tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36022292540293332282024-03-05T06:03:24.597-08:00The MarchionessExperiences of a small servant on a great adventure.The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.comBlogger590125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-8965640883121773592020-07-17T11:38:00.001-07:002020-07-17T11:38:49.207-07:00Shopping in a Diseased Country<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span data-offset-key="1j114-0-0"><span data-text="true">John was home today so I ran errands that I don't often do and would rather not do with the girls. I went to five stores in three hours. I didn't find everything I wanted but I did get chocolate milk! </span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1j114-0-0"><span data-text="true">It's always an interesting experience to go shopping these days because it's a small window into the world, a face to face sampling of society(as opposed to the also very small window of social media). Or should I say, mask-to-mask. Thankfully I've not gone anywhere where masks were absolutely required, because I don't want to wear one. I really dislike how wearing masks de-humanizes people. I dislike going out and not seeing people's faces. It makes them more like robots because you can't see any facial expressions or emotions. It's difficult to even hear what people are saying. Masks cut human interaction down to almost nothing, and I don't like that.</span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1j114-0-0"><span data-text="true">People out and about today were very friendly, but I felt more of an underlying insistence, possibly even militancy, that people follow "the rules." And it's like people are walking on eggshells trying to keep them all(the rules). One lady standing in line behind me waiting to get into a store spoke with calm resignation of all of us living in fear. Another lady standing in line profusely thanked the woman next to her for being a hero and working as a nurse, even though she was a nurse in a psych ward, not an infectious disease ward. Such an odd flavor to our world right now. And so much social pressure. Social pressure never really bothers me. I can dress differently and live differently from culture and I'm fine being different. I think I get that from growing up homeschooled and also from mom. But won't all these people who do care about what society thinks start to crack at some point?</span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1j114-0-0"><span data-text="true">Also so many people living in fear of catching a disease. Coming out of the past four months has cemented in my mind that avoiding disease is not worth the cost of isolation; not for this long of a time. I can see the affect of isolation on people and while it may not be extreme yet, none of it is good. This situation also makes me think back on the three years we lived in Ft. Worth, and how I struggled with being alone. Being alone is bad! God said so!</span></span></div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-58326412699840057892020-06-12T11:28:00.003-07:002020-06-12T11:28:59.786-07:00Spring Tea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We planned our spring tea to fall when we expected the peonies to bloom. We caught the tail end of the blooms and I think the table turned out very pretty! We added lemons, mint, and a sad bouquet from Aldi. We also used antique purple glass to hold the flowers, mismatching tea cups, and a pale blue tablecloth with a few vintage lace handkerchiefs.<br />
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No pictures of food this time- we had chicken bacon bites, savory cheese scones, truffles, and a strawberry jelly roll cake.<br />
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Now I'm looking forward to the Fall tea!<br />
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The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-52439256766164080622020-05-11T12:11:00.001-07:002020-05-11T12:11:08.140-07:00Our Patio and Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We have a little garden this spring. The dirt is very hard so we'll see what it yields. The peas and lettuce are doing well. The herbs and flowers remain to be seen. Some parsley is coming up and maybe a few leeks. I hope the basil grows because I use that the most.<br />
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We took this flag pole from our neighbor's yard on campus after they moved out. They were the unhappy family and we were glad they moved. John protested packing it when our time to move came, but they cost way too much and so I kept it. Now a year after moving it finally is getting a flag and a place in our garden.<br />
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I am always looking for something to decorate. John helped me spray paint two chairs and the pots on our patio. Now the flagpole and banner will match, and hopefully I'll make some new matching bunting as well. We all love having a patio, playset and yard, and now a garden. It's a blessing.<br />
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Pretty snazzy chairs!<br /></div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-57893240187342418772020-02-12T11:04:00.002-08:002020-02-12T11:04:49.457-08:00A White Swiss Dot Blouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This blouse is white cotton lawn with some leftover white rayon challis as lining. It's a good blouse. I think it could stand to have a little more flair in the bottom, and it could be maybe an inch longer. I have spent so much time thinking about how to accommodate pregnancy, post-partum, nursing, and recovery body(is that a thing) into one item of clothing, and I'm not sure it's really possible! I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking about a piece of black velvet I've had for five years now. It's just cheap polyester stretch velvet, and I think I've finally decided to make a plain maxi skirt with it. Something nice to wear to church. But then the question is, how fitted should I make it? And then my mind just went on and on from there. I do love the creative process of making clothes. It's just the challenge of the <i>possibility</i> of many different body shapes having to fit inside the same piece of clothing that makes it all interesting! <br />
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The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-85277860023125686762020-01-24T17:56:00.002-08:002020-01-24T17:56:57.132-08:00A Blue Summer Blouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Rayon challis drapes so nicely and is light without being too see-through. It's also very soft, but not too difficult to work with. It does wrinkle easily, but I still like it anyway. So this blouse is blue stripe rayon challis, lined with some leftover cream rayon challis. I believe they both came from fabric.com.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IXWWghHody-IWAR8dkW5u5nfPia0ryIpnQeSpV8w2ClkrBVxSCsLEAU_LyaDrR_VQWwWSoZ7AXx8mbJjJaoRpnhBL4ssEj8K7asldGuNqO0ZH_n0l7HAoY27lawHdCCwsvBOo-MDNT8/s1600/IMG_20200114_142354270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IXWWghHody-IWAR8dkW5u5nfPia0ryIpnQeSpV8w2ClkrBVxSCsLEAU_LyaDrR_VQWwWSoZ7AXx8mbJjJaoRpnhBL4ssEj8K7asldGuNqO0ZH_n0l7HAoY27lawHdCCwsvBOo-MDNT8/s320/IMG_20200114_142354270.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's a simple pull-over blouse. I wanted to make it loose enough to wear for early pregnancy and for nursing, should that come about again. I can't afford to have a wardrobe for each specific stage of life!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUHBP6tK_d2eEuM364Mw2zBj4zuk1_KIb4iDiLbxduJmalkQXXwn-pPthgoRgqbzeZwUeYO3BzjL81VRVTmYjFnhSVWqtN8xO3_9vlVCqxq8wAamhubYJ2E_1_hd6JnZgs0sgF5QhEmc/s1600/IMG_20200114_142432807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUHBP6tK_d2eEuM364Mw2zBj4zuk1_KIb4iDiLbxduJmalkQXXwn-pPthgoRgqbzeZwUeYO3BzjL81VRVTmYjFnhSVWqtN8xO3_9vlVCqxq8wAamhubYJ2E_1_hd6JnZgs0sgF5QhEmc/s320/IMG_20200114_142432807.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The stripes meet in the center front. The back has the stripes going straight up and down with two small darts at the waist.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJgVnIhewCUDJZO2gth0iFI6NrQ-TtseY5FlmtUo4jp6lgeinTkQMKBsTMNOGRAIHD1UlRn5Gh1yVMyySoy1_ZohqLY2FCfJZwxK4b0wuWTnTYLODKn60gV4-oQ_SSZuEyCTw8MwJI8U/s1600/IMG_20200114_142439184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJgVnIhewCUDJZO2gth0iFI6NrQ-TtseY5FlmtUo4jp6lgeinTkQMKBsTMNOGRAIHD1UlRn5Gh1yVMyySoy1_ZohqLY2FCfJZwxK4b0wuWTnTYLODKn60gV4-oQ_SSZuEyCTw8MwJI8U/s320/IMG_20200114_142439184.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The waistline has a peplum skirt- I hemmed it by hand. Rayon can be pretty bouncy so hemming by hand gave a better look than a rolled him would by machine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG3GZh9AELovUY-iuz1X0SokLmRbV0oSkhxzIpWeiIE1nChN_o9DrRefe4V-psKqvNxM9wn9dfYG8ernoM4TJDtEegM4_VgbpoYQE28XJOMyGoT2Vbpy9DFslHPk1Vm3ZVBesbHuO8uU/s1600/IMG_20200114_142456320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG3GZh9AELovUY-iuz1X0SokLmRbV0oSkhxzIpWeiIE1nChN_o9DrRefe4V-psKqvNxM9wn9dfYG8ernoM4TJDtEegM4_VgbpoYQE28XJOMyGoT2Vbpy9DFslHPk1Vm3ZVBesbHuO8uU/s320/IMG_20200114_142456320.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The sleeves have alternating stripes for the cuff.<br />
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And that's it! I was very careful making this so hopefully it wears for a long while. Next post, a white swiss dot blouse that I plan to wear to the Very Next Wedding.</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-41011637414956133592020-01-24T17:46:00.000-08:002020-01-24T17:46:18.612-08:00A New Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's 2020! My goals turned out to be both a long to-do list for the year, as well as possibilities to prepare for. Here are a few small changes I'm working towards at present. <br />
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M's school. I figured I needed some specific direction for education this year, so we will at least be working on learning one hymn a month, one catechism question weekly, and reading Proverbs, and meandering our way through learning to recognize lower case letters besides upper case. She can count to fifteen so we'll keep moving onward with numbers, and hopefully read some educational books together. Still debating getting a library card.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBMpFEXhdla191Ix8T0tcEoku1I15HVtVL0ViRcGYIiydrR2-aQpPm290TsLq3x-TBLqYJkUhkjxdzrKH2I7tE_Bqcmqe0C368pIUDtS4emXrRB22crZB4GebJCMRfzDYHgwRycSCmvw/s1600/IMG_20200109_090425762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBMpFEXhdla191Ix8T0tcEoku1I15HVtVL0ViRcGYIiydrR2-aQpPm290TsLq3x-TBLqYJkUhkjxdzrKH2I7tE_Bqcmqe0C368pIUDtS4emXrRB22crZB4GebJCMRfzDYHgwRycSCmvw/s320/IMG_20200109_090425762.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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New clothes. My wardrobe makes me a bit discouraged these days. Two babies and an austere budget for the past four years have taken a toll. But the budget is still austere, so I can't justify buying new clothes, though I would still like something nicer than used- and I don't have time to go thrifting anyway. So this past year I bought some fabric to make three tees, three blouses, and a sweater. I was also given a new skirt and sweater for Christmas. The girls also have sewing projects continually piled up, but those are all make-overs of my old clothes or fabric leftovers. M loves new dresses made just for her!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FfosWiekYqBZ8ZESTp_9xpVmRySy2CRL2YSCVRwwv-7UYjjnpg2aSZ_ifCrTeHLCAyKsESr_UYE7tv7sidRnHBOrpnXJ31flLH9mmQsC2HVLOA8KDpd47pVDUpllcQAD3Jj11fO7ES0/s1600/IMG_20200114_142347732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FfosWiekYqBZ8ZESTp_9xpVmRySy2CRL2YSCVRwwv-7UYjjnpg2aSZ_ifCrTeHLCAyKsESr_UYE7tv7sidRnHBOrpnXJ31flLH9mmQsC2HVLOA8KDpd47pVDUpllcQAD3Jj11fO7ES0/s320/IMG_20200114_142347732.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blouse number one completed</td></tr>
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Available books. I moved my book basket to the window where it is at least there to be seen and easy to reach(but not reachable by toddlers). My times of reading have suffered. My quiet times are rare. My discipline suffers. So now they're available- I just need to decide to read.<br />
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My mode of organization isn't any fancy notebook. Just a pad of paper, with daily to-do lists and grocery lists. I'd be sunk without it! New notebooks for the new year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6kvd1BTUG8YIuD4L-hAPr_2LrDBNdLnboMXEbZYv02F9Eq3ADnKf2V8MqaYpyN5Z2y_Dz8J3-AlWGTdH6BVhgM_Yc26OPhNFX4H2MxZeLkvMnQOLleO6KtVtCABHX1B2utx9Z9GGLYg/s1600/IMG_20200110_153045061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6kvd1BTUG8YIuD4L-hAPr_2LrDBNdLnboMXEbZYv02F9Eq3ADnKf2V8MqaYpyN5Z2y_Dz8J3-AlWGTdH6BVhgM_Yc26OPhNFX4H2MxZeLkvMnQOLleO6KtVtCABHX1B2utx9Z9GGLYg/s320/IMG_20200110_153045061.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And that's all so far! </div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-9901353434701977892019-12-24T12:06:00.001-08:002020-06-12T11:29:13.480-07:00A Christmas Tea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv9NVDuSFafYc8QZauPBR9RFmje02BIZwfjfV_Q2nXI8sjQbTVsKDKE94fC8yr7eqKcVNNAQ29u_nyxR9pkwOb4XCp0-n4d2dI-E8W8scD_oyGszZL7eZdOSSQOCLqdJbePPF6Z4IyFo/s1600/IMG_20191207_093903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv9NVDuSFafYc8QZauPBR9RFmje02BIZwfjfV_Q2nXI8sjQbTVsKDKE94fC8yr7eqKcVNNAQ29u_nyxR9pkwOb4XCp0-n4d2dI-E8W8scD_oyGszZL7eZdOSSQOCLqdJbePPF6Z4IyFo/s320/IMG_20191207_093903.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Whole Table</td></tr>
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Early in December I hosted a tea in our apartment for a few ladies from church. The food turned out so well and I always enjoy decorating. The ladies stayed to talk for four hours! I wanted to share my pictures here for reference later on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW6KQ_p98f5rVDTG_5C_mqkMDJrhFMO7L-xNGNCidNY_KmN-k5A93kaY-nl5Li2vjbfG55RLq6LKLll27RXwfnkSm_Z1PMcccwoWzzNUr3k3TA6UCRUUG_WQvgxkRO-4SYpr881rnsvU/s1600/IMG_20191207_093957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW6KQ_p98f5rVDTG_5C_mqkMDJrhFMO7L-xNGNCidNY_KmN-k5A93kaY-nl5Li2vjbfG55RLq6LKLll27RXwfnkSm_Z1PMcccwoWzzNUr3k3TA6UCRUUG_WQvgxkRO-4SYpr881rnsvU/s320/IMG_20191207_093957.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centerpieces</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCet26LlImElr48wO74dlkBciIxNuns_zVvV1xMaXD3KK36T-V1rt75eLKPiHZrtJ3J0Wn4BnhqCZxeQXI-zpqOgyQ_6g2H4dXawgFh27uX1V08oyfDQg9pi3OkopkrJOBNzKv2_XLiU/s1600/IMG_20191207_094002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCet26LlImElr48wO74dlkBciIxNuns_zVvV1xMaXD3KK36T-V1rt75eLKPiHZrtJ3J0Wn4BnhqCZxeQXI-zpqOgyQ_6g2H4dXawgFh27uX1V08oyfDQg9pi3OkopkrJOBNzKv2_XLiU/s320/IMG_20191207_094002.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our party favors were these Nativity ornaments; and each nametag had a icebreaker question on the inside</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7h2NYFPIPTck-ADjfFM572n9BdDMSPHu30yPQ72BUu-NI8u3rHZpzquxW3wn6aWfFOXCMAAVqdzMwMKphWLJBL_IfpbQCjvoWNEkwRKlDD5am4yk9WIG7KPteh0aJjw14xGjQ2hG6AQ/s1600/IMG_20191207_094015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7h2NYFPIPTck-ADjfFM572n9BdDMSPHu30yPQ72BUu-NI8u3rHZpzquxW3wn6aWfFOXCMAAVqdzMwMKphWLJBL_IfpbQCjvoWNEkwRKlDD5am4yk9WIG7KPteh0aJjw14xGjQ2hG6AQ/s320/IMG_20191207_094015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red pears, oranges, apples, cinnamon sticks and walnuts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BbuBE-2wo6gkO5E7ujjxY41tu_NAMb6E0o2-ROcEj4RaGd2_IVUSiLky1OcI2KE4Zbdv8wdWbvDe-adaQd0KX5F2uo8pI8c1H3GSGqXhMVZ7w14xvO38YaM49OyNFtpN50FMTzqHS9A/s1600/IMG_20191207_094030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BbuBE-2wo6gkO5E7ujjxY41tu_NAMb6E0o2-ROcEj4RaGd2_IVUSiLky1OcI2KE4Zbdv8wdWbvDe-adaQd0KX5F2uo8pI8c1H3GSGqXhMVZ7w14xvO38YaM49OyNFtpN50FMTzqHS9A/s320/IMG_20191207_094030.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranberries, carnations and eucalyptus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxoYyoxsHgLKvD9zbP9T2WA8PXja4Yc7x-xOgp5RfS8Vm6TpsjDw2X0zknHCtH24bc8hGKO5hBvSI2Wg48p4SDPj9RczLCgKsuVrUGnwBBgyLsSieKYu3-mucOoPuwZ3m0BKBlQjsQ9w/s1600/IMG_20191207_094048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxoYyoxsHgLKvD9zbP9T2WA8PXja4Yc7x-xOgp5RfS8Vm6TpsjDw2X0zknHCtH24bc8hGKO5hBvSI2Wg48p4SDPj9RczLCgKsuVrUGnwBBgyLsSieKYu3-mucOoPuwZ3m0BKBlQjsQ9w/s320/IMG_20191207_094048.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The perfect Christmas tablecloth, a present from my brother last year</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDkJSVWrPhHBuWUZaaeBmG-2qAU8dd1muFVmmIOQvbuqTx0GBHwy5F7KRllZec5p1OuoI1mFez-tNM1seK2Em6dp6OZXoUVbcPzAoMJJ6cbNKC-oEN1dNCIixlhZjcruk_dr5v6BPm5Y/s1600/IMG_20191207_094056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDkJSVWrPhHBuWUZaaeBmG-2qAU8dd1muFVmmIOQvbuqTx0GBHwy5F7KRllZec5p1OuoI1mFez-tNM1seK2Em6dp6OZXoUVbcPzAoMJJ6cbNKC-oEN1dNCIixlhZjcruk_dr5v6BPm5Y/s320/IMG_20191207_094056.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJI4es_oQIDqQMYRrUpI_TrQjY1ywFQPW1zQxPyMXc6Xr1DIvv7MJDJ_T1GlZykW6jKNXyWVVCCpXUqaME09PI-2aXRO9QWF7kzzFh5NaT0XYD7GTghClgvylX_Twvbv1N5yFrPJl9Ic/s1600/IMG_20191207_094104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJI4es_oQIDqQMYRrUpI_TrQjY1ywFQPW1zQxPyMXc6Xr1DIvv7MJDJ_T1GlZykW6jKNXyWVVCCpXUqaME09PI-2aXRO9QWF7kzzFh5NaT0XYD7GTghClgvylX_Twvbv1N5yFrPJl9Ic/s320/IMG_20191207_094104.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Grape and Cheese Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWnzvoC5QPFUr7yrJIPModjGWv8PITw8no8FK52N7qjuTMZFQRqz1n_lTTFfEIdCkEUeNxomGgxA9zZGH0jWWgIW36hP9kspPJq3T-rM2F8_rDATMe_8Oiz79nA7VUTvuG_d_fDfUtoc/s1600/IMG_20191207_094116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWnzvoC5QPFUr7yrJIPModjGWv8PITw8no8FK52N7qjuTMZFQRqz1n_lTTFfEIdCkEUeNxomGgxA9zZGH0jWWgIW36hP9kspPJq3T-rM2F8_rDATMe_8Oiz79nA7VUTvuG_d_fDfUtoc/s320/IMG_20191207_094116.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dickens Corner</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXYgPsjZUWyZXfRPr4fbfoN8guUhfY6OoJSNeuGBVXw07sg_3FwcDsNPQvnLfCVGGGr9LVtQg4JprHeQEN2ejDqEjJtQ7GL11qkWd0B9r0lHfZjk6cw-X7PUmKIfDM7bftt2LMrTdEV4/s1600/IMG_20191207_094122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXYgPsjZUWyZXfRPr4fbfoN8guUhfY6OoJSNeuGBVXw07sg_3FwcDsNPQvnLfCVGGGr9LVtQg4JprHeQEN2ejDqEjJtQ7GL11qkWd0B9r0lHfZjk6cw-X7PUmKIfDM7bftt2LMrTdEV4/s320/IMG_20191207_094122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coconut Nativity, from my childhood.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR67nFofTW_tf0EHhM3UEfxfywmMkbw-xfUXFd_2qSkzqwGg76ibV7ocjyXZ80IIY1lhoGzDhpF7w78pG8lOwSBL3fOEcO0c0-P5BTNR_4syRL-IPTeBmpdFxcFIKjtnh_Foy9sOZSGh4/s1600/IMG_20191207_094126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR67nFofTW_tf0EHhM3UEfxfywmMkbw-xfUXFd_2qSkzqwGg76ibV7ocjyXZ80IIY1lhoGzDhpF7w78pG8lOwSBL3fOEcO0c0-P5BTNR_4syRL-IPTeBmpdFxcFIKjtnh_Foy9sOZSGh4/s320/IMG_20191207_094126.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The decorative stick got a Nativity too</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqcUBNTicb00eHFNN1eBjViVst_U8b46-9luUlNNCpig76i3Ao5H2z8mDeut-vu5WXEoeUzMB5zrsBRP6kDwy7WLNZaYyXZthBJMxvPctUKdAM5OZ-JYYFsrLyW4izNSA8oojkcCDnwk/s1600/IMG_20191207_094141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqcUBNTicb00eHFNN1eBjViVst_U8b46-9luUlNNCpig76i3Ao5H2z8mDeut-vu5WXEoeUzMB5zrsBRP6kDwy7WLNZaYyXZthBJMxvPctUKdAM5OZ-JYYFsrLyW4izNSA8oojkcCDnwk/s320/IMG_20191207_094141.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nutcrackers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7J-Y8wh7RnrsOjDWcjwFozw_l8CmPuovckTsONQNZVg1UVflgWNfoOvrrjqSnDTEW4C2kIVGi0iRUOB-aAqyozVlVQaQys2YhhI6nfSfGOVhGVGWbFqGCRHuQD75m3gZY-WqMr05MTU/s1600/IMG_20191207_094158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7J-Y8wh7RnrsOjDWcjwFozw_l8CmPuovckTsONQNZVg1UVflgWNfoOvrrjqSnDTEW4C2kIVGi0iRUOB-aAqyozVlVQaQys2YhhI6nfSfGOVhGVGWbFqGCRHuQD75m3gZY-WqMr05MTU/s320/IMG_20191207_094158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimEYtbvRxRtii3ZoGPwVF5glvjTnf7NW7Rf-eTnKk66ak4_27EVAzkRA7qG47g_AUa9aeIp4MUM16ObuUf0_amGhunN8L-vQBY0wppDK4y4GeB5Fu0NkmRT2-st-ROTsYeuOPS-Lfr9U/s1600/IMG_20191207_094216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimEYtbvRxRtii3ZoGPwVF5glvjTnf7NW7Rf-eTnKk66ak4_27EVAzkRA7qG47g_AUa9aeIp4MUM16ObuUf0_amGhunN8L-vQBY0wppDK4y4GeB5Fu0NkmRT2-st-ROTsYeuOPS-Lfr9U/s320/IMG_20191207_094216.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scones and Wassail to go with our truffles. This came after the cheese, fruit and spinach puffs.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBxigGW8J1YzSgFUvY3VrdIfSANKjrJ0WwdZFXllz5puaxS85DluSe3pVG0ZAofsnZ2_aI9LzHiOpvnYtxgjbt0bIkKZv7lFIqTfDsmHbEJbh_Nt-z-oIp3UYRc6EXQyZqt0M6dgAfzI/s1600/IMG_20191207_094239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBxigGW8J1YzSgFUvY3VrdIfSANKjrJ0WwdZFXllz5puaxS85DluSe3pVG0ZAofsnZ2_aI9LzHiOpvnYtxgjbt0bIkKZv7lFIqTfDsmHbEJbh_Nt-z-oIp3UYRc6EXQyZqt0M6dgAfzI/s320/IMG_20191207_094239.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea Smith tea is the best!</td></tr>
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The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-31683421959536053142019-10-10T12:30:00.003-07:002019-10-10T12:30:31.418-07:00It's Fall!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
M has an intense fascination with shoes. She wears shoes, all the time. She changes shoes several times a day. Potty training and shoes do not go hand in hand. When you have to go potty four times an hour, it gets old real fast trying to get pants off and on around toddler shoes. Plus they smell terrible! And I get stepped on almost as many times in an hour as M has to go potty. This is life.<br />
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We continue to improve our new apartment.We purchased an area rug for the living area, and after upcoming repairs in the girls' room I have plans to repaint, hang pictures, put up M's swing, and hopefully get a lamp for better lighting. I have the desire for M to enjoy playing in her room (without being naughty) once it gets too cold to go outside. She's getting to that age where she needs to expend energy or we'll both go crazy.<br />
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Most of what sewing I am getting done is winter clothes for the girls: flannel nightgowns, fleece pajama pants, long sleeved T-shirts. I still enjoy creating even practical clothes for them, because it's a need that I can take care of myself. And they still look cute whether I make them fancy dresses or not!<br />
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So it's Fall now- for real! I bought our traditional cinnamon broom and spiced cider from Trader Joe's today. When we moved to Ft. Worth, I missed Fall. John and I had fun visiting all the health food stores in the area, and the spiced cider and cinnamon broom gave an appearance of Fall even when there was none- so it's an official family tradition now. I also bought some nice cheese, which said on the label it was soaked in sayah, but I didn't know what that was. Apparently it's a wine. Oh well!</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-34516049844878690642019-07-20T18:27:00.001-07:002019-07-20T18:27:10.152-07:00More Improvements<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The stick is up(no picture yet)<br />
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The patio progresses:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPib7zjMRn2U89tZZfOfjzMRN2g4Ydn-0y6FpY1SoTQn964tOlOyxJg026ISASzEJPSs5BI1wYNd1h0vaeofRtOun8s7NkprWwLM55nTQVwRfiFEQUZNvQCkE4y1Mo22x0RI4JwzbWSg/s1600/IMG_20190713_090058278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPib7zjMRn2U89tZZfOfjzMRN2g4Ydn-0y6FpY1SoTQn964tOlOyxJg026ISASzEJPSs5BI1wYNd1h0vaeofRtOun8s7NkprWwLM55nTQVwRfiFEQUZNvQCkE4y1Mo22x0RI4JwzbWSg/s320/IMG_20190713_090058278.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LURRJgMpnrFiD9vDQA7lB_HcibvTxly5rRfRjnzP69sMlxcInbLfwWZPwckkkFuxTlSgYbtj-cv0CT181dQJIncWd_YsiraBtlkWiUcmqiVn0UWn7T3oO8Xd-EBhiqxAWw9JRTLr7R8/s1600/IMG_20190716_104408983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LURRJgMpnrFiD9vDQA7lB_HcibvTxly5rRfRjnzP69sMlxcInbLfwWZPwckkkFuxTlSgYbtj-cv0CT181dQJIncWd_YsiraBtlkWiUcmqiVn0UWn7T3oO8Xd-EBhiqxAWw9JRTLr7R8/s320/IMG_20190716_104408983.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The backsplash is done:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWFyoQ4K9eX9W5bemJba3R6mSAK-xvBoV2Rrltfx_-QqboT2LhjGNTeokt905D7-4_9MOjjxn8leD68cMt-81OdIYcHjSDCenGVUX2HOPzp0ZuXd0qxHtBNsLrkBUl8ODHA6H-qYuKvA/s1600/IMG_20190711_155344761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWFyoQ4K9eX9W5bemJba3R6mSAK-xvBoV2Rrltfx_-QqboT2LhjGNTeokt905D7-4_9MOjjxn8leD68cMt-81OdIYcHjSDCenGVUX2HOPzp0ZuXd0qxHtBNsLrkBUl8ODHA6H-qYuKvA/s320/IMG_20190711_155344761.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sdQdTlSw3w3misGug1IJ-P1NDzoSsEc7K9Qxpp-WyQS4ysdZ0Z2MP2CwCIZQaYQKgXUEaef9hUMbcBXjVmhVspP56jTgdFKfxyK49Z1b6XfC4n-tGSboCB3FXrVzo3ORKR4PBgbXBrk/s1600/IMG_20190713_103334091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sdQdTlSw3w3misGug1IJ-P1NDzoSsEc7K9Qxpp-WyQS4ysdZ0Z2MP2CwCIZQaYQKgXUEaef9hUMbcBXjVmhVspP56jTgdFKfxyK49Z1b6XfC4n-tGSboCB3FXrVzo3ORKR4PBgbXBrk/s320/IMG_20190713_103334091.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now to wait for cooler temperatures to finish the patio!</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-50342902970035709012019-06-19T11:11:00.003-07:002019-06-19T11:11:29.943-07:00Paint and Decor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FYRQfL-lEOZKO6VHXSKrnxW96EXTPNKy3FIpn4yisvEqWzOhiEjxLZKRArkeS83vHbMuyBs5Cc7PtANHH5lpQJKqCszqEEz3woTOg3lTQNJVTQE4_w_775EVdgH7L1pfc1hL1fFjfWo/s1600/IMG_20190612_204123749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FYRQfL-lEOZKO6VHXSKrnxW96EXTPNKy3FIpn4yisvEqWzOhiEjxLZKRArkeS83vHbMuyBs5Cc7PtANHH5lpQJKqCszqEEz3woTOg3lTQNJVTQE4_w_775EVdgH7L1pfc1hL1fFjfWo/s320/IMG_20190612_204123749.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shelves</td></tr>
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We were plugging along getting our B Suite where we(I) wanted it, and then we got sick. But the stencil border is done, and the kitchen shelves are up, and I love them. A few more touches and I hope to host a tea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASvD7D9YGqJxRKs8a8pYZy8ApaXSOmS8I138tcVZ_Xou-9kLtdFdzwCar1ulsjYb4FLzptd_x3pwf-mGizMo3LBNKoaqq4Ts56EycUB0R_Vlmc8eANElu2CHuqUNj7kmx2ToOADoAbgw/s1600/IMG_20190619_130229388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASvD7D9YGqJxRKs8a8pYZy8ApaXSOmS8I138tcVZ_Xou-9kLtdFdzwCar1ulsjYb4FLzptd_x3pwf-mGizMo3LBNKoaqq4Ts56EycUB0R_Vlmc8eANElu2CHuqUNj7kmx2ToOADoAbgw/s320/IMG_20190619_130229388.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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One, this stick. It's a stick we got off the lawn at Southwestern right after we arrived, and used it to prop open our very old, very heavy, very broken bedroom window. A very ordinary thing, but somewhere along the way we got attached to the stick and it moved with us. Now it's going to be sanded and hung on the wall to look something like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfIvRGIF4mYu6wPXAMzU9dlYazQji2P7ZH7k8-3f947-dO0KcRX_K5zceyJH0iWC4CI06WX2Mrn7yGCMasMbuWqdYdTxiV2sdKgJmWE4XzITnAQYthslTdwFWd0Z8X8f3duDk0DgNx0c/s1600/hanging+stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="366" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfIvRGIF4mYu6wPXAMzU9dlYazQji2P7ZH7k8-3f947-dO0KcRX_K5zceyJH0iWC4CI06WX2Mrn7yGCMasMbuWqdYdTxiV2sdKgJmWE4XzITnAQYthslTdwFWd0Z8X8f3duDk0DgNx0c/s320/hanging+stick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The other very important thing is the backsplash. It just needs to go up for the sake of our kitchen wall, but I have to paint it first!<br />
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This is just a start of the ferns and lilies of the valley I plan to put on the backsplash. It may take a while!<br />
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The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-89628857572617545782019-06-06T12:34:00.002-07:002019-06-06T12:34:53.110-07:00The Plans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've been here less than two weeks and things are finally unpacked just enough to think about decorating projects. Here's the short list of the big things: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vy-hP2v9yLmXAQ2XJaN4df9tBywsJqp2zW76B53FAMZeakNqEYUFdWq4w5UXIPK7iWmiud5KTKzEa44p5S46IRzxuS0T6WtyZZRUXqFmUdFSOLNnf20wYlXkBkBj7TitRUWv-1M6IEI/s1600/IMG_20190604_132116036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vy-hP2v9yLmXAQ2XJaN4df9tBywsJqp2zW76B53FAMZeakNqEYUFdWq4w5UXIPK7iWmiud5KTKzEa44p5S46IRzxuS0T6WtyZZRUXqFmUdFSOLNnf20wYlXkBkBj7TitRUWv-1M6IEI/s320/IMG_20190604_132116036.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up and down stencils</td></tr>
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Stenciled wall borders. I've been reading a bit about stenciled walls in colonial New England, and it's really interesting: traveling artists would take their stencils from house to house and decorate the walls, since wallpaper was yet to be available. It really struck a chord with me, after living in a drab off-white apartment for three years- and I've always loved painting things around me. <a href="https://www.vintage-stenciling.com/about.html">This site </a>was particularly interesting. Anyway, while most of the reproduced stencils were too busy for my space, I found some that I felt went well and started going at it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsuq2sAuErFP0ejw2ieqAy1bHTRCIzLv3pc1bGZhHRmU39IAcsJrrQQjbQ3hc9etaVXFLAntSxG6wbWZpehdjgamTjQLeHieOJHwF5wOXWnj_jotOJX95c3TVovjQ0F1scWhke2LDYmg/s1600/IMG_20190604_132126045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsuq2sAuErFP0ejw2ieqAy1bHTRCIzLv3pc1bGZhHRmU39IAcsJrrQQjbQ3hc9etaVXFLAntSxG6wbWZpehdjgamTjQLeHieOJHwF5wOXWnj_jotOJX95c3TVovjQ0F1scWhke2LDYmg/s320/IMG_20190604_132126045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Across stencils</td></tr>
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Painted lampshades. Another something that appealed to me. I've been watching home decor shows ever since we started getting ready to move, <a href="https://www.houzz.com/houzz-tv/my-houzz-an-antique-cape-cod-house-explodes-with-color-stshtvvw-vt~4018714">and this clip mentions painted lampshades</a>. The lady's house is waaaay to busy for me, but just the deep colors seemed so warm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV0Ugzvk6aZgiKfHfB9-M6Gy2wcXbY3CL5Agt6HeLrr-5mIVKRMYkxzqh98HM82lNz24J7yfvHtubO4XY8k5Sxl5y-unN6FFCPSyhyphenhyphenUpvNUJ1-NMsD92TMsEh5A3fRSv8qGLNeG3nqKQ/s1600/IMG_20190606_142857663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV0Ugzvk6aZgiKfHfB9-M6Gy2wcXbY3CL5Agt6HeLrr-5mIVKRMYkxzqh98HM82lNz24J7yfvHtubO4XY8k5Sxl5y-unN6FFCPSyhyphenhyphenUpvNUJ1-NMsD92TMsEh5A3fRSv8qGLNeG3nqKQ/s320/IMG_20190606_142857663.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my first try. I think it's hideous.</td></tr>
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Kitchen shelves and cabinet knobs-an obvious, immediate need.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6RNabDvTEHLGFhZR67uxcfg-An4kotCOcYWT73w-3b7GkxIX77OI6eL23BOGCrOZi-PRO5BvyKyjbXmHIlmYb_IW8zi1yHFKDcReqCGm05-Zw2Y8vAjua790Cd_pyX4C6w_iGSZn2Ng/s1600/IMG_20190601_200705444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6RNabDvTEHLGFhZR67uxcfg-An4kotCOcYWT73w-3b7GkxIX77OI6eL23BOGCrOZi-PRO5BvyKyjbXmHIlmYb_IW8zi1yHFKDcReqCGm05-Zw2Y8vAjua790Cd_pyX4C6w_iGSZn2Ng/s320/IMG_20190601_200705444.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The knobs need an adjustment but I like the handles</td></tr>
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A backsplash- another practical need. But I'm determined to make it pretty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK2mzuDZXTPtRrk28t_ju1nV4pSMWHscnL-_ZLnaAapDRBKQeBGxXNIPCFmmF8nqrZ042MGRO4SZF_BUIDk1nloN2smvNzrnojb5YuNNELM_f4oJg0KFG_iR9d7OocehH4l23dPS3tQs/s1600/IMG_20190606_143018989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK2mzuDZXTPtRrk28t_ju1nV4pSMWHscnL-_ZLnaAapDRBKQeBGxXNIPCFmmF8nqrZ042MGRO4SZF_BUIDk1nloN2smvNzrnojb5YuNNELM_f4oJg0KFG_iR9d7OocehH4l23dPS3tQs/s320/IMG_20190606_143018989.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood for the backsplash waiting to be painted and sealed.</td></tr>
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Also on the list, curtains, quilt display, a garden space, an attractive patio with hammocks for the girls, and a sewing space. New chair covers, organize the bookshelves, make a lace teepee for the girls' room. How long with all that take me?????</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-79445216617262018992019-06-04T12:19:00.000-07:002019-06-04T12:19:11.646-07:00Decorating my new place<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So our new apartment is a walk-out basement that was finished just for us! And since it's owned by my parents, I got a bit of say in a few things. Which was nice. Mom and I quibbled back and forth on various items and it's really pretty hard to pick paint colors via a computer screen, but the walls are yellow and the bedroom is grey and basically everything is a least a little like what I was hoping for.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G4VRCyZKKQg3AtkaTbclU3XSIajbBsSoxfFm3IDEGd2XS6XJlYdi9jeEvPx-TYVHRKR0aknXPXRgmG6TGPext4kmGldr0S1FjcebxA70CXTv0roEWo0yt229QN2p1BUfhwUEPlNMCeI/s1600/IMG_20190513_111526144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G4VRCyZKKQg3AtkaTbclU3XSIajbBsSoxfFm3IDEGd2XS6XJlYdi9jeEvPx-TYVHRKR0aknXPXRgmG6TGPext4kmGldr0S1FjcebxA70CXTv0roEWo0yt229QN2p1BUfhwUEPlNMCeI/s320/IMG_20190513_111526144.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen-Living-Dining Room, with sliding doors into the new second (Grey) bedroom</td></tr>
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Considering that the walls were all unfinished(and covered in teenage graffiti), ceiling was open, and the floor was plain concrete, it's quite a change.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsR9POeyvA4633gK2_u5Oezk_WXHvrkDe9LkHVQtzOAW0aNCCRbx08wz0OYbj4tmJl71cSTEElA_EkseAmOjHQRTrkKhwydQWU5Qbm-8dXBRHT1mEqIXPooW8ocWMR3dK-Kycn-xNA_k/s1600/IMG_20190513_111812503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsR9POeyvA4633gK2_u5Oezk_WXHvrkDe9LkHVQtzOAW0aNCCRbx08wz0OYbj4tmJl71cSTEElA_EkseAmOjHQRTrkKhwydQWU5Qbm-8dXBRHT1mEqIXPooW8ocWMR3dK-Kycn-xNA_k/s320/IMG_20190513_111812503.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey bedroom- fresh paint!</td></tr>
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Most of the work was in the big room. The bathroom also got a new floor, and the window trim got painted, plus a lot of little jobs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmHXIRNEE3qn4HFnDi638msvVPvlDJhB7va9tFZkl9I956trXEXngZTrltW186McpLEKiYXDoxEw-f7RZxA6ny5mnMeExZRFzuu9dv-httEC5jM-OG1b0eJjnP6e5mqyeIDy_AuKw5Og/s1600/IMG_20190513_111603430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmHXIRNEE3qn4HFnDi638msvVPvlDJhB7va9tFZkl9I956trXEXngZTrltW186McpLEKiYXDoxEw-f7RZxA6ny5mnMeExZRFzuu9dv-httEC5jM-OG1b0eJjnP6e5mqyeIDy_AuKw5Og/s320/IMG_20190513_111603430.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New floor- with heating! Which will be great once it's connected.</td></tr>
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So there's what I had to work with when we moved in. A clean slate and lots of Pinterest ideas which I hope to photograph as I go along.</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-54840404460442624812019-05-01T18:13:00.002-07:002019-05-01T18:13:53.500-07:00Moving along...Boxed in....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Baking with two babies is hard. Today we made muffins: a standard go-to in our house for breakfast or a special snack. Once batch lasts for several days, and they can be healthy, AND still have chocolate chips. Today Baby E was in the high chair and Baby M was standing in the chair next to me at the table as we made muffins.<br />
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I cracked an egg into the bowl. It looked fishy. I decided to fish it back out with a ladle and throw it out. While I was taking it away, in the ladle, Baby E grabbed the carton of eggs and dropped it on the floor. There were only two eggs in it, but one broke and one just cracked- so I used the cracked one. No one will want to eat my baking after reading this. Baby M meanwhile got batter everywhere and all over herself. But overall everyone still enjoyed the end result: pumpkin bread. And muffins.<br />
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Our move date is three weeks away. Stress meter is rising. Boxes are piling. I can't wait to be settled again.<br />
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What will I not miss? The strong scent of kimchi wafting daily from next door. The neighbors' toddler who stays up until 10pm every night. The sound of sirens wailing from police cars and fire trucks every day. Generally having people always around just because we're in the city. Off-white walls. John being in school- so glad to be nearly done with that.<br />
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What will I miss? Church people. Having John home for lunch.<br />
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Three more weeks.</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-64841986176525182572019-03-14T14:46:00.000-07:002019-03-14T14:46:33.164-07:00Marching would be good for us...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPcZHJL2Fa7tfD55xnyubTCf5v6mOgYCxUfHXmWcEIJaRgptpkVxxhRi-QN-iOWhyRfA3H8bPU7CfOBX4FwZ9E1IcfXR6evv3LGpXN-zT8GknWrbUCJGEhWnfrrQmJXZupfGPJKlRmtA/s1600/IMG_20190301_111900846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPcZHJL2Fa7tfD55xnyubTCf5v6mOgYCxUfHXmWcEIJaRgptpkVxxhRi-QN-iOWhyRfA3H8bPU7CfOBX4FwZ9E1IcfXR6evv3LGpXN-zT8GknWrbUCJGEhWnfrrQmJXZupfGPJKlRmtA/s320/IMG_20190301_111900846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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March so far has been about food. John's birthday; we made cookies.<br />
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We had a guest; we made cake(we were supposed to have more than one guest but the others couldn't come so there we were with a whole cake to ourselves).<br />
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We went on a short, sleepless vacation; we ate out for every meal. We went with the goal of eating good food, and it was. Artisan pizza, donuts, smoked meat sandwiches, grilled salmon BLT, and amazing burgers as the last meal.<br />
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Lots of good food. Now if only we could get some good sleep....</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-54049754338410679562019-03-06T11:12:00.001-08:002019-03-06T11:12:25.910-08:00At Night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The other night John mumbled a very concerned incoherent sentence in his sleep. I asked him, are you saying something? He replied, I'm just babbling, I guess. And then we went back to sleep.<br />
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Then yesterday, Baby E had a very upset stomach. Lots of crying and screaming all day long, up until 10pm. Finally we all could go to bed. John suggested we pray for poor Baby E. So he started, Lord please help Baby E.... was I just praying? He had dozed off in the few seconds between and carried on the conversation with barely a hitch.<br />
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We're sure getting tired of baby feedings at 4am and toddler wakings at 6am!</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-24258098995991262432019-02-28T11:40:00.001-08:002019-02-28T11:40:30.606-08:00Groceries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We girls don't get out much so little things like getting groceries is a big deal these days! Usually I do my weekly shopping in two different stores for the choices of meat and produce I use. If John isn't free and I have to take the girls with me, it's like shopping as Christian in Pilgrims' Progress, before he loses his burden... maybe something like being a pack mule? It's just hard to go shopping with a baby and a toddler.<br />
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When John's schedule does accommodate, I feed the baby and then rush frantically off to buy everything needed for a week of eating.<br />
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Today I did the feed and rush. However, a tiny sprinkling of ice caused terrible traffic, delayed school, and one traffic light out that I saw. It was ridiculous- the roads were fine. But I sat in traffic for way too long to get to the store. It made me think, at least when we move the winter traffic will be bad for a reason!<br />
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Store number one. Ran around frantically grabbing things off the shelf. Cursed the cost of diapers. Bought something that could pass as a birthday present for John. Store number two. Slightly more relaxed. Resisted the temptation of popcorn, protein bars, and chocolate. Aimed to use my $5 off of $30 coupon. The fellow in front of me in line was one of those old guy types who likes to joke it up with everyone, so we chatted about cilantro and vegans. Then he offered to pay for my groceries, up to $25. I had my coupon, but my order came to $29.60! I had to spend .40 more. So I paid for the tomato of the lady behind me, used the coupon, the gentleman paid for $25, and I had $1.05 left to pay. It was amusing, and, considering the price of diapers, really nice.</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-22945425710697256152019-02-19T10:57:00.000-08:002019-02-19T10:57:14.646-08:00It's February<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last night we had breakfast for dinner, and it reminded me why we don't have breakfast for breakfast. It's too time consuming! Tasty though- bacon, omelet with chipotle gouda, home-made wheat toast, and sparkling blackberry juice kombucha.<br />
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After dinner I was complaining to John about our neighbors, again. They were really pretty quiet as neighbors until they had a little boy. Turns out he's a toddler night owl, and every evening it sounds like someone is having a raucous bath at 9:30pm, or later. I shake my fist at the walls while getting the baby to sleep and hope our next neighbors- my family- will be quieter after nightfall!<br />
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We have just three months before we move over to those new neighbors. I was thinking of buying a container of oats, because we're almost out. But then I thought, would we eat a whole container of oats in three months? Probably not. Strike that off the grocery list because I can't stand to waste! We're going oatless.</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-4368378065007887252019-01-25T13:01:00.001-08:002019-01-25T13:01:03.015-08:00New things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So lately I bought paprika for the first time ever, made puppy chow for the first time ever, and made ham bowl puff for the first time in years. Then this week while I was bagging my groceries before heading to the car a crazy man was wandering the parking lot, the manager had to be called, but he was gone by the time I got out there so I missed it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qqCXDdQoRBvTgimnEtFn4JasDs9EU6hSHMCdW0WPvBh-ROI123OVAzIZQ_g8aj2mygg6QmIMJvmrfVLrhsmk4y38OYpFEJ-kOV8ts6tDh4WIxN5_Frwl7RDd-F1AIJ_ayIHejVwf-78/s1600/IMG_20190124_202846721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qqCXDdQoRBvTgimnEtFn4JasDs9EU6hSHMCdW0WPvBh-ROI123OVAzIZQ_g8aj2mygg6QmIMJvmrfVLrhsmk4y38OYpFEJ-kOV8ts6tDh4WIxN5_Frwl7RDd-F1AIJ_ayIHejVwf-78/s320/IMG_20190124_202846721.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This week has been a wash with spit up and not much else. Baby E decided to gift us all with regurgitated milk in abundance, and the only reason I can think of for this week's terrible milk mess is possibly a growth spurt, or teething. She's definitely teething, anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4nK-Eu-aSThUIOcYtb_ZVS2e_PiTsBvWi5AfIKdZRixidFoWCc7bPeD5V9al6kEL1M6IR8Gt9YSqyyF_wD3ZxXci6-v6PFAClqANMxCwnJlQW6uKoI8KqgVcQrMRJaNvFkQnLONAETA/s1600/IMG_20190124_085546910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4nK-Eu-aSThUIOcYtb_ZVS2e_PiTsBvWi5AfIKdZRixidFoWCc7bPeD5V9al6kEL1M6IR8Gt9YSqyyF_wD3ZxXci6-v6PFAClqANMxCwnJlQW6uKoI8KqgVcQrMRJaNvFkQnLONAETA/s320/IMG_20190124_085546910.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our last semester has started. John's away to school and I'm impatient for school to be really over. I'm cleaning out the apartment as much as I can(which is going pretty slowly) and everything that we haven't used in the last three years is in jeopardy of being given away. Casserole dish? Gone. Baby shampoo? Gone. Fabric scraps? Gone. I love it. The babies keep me on my toes, and I know packing everything up and actually moving will probably be stressful, so I want to get a head start. It takes me so long to get anything done, better start now. I can't look away from M for a few seconds without her getting into trouble. This week her socks went into the toilet. I tried to include her in baking; it was stressful. At least she got to crack the eggs. Then after that mess she went and got her dirty sweater out of the laundry and started licking muffin batter off of it. Sigh. She's pretty cute, though, and watching her grow and learn is always enjoyable.</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-81139133615075663012018-12-19T12:18:00.002-08:002018-12-19T12:21:41.610-08:00Christmas 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Christmas Tea party with appetizers that were too much work</td></tr>
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We are getting ready for Christmas. There are pounds of sugar all over the house, or at least it feels that way. I never had to give things to extended family until I got married, and then our first Christmas married it was a shock to discover that not only would we see John's extended family, but would need to give them gifts as well. It's hard to know what to give someone you may only see two or three times in a year, so this year we're doing baked goods. Tasty, consumable, most people can eat them and have fun doing so.<br />
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We are endeavoring to do advent with Baby M by opening a door on the paper Bible-verse advent calendar and singing one carol every evening. She's enjoying it, on the evenings she's not already too tired. We're enjoying it too. It's a little more interactive than a Bible chapter and a little shorter too. Simple is good these days. Naps are good; school is out, and that's good. One semester until we're done here, that's good too. Merry Christmas!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1h7N6vSinSNY8ufOgD_hgQ9yB71KQpaQU6aytN74zzS_54G1EGK9XBcAVouIKTX5EncD9j0OlQIhc_rkP0fhyphenhyphenos2cycW3Mg7CXKlXHGgPi-kf-9GQsNPeXJtP0YH9Cd4eDRLHMfOgKc/s1600/IMG_20181218_095056971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1h7N6vSinSNY8ufOgD_hgQ9yB71KQpaQU6aytN74zzS_54G1EGK9XBcAVouIKTX5EncD9j0OlQIhc_rkP0fhyphenhyphenos2cycW3Mg7CXKlXHGgPi-kf-9GQsNPeXJtP0YH9Cd4eDRLHMfOgKc/s320/IMG_20181218_095056971.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby M insists that we light the candles during dinner every night</td></tr>
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The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-74138682842910700262018-12-11T17:34:00.002-08:002018-12-11T17:34:49.297-08:00Christmas Dresses <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Progress on any project is super slow right now, but I made effort and got the girls' Christmas outfits done(except I ran out of lace and still need to get more). They're not very fancy, but they match, I used fabric I already had, and the dresses at least are lined with flannel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnY6j8-884xBPu0uJ6FkFL9CRaPM6RsekHrWU-VEROht9azoEuQQ2mU-IlqjggaCHVQpsCEc6CKuy2DtCO7IE9tKh8pII0J3dFWtdztar9ERdlLTAsKuWkQLOEpFX2E-smYuVHGoxhDI/s1600/IMG_20181210_150507304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnY6j8-884xBPu0uJ6FkFL9CRaPM6RsekHrWU-VEROht9azoEuQQ2mU-IlqjggaCHVQpsCEc6CKuy2DtCO7IE9tKh8pII0J3dFWtdztar9ERdlLTAsKuWkQLOEpFX2E-smYuVHGoxhDI/s320/IMG_20181210_150507304.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby E's Dress</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5DW7-ZcDjpdBKdaaEr7AUveR8jTRj0rugRePii7HgbqneJj3sJTw7MBfZROvy3et3uryEJy0QZXIbe7ntg_7GuNhvotrVhdedq6xQ59zImPEZiWN_JCEBXzOTTeq8G80dUQCnkYt7qk/s1600/IMG_20181210_150654409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5DW7-ZcDjpdBKdaaEr7AUveR8jTRj0rugRePii7HgbqneJj3sJTw7MBfZROvy3et3uryEJy0QZXIbe7ntg_7GuNhvotrVhdedq6xQ59zImPEZiWN_JCEBXzOTTeq8G80dUQCnkYt7qk/s320/IMG_20181210_150654409.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby M's jumper and blouse</td></tr>
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The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-57758680612907115602018-10-31T08:37:00.001-07:002018-10-31T08:37:50.943-07:00Frigid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our fridge stopped working. I don't know the ins and outs of fridge life, but the vegetables in the back of the fridge were freezing and being ruined. So we tried to turn the temp down using the innocent looking buttons inside. But at some point after that the fridge was no longer cold at all and the freezer was waaaay too cold... so we went four days like that and pretty much everything went bad and Margaret got constipated because we ran out of fruit and then finally they brought a new fridge. There's only three guys in the appliance section of maintenance, and apparently they do the campus locksmithing too, besides being students. So that's one reason it took so long.<br />
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Baby E is doing very well. Growing, eating, sleeping and burping happen every day. And diapers... Baby M is doing good too, and super cute.<br />
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Any sewing I've done has been brief snatches in between babies to try and get some winter clothes put together for M. They're functional but not too attractive, and Margaret does not appreciate having to wear sleeves and thicker clothes. Oh well. Our apartment is so drafty layers are required!</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-61379006126510192042018-09-08T07:31:00.001-07:002018-09-08T07:31:28.329-07:00Hobbling along<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One week until probable due date. Effects of a bulky middle are still in full swing. Half the time I look like an old lady who needs a walker, and a servant- to carry my toddler and my groceries! I'm torn between wanting it to be over as soon as possible, and waiting until after my last massage on Monday. After some more concerns over the baby's size, we submitted to another sonogram this week.<br />
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It's getting to the point where before I go to bed at night I look at my kitchen in resignation and think, if I go into labor tonight this is what my kitchen will look like. I do dishes in secret because I can't handle the toddler's help. And John changes as many of the diapers as possible just so I don't have to lift the toddler, either.<br />
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And jump ahead three weeks....<br />
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We made it to the other side. Still hobbling a bit, but hanging in there. Baby M loves Baby E. We are all sleep deprived, and one of us is teething. But it's still nice to be done with that phase!</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-9952125915374677392018-08-08T08:12:00.004-07:002018-08-08T08:12:52.453-07:00Blah Countdown Post<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Home made pizza sauce simmering on the stove. Pizza dough rising in the bread machine. Fussy teething toddler on the floor with ALL of her toys. Laundry in the machine. Braxton-Hicks in full form. Wild cravings for peaches and chocolate milk. Puffy hands and feet. Two more hours until daddy takes over. Two more weeks until the baby comes, and who knows how many days until M gets her latest teeth.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nesting/baking: French Silk Pie</td></tr>
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I am ready to be done; It's been long enough. I want this baby on the outside. I may be sleep deprived on the other side, but at least my body won't feel like it's physically being dragged into a pit every day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching, waiting, and wanting company</td></tr>
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Two more weeks!</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-59757428095238634472018-07-26T08:27:00.001-07:002018-07-26T08:27:23.358-07:00Animals and Exploring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Since we've arrived there's been a large collection of stuffed animals on display in the student center. It's quite a large and varied collection that someone now dead had donated. Well, along with other changes on campus the animals were recently moved to a storage room in the basement, no more to be admired. John was on the crew that moved them all, and the last to get moved was a huge elk that was, apparently, quite difficult to get down the stairs into the basement. Then John came home sneezing, so we figured he must be allergic to elk hair.... or maybe just dust.<br />
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Last week we took Baby M to the Art Museum, which is free and has a children's playroom. It's too hot and uncomfortable for me to take M out much at this stage, and we both get a little housebound. She enjoyed getting out, and it's fun to see her explore. She walked around the art displays, which made a few people nervous, but she's too short to reach anything anyway. Then this week John took her to the children's museum- of course she loved that too. We are glad we get to spend some special time with Baby M before another sibling comes along.<br />
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Not much more time before that happens, either. We're slowly knocking out my to-do list, which takes a while because John has all the big chores on the list and he's away working already! I am thankful that our upstairs air conditioning got fixed, but it's the strangest thing- some evenings now there's a strong smell of what seems to be cooking food, just upstairs, just evenings. I keep telling John it's kimchi from the neighbors next door. I don't like it!</div>
The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602229254029333228.post-31553523906576003022018-07-10T12:12:00.000-07:002018-07-10T12:12:51.845-07:00Outings, and Braxton Hicks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When you don't go out much everything is exciting. Then the days we do go out are so tiring it feels like it should be the weekend already...<br />
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Yesterday we went out. First off was the chiropractor. The most exciting thing there was the man doing a foot detox bath in the office waiting room, which Baby M wanted to touch, and the violent flushing of the toilet in the restroom, which baby M thought was terrifying.<br />
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Next was the post office. The most exciting thing there was a ten year old screaming and flailing on the floor. Baby M was appalled.<br />
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Lastly we used our free treat at chikfila to get a peach tea-lemonade. However, I failed to notice that it was sweet tea- in fact, it was so sweet as to be undrinkable. It was insanely sweet; even John said so. Never getting that again!<br />
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Today was Cow Appreciation day at chikfila, so we went back for our free sandwiches. Baby M wore a black and white dress, which she hates, and refused to wear her crocheted hat with ears. And then didn't eat her sandwich anyway, so John did. And that was that.<br />
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The Marchionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04265467672287471648noreply@blogger.com0