tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80857925522692975052024-03-05T00:47:59.188-08:00Bella PepperBellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-9013061780658219242009-12-30T10:47:00.000-08:002009-12-30T11:26:22.285-08:00Handmade Christmas continuedI wanted to share a bit more about our Christmas and how things went before moving on to the new year and all the wonderful things that come with it. This Christmas was a really special one for us, one that will be treasured forever. We tried our best to make most of our gifts and the rest we bought via E<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tsy</span>, craft <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">faires</span> or small local <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">businesses</span>. At first this seemed like such a challenge, could we really make Christmas great on such a small budget with out going to a place like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Walmart?</span> Well the answer for us was YES! We usually spend about $50 on each of our girls and this year I think we hit the mark at right around $61, so really not to bad! Now in this I have to take into account that I already had a lot of crafty supplies on hand, like the yarn for the slippers, which leftover's from the stash. Most of the stuff used from stash was yarn, buttons, thread, and a bit of fabric, the rest was purchased for these special projects and included in the budget.<br /><br />What I am really excited about sharing is the earrings that Micah and the girls made for me, so impressive! They are made from hammered out bottle caps and botany prints from the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Internet</span>. I think the most amazing part about this is that he let a 2 and a 5 year old wield a hammer! Ah, the things we do for the sake of crafting ;)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-kzNGjGiuxv8slt30cmPqu7WJMQRjwjza7-quHQwR-RPurWUBAadI1VaSbg18S34OfxxvpNd1yr0mDXlhxMONEdkYdcwb9rw2dm0mSBtqSlLZCKxFtTXIZMuW492Vpj8OL7gj_1PrzU/s1600-h/PC300143.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421105343811445090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-kzNGjGiuxv8slt30cmPqu7WJMQRjwjza7-quHQwR-RPurWUBAadI1VaSbg18S34OfxxvpNd1yr0mDXlhxMONEdkYdcwb9rw2dm0mSBtqSlLZCKxFtTXIZMuW492Vpj8OL7gj_1PrzU/s400/PC300143.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This holiday did of course include some thing that were not made by hand and with those we tried to purchase them from small local businesses. Micah totally scored good by getting me this <a href="http://www.copco.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=E61EA233-475A-BAC0-579743A82862E08C">strawberry tea kettle</a> from our favorite hardware/kitchen store. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Be still</span> my whimsical heart!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_MKrWp-ttXtX_lmqY2-6Aqpj1S2o27sAom0L5oJPgOM_d_EL__cartZBdhLSECzXWYDG9GVCfmILXKtZSn-i0RU58MyqYdis0txfHZccGE9jN-fu32RYokf6kL4jIp8W0nCYoVgOc-c/s1600-h/2503-5092_md.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421105130123534722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_MKrWp-ttXtX_lmqY2-6Aqpj1S2o27sAom0L5oJPgOM_d_EL__cartZBdhLSECzXWYDG9GVCfmILXKtZSn-i0RU58MyqYdis0txfHZccGE9jN-fu32RYokf6kL4jIp8W0nCYoVgOc-c/s400/2503-5092_md.jpg" border="0" /></a> I have to say though that as sweet as my husband was I don't think I did as well. Which I feel is OK since the husband should get a chance to out do the wife once in a while, right? While I did get him a stocking full of sweets and a box filled to the brim with local mandarins his main gift was a nice pair on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">UNfinished</span> wool slippers.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF1_dpUUqB7MzTlsrYYBg29Hkb1b2eoeJYVZLtuPYqfFq_Z_ny9KkCz9w87rJbZ5kq4QatW6MnFmNOEx-uu30XPIQupeGAMpvBB6f6TCeYiRasIRwMaLyBtml-SMZ_kL8byarj2GDWTc/s1600-h/PC300145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421105126713572274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF1_dpUUqB7MzTlsrYYBg29Hkb1b2eoeJYVZLtuPYqfFq_Z_ny9KkCz9w87rJbZ5kq4QatW6MnFmNOEx-uu30XPIQupeGAMpvBB6f6TCeYiRasIRwMaLyBtml-SMZ_kL8byarj2GDWTc/s400/PC300145.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This photo was actually taken after I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">seamed</span> them and wove in the ends, now all we have to do is felt them. These were mostly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">finished</span> way back in October, but like most <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">crafter's</span> I set them down and started working on something else. Oh well, I know he loves me for more then just my knitting.<br /><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-17001810419641679022009-12-27T19:27:00.000-08:002009-12-27T20:09:32.209-08:00Handmade ChristmasA glimpse in pictures of our (mostly) handmade Christmas:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSMDpDt506xBclVhohjUOo0Edj_EQlb4pHLbXuhJ-hMaUagmhw6DIwc49jX6EUHHAy6l5WASB32DX62yqcVBkgHvPXY8AvIYZ6sPnDWj1BXalTIueAncdFRH5GJ1eEpBj8-MAoIXs28E/s1600-h/PC250086.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420130485488402530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSMDpDt506xBclVhohjUOo0Edj_EQlb4pHLbXuhJ-hMaUagmhw6DIwc49jX6EUHHAy6l5WASB32DX62yqcVBkgHvPXY8AvIYZ6sPnDWj1BXalTIueAncdFRH5GJ1eEpBj8-MAoIXs28E/s400/PC250086.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3KNS5IdCUk5kEtrU3xlBtokvxQGlJkNMjCUxVlQy4URjWSocD2St4fD9b_ol0wQpXFdMCn9gi-gOMrcuDETLQhHHxTjOXEwaSEZJVWOi4uhHmPeOhEq7vQ1lbIn28YQ36xBwWRDvHJE/s1600-h/PC250087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420130474315800578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3KNS5IdCUk5kEtrU3xlBtokvxQGlJkNMjCUxVlQy4URjWSocD2St4fD9b_ol0wQpXFdMCn9gi-gOMrcuDETLQhHHxTjOXEwaSEZJVWOi4uhHmPeOhEq7vQ1lbIn28YQ36xBwWRDvHJE/s400/PC250087.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpJXi8y0D4Gqeta5ZzXosEIuGtcz3_1mFHg4o5jHb50KR3n4X72YxFF35i_YTwONv768PCqT9wM7LXe9jZF2AaceqbrwDTyr0R1ZJsUwSHWZFS-GmwGaiXwMcITG2yXURxg89K4UxfUw/s1600-h/PC250088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420130468352731426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpJXi8y0D4Gqeta5ZzXosEIuGtcz3_1mFHg4o5jHb50KR3n4X72YxFF35i_YTwONv768PCqT9wM7LXe9jZF2AaceqbrwDTyr0R1ZJsUwSHWZFS-GmwGaiXwMcITG2yXURxg89K4UxfUw/s400/PC250088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6eJAwepbRnP33IEiASEVTImSzv2V4F93uro5X08_W4pfteSDq6PkgQLIfnA9qmlycPX4Li38ZUxxcKpmsYzbCRfsoqDpZp6oX7jgHRPfoaAi8R5P2aiXe5B7GH4niBXyscxXhwa8pGk/s1600-h/PC250092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420126826319812162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6eJAwepbRnP33IEiASEVTImSzv2V4F93uro5X08_W4pfteSDq6PkgQLIfnA9qmlycPX4Li38ZUxxcKpmsYzbCRfsoqDpZp6oX7jgHRPfoaAi8R5P2aiXe5B7GH4niBXyscxXhwa8pGk/s400/PC250092.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY8QLZpNsr0pyjASuAzm3wQHCX9Z_AV53i2EPeiGWRcdLjhkmu8jeh81lIaGN6Xl3V_qa1FH2sEoTnyXeQ0uEq_YqJ8sIlfNEHutf5bCA5W37eBzbNBUPAa78Yzf1SYGPIbHpozWktxk/s1600-h/PC250115.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420126819446156450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY8QLZpNsr0pyjASuAzm3wQHCX9Z_AV53i2EPeiGWRcdLjhkmu8jeh81lIaGN6Xl3V_qa1FH2sEoTnyXeQ0uEq_YqJ8sIlfNEHutf5bCA5W37eBzbNBUPAa78Yzf1SYGPIbHpozWktxk/s400/PC250115.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420126804604978546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhREVb_caM4Qok0KZde1ZPs1TjktNU9IXUDNwrgTg0ra3hv1e_6rF8PL5GxGzPUL97QeSXSQRPjTev6mqDixIp9Brv919U5qthD-cMJ3OU6rEhxEJz169mqLPLmSnNY0rfk_qd74VM8JY/s400/PC250099.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o_z1LEVd_IXBO2mP0lg3PzmqBRhYiV86rIaQNg4B5l-OYqDZW0K9fxUAmIaxSkLqcKD2xwd_P4xgUdePD9-ruwFbG2XA36J1KAhwFgjax7URDMDGSz6fYAAjP4imYiuyrxXpMM3cMZk/s1600-h/PC250121.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420126799193164530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o_z1LEVd_IXBO2mP0lg3PzmqBRhYiV86rIaQNg4B5l-OYqDZW0K9fxUAmIaxSkLqcKD2xwd_P4xgUdePD9-ruwFbG2XA36J1KAhwFgjax7URDMDGSz6fYAAjP4imYiuyrxXpMM3cMZk/s400/PC250121.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>Our Christmas was a very special one, filled with family, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">thankfulness</span> and lots of handmade goodies. It was so wonderful to see the joy in my children's eyes from something handcrafted from the heart. Oh and boy was I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">surprised</span> to get 4(!) handmade pairs of funky earrings from Micah and the girls! I love how he really takes on the handmade challenge just for me. Well, I'm going to get back to relaxing and enjoying my little bit of free time I have been blessed with this weekend. I hope that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">everyone's</span> Christmas was a merry one. God bless.</p>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-3611958695760006722009-12-23T20:50:00.000-08:002009-12-23T21:10:36.827-08:00Christmas CookiesTonight was cookie decorating night in the Pepper home. We always use Indian Tree Natural food dye for our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">frosting's</span> and the colors are just so cool. Not your traditional Christmas sugar cookies, but I like it that way.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEaq7lJKLwdXt1yVlZWc1zWsxx2HUiqjUWOtMw6n-ONoXb01vC-B_4yHtB-a1lITBgRYjuZQrshBdgd3U2PAQoQ2RBuudjV61wQwrzdvs-t3HeqNQxWF4WtrQvgegEfzNagx8VvGVeug/s1600-h/PC230044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418663342623638002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEaq7lJKLwdXt1yVlZWc1zWsxx2HUiqjUWOtMw6n-ONoXb01vC-B_4yHtB-a1lITBgRYjuZQrshBdgd3U2PAQoQ2RBuudjV61wQwrzdvs-t3HeqNQxWF4WtrQvgegEfzNagx8VvGVeug/s400/PC230044.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrNIe1pJLwv6gfUPP6K7COmlhvaN1nOIp6QPinU_7VfvCZHqIlL3aNWVeGxocOAsr3wN6aeNPYjg9wO1LuB42pWUZ9ujpBcLZ5ZYwKB6TYAcIkGD2OYDDnw8ysmb1hi3fB_-vNUd1bA8/s1600-h/PC230054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418663333118517810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrNIe1pJLwv6gfUPP6K7COmlhvaN1nOIp6QPinU_7VfvCZHqIlL3aNWVeGxocOAsr3wN6aeNPYjg9wO1LuB42pWUZ9ujpBcLZ5ZYwKB6TYAcIkGD2OYDDnw8ysmb1hi3fB_-vNUd1bA8/s400/PC230054.JPG" border="0" /></a>L and I did the decorating and a bit of snacking....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPveIzg5rqEzvqU-cWezqsQlI95ZTWh-6HpZ_kWquNIrxVXAaLxOw0mQRWPunhAqSjFjtj27f_mqWzDXnyPv1B0h_QOZnSNDjUv5IRF4UBIJP_PhzL2pICXHtHjghuxjGhS0N5x67T0wk/s1600-h/PC230061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418663323411259986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPveIzg5rqEzvqU-cWezqsQlI95ZTWh-6HpZ_kWquNIrxVXAaLxOw0mQRWPunhAqSjFjtj27f_mqWzDXnyPv1B0h_QOZnSNDjUv5IRF4UBIJP_PhzL2pICXHtHjghuxjGhS0N5x67T0wk/s400/PC230061.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0J388q6J97lsBhZTR5OHrDS_37M9FpqjBhbJhAVKV0-YqHBer-UivrE0AXosdLhCMKXnLn51TpCHBcplqFTN0guinws1A7VR2hH9d3IE9cHu1hMqlWl_sfnvs92HCLKZijZpdxar3lBU/s1600-h/PC230063.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418663314303129042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0J388q6J97lsBhZTR5OHrDS_37M9FpqjBhbJhAVKV0-YqHBer-UivrE0AXosdLhCMKXnLn51TpCHBcplqFTN0guinws1A7VR2hH9d3IE9cHu1hMqlWl_sfnvs92HCLKZijZpdxar3lBU/s400/PC230063.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />P has a bit of a lingering cold so she just decorated he own and had a good ole time. Oh yah and check out her haircut! I took off 5 inches!!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuG3ZbUpU3xuio2PJ1V-kXn_bjTpQt7OFP7oAm95sbbEjWTOD8xM38sN2RU0xu9Dh7PQcLneHj5UCjn3qHKg48AG2TtINUJqjFjUT0HSywEHVgtuZrLLBXMoQft3jeeGqnIRUKdmiy5sI/s1600-h/PC230064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418663307878793570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuG3ZbUpU3xuio2PJ1V-kXn_bjTpQt7OFP7oAm95sbbEjWTOD8xM38sN2RU0xu9Dh7PQcLneHj5UCjn3qHKg48AG2TtINUJqjFjUT0HSywEHVgtuZrLLBXMoQft3jeeGqnIRUKdmiy5sI/s400/PC230064.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>I almost didn't make sugar cookies this year. This month has been a busy one and I don't like being obligated to bake, I like to follow the whim you know?. Alas, then I remembered that I had just bought a new $20 box of dyes and some all natural sprinkles and I knew I just had to break them out. Since decorating them is really the fun part I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">forgo ed</span> the cookie cutters. Instead I just rolled the dough into balls and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">smashed</span> them down on the cookie sheet, fun and time saving!</div><div></div></div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-24939346251982706212009-12-19T21:11:00.000-08:002009-12-19T21:23:05.461-08:00Happy Birthday Love<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuTVTndsl82gyjqu7rnpqjR8wBemxRRbRXt0GUQP7EUvY84NxRahgKQza1ZmxmsCc-ZEqj_204HZ8fasnxEBNMy2S9uBKaUD7xTRTjlsEcaGRFwfy8TkK_hVUivH_zJleW3cFaZvXoDk/s1600-h/PC190009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417184215025348946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuTVTndsl82gyjqu7rnpqjR8wBemxRRbRXt0GUQP7EUvY84NxRahgKQza1ZmxmsCc-ZEqj_204HZ8fasnxEBNMy2S9uBKaUD7xTRTjlsEcaGRFwfy8TkK_hVUivH_zJleW3cFaZvXoDk/s400/PC190009.JPG" border="0" /></a>(The hat is his birthday present from moi, crummy pic though)<br /><br /><br />Today I got to celebrate the man I love. I never would have thought <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I'd</span> end up with someone so amazing. Someone so inspiring that they change who you are without one ounce of effort. He is always <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">surprising</span> me with his love, kindness, and his adventurous nature. Life with this man is just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">exhilarating</span> and my hope is that will share many more blessed birthdays together. I love you Micah, Happy Birthday.<br /></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-9581027233066845182009-12-17T09:30:00.000-08:002009-12-17T09:45:45.627-08:00Guilt Monster<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5znfkdPqtkkX3XsA-YrwSy7-lPb6SQ3afPXLA1gn_tpPXuksBe3MQ-kni58p3pUsXHpy9dJKVJWdkK7t-Wd85i10Ny8eXnv9y65V_WwtkO0v7nkM61QoupAIGuuClOJMMJ_LxlG-Ewz4/s1600-h/PC170617.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416259321368365090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5znfkdPqtkkX3XsA-YrwSy7-lPb6SQ3afPXLA1gn_tpPXuksBe3MQ-kni58p3pUsXHpy9dJKVJWdkK7t-Wd85i10Ny8eXnv9y65V_WwtkO0v7nkM61QoupAIGuuClOJMMJ_LxlG-Ewz4/s400/PC170617.JPG" border="0" /></a> Life has been a bit of a whirlwind this past week. After Phoebe's fall I spent a good few days worrying over what could have happened and pretty much blaming myself for not being <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">vigilant</span> enough. You know, normal mother guilt, that we all put on our selves from time to time. I know it wasn't my fault and I know that it's completely normal for kids to play alone in a room with the door open, but I just couldn't shake how scared I was for days. I relied on my mothering instincts when it happened doing all the right things like checking her over, seeing approximately how high it was and jetting of to the ER taking my little brother along to keep an eye on her in the backseat. Then after it was over the mothering fears, the other side to the mother instinct took over and haunted me for several days. <br /><br />After much prayer and council with my husband, and time I'm feeling much better. I have to say though that now the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nurture</span> mothering side is taking over and that little girl is getting whatever she wants! There has been lots of hugs and snuggles, medicine, ice packs, doctors appointments and even some cookies involved. I know that I shouldn't be babying her as much as I am, but I just can't help it I have a mothers heart.<br /><br />P.S. The monster pictured above is for my nephew, but P has requested one and of course she will be getting one very soon!BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-89161994564763382282009-12-07T19:23:00.000-08:002009-12-10T13:10:33.980-08:00Joy and HeartacheThis week started off with one of the most exciting joys that life has to offer. A sweet baby boy entered the family as my sweet nephew. My sister labored like a champ with honestly not a word of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">compaint</span>, taking it all in stride and even joking around with us. I am truly amazed at the strength we women possess in childbirth, it is such an amazing thing to be apart of. My mom and I were both honored to be there along with my sister husband.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAir-DOCnsu1aN5wfU1wpEymyQY-npSFulVZR1j3m7OfuPb0440iwrMPWd_sYPVVhqd_qK8rFGky0g2qclzEyfALJP7UohIGQ45WnocIL74YzrYX1FfF9JU6aYDT-rgOSfii1Jnke0XXw/s1600-h/PC070608.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413711799948266898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAir-DOCnsu1aN5wfU1wpEymyQY-npSFulVZR1j3m7OfuPb0440iwrMPWd_sYPVVhqd_qK8rFGky0g2qclzEyfALJP7UohIGQ45WnocIL74YzrYX1FfF9JU6aYDT-rgOSfii1Jnke0XXw/s400/PC070608.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This perfect little guys was born on the first snow of the season and is going to be a huge blessing to our family. What a wonderful early <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Christmas</span> present!<br /><br />Then yesterday while still aglow with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">giddiness</span> we had a very scary thing happen, that makes my mothers heart ache to even think about it. Phoebe tried to fly. Out a window 6-7ft onto <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">concrete</span>. Sick with worry I rushed her to the hospital to find out that she had a broken wrist and a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">concussion</span>. She is doing much better today and even smiling for us.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3e_mQq_POiKvXANcH5dk-roKGirKGDHsQQJjGNZxf8G78oGbDC8GY0JMu-D74kSuUVcEAXf5GP_CajzYwdKNqd3qNcT4-YXaIE_SSdCbGGwwdkkI-m4_zRz6ZZcwuqPShhVroqIRNDw/s1600-h/PC100612.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413711322254042418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3e_mQq_POiKvXANcH5dk-roKGirKGDHsQQJjGNZxf8G78oGbDC8GY0JMu-D74kSuUVcEAXf5GP_CajzYwdKNqd3qNcT4-YXaIE_SSdCbGGwwdkkI-m4_zRz6ZZcwuqPShhVroqIRNDw/s400/PC100612.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I knew that she was wild, but I would have never expected her to JUMP out a window at only 2 years old! She keeps saying "little girls can't fly, only birds can", oh my.<br /><div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-43501470333350138342009-12-04T18:40:00.000-08:002009-12-04T19:09:47.159-08:00Crafty Time<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1w45yaIplnDnHu8Ed7ecmV7OWjSGZL4EUwu-rzUuPijHyoNV2Fq2qE0McsLqF8GTSt5FE5p5lKoq4Ua65qliMPOm5Nm2tcGPwexf7wUJ272cJk2xfPVDsig-SXv8HpZJ4_QAv0fKvtk/s1600-h/PC040563.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411578737951055650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1w45yaIplnDnHu8Ed7ecmV7OWjSGZL4EUwu-rzUuPijHyoNV2Fq2qE0McsLqF8GTSt5FE5p5lKoq4Ua65qliMPOm5Nm2tcGPwexf7wUJ272cJk2xfPVDsig-SXv8HpZJ4_QAv0fKvtk/s400/PC040563.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Today after we finished up some schoolwork and put some brownies in the oven, we embarked on a crafty adventure, one where we all had a great time. A sheet was laid on the table and we set off to have a great time. I made something I have been super excited about ever since I saw it on <a href="http://lucyknows.typepad.com/lucys_tales_from_home/2009/11/saturday.html">this</a> blog. I had some vintage bulbs that had been my grandparents that I had been saving, just waiting to put them to good use. I didn't have quite enough so I thought this project just wasn't going to happen, when earlier this week I popped into my favorite thrift shop and they had DOZENS of vintage glass bulbs. I paid $2.50 for the ones I brought home. Next it was off to the craft store where I got a foam wreath and a package of mini glue stick (I use all but one of them!). So it total, this project cost $16.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r8-cXFG-Zo5_Tz0mnZSyZg-fmAxD3od0ARCnjdnLAQV8csHHdQFuAEeyWH1GdHI_H8zQI9W_CegV__aNoB4opdFy96SyhMU7NLg-CPXJIaCPxbhfkjVoI6Oh30zaVMMlweRK4DjIx_4/s1600-h/PC040555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411578726310272482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r8-cXFG-Zo5_Tz0mnZSyZg-fmAxD3od0ARCnjdnLAQV8csHHdQFuAEeyWH1GdHI_H8zQI9W_CegV__aNoB4opdFy96SyhMU7NLg-CPXJIaCPxbhfkjVoI6Oh30zaVMMlweRK4DjIx_4/s400/PC040555.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here we are working away, my project ended up taking much longer than <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">theirs</span> so they went into the living room to watch Sleeping Beauty. Phoebe kept coming in to check on me though. I ended up breaking only 4 bulbs and with 1 bleeding finger. After all the bulbs were glued on I broke up pieces of an old dollar store garland to fill in the cracks.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IgzpXa5abLlu5jsVxEYvG4QOcF4MKhNJ2nX6Nj9m6a6wzOpTVEhk5lG3rR2gj_cHALh5DXEq-icsdUdOSj6JjpV_85ojv8hKdX0qce6mHQNTEVEvUYXyB5JkGd2SI6Jrl7URvkbwYgc/s1600-h/PC040556.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411578721575436802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IgzpXa5abLlu5jsVxEYvG4QOcF4MKhNJ2nX6Nj9m6a6wzOpTVEhk5lG3rR2gj_cHALh5DXEq-icsdUdOSj6JjpV_85ojv8hKdX0qce6mHQNTEVEvUYXyB5JkGd2SI6Jrl7URvkbwYgc/s400/PC040556.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The girls glittered, jeweled and tissue papered some construction paper tree. Easy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">peasy</span> when you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">already</span> have a huge bag <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">of cut</span> up tissue paper.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-7925531071654782912009-12-03T20:30:00.000-08:002009-12-03T20:38:58.371-08:00Slippers<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">OK</span>, so you are going to have to pardon the bad photos, these thing are really hard to photograph! They seemed to want to glow <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">florescent</span> and fuzz out no matter what the lighting. I don't know, I'm certainly not the best still life photographer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhrqyMu_KMd3VYe6gD0DRoTaS5MdJXTLHsC4i1qq20kijRX8yawmU8o_GaGuGCAZXbv3AzSpmTF4p9WDUsLrvp56ORRWKjEJkUExPW9cdUYg5BOdv0OrHMk4eKUmZOnyWA9L4nXvsJCY/s1600-h/PC010526.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411234294209894994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhrqyMu_KMd3VYe6gD0DRoTaS5MdJXTLHsC4i1qq20kijRX8yawmU8o_GaGuGCAZXbv3AzSpmTF4p9WDUsLrvp56ORRWKjEJkUExPW9cdUYg5BOdv0OrHMk4eKUmZOnyWA9L4nXvsJCY/s400/PC010526.JPG" border="0" /></a> I made these using <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felt-ballerina-slippers-ac-14">this</a> pattern and stash yarn. The purple ones are actually from the leftover yardage from my last years slippers. Buttons were from my button jars as well. Thrifty Christmas giving is so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">exhilirating</span> (weird I know).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKHHw493F3yvPdFLpFj6gop0F5Rpe8zjMJd_3LWaQbaIzhAvfUWGz-ev2v22NfoNdFZGWNR-ao_1q6kccUgACtNB-tZIw8IjfcqrMqh3GoeQdeUDdMQ_W2_yM0qFALpenKAyQZgvhGEI/s1600-h/PC010521.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411234283625096402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKHHw493F3yvPdFLpFj6gop0F5Rpe8zjMJd_3LWaQbaIzhAvfUWGz-ev2v22NfoNdFZGWNR-ao_1q6kccUgACtNB-tZIw8IjfcqrMqh3GoeQdeUDdMQ_W2_yM0qFALpenKAyQZgvhGEI/s400/PC010521.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-92002212330140192912009-11-29T20:23:00.000-08:002009-11-29T22:20:15.765-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorMoCQbw1oXubBATAlr4iqVJKF1pO8YOyqDKX5ngJY3YXtMXsHBduTYcuHVJBrTG7X379YH_pI3DSTDgLWZDLqjRIdir8jf0sAWAQKhVCu-pjmSIOjV4bMsCmwHur3ncEd3drhasJblc/s1600/PB260014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409776896231437970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorMoCQbw1oXubBATAlr4iqVJKF1pO8YOyqDKX5ngJY3YXtMXsHBduTYcuHVJBrTG7X379YH_pI3DSTDgLWZDLqjRIdir8jf0sAWAQKhVCu-pjmSIOjV4bMsCmwHur3ncEd3drhasJblc/s400/PB260014.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">(Raw Pecan Pie, recipe from </span><a href="http://renegadehealth.com/blog/"><span style="font-size:85%;">this</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> site)<br /></span><br />I know this is a wee bit late, but really for our family Thanksgiving is all about the whole four day weekend. With Turkey leftovers, visiting loved ones, decorating for Christmas, the whole 9 yards. Just wanted to pop in real quick at the tail end of this great holiday weekend and say Happy Thanksgiving! If anyone reads this blog, I love to hear how your Thanksgiving weekend was!<br /></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-57749631833804520632009-11-25T10:01:00.000-08:002009-11-25T16:44:24.278-08:00November Homeschooling<div align="center">I know, I know, two post in a day is kind of crazy but I feel into bed yesterday without publishing the post for yesterday. I took some photo's of yesterdays homeschooling seeing as it was a really peaceful time. Which is definitely not the norm around here. For some reason the stars <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">alligned</span> yesterday day and both girls sat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">quitely</span> (even during L's reading lesson) and payed attention to the word coming out of my mouth, so strange! After L's main lessons and P's coloring pages I decided to add on a little art time since it actually sounded like fun.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWUY5HWaDsmRTxNO9MbdGSB1Rk19YF3346UZnwdAGgBAKkDZ90rrwin93vHtpelZzzLXlmds6nMP6FhCyB4UIfHa_Xb-zoLXT-orwoVhg9jJmfKDVVZhB7elavgDeq3oH-fc9RhzocVM/s1600/PB240508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408103793208132258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWUY5HWaDsmRTxNO9MbdGSB1Rk19YF3346UZnwdAGgBAKkDZ90rrwin93vHtpelZzzLXlmds6nMP6FhCyB4UIfHa_Xb-zoLXT-orwoVhg9jJmfKDVVZhB7elavgDeq3oH-fc9RhzocVM/s400/PB240508.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I laid an old flannel sheet that was mine as a girl down on the table to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">minimalize</span> mess and let them get to work of trees and turkey cards. Two crafts in one day even!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGs0Ei_5ObRpiqq8moP2JwpDoyLqTIpY1REIF_vE3saKZPNftFfPNB52EJ6xodIM_FG-pK6ewzvtkoqXEUECNq12hWLb7pcCHFWOythhayECygSDT33_0SMNpDFtsbZrr1toOSA6OAmWY/s1600/PB240510.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408103791116837266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGs0Ei_5ObRpiqq8moP2JwpDoyLqTIpY1REIF_vE3saKZPNftFfPNB52EJ6xodIM_FG-pK6ewzvtkoqXEUECNq12hWLb7pcCHFWOythhayECygSDT33_0SMNpDFtsbZrr1toOSA6OAmWY/s400/PB240510.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />So they crafted and I snuck a few moment of knitting time with my new project the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cosima-2">Cosima</a></span> cardigan. This one is going to be slow going, but I am really hoping to have it done in time for my birthday in January. We will have to see though since this is a work on at home only project and I have lots of holiday crafting on my plate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotxksFqmNDEpj5S9b7_ex_BaD4qH83HMO41wZiIPVDQrMct1p8sQ7Yk4utXG5JRI16HsYWBMNMwMnPHtES07cboo6N4nepaj9jOxYxmZ1uRafDGiRCCeVeDvP62b0K8p8t9roJZvkZBY/s1600/PB240514.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408103781535508018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotxksFqmNDEpj5S9b7_ex_BaD4qH83HMO41wZiIPVDQrMct1p8sQ7Yk4utXG5JRI16HsYWBMNMwMnPHtES07cboo6N4nepaj9jOxYxmZ1uRafDGiRCCeVeDvP62b0K8p8t9roJZvkZBY/s400/PB240514.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I hope everyone has a truly great Thanksgiving with lots of pie and other mouthwatering goodies!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-50643167070458291982009-11-25T09:44:00.000-08:002009-11-25T16:30:37.641-08:00Soapmaking<div align="center">On Sunday I got the pleasure of going out to a friends farm to learn how to make soap. What a fun adventure that was! We made lavender soap, apple cinnamon soap with apricot seeds, and even some lotions. These are her already made soaps, that we got to see when we first got there.</div><p align="center"> </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO183z8KQPougTzgLF5pp5eqfpf0M8TCc0ZTBU0E8dhHP2WFltwoIPSio82mxxPrdzYErboktrW06FWYTn_j7qMXuILw30BPNlOYiMeKCetEsE7FUG3qfX0IMQP_p83IN-U9a6ctpVzwA/s1600/PB220500.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408101457374085378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO183z8KQPougTzgLF5pp5eqfpf0M8TCc0ZTBU0E8dhHP2WFltwoIPSio82mxxPrdzYErboktrW06FWYTn_j7qMXuILw30BPNlOYiMeKCetEsE7FUG3qfX0IMQP_p83IN-U9a6ctpVzwA/s400/PB220500.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAlVqiCLxdcvnUOyEVLL8FG2aM8CDwXUoTrgqtnRZdEh18vAPpo_meF2_KP6V6OOBN3tm6TpbTErtxgcWNIrVXdN37mKPzR-tQeZSMz07kZEhpYZSakudlOr-kJ8WOolwt8D5vw39U7w/s1600/PB220507.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408101453416187730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAlVqiCLxdcvnUOyEVLL8FG2aM8CDwXUoTrgqtnRZdEh18vAPpo_meF2_KP6V6OOBN3tm6TpbTErtxgcWNIrVXdN37mKPzR-tQeZSMz07kZEhpYZSakudlOr-kJ8WOolwt8D5vw39U7w/s400/PB220507.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here some of are in the kitchen blending a batch.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDOG5KLHoa_uEKfoMSsTHBm3FXbyUNw6rN-GFukazK7nvfdfTD-F7WKz_GrooGCkwpauw-oRZo2WNicQktg-e-TV-RZDnCewP3an-rrogwBrF4riqXGtRA63znH9FNaR9jsKpJC8K7ao/s1600/PB220492.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408101445553143858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDOG5KLHoa_uEKfoMSsTHBm3FXbyUNw6rN-GFukazK7nvfdfTD-F7WKz_GrooGCkwpauw-oRZo2WNicQktg-e-TV-RZDnCewP3an-rrogwBrF4riqXGtRA63znH9FNaR9jsKpJC8K7ao/s400/PB220492.JPG" border="0" /></a> (soap in the cylinder mold)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUMBEmCIX67xI6obQRM1KtA_t6w6EdpkvBt62wDiOuOOfnXNlCqBp2LelRvCJjia6ZQMbidLfYQkBH_593DlenVGV9vKr66xfs63kFXFSrJuXM9TAZJ1vsAmOwfF26bbgU4fveAjouoU/s1600/PB220501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408101435393253618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUMBEmCIX67xI6obQRM1KtA_t6w6EdpkvBt62wDiOuOOfnXNlCqBp2LelRvCJjia6ZQMbidLfYQkBH_593DlenVGV9vKr66xfs63kFXFSrJuXM9TAZJ1vsAmOwfF26bbgU4fveAjouoU/s400/PB220501.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">surprised</span> with just how much I enjoyed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">soapmaking</span>. I've always been kind of freaked out by the whole lye thing, but once I did it, it wasn't so scary. It took about an hour to do batch of soap and you get at least a dozen 4 oz bars out of it. The lotion was absolutely dreamy though, do harsh chemicals, just melt and blend. Very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">luscious</span> and a lot of fun. I think I see much more of the is in my future, especially if I ever get to have the goats I've been dreaming of, goat milk soap sounds so heavenly!</div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-20127134655265734342009-11-16T09:05:00.000-08:002009-11-16T09:28:15.053-08:00A Recipe For YouIn my attempt to make something kind of like the Lara Bar peanut butter cookie bars, but with a less "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">datey</span>" taste I came up with these peanut butter balls. They take only 10 minutes to make from start to finish and that's WITH little helping hands.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q6dj9r30GxRBkIYRkEYQFKCSuUqLr6dxd0qqodXsMfz8OAl0PlQcwpbdzk1cjxiKIsvJN-oKD4yhXYXLg6oGs2WhKhh6KQwv8DgwjfBJ-LnBEqSKiNbuzXns0WhQ9HYScHpezj2kx3Q/s1600/PB100398.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404750716725145650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q6dj9r30GxRBkIYRkEYQFKCSuUqLr6dxd0qqodXsMfz8OAl0PlQcwpbdzk1cjxiKIsvJN-oKD4yhXYXLg6oGs2WhKhh6KQwv8DgwjfBJ-LnBEqSKiNbuzXns0WhQ9HYScHpezj2kx3Q/s400/PB100398.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>Peanut Ball Cookies</strong></div><div align="center">3 cups unsweetened dates</div><div align="center">1 cup unsalted peanuts</div><div align="center">1/2 c. unsweetened coconut</div><div align="center">2 Tbsp ground flax seed</div><div align="center">1/2 tsp vanilla</div><div align="center">A dash of salt</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Combine all ingredients into food processor and turn on for a couple minutes until mixture <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">resembles</span> the picture below. Have you and your helper roll into little balls (remembering that little hands need to use smaller amounts of dough). Makes about 18 cookies, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">refrigerate</span> to keep dates fresh. Enjoy!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR1PkG4p8H60P4iNxemEBTb28dNv6MDEt7-1TOj0cCFiXdgYfsotPUV_sJ3zKaFGD0ilNsQGnLmhawmxA9EvVHKi3Loz5C6J84xtjDPwFG6RXlKqVKUQ1AI0ibytY8w5mHjsqBxuq7EI/s1600/PB100393.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404750713947229938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR1PkG4p8H60P4iNxemEBTb28dNv6MDEt7-1TOj0cCFiXdgYfsotPUV_sJ3zKaFGD0ilNsQGnLmhawmxA9EvVHKi3Loz5C6J84xtjDPwFG6RXlKqVKUQ1AI0ibytY8w5mHjsqBxuq7EI/s400/PB100393.JPG" border="0" /></a>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-37687781141539783102009-11-12T12:57:00.000-08:002009-11-12T14:20:34.763-08:00Honeymooning on a budgetWhen Micah and I got married we were broke, pregnant and in love. We had a small but awesome wedding in my parents backyard under a trio of birch trees. There were twinkle lights in the trees and barbecue on the grill, sun dresses and flip flops and we all had bouquets fresh from that mornings farmers market. We couldn't afford a honeymoon, but in didn't seem to matter much. Two kids and five years later we finally managed to get away for a honeymoon. Unfortunately we were still broke and had little time off to work with, we made it work though and we had a wonderful time. <br /><br />Micah has always wanted to go to Ashland Oregon because it is one of my favorite places and since it is only three and a half hours away we decided to go there to see the Shakespeare Festival. The hotel prices are high there, so after extensive Internet research we decide to camp lake side in a place right outside the city. We packed an ice chest full of food and headed out on our first childless adventures since our marriage. We saw plays, took lakeside walks, drank fancy coffee drinks, shopped in the funky down town shops, and had a simple yet wonderful time.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIpcn3jdy0VHMFwadWofCaTXqn58O_hWpfzWIAy95oxAgn1sT-gzz5cVfNsrQdMEQCvLrs97iSMvttXaG12crEqdFOgzMvJtTNVHCQW_-_7Mkgjy1go7cq-GXKcfPs7aH7pQzY0BE45E/s1600-h/P9190065.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403329985195345842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIpcn3jdy0VHMFwadWofCaTXqn58O_hWpfzWIAy95oxAgn1sT-gzz5cVfNsrQdMEQCvLrs97iSMvttXaG12crEqdFOgzMvJtTNVHCQW_-_7Mkgjy1go7cq-GXKcfPs7aH7pQzY0BE45E/s400/P9190065.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2KXmWrrj4R-SXWxIcc8ltaRj2fg8Dz2xA0sqdEUBICM2I7Vk4T1TLJa5l-LesEyZXe4EEGqFSl1Tnx75ENFalGAKysSOdLMQKU1XEkcHpsTu5qkUzkoK2OT1gI0UDwOWW_nmcMRSIag/s1600-h/P9190015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403329975868380002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2KXmWrrj4R-SXWxIcc8ltaRj2fg8Dz2xA0sqdEUBICM2I7Vk4T1TLJa5l-LesEyZXe4EEGqFSl1Tnx75ENFalGAKysSOdLMQKU1XEkcHpsTu5qkUzkoK2OT1gI0UDwOWW_nmcMRSIag/s400/P9190015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-KEAm6iXbFVn2nTmGzTIq3j4qJkV3-56ZmJDS95TSxBnVqr8Vci8A6vAZMs87Aso_pbRC64GZqIxqhFiVe-DaE6SU6lxHU4MvuKy3msHOqr8W62rlXrTrt7PwpnojV258NyF4t8R7D0/s1600-h/P9190017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403329972289865586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-KEAm6iXbFVn2nTmGzTIq3j4qJkV3-56ZmJDS95TSxBnVqr8Vci8A6vAZMs87Aso_pbRC64GZqIxqhFiVe-DaE6SU6lxHU4MvuKy3msHOqr8W62rlXrTrt7PwpnojV258NyF4t8R7D0/s400/P9190017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GrBO-1qDW9OT9BiXeyWI7GvjNiSZ_OinDXUBbGu5QiHI7PUwR7NVnHHjgf6j_shAP48zFMP6W71cHbUy-RrmLzcUzgAJhPZ52_orp57xlWIFrtb3XgBR_45BmHfAaTMQHPXZ0lVu85c/s1600-h/P9190059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403327580776954786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GrBO-1qDW9OT9BiXeyWI7GvjNiSZ_OinDXUBbGu5QiHI7PUwR7NVnHHjgf6j_shAP48zFMP6W71cHbUy-RrmLzcUzgAJhPZ52_orp57xlWIFrtb3XgBR_45BmHfAaTMQHPXZ0lVu85c/s400/P9190059.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4TAKkkoWwrsTXS5Dx2NR_sCupDkhOfoFZT9tOJjlSacBZTmmLDNlggyQ7tcPpiKRVvAzWW0Zu-OzyCsbjGR0QK4WfpoZX8uMlG6wZ6tKAAxUmbKsPGVL-Evt_eDHS5QEUg5CrgFCutk/s1600-h/P9190060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403327571951554338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4TAKkkoWwrsTXS5Dx2NR_sCupDkhOfoFZT9tOJjlSacBZTmmLDNlggyQ7tcPpiKRVvAzWW0Zu-OzyCsbjGR0QK4WfpoZX8uMlG6wZ6tKAAxUmbKsPGVL-Evt_eDHS5QEUg5CrgFCutk/s400/P9190060.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Isn 't he handsome?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Hbas_T5waJek9Dn98ziKnImByTfjzdUCh6QN24X5G8IjaIe0JPUQqyTGGt5DjcVAFffmzBf9iVgzFqXK5C5ipq5jd321cCH95mWJxTKopNCG3w3iTrubLTh14ZD4S1WSlBFT_2foJhE/s1600-h/P9190045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403327563677497474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Hbas_T5waJek9Dn98ziKnImByTfjzdUCh6QN24X5G8IjaIe0JPUQqyTGGt5DjcVAFffmzBf9iVgzFqXK5C5ipq5jd321cCH95mWJxTKopNCG3w3iTrubLTh14ZD4S1WSlBFT_2foJhE/s400/P9190045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmKa-eYj9YFl3B-uEPKyKkwhgBiEyI-Zm0K-Poab_Yp91PVn8UXs0Ra_x9dUydqH-AItMAPZIqUZUq7HL42psVY1O_0vqBUuay5113ZSrBMawjSEvQW1ohkM2Bt1wF-0OTGzjKuk40rE/s1600-h/P9200102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403327559718067730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmKa-eYj9YFl3B-uEPKyKkwhgBiEyI-Zm0K-Poab_Yp91PVn8UXs0Ra_x9dUydqH-AItMAPZIqUZUq7HL42psVY1O_0vqBUuay5113ZSrBMawjSEvQW1ohkM2Bt1wF-0OTGzjKuk40rE/s400/P9200102.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><div>OOh and look I even got some knitting time in, this is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/star-crossed-slouchy-beret">the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret</a> by Natalie Larson, the link is to the Ravelry page. This is a free pattern and a very fun knit!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-5838069097551636612009-11-11T20:08:00.000-08:002009-11-11T20:43:36.504-08:00New AdventuresWow, that was a much longer break then intended. Things have been a whirlwind around her with moving, homeschooling, traveling, and celebrating Lydia's 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> birthday. Moving to a bigger place has been something we have been talking and praying about for quite awhile now. We wanted someplace a bit bigger that would allow us to have chickens and a small veggie garden and God certainly provided, actually the place CAME with chicken. These are our girls:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKf2ScgywQLLYcWH4tjJCLAo5TC29g0H_TNmJSQyh-EzThXBZIS1r50meUVu_uDr4wY0H-M2CrPc2STo6x5PJL1_yvDkcDMe0BooJEjOkq8fytjXCTMrrEqbjfGk867komGXnPrx9KTZ4/s1600-h/PB100429.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403070330206405714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKf2ScgywQLLYcWH4tjJCLAo5TC29g0H_TNmJSQyh-EzThXBZIS1r50meUVu_uDr4wY0H-M2CrPc2STo6x5PJL1_yvDkcDMe0BooJEjOkq8fytjXCTMrrEqbjfGk867komGXnPrx9KTZ4/s400/PB100429.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl2lpsovp1W77BAhOwTAvu0SJb2r5_bOPFQlLUOskb4EHiZG5SaXmmLAkqeLgFuG-GA3WPpBhnZCMTYKzoa3s9Uzusbf1nGuDK7Z-VHWqHVtdpB_DRI4ao46T47aGQI2dL8ljUo9fYcE/s1600-h/PB100445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403070323328327842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl2lpsovp1W77BAhOwTAvu0SJb2r5_bOPFQlLUOskb4EHiZG5SaXmmLAkqeLgFuG-GA3WPpBhnZCMTYKzoa3s9Uzusbf1nGuDK7Z-VHWqHVtdpB_DRI4ao46T47aGQI2dL8ljUo9fYcE/s400/PB100445.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>They are mostly free range chickens even though we have a chicken tractor to keep them in. The fresh eggs are amazing and but we have found that we also really like just having them around, they are so much fun!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP7ajomkcUDHKblrBdXiuLWS6JuDjVWDyMGcr4Tnp1KYiVO7GqGDFgcd9ceS3Yh562XSZsq5u1pSKnXKmYM-1QP0mic-Lfh3mPFPbg7Ic9oVErPA7KI7FHLK7PEMy1w9i8A3FloyjdEQ/s1600-h/PB100443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403070317158870082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP7ajomkcUDHKblrBdXiuLWS6JuDjVWDyMGcr4Tnp1KYiVO7GqGDFgcd9ceS3Yh562XSZsq5u1pSKnXKmYM-1QP0mic-Lfh3mPFPbg7Ic9oVErPA7KI7FHLK7PEMy1w9i8A3FloyjdEQ/s400/PB100443.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>About a week after we moved in we put in our very first winter garden. We have always kind of been wanna-be farmers planting container gardens or share gardens with others with land. This time our efforts are being much better rewarded, check out those seedlings!</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbTGpegfzuIWRHrsDZ8-9hCvtZA8m3-Wu0XW_dUpuRkgdbjgFN6qpi7WzPX4aKvqc41shkYoIe_V7Fn43msV6Y_A8D1t9mF82H24nTD98iDhN0G7POHxrT3rreROJp-5GxlyTIzQhvJU/s1600-h/PB100404.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403068778082647378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbTGpegfzuIWRHrsDZ8-9hCvtZA8m3-Wu0XW_dUpuRkgdbjgFN6qpi7WzPX4aKvqc41shkYoIe_V7Fn43msV6Y_A8D1t9mF82H24nTD98iDhN0G7POHxrT3rreROJp-5GxlyTIzQhvJU/s400/PB100404.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These are our snap peas, next these we have regular peas,<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQCXVBelkxcQrm6jtBIWNV97aqwFFzP4NYcQVIvRInQ4-xGALgHdmvT9vutqyIoNnLAsQoXIzkSK1laFL64yaUsOwecXuwKpcg1z6mOEksG6MAyjfSzcKy1_d_Do0UBqUJy4D3sOZNeQ/s1600-h/PB100405.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403068775918877330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQCXVBelkxcQrm6jtBIWNV97aqwFFzP4NYcQVIvRInQ4-xGALgHdmvT9vutqyIoNnLAsQoXIzkSK1laFL64yaUsOwecXuwKpcg1z6mOEksG6MAyjfSzcKy1_d_Do0UBqUJy4D3sOZNeQ/s400/PB100405.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Then we have some lettuces, we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">planted</span> romaine and s<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">impson</span>, but I forgot to mark which was which, but I'm leaning towards these ones being s<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">impson</span>....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0h4y625RHiP0IbH1zAahDPrFuY14NP8wCbwRjqZlCqo73TECQdGtYaUAVNmvbZSe3qjTaXefLx1SfISlFDLXid8_RCo2Hh_cioWxpv6obEXCzQcMvFvaSlPKMFIGG0ipS0HGpCM56iE/s1600-h/PB100412.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403068764796436114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0h4y625RHiP0IbH1zAahDPrFuY14NP8wCbwRjqZlCqo73TECQdGtYaUAVNmvbZSe3qjTaXefLx1SfISlFDLXid8_RCo2Hh_cioWxpv6obEXCzQcMvFvaSlPKMFIGG0ipS0HGpCM56iE/s400/PB100412.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the best of our cauliflower plants, they really seem to be thriving!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsasuMBNg8aTNXxWI9xU3VTybyNfUGrbePrIQqlzPG3XnbjjUePB2fLpGXWnwRGwO351P0gcsTTvWrrLt0NG3z4not-MfQMk_PtriRxyTxSCRhK48YpwJqvejse2IQWU2KxG1F6be5Sw/s1600-h/PB100410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403068762312213682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsasuMBNg8aTNXxWI9xU3VTybyNfUGrbePrIQqlzPG3XnbjjUePB2fLpGXWnwRGwO351P0gcsTTvWrrLt0NG3z4not-MfQMk_PtriRxyTxSCRhK48YpwJqvejse2IQWU2KxG1F6be5Sw/s400/PB100410.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here is some broccoli,<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_0Xmti1Te41XTWlExo0RAmeP1cGtnEneGvciecj_MDyUdqMeOrRHjYdXi-bCD_TsngyTNBTyGVOFvA93TmW7M3dZSa2uu1bI1RUXnyBM4yxCoELZ1sGq04Z0DCpHKhOXQkCx15yeKwo/s1600-h/PB100408.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403068752508298722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_0Xmti1Te41XTWlExo0RAmeP1cGtnEneGvciecj_MDyUdqMeOrRHjYdXi-bCD_TsngyTNBTyGVOFvA93TmW7M3dZSa2uu1bI1RUXnyBM4yxCoELZ1sGq04Z0DCpHKhOXQkCx15yeKwo/s400/PB100408.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And then there is the onions, one row of red and one of white.</div><br /><div>More to come soon, I'm off now to watch a movie with my wonderfully patient husband:)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-33864301049299425002009-09-12T13:26:00.000-07:002009-09-12T15:23:32.648-07:00100th Post<div>It's funny that today I would log on after almost a month of not blogging to find out that this is my 100t<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">h</span> post! Crazy I say, it doesn't feel like that, I still feel as though I'm barely getting the hang of this whole blogging thing. It's even more amusing to think that I was wondering if I even would come back. Lately I've been feeling like blogs are to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">braggy</span> you know? Look at what I bought, made, did etc. I'm not effectively conveying what I originally wanted in this space. Well, whatever, maybe the next 100 post's will be better, and hopefully more enjoyable to read.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lately my crafting has taken a bit of a back seat to life. Homeschooling is getting off to a great start this year, we are going through a very laid back charter school and it's turning out to be a great choice for our family. We are doing all sorts of fun things that would have otherwise been impossible on our shoestring budget and I'm using the exact same curriculum I would have picked independently. With the help of my husband and the teacher we are working with I really foresee this being a more enjoyable year for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have also been enjoying the last bits of summer left, that is the summer fruit that's left. A friend of ours gifted us with about 20-30lbs of organic peaches which became smoothie peaches, pie peaches,</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATA0g5nKvKOlmFdr0Rf4vbForq1wNIyoWmNENqZZb7HxW8oqykS52845IgxNXtTt7UZ-wFd1KHnRgq6pmtdVvgFwi57quXEHAyFZ1BNursKnCVh-_nzaha-Vw4_oD-INuQLPCl3BqVLw/s1600-h/Picture+070.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATA0g5nKvKOlmFdr0Rf4vbForq1wNIyoWmNENqZZb7HxW8oqykS52845IgxNXtTt7UZ-wFd1KHnRgq6pmtdVvgFwi57quXEHAyFZ1BNursKnCVh-_nzaha-Vw4_oD-INuQLPCl3BqVLw/s400/Picture+070.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380683997606849410" /></a><br /><div>and peach fruit leather. We were SO excited to give fruit leather a try using our new dehydrator given to us from the depths of our friends garage. So happy to find out that it did in fact work, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">yay</span>! A really great way to use up the slightly bruised peaches.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai50P32uCWoC0HwKm-bfCf1pX_X2lDwozJ1jBF0ocHr0nH6XIHBz3OYlsYfK4DgOnlHGJvRYu-zHYp203_SzFraRXU9ru_8v0b84_7h_SjZdiGg0yiBpUjeSH7_qFhVSG05mb8rbbiOA/s1600-h/Picture+069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai50P32uCWoC0HwKm-bfCf1pX_X2lDwozJ1jBF0ocHr0nH6XIHBz3OYlsYfK4DgOnlHGJvRYu-zHYp203_SzFraRXU9ru_8v0b84_7h_SjZdiGg0yiBpUjeSH7_qFhVSG05mb8rbbiOA/s400/Picture+069.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380683982926217250" /></a><br /></div><div>Weekly trips to farmer's market have been a must around here, trying to scoop up the last of the years strawberries to freeze for winter's pie's and smoothies. Northern California Farmer's Markets have the most awesome strawberries, truly they have no comparison to the little hard ones in the grocery store</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC53q1DW3QRI_Er3BaTXrIJ4Yvt7SGP912n1JnKYU4qxak8ZrKHyAM8HFInveH6KBR6oYIcxYJvniDB8Th6ojDffGBdXsEh0ybvosmGjIEMNtdYNECUeackqFZ8sX5ahH99X6kY1M5QJQ/s1600-h/Picture+067.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC53q1DW3QRI_Er3BaTXrIJ4Yvt7SGP912n1JnKYU4qxak8ZrKHyAM8HFInveH6KBR6oYIcxYJvniDB8Th6ojDffGBdXsEh0ybvosmGjIEMNtdYNECUeackqFZ8sX5ahH99X6kY1M5QJQ/s400/Picture+067.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380683976831869042" /></a><br />The prices are unbeatable too, I think what I have photographed there was just a little over $20.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-82092461121647436882009-08-20T20:47:00.000-07:002009-08-20T21:15:26.183-07:00Gifts of Graditude<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIwJnSdW1NUl9IuCwcbxnPrWt_uhHzqLecE2SY-auDLHLchHMutwGq3sQhXjlXGZxJZKZkjDsoKGRpVOUAWuKcznmzr4CvaUCk3HkzbBW3UVnnBE_kKCKVB_AJJmRgZYp5ogzchNcmjw/s1600-h/P8150040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372261041604423554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 329px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIwJnSdW1NUl9IuCwcbxnPrWt_uhHzqLecE2SY-auDLHLchHMutwGq3sQhXjlXGZxJZKZkjDsoKGRpVOUAWuKcznmzr4CvaUCk3HkzbBW3UVnnBE_kKCKVB_AJJmRgZYp5ogzchNcmjw/s400/P8150040.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It has taken me awhile to get back into the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">rhythm</span> of things after our wonderful trip to the beach. Honestly I think I was dealing with a little post-beach depression! I grumbled and lazed about thinking of all the fun we had and wishing we were still there for a good week, I think we all did really. Now things have gotten back to normal, the laundry is all caught up and regular routines are (mostly) back on track. I knew the first thing I wanted to do once we reached homeostasis was to get some baking done for the wonderful family members who dog-sat and kept our plants from wilting. You all know how I feel about pies, they just make everything better! <a href="http://bellapepper.blogspot.com/2008/07/begining.html">Triple Berry Pie</a>, the recipe is from my first post ever :D</div><div> </div><div>I hope everyone else has a great weekend, I think I may be doing a little bit of preserving and we might even get in a little family day trip. Summer is almost over and even though I am longing for fall I want to make the best out of this lazy time.</div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-38199610237198366112009-08-18T17:38:00.000-07:002009-08-18T18:05:38.636-07:00Red<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHXEZMub9nBhAb-Y4tASq4uLKBDNxZjnrJ385NXpb4prMy4gjOii09pyqN71n67j5-KDVT6f369J81zxQId3m11dTIlMCCTa8qfxdjdB76kpqdI-1B3O9IqDEYmhcz-brX2O0I8VR7AQ/s1600-h/P8180022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371472801243967810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHXEZMub9nBhAb-Y4tASq4uLKBDNxZjnrJ385NXpb4prMy4gjOii09pyqN71n67j5-KDVT6f369J81zxQId3m11dTIlMCCTa8qfxdjdB76kpqdI-1B3O9IqDEYmhcz-brX2O0I8VR7AQ/s400/P8180022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm seeing red in a good way around here. I got some of the last strawberries of the season at the farmers market today, which have been frozen for smoothies. I hope they have a couple more half flats next week so that I can fill up my freezer with these sweet things.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbedsPNi3d2XFvyZmcChRqaVFMIsXdq2sWXTr5ABOwj0W0kv1WX3HZ0T-2NZlgXHp8OT0J5ItnrEYUno_PlniPI8DL-YMYm7ZRYxkvrvU0azn3Yx2QfQd6ZN00WM2hM6_azeYH0XKjdTg/s1600-h/P8150007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371472789025695122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbedsPNi3d2XFvyZmcChRqaVFMIsXdq2sWXTr5ABOwj0W0kv1WX3HZ0T-2NZlgXHp8OT0J5ItnrEYUno_PlniPI8DL-YMYm7ZRYxkvrvU0azn3Yx2QfQd6ZN00WM2hM6_azeYH0XKjdTg/s400/P8150007.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Perfectly ripe tomatoes came from my friend Ryan's garden, gotta love friends with over producing gardens! These were hastily made into salsa to feed the freezer.<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefKvLDSwcrtTd8W34D35Jmkck0itWbPEuOXWoZApyFdiJxcdjn1xoQzOfmPXJxHaRn0mjYkJvW7vTPmMsy9wW1dyy5UlK_3W5N9FkBiew4qWPJBM2OVevGCSadtdqoK9tP36tcdkzPe8/s1600-h/P8170013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371472781105891570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefKvLDSwcrtTd8W34D35Jmkck0itWbPEuOXWoZApyFdiJxcdjn1xoQzOfmPXJxHaRn0mjYkJvW7vTPmMsy9wW1dyy5UlK_3W5N9FkBiew4qWPJBM2OVevGCSadtdqoK9tP36tcdkzPe8/s400/P8170013.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>I tend to live my life kick by kick and this summers kick? Preserving of course. I am hoping to make this into a habit, it's really seeming to be cost effective.</div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-21710057507997333342009-08-08T20:58:00.000-07:002009-08-08T21:07:11.155-07:00Knitting NewsThere will definitely be more pictures from our trip, but for now you will just have to settle for some knitting news. The long car ride and the lazy morning at the beach gave me many happy knitting hours. So much so that my sweater is actually starting to look like a sweater!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfynpWZwLYsDo9InP2zv2ihibl8jYX10HpczWGaHD-K9-wRrp_zWkO4xmwcOkRZIF0dskV9jAga_S8tgAyxZdKdsxBTpLeVA6ucV7zGX_W4aGw13uvTrV4bZQ9BoCKy1yxKLD-dgvrbg/s1600-h/P8070147.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367808850917910194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfynpWZwLYsDo9InP2zv2ihibl8jYX10HpczWGaHD-K9-wRrp_zWkO4xmwcOkRZIF0dskV9jAga_S8tgAyxZdKdsxBTpLeVA6ucV7zGX_W4aGw13uvTrV4bZQ9BoCKy1yxKLD-dgvrbg/s400/P8070147.JPG" border="0" /></a> The bodice is about 3/4 of the way done now and then I just have the sleeves. I am having so much fun knitting this that it's really hard to put it down. I hoping that it will be done in September when the Mister and I go away for the weekend.<br /><div> </div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-78386021643002764962009-08-07T10:31:00.000-07:002009-08-07T14:45:32.716-07:00At The Beach<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyt5hwG5ECJ50iDavXcO4FMge1icdTTgFKEZyvbQuXRM6iYxdGveZtc9EunST2gu-y4zLSPHArBHVkwXx1xhGTXkw99PJgq4IG2V_RYb-GtgD24n5x28bfTffxIBEteKFrV9heBiOa5I/s1600-h/P8040185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367339758500261442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyt5hwG5ECJ50iDavXcO4FMge1icdTTgFKEZyvbQuXRM6iYxdGveZtc9EunST2gu-y4zLSPHArBHVkwXx1xhGTXkw99PJgq4IG2V_RYb-GtgD24n5x28bfTffxIBEteKFrV9heBiOa5I/s400/P8040185.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEE7oGoHv2i20SR-S21SZ2dvWDdCwNxd9utInkayavT3iOr1-AgdVUXbvCRjDBjlySG0gxat4RrMHIImqJ3sEWZKJRpDp_GpCPcvs-2jQTPXPJzqCElj2tcmv0YMomCGt7k7GwwpPMpLs/s1600-h/P8040187.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367337938329896162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEE7oGoHv2i20SR-S21SZ2dvWDdCwNxd9utInkayavT3iOr1-AgdVUXbvCRjDBjlySG0gxat4RrMHIImqJ3sEWZKJRpDp_GpCPcvs-2jQTPXPJzqCElj2tcmv0YMomCGt7k7GwwpPMpLs/s400/P8040187.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgQsJ-RiMF1pvXRRViOUpohKQFUtXv7UrWk0nitXaMJTGu9fFzwGrkaPMOplutmk4fMBlRNZcJmI_nVv2MsUN7RScrbqeNx9ghqXcRDSjfaeivz7f3Mh9lea62PNTPePj1t_qPtqfqQk/s1600-h/P8040181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367337216490655602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgQsJ-RiMF1pvXRRViOUpohKQFUtXv7UrWk0nitXaMJTGu9fFzwGrkaPMOplutmk4fMBlRNZcJmI_nVv2MsUN7RScrbqeNx9ghqXcRDSjfaeivz7f3Mh9lea62PNTPePj1t_qPtqfqQk/s400/P8040181.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyQG7cPhkQ41paaG8mhTgX8m1Th1FFXGIZBI6hLASGsOQg8L9uHKAZtUC_08tMvOe7LOwQseuHjdq7aQ06h3jTDmzwVbyA05wKo1P9zYTe1QWF9FMDgytp8jDaBsslrF1TMo7HCmeCPU/s1600-h/P8040191.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367336565905367954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyQG7cPhkQ41paaG8mhTgX8m1Th1FFXGIZBI6hLASGsOQg8L9uHKAZtUC_08tMvOe7LOwQseuHjdq7aQ06h3jTDmzwVbyA05wKo1P9zYTe1QWF9FMDgytp8jDaBsslrF1TMo7HCmeCPU/s400/P8040191.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-JjGSEEtYfQaN7vSbITmeSa9RRhy9-Zbg3bnEmGYgym-lK0trkj0PvD0nIL6ff3_EF-iyjDtS3D3Dg7AxUlCWlTWlFKMuLVfywdTvgO4PccE4o7hwa1_8UZIY8gVBuOX1vB1JkE0yhQ/s1600-h/P8040195.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367335950420590130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-JjGSEEtYfQaN7vSbITmeSa9RRhy9-Zbg3bnEmGYgym-lK0trkj0PvD0nIL6ff3_EF-iyjDtS3D3Dg7AxUlCWlTWlFKMuLVfywdTvgO4PccE4o7hwa1_8UZIY8gVBuOX1vB1JkE0yhQ/s400/P8040195.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>We are just back from four awesome days up at Patricks Point. Warm camp fires, waves crashing, seaguls flying, sunsets, starfish, seashells, sea lions barking, long morinings, good memories, and even some good knitting time, yes four days was just not enough. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I can't wait to share more, but for now the laundry beckons....</div></div></div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-30555484382545887962009-07-30T11:16:00.000-07:002009-07-30T11:44:24.082-07:00Dot PaintsSwimming lessons are over, gymnastics are over, and we are between camping trips right now. The weather has really started to heat up and we have been spending more time indoors then originally planned. Our art supplies are dwindling and I really need to start thinking about my order to the discount school supply this fall. Then I remember that I still had something that I had never used, my <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=751&keyword=dot%20paint">dot paint bottles</a>!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9ohu80Kflu-Op0vRP01MQDqpwO_-7J9t5M_EgOhrUBKSfYeUwt-hi6l7opEizMP1hG3JLpZwEKmRUfJDHaikO0TjdC-hSnfRr-DkWTzpuPzX6pE7pDKuqMSvSQ5Xam3r7AOgf1YGBlY/s1600-h/P7270124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364322799633827858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9ohu80Kflu-Op0vRP01MQDqpwO_-7J9t5M_EgOhrUBKSfYeUwt-hi6l7opEizMP1hG3JLpZwEKmRUfJDHaikO0TjdC-hSnfRr-DkWTzpuPzX6pE7pDKuqMSvSQ5Xam3r7AOgf1YGBlY/s400/P7270124.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The girls went to town and made a much bigger mess then they usually do with things, well it's was just P really. One of the reason why I love dot paints so much is because of the lack of mess, but really Wild Thing can make a mess out of anything!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf4YNj6dBIg6M8pT1TTveFD3TQ1vc6kUDKEt_UuTvwhjU90BSfzDRmalRMlOBSGCN9T6BOydqzV9r4dzfmgqBMxKgDagqMMHKT-erWC6MA9q73pkL-k6TqWIq6m9uhB6mhJK0oe5hrI0/s1600-h/P7270131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364322795093169570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf4YNj6dBIg6M8pT1TTveFD3TQ1vc6kUDKEt_UuTvwhjU90BSfzDRmalRMlOBSGCN9T6BOydqzV9r4dzfmgqBMxKgDagqMMHKT-erWC6MA9q73pkL-k6TqWIq6m9uhB6mhJK0oe5hrI0/s400/P7270131.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxtTf1CxiE-9TKH1q7HuGrghmmZ44SD-3rFyDFo7D_CJ2VoilNtFKGKnuSnfuzaO781kPOArx3B7uTvqRi9Wo7CtjYaYamsYNdRH7oWlF1XaQ6mKu4xTVu9SbumQ897BkYBVCACUr85U/s1600-h/P7270127.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364322790755608706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxtTf1CxiE-9TKH1q7HuGrghmmZ44SD-3rFyDFo7D_CJ2VoilNtFKGKnuSnfuzaO781kPOArx3B7uTvqRi9Wo7CtjYaYamsYNdRH7oWlF1XaQ6mKu4xTVu9SbumQ897BkYBVCACUr85U/s400/P7270127.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I just love how there personalities shine through already in there work. P is wild and beautiful and very interesting.</div><div> </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5b_T0hQGHWrC97UnqDwX0KdrX6vwj2UClBlDaIsK-C9cpdXEzc4FU4i6NchHdfNm_B5xruAt-chR9TvW1NE7UC9yi9dR8c3ITY3LjkRWd9LYtKcYdOKcXGIU6_vp1Vx9yJLWI0bLI6c/s1600-h/P7300157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364322782877029698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5b_T0hQGHWrC97UnqDwX0KdrX6vwj2UClBlDaIsK-C9cpdXEzc4FU4i6NchHdfNm_B5xruAt-chR9TvW1NE7UC9yi9dR8c3ITY3LjkRWd9LYtKcYdOKcXGIU6_vp1Vx9yJLWI0bLI6c/s400/P7300157.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />L is drawn to beautiful things and loves learning new things.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-vcOdT1S-0-HIVUYG72KYgITB3X0g0gHCd5mJXXF3wWQMKxdup33q2CwN871ciajf2Xd_J2W25oUN-jtKQguTKK2dqJNnNpx7zebfwP_E1WyA7x6Pjjftqais-7IXDZ8AuZVRjaMAlQ/s1600-h/P7300156.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364322773838172034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-vcOdT1S-0-HIVUYG72KYgITB3X0g0gHCd5mJXXF3wWQMKxdup33q2CwN871ciajf2Xd_J2W25oUN-jtKQguTKK2dqJNnNpx7zebfwP_E1WyA7x6Pjjftqais-7IXDZ8AuZVRjaMAlQ/s400/P7300156.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>I would love to hear some other easy summer craft ideas, especially those will small cleanups!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-6933109503790552942009-07-27T21:59:00.000-07:002009-07-27T22:33:56.826-07:00Pie Makes Everything BetterI don't know how you feel about pie, but for me it seems to be a sort of cure all. I'm not talking about sitting down to eat a nice warm piece of pie and finding <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">heavenly</span> bliss I think it's much more then that for me. It seems that whenever I find myself upset, stressed, or in a funk that I seem to find myself in the kitchen baking a pie. Now I know this probably sounds quite <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ludicrous</span>, to leave the house in chaos, unplug the phone and bake a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">frickin</span>' pie, but it works. With all the crap that can go on in this life, all the things that can go wrong, tear you down and leave you dry, sometimes something as perfect as pie can just seem to wash that all away. Maybe it's the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">rhythmic</span> rolling of the dough, the gently way you have to handle the crust, or just the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sugar</span> I don't know. With uneven crusts, gooey overflowing insides, and slightly crisp edges it has such beauty in the imperfectness. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wQdCcYCbXz-aMwDJIaDcsbhAGGrt9DC8yF2kRY1LToU6_ND6-ycO959t6D2_esBvbnEDL35jMAO_-n5oEh-VZPw7wEEmR1ORYC2lJmqOgupyJomlme9NcURQY34aXg0RufMr5OOyXsk/s1600-h/P7240098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363372180518233826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wQdCcYCbXz-aMwDJIaDcsbhAGGrt9DC8yF2kRY1LToU6_ND6-ycO959t6D2_esBvbnEDL35jMAO_-n5oEh-VZPw7wEEmR1ORYC2lJmqOgupyJomlme9NcURQY34aXg0RufMr5OOyXsk/s400/P7240098.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And really how can <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">any day</span> be truly horrible when there is pie <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">involved</span>?<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbO90RR1zAkIoGA89QXZsgcgCgHCshI-rOYIJeB3bXdAW5pfZx_S_JjcIrMyG9f_2y32cInTkhRHtoNb4tEZfG81n1MuBhtVuHrAuGMJORwYTjGG43E57g_qgKoSx4-2NqkRqu3AML8U/s1600-h/P7230095.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363372173739540098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbO90RR1zAkIoGA89QXZsgcgCgHCshI-rOYIJeB3bXdAW5pfZx_S_JjcIrMyG9f_2y32cInTkhRHtoNb4tEZfG81n1MuBhtVuHrAuGMJORwYTjGG43E57g_qgKoSx4-2NqkRqu3AML8U/s400/P7230095.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Latest hat for <a href="http://bellapepper.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-month-challenge.html">One A Month</a> had me changing thing up a bit. I decided to knit this one for a chemo patient instead of the homeless. This was a much funner knit!</div><div> </div><div>P.S. This post sounds WAY to perfect, pie and charity knits, come on! But honestly I was horribly PMS this week and didn't do much else besides knit and eat deserts ;)</div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-69980536779858202302009-07-24T08:02:00.000-07:002009-07-24T08:41:30.865-07:00DollsHere I am midsummer again and thinking of Christmas. Handmade holidays can be a bit of work, but man it's fun work! These girls were a lot of fun and I've been really excited to show them in this space.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgof7qCM6iF_P3wWA78WXgQv-pZS1JurLqNMeyL0EVPbJx4d3F0kAJA4ivBR3ZLJetaMmc7SdGwxzQQDyCmKKwTgvz2_G14btmOqW2V9sjTUatSX9oldXm-RVCNEe83nFZQPM4q9wt0HOg/s1600-h/P7230119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362047086173082914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgof7qCM6iF_P3wWA78WXgQv-pZS1JurLqNMeyL0EVPbJx4d3F0kAJA4ivBR3ZLJetaMmc7SdGwxzQQDyCmKKwTgvz2_G14btmOqW2V9sjTUatSX9oldXm-RVCNEe83nFZQPM4q9wt0HOg/s400/P7230119.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This little sweetie will be traveling all the way to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Florida</span> to be loved my spunky <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">blonde</span> haired niece.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMwlRcriqVNOtLsfuzH0rk3HHWYcxYfQe1vIe2WiDlSBYZ2wpmPi2Ktfew1L-D_Fyc6KcVI8iAm__H3m_MOCSRTS4wdpZ_Pf9Kf6hegPVdLkmVVQT4HkfB4t-YcVYB_0wyduPekInxEQ/s1600-h/P7230121.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362047080341763538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMwlRcriqVNOtLsfuzH0rk3HHWYcxYfQe1vIe2WiDlSBYZ2wpmPi2Ktfew1L-D_Fyc6KcVI8iAm__H3m_MOCSRTS4wdpZ_Pf9Kf6hegPVdLkmVVQT4HkfB4t-YcVYB_0wyduPekInxEQ/s400/P7230121.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>She gets to stay here with her pink counterpart L.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fh7Dec3wRwhHAYXlCjxMeggaNDG3X7n6HRUfpjAxbXyfl579CcGkzieRYEOh00JFlzaB5fDDlv39midgv836A1OjHsGLj1wpRsx0GADnGNmQlNEK-j5_LIqGu-iqfuiB2I7JtrUl_Zk/s1600-h/P7230112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362047074077032194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fh7Dec3wRwhHAYXlCjxMeggaNDG3X7n6HRUfpjAxbXyfl579CcGkzieRYEOh00JFlzaB5fDDlv39midgv836A1OjHsGLj1wpRsx0GADnGNmQlNEK-j5_LIqGu-iqfuiB2I7JtrUl_Zk/s400/P7230112.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>This lovely with the flower in her hair will go to my spunky little P.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXCNlLUOujV0pFk5E_r_E5csA9Vk9IMQ0X5bEGL_i1grCX3iD0of2zsKq4kEnNXJ4bpmXr5WJz9FMi25kAIQMHg1upOILXpl1rUfxNcFfp9X9Ql2mYf8ou3HatMJ5oaCxFlI8o2ZyfnI/s1600-h/P7230126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362047069854552066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXCNlLUOujV0pFk5E_r_E5csA9Vk9IMQ0X5bEGL_i1grCX3iD0of2zsKq4kEnNXJ4bpmXr5WJz9FMi25kAIQMHg1upOILXpl1rUfxNcFfp9X9Ql2mYf8ou3HatMJ5oaCxFlI8o2ZyfnI/s400/P7230126.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>This little Pixie with go to my littlest sister who I'm sure will enjoy dragging her all around the house!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1w-5WK6tSPJiuCodNbb9xj2WIzDgJFXVy88jF_qFy-cvZmSEJh1c8wCEjvsYxaFPdAIxB1hwLYAETk7xUkQfpiRn61Aq_E5c0rmAUkJtLr8B6DX5wdOPQM_9OI6WbiG4x3bbvAJIjO8/s1600-h/P7230096.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362047065267206978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1w-5WK6tSPJiuCodNbb9xj2WIzDgJFXVy88jF_qFy-cvZmSEJh1c8wCEjvsYxaFPdAIxB1hwLYAETk7xUkQfpiRn61Aq_E5c0rmAUkJtLr8B6DX5wdOPQM_9OI6WbiG4x3bbvAJIjO8/s400/P7230096.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>All four were made with the free <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/black-apple-doll?lnc=38f9cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=showmain_tv_the-martha-stewart-show">Black Apple doll</a> pattern. I have one more that still needs some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tweeking</span> and may even make a couple more before the holidays. The pattern was easy (although I did have to enlarge it more then it said) and I really can't recommend it enough. </div><div> </div><div>If anyone else is starting up there stash of Christmas gifts I loved to hear about them as well!</div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-27386544606195014832009-07-20T15:52:00.000-07:002009-07-20T15:57:17.672-07:00A Book Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjSEKZNapDLY3On599qNotdJdlu01PNA0eb9UxEqtgHootyenzSND4KqUhtDEZSvVki9UYapBUPGhPMuHonjjSR_8MGl5pVeg7-OJQQekic-wYjA_HALZruzvRTY4HX2H7m9HDWl5MG8/s1600-h/P1010338.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360680019434080978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjSEKZNapDLY3On599qNotdJdlu01PNA0eb9UxEqtgHootyenzSND4KqUhtDEZSvVki9UYapBUPGhPMuHonjjSR_8MGl5pVeg7-OJQQekic-wYjA_HALZruzvRTY4HX2H7m9HDWl5MG8/s400/P1010338.JPG" border="0" /></a>Great writing, but don't read unless you have a really strong stomach........<br /><div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-82659725828952617052009-07-16T20:21:00.000-07:002009-07-16T21:00:23.312-07:00Happy KnittingAfter the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">monstrous</span> orange baby blanket I really wasn't feeling the knitting love. It took me WEEKS to finish those last few inches and I really lost the meditative release that knitting usually offers me. I had to really work to get that back with my new <a href="http://bellapepper.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-month-challenge.html">One a Month</a> hat. It took me a week to knit the first inch and I was not "feeling the love". I then stopped and reminded myself that this was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">supposed</span> to be fun and I really needed to allow myself some time just to knit and enjoy it, to really get in the grove. So I did just that and threw in a movie for good measure and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wah</span>-la it's finished just two days later.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqi4sXaBuz_YAxSRCCwT_nILAM68VZ4b5W6BQCVuVqeXMJMfh6l_SSDXA5LPN1YTqypJ2MOiGNYUq0cuf8_3f_WDyb2Ojf8M08wsr_DnUTGLqxWUGCTyQP5yZkmJwSKCMZpRM9A5KLgI/s1600-h/P7160110.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359265117649662002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqi4sXaBuz_YAxSRCCwT_nILAM68VZ4b5W6BQCVuVqeXMJMfh6l_SSDXA5LPN1YTqypJ2MOiGNYUq0cuf8_3f_WDyb2Ojf8M08wsr_DnUTGLqxWUGCTyQP5yZkmJwSKCMZpRM9A5KLgI/s400/P7160110.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />When I'm not catching up on charity knits I have big exciting plans. I am starting my first sweater! I know, I know the excitement is palpable...but since very few read this blog, I can be as excited as I want! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Woohoo</span>!!!!!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocSnlPOzeVv5zS44evZMfLQ0aAJYT9CWXS7vW_0x5zA9tR_ATPearaoo68Z1uDD6XaiArMCWG0OL0K3pxkNH99xBI-wZE1LLK52kFID4VV_JY1sC7VM-L5M0wIw8crX1OTWqZuIYivK4/s1600-h/P7160101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359265113979776738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocSnlPOzeVv5zS44evZMfLQ0aAJYT9CWXS7vW_0x5zA9tR_ATPearaoo68Z1uDD6XaiArMCWG0OL0K3pxkNH99xBI-wZE1LLK52kFID4VV_JY1sC7VM-L5M0wIw8crX1OTWqZuIYivK4/s400/P7160101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8085792552269297505.post-9259636947003535972009-07-15T19:01:00.000-07:002009-07-15T20:19:01.737-07:00Jam!It's all about connections isn't it? Like when you meet a family with fruit trees you know there are good times to come. This Sunday they were gracious enough to freely share there blessings with us. Micah climbed right up and got me a sack full of ripe plums.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCViG6eoAEBCeOGnKZPSF018r7Hy6UFyJS2iBvVAVE6rLusMYmlxLjnQKWsExgrxlsBVV6HUu7YCn-2to6DEV6ZyKjex0bsmEtduwKb1cXmBxpMqbWJV_43G62_ceqJE_lZF5I7RRcwNU/s1600-h/P7120018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358874171099814034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCViG6eoAEBCeOGnKZPSF018r7Hy6UFyJS2iBvVAVE6rLusMYmlxLjnQKWsExgrxlsBVV6HUu7YCn-2to6DEV6ZyKjex0bsmEtduwKb1cXmBxpMqbWJV_43G62_ceqJE_lZF5I7RRcwNU/s400/P7120018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I had my sister come over who was nearly jumping up and down at the thought of making jam with me. She was such a good stirrer.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnn222H5f-UIF3i4IwGhrZBHXpHQ0Nm3SmjZ0W7_td4RQEpx1LjU1LXziqPI81Mz7Yk4uPoEkm9pIts1UkiX01kzhzi7yrIF4WGXv2mrOv-I2emfmTkt-CXe1k3opjHIhmP_8RYKpb34/s1600-h/P7130036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358874165876077698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnn222H5f-UIF3i4IwGhrZBHXpHQ0Nm3SmjZ0W7_td4RQEpx1LjU1LXziqPI81Mz7Yk4uPoEkm9pIts1UkiX01kzhzi7yrIF4WGXv2mrOv-I2emfmTkt-CXe1k3opjHIhmP_8RYKpb34/s400/P7130036.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Placing the filled jars into the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">canner</span> is the funnest part for me (well, next to taking them out).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptCOUXppdTu8I-Dl-pXLIQO-nlPKTvbuZlxC2ZJglfX_-RrDddmYm8FzqnoYOZiR_g1czuAJIM_gvie0RAMwWUGFrymm0UvszBJeY1R4KKkCWTvrEti2JctEe9EBFBx7Bj8DcicAHg5c/s1600-h/P7130040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358874154846632274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptCOUXppdTu8I-Dl-pXLIQO-nlPKTvbuZlxC2ZJglfX_-RrDddmYm8FzqnoYOZiR_g1czuAJIM_gvie0RAMwWUGFrymm0UvszBJeY1R4KKkCWTvrEti2JctEe9EBFBx7Bj8DcicAHg5c/s400/P7130040.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>We made 10 cups of organic plum jam in just about 2 hours. On the list of worthwhile homesteading activities I am definitely putting this one up there in the well worth it category. You see I spent about $3 on pectin, sugar and a few cents spent on electricity and the other supplies needed I already had on hand. I then produced about $20 worth of jam in less then 2 hours. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBfR5xg4dMnoYCO5bItEf7xTnPOiLEa24iAkTLe1x6Q-8O1wlBZZwJkU_P3hvuHTzV6mq0XFr3SXcvFFscKv0kcEhatKtghpBFt_4_fpihODV9U6Gik7O_yB0wy0fDwTrV5hI9cm0bIw/s1600-h/P7130045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358874142715330066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBfR5xg4dMnoYCO5bItEf7xTnPOiLEa24iAkTLe1x6Q-8O1wlBZZwJkU_P3hvuHTzV6mq0XFr3SXcvFFscKv0kcEhatKtghpBFt_4_fpihODV9U6Gik7O_yB0wy0fDwTrV5hI9cm0bIw/s400/P7130045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Sorry, hope my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nerdy</span> calculations don't bother you I just really love saving money!<br /></div><div></div>BellaPepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07085927135034293029noreply@blogger.com1