tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80073386652049526742024-03-05T04:50:48.890-06:00Pearls & RosesA place to share, inspire and transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007338665204952674.post-75818035469745006162017-01-18T10:40:00.004-06:002017-01-18T10:40:50.352-06:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Fall 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Six months have passed since Mom's 80th birthday. Summer has come and gone, kids are back in school. Also, my oldest daughter and granddaughter have moved back to the area close to my Mom. Which is a huge relief for me because now I have someone besides my brother to check in on my Mom. My daughter is busy starting a new career as a 4th grade teacher plus being a Mother herself to a 7 year old, but she loves her Grandma and makes time on weekends to drop by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I come for a visit in the Fall to see all of them. Everything appears to be going well until I look in my Mom's refrigerator and kitchen cabinets and notice that she hardly has any food. I ask her what she's been eating and she said she has plenty to eat. All I can see is popcorn, which she tells me her doctor says is the best fiber in the world. I dont think I've heard that from the American Medical Board but decide it is not worth arguing over, but suggest we take a trip to the grocery store. She offers to drive and we go our merry way. She shops at a Neighborhood Wal-Mart that she has been going to for years and is about 2-3 miles from her house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A hundred dollars of groceries takes us over an hour to get because she scans the shelf's on each aisle like everything is a new item she has never seen. Mind you, she has a list but can't read her own writing or seem to understand the words and letters that she penned.. Another curious thing I notice is that when I suggest items that I know she has frequently used through the years, she questions me of what that is. The one I thought was truly odd was the cooking spray, Pam; she asked me what would she use that for. When I told her she claimed, oh that must be a new product. What? New? Hasn't Pam been around since the 80's? Nevertheless, we unload the bags into her car and begin to exit the parking lot when she pauses at the end of the lanes. She's looking back and forth and there are no cars close to us whatsoever. She sighs and kind of slumps her shoulders in indecision. She comments that sometimes she gets confused on the way to go. I am obviously staring at her in disbelief and then she says, "Oh, yeah, I think it's this way." I immediately question her and ask what's going on (wish I would have been more delicate during these times but the shock overcomes me). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I ask her, "Mom, do you know where we are?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sure, I just get confused in the parking lot. It all looks the same."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Well take your time, and try heading to the right."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She drives another 10 yards, then exclaims, "Oh, that's right," and starts driving home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mind is racing with questions and concerns. After a few silent moments of knowing she did know where to go and could drive us home. I asked her if this happened before?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She said it's happened but its okay, she just forgot. So begins the excuses part of the journey. I just woke up, I'm just tired, etc, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few weeks later, she calls to tell me that she has had a horrible experience while rushing her dog to the emergency vet in the next town over. She doesnt leave her town much so I knew her driving there must have been overwhelming plus her dog wasn't doing well. In the panic of the moment she gets lost. Some parts of this town you dont want to get lost because it really is the wrong side of the tracks. She stops downtown, and asks a stranger (I'm thinking it was most likely a homeless person, but weill never find out) and gets to her destination. Sammie is fine, but now she said she's scared to drive. I recommend that she probably needs to limit her driving to her city and places that she frequents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And everything goes to normal, for awhile.</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007338665204952674.post-79961038065339654612017-01-18T08:05:00.002-06:002017-01-18T08:05:20.171-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Long and Winding Road</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It seems funny that five years ago when I started this blog it was about decorating and traveling and holidays. Happy things that I loved to do, and was inspired to do because my Mom loved them too. Somewhere along the line I got busy raising my family and sadly stopped posting anything at all. The name of this blog comes from my Mom's first name and middle name; Pearl Rose. Which is ironic because that is what I now want this to be about...my Mom. About the strange, and confusing realization that someone you love has something wrong that is not easily identifiable or curable. That wakes you in the middle of the night because you think you've almost got your mind around it. We still don't know what it is officially called because we are still traveling the road to discovery, enlightenment or utter desperation. And while I try my best to keep my sanity intact and help my Mom any way I can I wanted to journal our journey so I remember how and when it all happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I realized about two years that something was not quite right with my Mom. That would be February of 2015. We were preparing for a 80th birthday celebration for her and started noticing little things she did or said that seemed odd. Also, I noticed that she was staying home all the time! She had literally become a recluse which wasn't her. Almost avoiding people. She hadn't come for a visit to see us in almost two years, which was very odd. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next most unsettling revelation was when I would come in town unannounced I would find her in dirty clothes with her hair not done and something burnt on the stove. This was not my Mom. She would make jokes to laugh my questions away. She became very good and changing the subject. But, I knew something was not right. I talked to my husband about it but he said it was nothing, she was getting older. I talked to my younger brother and he also hadn't noticed any changes. But something gnawed at me about what I was feeling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">About this same time I heard from my Mom that her sister, Betty had been diagnosed with Alzheimers. My Mom couldn't explain it very well, but had heard from Betty that they (her family) kept taking her to the doctors and she didn't know why; she wasn't sick so what was going on. Her family had explained to her what the doctors had said but since it made no sense to her she rebuked it. Which made my Mom do so as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To be fair I had been around my Aunt and she seemed fine. She didn't seem ill. She knew me and my kids, and Alzheimers meant you forgot everything. This seems almost hysterical as I write this because that is not how this disease goes. It steals bits and pieces while you're not even looking. Some days you are "on" and can fool everyone around you, especially in the beginning. Other days you are at a loss for the most common words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So the journey begins...</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007338665204952674.post-22085844796376404952012-02-14T12:08:00.000-06:002012-02-14T12:08:53.346-06:00Love is in the Air<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6x-eHebyj9MH_8p-O45ekm-WcSnSljGdZS5Fb7iv73_KIPpIULErNledVJpkR2QuM5ajhIPZL1IukbxlXvhKwp411d1W9umQBZ5Hs0npKVyrklCAINSVbCTIjJ7nVNZIFdK_ZcMtiDzz/s1600/February+Subway+Art--Black-Red.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6x-eHebyj9MH_8p-O45ekm-WcSnSljGdZS5Fb7iv73_KIPpIULErNledVJpkR2QuM5ajhIPZL1IukbxlXvhKwp411d1W9umQBZ5Hs0npKVyrklCAINSVbCTIjJ7nVNZIFdK_ZcMtiDzz/s200/February+Subway+Art--Black-Red.png" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely print to frame for decorations</td></tr>
</tbody></table><h2 align="center" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">What to give those you Love</span><o:p></o:p></span></h2><div><div class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span> <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The great romantic holiday, Valentine’s Day is upon us again and I am still trying to come up with the perfect gift for my dh and three children and granddaughter. I have bought some items but none that seem to adequately convey how much they are to my world.<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"></span>I hate shopping in the stores for stuff because that never seems to have enough sentiment to it. I am making two things for my hubby. One is this really cute pillowcase that I found on Tip Junkie’s blog, but was originally designed by Creature Comforts. The downloaded image is all ready to be printed on iron on transfer paper, then I just need to buy two pillowcases, I already have transfer paper so I load the transfer paper into my printer, print it on the paper side, apply the transfer to the pre-washed pillowcases , and Voila! This was from the movie, “Jerry Maguire”, in case it seemed familiar from you but you forgot the movie title. The completed project looks like this:</span><o:p></o:p></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLlJLs2XLYOeuSLbNsFiJNjf9G6BRH3J6LOTjuURopMaAR23JKYo07DbTx3Au3jPBlD-bt-Ohte-m-hSK8HD7BmfiQbkNUan3HG87QbDpObpqlt9u7_H7Y3pJDIdH_LxN-uZGE4Mh0X5G/s1600/you+complete+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLlJLs2XLYOeuSLbNsFiJNjf9G6BRH3J6LOTjuURopMaAR23JKYo07DbTx3Au3jPBlD-bt-Ohte-m-hSK8HD7BmfiQbkNUan3HG87QbDpObpqlt9u7_H7Y3pJDIdH_LxN-uZGE4Mh0X5G/s320/you+complete+me.jpg" width="203" /></a><span style="color: #990033; font-family: 'Felix Titling'; font-size: 18pt;">Shared</span><span style="color: #990033; font-size: 18pt;"> By</span></div><h4><span style="color: #b84a81; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Creature Comforts<o:p></o:p></span></h4><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/01/valentine-freebie-ironon-transfer-for-your-pillows.html"></a></span><a href="http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/01/valentine-freebie-ironon-transfer-for-your-pillows.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/01/valentine-freebie-ironon-transfer-for-your-pillows.html</span></a><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCg9jq08u_sl1I52lIl1sk6g62F0eM8-z4fEgEHpGSRLmq6DAD05haq5olGAElup6tVsHZ-3GZA4A9s9AITxdpxNurrDc05UDITDnOpmRtnLM0nZjhpht-PQpOFz0DUdCzU4xCHAeKvn4/s1600/true+love+begins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCg9jq08u_sl1I52lIl1sk6g62F0eM8-z4fEgEHpGSRLmq6DAD05haq5olGAElup6tVsHZ-3GZA4A9s9AITxdpxNurrDc05UDITDnOpmRtnLM0nZjhpht-PQpOFz0DUdCzU4xCHAeKvn4/s320/true+love+begins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span style="line-height: 125%;">Then I found this beautiful quote that I turned into a print that I have printed and have framed. After you have been married 26 years it is the words that don't get said anymore that are the most important to say. </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 125%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECBolpxK-_Tfu306rLFoz7ny4OIXgTk3kQHS_OVtgngF_MeN07_No96L9GNbD27fso2j4Ozut1qerQCjuhqvE_c_FBO13gdHkpL42KgvcVj6WN0ZxjEknVx2_W6GGN9aYTJFDPaSxgHgy/s1600/love+never+fails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECBolpxK-_Tfu306rLFoz7ny4OIXgTk3kQHS_OVtgngF_MeN07_No96L9GNbD27fso2j4Ozut1qerQCjuhqvE_c_FBO13gdHkpL42KgvcVj6WN0ZxjEknVx2_W6GGN9aYTJFDPaSxgHgy/s200/love+never+fails.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I thought I would share what I think are some of the best movies about "Love" that are out there. I know I didn't include Love Story because it is just too darn sad for Valentine's Day, or the Vow because I thought it was tragic what those two had to go through. I am sure there are more out there that would be wonderful to watch with your sweetie. Send me your top ten or twenty list, I would love to see it. Here's hoping your Valentine's Day is filled with Amore.</span></div><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Top 20 Most Romantic Movies (according to me)</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HNpHdKJYguPPA-QPLcABrOP7vJWGixJBFUr-vQUyOITNLsHQAuuLoI4D-2rjF0j7_kAN5kf0L_g5WGiYMXIlP-3kSn9DU7Xw7qL3hgOzo-B4dv-fHelN8-Ac_WTLyHbjxUpSm8Y4_7Oz/s1600/the-notebook_dl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HNpHdKJYguPPA-QPLcABrOP7vJWGixJBFUr-vQUyOITNLsHQAuuLoI4D-2rjF0j7_kAN5kf0L_g5WGiYMXIlP-3kSn9DU7Xw7qL3hgOzo-B4dv-fHelN8-Ac_WTLyHbjxUpSm8Y4_7Oz/s200/the-notebook_dl.jpg" width="200" /></a> <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. The Notebook (2003) with Ryan Gosling (Noah) and Rachel McAdams (Allie)</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. An Affair to Remember (1957) with Cary Grant (Nicky) and Deborah Kerr (Terry)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Titantic (1997) with Leonardo DiCaprio (Jack) and Kate Winslet (Rose)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Casablanca (1942) with Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa) and Humphrey Bogart (Rick Blaine)</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. West Side Story <span style="text-indent: -18pt;">1961) with Natalie Wood (Maria) and Richard Beymer (Tony)</span> </span><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) with Jim Carrey (Joel) and Kate Winslet (Clementine)</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. Moulin Rouge (2001) with Ewan MacGregor (Christian) and Nicole Kidman (Satine)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. P.S. I Love You (2007) with Gerard Butler (Gerry) and Hillary Swank (Holly)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH7S7BqN5tIj7029J_FQCIC5TgS49Oi6Iclg-ZyGDmkGuVNN_p1JTgLZwhqUDJ2LswRY0nWCW_5qV55aCgZ4jicyH-U-M4w9B9m83sy7gGHNg3RVwEnoT8JXUJ5fUM523nSupq8iK1zVh/s1600/ghost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH7S7BqN5tIj7029J_FQCIC5TgS49Oi6Iclg-ZyGDmkGuVNN_p1JTgLZwhqUDJ2LswRY0nWCW_5qV55aCgZ4jicyH-U-M4w9B9m83sy7gGHNg3RVwEnoT8JXUJ5fUM523nSupq8iK1zVh/s1600/ghost.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. Ghost (1990) with Patrick Swayze (Sam Wheat) and Demi Moore (Molly Jensen)<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10. Gone with the Wind (1939) with Clark Gable (Rhett Butler) and Vivian Leigh (Scarlett O'Hara)</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">13. Dear John (2010) with Amanda Seyfried (Savannah) and Channing Tatum ( John)</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">14. Pride and Prejudice (2005) with Kiera Knightly (Elizabeth Bennett) and Matthew Macfadyen (Mr. Darcy)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15. My Fair Lady (1964) with Audrey Hepburn (Eliza Doolittle) and Rex Harrison (Henry Higgins<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">16. Romeo and Juliet (1996) with Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo) and Claire Danes (Juliet)<o:p></o:p></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp3h5mZCxwGw3lJhkFaiNG0zdqlqNdXXUyZY-r1BfU9Rq3WpZ27drI65b4hD9kypb-18fIT0KgIHe9EhlfFydoABjONlhlYK-r8VZ4FlYoNmbQKC_qBfeZ8u9KeU04YBixJ25l-1Ehx88/s1600/romeo+and+juliet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp3h5mZCxwGw3lJhkFaiNG0zdqlqNdXXUyZY-r1BfU9Rq3WpZ27drI65b4hD9kypb-18fIT0KgIHe9EhlfFydoABjONlhlYK-r8VZ4FlYoNmbQKC_qBfeZ8u9KeU04YBixJ25l-1Ehx88/s1600/romeo+and+juliet.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span style="text-indent: -18pt;">17. The African Queen (1951) with Humphrey Bogart (Captain Charlie Allnut) and Katherine Hepburn (Rose Sayer)</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">18. Dirty Dancing (1987) with Patrick Swayze (Johnny) and Jennifer Grey (Frances aka Baby)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">19. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) with Audrey Hepburn (Holly Golightly) and George Peppard (Paul Varjak)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">20. When Harry Met Sally (1989) with Meg Ryan (Sally) and Billy Crystal (Harry)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJApyjKS8DhiE-r1y4bt6eoS2ofZQ91zMcfi8uWBLhAS1TE0Zv0JrWqxlem6p8uoeJZykdYKE5CJhU4A11hNWkR7qq9zUdY6AhvIzsST3Zlv4l-46G6K2j4iCtuY_Q6tf7_LZshDTldR7/s1600/valentines+gram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJApyjKS8DhiE-r1y4bt6eoS2ofZQ91zMcfi8uWBLhAS1TE0Zv0JrWqxlem6p8uoeJZykdYKE5CJhU4A11hNWkR7qq9zUdY6AhvIzsST3Zlv4l-46G6K2j4iCtuY_Q6tf7_LZshDTldR7/s200/valentines+gram.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Melissa</span></b></i></div><div><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;"><br />
</span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007338665204952674.post-75452758221685614112012-01-25T12:25:00.000-06:002012-01-25T12:25:06.486-06:00Color Me Domestic: Party favors and decorative magnets<a href="http://colormedomestic.blogspot.com/2012/01/party-favors-and-decorative-magnets.html">Color Me Domestic: Party favors and decorative magnets</a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007338665204952674.post-8359422918309566682012-01-25T12:15:00.001-06:002012-01-25T12:15:09.968-06:00Hurray for Valentine's Day<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Good Morning All! I can't believe that it has already been a month since Christmas. And I must confess that I packed away the last of the decorations just today. They consisted of those few stray items that get forgotten and a beautiful felt poinsettia pillow that I started way before Christmas but just finished. I couldn't stand the thought of opening the Christmas storage totes and finding an unfinished project from 2011 being added to my list of to-do's in November 2012. The good news is that I can now start Valentine's decorations and gifts. I don't go all out crazy for Valentines but I do like a holiday that allows you to share how much you care. It is also a special day because it is my wedding anniversary (yes, I am a romantic sap and thought getting married on Valentine's Day would be so sweet). Little did I know that each year our special day is invaded by all the other couples and we can barely get a dinner reservation to our favorite spots without paying and arm and a leg. Also, I am cut one less special gift day because the two are combined on one day, foolish girl. The really interesting tid bit is that my dh and I have been married 25 years, 25 years? That just can't be correct, because if I got married at 22 then that would make me....old!! Haha. I sure don't feel it, I mean some days, yes, but it just doesn't seem possible that I'm sliding into 50 soon. Enough about how time flies, and on to the day of Amore.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>On to some fun. Go check out Stacie at The Three Sweet Peas, who shared some adorable Valentine gift tags that you can print out. Her link, <a href='http://www.thethreesweetpeas.com/search/label/printable'>http://www.thethreesweetpeas.com/search/label/printable</a><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>She is way talented and also shared a great tutorial on Tatertots and Jell-O's blog about making cute canvas liners for baskets.<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Almost forgot to share my weekly menu for the week. So here it is:<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Monday: Italian Zucchini Pie<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Tuesday: Taco Pie<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Wednesday: Barbeque Chicken, Steamed broccoli and cauliflower<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Thursday: Leftovers<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Friday: Something with leftover ground beef from Tuesday<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Saturday: Make your own Pizzas<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Sunday: Chili<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>I also will try and get another post out this week to show you some of the projects that I am desperately trying to finish before I start anything new. I refinished an old french country dresser that we purchased when we first got married and have moved around everywhere but I now have it back in the master bedroom redone with Black satin paint and distressed somewhat. I painted the details in turquoise but after staring at it for over a week I think I am going to try filling them with a stain pen. The blue is just too something. I also redid a cherry finish media cabinet and both of the adjoining shelfs. The major work is done but there is some details that still to be wrapped up before I show the after pics.<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Happy Hump Day!</span><span style='color:black; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:0pt; background-color:black'><br /> </span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='color:#4bacc6; font-family:Vivaldi; font-size:48pt'><strong><em>Melissa</em></strong></span></p></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007338665204952674.post-5378819883389788212012-01-17T10:10:00.000-06:002012-01-17T10:10:56.192-06:00What's for dinner???????<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, I've just survived another three day weekend with everyone home, and everyone screaming, "Mom, what's for dinner?" or "Mom, what's for breakfast?" Of course, they all get up at different times so that makes things extra challenging, and my two girls both had friends over for the weekend, and we had our adorable three year old granddaughter too. Did I mention, that one of my daughter's is a vegetarian and my granddaughter is too. Plus, Skyler (granddaughter) can't really tolerate dairy so she drinks only almond or coconut milk. Just typing this is making my jaw tighten from the stress of thinking of what to feed everyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I try to make the meals healthy because face it my dh and I both could stand to lose a few pounds, and I don't want to give my kiddos junk. But, they cringe at the sight of a vegetable, esp. the vegetarian which makes things ten times more complex. I've been trying to plan out a weekly menu to maintain some sanity around here which helps, but.... . If anyone has these issues I would LOVE to hear how you handle this or maybe a cookbook that caters to picky eaters. I just want to have time to finish the projects I've started, catch a reality show or two, read a chapter in my book, start a new craft, pin on <i>Pinterest</i>,and rest (ha ha). And not spend four hours in the kitchen only to be greeted with, "What is that?", "Ew, fish. I think I'm allergic to seafood.", "Can't we just order a pizza?", "I'm not that hungry."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I noticed<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> Lori at Our Forever House</span> (<a href="http://ourforeverhouse.blogspot.com/">http://ourforeverhouse.blogspot.com/</a>) posted a similar post about this same problem and she is posting her weekly menus so I an going to pony on to that and try posting my menus on here too. Also, at the end of my post is her recipe for knock-off Chik-Fil-A Baked Nuggets that I am going to try plus a wonderful breakfast egg muffin I tried this weekend that was very yummy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maybe by the end of 2012 I will have perfected the <span style="color: red;">PERFECT FAMILY MENU</span>. dun dun dun (serious times call for serious theme music), until then here is the plan for this week. And yes, I know it's Tuesday, but today is my Monday because of Martin Luther King Day. Hope everyone has a good day and bon appetit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Monday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Honey Mustard Chicken Breasts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leftover Steamed Green Beans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leftover Carrots and Red Potatoes</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tuesday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Taco Tuesdays (copied from <i>Rosa's Cantina</i>, a Mexican fast food restaurant, who offers tacos at a ridiculous price on Tuesdays.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wednesday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fake Chik Fil A Nuggets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sweet Potato Fries</span><br />
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</span><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thursday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chicken Tortilla Soup using a kit from HEB</span><br />
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</span><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Friday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Broiled Lemon-Parmesan Tilapia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saturday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leftovers</span><br />
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</span><br />
<b><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chili</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisi3LOaQU7dQzNB4XQQVCECFyk7xWv9cEpBKikFW4cJ8_xeHOOzNyQjbux8xWzM3pQo4Bqr7uA57a06b1dncKDkJAnL2Rgi56hZsIuQxy1bF0PGKuT3KiKT0bB4GM6oeji58EH3ap1fNLd/s400/cfa+nuggets.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmZlc8LHbzRHPbq9jYYeJR-suNUt7SDdbYyrM-jurLMirtvxsG52Ki_OFoTNpIRMDGV4zkhSrZjODaQVjO9PqAlrKOqKHt9a3anCBRdr6Wtz2yG50ePSpFvQweDkZEKg3dJtMow77YP4/s1600/Chicken+Nuggets.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #228855; text-decoration: none;"></a><b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1 cup milk</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1 egg</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1 tbsp Tabasco</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1 cups flour</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1/4 cup powdered sugar</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1 tsp salt</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1 tsp garlic salt</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1 tsp pepper</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1 tsp cayenne pepper</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Trim away any fat from the chicken and cube them in to bite size pieces. Try to keep them uniform in size so they cook evenly. In a medium bowl whisk the egg and stir in the milk and Tabasco. Place chicken in milk mixture and cover. Let it 'marinate' for 2-4 hours in the fridge (I let mine sit overnight since I made them 2 days in a row). This will make the chicken very nice and tender. Combine your dry ingredients in a bowl or large resealable bag. Add your "marinated" chicken to the dry ingredients and coat. Spread the chicken out on a large baking sheet, leaving space between. Place the pan under the broiler. Watch closely. When the nuggets start to get a bit golden brown, remove the pan and turn over the chicken using tongs. Place back under the broiler to brown the other side. Under the broiler, the heat somewhat caramelizes the sugar in the breading which allows the nuggets to turn a golden brown and get a bit of a crunchy crust. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Serve with your favorite dip and enjoy. </span> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">The real secret to the recipe is the addition of powdered sugar in the breading which gives it some sweetness. I never thought about that the nuggets at Chick are sweet, but they kind of are and that is what makes them so tasty. I made a few changes to the original recipe. Since I was baking these, I added some additional sugar to help crisp up the nuggets under the broiler. I also added some Tabasco and cayenne to give the nuggets a bit more flavor and zip. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Breakfast Egg Muffins</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="Sausage Egg Muffins Recipe" height="320" src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/small/207688.jpg" width="320" /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 dozen eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 1/2 Bisquick</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 c of whipping cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tsp Spike seasoning</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sliced green onions</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">shredded cheddar cheese (use as you like)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">salt & pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Optional Add-ins:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sauteed mushrooms and fresh spinach</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cut up ham, or cooked turkey sausage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mix together and pour into muffin tins. Silicone works best but if you use paper liners use two and spray with oil. Spray the silicone too these babies like to stick. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top. Only fill the cups 2/3 full. Can freeze and reheat in the microwave. These are like the South Beach quiches that use egg whites and whipping cream, which I like but my kids have a hard time with. Next time I am going to try it with low fat milk instead of the whipping cream to lower the calories and fat. I just needed to use up some leftover whipping cream.</span><br />
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<h1 class="plaincharacterwrap fn" id="itemTitle" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="itemreviewed" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Broiled Parmesan-Lemon Tilapia (from allrecipes.com)</span></span></h1><br />
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<div class="ingredients" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="Pan-Seared Tilapia Recipe" height="320" src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/small/681641.jpg" width="320" /> </span></h3><h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients</span></h3><ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 (4 ounce) tilapia fillets</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons Miami-style sazon seasoning (sazon completa)</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons butter-margarine blend (such as Smart Balance®), melted</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 1/2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise (such as Kraft®)</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons lemon juice</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 teaspoons grated lemon zest</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/8 teaspoon dried basil</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/8 teaspoon onion powder</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/8 teaspoon celery salt</span></li>
</ul></div><div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 300px;"></div><div class="directions" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Directions</span></h3><ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil. Spray the broiler pan's rack with olive oil cooking spray.</span></span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sprinkle tilapia with sazon seasoning and arrange on the prepared broiler rack.</span></span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mix the Parmesan cheese, butter-margarine blend, fat-free mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, basil, black pepper, onion powder, and celery salt together in a bowl and set aside.</span></span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cook the fillets under the preheated broiler until fish is barely opaque, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Spread the Parmesan cheese blend over the fish fillets, return to oven, and continue cooking until the topping is golden brown and the fish flakes easily, 3 to 5 more minutes.</span></span></li>
</ol></div><br />
<br />
<div class="footnotes" id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_recipe_Div1" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #666666; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left; width: 500px;"><div id="recipesnotes2" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 4px;"><ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="footnote_header" id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_recipe_rptNotes_ctl01_noteContainer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cook's Note:<a href="" id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_recipe_rptNotes_ctl01_lnkNote" rel="nofollow" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"></a><span id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_recipe_rptNotes_ctl01_lblEndNote" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span></div></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><div id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_recipe_rptNotes_ctl02_noteContainer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can substitute low-salt all-purpose seasoning blend for sazon completa.<a href="" id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_recipe_rptNotes_ctl02_lnkNote" rel="nofollow" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"></a><span id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_recipe_rptNotes_ctl02_lblEndNote" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span></div></li>
</ul></div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a class="nutritionanchor" href="" name="nutritionpanel" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 11px; text-align: left;"></span></span><div class="nutri-div nutrition" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: both; color: #666666; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left; width: 500px;"><h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nutritional Information <a class="nutritional-information" href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/broiled-parmesan-lemon-tilapia/detail.aspx#" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="open nutritional information" border="0" class="nutritional-information" id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_recipe_imgNutriIcon" src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/ar/myar/icons/icon-plus.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 16px;" title="open nutritional information" /></a></span></h3><div class="nutritional-information" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Amount Per Serving</b> Calories: <span class="calories" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">213</span> | Total Fat: <span class="fat" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">10.1g</span> | Cholesterol: <span class="cholesterol" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">51mg</span></span></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007338665204952674.post-70572038001800415492012-01-09T10:08:00.000-06:002012-01-09T10:08:50.901-06:00Rainy Days and Mondays..... make me want to listen to Kenny Loggins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLuDKgfo_fdVAUzuKiV2g_Q2J6P9IlD5rpleDDCMq6tYEfTzNZQ8W6MHF1ezFOZOo6hn1yfORkPy9-9m2KZ12tIu56d2bINTu1mhpkX6GZy_AcTl4Lhnm9PnsnS0F7iSZox1fvdn7VlT3/s1600/IMG_6044%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLuDKgfo_fdVAUzuKiV2g_Q2J6P9IlD5rpleDDCMq6tYEfTzNZQ8W6MHF1ezFOZOo6hn1yfORkPy9-9m2KZ12tIu56d2bINTu1mhpkX6GZy_AcTl4Lhnm9PnsnS0F7iSZox1fvdn7VlT3/s320/IMG_6044%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8aJVJwAiIe1qKBKTrlmZp9Z4d7WyXgojam12FnPYfrC30Cr69NCrAqdQrLLWDlSORgoA9_SH7WNtj22yvZrxtEMh2MD91dGKSega60b9jC8x56AS0zqzoebnU8R1GLifW-uu_xp_S47z/s1600/IMG_6063%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8aJVJwAiIe1qKBKTrlmZp9Z4d7WyXgojam12FnPYfrC30Cr69NCrAqdQrLLWDlSORgoA9_SH7WNtj22yvZrxtEMh2MD91dGKSega60b9jC8x56AS0zqzoebnU8R1GLifW-uu_xp_S47z/s320/IMG_6063%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzm39H7uhrvRD8YLk9jqV0-V1e1VB_-g0iVxAvhdRVb1v4_QuN1AZG82jdVviWnyVIxK9XweLP6z27xw1Z8fnGSA5dRfNRSEHHMnNczALVyLDArgm6quXj6FkzvDkU0RdsGHM2w5opFdY/s1600/IMG_6061%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzm39H7uhrvRD8YLk9jqV0-V1e1VB_-g0iVxAvhdRVb1v4_QuN1AZG82jdVviWnyVIxK9XweLP6z27xw1Z8fnGSA5dRfNRSEHHMnNczALVyLDArgm6quXj6FkzvDkU0RdsGHM2w5opFdY/s320/IMG_6061%255B1%255D.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>Happy Monday. Well, as the title suggests it is rain, rain, raining. Which is great, except that it is Monday, my house majorally needs to be cleaned because everyone is at home over the weekend and I have let a few chores slide while I finish some projects. I know, cleaniliness should come first for a stay-at-home Mother but.... I could complete that sentence, but I am sure that any of you out there who are like me know what that "but " means. It feels way better to look at a completed project. On a good note, I found a darling coffee table on the side of the road, squeezed it into my tiny Nissan Versa and brought that baby home. My daughter is still trying to furnish her new home and this looks a lot like her dining table. It is stained wood on top and painted flat white on the bottom ( I don't think whoever fixed this baby up took time to prime or you use decent paint because it looks really pathetic). Now for the real fun. I sanded that baby down, primed the bottom, fixed the support that was missing underneath, re stained the top with Min Wax Mahogany and concocted a beautiful new turquoise with some clearance Martha Stewart samples. I think the names of the samples were American Teal and Ocean Blue. I rolled the paint on with a sponge roller which let a gorgeous finish then finished it with a black glaze ( 2 parts Martha Stewart faux glaze and 1 part Behr Eggshell black paint ). I am stunned at the finished results. My daughter says she is not sure is the turquoise will look good but her living area is white everywhere, white walls, white sofa, white chair and I just gave her a large spiced pumpkin orange jute rug. If she doesn't love it, I may have to adopt this baby. Check out the before and afters here. All I need to do now is figure out what to do with the knobs. Megan thinks some Anthropology knobs would look good but I am still trying to make my free table as low budget as possible and since I've only used what I had on hand. It is still at 0 dollars. Any thoughts or suggestions? While you think, I'm going back to listening to "I'm Free (heaven can wait)", one of the catchy songs from Footloose and KENNY LOGGINS.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007338665204952674.post-26957628847466645682012-01-03T10:29:00.000-06:002012-01-03T10:29:40.317-06:00What does the name of your blog mean??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLVCV8mFr4pccCUTBV9wlqlg8aUeO7TRDLr8BQUYPclr2rlzCZEGIh4CF8oiLeSQfXkmqiQVNlmrgXXH8VqSgOyiyMng4cQCKFVb4Jew8LoPaDuiyMV0pHcQAqqpjAc_ynJqZegyS-9EC/s1600/pearls+and+roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLVCV8mFr4pccCUTBV9wlqlg8aUeO7TRDLr8BQUYPclr2rlzCZEGIh4CF8oiLeSQfXkmqiQVNlmrgXXH8VqSgOyiyMng4cQCKFVb4Jew8LoPaDuiyMV0pHcQAqqpjAc_ynJqZegyS-9EC/s400/pearls+and+roses.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBS1SqPyXT-klGuKvIaRYx9QeFj7GuuXh6nUiAxf3xW4OhuII1Vbjy1_sQ4DuyJbOPynV_xQs3uDYhgvgAjwOf2kHu8t5p3MzGO56kBJebqszgDic_da8wdy7djI7zzBDqIAV6gFb7Lg3/s1600/228macrameowls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBS1SqPyXT-klGuKvIaRYx9QeFj7GuuXh6nUiAxf3xW4OhuII1Vbjy1_sQ4DuyJbOPynV_xQs3uDYhgvgAjwOf2kHu8t5p3MzGO56kBJebqszgDic_da8wdy7djI7zzBDqIAV6gFb7Lg3/s200/228macrameowls.jpg" width="124" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Choosing a name for your blog is a daunting task considering in the beginning you are not completely sure what it will always be about. On a recent road trip with my daughter, Brynn, we threw around ideas and the name <span style="font-size: large;">Pearls and Roses</span> just seemed to be the one. It is my Mother's first and middle name and since she is the person who inspired me, and taught me that you should never be afraid to try something new, it just seemed fitting for it to be dedicated to her. I can remember when I was growing up the big thing was... Macrame. She made owls, and hanging plant holders, and I think she even made a hanging glass table. There was also the time she dabbled in ceramics and made all of these beautiful Hummel knock-offs, and Christmas tchochkes</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> . She made my clothes when I was little, painted our home, and basically never sat down. And I've grown up to be just like her, well minus the clothes making, pillows, and curtains but no fashion comes out of my sewing machine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The other similarity with the name Pearls and Roses is that essentially who doesn't love to take something ugly and turn it into something beautiful. But, of course there will be some thorns a long the way but it is worth the blood, sweat and tears when the rose finally blooms. I hope to see some of your rose gardens, so please post pictures. Until next time, here is a few of the makeovers I have just completed. I will include details as soon as I can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">$4 Thrift Shop Find that I made into a nightstand for my granddaughter, Skyler, using homemade chalk paint. I forgot to take the true before shot, which is where it was faded brown oak stain with water ring damage on top. The top pic is the after with a coat of poly wax to seal it good.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMSkNRYyGqV4gbE7eSecm-4DxlKQOcvBqqtbzB30QN00SKJEdKJ_Ui_LRhyphenhyphenMZ7JGf24vkN64mtk6_Q7eez6JvXeoOtP-CdgIC3a1fHd8LMAWwNTiauCZC1ygM_MYducmqj58zZRhGFB8W/s1600/IMG_4759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMSkNRYyGqV4gbE7eSecm-4DxlKQOcvBqqtbzB30QN00SKJEdKJ_Ui_LRhyphenhyphenMZ7JGf24vkN64mtk6_Q7eez6JvXeoOtP-CdgIC3a1fHd8LMAWwNTiauCZC1ygM_MYducmqj58zZRhGFB8W/s320/IMG_4759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEsvutIv-tWikDen-TQGa0z-4rkk3LQDx78yxEB4U7LcDwK0b1yiIEcvbqYNbV1GGHdsx64i39sQkM_0IiLFlPEvPBQC-NEbIPe9mveKaBs56OFhnt_5w-xVvEBol_Jj_RXh_I2l2pe9t/s1600/IMG_4753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEsvutIv-tWikDen-TQGa0z-4rkk3LQDx78yxEB4U7LcDwK0b1yiIEcvbqYNbV1GGHdsx64i39sQkM_0IiLFlPEvPBQC-NEbIPe9mveKaBs56OFhnt_5w-xVvEBol_Jj_RXh_I2l2pe9t/s200/IMG_4753.JPG" width="149" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAtgA6f2TogXm0XJWaF-WAWknz0JbChaThuiESfXt6F0uD822cjtKTCeJ6aReq7lD06YUJxgKPO5vKjjQ_PujMTXO_erXjLOKUv08yFBEYNNIQWmjbHHRb9i5yMCPr6uiuJASgtHizvA2/s1600/IMG_5067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAtgA6f2TogXm0XJWaF-WAWknz0JbChaThuiESfXt6F0uD822cjtKTCeJ6aReq7lD06YUJxgKPO5vKjjQ_PujMTXO_erXjLOKUv08yFBEYNNIQWmjbHHRb9i5yMCPr6uiuJASgtHizvA2/s320/IMG_5067.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOGtsajiUIz0DLWZwTHq9Olabr1oNHUKirFceGqI0-xOmB6Z7FTgipNkksk_39yDBRqZq1sw_BaZYMsfhxIkvO3ABey1eOSZD5H_krZ2kUFFFOs12dNDqTOTk0N8lOAMd7bFYCUDbTvpO/s1600/IMG_5952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOGtsajiUIz0DLWZwTHq9Olabr1oNHUKirFceGqI0-xOmB6Z7FTgipNkksk_39yDBRqZq1sw_BaZYMsfhxIkvO3ABey1eOSZD5H_krZ2kUFFFOs12dNDqTOTk0N8lOAMd7bFYCUDbTvpO/s320/IMG_5952.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eqdvpDjoi7FkWQdyorNO0fMCQI3CTWe4r0jjASP2tRGo3x-21Qj3NADYoNPxmTq8Xkn4l9TMyaTfqI9EvQdi1GT77_x2wcIthZ5CqARmXBGRpUsZ_VWuCnnoRT6668zaYgxs99lFXCMR/s1600/IMG_5953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eqdvpDjoi7FkWQdyorNO0fMCQI3CTWe4r0jjASP2tRGo3x-21Qj3NADYoNPxmTq8Xkn4l9TMyaTfqI9EvQdi1GT77_x2wcIthZ5CqARmXBGRpUsZ_VWuCnnoRT6668zaYgxs99lFXCMR/s200/IMG_5953.JPG" width="149" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcIO4ykDtD73LJhMeGdmNKGD4nUI_V5I2pMxVmfv7vS81vKOw9R_ivwLUxzrij8jspPPt5MAJc1BY7In3N75rpGMLuKh6XTpz-8hblANRn5qTDimxehpKhY4u3rfRq6botDWqociydIFf/s1600/IMG_5954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcIO4ykDtD73LJhMeGdmNKGD4nUI_V5I2pMxVmfv7vS81vKOw9R_ivwLUxzrij8jspPPt5MAJc1BY7In3N75rpGMLuKh6XTpz-8hblANRn5qTDimxehpKhY4u3rfRq6botDWqociydIFf/s320/IMG_5954.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a smoking table my grandfather made when he was in school in the 1920's. I know a lot of you are thinking that I ruined this antique but, I love the way it looks now and I would never sell it because of the sentimental value. Plus, I think my grandfather paid me a visit while I was refinishing it. I finished sanding and turned off my palm sander, walked over to the table and wiped it down and as I started spraying the primer on, the sander turned on all by itself from across the room. Who knows maybe this blog will turn more into something from Ghost Hunters?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and now for my favorite...My Grandfather Clock ( made by my Dad, not my grandfather). Please disregard the huge pile of junk next to it. This picture was taken during the recent wildfires in South Texas and I had a bunch of things on stand-by next to the front door in case we had to evacuate at a moment's notice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcAYAMEhoilGdcnOF-EijaBk7B8u8vQv31ZxsNAhHCZw_derb8qfX-a7vTLtVAfTsD-0_CrpJOUUYMtvLxK-Z3S4jZnVW-p8zSuYJa0GHQ55fYQS6Yy2uTAUgUXjVIDkakAToa16xUQFI/s1600/IMG_4431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcAYAMEhoilGdcnOF-EijaBk7B8u8vQv31ZxsNAhHCZw_derb8qfX-a7vTLtVAfTsD-0_CrpJOUUYMtvLxK-Z3S4jZnVW-p8zSuYJa0GHQ55fYQS6Yy2uTAUgUXjVIDkakAToa16xUQFI/s320/IMG_4431.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsSDcztWCyuBLyeB-JTTMHmEH4MFdf23tRqmd2mLrk_Yb3QeKrZg_jGWrKHOpMWDSTC8jMxffRMenPYUnJEeSAuBg_m34QsFKkFa-yWo7wmvAoX38iBbPkhRrwX6zM614DpZVPHbE3BMq/s1600/IMG_5071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsSDcztWCyuBLyeB-JTTMHmEH4MFdf23tRqmd2mLrk_Yb3QeKrZg_jGWrKHOpMWDSTC8jMxffRMenPYUnJEeSAuBg_m34QsFKkFa-yWo7wmvAoX38iBbPkhRrwX6zM614DpZVPHbE3BMq/s200/IMG_5071.JPG" width="149" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_2tLJnWaZCohcrYzXoL5W7q2rKDePG8yETO9Y1qwETJYq0OWqDSZVfzU7zPUW8gvuthxJLXdArQVVn_TLhP0mRYq5gZliAqQ87SHvvh1seaSDzYToK5tUYOesSUf7vU4kHfxhwDZy033/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_2tLJnWaZCohcrYzXoL5W7q2rKDePG8yETO9Y1qwETJYq0OWqDSZVfzU7zPUW8gvuthxJLXdArQVVn_TLhP0mRYq5gZliAqQ87SHvvh1seaSDzYToK5tUYOesSUf7vU4kHfxhwDZy033/s320/IMG_5955.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUkgqyH_vmAkE_B5DloJvDR1SmcHfSCgbXFeJm04iXKmsnIbmj1gioyP0ESw4JmAVLtW2j07H3Yg1D6BvVIW0XBD5_zifS56CPFfwj2pCva3MqzF15PKlhyphenhyphenr9TzfpGWMUGJWc8Qj9wKcD/s1600/IMG_5957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUkgqyH_vmAkE_B5DloJvDR1SmcHfSCgbXFeJm04iXKmsnIbmj1gioyP0ESw4JmAVLtW2j07H3Yg1D6BvVIW0XBD5_zifS56CPFfwj2pCva3MqzF15PKlhyphenhyphenr9TzfpGWMUGJWc8Qj9wKcD/s320/IMG_5957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiP1pwspWv48zb9H4SRsiFsHZLerybq4thNU1ud59W4TSI2-7Ltb2D5c5-SjItOXLYL3EoqRDEORSYesrEuHsO9GE7raVZ6E52pkwYvh3py4hLlpe0du-QGLq5xtRKt0eiqV4DDk4rlQN/s1600/IMG_5958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiP1pwspWv48zb9H4SRsiFsHZLerybq4thNU1ud59W4TSI2-7Ltb2D5c5-SjItOXLYL3EoqRDEORSYesrEuHsO9GE7raVZ6E52pkwYvh3py4hLlpe0du-QGLq5xtRKt0eiqV4DDk4rlQN/s320/IMG_5958.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also used chalk paint for this project too, not <u>Annie Sloan's</u> but my homemade mixture of latex satin and plaster of paris dry mix. It reminds me of cake batter when it is in the best form. I glazed it with Martha Stewart's glaze mixed with some Behr Black satin latex. It really gave it an aged look. I actually got it working for about a week but it has went back to sleep for now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Now that the kiddos are back in school I better begin the <b>BIG</b> clean-up after everyone has been here for the past two weeks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Wish me luck!</i></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007338665204952674.post-58031879265962040622012-01-02T13:01:00.000-06:002012-01-02T13:01:24.676-06:00New Year, New ThingsWell I finally did it. I officially started my new blog. I've been working on home improvement projects for what seems like my whole life, but now I get a chance to keep a diary or journal of sorts of what I've done. This is actually pretty exciting since most of the time I hustle and bustle from one project to the next, never taking time to look back at my accomplishments. Of course, they aren't always accomplishments. Okay, maybe they are more like measures of my knowledge. I love to jump in feet first and try new things. I don't always get it right the first time, or second but I think each time a little experience is growing for my next venture. <br />
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I am amazed at all the talented people who I have discovered on the internet. My 20 year old daughter was always go on and on about so and so's blog and what they had done, but I had never taken the time to browse. First, she got me looking on Etsy ( Unbelieveable), then Pinterest (Totally addicting), and finally reading blogs from other women just like me who took on crafts, and painting, and sewing and furniture redo's and posted about it. I felt like a kid in a candy shop. Sometimes I have original ideas, but other times it is great to copy others genius. I am promising myself that I will take time and load up some of the things I've worked on and am currently working on. I can't wait to hear your feedback, suggestions and comments. So let the fun begin!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06748579413445239841noreply@blogger.com0