far too little of it these days, especially since our <i>only</i> friends in this area, Nick and Brittney, moved to Colorado. Of course my older sisters are welcome to come too, but Bethany's probably working, and Kathie's probably busy being super-mom. No offense meant, she is a pretty awesome super-mom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...Oh, you're probably wondering about the title of this post. I couldn't think of anything clever, so I just put the name of the last song playing on my Pandora list when I was writing this. Thank you, CCR. Thanks for the music.</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-8421384404511255592012-01-18T19:43:00.000-08:002012-01-18T19:47:08.210-08:00Working Out and Reading On<div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">New Year's Resolution #1</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Work out 3-5 days a week</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'll admit, I failed pretty miserably at this one the first two weeks of the new year. Nevertheless, I haven't totally given up on this goal. I'm not one to admit defeat easily. I worked out on Monday this week and completely intended to do the same Tuesday and Wednesday. Ah me, ever full of "good intentions" ... it's the <i>execution</i> of those intentions that I have problems with ...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Still not admitting defeat. Personally, I feel a little justified in skipping Tuesday and Wednesday. 1 - I still have 3 days left this week in which to fulfill my goal of "3-5" days/week, and 2 - Adam had the past couple days off. Since he works third shift, we don't often sleep in bed together. I therefore wanted to prolong this as long as I could. (<i>I suppose I should clarify that I will only work out early in the morning - when no one else is in the gym. Extremely self-conscious, am I.</i>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, I do enjoy working out. It gives me a reason to get up out of bed, gives my body something active to do, and makes me feel great. When I had my yearly check-up a couple weeks ago, my doctor did tell me that I should work out 5 days a week if I want it to do me any good. And I really, truly do. I am so very out of shape and being so makes me feel sluggish, weak, and achy. None of which I enjoy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On another note, I have finished <i>Out of Oz</i> and it ended just about as well as it could. It had a perfect blend of tied-up loose ends and some left (realistically) unanswered. There was also just enough mystery to leave the fate of the characters to the reader's imagination. Love love love.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Without waiting for February to commence, I have immediately dug into <i>The Hunger Games</i> by Suzanne Collins. I'm loving it so far ... but more on that later :)</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-63114218943631181352012-01-11T16:45:00.000-08:002012-01-11T17:08:36.553-08:00"Out of Oz"<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New Year's Resolution #4</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>(Yes, I know I'm going out of order)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Read at least one new book every month.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The book of choice for this month is <i>Out of Oz</i> by Gregory Maguire. It's the fourth and final book in the <i>The Wicked Years</i> series. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I first read <i>Wicked</i> my sophomore year of college. I then continued to read the sequel, <i>Son of a Witch</i> and was less than intrigued. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I didn't love the books the first time I read them, but decided to give them a second try. When I reread them, I was amazed by how much I had missed the first time. These books are so steeped in symbolism and imagery that I needed gillyweed to swim through it all. How I missed this the first time, I don't know, but I was amazed. And I hoped and prayed that there would be a third book. If for no other reason than that <i>Son of a Witch</i> finished with no less than a dozen or so loose ends.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And there eventually was a third. <i>A Lion Among Men</i> did not disappoint. But with the closure of the book, there were still many loose ends and just enough of a cliff-hanger to make waiting for the next book pure torture. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Picture it. Black Friday 2011. I was shopping with my mother-in-law at Meijer. We were casually meandering down the book aisle - she was looking for a certain book for one of her sons, I was browsing the titles. When my eye was caught by the name "Gregory Maguire." The name of the book: <i>Out of Oz</i>. Having been shopping since midnight, it took a moment before my brain clicked. ... The new book! The one I had been waiting for! This was it! I was ecstatic, mesmerized, reluctant to put it down. When my awesome MIL snatched it out of my hand and threw it in the cart. Yeah, she is awesome. Anyway...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">----------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before Christmas, I began re-reading the first three books for a good refresher. I finally finished about 5 days ago (yes, I am a slow reader) and began the last book. I'm about half-way through and cannot wait to finish. I'm struggling between feelings of hope (that all the loose ends and questions will <i>finally</i> be tied up and answered) and fear (that it will end with as many loose ends as it began).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On a personal note, I would not recommend the <i>Wicked</i> books to everyone. In fact, I would <b>not</b> recommend them to most people. They're pretty dark, pretty vulgar, and have a few pretty obscene scenes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you haven't seen the musical, it is none of the above. I highly recommend it. If you have seen the musical, and therefore want to read the books, be forewarned. When they created the musical, I'm pretty sure they just took a few of the main characters, one of the main plot lines, and watered everything down a good deal. And then proceeded to tell their own story. Not to knock the musical, I actually rather enjoy it. I just can't even compare the two. I get depressed when I try.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To conclude, with the help of my new Kindle - aptly named Glinda (and all the awesome free books on it), I already have a reading list lined up for the rest of the year:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>The Hunger Games</i> (Collins)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Anna Karenina</i> (Tolstoy)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>The Brothers Karamazov </i>(Dostoyevsky)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Dubliners</i> (Joyce)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Bleak House</i> (Dickens)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Frankenstein</i> (Shelley)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Grimm's Fairy Stories</i> (Grimm and Grimm)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>The Last of the Mohicans</i> (Cooper)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Walden</i> (Thoreau)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Little Women</i> (Alcott)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Gone With the Wind</i> (Mitchell)</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-63988395369072549802012-01-03T17:27:00.000-08:002012-01-03T17:27:15.542-08:00Laundry Room Reflections<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2012. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The new year is upon us and it's that time of year when (basically) everyone makes all sorts of new promises and resolutions that they're never going to keep. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But it's a tradition, so why the heck not?</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's my list of resolutions that I "only half intend to keep this time - just like last year" (from New Year's Eve by Five Iron Frenzy - seriously, if you've never listened to that song, you need to).</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. work out 3-5 days a week (<i>wow, 3 days into 2012 and already failing at this one</i>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. blog at least once a week (<i>this is my first post since July...</i>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. eat healthier (<i>just vague enough that I may, technically, accomplish this one</i>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. read one new book every month (<i>this would be easier if I wasn't so avid about re-reading the books I already love</i>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. write down one thing every day that I am thankful for (<i>I actually bought a planner that I'm using specifically for this purpose - we'll see how long this lasts</i>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Despite my cynicism, I am actually quite excited about the prospect of blogging again, I'm loving the new planner I bought (I splurged on a really nice/cute one), and I really do need to exercise more and eat healthier. Always the eternal optimist - I know I'll probably fail, but it's a new year, so why not at least try?</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another thought on New Years:</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know everyone gets reved up about the new year - it's a new beginning, a chance to start over and get things right, blah blah blah. ... but isn't EVERY day a new beginning? Isn't every morning a chance to start over and "get things right this time?' Why wait around for a new year for your life to begin/again? If you don't like the way things are going, get up off your butt and do something about it. Now. Not 362 days from now. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just a thought.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I am sitting in the laundry room.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Waiting for my clothes to finish.</span>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-59056630366099552422011-07-12T07:59:00.000-07:002011-07-12T07:59:58.566-07:00Celebrating Marriage<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">It's been a while since I've posted anything but recipes on here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">I've decided this needs to change - so today I'm going to do a "Thankful Thursday" post. I know it is not, indeed, Thursday - but since this is my blog, I get to make the rules - and change them up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Today is a very special occasion - it's my parent's <b>31<u>st</u></b> anniversary!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqfrjjq04Q4DvolMYD7jbqNonMawGyAGbP7DhaD5HyC5XCb3tot9Ynre8IInVn7v-Hw65tqcQtsvI0Pb90hRz192t9osjhdWt95OhmxF0qCKcGH7_Kl1Z0LbNjcbokwXcMMqv1GpHvTQp/s1600/MomandDad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqfrjjq04Q4DvolMYD7jbqNonMawGyAGbP7DhaD5HyC5XCb3tot9Ynre8IInVn7v-Hw65tqcQtsvI0Pb90hRz192t9osjhdWt95OhmxF0qCKcGH7_Kl1Z0LbNjcbokwXcMMqv1GpHvTQp/s320/MomandDad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">In a world full of divorces and broken families, I am <i>so thankful</i> that I have two wonderful parents who are an excellent example of what a healthy marriage looks like. Beyond the "honeymoon" phase, through raising 5 kids, it is possible to stay married. And happy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">It all began on July 12, 1980. Five child-births, many graduations, 3 weddings, and 5 grandchildren later - they are still together.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd2EWM4x6TbH2s-R1e1EB7IFFprVgtmWNgVwThRE0fENz0jwPMK-5T0TWrKaCsyVXXH4Uw8-HmMUGtBnj1v9Erl2Xd8fH2S4p7YiZ000gHsXKhyix4tjLOh9d24CzAnzsCWIoExW96UFw/s1600/Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd2EWM4x6TbH2s-R1e1EB7IFFprVgtmWNgVwThRE0fENz0jwPMK-5T0TWrKaCsyVXXH4Uw8-HmMUGtBnj1v9Erl2Xd8fH2S4p7YiZ000gHsXKhyix4tjLOh9d24CzAnzsCWIoExW96UFw/s320/Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">So Happy Anniversary, mom and dad!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Here's to hoping that 31 years from now, Adam and I will be as happy as you two!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Much Love to All!</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-31458646979769701962011-06-28T08:49:00.000-07:002011-06-28T08:49:59.945-07:00Tasty Tuesdays - Sloppy Joe DiMaggios<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">I got this recipe off Rachel Rae's <i>30 Minute Meals</i> (she had it paired with this sweet corn salad that looked delectable).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">I made it for my husband's birthday a couple weeks ago and it was a pretty big hit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">It's real simple to make and puts a fun, tasty twist on sloppy joe's.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">It's also great for the summertime - great for cookouts and family get-togethers because you can double this recipe and make enough for a small army.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">1. Brown about 2 pounds of ground meat in a large skillet - seasoned with a little grill seasoning and <b>lots</b> of chili powder.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">2. Push meat to the sides of the pan, and add 6 chopped hot dogs in the middle (size of the the chopped pieces is really up to you - I like mine smaller).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">3. Add in 1/2 chopped onion (again - to your preference - I prefer my onions to be more finely chopped).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">4. Turn heat down to low/med-low and cover to let onions cook more quickly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">5. I transfered mine to a crock pot and it did well in there - I had made it hours ahead of time, so wasn't too concerned about the onions cooking through (which can take a bit) - I just let them finish cooking in the crock pot.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">6. Serve on hamburger buns and top with shredded cheddar cheese.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The idea of these sandwiches is that they're supposed to taste like a ballpark - you've got the chili-seasoned meat and cheddar cheese to bring in that chili cheese french fry and/or hotdog flavor, and - well - the hot dogs themselves.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCcwx45oYMAT7YvyWLIWDdKwUbrNqsbWw9SB47Fy5CWXbk5hpOtMJ-oxkuIfa6zTfBEIjkjdPt3exoTLy9zCnrcWwjax-X6JREkGmHxBRRVYhCt770uAXKE1SnviXE0iTM3jZrHri0_kr/s1600/DSCN0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCcwx45oYMAT7YvyWLIWDdKwUbrNqsbWw9SB47Fy5CWXbk5hpOtMJ-oxkuIfa6zTfBEIjkjdPt3exoTLy9zCnrcWwjax-X6JREkGmHxBRRVYhCt770uAXKE1SnviXE0iTM3jZrHri0_kr/s320/DSCN0938.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Mmm...sloppy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"> (<i>ps-that drink in the background - awesome. I will share another time</i>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about putting hot dogs in a sloppy joe, but trust me. It is <i>delicious </i>- even if you're not a huge fan of hotdogs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">This recipe made enough to feed 8 of us - and that was with the guys going back for seconds, thirds, etc!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Oh! and Rachel Rae had this fantastic tip for left-overs - cook up some macaroni noodles and mix them in to make a sort of "sloppy joe goulash." Unfortunately, I didn't have any left-overs to try this with!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Much Love to All!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Happy Eating!</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-10653820964489855652011-06-21T08:18:00.000-07:002011-06-21T08:21:29.241-07:00Tasty Tuesdays - Easy Red Velvet Cake<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">Adam's grandmother has this <i>delicious</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"> recipe for red velvet cake made from scratch. Recently, however, Adam found a way to make the cake that is much simpler - and I modified it to make it much richer so that it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between this recipe and his grandmother's. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsoHHab__0KR-31cwwrL-Npc0VL8TbrfpyABcS7FRwAMmXGPmQNUBVKFI4BbRzCuTWBTH3fYWEJTMMMWd4zz4D8DhzZl09TscFtJ7j8GlVt6md9ryBM0_3KYR0C_fxJMaLvZUuhFE0qca/s1600/DSCN0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsoHHab__0KR-31cwwrL-Npc0VL8TbrfpyABcS7FRwAMmXGPmQNUBVKFI4BbRzCuTWBTH3fYWEJTMMMWd4zz4D8DhzZl09TscFtJ7j8GlVt6md9ryBM0_3KYR0C_fxJMaLvZUuhFE0qca/s320/DSCN0923.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">-One box of white cake mix</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">-The ingredients indicated on the cake mix (mine called for 3 egg whites, oil, and water)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">-Buttermilk</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">-Cocoa</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">-1 oz. bottle of red food coloring</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>Directions</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">1. Mix together the white cake mix as directed on the box - replace the water (<i>or milk - depending on the brand of cake mix you get</i>) - with 1/2 buttermilk, 1/2 water/milk (<i>my recipe called for 1 1/2 c. water - so I did 3/4 c. buttermilk and 3/4 c. of water</i>).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">2. Set cake batter aside.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">3. Mix 2 Tbsp. of cocoa with the 1 oz. of red food coloring - once bottle is emptied, fill with water and add to cocoa mixture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckVsPbtTGF67D8L8OR_6H3lz_mpep_UML8y4H78YT1-8p3QvUthWJbyg6_yGc_-exDjB7e4b4TpcXvC_qnpfkCvwI8MAhO6khLhb81_bXZtqG6x9GdLTSZ_5xBnJClkIpITGJTu3B8eYL/s1600/DSCN0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckVsPbtTGF67D8L8OR_6H3lz_mpep_UML8y4H78YT1-8p3QvUthWJbyg6_yGc_-exDjB7e4b4TpcXvC_qnpfkCvwI8MAhO6khLhb81_bXZtqG6x9GdLTSZ_5xBnJClkIpITGJTu3B8eYL/s320/DSCN0927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">4. Combine cocoa mixture with cake batter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">5. Divide equally into 2 round, greased and floured, cake pans - bake as directed on the cake mix box.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">6. Once baked, removed from oven and let cool before removing from pans.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvAPvci2TyglYFEXKkfpXpFTKyeYli9BWYzidszFnrjFSitMVOj2d0nDezx3SfRsBX_9DckyOVgWU65w3lMZ5I6bSFt0ICyglTeBpjVrbWgckzMl2H6prNtSbrimtSWgIUOzaS6EtrXx3/s1600/DSCN0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvAPvci2TyglYFEXKkfpXpFTKyeYli9BWYzidszFnrjFSitMVOj2d0nDezx3SfRsBX_9DckyOVgWU65w3lMZ5I6bSFt0ICyglTeBpjVrbWgckzMl2H6prNtSbrimtSWgIUOzaS6EtrXx3/s320/DSCN0933.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">Now the icing is what really makes this cake special - so I can't really leave the icing recipe out of this post. So here it is:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><u>Red Velvet Cake Icing</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">1 1/2 c. milk</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">2 Tbsp. cornstarch</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">1 tsp. vanilla</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">1 1/2 c. granulated sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">a generous 1 c. of shortening (close to 1 1/2 - gotta love grandma's recipes)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b>Directions</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">1. Whisk together milk and cornstarch in a small pot over heat until thickened (<i>usually takes bringing it to a boil to make it thicken</i>) - add vanilla.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gVkUrlxQP4pvjP-onO7g4rYN816k-NEnB3bIlNGc6BtOy0_GBpnJnWnAsmI7h4iReX0xF2e0-jOBh4xTnmw6SLGG7mUnXkLgQGfSqEudDBGPk3nUCdwVi1ivHY4EJvRsax4daF9Fx9Po/s1600/DSCN0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gVkUrlxQP4pvjP-onO7g4rYN816k-NEnB3bIlNGc6BtOy0_GBpnJnWnAsmI7h4iReX0xF2e0-jOBh4xTnmw6SLGG7mUnXkLgQGfSqEudDBGPk3nUCdwVi1ivHY4EJvRsax4daF9Fx9Po/s320/DSCN0936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">2. Chill in the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">refrigerator until it forms into a gelatin.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">3. In a large boil, mix together granulated sugar and shortening until creamy - add gelatin and mix thoroughly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">Now all you have to do is frost your cake generously!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL7sqYhftRK4h3rO1aMu7NBmmEgK9XJM-zmfqPBr9XlCMwSGq3ED7lt-OjmGuwofsBzIi1kGfI772VBqqdUxeLp-12HTXre_A7pVbUGgomMNtjFKEdnwcehVx6EVMJ962JV65THYYBVHX/s1600/DSCN0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL7sqYhftRK4h3rO1aMu7NBmmEgK9XJM-zmfqPBr9XlCMwSGq3ED7lt-OjmGuwofsBzIi1kGfI772VBqqdUxeLp-12HTXre_A7pVbUGgomMNtjFKEdnwcehVx6EVMJ962JV65THYYBVHX/s320/DSCN0944.JPG" width="315" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">Enjoy! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">Yuuummm...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOsx2F2q1iSFCT8Ln0bt0ZZeborChDmfmqAhLWC-7A__O68LS6G_CxWjs9aGJ66r3tZkDzlRPIkmR3HDPt5INowAOhv4bM3ie8nh4rUXxapjpvCgpi4zetxU1RbXGNtE_3AhrnIAxgh6U/s1600/DSCN0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOsx2F2q1iSFCT8Ln0bt0ZZeborChDmfmqAhLWC-7A__O68LS6G_CxWjs9aGJ66r3tZkDzlRPIkmR3HDPt5INowAOhv4bM3ie8nh4rUXxapjpvCgpi4zetxU1RbXGNtE_3AhrnIAxgh6U/s320/DSCN0950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
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<center><a href="http://danceyourwaybacktozion.blogspot.com/search/label/tasty%20tuesday" target="_blank"><img alt="dance your way back to zion" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/onedayswar/tastytuesday2.jpg" /></a></center>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-49600530455990048792011-06-14T08:15:00.000-07:002011-06-14T08:16:51.383-07:00Tasty Tuesdays - Oatmeal Pancakes<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I posted this recipe back in February, so I thought I'd share it again for Tasty Tuesday :O)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><a href="http://everynewday-cheryl.blogspot.com/2011/02/oatmeal-pancakes.html">Kate and Stephen's Oatmeal Flapjacks</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://everynewday-cheryl.blogspot.com/2011/02/oatmeal-pancakes.html"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5VtFc_JdVfZGHW0dsXnBUq8HoveNdMVLPop5BLT8VNvmBkA1xWCmUkpOf69MCL41S_n3OQhpUZGSujYU9dzywqryfUCvZx1SlfkhP7GRlf_3AruH_eBhPMIuqJaPVr-fFq_Jb21TyI72/s320/DSCN0323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I've had some more time to experiment with this recipe since I posted it last and here's an added tip:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">-Though you cook these like "normal pancakes," make sure that you turn your burner down a little lower than you would for other pancakes.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">These are truly very thick and delicious - meaning you've got to give the centers time to cook - so make sure to turn the burner down a bit.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Also these are extremely filling! 2 of them usually fill me up - but I'll eat 3 if I have to :O)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Happy Cooking!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Much Love to All.</span></div><br />
<center><a href="http://danceyourwaybacktozion.blogspot.com/search/label/tasty%20tuesday" target="_blank"><img alt="dance your way back to zion" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/onedayswar/tastytuesday2.jpg" /></a></center>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-9777367356990180392011-06-06T19:14:00.000-07:002011-06-06T19:14:07.792-07:00Final Thoughts on Harry Potter<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">I apologize for my rather lazy blogging habits lately - it's been nearly a week since I've posted in either of my blogs, which is quite a dry-spell for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">Anyway.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">I have mentioned before my two favorite fantasy series - <i>Lord of the Rings</i> and <i>The Chronicles of Narnia.</i> Having Tolkien and Lewis as standards against which I measure other fantasy series, it is extremely difficult for me to admire another author. In the case of <i>Harry Potter</i>, in particular, I was fully prepared to enjoy the story - however, I was NOT prepared to be so impressed with the author. These are truly very well-written stories and I love reading them. Some people don't require "good writing" to enjoy a book - I do. I enjoy and bask in exquisite writing like some people do in excellent music or superb cuisine. These books are definitely something I can go to in order to satisfy that hunger.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">What makes these books, in my opinion, "good writing?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">-The character development - the characters are not static - they have depth and complexity. Especially the main characters - they change as adolescents so often do as they grow older and gain more experiences. They are also very true to life - I often found myself mad at Harry and Ron for all the stupid-teenage-boy-stunts, and I didn't think it was possible to hate a fictional character as much as I hated Umbridge.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">-The themes are plentiful and fully carried out - friendship, trust, loyalty, love - these books have a lot to say about all of these and more.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">-Rowling's attention to detail, and her style of writing in general, pulls you into the story and takes you on an emotional roller coaster - I laughed out loud (literally, not just "lol"), welled, gasped, sobbed, and often found myself on the edge of my seat, holding my breath.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">All of this and more really helps a story to come to life and I think that JK Rowling did an absolutely fantastic job.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">I am currently re-reading the books - quickly, before I have to give them back :P and I cannot wait to finish this story again and gain a more complete view of how everything ties in together towards the end.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">My husband doesn't understand how I can re-read books - when I already know how they end. I guess I should ask him why he listens to a song a loves more than once - to enjoy the melodies, harmonies, and rhythms that he knows he loves? Same reason why I read a book again - to enjoy and bask in the excellent writing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">Much Love to All!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-31139696690067393912011-05-31T13:21:00.000-07:002011-05-31T13:23:15.922-07:00Tasty Tuesdays - Cheryl-tinis.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">I apologize for not having pictures of my recipe this week - but it's still delicious :O)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">My wonderful matron of honor at my wedding came up with this cocktail drink for my bachelorette party. It is by far my favorite drink. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Ever!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">You will need:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Triple Sec</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Vodka</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Raspberry-Cranberry juice (we used light - less sugar)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Raspberries</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Ice</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">-Put few ice cubes in your glass. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">-Add one shot of vodka, and one shot of triple sec. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">-Fill the rest of the way with ras/cran juice.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">-Garnish with raspberries.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">*works best with larger cocktail glasses - smaller ones make a stronger drink*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Making a whole pitcher at a time?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">-Fill pitcher about 1/4 full with ice.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">- Eyeball vodka and triple sec (remember - you can always add more at the end, if there isn't enough, but you can't take it out).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">-Fill the rest of the way with the juice.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">-Add a liberal amount of raspberries.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Enjoy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Much Love to All</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<center><a href="http://danceyourwaybacktozion.blogspot.com/search/label/tasty%20tuesday" target="_blank"><img alt="dance your way back to zion" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/onedayswar/tastytuesday2.jpg" /></a></center>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-24812492833981849342011-05-30T09:53:00.000-07:002011-05-30T10:29:41.556-07:00The Deathly Hallows<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><u>SPOILER ALERT:</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>If you do not know how Harry Potter ends and wish it to remain a secret until you see the last movie and/or read the books - do not procede.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">It's official. I have finished reading the entire Harry Potter series. And I must say - I have a new favorite fantasy series ... well, one of my favorites. It is trumping <i>The Wicked Years, </i>taking third place below <i>Lord of the Rings</i> and <i>The Chronicles of Narnia.</i> Don't feel bad for it only getting third place though - nothing will EVER trump my love of JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth, and I've been reading about CS Lewis' Narnia since I was a child. 3rd is actually a very prodigious place for Harry Potter to receive - and 3 is my favorite number...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Anyway ... loved the ending of the story. My biggest fear was that Harry was going to be killed off at the end - a mutual death for him and Voldemort - and I thought my fears were coming true when Harry found out that he needed to accept his death - and was SO relieved when he survived.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Honestly, from the moment he found out that he needed to die in order for Voldemort to die, until the moment when he was "killed" - I was a mess. My eyes were so full of tears, I could barely read. When he was walking through the castle and over the grounds - deciding not to stop and see Hermione, Ron, and Ginny - and when he stopped to tell Neville that Nagini needed to be killed - I thought I was going to have to stop reading for a minute to let myself sob like a child before continuing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">I love that Narcissa Malfoy had that redeeming moment - her love for her son overcoming her devotion to "the Dark Lord." I love that Neville pulled Gryffindor's sword out of the hat ("something only a true Gryffindor could do") - and that he was brave enough, when left to his own devices, to rally everyone together in revolt in the first place. I love that Mrs. Weasley killed Beatrix in defense of her daughter, screaming "not my daughter, you b****!" I love that Percy came back to his family. I love that all those students and former students came back to Hogwarts to help rebel against Voldemort - all of Harry's quidditch teammates, all the Weasleys, and all the characters we knew. I love that Kreacher was leading the house elves to fight.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">True, I hated it when Hermione was being tortured in the Malfoy Manor. I cried when Dobby died. I sobbed when Fred died (if you remember from one of my first posts - the Weasley twins were one of my favorite characters). I sobbed again when Lupin and Tonks died.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">On the other hand, I did want to mention something about the characters, since the last time I did, I hadn't even finished the second book.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Harry</b> - he gets frustrating when he's so edgy and angsty, but he makes up for it in the end.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Ron</b> - not my favorite character, but I can relate to him because he doesn't have a whole lot of self-confidence, yet finds it in himself to return to Harry and rescue him and the sword from the pool.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Hermione</b> - One of my favorite characters, I don't know many girls who wouldn't be able to relate to her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Ginny</b> - probably my favorite character. I could relate to her most from the beginning, being a youngest child myself. I love when she received more of a role in the story and her character developed more. I confess it was mainly for her sake that I wanted Harry to live - they HAD to end up together.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>The twins</b> - I love their incontrovertible sense of humor - the fact that Fred was once again mocking Percy right before he died. I love that their business was a success.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Neville</b> - again, loved that he stepped up and revolted so fearlessly and that he was the one who killed Nagini.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Luna</b> - love her character, she brings a lovely dynamic to the group.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Lupin</b> - loved his character. That's all, really.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Dumbledore</b> - loved his wisdom and knowledge - loved even more that he wasn't perfect - that he made mistakes just like everyone else.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Severus Snape</b> - after knowing the truth about him, I don't dislike him anymore - but he's still a little frustrating - the way he was always assuming the worst in Harry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Minerva McGonegall</b> - my favorite professor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">and lastly ... and this time, <i>definitely</i> leastly:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Professor Umbridge</b> - I cannot close without communicating how much I thoroughly despised her character. Until I read <i>Order of the Phoenix</i>, I didn't think it was possible to hate a fictional character so much.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Anyway, though I am finished with the books, I don't think those are my last thoughts on them, so I probably will do one more post after I've had some time to think them over.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Much Love to All.</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-72167258398059384472011-05-26T15:13:00.000-07:002011-05-26T15:13:46.908-07:00Thankful Thursdays - Being an Aunt<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Alright, I know I've raved about how much I love my nieces and nephews on here before, but I have to say - they are one of the biggest blessings in my life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I was lucky enough to become an aunt at age 16. It is one of my most cherished roles in life. When I first held Sophia in my arms, I never thought I'd see such a precious, adorable baby again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I was proved wrong ... 4 times.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I have loved getting to spend time with and spoil my nieces and nephews - and then hand them back to my siblings when they begin screaming :O)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQFzcWak99TPIVC6uqiiSp7lfWy3lpdSNm1dIb8BSclHDE7iF-q_1xCZmpfJjNURRRAD0Kj8mxauCOm8oBJSMkBAb51qQAq9eOx_5zA50YBWF-KM6lZGlKQ01WHxhQcMVLLtt9I7OFBkB/s1600/Sophia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQFzcWak99TPIVC6uqiiSp7lfWy3lpdSNm1dIb8BSclHDE7iF-q_1xCZmpfJjNURRRAD0Kj8mxauCOm8oBJSMkBAb51qQAq9eOx_5zA50YBWF-KM6lZGlKQ01WHxhQcMVLLtt9I7OFBkB/s320/Sophia.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">(Sophia)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">A few years ago, I began making the habit of calling my eldest two nieces on their birthdays - and let me tell you - it has been one of the <i>best</i> cures for a bad day. If you're ever having a bad day - I highly recommend calling a small child on the phone - it's always hilarious, and you can't help but smiling :O)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Kd7MjKZgpixyg4sMmbPe-ywTLLZAwVMr3MLbp4WXgfavb0pEhpKQcc7emLIaezYBu8r0_WXXg3W9bfFKPYrfqx8l-Hn3gMo-UN8lZTiJU3aX7hvAbkxgUKGyEi42vOK00Nhh5N5vXn6c/s1600/Gwennie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Kd7MjKZgpixyg4sMmbPe-ywTLLZAwVMr3MLbp4WXgfavb0pEhpKQcc7emLIaezYBu8r0_WXXg3W9bfFKPYrfqx8l-Hn3gMo-UN8lZTiJU3aX7hvAbkxgUKGyEi42vOK00Nhh5N5vXn6c/s320/Gwennie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">(Gwennie)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I have loved watching Sophia and Gwen grow up and develop such strong personalities - such great senses of humor. If they're in a good mood, you can't help but be in one too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2qGvtGG_jX344mF5jUwB-3RK1YZt7EshaBl9vxt03lvaBNs57ltwFkfxGRDwD6DNO_2xKRCkdeao7Wq9ZBh6paCnBLOc3HNfUotq8pArXZujPeeKpH3cKPdCkMXa9M2-l2p2HsEty2g7/s1600/Isaiah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2qGvtGG_jX344mF5jUwB-3RK1YZt7EshaBl9vxt03lvaBNs57ltwFkfxGRDwD6DNO_2xKRCkdeao7Wq9ZBh6paCnBLOc3HNfUotq8pArXZujPeeKpH3cKPdCkMXa9M2-l2p2HsEty2g7/s320/Isaiah.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">(Isaiah)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Several years ago - I was finally blessed with a nephew - my brother's oldest child. And it was about time! Snuggling my baby nephews and nieces has done a great job of keeping my baby-needs at bay.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJR4B-CargQNqDypzniL4tmAkqY4xfKqSwHP1KIqB3g4BSaIBSm9yVdlGYaPWT_dKCySLRK6Xeg5VsOmXCwJ0pExfo10hseGqC7uc_PSXd-SHoim94F9MNNk2meU4djznbMaJvkDTIbon/s1600/Ellie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJR4B-CargQNqDypzniL4tmAkqY4xfKqSwHP1KIqB3g4BSaIBSm9yVdlGYaPWT_dKCySLRK6Xeg5VsOmXCwJ0pExfo10hseGqC7uc_PSXd-SHoim94F9MNNk2meU4djznbMaJvkDTIbon/s320/Ellie.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">(Eleanor)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">And though I've been at college, while these two were brought into the world - I've spent many a happy summer day at home babysitting them. And you know what? My husband makes a spectacular co-babysitter ... though he would always hog the baby snuggling with Ellie, while I chased Isaiah around :P</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJSiy1eeleCuWtGt3KaUbeUaEe1oyxDlvzf5_9zYKPF10JiipSRPVGW803qHim3Dkb_WZbRnNv0egVVBg0eesphrsLSwchQwt4IJ6Zy5reHVpuSpZMEw-00c33ISoF0-OnKw8O-J0wjVP/s1600/Jackson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJSiy1eeleCuWtGt3KaUbeUaEe1oyxDlvzf5_9zYKPF10JiipSRPVGW803qHim3Dkb_WZbRnNv0egVVBg0eesphrsLSwchQwt4IJ6Zy5reHVpuSpZMEw-00c33ISoF0-OnKw8O-J0wjVP/s320/Jackson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">(Jackson)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">And the most recent addition to my every-growing number of nieces/nephews.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I've only been able to hold and snuggle him once - I problem that I will soon have to remedy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">There you have it, I am extremely thankful to be blessed with <i>the most adorable</i> nieces and nephews, hands down. And I've been blessed with an ample amount of them too :O)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Babysitting them, talking on the phone with them, and playing with them, can always brighten my day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Who has never failed to brighten your day?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Much Love to All,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Cheryl</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-40328360174718586502011-05-25T18:48:00.000-07:002011-05-25T18:48:19.370-07:00Humorous Harry<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Well, it's been a while since I've made an update on my Harry Potter reading adventure, so here it is.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">I'm a few chapters or so away from the end of <i>The Half-Blood Prince</i> and I cannot wait to finish this series! I really want to know how it ends...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">It has taken me longer to read the book I'm on than it took to read <i>The Goblet of Fire</i> for a couple reasons - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">I could not put down the fifth book! I think it's going to be my favorite with <i>The Prisoner of Azkaban </i>in a close second.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">I've realized that I have ample time to finish the books, and I've been making sure that I take time to, you know, clean the apartment and go to work ... dishes and dust were beginning to pile up ...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">I am really enjoying book 6 - I just realized, while reading the other day, that JK Rowling uses a lot of humor - and uses it well - in these books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">I've mentioned my other 2 favorite fantasy series before - <i>The Chronicles of Narnia </i>and <i>Lord of the Rings</i>. Lewis and Tolkien do both use humor - and quite cleverly too. But Rowling uses it much more frequently. I have actually caught myself laughing out loud reading these books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Here's a couple of my favorite humorous parts in the 6th book:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Harry </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">(while talking to Dumbledore about his conversation with the Minister of Magic)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">: "</span><i style="font-size: x-large;">He accused me of being 'Dumbledore's man through and through</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.'"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Dumbledore: "<i>How very rude of him.</i>"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Harry - who recently discovered he had a crush on Ginny - wakes up in the hospital wing after a quidditch accident -</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><i>"'Ginny came into visit while you were unconscious,' [Ron] said, after a long pause, and Harry's imagination zoomed into overdrive, rapidly constructing a scene in which Ginny, weeping over his lifeless form, confessed her feelings of deep attraction to him while Ron gave them his blessing..."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Anyway, I am going to get back to reading so I can finish these books, and then watch all the movies before the final one comes out in July! Cannot wait!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Much Love to All,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Cheryl</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-50631547407822642832011-05-24T10:26:00.000-07:002011-05-24T10:26:50.434-07:00Tasty Tuesdays - Dad's Iced Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">Iced tea during the summers at my house growing up was a staple.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">We drank it like water.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">So much so, that I just assumed that everyone knew how to make a pitcher of iced tea.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">Once I left home and entered the real world, however, reality sunk in - not everyone knows how to make a pitcher of <i>good</i> iced tea.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">On beautiful warm days like today - treat yourself to this yummy, perfectly sweetened, yet not too sweet, iced tea.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">Here's my dad's recipe for perfect iced tea:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">1. Fill a small pot (1 qt.) half full with water.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5JIb7tWzxjednzqd7_zSDi5lHhIZHj-3XkoStj2-KVOA96KmqskQht0wB2FtU2eQRPziD-P5mtGV_jwTieA4SuVnkfCjsmB4Zfqj4LqGJOUiVA14D9aPWsYKTIIJBLuhtxaBGhYY5NL-/s1600/DSCN0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5JIb7tWzxjednzqd7_zSDi5lHhIZHj-3XkoStj2-KVOA96KmqskQht0wB2FtU2eQRPziD-P5mtGV_jwTieA4SuVnkfCjsmB4Zfqj4LqGJOUiVA14D9aPWsYKTIIJBLuhtxaBGhYY5NL-/s320/DSCN0772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">2. Add 3 teabags for 2 qts. - or 6 teabags for a gallon - pitcher.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">My dad would use Red Rose tea - which makes a really good iced tea. Today, though, I'm using "Mad Hatter" tea - that I got in Ireland a year ago. It makes <i>excellent</i> iced tea.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">3. Place pot on burner - slowly bring to a boil over medium heat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj463Ldzqy7INmejPOBhq17bYv7KsLCqMeUBtHtNp-HTRCdag_6C7Px7esyjLA43FTMwNybHgwwqC-FUK0bYPHQHLKwLE02M8g0-4rSHqCJhVHkJtWIsqTwNBxVwVktutLDsAKT5bOT58Pi/s1600/DSCN0776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj463Ldzqy7INmejPOBhq17bYv7KsLCqMeUBtHtNp-HTRCdag_6C7Px7esyjLA43FTMwNybHgwwqC-FUK0bYPHQHLKwLE02M8g0-4rSHqCJhVHkJtWIsqTwNBxVwVktutLDsAKT5bOT58Pi/s320/DSCN0776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">4. For a gas stove - allow tea to boil for about a few minutes before turning heat off. For an electric burner - once tea begins boiling, turn heat off - leave pot on the burner.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CLhI53q1pbUhGPiKyYwUpbaRYo_pC4fOzi2g9_BD0Me5xsDSnus-6_pScEzNv9Ox3Io7IKkj4DYctSQNNcplQvfAY3_KSWO6R35geIgFkLBtFw8wg63vL1_x4NFTY5qRRCy5EDzdbgov/s1600/DSCN0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CLhI53q1pbUhGPiKyYwUpbaRYo_pC4fOzi2g9_BD0Me5xsDSnus-6_pScEzNv9Ox3Io7IKkj4DYctSQNNcplQvfAY3_KSWO6R35geIgFkLBtFw8wg63vL1_x4NFTY5qRRCy5EDzdbgov/s320/DSCN0779.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">5. Allow to sit and continue to brew for about 15 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">6. Use two table spoons to fish out teabags and drain them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHRLnP9E485Ggs8-vNKqP6WiN77uJlrZ9RJivVtyZ_RR2Pz_v25yag4Pc94QEHyysS45cVxQ_Wdlx1_MIaie0stskg8TIMqFUSecDvDiiC_KY79H5XP7IIP-GYrTQMygO7-9WewzE_Xra/s1600/DSCN0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHRLnP9E485Ggs8-vNKqP6WiN77uJlrZ9RJivVtyZ_RR2Pz_v25yag4Pc94QEHyysS45cVxQ_Wdlx1_MIaie0stskg8TIMqFUSecDvDiiC_KY79H5XP7IIP-GYrTQMygO7-9WewzE_Xra/s320/DSCN0780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">7. Pour tea into pitcher. Add 1/4 c. sugar for 2 qts. - 1/2 c. for gallon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">(Use splenda for a healthier choice - you can always add more sugar if you prefer the southern sweet tea level of sweetness - personally, that's too much for me).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">8. Fill the rest of the pitcher with cold water - stirring as filling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh715ITWcxWDUy-DS4CXReV6yVbrkpvfoymMwJgz3Ha61diLiS_93nGmU9DuY6p6FcYgB16w8TPRac3jz5FnPqFGcebi_UTl6ezqtwJVEOqSAqaCLseSOdgRzHbRNwWOKf6BUk2sxnYjg0r/s1600/DSCN0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh715ITWcxWDUy-DS4CXReV6yVbrkpvfoymMwJgz3Ha61diLiS_93nGmU9DuY6p6FcYgB16w8TPRac3jz5FnPqFGcebi_UTl6ezqtwJVEOqSAqaCLseSOdgRzHbRNwWOKf6BUk2sxnYjg0r/s320/DSCN0784.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">9. Chill in fridge - or pour over a glass of ice to serve immediately.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_fU0kiJjJ7JAZs3u4UtrSHeRe4j5sDDRbM0ZqqUqZ3VhVug-2crea9MDdDfpP2Skdfb1NLCA0VX7NNTf_LaKuGap86VAUNqbxqr6Al0ik2x2-1C3x_-I6ZXqtEs_w8G4FCYbhQ02jQJL/s1600/DSCN0789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_fU0kiJjJ7JAZs3u4UtrSHeRe4j5sDDRbM0ZqqUqZ3VhVug-2crea9MDdDfpP2Skdfb1NLCA0VX7NNTf_LaKuGap86VAUNqbxqr6Al0ik2x2-1C3x_-I6ZXqtEs_w8G4FCYbhQ02jQJL/s320/DSCN0789.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">I know those were a lot of steps - but they were all really simple - I'm sure you can manage! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">For extra yuminess - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">If you like lemon tea (which I don't...) - slice up a lemon and toss in the pitcher!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">Try flavored teas! (like Celestial Seasons Cranberry Apple Zinger)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<center><a href="http://danceyourwaybacktozion.blogspot.com/search/label/tasty%20tuesday" target="_blank"><img alt="dance your way back to zion" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/onedayswar/tastytuesday2.jpg" /></a></center>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845021621974910925.post-34436286053157431072011-05-19T12:27:00.000-07:002011-05-19T12:27:07.588-07:00The Flowers of the Field<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Thankful Thursdays - Flowers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">There are so many things in nature that I find absolutely stunning. One of them is flowers. I love taking pictures of flowers, I love smelling flowers, and I love getting them from my husband :O)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOzr8JauH97JKThnbnLxSC-Dj6cKEk5PSSWaRwOBIYKtmYBGVVa7yKUhCmTN7ocFnechb2YV7yx1hQUPx9fOaLQsmClPFvq1_WR4xFVwsBzO9pAurGR7x10FG64IgXDFYbfdApMR46t8y/s1600/Blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOzr8JauH97JKThnbnLxSC-Dj6cKEk5PSSWaRwOBIYKtmYBGVVa7yKUhCmTN7ocFnechb2YV7yx1hQUPx9fOaLQsmClPFvq1_WR4xFVwsBzO9pAurGR7x10FG64IgXDFYbfdApMR46t8y/s320/Blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">(Giant's Causeway - Ireland)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">You'd think it was enough that God gave us life - that he provided a world that can sustain that life. But He didn't stop at just giving us the minimum - He made that world absolutely breath-taking.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">I am so thankful that we are surrounded by so much beauty. Look at how those tiny little flowers pop up in the cracks of the rocks - really no detail is too small to be beneath God's notice.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuFKDFre7IF_q05eLKs2nRB9K-gqjlBYS4qzZoAfbieU-S6hXMcI_xvArNiJ7Hu2kQ6oZX1OWaVDVmU52rsOb86pUU6T_zm_HLx3vGjrnTLshAJU_MriGRy4b-432Ds5vgCgMK0Gw_iJT/s1600/Blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuFKDFre7IF_q05eLKs2nRB9K-gqjlBYS4qzZoAfbieU-S6hXMcI_xvArNiJ7Hu2kQ6oZX1OWaVDVmU52rsOb86pUU6T_zm_HLx3vGjrnTLshAJU_MriGRy4b-432Ds5vgCgMK0Gw_iJT/s320/Blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">This reminds me of one of my favorite verses - Matthew 6:28-30</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">"...And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow? They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith? So do not worry saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgrKlkzW0MHPL89UvcBg9r9Yxzu3A4jXo0WNMZFLPAmpOPe6Q7psfqwCK_9ciZ1SQP1rtWV4xRe4ct8DhWtoXVJDzInBiClMC_huuC1fpv3mrLuIeaOAEH3aN5qauZIM6WVL2FrcY0dmt/s1600/Blog7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgrKlkzW0MHPL89UvcBg9r9Yxzu3A4jXo0WNMZFLPAmpOPe6Q7psfqwCK_9ciZ1SQP1rtWV4xRe4ct8DhWtoXVJDzInBiClMC_huuC1fpv3mrLuIeaOAEH3aN5qauZIM6WVL2FrcY0dmt/s320/Blog7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">As much as I worry - as many hours as I spend wondering where we'll get the money to pay bills, when will I get a teaching job, etc, etc - I forget that these flowers that I love so much were made by God. He cared enough to clothe the grass and the fields - how much more does he care about me and my needs? He will provide.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">So today, take a deep breath - no matter what you're worrying about, no matter what's going on in your life - God cared enough to give us this beautiful world. To fill it with tiny flowers, towering trees, and vivid skies. How much more does he care about your <i>needs</i>?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunwAuYAxBVYYDm0Nk3brkkQLZmU6T-XcXiubMen2BRrGPUDqD4I41RJvBLwSQ50bnv_1yUmdTdb2ZUtqy9ooMg_iSNmzuDibwXr3TKSvx73SIvWlxA_SrYiIuH5_2v313bZP5H33ehvL5/s1600/Blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunwAuYAxBVYYDm0Nk3brkkQLZmU6T-XcXiubMen2BRrGPUDqD4I41RJvBLwSQ50bnv_1yUmdTdb2ZUtqy9ooMg_iSNmzuDibwXr3TKSvx73SIvWlxA_SrYiIuH5_2v313bZP5H33ehvL5/s320/Blog4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">So thank you, God, for the flowers. And thank you for reminding me that you've got it all under control.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Much Love to All!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzWggsWUAmL2_6uNDwpsTl0nlrk8nRHz8SAHOA3oN9Irv19v-0t2Ne415QIS1f4HbIeGyuRZy8d7rqCP_rAMnJA24Z4AemRUJmwDiK7czKK0jHLdIFRbFEa4ONcSM0wQ4x6Q0vg-XxHD6/s1600/Blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzWggsWUAmL2_6uNDwpsTl0nlrk8nRHz8SAHOA3oN9Irv19v-0t2Ne415QIS1f4HbIeGyuRZy8d7rqCP_rAMnJA24Z4AemRUJmwDiK7czKK0jHLdIFRbFEa4ONcSM0wQ4x6Q0vg-XxHD6/s320/Blog5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Cheryl Hoskinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12179483438473943966noreply@blogger.com0